LPSPedia

Terms, phrases and acronyms used at LPS

LPS 'Pedia

  1. 0-9
  2. A-D
  3. E-H
  4. I-L
  5. M-P
  6. Q-T
  7. U-X
  8. Y-Z

I-MAT – Instructional Materials Division, ESU

I-MAT is the instructional Materials division of the Nebraska ESU (Educational Service Unit) Professional Development system.

Across the state, ESU system affiliate groups focusing on specific topics meet a few times a year to discuss alignment and strategy for their respective issues, as well as participating in their own staff development and training. LPS contributes active membership and leadership positions on many of these groups.

ICE – Information Center for Employees

Along with Paycheck, W2 and Online Benefit Information, this site will tell you your Employee ID. That number is required for using the Xerox MFDs (printing, copying, faxing, scanning) in LPS.

ID – Intellectual Disability

Students who have an intellectual disability demonstrate subaverage intellectual ability (measured by IQ) and/or lack the ability to function independently in the education environment.

IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.

Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth-2) and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth (ages 3-21) receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.

IDM – Improving Document Management

The Improving Document Management (IDM) project has been an initiative undertaken in LPS to account for every piece of paper printed across the District and provide the modern digital systems needed to eliminate printing when possible, and reduce overall printing costs. The result is more than cost savings, it offers LPS teachers and students the tools necessary to create modern learning environments.

IEP – Individual Education Program

An Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is a written document for any child from age 3-21 who receives accommodations to education programming due to a disability. It is written with input from family, staff, and sometimes the student.

Each student with a disability must have a written IEP (Individual Education Program) prepared by the staff in cooperation with parents which specifies programs and services that will be provided by the schools. If necessary, the District will arrange for interpreters or other assistants to help parents in preparing and understanding the IEP. Once in place, the program is reviewed on a regular basis with the parent.

Parents will be notified of the persons who will be in attendance. The IEP conference shall include at least the following:

  1. A representative of the School District;
  2. An individual who can interpret the instructional implications of evaluation results;
  3. One or both parents;
  4. The child (when appropriate);
  5. At least one regular education teacher if the child is, or may be, participating in the regular education environment;
  6. At least one special education teacher;
  7. A representative of the nonpublic school if the child is attending a nonpublic school;
  8. A representative of a service agency if the child is receiving services from an approved service agency; and
  9. Other individuals, at the discretion of the parent or School District.

It is permissible for parents to bring other persons to the IEP meeting, but it is a good idea to inform the school before the scheduled meeting.

The School District will provide parents with a copy of the IEP.

IFSP – Individual Family Service Plan

Similar to an IEP, the IFSP is for children birth to age 3. The goal of an IFSP is to engage the family in supporting the child since they are not of school age.

Immunization Requirements

Students must show proof of immunization upon enrollment in Lincoln’s public schools. Any student who does not comply with the immunization requirements will not be permitted to continue in school.

Students with medical conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs which do not allow immunizations must complete a waiver statement which is available in school health offices.

Unimmunized students may be excluded from school in the event of a disease outbreak.

Independence Academy

(Formerly known as the VOICE Program)

Independence Academy is a special education program that operates outside of the traditional high school environment to provide students with relevant educational and vocational experiences in community settings.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a federal law that requires planning for transition to adulthood for a young person with a disability as part of his or her Individualized Education Plan. Transition is the process designed to assist students in their move from high school into adult living. Lincoln Public Schools created the Independence Academy to help prepare students, ages 18-21. The Independence Academy program has designed daily living, educational and vocational experiences to help students gain the skills and connections they need to facilitate a positive transition into adult living.

Students receiving Special Education Services from the six high schools in LPS, who are between the ages of 18 and 21 years old may be considered to take part in the Independence Academy program. Students enter Independence Academy when they are at least 18 years old. Students may participate in Independence Academy through the school year in which they turn 21 years old. Independence Academy serves a variety of students with different levels of disabilities.

 

The Independence Academy

Intramurals

The goal of the intramural program within Lincoln Public Schools is to offer activities that encompass the interests and needs of all students. The activities involved stem from skills taught in the physical education classroom or from special interests of students. The program provided is intended to provide for a variety of activities with carry-over value for students in everyday life.

The organization of intramurals is in supervised team, individual, or group activities in which students in a school participate or compete voluntarily.

Information about athletics and activities can be obtained by calling the district office (436-1811). For individual school schedules, please contact the school’s athletic office.

iOS

Refers to the operating system for mobile Apple products.

Examples
· iPad
· iPhone
· iTouch

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television)

Internet Protocol television (IPTV) is the delivery of television content over computer networks. This is also known as streaming media.

