September 2020 Community News

September 2020

Welcome back, students!

Students returned to school Aug. 12-17, whether in-person, online or a combination of both. Much was different than past years, but the days were filled with many of the traditional back-to-school moments - photos in front of homes, goodbye hugs, and meeting new teachers.

SECTION A: A3 TeamMates of the Month A5 Toalson Q & A A6 Guest speaker cheers Belmont Inspire Award spotlights A8 ConnectLPS A10 LPS Jr. ROTC wins national award A11 Speech, debate students awarded SRO data report A12 Elementary art goes online SECTION B: B1 2020 Graduation B2 Superintendent’s blog B3 Food distribution program ends B5 College Prep B9 Students graduate summer school Kahoa special ed. teacher honored B10 Wellness column B11 Menus B12 Face covering Community events advertised in Community News are privatelysponsored events that are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the

Lincoln Public Schools. Lincoln Public Schools makes no representations about the absence of COVID-19 at these events.

Community News is a publication of Lincoln Public Schools. If you have any questions about this publication please contact Jason Keese, 436-1619; or jkeese@lps.org Lincoln Public Schools P.O. Box 82889 Lincoln, NE 68501-2889

September 2020 | Community News | Section A

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August TeamMates of the Month

Jacob and Jon: No Matter What Jacob was shocked the first time his TeamMates mentor Jon showed him a magic trick, an activity he had a slight interest in as well.

“I was impressed. I didn’t know what to say!” admits Jacob. Jon was equally stunned when Jacob finally beat him in arm wrestling last year, a feat nearly five years in the making. “That was a highlight. I put that on my calendar,” Jon laughs.

Jacob and Jon both deem their meetings the best part of their week. The soft-spoken pair first met in 2015, when Jacob was in fifth grade. He just began his sophomore year at Lincoln High, where he enjoys English and science classes, competes in track, and plays football.

It meant everything when Jon attended a couple of his football games last year, Jacob shares.

Jon recalls also attending Jacob’s middle school clarinet concerts and admires Jacob’s versatility that leads him to participate in different activities.

“I just encourage him to keep trying and also to not

be afraid to try something new,” Jon explains. “You won’t know if you like something unless you try it. It’s good to have a number of experiences to draw on.”

Participating in TeamMates is an experience they both feel lucky to have.

“We talk about literally anything and everything that comes to mind,” says Jacob, describing a TeamMates

mentor as someone who “you can tell everything to because you can trust them more than anyone else.”

The match stayed in touch through school closure and over the summer via email and Zooms facilitated by TeamMates staff. They look forward to seeing each other face to face and laughing together again. Jon’s humor is Jacob’s favorite thing about him

and vice versa. “Jacob has a real dry sense of humor. He can be really straight-faced, but he’ll say something that really cracks you up,” Jon says.

“He’s just a nice person to be with. I really enjoy his company.”

“He’s always been really cool,” Jacob says. “I know Jon and I will stay in touch no matter what, even after school.”

September 2020 | Community News | Section A

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Q & A with retired Southeast Principal Brent Toalson This summer we interviewed Lincoln Southeast High School Principal Brent Toalson via Zoom for episode 68 of the LPS podcast, Stories from Lincoln Public Schools.

Toalson retired in August after 29 years with LPS, the last eight at Southeast. He talks about his love for Southeast and the difficult decision to retire. The following is an edited and condensed version of that interview.

LPS Communications: You've dedicated so much of your life to education - 29 years with LPS. When did you know you wanted to be a teacher, which is how you started?

Toalson: So I have a degree in political science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln because I was thinking I might pursue a career in law or politics. I started law school - and that lasted about a semester.

I kind of had an epiphany of sorts, that maybe that wasn't the career path for me and had always had in the back of my mind that I wanted to be a teacher. I come from a family of educators. And I thought that by being a teacher, I could make a positive difference every day, through relationships and helping kids understand important content and opportunities to lead and serve.

LPS Communications: And you started off as a teacher at Southeast, right?

Toalson: Right. I graduated from Southeast in 1982, so to have the opportunity to go back and start my career as a teacher there in 1991 was really special for me.

LPS Communications: So at some point you made the move to administration and out of the classroom. Was that a hard choice and why did you make that move?

Toalson: Yeah, it was a really difficult choice. I loved my teaching career. I was in the classroom for 16 years. I taught a variety of classes within the social students department, content and subject matter that I was really passionate about. I also was sponsor for student council, and I really enjoyed my work with students and helping develop their leadership and service mindset. So it was tough, but at some point I started thinking about my view of myself in terms of a leader and how I might expand my circle of influence, if that makes sense.

You know, as a teacher, you work with a certain number of kids every day and that's a great experience. But as an administrator, I felt like I might be able to expand that circle of influence and do some good, positive work for a larger community.

So I finished up teaching in 2007... and then was offered the position of associate principal at Lincoln High School. So I was there from 2007 to 2012 as an associate principal and Mike Wortman was the principal at that time. I appreciate that he gave me that opportunity.

I did a lot of work with students. I really enjoyed helping kids through their struggles, whether it was discipline or academic struggles.

I got to work with a number of the families there. I did the master schedule. I really enjoyed my

time at Lincoln High and kind of thought that I might just stay there and eventually look at that principal job if it would ever come up.

LPS Communications: But then the Southeast job came up and you got the job, of course. What did that feel like? Can you remember first walking back into the building as the principal and walking those hallways where you once were a student? That must have been kind of surreal.

Toalson: You know, in some ways it was. I really enjoyed my time as a student, and so I could remember where my lockers were and I remembered activities that I was involved in. Southeast was really important in my own development as a young person. I thought as principal, how could I make that same experience possible for as many kids, if not all kids, at Southeast - how could they experience success? How could they become more competent as learners, as leaders, as people that see an opportunity to serve and give back to the community? Because those are all things that I learned as a student at Southeast. And when I was a teacher I could work with a group of kids, but now I have the entire Southeast community that I was responsible for. So yes, it was kind of surreal. I remember walking into the principal's office where Dr. Lauterbach had worked - he was my principal as a student. He hired me as a teacher. And I remembered a conversation that we had had. Probably it was my first or second year of teaching when he called me into his office and asked me if I'd ever thought about being a principal someday. And so it really came full circle. He had passed on his gavel and a little bell that he had us back in the day to call us together for staff meetings. So that went to Nancy Becker and then it went to Pat Hunter-Pirtle, and then it went to me and now it's gonna go to Tanner Penrod.

LPS Communications: What are you gonna miss most about walking into Southeast every morning?

Toalson: I'm going to miss a lot of things about being the principal at Southeast. Mostly I'm going to miss relationships with staff, students and families. It really feels like not a day goes by where you can't use those relationships to help somebody in some way.

