From the Principal’s Desk…(Mike Gillotti)
Moving Forward Together
Every summer, typically in late July, I watch the movie Apollo 13. I do this because it is one of my favorite movies about teamwork. The entire story reminds me of just how powerful a group of individuals can be when they work together to overcome unforeseen challenges and find solutions to seemingly impossible problems. The entire story is an incredible display of trust, honesty, creativity and compromise among a group of passionate people united around a common cause. It reminds me that there are very few obstacles that cannot be overcome by a strong team of committed individuals.
While it was far from bringing astronauts back from space safely, the process of starting school this past August presented the most challenging set of circumstances any of us had ever experienced. Teachers, students and families all had to manage change on a regular basis, while working to put together a plan that would make school feel as normal as possible. When teachers returned from summer break, they were presented with the challenge of starting school during a global pandemic, with only 50% of the students attending in-person each day, and the rest Zooming into class remotely. Staff worked diligently in meetings, trainings, and brainstorming sessions to share and develop strategies for simultaneously delivering instruction in-person and remotely.
When the school year started, students and families were faced with having to navigate school both in-person and remotely, in addition to the modified practices, camps and rehearsals that many had already begun. Face coverings, social distance and cleaning became part of the new normal. Back to school didn’t include the same opportunities to reconnect with peers the way it had in previous years. When remote learning started a few days later, it was a bumpy start. There were frustrations and struggles for teachers and students. Understandably, the seeds of doubt sought fertile ground in the minds of many as we worked through our first full week in the 50% capacity plan.
Now, nearly three weeks into our current plan, everything I believe about the power of teamwork has been reinforced by what I’ve seen on display here at Southwest. Students have taken the new changes in stride as they navigate increased personal responsibility. Staff are working together to innovate and adapt. Families are balancing new demands on their time and responsibilities. Every member of our community is working harder in an effort to make the most of this school year. It is cliché, but we are all doing the best that we can to keep calm, and carry on, safely, in pursuit of the excellence we always strive for at Southwest.
Thank you for your understanding and support for our entire community as the 20-21 school year gets into full swing.
Sincerely,
Mike Gillotti – Principal
Upcoming Events
All dates and events are subject to change due to current health directives
September
7: Labor Day- No School
8: Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:00-7:00 pm, virtual
8-11: Spirit Week (see Spirit Week headline for more details)
11: Homecoming Dance (cancelled)
21: Forensics Parent Meeting, 7:00 pm, via Zoom
22: ACT Makeup Day- No School Grade 9,10,11
23: Sophomore Grade Parent Meeting, 6:30pm, Auditorium
24: Theatre performance- LSW’s Got Talent, 7:00 pm
25: Theatre performance- LSW’s Got Talent, 7:00 pm
29: Picture Retake Day, 7:15 am-2:00pm, Theatre Hallway
October
2: Apply to College Day
14: Finals
15: Finals
16: Fall Break- No School
17: PSAT
19: Term 2 Begins
26: Freshman Parent Meeting, 6:30 pm, Auditorium
26: Gifted Meeting, following Freshman Parent Meeting, Auditorium
Parent Information
Parent Teacher Conferences
Fall Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 from 4:00-7:00 This will be a virtual event. More details to come.
Honors Convocation
Due to the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 Pandemic, we will not be holding a fall Honors Convocation for the 2020-2021 school year. In the spring, LSW honors 9th, 10th, & 11th graders. Graduates, including 12th grade early grads and 11th grade early grads, are honored at a Senior Honors Award Ceremony in May.
Student Pick-Up/Drop Off
Parents are encouraged to drop students off prior to 8 a.m. and pick up after 3:15 p.m. Peak traffic times are from 8-8:15 a.m. and 3:05-3:15 p.m. However, we ask that students not be dropped off prior to 7 a.m. or picked up after 3:45 p.m. as we do not have supervision for students during these times. Security is generally in the parking lot before and after school directing traffic. We thank you for not parking in the fire zones, as designated by the red painted curbs.
Academic Recognition Information
Student Picture Information
Ordering
The Picture Day ID Code that you received when your student had their picture taken at School Readiness Days is no longer valid. To order your student’s picture online please contact LifeTouch at 800-736-4753 for your student’s unique Portrait ID. The unique Portrait ID will also be available on the student’s proofs.
