The Falcon Flyer: October 2023

Coops Corner

Dear Northwest Community,

Greetings, Falcons! I hope this letter finds you well as we approach the month of October. As we bid farewell to the first quarter of the academic year, I would like to take this opportunity to share some exciting updates and upcoming events at Northwest High.

First and foremost, I am thrilled to announce that we will host our second annual College Week from October 2nd to October 6th. This week-long event will provide an excellent opportunity for our scholars to explore a wide range of colleges and universities. We have invited representatives from various institutions who will be present to share valuable information about their respective campuses, academic programs, and admission processes. Scholars will have the chance to engage in interactive sessions, participate in workshops, and gain insights into the diverse educational opportunities that await them after high school. College Week promises to be an enriching experience, and we encourage all students to participate and make the most of this fantastic event actively.

In addition to College Week, another vital event is approaching on October 13th. This day marks the end of the first quarter, and we will conduct final exams on the 12th and 13th. Scholars must prepare diligently for these exams and utilize the available resources to excel academically. Our dedicated team of teachers and staff members is committed to providing the necessary support and guidance to ensure our scholars’ success. Let us all work together to create a conducive learning environment that fosters excellence and achievement.

I am delighted to share that our honors convocation ceremony, held on September 20th, was a resounding success. We celebrated the accomplishments of 210 honor scholars who have consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, perseverance, and academic excellence. It was a proud moment for Northwest High School, and we commend these students for their outstanding achievements. Their hard work and commitment will continue to inspire others and contribute to our school community’s overall growth and success.

As we move forward into October, let us embrace the spirit of learning, exploration, and achievement. I encourage all students to actively engage in College Week and take advantage of its opportunities. Let us use this time to expand our horizons, discover our passions, and pave the way for a bright future.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Together, we can make Northwest High School a place where dreams are nurtured, and aspirations become a reality.

Wishing you all a wonderful month of October!

Important Dates for September

  • October 1
    • Fall Play “Soda Pop” matinee @ 2:00 pm at Northwest 
  • October 2
    • Strategic Planning Community meeting at LNW @ 7:00 pm
  • October 2 – 6
    • College Week at Northwest
  • October 5
    • Northwest Food market @ 2:45 – 3:15 pm Door number 18 
  • October 7
    • Harvest of Harmony Band Competition in Grand Island
  • October  8
    • Dedication of School @ 2:00 pm in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) 
  • October  12 – 13
    • Final Exams for 1st Quarter
  • October  14
    • PSAT test  
  • October 16 – 17
    • Fall Break 
  • October 18
    • Start of 2nd Quarter 

Library News

Off to a Great Start

Did you know students can read graphic novels and magazines in Sora? No holds, no wait! These materials are always available for students to borrow and read. Borrow and read one of Sora’s thousands of high-interest, popular books. 

  • Go to portal.lps.org.
  • Log in with your LPS credentials. Contact your school office if your student does not know his/her username and password.
  • Select Sora from the alphabetical listing in the LPS portal.
  • Browse and check out a book.
  • You can also download the Sora App on your devices. 

Counseling Center

This week (Oct. 2-6) is College Week at Northwest! This is the perfect time to talk with your student about their plans for what’s next after high school graduation. This week’s highlight is Thursday, October 5th, when the school counseling team will host our first annual NACRAO College Fair! The college fair will take place from 1:00-2:30 p.m. in the main gym. Representatives from over 50 colleges and institutions will be present to share information about their programs. Students in all grades may attend but must pre-register and receive a barcode before admission. Detailed registration instructions and additional information about the college fair can be found on the LNW CC website — Falcon College Fair.

Check out the LPS Focus Programs Open House on Tuesday, October 3, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Southwest High School. This event is for families and students in 8th-11th grade. Use Keyword FOCUS at LPS.org to learn more about these programs.

October 6th is the final day for interested sophomores or juniors to register for the PSAT, an optional practice test for the SAT. This is separate from the PreACT that all sophomores will take at Northwest in November. PSAT registration information can also be found on the LNW CC website — LPS PSAT Information.