And that was the best part of my job: every day, I knew I was going to get to help at least someone - a student, a staff member, a family member. I'm going to miss that opportunity.

LPS Communications: Your Southeast roots run very deep.

The school is obviously very special to you - what makes Southeast so special?

Toalson: Well, I hope this doesn't sound too cliche but I would point to our mission statement: learning, leadership and service. That's kind of been part of my own core beliefs, growing up and teaching and then being able to work in a school where that really aligned with who I am. So I've really taken that to heart. That's what we want to be.

We want every student that comes to Southeast to feel empowered, to

“We want every student that comes to Southeast to feel empowered, to have a pathway to success, and to feel that sense of accomplishment and pride in being a Knight - that sense of excellence.” have a pathway to success, and to feel that sense of accomplishment and pride in being a Knight - that sense of excellence. So as Southeast has changed demographically over the years - and it's changed quite a bit since the time I was a student and then as a teacher, and even from when I was at Lincoln High - my focus has been on equity and how do we help all kids have a pathway to excellence? And it looks way different than it did back when I was a student and a teacher. That's been a challenge that I've really embraced - the opportunity to move in that direction. I think that’s something I'm really proud of.

LPS Communications: In what ways have kids changed during your time in education? In what ways are they the same as ever?

Toalson: I think probably the biggest change that I've noticed is just how kids are connected through cell phones and social media. That really changed, obviously, from my time as a student and then even as a teacher. We all know with social media, there's some really positive things that have enhanced education and technology in general, beyond just social media - all of our kids have Chromebooks. Now, obviously, we've had to lean heavily on the use of technology in a remote learning environment. And our teachers are becoming way more comfortable and confident in their ability to teach with technology.

For kids, I think the thing that's stayed the same is, whether you grew up and attended high school in the late 70s and early 80s, like I did, or now, it's still a very formative time of your life. And it's really a time of growth around identity and growing independence that comes with the age of being a young person. And so what I see are students that come in as freshmen and grow and mature. I see them trying new things and having new experiences and learning about themselves. And I

see them making new friends and making lifelong memories around that experience. That was true for me. And I know it's still true for our kids and our seniors that are graduating this year.

LPS Communications: Talk a little about your decision to retire.

What when into that decision?

Toalson: I talked about this being a really difficult decision with others, because I wasn't ready to retire this year. I enjoy my job and I describe it as a dream job. And I felt like there's still some really important unfinished work that I was looking forward to. I was also knowing that we are going to need some strong leadership coming off of nine weeks of remote learning and the uncertainty of starting in the fall. What kind of pushed me to make the decision ultimately was my family and being able to do what's best for them, and especially my oldest son, Alex, who's 25. Alex lives with us. And he has some significant medical needs as a result of being diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy when he was about two years old. So my wife and I care for him and monitor him 24 hours a day. We don't have the help that we had before COVID because we just can’t risk exposure from people coming into our house, and it just wouldn't have been fair to my wife to have not been at home and it certainly would have been a huge risk to go to school and have to worry about potentially Alex getting sick. In the end, I just don't want to have any regrets. And one of the things that my staff knows about me is I always talk about family first. And when staff come to me with issues or concerns, that's the first thing out of my mouth: what do you need to do to take care of yourself or your family? We'll figure out the rest. So that's just how I've lived my life. I'm very comfortable with my decision and feel good about it for those reasons. But yes, I'm going to miss Southeast. Quite a bit.

September 2020 | Community News | Section A

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Surprise guest speaker inspires Belmont staff A special guest speaker offered words of inspiration to Belmont Elementary School staff during a surprise Zoom visit Aug. 5. He also turned the name of the school mascot, the Cougars, into an inspiring acronym.

“Are you ready? Let’s do it,” said Keith L. Brown. “COVID. Only.

Unifies. Genuine. Advocates.

Reaching. Scholars.”

The two have stayed in touch and Brown has become an honorary Belmont Cougar in the process.

He has spoken multiple times to students in the school's TRACKS Scholar Empowerment program, which offers students an opportunity every spring to develop their leadership skills. Brown even sported a “Belmont TRACKS” t-shirt when he addressed staff on Wednesday.

It was one of many moments that elicited cheers and oftentimes laughter from Belmont staff gathered in the school library. Brown travels the nation and world speaking to groups and organizations.

His Belmont visit was made possible by LPS Youth Development Team Coordinator Pete Ferguson, who met Brown at a conference nearly a decade ago.

He told them students may not remember all the math, science or language arts they learn in elementary school, but they will never forget the impact their teachers had on their lives. entire community,” said Brown, who rattled off the names of “Don’t you discount the impact teachers who helped mold him at a that you have. Don’t you discount young age.He also spoke about the that for one second, not only the role teachers can play in fostering impact you have on them but the racial equity.

“You have to embrace your power to be inclusive. You have to embrace your power to have courageous conversations,” Brown said.

INSPIRE AWARD SPOTLIGHTS The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools annually honors students and staff from across LPS, as well as one Inspire School award winner. Award recipients are identified by principals from every school, with the focus on selecting an individual who has made a special contribution to the school and the school community.

These individuals regularly go above and beyond, take initiative and are a positive inspiration to others.

Annika Carlson, Sheridan Elementary Annika Carlson, a fifth-grader at Sheridan Elementary School last year, is quick to credit others when asked about what makes her a leader among her peers.

Jones Koffa, Brownell Elementary Staff and students at Brownell Elementary School have a nickname for custodian Jones Koffa: “Super Jones.”

“A lot of the teachers here, they inspire you to get good grades, to be kind to others and to be a leader,” she said.

“The Brownell family, they are very welcoming,” said Koffa, who moved to Nebraska from Liberia in 2014. “But I just do my job.”

A Sheridan staff member had this to say about Annika: “Annika comes to school every day with a big smile, positive and flexible attitude. She inspires everyone around her to be their best … She is an excellent role model. She works hard on academics and helps others. She is a positive group member and works with everyone. She gives amazing effort and doesn't give up. She is so respectful and a true leader.”

He does more than that. A Brownell staff member had this to say about Koffa: “Students adore Jones because he takes time to get to know them. He checks in with them, helps and supports them. No matter the job, Jones maintains a positive outlook. He is smart and eager to learn. We are all inspired by Jones who has a tenacious spirit, hard work ethic and optimistic outlook on life.”

Isabela Meza, Mickle Middle School

Sam Spethman, Lincoln Southwest

Isabela Meza has overcome many life challenges in the past two years, but that’s only made the eighth-grader at Mickle Middle School even more focused on succeeding in the classroom.