Remote Learners who have not gotten their ID picture taken
Please visit Lori Spivey in the Security Office to get this taken care of ASAP. If this is not done, your student’s picture on Synergy will be old or blank. You also still want to take part in picture retake day (see below) for your student’s yearbook picture.
Picture Retake Day
Any student needing their picture re-taken or taken for the first time will need to have it done on Tuesday, September 29. LifeTouch will be set up from 7:15-2:00 If your student did not have their picture taken at School Readiness Day or the first day of school, they need to have it taken on this day. Students wanting re-takes will need to bring back their picture packets fully intact if pictures were purchased. Note this picture will be used for the yearbook. This is the only re-take day we will have all year, so please plan accordingly.
Health Insurance
Does your child need health coverage? Information regarding Nebraska’s Children’s Health Insurance Program is located at:
Fall ACT
Due to last school year’s canceled spring ACT test, LPS will offer the ACT this fall to any of last year’s Juniors that would like to take advantage of the opportunity. This is a fantastic, free-of-cost opportunity, and we strongly encourage last year’s Juniors to take full advantage. Testing will take place on the morning of September 22nd.
Senior Information
Senior Family Meeting – New Date
On Sept 16th at 6:30 p.m., RJ Vega, EducationQuest representative, will host a College Funding online event for Lincoln Southwest students and families. Watch for an email with specific details on how to join the event in the coming weeks.
Announcements/Caps & Gowns
At this point in time, we will not be able to have Lincoln Graduation set up in the commons to collect orders for caps and gowns. There are a couple different ways for you to order your graduation items. Lincoln Graduation will also be sending a digital informational packet to families.
- Place your order online at lincolngraduation.com
- Print off the order form or pick one up in the main office. Mail order from to:
Lincoln Graduation
4535 Normal Blvd Ste 160
Lincoln, NE 68506 - Students that qualify for Free and Reduced meals, please turn your order form into Abbey Traynowicz in the main office.
Senior Picture Deadline Date
Yearbook senior photos are due October 31st. For more information on specifications and requirements, check out the LPS senior photo link.
Senior ads for the yearbook are currently 30% off! The yearbook is running a senior sale through December 1. Information can be found on the senior ad link. Space is limited so reserve yours today to ensure your senior has a message in the yearbook.
Senior Academic Reminders
- It is YOUR responsibility, if you are transferring from outside LPS, to provide documentation regarding Honor Roll from another school in order to be eligible for LSW 7 Semester Honor Roll. Do NOT wait until the last minute to address this issue.
- If you are graduating early as a JUNIOR, please let Brianne Wright (main office) know if you would rather be honored at the LSW Honors Convocation with the junior class, or if you would rather be honored at the Senior Honors Program.
- Any academic achievement awarded at the senior honors convocation and/or at graduation are based on a student’s GPA through their seventh semester. Academic achievements are subject to change after the final semester grades are included in the overall GPA. It is important to remember that taking a lighter course load in your final semester could affect your GPA and academic standing.
Government and Politics
GOPO service-learning hours for all students who will take the course during the 20-21 school year are waived.
Student Grade Withdrawal Information
If a student withdraws from a class late in the term, below is the grading table that we follow:
| Term/Dates | Timeframe of Withdrawal from Class | Grade Students Will Receive |
| Term 1-Aug. 12-Oct. 14 | Sept. 2-16 | W |
| Sept. 17-Oct. 14 | F | |
| Term 2-Oct. 19-Dec. 22 | Nov. 9-20 | W |
| Nov. 23-Dec. 22 | F | |
| Term 3-Jan. 5-March 5 | Jan. 26-Feb. 9 | W |
| Feb. 10-Mar. 5 | F | |
| Term 4-March 15-May 20 | April 5-April 19 | W |
| April 20-May 20 | F |
Spirit Week
While we are unable to have a homecoming dance with traditional homecoming week festivities due to our current guidelines, we can still have some spirit week fun.
Spirit Week 2020 will provide students with opportunities to participate in theme days during the week of September 7th.
Students should look for signs around the building this week, listen to daily announcements and check the daily bulletin online for more information about the themes each day.
Our cheerleaders, Emeralds, and members of the Student Fan Federation are also working to develop some creative, new, digital ways to help support our activities as they continue with their fall seasons.
We are excited about many of the ideas our students are working on to support our Silver Hawks!