Historically, local cable providers offered analog delivery of cable signal to LPS buildings. Because of the shift to all digital systems, existing coaxial networking systems that delivered TV signal to classrooms are no longer useful.

LPS now facilitates the streaming of a number of digital television channels directly to teacher devices via IPTV. The content can then be displayed in classrooms as needed by teachers. To learn more:

  • LPS.org Keyword: TV
  • or https://www.lps.org/apps/channels/

IRV – Irving Middle School

Built in 1927, Irving Middle School shares space with Lincoln’s Irving Recreation Center. the school was named for Washington Irving who authored such favorites as Rip Van Winkle and Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It is notable that in the 80 year history of the school there have been only 4 different principals.

iSite

iSite is server space dedicated to the hosting of web accessible content. LPS employees may use this space to post an individual teacher web site, photo galleries, posting of grades, or any other activities prescribed in their contracted employment and within the LPS School Board policies on acceptable use.  iSite is only available for LPS staff.

IT – Instructional Technology

Instructional Technology refers to the use of technology to improve performance, delivery, and enhance good classroom instruction. LPS employs IT leaders (often called “Tech Leaders”) in all buildings who serve in a coaching/support role for teachers as they explore new ways to engage students with district approved technological resources and materials.

To capitalize on the relationship between technology and learning, the LPS Computing Services Department collaborates with the Curriculum and Library Media Services Departments, as well as each school to make technology an integral part of the instructional process.

For more information on instructional technology use in LPS, visit our “Teaching with Technology in LPS” resource.

Teaching with Tech

Items/Tasks

Individual questions (or tasks) on an assessment. These terms are generally used interchangeably. Traditionally, the term ‘items’ is used in conduction with paper-and-pencil assessment, whereas the term ‘tasks’ is associated with performance assessment.

ITT (Instructional Technology Tool)

High-quality instructional technology is an important tool for improving student achievement and preparing learners for adult success. LPS attempts to identify ITTs that are safe for student use, support district learning goals, and encourage innovative teaching and learning.

LPS maintains an ITT Committee made up of employees from a number of LPS departments who meet frequently to review ITTs that staff have requested to use with students. Their goal is to efficiently identify Instructional Technology Tools that are safe for student use, support district learning goals, and encourage innovative teaching and learning.

Learn more about the process, and why it is important.

Choosing Instructional Technology Tools (ITTs) in LPS

Jackson High School

  • LOCATION: 2925 N. 47th
  • IN OPERATION: 1927 (annexation) – 1941

Jackson High was built in 1912 and operated until 1941. The school was named for William R. Jackson (1860-1912). Mr. Jackson served as Nebraska superintendent of public instruction before he became organizer and dean of Nebraska Wesleyan Teachers College.

Jordan Mixed School

  • LOCATION: 301 N. 46th Street
  • OPERATION: 1888·1904
    • 1888: 1st & K Streets
    • 1889: 48th & O Streets
    • 1892-1904: 301 N. 46th Street

“Jordan Mixed School” was a one room school so-called due to the mix of ages in a single classroom. It was first located at 1st & K streets (the future site of Longfellow School). In 1889 it was moved to 48th and 0 streets (the future site of Hawthorne’s first building); then in 1892, to the North 46th street location.

Jordan was a small frame school, the first school east of Wyuka Cemetery, but there is a dearth of information about it. We haven’t been able to find out for whom it was named. If you have information, we would love to hear from you!

KAH – Kahoa Elementary

Pronunciation: “Kay-Ho”

Kahoa was named for Mrs. Evelyn Kahoa who joined Lincoln Public Schools in 1931 as a teacher at Longfellow and then Sheridan. In 1942 she went to Norwood Park as assistant principal and moved up to principal in 1946. In 1949 she became principal of both Bethany and Riley at the same time. This arrangement lasted until 1954 when her focus was narrowed to Bethany only. Mrs. Kahoa retired from Bethany in 1971.

KLO – Kloefkorn Elementary

KLO – Kloefkorn Elementary

Kloefkorn Elementary is named after William Kloefkorn (1932-2011).  Kloefkorn taught writing and literature at Nebraska Wesleyan University until his retirement in 2002.  He published more than 30 collections of poetry, two collections of short fiction, four memoirs and an assortment of children’s Christmas stories. In 1982 the Unicameral by proclamation named him the Nebraska State Poet.

KOO – Kooser Elementary

Opened in August 2009, Ted Kooser Elementary is the newest LPS Elementary School. It sits on approximately 15 acres of land which includes a small Lincoln Parks and Recreation site.