Lincoln Southwest High School graduate Sam Spethman was very visible during his four years as a Silver Hawk. He served as Student Council vice president as a sophomore and junior, then president his senior year. He was a leader in the Students Together Against Cancer group. He participated in debate. But for as visible as he was, Spethman believes it’s what a person does when they’re not being seen that matters most.

“It’s been really hard but through this I always try to make the best of it. I think of myself as a leader because I’m usually pretty good at paying attention and getting good grades,” said Meza, who can probably be found playing soccer or her snare drum when she’s not studying.

“It’s the little things you do when people aren’t watching that are the most inspiring things in life because that shows what your true character is,” he said.

September 2020 | Community News | Section A

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ConnectLPS

Here’s some of our favorite photos from LPS schools in the past month. Want to see more? Connect with your school’s social media at lps.org/connect.

Huntington Elementary School

“What an amazing evening to meet our Kindergarten students! They are all saying ‘cheese’ in their pictures! Welcome to the nest, our youngest Eagles!”

Meadow Lane Elementary School

“Kindergarten jumpstart was a success! Thank you PTA for funding this experience. Our new Mustangs had fun and are ready to learn!”

Hill Elementary School

Culler Middle School

“It was a beautiful first day at Hill! Shine Bright Hill Hawks!”

“There’s something for everyone in the library. Check us out!”

Lincoln Northeast High School

September 2020 | Community News | Section A

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Hartley Elementary School

“Hartley First Day 20/21! #LPS #firstweeklps”

Clinton Elementary School

Everett Elementary School

“Welcome home Clinton Comets!”

“Our kindergarteners had a great first week of school!”

Lincoln East High School

“Welcome Class of 2024! We are anxious to meet you and are excited about your next 4 years. Go Spartans!”

Eastridge Elementary School

“We had a great night meeting our new Kindergarten students.”

September 2020 | Community News | Section A

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LPS students win big at national speech and debate Students from Lincoln Public Schools won numerous honors at the National Speech & Debate Association’s annual tournament, which was held virtually June 15-19.

Lincoln East Debate

Senior Ritsa Giannakas made it to the final round in Student Senate and finished eighth.

She’s the first student from Nebraska to make it to this round in this event in more than 30 years.

Juniors Josh Lee and Kai Waddell finished 10th in Public Forum. This means they’re automatically qualified for next year’s tournament, as well as the prestigious Tournament of Champions.

Junior Abby Chan advanced to the quarterfinals in Student Congress. She earned the most first-place votes in her quarterfinals’ house and finished in the top 15 percent in a field of more than 470 students.

East finished eighth in the country as a team and earned a School of Excellence award.

Lincoln Southwest Speech and Debate Senior Tyler Bartolome made it to octafinals Southwest was named a 2020 National Speech & Debate School of Honor for finishing as one of the top 40 debate teams in a field of more than 1,400. This is the third team award that Southwest has earned, after earning School of Excellence awards in 2006 for debate and 2013 for speech.

Junior Anna Synya was a semifinalist in Congress, finishing in the Top 50.

Seniors Sam Spethman and Mitchell Anderson made it to round nine of Public Forum, finishing as a top 75 team.

Senior Zoey Moser advanced to octafinals (top 60) of Program Oral Interp and the quarterfinals (Top 30) of both Prose and Poetry.

Senior Janana Khattak advanced to quarterfinals (Top 30) of Expository Speaking.

Junior Aubrey Aldag advanced to quarterfinals (Top 30) of Poetry.

(Top 60) of Extemp Commentary.

Senior Reagan Cisar represented Southwest in the Senior Open and finished fourth in Dramatic Interpretation.

Lincoln Southeast Debate Junior Jennifer Quach was a quarterfinalist in Student Congress.

Coach Recognition

Tommy Bender (Southeast), Toni Heimes (Southwest) and Matt Heimes (Southwest) all received their fourth Diamond Award. (Diamond Awards reflect excellence and longevity in coaching.)

John Holen (East) received his first Diamond Award.

Victoria Freeman (Lincoln High) earned a District Retention Award.

Toni Heimes (Southwest) earned a Bronze District Chair Award.

LPS, LPD release School Resource Officer and Student Discipline Data Report The Lincoln Board of Education met prior to its regular meeting on Aug. 11 for a work session about the annual School Resource Officer and Student Discipline Report, produced jointly by Lincoln Public Schools and the Lincoln Police Department. The report includes data from the 2019-20 school year, cut short by COVID-19, and compares that data to the previous four school years when possible.

The report is produced as part of the Safe and Successful Kids interlocal agreement with the City of Lincoln. The agreement, approved in 2018, funds six middle school resource officers, an additional threat-assessment officer, mental health support through an additional school social worker and additional therapist services, and sustained funding for Lincoln’s 31 Community Learning Centers.

LPS Director of Student Services Russ Uhing began the work session by outlining the multiple mental health supports the school district offers students, many of them a direct result of the Safe and Successful Kids interlocal agreement.

Uhing also presented on the school district’s threat assessment efforts, including his team’s partnership with Blue Valley Behavioral Health and close working relationship with the Lincoln Police Department.

Lincoln Police Officer Luke Bonkiewicz and LPS Director of Assessment and Evaluation Leslie Eastman presented the SRO data to the board.

Bonkiewicz offered multiple key takeaways from the 2019-20 data collected by LPD: • Calls for Service slightly increased at middle schools and decreased in high schools.

• SROs issued fewer citations/referrals (and at a lower rate per Call for Service) • Administrators and students initiated the vast majority of Calls for

• • • •

Service that resulted in a citation; SROs initiated roughly 1 percent.

Five serious types of incidents make up the majority of Calls for Service, including those resulting in a citation.

SROs received 19 commendations and four complaints.

SROs conducted 128 educational presentations for roughly 3,600 students.

SROs received nearly 40 hours of training on a variety of topics.

Eastman offered multiple key takeaways from the data collected by LPS: • Student perception of SROs: There was evidence that students found classroom presentations by SROs to be useful. Also, while all ethnic/ racial groups perceived interactions with SROs as generally positive, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Black/African American, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students perceived their interactions with SROs less positively than white students.

• Student perception: Data found student perception to be generally positive, with the primary issues being fairness of rules, consistency across teachers, and adult responses to bullying. White students tended to respond more positively than students of color.

• Parent/guardian perception of SROs and certified staff perception of SROs were found to be generally positive. However, given the small number of respondents of color, Eastman advised caution in terms of comparing groups.

LPS Director of Security Joe Wright concluded the presentation describing how LPS and LPD will use the data to improve the SRO program in the future. Recommendations included continuation of collaborative training between LPS and LPD and to continue to look for alternatives to traditional referral and arrest outcomes for offenses that align with disproportionality data.

