November 2023 Rocket Messenger

The Rocket Messenger

November 2023

Principal's Message

Greetings Rocket Families and Happy November,

November has always been a month I’ve enjoyed as I reflect on the people and things for which I am thankful. I have been lucky to celebrate the birthdays of two of my role models: my Mom and my Grandma. Professionally, I am grateful for having the opportunity to serve your Children. Thank you for sharing them with us! May this month allow you to pause, reflect, and give thanks.

School Improvement Focus

Our continued areas of focus for the 2023-2024 school year continues to be: Effective Instruction, Culture for Learning and Equity. (See visual below). Our Focus aligns nicely with the District Board Goals: *(That visual is also below.)

  • Increasing the graduation rate
  • Reduce suspensions
  • Reduce disproportionality among all students who have taken at least 1 honors course
  • Increase hiring staff from diverse backgrounds.
Keri Applebee
Keri Applebee

Principal
kapple@lps.org

MTSS (multi tiers of student support) focus:

What Does the Restorative Mindset Look Like in the Classroom?

  • A Restorative Mindset in the Classroom:
  • Uses high levels of support and control when interacting with students
  • Builds a positive classroom community
  • Provides a safe environment for students to have voice without judgment
  • Works collaboratively with students to learn, problem solve and elicit student voice and ideas
  • Uses empathetic listening, “I” statements and reflective communication with students
  • Responds to problem behavior in a caring way, utilizing the “WITH” mindset
  • Uses circles for community and relationship building and classroom discussion
  • Responds to problem behavior in a way that restores the relationship and repairs harm

Equity focus: I would like to welcome John Banks. John has joined our staff as a part time student advocate. John comes to us with a variety of extensive experiences serving youth in our community. We are thrilled to have John now on the LNE staff as well!

News and Notes from District office

Accessing Class Information in ParentVUE

Parents and students can access Class Information (course description, grading practices, class tips, etc) on the web (preferred) or via the mobile app. Step-by-step directions can be found on this document: Viewing Class Information in Synergy: Parents & Students or in these video tutorials: Synergy ParentVUE Tutorials

Screen Time

Did you know not all screen time is the same? There is a significant difference between “active” screen time (engaging in focused production of content) and “passive” screen time (consuming entertainment media). The American Academy Of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends families have thoughtful conversations around the purposes for using digital media and offers an online tool for creating a “personalized family media use plan”: AAP Media Plan.

See the LPS Parent Guide to Student Chromebook Use in LPS for more helpful information and strategies to support your student’s Chromebook use at home.

News from Health Services

School Screening is in Progress

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-249; The purpose of screening is to identify those students needing further evaluation or assistance in the areas screened. Students in Nebraska schools are screened per state requirements for vision, hearing, dental health, and height/weight.

Norovirus

Norovirus is commonly referred to as the “stomach flu”. The virus causes inflammation in the stomach and intestines that causes vomiting and diarrhea. NOROVIRUS spreads VERY RAPIDLY. You can get norovirus by coming in contact with someone with the virus. You can get norovirus from the virus on surfaces.

Prevent Norovirus by Washing Your Hands

  1. Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
  2. Avoid contact with people who are sick.
  3. Stay home when ill.

Dress for the Weather

Please help your student dress properly for the weather. As winter approaches, it’s important to send students to school with coats, long pants, hats, gloves, and closed-toed shoes. Despite the cold weather, students will go outside for recess unless there has been a weather advisory stating that we cannot go outside.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep students safe, healthy, and ready to learn.

Mental Health Awareness

Signs and Symptoms of Poor Mental Health

  • Feeling down or sad
  • Reduced ability to concentrate
  • Excessive fears or worries
  • Withdrawal from friends and activities
  • Significant tiredness
  • Inability to cope with problems and daily activities
  • Problems with alcohol or drug use
  • Frequent outbursts of anger
  • Prolonged negative mood, often accompanied by poor appetite or thoughts of death
  • Defiance of authority, truancy, theft, and/or vandalism
  • Changes in ability to manage responsibilities
  • Unexplained physical ailments

Stigma

  • Public stigma
    • People with mental illness are dangerous, incompetent, to blame for their disorder, unpredictable
  • Self-stigma
    • I am dangerous, incompetent, and to blame
  • Institutional stigma
    • Stereotypes are embodied in laws and other institutions

Resources Available

Northeast High School

  • Counseling Office
  • School Nurse Office
  • Safe To Say Form
    • A form found on the Lincoln Northeast website to submit concerns or worries regarding yourself or others

City of Lincoln

  • CenterPointe – 2202 S 11th St, Lincoln, NE 68502
    • (402) 475-5161
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
    • Dial or text 988 to get connected to a 24/7 operator
  • Mental Health Association of Nebraska – 1645 N St, Lincoln, NE 68508
    • (402) 441-4371
  • Families Inspiring Families (FIF) – 1645 N St A, Lincoln, NE 68508
    • (402) 441-4369
  • Lutheran Family Services
    • 2301 O St, Lincoln, NE 68508
      • (402) 441-7940
    • 2000 P St, Lincoln, NE 68508
      • (402) 435-4044

References