Ted Kooser (b. 1939) is an American poet who was the thirteenth Poet Laureate of the United States, serving two terms from 2004 to 2006. He is the author of eleven collections of poetry, receiving the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for his book “Delights and Shadows” (2004). Kooser has won two NEA Literary Fellowships (in 1976 and 1984), the Pushcart Prize, the Nebraska Book Awards for Poetry (2001) and Nonfiction (2004), the Stanley Kunitz Prize (1984), the James Boatwright Prize, and the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry (2005).

He is former vice-president of Lincoln Benefit Life, an insurance company, and lives near the village of Garland, Nebraska.

LAK – Lakeview Elementary

Named for the area near Capitol Beach Lake, Lakeview School was a one-teacher school on West P Street until 1923 when the present building was constructed at 300 Capitol Beach Boulevard. It was constructed by the district’s own employees, who requested and were granted the opportunity to demonstrate that their building skills equaled those of the contractors building other LPS schools at the time. The school was very lightly used until 1945 when new development in the area spurred growth.

Additions were completed in 1963 and 1974. Currently, Lakeview is the academic home of approximately 300 K-5 students from five different neighborhood areas.

LAP – Lincoln Action Program

Lincoln Action Program fights poverty on the local level by offering individuals and families the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive. They work with program participants and members of the community to address the causes of poverty by increasing economic independence, improving quality of life, and improving community living conditions.

LCAD – Lincoln Council on Alcoholism and Drugs

Since 1962 the Lincoln Council on Alcoholism and Drugs (LCAD) is funded specifically to coordinate and plan for regional alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention. LCAD is approved to provide Adult Substance Abuse Evaluations.

LCY – Pathfinder Education Program

The Pathfinder Program opened in February of 2002. The grade 7-12 education program is located in the Lancaster County Youth Services Center. Pathfinder serves short term, pre-adjudicated youth for the detention center, offering fully accredited educational services to youth awaiting decisions by the court which will best address their needs during their times of difficulty.

Pathfinder classes are mixed age and ability based upon the county security needs. The student population is highly mobile due to short lengths of stay. There is a Blended Learning environment of whole group, small group, and individualized instruction with specialized differentiation. Curriculum is based upon a foundation of online courses provided by LPS.

The Pathfinder Program provides a caring environment strongly based upon building supportive relationships, offering alternatives, and searching for what each student needs to be successful. GED preparation support and career exploration assistance is offered. Outside of the regular school day specialized Life Skills training is provided.

LEA – Lincoln Education Association

Established in 1921, the Lincoln Education Association members are employees of the Lincoln Public Schools. LEA is the recognized bargaining agent for certificated staff in the Lincoln Public Schools.

LEA is the local affiliate of the Nebraska State Education Association and the National
Education Association.

LEF – Millard Lefler Middle School

Lefler opened on September 12, 1955. This junior high/middle school was named for Millard C. Lefler, a former superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools. Mr. Lefler started his Lincoln career as assistant principal of Lincoln High School in 1917. Within two years, he moved into the central administration as “Superintendent of Measurements and Research” and in 1920 was appointed superintendent.

Lefler immediately began to reorganize the school administration, initiate the junior high system, develop vocational training in the senior high, expand adult education, institute the guidance program, and start audio-visual instruction. Amid this flurry of activity he also was able to undertake the financing and construction of many new schools, sorely needed to replace the deteriorated plants that he had inherited.

What is truly amazing about Mr. Lefler is that he was able to keep up this breakneck pace through a major depression and world war. He was superintendent for a total of 28 years – until 1948 – which is extraordinary in any school district but astonishing in a university town.

After his retirement Lefler served in Japan as an educational consultant with General MacArthur’s headquarters. When he returned to Lincoln, he became a real estate salesman with his son-in-Iaw’s firm.

This human dynamo died in 1976 at the age of 94. Probably much of what is excellent about LPS today is traceable to Lefler’s legacy of achievement.

LES – Lincoln East High School

East was a combination junior-senior high from 1967-1997 when it became exclusively a senior high. It was named for the geographic area of Lincoln.It underwent significant renovations in 2009.

Under an arrangement similar to that of McPhee Laboratory School, the University
of Nebraska contributed to the building of East in order to concentrate it’s secondary
teacher training program there. When the school opened in 1967, University High
School was discontinued and it’s operations were moved to East.

LHS – Lincoln High School

Lincoln High School was founded in 1871 and is the oldest of the six public comprehensive high schools in the city. Lincoln High School was built on one of the six school sites designated in the 1867 Original Plat of Lincoln. That plan, however, labeled the school site south of the Capitol (where McPhee Elementary now stands) as “High School” and labeled all the others as
“Common School.” Lincoln High School is, of course, named for the city, which in
turn was named for President Abraham Lincoln.