The full presentation can be found at LPS.org.

September 2020 | Community News | Section A

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ELEMENTARY STUDENT ART GOES ONLINE

For over 35 years, Lincoln Public Schools has celebrated students' creativity with a display at the LPS District Office before being shared out to many businesses across the city. Due to the pandemic, this year's exhibit is a virtual gallery at photos.lps.org.

Art by Kiana, Gwendolyn, Keegan, Lexi, Haley, Mayli, Natalie, Maleah, Brynlee, Barrett, Jaelynn, and Aidyn

September 2020

CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2020!

Lincoln Public Schools held six in-person high school graduation ceremonies at Pinnacle Bank Arena July 24 – 26, in addition to virtual pre-recorded ceremonies that airing on 10/11’s MeTV channel on July 26.

September 2020 | Community News | Section B

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Together, we will get through this The following is a back-to-school blog post written by Superintendent Steve Joel in August.

As we sit on the cusp of opening our schools after more than five months of relative closure, I feel confident we have developed an excellent plan that is designed to mitigate risk of spread and provide choices to students and parents. This plan is far from perfect and we cannot guarantee a totally safe environment. What we will promise, however, is our commitment to working hard to provide a high-quality educational experience (in-person or remotely) for 40,000-plus students. This is in our DNA. I don’t think any of us will ever experience a summer like we just did.

The pandemic, social unrest centered on Black Lives Matter and a budgetary/economic recession have weighed heavily on our minds and impacted the usual summer experience. But we are educators and our students and parents need us and each other so that we can continue to learn about the world in which we live. Relationships are so important and school is the place where they begin and grow. Remote learning can be impactful for some but it doesn’t tend to the social, emotional, nutritional and physical needs that students have. This is where teachers, administrators and staff perform their miracle work and I am thankful for their commitment and dedication. It’s why we became educators.

Nobody knows when the pandemic will end and we can return to some form of normal. What we do know is that our students, their families and our community need us now more than ever. We will get through this.

Read more posts from Dr. Joel’s blog at: https://wp.lps.org/sjoel.

September 2020 | Community News | Section B

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Food distribution program comes to a close - 720,000 meals later Lincoln Public Schools concluded its grab-and-go food distribution program on July 27, marking the end of a herculean effort that resulted in the distribution of roughly 720,000 meals for students in need.

When schools were forced to close in March, LPS Director of Nutrition Services Edith Zumwalt and her staff knew they had to find a way to still feed the thousands of students who depend on school for breakfast and lunch.

“It’s very important for us to make sure children have food,” Zumwalt said.

“That’s what we do.”

Families were able to pick up a week’s worth of pre-packaged meals for their students drive-thru style at 12 school sites across the city. Distribution was every Monday, 11-12:30. At the program’s peak in April and May, LPS staff were distributing 40 meals a minute.

were quick to step up and be willing to work and help make these meals,” Zumwalt said.

“Nutrition Services staff

The meals, which were funded

through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, included many of the most popular entrees - hamburgers, corn dogs, chicken nuggets - as well as fresh fruit and meals for special diets,

such as gluten free and lactose free.

Visit lps.org to watch a video and learn more about the grab-and-go food distribution program.

ARE YOU READY FOR

COLLEGE? You may feel unsure about how to move forward with college plans, especially because of COVID-19.

We’ve got information to help.

Begin Your College Search Early

By Jacquie Butler Courtesy of Education Quest There are plenty of things you can do right now to begin your college search! Here are some ideas to help your cause.

Create a list

Start by writing down criteria that are important to you when looking for that “right fit” in a college. Things to consider include: • Location – Do you want a college near home, or are you open to getting away? Keep in mind the travel time, expense, and lost opportunities to get together with family and friends.

• School Size – Are you a student who thrives in smaller group settings, or are you more comfortable with larger class sizes?

• Academics – Does the college offer the right classes/program to prepare you for the career that you are seeking?

• Career Prep – Do they help you find internships? Ask about their job placement success rate.

• Cost – Will you get enough in scholarships and other financial aid to afford the college? If not, always have a backup plan!

Check out college websites to learn more about their institution. You can learn things about the school like; admissions requirements, scholarship deadlines, the size of the college, what type of college it is (private, public, trade school or community college), and a lot of other helpful information!

Talk to your parents

It’s always advisable to have a conversation with your parents about your desires for a college degree. You can discuss finances, ask questions, and communicate about concerns while you all get on the same page!

Communicate with your school counselor When school is back in session, get in the habit of communicating with your school counselor about your college and career thoughts. They are always there to bounce ideas off of!

Finish strong

Finally, it’s crucial to finish out your high school years strong! Right now, both students and teachers are trying to navigate unchartered territory with online learning, but make it a priority to do schoolwork five days a week. Continue learning, attending classes and submitting paperwork on time. Colleges will continue to look at your entrance exams and high school transcripts to determine if you meet their admissions standards.

Refer to our junior timeline to help you stay on track for college. If you’re feeling unsure or would just like to speak with a college planning specialist, contact the EducationQuest location nearest you.

COVID-19 RESOURCES As a high school junior or senior, you may be feeling unsure about how to proceed with your plans for college. Be assured that many resources are available to help you! Here are just a few: Resources and updates from Nebraska colleges. Visit www.educationquest.org for a listing of almost all colleges in Nebraska with links to their COVID-19 information, virtual tours, and important details.

Free one-on-one assistance from EducationQuest staff. We are available to to help you through the college planning and financial aid processes. Call the office nearest you to set up an appointment via phone or computer. Help is available in Spanish.

Weekly Countdown2College emails. We’ll let you know each week what you should be doing to stay on track to college.

Sign up here.

NEW! Paying for College Video Series. Four brief videos provide an overview of the types of colleges, financial aid, the FAFSA process, and how colleges award financial aid.

FAFSA Demo. If you haven’t yet completed your FAFSA, these quick demo videos will walk you through each section. We also have other FAFSA Tools to help you.

COLLEGE PREP

COLLEGE PREP

Finding the Right College Courtesy of Education Quest These steps will help juniors narrow their college choices, and will help seniors prepare for the college application process.

Step 1: Research colleges.

Start by asking your school counselor for college-search advice and resources. Here are other things you can do: • Learn about the types of colleges and their degrees.

• Talk to admission representatives when they visit your high school.

• Attend a College Fair or Educational Planning Program where you can talk to college representatives.

• Use our College Profiles to match colleges with your interests.

• Another good resource is BigFuture from the College Board.

• Explore the websites of colleges that interest you.

Step 2: Go on campus visits.