Is your child currently enrolled in an Advanced Placement (AP) class? Registration for the AP exam, which will be taken in May, is underway! The AP exam registration deadline for fall classes is October 20th (there will be a separate registration window for AP students who have classes in the spring). Students in AP Lang/Comp, AP Lit/Comp, or French 3 this semester planning to dual enroll with Wesleyan Honors Academy must complete their registration by October 6th. Tuition assistance is available for students who qualify. Please contact Brooke Sharpe (bsharpe@lps.org), school counselor and AP Coordinator at Northwest, if you have any questions about these opportunities for your student.

  • College Spirit Week Oct. 2-6
    • Monday: Our Future is Bright! (wear sunglasses)
    • Tuesday: Where are you HEADed? (wear a hat; bonus for a college hat!)
    • Wednesday: Dress for the future!
    • Thursday: College Pride
    • Friday: School Spirit (wear Falcon gear or purple)
  • Tuesday, Oct. 3 – The Career Academy (TCA) Information Session – 10:00-10:30 am
  • Thursday, Oct. 5 – NACRAO College Fair @ Northwest – 1:00 – 2:30 pm

Focus Programs

LPS has a number of Information Nights and Open Houses for our Focus Programs in the coming months. 

Learn More About Our Focus Programs

Yearbook

2023-2024 yearbooks are now on sale for $60.  The price increases after term one, so get your book now!  Feel free to send us your school-related photos by going to this LINK. The access code to upload pictures is LNW Falcons.

Listen up, SENIOR families! If you want to submit a senior photo for your student, go to the following LINK and upload that photo to the district office.  Those photos will then be shared with the yearbook staff to put into the yearbook.  The deadline for that photo is October 31st.

SENIOR ads are in full swing.  If you would like to dedicate a portion of the yearbook to your graduating senior, please complete the following FORM.

The deadline for senior tributes is Dec. 1st.

Strategic Plan Meetings

Northwest High School: You are invited to provide feedback on the preliminary proposed strategic plan draft

We want to hear from you! The Lincoln Board of Education wants to hear from Northwest staff, students, and parents on the roadmap to guide Lincoln Public Schools’ priorities and next steps.

Everyone is invited to participate in one of the nine community meetings to learn more and provide feedback about the draft proposed vision, draft emerging themes, and sample priority language. Four meetings will happen concurrently on two different nights and one virtual session. Those interested in providing feedback can select the date and location that is convenient for them.

  • Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
    • North Star High School – 5801 N 33rd Street
    • Northwest High School – 4901 W Holdrege Street
    • Southeast High School – 2930 S 37th Street
    • Southwest High School – 7001 S 14th Street
  • Oct. 9, 7 p.m.
    • East High School – 1000 S 70th Street
    • Lincoln High School – 2229 J Street
    • Northeast High School – 2635 N 63rd Street
    • Standing Bear High School – 11100 S 70th Street
  • Oct. 30, 7 p.m.

More information about the strategic planning process can be found at https://home.lps.org/strategicplan.

Performing Arts

A message from the Northwest Performing Arts Department:

If your student is involved in Band, Choir, Orchestra, and Theatre, please consider joining the Northwest Performing Arts Boosters. We meet just once a month for efficient and fun meetings in our Band Room (#276).  Our next meeting is held on Monday, September 11, at 7 p.m. Check out our website, FalconStage.com, and ‘like’ us on Facebook and Instagram.

In addition, go here to check out our newest Performing Arts Merch!

Athletics

Winter Sports Parent/Athlete Information Night is Monday, November 6, at 6:30 PM in the Auditorium. We ask that all parents and athletes planning or considering being involved in winter sports attend.

The Activities and Athletics Registrations and Physicals dated after May 1, 2023, for Winter Sports, are due before an athlete can participate in practice and tryouts for all winter sports. Please complete this in ParentVue in the “Online Registration” section. The physical is to be uploaded in this section as well.

LPS Athletics & Activities Attendance Protocols

High school students must present student ID for admittance.

Elementary and middle school students must be accompanied by a paying adult.

GoFan- Online Tickets