The current building was opened in 1915 with major additions over the years. A significant building project will be completed in the spring of 2010.

Lincoln High School is now participating in the International Baccalaureate Program, one of only two high schools in Nebraska involved in the program.

Notable among it’s 40,000+ alumni are Dick Cavett, Ted Sorensen, and Sandy Dennis.

Lincoln Learning Center

  • LOCATION: 2931 N. 40th (frame buildings)
  • IN OPERATION: 1970 – 1977

A small program for students who had dropped out of school, the Lincoln Learning Center served briefly as Lincoln’s alternative school.

Lincoln Technical College

  • LOCATION: Leased locations throughout the city
  • IN OPERATION: 1970 – 1973

In 1967 the Nebraska Legislature passed a law that legally separated adult education programs from public school districts, even though the programs continued to be part of the districts. For Lincoln Public Schools, the law led to the creation of Lincoln Technical College. This college lasted until the establishment of Southeast Community College, when LPS eliminated its adult and continuing education program.

LNE – Lincoln Northeast High School

Three rival high schools (Bethany, Havelock and Jackson) were combined to form Northeast High School in 1941.

Northeast has a large number of notable alumni. A respectable sampling includes William L. Armstrong, Thomas K. Casady, Joba Chamberlain, Bob Kerrey, Kent Pavelka, and Don Wesely.

LNS – Lincoln North Star High School

Opening in 2003, Lincoln North Star High School is located on the northern edge of the city of Lincoln. Students voted on the name North Star due to the schools location and the positive symbolism and uniqueness of the name.

LNW – Lincoln Northwest High School

LOCATION: Near NW 48th and W Holdrege street

OPERATION: 2022 – Present

Lincoln Northwest High School, located at Northwest 48th and West Holdrege streets, opened its doors to welcome the school’s first ninth-grade class on Aug. 15, 2023. It was the seventh LPS high school. In addition to traditional classes, it housed the new Medical Science Focus Program in partnership with the Bryan College of Health Sciences.

LPS named Cedric Cooper the first Principal of the building.

Northwest High School are the Falcons with purple, white, and gray as the colors. These identifiers were selected by students. While the falcon was the focus, Northwest staff also wanted to tie in the aviator connection for the Air Park community. “That is where the aviator goggles on the Falcon comes into play,” Cooper said. “The Fighting Falcon aircraft is part of the U.S. Air Force, and Air Park was once an Air Force base. We feel this really represents our community in northwest Lincoln.”

At the time of opening, Northwest is a member of the Eastern Midlands Conference (EMC) for athletics. Through the community high school planning process and the bond referendum, LPS planned Northwest to open under 1,000 students, with room for growth and expansion to 2,000 as student enrollment in Lincoln grows. This classifies the new high schools as Class B under the Nebraska School Activities Association bylaws. The NSAA classifies schools based on enrollment in grades 9-11, and are re-evaluated every two years. Northwest High School athletics did not compete at a Varsity level upon opening. They played junior varsity, reserve and freshman levels games for both girls and boys during the 2022-2023 season.

Due to supply-chain setbacks, non-instructional spaces at Northwest like theaters and gymnasiums were not quite ready for students when the building opened in Fall of 2023. Activities like play productions and marching band faced unique challenges. Despite the setbacks, the Falcons found new ways to practice and build connections through the hardships.

Longfellow School

  • LOCATION: 1st & K Streets
  • IN OPERATION: 1901·1931

Built in 1890, this school was known as “1st & K School” for the first decade of its life. However, in 1900 its teachers petitioned the Lincoln Board of Education to change the name to Longfellow in honor of the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), the renowned author of Song of Hiawatha.

Longfellow School was located in the Salt Creek flood plain. After a disastrous flood in 1908 and a series of smaller floods, it became apparent that the location of the school was a poor choice. Longfellow was torn down and no trace of it remains today.

LPS – Lincoln Public Schools, History of

Lincoln has always had a keen interest in education. Finding places for students to learn has always been a challenge to the educational leaders in this community. The first public school in Lancaster Colony was in the dugout home of John Cadman in 1865. In 1866 a stone seminary located at 9th and P streets, the present location of the Lincoln Journal and Star newspaper, was turned into a school for about 30 children.

In the fall of 1867, a small school was built at 11th and Q where George W. Peck taught the first school in what was now known as Lincoln. For a fee of 50 cents a month, 35 students received their education in the school that was referred to as the District School. By 1868, sixty-five students were enrolled in the school and Lincoln began its history of quickly outgrowing its school facilities. The Methodist Church located at 10th and Q was purchased and Lincoln suddenly had two schools. The school district had begun its growth and its commitment to children that remains today.