• This is the most important step you can take to determine if a school is the right fit for you!

• Start your visits in the spring of your junior year and revisit your top choices in the fall of your senior year.

• Contact the admissions office at least two weeks in advance to schedule a campus visit.

• Visit while school is in session. You won’t get the full campus experience during school breaks, finals week, or summer.

• Meet with an admissions representative and financial aid counselor to discuss how to apply and pay for college.

• Ask to meet with faculty in your areas of interest.

• Ask a lot of questions!

Step 3. Narrow your college choices.

Now that you’ve done your research and gone on campus visits, it’s time to compare notes and pick your top college choices. Compare schools based on academic programs, size, location, career preparation, internships, and social climate.

Step 4. Take college entrance exams.

You’ll take the ACT in the spring of your junior year, and you may want to take the SAT as well. Retake the exam(s) in the summer and fall – colleges will use your best score for scholarship and admission decisions.

You also have the option of retaking a single subject of the ACT.

For more information, including publications in Spanish and for students with disabilities, visit www.educationquest.org.

Visit ACT and College Board for sample questions, test dates, registration, and fees.

If you attend a community college, you may be required to take the Accuplacer or Companion placement tests.

Step 5. Apply for admission.

Be aware of deadlines and apply to your top 3-4 colleges in the fall of your senior year. Most will require: • The application and fee • Official high school transcripts which will show: • Your grade point average and/or class rank • That you completed high school coursework • ACT/SAT test scores If your school conducts an Apply2College event, you’ll get help with your applications during the school day. If not, use our college application checklist and other resources in the sidebar.

Step 6: Create a student portal.

Once you’re accepted for admission, the college will instruct you to create an online student account/portal for communications about financial aid, admissions, or other college-related matters.

Step 7: Select a college.

In the spring of your senior year, compare your top colleges and make your final decision. Then, complete these tasks: • Sign up for your college’s online student account or portal.

• Submit the application form and deposit for campus housing.

• Register for new-student orientation.

• Notify the other schools of your decision and decline their awards.

• Apply for student and/or parent loans, if needed.

University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha*

835

Wayne State College - Wayne*

2,975

(Programs and costs vary, contact the college for more information) 7,202

1,200

8,270

8,270

2,068

3,080

3,080

3,080

4-YEA R PRIVATE

COLLEGE PREP Bellevue University - Bellevue*

6,768

10,059

1,761

14,229

14,229

9,090

4,815

4,815

4,815

Bryan College of Health Sciences - Lincoln

548

18,540

1,200

N/A

8,226

4,122

N/A

5,769

5,769

Clarkson College - Omaha

695

17,550

1,580

7,800

13,392

13,392

4,170

4,170

4,170

College of Saint Mary - Omaha*

769

20,750

848

7,850

10,548

3,640

2,934

4,428

3,654

Concordia University - Seward*

1,836

33,490

1,000

8,850

8,850

6,530

2,255

2,255

1,555

Creighton University - Omaha*

4,446

41,400

1,200

11,274

11,274

2,500

2,800

2,800

2,600

Crown College - Omaha

**

14,070

1,290

**

**

**

**

**

**

Doane College - Crete*

994

35,300

1,000

9,800

9,800

3,350

3,250

3,250

3,350

Hastings College - Hastings

968

31,560

76

9,990

8,990

4,150

3,794

3,794

3,794

Midland University - Fremont

1,238

34,040

1,020

8,914

**

**

3,156

12,070

5,120

Nebraska Christian College of Hope International University - Papillion

150

18,000

1,050

9,137

10,115

3,250

5,550

5,550

5,550

Nebraska Methodist College - Omaha

775

18,024

1,444

9,604

11,774

4,186

5,082

6,474

6,474

Attend the EducationQuest Virtual College Fair September 27-30 to visit with college representatives from across the state, region, and nation and watch college-prep presentations.

Nebraska Wesleyan University - Lincoln*

1,851

35,562

1,000

10,172

10,172

3,000

3,500

3,500

3,500

Summit Christian College - Gering

40

6,726

650

3,840

9,520

400

1,152

2,504

1,360

Union College - Lincoln

754

24,620

1,600

7,170

9,090

3,000

3,070

3,550

3,240

York College - York

405

19,310

300

8,450

8,450

**

2,300

2,300

2,300

You can register for the free event at eqf.org/collegefair.

COM M UNITY COLLEGE Central Community College - Columbus*

4,189

3,150

1,500

6,718

7,000

2,700

2,346

2,400

2,400

Central Community College - Grand Island

5,126

3,150

1,500

N/A

7,000

2,700

N/A

2,400

2,400

Central Community College - Hastings

3,857

3,150

1,500

6,718

7,000

2,700

2,346

2,400

2,400

Little Priest Tribal College - Winnebago

120

5,140

1,114

6,990

6,990

6,990

3,234

3,234

3,234

OFF2,250 CAMPUS

WITH 2,250 PARENT(S)

College representatives will be available during these times, but you can visit college booths anytime.

Sunday, Sept. 27 – 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. CT Monday, Sept. 28 – 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. CT Tuesday, Sept. 29 – 1:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. CT Wednesday, Sept. 30 – 1:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. CT Live presentations will be held September 27 and will be recorded for later viewing. Topics include college admission, selecting a major, campus visit, scholarship tips, and paying for college. To learn more, visit EducationQuest.org.

Questions to ask at a college fair: Admissions

• Does the school offer academic programs that meet my interests?

• What are admission requirements and deadlines?

• What is the cost of tuition, fees, room and board?

• How do I set up a campus visit? When is the best time to visit?

• What is the last date I can take the ACT and have the score count for admission and scholarship consideration?

Financial Aid

• What is the priority date for applying for financial aid?

• How do I apply for college-based scholarships?

Housing & Campus Life • • • •

How many students attend the school?

What are the housing options?

How man years are students required to live on campus?

Can freshmen bring cars to campus?

