The Falcon Flyer: September 2024
Coops Corner
We are delighted to kick off the new school year with great enthusiasm and a record-breaking number of scholars. With over 1050 scholars, we have met our capacity; our school has experienced significant growth compared to last year’s enrollment of 850. This growth speaks to the trust and confidence that families and scholars have placed in Northwest, and we are honored to have such a vibrant and diverse community of learners.
As we travel this academic journey together, we must emphasize the importance of following school-wide expectations. These expectations create a positive and conducive learning environment for all scholars. We kindly remind everyone to review and adhere to our cell phone policy, as it plays a vital role in minimizing distractions and maximizing engagement in the classroom.
We are pleased to report that our weekly attendance rate remains consistently high, averaging 93%. Regular attendance is crucial for scholars to maximize their educational opportunities and stay on track for success. We appreciate the commitment and support of our families in ensuring that scholars attend school regularly.
We are excited to announce that our second induction to the National Honor Society will take place on September 5 at 8:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. This prestigious event recognizes our scholars’ outstanding academic achievements, leadership qualities, and service contributions. We congratulate the deserving students who will join this esteemed society.
Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for September 10, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. The first hour is designated for phone conferences or outreach to parents. This is an allotted time when parents will be called by appointment. The last two hours are in person or drop-in for parents. These conferences provide a valuable opportunity for parents and guardians to meet with teachers, discuss their child’s progress, and establish a strong home-school partnership. We strongly encourage all parents to participate in these conferences to support their child’s educational journey.
Important Dates for September
- September 2nd
- No School – Labor Day
- September 3rd
- No School – Professional Learning Day
- September 5th
- National Honor Society Induction Ceremony: 8:00—9:00 p.m.
- September 10th
- Parent-Teacher Conferences: 3:30—6:30 p.m.
- Freshman Family Night: 5:00—6:00 p.m.
- September 18th
- Honors Convocation: 10 – 12th grades, 8:30—9:30 a.m.
- September 27th – 29th
- Fall Play at Northwest: 7:00—9:00 p.m.
Library News
The LNW Studio
Lincoln Northwest has a state-of-the-art production studio available for our students to use. Our Falcons can reserve time in the space to create podcasts, record videos, or even check out equipment to work on class projects or create content to highlight our various school activities. Mrs. Broeker would love to tell you more about it; just stop into the library and check it out!
Digital Citizenship Tips
At the beginning of the school year, all LPS students review Chromebook expectations and the Responsible Use Agreement (RUA) for Chromebook use. Click here to learn more about Chromebook use in LPS and to review the expectations outlined in the RUA. Here are some questions to start a conversation at home about Chromebook expectations:
- How do you take care of your Chromebook?
- When can you use your Chromebook?
- What settings can you change on your Chromebook?
- Where will you charge your Chromebook at home each night?
Want ideas for supporting digital citizenship in your home? Follow your school, LPS Library Services, or #lpsdigcit on social media to get weekly tips. Or find the whole collection here: https://home.lps.org/libraries/digital-citizenship/
Computing Services
A Parent Guide to Student Chromebook Use in LPS
Parenting a “Chromebook student” can present some interesting challenges. While few students would choose to do worksheets all evening just for fun, your students might WANT to be on their Chromebooks at night. It can be hard to tell what they focus on while staring at the device screen. Use this resource [lps.org/go/o9bk] to help inform your conversations about expectations for Chromebook use at home.
ParentVUE- the LPS Parent Portal
Synergy ParentVUE is the “one-stop shop” for information about your student’s teachers and classes. In addition to providing parents/guardians secure access to student grades and assignments (secondary), attendance, and class information, ParentVUE is also the avenue to verify student enrollment in LPS. Parents can submit absences for their student(s) during the school year with just a few clicks! (see below) Parents of secondary students can also pay fees (Chromebook fines, yearbooks, etc.) via ParentVUE.
The District’s goal is to ensure that at least one parent or guardian per household has activated and used their ParentVUE account. If you haven’t yet acquired an account, please contact the school office for an activation key 436 – 1314 and ask to speak to the registrar.
More information about ParentVUE can be found on our school home page under the ParentVUE button.
Save time: Report student absences via ParentVUE
You can save yourself a phone call by using ParentVUE to report full-day absences (partial-day absences still require a call to the school office to specify when the student will be gone). There is also a place to add a note if more explanation or details are needed. The attendance office will view and process the information you enter.
If using the ParentVUE app (phones & tablets): Select the appropriate student and click the blue “Report Absence” button to enter the date(s) and reason for the absence(s).
If using ParentVUE via the web: Toggle to the appropriate student in the upper left-hand corner. Next, click on the Attendance button and then the blue “Report Absence” button to enter the date(s) and reason for the absence(s).