The historical information presented about LPS schools in this LPSpedia was originally researched and gathered by Mike Callaghan and Kathi Friesen of the Lincoln Public Schools Library Media Services.

Often students, parents, and other community members seek information including dates of opening and closing, locations of the schools, and how individual schools were named. Included are several Lincoln Public Schools programs that although not schools by legal definition are, or have been, housed in separate facilities.

A number of schools at the beginning of Lincoln’s history are not included because historical documentation is very limited or, in fact, non-existent. These schools were often short-lived or one-room, cabin schools such as East J Street School, West J Street School, McCall School, Grandview School, and South School. However, the history of education in our community can be relived through the information presented here.

A special thanks to Mike Callaghan and Kathi Friesen who provided this information in the original document ‘How the Lincoln Public Schools Were Named’ published in 2000.

LPSAOP – LPS Association of Office Professionals

LRE – Least Restrictive Environment

Federal law clarifies that students with a special education identification must be educated in the least restrictive environment. LPS is required to provide a continuum of environments where students can be successful and as independent as possible.

 

LSB – Standing Bear High School

LOCATION: Near 70th Street and Saltillo Road

OPERATION: Opening in Fall 2023

Standing Bear High School, located in southeast Lincoln near 70th and Saltillo Road, is Lincoln Public Schools’ eighth high school.

LPS named Sue Cassata as Principal for the opening of Lincoln’s newest comprehensive high school facility.

Standing Bear High joins Lincoln High as the city’s only public high schools with names that are not based on a direction and it’s the first to be named for a person. A committee of community members and Board members recommended that the new school be named Standing Bear High School to honor the life of  Standing Bear (1829-1908), who was a chief of the Ponca Tribe. Steve Laravie Jr., a great-great-great-great-grandson of Standing Bear told teh LPS Board of Education “This consideration of his name for an environment where young people can learn and grow to be great leaders for their own communities, for their own families, for this good land – for all of us – I thank you on behalf of my family,” he said.

Standing Bear’s mascot is the Grizzlies, and school’s colors are Charcoal, Carolina Blue and Navy. The mascot logo pays homage to Chief Standing Bear’s son Bear Shield, a decision made in collaboration with the Ponca Tribe, several community indigenous leaders including descendants of Chief Standing Bear.

Standing Bear High School opened with only ninth and tenth graders in 2023. As the graduating class of 2027 moves through high school, LPS anticipates Standing Bear will meet the designed 1,000 student capacity. Juniors and seniors will be able to participate in the Nebraska Business Focus Program, housed at the site.

At open, Standing Bear will be a member of the Eastern Midlands Conference (EMC) for athletics. LPS planned this high school to open under 1,000 students, with room for growth and expansion to 2,000 as student enrollment in Lincoln grows. This classifies the new high school as Class B under the Nebraska School Activities Association bylaws. The NSAA classifies schools based on enrollment in grades 9-11, and are re-evaluated every two years.

LSE – Lincoln Southeast High School

Southeast Junior-Senior High opened in 1955 to replace College View High School which had served the area since 1892. The Junior High population left when Pound Junior High opened in 1963. The building went through major renovations from 2006-2009.

Among a long list of distinguished alumni are Alex Gordon, Jeff Christy, Ana Marie Cox, Matthew Sweet, James Valentine, Bo and Barrett Ruud, and Angela Singh.

LSW – Lincoln Southwest High School

Opening in 2002, adjacent to Wilderness Park in the southwest part of Lincoln, Southwest High School offers students the unique opportunity to experience the outdoor classroom.

LUX – John Lux Middle School

John Lux Middle School opened in 1996. John E. Lux (1929-1989) was a lifelong Lincolnite who was dedicated to quality education for the community. A Northeast High School graduate, Dr. Lux became the director of the UNL Teacher Corps in 1975, and was one of the designers of NUSTEP, a competency-based teacher education program that won national recognition for its innovative qualities. His commitment to education led him to serve on the Lincoln Board of Education from 1965 to 1975.

Dr. Lux was also a well-known education theoretician: at Teachers College he developed a mathematical rationalization of the process of teaching in an effort to put teacher selection on a more scientific basis.

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About LPS ‘Pedia

The LPS ‘Pedia is a list of terms, phrases and acronyms used at LPS. In addition, a history of each LPS building is included, as it appeared in the 1999 publication ‘How the Schools Were Named’ by LPS Media Services.

If you have a suggested entry, please fill out this form.