The stories and people behind the names of LPS schools

The stories and historical figures behind Lincoln Public Schools were the focus of the latest LPS Learning Lunch, held Tuesday at district office.

Ed Zimmer, historic preservation planner for the Lincoln Planning Department, offered the historical context of how LPS schools were named during his presentation, “What’s in a Name: Stories Behind our School Names.”

The city’s first public schools, built in the late 1800s, were typically named for their locations - 11th and C School, 18th and Q School, 26th and O School. Eventually, Zimmer said, this “lazy” habit of naming schools was abandoned.

“Often it was the teachers who approached the board of education and said, ‘Can’t we have a name?”

For example, 11th and C became Everett; 18th and Q turned into Bryant; and 26th and O was changed to Elliott.

The current LPS schools are named for a variety of literary figures, politicians and educators. Some examples:

  • Three schools are named after former LPS superintendents: Ellis T. Hartley (elementary), Millard C. Lefler (middle school) and Phil Schoo (middle school).
  • Six schools are named after former Lincoln Board of Education members: Joanne Maxey (elementary); John Lux (middle school); Phoebe Elliott (elementary), who was the first female board member; Ruth Hill (elementary); Sally Wysong (elementary); and Ellis T. Hartley (elementary).
  • 25 LPS teachers and administrators - 15 women, 10 men.
  • One vice president, Charles Dawes (middle school), and two five-star generals, John J. Pershing (elementary) and H.H. “Hap” Arnold (elementary). Arnold was actually a five-star general in both the U.S. Army and Air Force.

And, of course, one celestial body - North Star High School.

LPS Learning Lunches are open to LPS staff and the Lincoln community. Learning Lunches are held in the boardroom at LPS District Office, 5905 O St. Doors open at 11:45 a.m., the program begins at noon, followed by questions-and-answers at 12:30 p.m. Please bring your own lunch – we’ll provide dessert.

The rest of the 2018-19 season:

  • Tuesday, Oct. 9: “Informed Citizenship in Action: Student Vote,” Jaci Kellison, LPS curriculum specialist for social studies, along with students with a passion for Student Vote.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 20: “Welcome Center: Opening doors into our community for families from around the world,” Laura Salem, supervisor, LPS English Language Learner program.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 11: “Recruitment and Retention of Talent in LPS,” Eric Weber, associate superintendent for human resources at LPS.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 15: “VOICE at LPS: Readiness for Resumes, Rent and Recreation,” Tonya Jolley, coordinator of VOICE (Vocational Opportunity in Community Experience).
  • Tuesday, Feb. 26: “Budget Development in LPS,” Liz Standish, associate superintendent for business affairs at LPS.
  • Tuesday, March 19: “Twenty-five years of student-built houses,” Bob Freese, Lincoln Northeast High School teacher.
  • Tuesday, April 16: “LPS Student Debate,” Mindy Murphy, LPS curriculum specialist for English language arts for secondary education.
  • Tuesday, May 14: “Aprenda mientras toma su almuerzo con los Mariachis de las Ciudad Estrella!” (Learn while you have your lunch with The Star City Mariachi Ensemble), Lance Nielsen, curriculum specialist for music at LPS.


Published: September 19, 2018, Updated: September 19, 2018