LPS continues to embrace equity, inclusion and diversity

Lincoln Public Schools continues to embrace equity, inclusion, and the value of diversity.  We acknowledge that in schools across the country, including at LPS, the outcomes for all of our students are not equitable. At LPS, we will continue to identify and address practices that are contributing to these inequitable outcomes, and work to eradicate racism.

That is why Lincoln Public Schools and the Lincoln Board of Education identified equity as a primary focus this last school year, and we pledge to move forward with the following steps:

• Improving school engagement for students. 
• Working collaboratively with families and community members.
• Promoting equity in supporting the needs of historically underserved students including students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
• Addressing the disproportionate representation of minority students in gifted and advanced placement classes.
• Addressing disproportionality in school discipline.
• Supporting dropout prevention and reentry opportunities.
• Providing additional professional development in the area of equity for all staff members.
• Hiring diverse staff members.
• Collaborating with the Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center to gain an outside perspective on district practices and next steps in supporting students.

At Lincoln Public Schools, we understand that our community is appropriately angry and struggling. Like all of us, our children are sad and angry, and they are trying to navigate their feelings and the current world around them. 

We remain committed to supporting students and families as our community comes together to work on systematic change. 

At LPS, we want our students to have a safe place to express their concerns and to be heard. We have various staff available for any LPS student who would like to talk about their feelings. Students who would like to connect with staff members can click the green “Safe to Say” button on our website, fill out the form and one of our staff will connect with your child.

Here is a resource you can use with tips on talking with your child about traumatic events.

This is about caring for one another. We must collectively embrace hope and help our students and neighbors understand that each of them is valued and important. Their lives, voices, contributions and achievements give us hope. 

Dr. Steve Joel
Superintendent

 

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