Accessing Class Information in ParentVUE
Parents and students can access Class Information (course description, grading practices, class tips, etc.) online (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
Chromebook Assurance Program
Protecting your student’s Chromebook from… your student. The CAP window closes at the end of September. Find out more at lps.org/go/cap
Announcements
Honors Convocation
Mark your calendars for scholars in grades 10 – 12 who made the honor roll. They will be celebrated on September 18 at 8:30 a.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Parents are invited, and invites will go out to honorees the first week of September.
National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
September 5, from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Performing Arts Center (PAC).
Dance Requirements
Lincoln Northwest students must complete all required paperwork to be eligible for dances. Outside guest forms need to be completed the week before the dance date. Other requirements:
- Students must have no more than one “F” or unsatisfactory at the time of purchase
- Students must not have any out-of-school suspensions during the current term
- Students must have all fines paid or a plan in place to make payments
- The administration will determine all other circumstantial situations
Yearbooks
Now is a great time to pay for your yearbooks. Our yearbook last year was fantastic. Go on your synergy and pay now. $65 throughout the first semester. $70 Winter break through Spring Break. 75 dollars after spring break!
Parent Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, September 10
- 3:30—4:30 p.m. – Phone conferences with the teacher by appointment
- 4:30—6:30 p.m. – In person – Enter through door number 18
Picture Retakes
Monday, September 30, from 7:30 – 12:00 pm in the PAC.
Falcon FInish Homework Help
Falcon Finish is an after-school homework intervention program designed to reduce the number of missing assignments and increase students’ overall grades. Students will be assigned to Falcon Finish by their classroom teachers to complete missing tasks. Falcon Finish will occur from 3:15 to 4:15 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays when school is in session. We will begin our afterschool help club on September 9, 2024.
Counseling Center
Connect With Your Northwest School Counseling Team!
Brooke Sharpe
Last Names A-C & All LPS Focus Program Students
Dual Credit & AP Coordinator
bsharpe@lps.org
Margaret Pass
Last Names D-MN
NCAA/NAIA Eligibility Coordinator
mpass@lps.org
Kelsey Dady
Last Names MO-Z
SCIP Team & Hope Squad Coordinator
kdady@lps.org
News From the Northwest School Counseling Team
Fall is a busy time for academic and post-secondary planning! Follow the Lincoln Northwest Counseling Team on social media and visit our website regularly to stay up to date with events and on top of your to-do list all year long. Make note of these upcoming activities/events sponsored by your Northwest School Counseling team. Please contact your student’s school counselor with any questions.
- September 10th
- Freshman Family Night, during P/T Conferences
- September 30th—October 4th
- 3rd Annual College Week @ Northwest!
- October 1st
- ASVAB, 8:15 a.m.
- October 2nd
- Senior Family Night, 6:00 p.m.
- October 3rd
- NACRAO College Fair, 1:30 pm
- October 23rd
- Apply2College Day
- October 29th
- ACCUPLACER, 8:15 a.m.
- November 12th
- Junior Family Night, during P/T Conferences
- December 3rd
- Sophomore Family Night, 6:00 p.m.
Senior Student Meetings
Counselors will begin individual Senior Meetings during the 1st week of September. During these meetings, students will discuss their post-secondary plans, review graduation requirements, and have the opportunity to make any necessary or requested changes to their schedule for the remainder of the school year. Encourage your senior to sign up for their meeting time now! Sign up is currently posted in their Class of 2025 Google Classroom.
Your student will bring information home after they’ve had their Senior Meeting, including recommended next steps to meet their goals.
Student Meetings in Grades 9-11
All freshmen will meet with their assigned school counselor as part of a small group to complete their 4-year graduation plan throughout 2nd quarter. These academic advising meetings help students start thinking ahead to their post-secondary plans and consider what they want to do after graduating from high school. Sophomore and Junior Student Meetings begin in mid-December and continue throughout 3rd quarter. Remember to mark your calendars and plan to join us for grade-level Family Night(s) at Northwest! The information presented at these events is meant to supplement the work we’re doing with your student at school. It’s also a great way to get some additional face time with your student’s school counselor.
Post-Secondary Planning Resources
The websites below are accessible for LPS students in all grades. Please encourage your student to utilize these resources!
- Jobs & Extended Learning Opportunities website
- (JumpCode JELO)
- Scholarship Resource website
- (JumpCode RCGL)
- Northwest Student Opportunity Database
- (JumpCode RDON)
- EducationQuest College Planning Specialists
- (JumpCode GCPV)
LPS Fee Waiver Opportunities
Students who qualify for the free/reduced meals program are also eligible for a fee waiver that can apply to everything from athletic passes to AP Exam fees. All families are encouraged to submit the online free/reduced meals application and accompanying fee waiver application at the start of each school year to determine eligibility. Visit the LPS website to learn more or complete the application today!
LPS ACT Test Prep
All LPS students take the PreACT in 10th grade as preparation for the ACT junior year, but LPS also offers several ACT test prep sessions each fall, as well as links to other free online ACT test prep resources. More information about these opportunities can be found on the Test Prep page of the LPS website.