SOAR Rewards at Lincoln Southwest
Would you like to be a part of promoting a positive culture at LSW? If so, please consider donating to our SOAR Rewards student acknowledgement system. Our goal is to help incentivize and recognize students who are “caught SOAR’ing” by demonstrating that they are being Safe, Open-Minded, Accountable, and Respectful. Students who are recognized by staff for modeling SOAR expectations are eligible to receive prizes such as (Gift cards to restaurants, movie passes, Husker/LSW apparel, etc)
If you would like to be a part of this please contact Laura Runge (lrunge@lps.org) or Brett Schuster (bschust@lps.org) to ask about which items students enjoy the most and how to donate. Donations can be dropped off in the main office here at school. Thanks for helping our Silver Hawks SOAR!
Testing
ACT
Due to last school year’s canceled spring ACT test, LPS will offer the ACT this fall to any of last year’s Juniors that would like to take advantage of the opportunity. This is a fantastic, free-of-cost opportunity, and we strongly encourage last year’s Juniors to take full advantage. Testing will take place on the morning of September 22nd. This will be a non-school day for current Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors- only those affected students wanting to take the ACT will need to report to school that day. Classes will resume as normal on the following day, September 23rd. The four areas tested will be English, Math, Reading, and Science. Last year’s Juniors will receive important testing information via email about the test and day-of activities- so they will need to look for that in their LPS email inbox.
PSAT
The annual administration of the PSAT/NMSQT will be held at LSW on Saturday, October 17, 2020. All students, freshmen through juniors, may take the test but only juniors are eligible for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The following is a brief listing of some of the information and news about the upcoming PSAT:
- Cost is $30
- National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (for juniors)
- If your family meets income guidelines your student may be eligible for a fee waiver, see your guidance counselor
- Registration is September 28-October 9 in the counseling center.
- Student will receive a prep book when they register
- Not a mandatory test-optional but suggested for college-bound students
- Students need to see their school counselor if they have a conflict (religious or school related) with the Saturday morning test date.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE UPCOMING PSAT, PLEASE CONTACT THE LSW COUNSELING CENTER, 436-1306 OR ONLINE AT www.collegeboard.com !!
Counseling Center
Counselor Alpha Assignments
- A-CL | Ms. Sharpe * bsharpe@lps.org
- CM-GE | Mrs. Almond * kalmond@lps.org
- GF-KR | Ms. Tomes * afoxhov@lps.org
- KS-OL | Mrs. Augustine * laugusti@lps.org
- OM-SL | Mr. Peterson * apeter11@lps.org
- SM-Z | Mr. Ernst (Team Leader)* ternst2@lps.org
Library News
You are still able to check out and reserve books even if you are not on campus. Watch this video from our Library Media Specialist to learn how!
https://live.myvrspot.com/iframe?v=fZjEzYWE3NGM4MTQ0ZWE2NTEyN2JkMzY3YzNjN2M2MTM
Book Return
If you still have books checked out from last spring before we went to remote learning, please return them ASAP. Thank you!
Yearbooks
Yearbooks for the year 20-21 may be purchased through MySchoolBucks.
Yearbook Prices by Term
- Term 1: $60
- Term 2: $65
- Term 3: $70
- Term 4: $75
2019-2020 Yearbook
If you ordered a 2019-2020 yearbook last year and have not picked it up yet, please stop by room C110 or the bookkeeper to pick up your book. If you would still like to purchase a book, they are available through the bookkeeper for $75.
LSW Forensics
WHERE EXCELLENCE IS AN EXPECTATION!
The LSW Forensics Program offers training and competition in acting, speaking and debate. It is a perfect place to put your creative, intellectual and verbal skills to use in a competitive manner!
Program Highlights
- 33 State Champions, 92 Academic All-Americans, 315 National Qualifiers,
- 21 National Finalists and the 2014 National Champions in Duet Acting!
- Recognized as a 2006 National School of Excellence in Debate
- 2013 National School of Excellence in Speech
- 2020 National School of Honor in Debate.
- One of the 100 largest forensics programs in the country
Debate Email: theimes@lps.org
Speech Email: mheimes@lps.org
Interested students should join the Google Classroom for new team members – ptaw7dx
The first team meeting on Tuesday, September 1, at 6:30 pm in the B200 Forum AND offered via Zoom.