Metropolitan Community College - Omaha*

9,606

3,105

1,500

N/A

6,255

3,300

N/A

Mid-Plains Community College - McCook*

675

3,300

1,600

6,300

6,500

2,000

2,130

2,130

2,130

Mid-Plains Community College - North Platte

1,355

3,300

1,600

6,500

6,500

2,000

2,130

2,130

2,130

Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture Curtis

335

4,616

728

8,080

6,500

2,300

3,552

4,722

3,842

Nebraska Indian Community College - Macy*

160

5,100

**

N/A

6,359

6,359

N/A

9,243

9,243

Northeast Community College - Norfolk*

5,016

3,660

1,372

8,920

7,927

2,518

1,475

2,368

2,318

Southeast Community College - Beatrice

1,515

3,240

2,190

8,118

8,118

6,090

3,390

3,390

3,390

Southeast Community College - Lincoln*

8,210

3,240

2,190

N/A

8,118

6,090

3,390

3,390

3,390

Southeast Community College - Milford

695

3,240

2,190

8,118

8,118

6,090

3,390

3,390

3,390

Western Nebraska Community College Scottsbluff*

2,463

3,645

1,500

6,912

6,912

2,627

3,432

3,432

3,432

Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics Omaha

120

17,245

2,850

N/A

8,265

3,578

N/A

5,213

3,840

CHI Health School of Radiologic Technology Omaha

18

6,250

700

N/A

6,000

2,500

N/A

6,000

2,500

College of Hair Design - Lincoln

140

18,450

2,406

N/A

7,812

1,356

N/A

3,792

4,776

Creative Center, College of Art & Design Omaha

39

Joseph's College :: Cosmetology - Lincoln*

110

17,100

2,200

**

5,136

1,368

**

3,372

2,418

La'James International College - Fremont

12

18,510

2,700

N/A

**

**

N/A

**

**

Mary Lanning Healthcare School of Radiologic Technology - Hastings

20

8,946

900

N/A

8,200

**

N/A

8,500

**

Myotherapy Institute Inc - Lincoln

25

16,800

**

N/A

**

**

N/A

**

**

National American University - Bellevue

130

Paul Mitchell the School - Lincoln

30

17,600

1,300

N/A

**

**

N/A

**

**

Regional West Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology - Scottsbluff

12

2,776

1,570

N/A

13,000

2,283

N/A

4,990

4,990

Universal College of Healing Arts - Omaha

48

15,750

900

N/A

6,544

3,312

N/A

3,232

3,232

Xenon Academy - Omaha*

120

17,500

2,087

N/A

7,848

2,430

N/A

3,582

2,353

PRIVATE CA REER

(Programs and costs vary, contact the college for more information)

(Programs and costs vary, contact the college for more information)

* Indicates main campus. For additional locations, see https://eqf.org/campus_locations. ** No information provided by the college.

Courtesy of EducationQuest

September 2020 | Community News | Section B

B9

Nearly 1,500 students complete virtual summer school Lincoln Public Schools served nearly 1,500 students through summer school, including more than 90 students who were able to complete requirements for graduation.

“Our building principal, Mike Gillotti, gave teachers a lot of flexibility to try new things and it paid off during summer school,” said Danson, who taught U.S. History 1 and 2 this summer.

The number of students served was on par with previous years. Students in grades nine through 12 were able to take courses, which were offered virtually this year with remote and eLearning options.

Michael Hix, a social studies teacher at Schoo Middle School, taught Civics this summer. As with the end of last school year, Hix missed seeing students in person every day. But, Hix added, he was thankful for the technology that still made summer school possible.

Jim Danson has taught summer school since 1994. The Lincoln Southwest High School social studies teacher said the experience he gained from teaching remotely at the end of last year was helpful this summer.

“We are all working on trying to make the best of a tough situation,” he said. “I have been incredibly impressed by our students. They have been resilient and hardworking. I am very proud of them.”

If you build it, they will thrive: Secrets to a better school year

By Michelle Welch, RD, LMNT LPS District Wellness The start of the school year is a great time to start fresh, even in one of the trickiest of times.

Kahoa teacher honored for work with special education students A special education teacher at Kahoa Elementary School has been honored as one of the nation’s “most inspiring teachers,” an honor that comes with a $10,000 prize.

Sara Voinovich is one of 51 teachers from across the country to win the National University System-Sanford Teacher Award. The award is given to teachers who: engage students; build confidence; create an inclusive environment; motivate students to succeed; and give students a voice. It’s named after philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, who is committed to supporting inspiring teaching nationwide through programs focused on developing the social and emotional skills of young people Voinovich learned of the honor during a surprise Zoom announcement June 17.

“This award has affirmed the work that I have been doing and my personal goals as an educator,” Voinavich said. “I have always worked so hard to put my students first in every way possible. I am also so appreciative of the team of teachers I work with at Kahoa who have mentored me and continue to encourage me to be the best educator I can be.”

Create a place. Kids (and most adults) feel more secure if they can find items without as much hide and seek. Having a spot for backpacks, clean face masks, water bottles, Chromebook charging, homework and/or virtual learning allows for less chaos and stress.

Build a rhythm. Regular wake up times, play, homework, bed and device turn-in times all can help keep normality in the least normal of times.

Create new play. Many kids might be missing their favorite versions of team sports or group activities that are currently off the schedule. They (and we) still desperately need play, likely now more than ever. For younger students, www.gonoodle.com provides free, fun movement options that can be used in smaller areas, originally designed as brain boosters for the classroom. If you have a yard, use it to create fun obstacle courses and race each other. Your kids may be your best personal trainer.

Build in breakfast. How cranky are you when hungry? Are you able to concentrate? Learning is hungry work that requires fuel.

Even kids with tiny morning appetites will do better with a bit of breakfast. Rather a grab-and-go breakfast at school or something from home; help support a better day with breakfast fuel. If your student has a hard time eating early, school breakfast gives them a bit of time to wake up and allows them to eat a bit later, which can help.

We wish you and your student a safe and healthy start to the school year.

Find more health advice from Michelle Welch on Page B10.

September 2020 | Community News | Section B

B10

Secrets to successful connections with your kids

By Michelle Welch, RD, LMNT LPS District Wellness If you pick up kids right after school and wear listening ears, you are likely to learn much, though not everyone has that option.

Explore these secrets to building and maintain even better communication with your kids, even as tweens and teens.

Find the time. Many families rediscovered family time over these quieter summer months. Now that school activities have returned, it can be easy to get lost from those moments again. Even setting aside 20 minutes for family fun or meaningful chats may make a big difference in students feeling supported. Special connections with teens.

Taking them out for a solo meal or walk can be helpful once they start driving, as you lose that carpool time. In the car, have them DJ or actively share their playlists with you and why they like certain artists. It’s a great path to connection.

Watch task talk. What do you talk about with your kids? If most interactions are focused on homework, chores or to-do lists, your communication time has become task talk. No wonder our kids want to talk with us less if most of our conversations are assigning tasks or correcting them. Do what you can to have task talk live in a separate spot than family dinners or fun time, so that kids feel times with you are positive times. If they sigh when they see you coming, it may be time to evaluate how you interact.

Keep checking with them and on them.

2020 has been tough on all of us, but in different ways at different times. How can you help? Keep listening. Keep your mom’s secret network alive. Schools have caring teachers,

administrators, counselors and social workers who can help you find resources if your student needs more than a kind ear or caring parent.