Our Parent Meeting will be Monday, September 21, at 7 pm via Zoom.
Come find out what being a part of the forensics program is all about!
LSW Booster Store
Please visit lswsilverhawks.com for additional details and to place your order!
Silver Hawk Authentic Booster Store is part of the Lincoln Southwest Booster Club. All store personnel are volunteers and all profits go to the Lincoln Southwest Booster Club for support of LSW school programs, student activities, athletics, and performing arts. New volunteers are always welcome; please inquire at the store! Thank you for supporting your school!
LSW Booster Club Membership
Please visit this website for more information on joining LSW Booster Club.
You can either pay online or print and mail the membership form to:
Silver Hawks Booster Club
Attn: Memberships
7001 S 14th St, Lincoln, NE 68512
Forms are also available in the main office.
Driver’s Education Courses
Driver’s Education is NOT offered through Lincoln Public Schools. However, there are several organizations here in Lincoln that do offer courses at various times during the fall. They are:
Nebraska Safety Center @ Innovation Campus https://www.unk.edu/offices/safety_center/driver-education.php
Southeast Community College, (402) 437-2710 https://www.southeast.edu/ce/drivereducationsafety/
Nebraska Safety Council, (402) 483-2511 https://www.nesafetycouncil.org/index.php/driving/teen-driver-education2
Road-Ready, (402) 477-5933 https://www.roadready.biz/teen-description
Academic Recognition
Due to the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 Pandemic, we will not be holding a fall Honors Convocation for the 2020-2021 school year. In the spring, LSW honors 9th, 10th, & 11th graders. Graduates, including 12th grade early grads and 11th grade early grads, are honored at a Senior Honors Award Ceremony in May.
Honor Roll
Students must have earned a weighted G.P.A. of a 3.5 or above for two consecutive terms (two terms=1 semester). Students must have at least 30 hours of GRADED (receiving a letter grade, not S) course work per semester. Students who receive an INC, U, or F in any class that semester are not eligible.
Academic Letter
Students need 2 consecutive semesters (4 terms) of a 4.0, or better, weighted G.P.A. The G.P.A. is based on grades from those individual semesters, not a student’s cumulative G.P.A. Students must have at least 30 hours of GRADED (receiving a letter grade, not S) course work per semester. Students who receive an INC, U, or F in any class that semester are not eligible.
Academic Pin
Same requirements as the academic letter for another FULL school year. This does not have to be in two consecutive years. For example,…may earn letter for work during your freshman year and pin for work during junior year.
4.0
Students must have earned a weighted G.P.A. of a 4.0 or above for two consecutive terms (two terms=1 semester). The G.P.A. is based on grades from the individual semester, not a student’s cumulative G.P.A. Students must have at least 30 hours of GRADED (receiving a letter grade, not S) course work per semester. Students who receive an INC, U, or F in any class that semester are not eligible.
Graduation Honors
Effective for the class of 2021, the Laude Latin model will be used to recognize academic excellence at the conclusion of a student’s high school career. Students will work to compete against the criterion for academic honors – rather than other students. A student’s final cumulative GPA will be used to determine the level of honor on a student’s high school transcript, diploma, and for academic recognition at commencement exercises.
The following three levels of academic honors will be used:
- SUMMA CUM LAUDE “with highest distinction”: Students with cumulative GPA of 4.250 and above on a 4.00 weighted scale.
- MAGNA CUME LAUDE “with great distinction”: Students with cumulative GPA of 4.000 to 4.249 on a 4.00 weighted scale
- CUM LAUDE “with distinction”: Students with cumulative GPA of 3.750 to 3.999 on a 4.000 weighted scale.
Important Graduate Reminders
- It is YOUR responsibility, if you are transferring from outside LPS, to provide documentation regarding Honor Roll from another school in order to be eligible for LSW 7 Semester Honor Roll. Do NOT wait until the last minute to address this issue.
- If you are graduating early as a JUNIOR, please let Bre Wright (main office) know if you would rather be honored at the LSW Honors Convocation with the junior class, or if you would rather be honored at the Senior Honors Program.
- Any academic achievement awarded at the senior honors convocation and/or at graduation are based on a student’s GPA through their seventh semester. Academic achievements are subject to change after the final semester grades are included in the overall GPA. It is important to remember that taking a lighter course load in your final semester could affect your GPA and academic standing.