Teach kids friendships are worth risking.

Social concerns can become serious quickly with tweens and teens. Let your student know you are there to support them and will help them if they or a friend is in need.

If your student is made aware of students self-harming or making statements about wanting to take their own life, take it seriously and help them reach out for help. Students may fear they are risking the friendship, but better to have made the choice than to lose the person to a tragedy.

Let’s Connect. Help your student help others. Caring kids often know more and are told by friends when they are having a struggle. If your student is concerned about another child, shy about approaching them or wanting to help another student after school hours, LPS has a tool called Let’s Connect that can allow them to get help to other students and doesn’t require them to give their name. You can find the link on the front page of LPS.org.

Just keep trying. As a parent of two teen guys, I can vouch that even with these skills, there will be rough days and you will be the safe place for them to vent their frustrations with the world. It will not be fun. Sometimes you will blow it. It’s okay. Just keep trying.

It’s a challenge, but they are well worth your investment.

This fall, LPS is focused on social-emotional wellness. Check out our webpage at www.lps. org/wellness and social media at LPS Wellness to keep boosting your stealth social-emotional skills.

September 2020 | Community News | Section B

B11

September Elementary Lunch

September Secondary Lunch

September 2020 | Community News | Section B

B12

k n a h T you for wearing a face covering!

WASTE REDUCTION GUIDE LINCOLN & LANCASTER COUNTY

This guide is printed on 100% recycled paper

1

QR CODE HOW-TO The QR codes in this guide will direct you to websites with more information. Point your phone’s camera at the codes and links will appear.

Reduce is the first option in the waste management hierarchy.

By reducing consumption of nonessential products, consumers extend the life of natural resources, prevent litter, reduce worldwide shipping of single-use products and decrease materials sent to the landfill.

Since then, countries across the world are working to regulate emissions that damage the environment. Locally, our community must prioritize being cleaner, greener and more resilient by following the waste management hierarchy. For more information on how to reduce, reuse and recycle, call the Solid Waste Management Division at 402-441-8215 or visit recycle.lincoln.ne.gov.

Waste reduction is not a new concept. During World War II, Americans were encouraged to support the troops through conservation. Americans reduced demand for food by growing “victory gardens,” conserved fuel by ride sharing, and limited consumption of new goods by repairing broken items.

INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT HIERARCHY MOST PREFERRED REDUCTION REUSE RECYCLING & COMPOSTING RECOVER

LEAST PREFERRED

RESIDUALS

Cleaner production, sustainable consumption and prevention.

Reusing waste in its current form.

Processing waste to recover commercially valuable products.

Recovering energy from waste.

Safe disposal in a landfill.

REDUCE WHILE SHOPPING

When shopping, avoid unnecessary packaging by purchasing bulk amounts and not using plastic bags for produce.

WATER PROTECTION STARTS AT HOME Not all rain and snow that falls on your property soaks into the ground. Stormwater runoff is not processed by the City Common water pollutants: wastewater treatment system • Litter and can carry pollutants into • Cigarette butts nearby waterways. Those toxic • Fertilizers materials include pet waste • Pesticides and lawn chemicals which • Motor oil harm aquatic life and poison • Sediment groundwater. To protect local water, collect pet waste, avoid chemical lawn treatments and use biodegradable products for outdoor cleaning projects.

2

Each day offers an opportunity to reduce waste.

Consider adding these reusable items to your daily routine: • water bottle • coffee mug • food container • utensils • shopping bag

Reuse helps reduce carbon emissions by decreasing the demand to make and ship new items. When purchasing an item, consider the life expectancy of the products being purchased and where they will end up once discarded. Before buying new, try renting or buying used items at thrift and resale shops. Lincoln and Lancaster County have a wide variety of stores to choose from. See the list below for additional ideas.

REUSE SHOPPING GUIDE Clothing, Housewares and Miscellaneous

Baby/Children’s Clothing

Blessings and More Thrift Store | 402-450-3577 Bud’s Thrift Shoppe | 402-420-5697 Cause for Paws | 402-420-5758 Community Action Partnership | 402-471-4515 Goodwill | 402-438-2022 Habitat for Humanity Restore | 402-464-0010 Home & Closet | 402-474-5407 OMT! Divine Women’s Resale | 402-423-2066 People’s City Mission | 402-475-6888 Plato’s Closet | 402-420-2440 Play it Again Sports | 402-483-7447 Ruby Begonias | 402-438-4438 Salvation Army | 402-466-5052 St. Louise Gift and Thrift | 402-474-1600 St. Teresa’s Thrift Shop | 402-475-7065 The Black Market | 402-475-1033 The Daisy | 402-475-7777 Twice As Nice | 402-423-0083

Once Upon a Child | 402-464-4443 Room 2 Grow | 402-325-0088 Bicycles Lincoln Bike Kitchen | 402-915-2453 Books A Novel Idea Bookstore | 402-475-8663 Bluestem Books | 402-435-7120 Records/CDS Backtrack Records | 402-464-4567 CD Warehouse | 402-486-0047 Lefty’s Records | 402-438-0038

3

123 System Solutions | 402-464-5556 A-Can Recycling Center | 402-421-9101 Advance Auto Parts locations Akála Jewelry | 402-488-8217 Alan Mitchell’s Appliance | 402-420-2012 Alter Metal Recycling | 402-476-3306 American Recycling | 402-805-4985 AutoZone locations Batteries Plus Bulbs | 402-423-0244 Best Buy | 402-473-2099 Cartridge World | 402-464-3455 Central State Reprocessing | 402-470-0007 City of Lincoln Transfer Station | 402-441-8104 Conner’s Architectural Antiques | 402-435-3338 Don’s New & Used Tires | 402-477-4332 Eakes Office Solutions locations Eyeglass World | 402-484-5535 Firestone Complete Auto Care | 402-467-4593 Four Brothers Auto Salvage | 402-467-3531 Gameroom locations Gold Smith Jewelers | 402-421-2253 Goodwill locations Graham Tire locations Habitat for Humanity ReStore | 402-464-0010 H.I.S. Auto Care | 402-488-8934 Hoffman’s Used Appliances | 402-466-6252 Home Depot locations Interstate All Battery Center | 402-474-1991 Jensen Tire & Auto locations Kendle’s Auto Salvage & Sales | 402-477-9702 Lowe’s | 402-420-3660 Major Appliance | 402-466-1022

Households and businesses should check with the firms listed in this guide to ensure proper handling of recycled products. The City has not conducted an environmental audit on any of the firms listed.