SCIP
Self-Care
“Where do you see yourself in five years?” This is a question most of us have been asked at some point in our lives. Five years ago, when people were asked that question, no one would have said, “I’ll be in the middle of a pandemic, having to wear face masks everywhere I go, and practicing social distancing.” The year 2020 is an unprecedented year. Everything about it has been unpredictable. There is one thing that everyone needs to make a priority, despite the pandemic or other crises that might be happening in 2020. That one thing is Self-Care. Self-care is vital in keeping people in the best shape possible, both mentally and physically.
What is self-care? Why is it so important? Psychology Today describes self-care as “… a continuous process of proactively considering and tending to your needs and maintaining your wellness.” In other words, self-care is what individuals do to keep a sound mind and body. It is important that a person take care of themselves if they want or need to help or take care of others. Self-care helps in many areas of a person’s life, including parenthood, family, relationships, work, and school. It also helps with any of the many ways we identify ourselves. If we do not take care of ourselves, it can lead to anxiety, anger, fatigue, and depression, and can contribute to reduced self-esteem, compassion, and empathy.
Some physical ways stress can affect you is a simple as:
- Headaches
- Low energy
- Upset stomach
- Aches, pains, and tense muscles
- Insomnia
Link to the remainder of the article
Suicide Prevention: Supporting Student Mental Health
Stress is a normal reaction to our current situation and change from what is “normal” combined with uncertainty for the future can wear on the minds and emotional health of both adults and youth. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, teens may have an especially difficult time coping emotionally. Additionally, surveys of students conducted by Common Sense Media and America’s Promise Alliance have found that the pandemic has been hard on teenage mental health. 2020 has been a year of uncertainty. Uncertainty can challenge one’s sense of security, become a cause of stress and adversely affect mental health when the ability to cope is overwhelmed. Some of our students are returning to school, while some are learning remotely and others are doing a combination of both. In each scenario, we should anticipate that some of our youth will thrive, while others will struggle to adapt. Students will return both in-person or remotely with a variety of experiences as a result of changes that occurred in their lives during the past several months. Fear of getting sick or a family member getting sick, grief over missed experiences, financial hardship, worry that normal won’t be the same as before COVID-19, loss of social connections, academic or behavioral regression and loss of security are examples of feelings, emotions and experiences that our students may carry with them.
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness month. Suicide is currently the 2nd leading cause of death among adolescents or youth ages 10-24 in the United States. According to the vice president of research for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, it will be two years before we have data on the actual impact of COVID-19 on the nation’s suicide rate. We don’t know if the pandemic will cause suicide rates to increase, but we do know that increased stress, anxiety, fear and feelings of uncertainty can adversely affect one’s mental health and wellbeing and potentially lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. A key risk factor for suicide in youth is a mental health condition, especially when undetected or untreated. 2 out of 3 teens with depression don’t get treatment (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention). Identification and early intervention play key roles in suicide prevention. But focusing solely on mental health conditions does not give us a full picture of the complexities of suicide risk. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide risk almost always starts with the underlying layers of multiple factors including biological predispositions to mental illness, psychological traits such as impulsivity, and past history such as abuse, death of a loved one or a previous suicide attempt. Current life issues and events, such as stressors at home, school and with peer relationships, may also play a role.
Link to the remainder of the article
COVID-19 Substance Use/Abuse, Teens & Health
The current vaping epidemic among teens and college-aged individuals hit us fast and hard. However, through awareness and education, parents, schools and communities have begun to curb the epidemic. Yet, maybe now even more than before, the use of vaping pens and e-cigarettes among teens and collegeaged individuals remains a very serious concern.
A Stanford study conducted in May of 2020 that was recently published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that teens and college-aged individuals, between the ages of 13 and 24, who had been tested for COVID-19 in May of 2020, and also vaped, were five times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than those their age who did not vape.
The study further revealed that within that same age group, those who vaped and smoked cigarettes were seven times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than those who did not vape or smoke cigarettes.
The study also indicates that teens and college-aged individuals who vaped were more likely to have respiratory symptoms, such as coughing and breathing issues, that are associated with COVID-19.
Dr. Halpern-Felsher, who was involved in the research study, said, “If you are a vaper, you are putting yourself at risk for COVID-19 and other lung disease.”