Fees and restrictions may apply. Please call before dropping off materials. s A p pl ia n ce Au s t o Ba

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5

HazToGo | See page 7

Household Hazardous Waste

Pavers LLC (Waverly) | 402- 786-5900

Gana Trucking & Excavating (Roca) | 402-794-5000

Constructors, Inc. | 402-434-1764

Cather & Sons Construction | 402-466-9300

Hofeling Enterprises, Inc. | 402-438-8733

Dudley’s Dew-Right Tree & Mulch Services | 402-421-0870

Wood Waste

Tracy's Collision Center locations

People's City Mission | 402-428-2066

Child Safety Seats

Otte Oil & Propane (Davey) | 402-785-2365

Lee's Propane | 402-474-3235

Propane Tanks

Mail Plus | 402-434-5315

UPS Stores

General Fire and Safety Equipment Co. | 402-476-4646

Concrete and Asphalt

Packing Material

Fire Extinguishers

Menards locations NE Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing | 402-471-3593 Office Depot | 402-437-9115 O’Reilly Auto Parts locations People’s City Mission | 402-428-2066 Sadoff Iron & Metal Co. | 402-470-2510 Salvage Warehouse | 402-466-8294 Sartor Hamann locations Scherer’s Architectural Antiques | 402-423-1582 Schrock Innovations | 402-423-9595 Scrapy’s | 402-217-9095 Staples | 402-467-1118 Star City Recycling | 402-890-4320 Time Shoppe | 402-467-1884 T.O. Haas Tire & Auto locations Total Tool Supply | 402-476-6673 Tractor Supply Co. locations Uribe Refuse Services Inc. | 402-450-0971 U.S. Cellular locations Voices of Hope | 402-476-2110 Walmart Supercenter locations Walmart Auto Care Center locations Wolfe Ace Hardware | 402-466-7707

Recycling Contamination Recycling becomes contaminated when unacceptable materials such as plastic bags, electronics and other non-recyclable materials are placed in the recycling bins. It is also considered contamination when recyclable materials are incorrectly placed in the recycling bin such as food left in containers and recyclables contained in plastic bags.

Recycling contamination is the primary reason recyclables end up in the landfill and is the biggest threat to a successful recycling program.

Don’t spoil your recycling. When recycling contamination occurs, you risk having the entire bin sent to the landfill. Do not assume your recycling processor is able to sort out all of the recycling contamination. Plastic bags clog recycling equipment and broken glass contaminates cardboard and other paper being recycled. To know whether an item is recyclable, check the guidelines on the container, call your recycling collector or consult the Solid Waste Management Division at 402-441-8215, recycle.lincoln.ne.gov. When in doubt, throw it out.

All Lincoln garbage collectors offer recycling services. Call your collector for more information on curbside recycling.

TOP 5 CONTAMINANTS PLASTIC FILMS Plastic film can only be recycled at participating grocery and retail stores; never in curbside recycling bins.

GLASS Some single-stream curbside recycling may not accept glass. If glass breaks in the collection process, it can contaminate cardboard and other paper products. One of the best ways to recycle glass is through public recycling sites.

FOOD RESIDUE Recyclables must be clean and dry. Food residue in containers can ruin the entire load of recyclables, causing it to go to the landfill.

NON-RECYCLABLE PLASTICS Do not put single-use plastics, such as styrofoam, utensils, toothpaste tubes, wax-layered fast food cups, straws and packaging in recycling container.

TEXTILES Textiles can only be recycled at participating designated sites; never in curbside recycling bins.

6

WHAT IS RECYCLABLE?

Scan to view public recycling sites

Community recycling standards may differ.

Locally acceptable materials include plastics #1-5, aluminum, glass, steel cans, cardboard, paper board and paper (news, office and mixed).

COMPOSTING IS RECYCLING Compost improves the health of soil by improving nutrient content and moisture retention on topsoil. Compost also saves money by reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Local compost sources include: Big Red Worms 3211 NW 39th St. Lincoln, NE 68524 402-476-9340

Prairieland Dairy 13000 Pella Rd. Firth, NE 68358 402-791-2228

LinGRO Compost North 48th St. Transfer Station: 5101 North 48th St. Lincoln, NE 68504 402-441-8102

Soil Dynamics 1725 Avenue G Omaha, NE 68110 or 16490 292nd St., Ashland, NE 68003 (by appointment only) 402-332-4710 Ext. 3

Use this to find hazardous products in your home.

Check whether you plan to use it up, store it safely or take to HAZTOGO– Lincoln’s Hazardous Waste Center.

5101 N. 48th St. Dropping off hazardous waste is easy for Lincoln and Lancaster County residents.

Open every Wednesday 9 a.m.-1 p.m., no appointment necessary, or by appointment the third Saturday of the month.

Visit HazToGo.com or call 402-441-8021

Healthy Homes Checklist

Use it Store it up safely

Kitchen Degreaser Floor Cleaner Oven cleaner Bathroom and Laundry Room Bleach Disinfectant Drain cleaner

SAFE HOMES FOR SENIORS

Spot remover Upholstery cleaner

This free service is for people who are older or with disabilities who want to manage household hazardous waste and toxic chemicals. Safe Homes for Seniors will assess, identify, sort, remove and recycle or dispose of unwanted hazardous waste safely.

Craft/Hobby Areas and Garage

Call 402-441-7030 to schedule an assessment.

Paint thinner

DISPOSAL SUGGESTIONS FOR ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED AT HAZTOGO Latex paint - Can be dried out and thrown in your household trash. One-quarter gallon or less will air dry with the lid off on warm days. For larger amounts, mix cat litter, sawdust or paint hardener, available at most hardware stores, into leftover paint to increase drying speed.

Medications - Do not keep leftover medications — instead, learn how to dispose of them the right way by calling 1-800-222-1222 or visit leftovermeds.com to find a participating pharmacy for disposal today.

Foam packaging - Cannot be recycled in Lincoln. We recommend reusing packaging if possible, or recycling at Plastilite, (4930 Battlefield Drive, Omaha, NE), 402-453-7500.

Adhesive Brake fluid Furniture stripper Insecticide Mercury Mixed fuels Oil-based paint Old gasoline Pool chemicals Rodenticide Thermostat Varnish Weed killer Visit us at HAZTOGO.com Sharps/Needles - Place needles in a leak-proof, puncture-resistant container, secure the lid (i.e., with duct tape) and label “Infectious Waste” before placing in the trash.

Electronic devices - These devices contain toxic substances that are not permitted in the landfill, such as lead, mercury, beryllium and cadmium. For example, tube televisions contain an average of 6 pounds of lead each.

See pages 4-5 for recycling options.

Last year, over 100,000 pounds of hazardous waste was diverted from the environment. Keep it up!

7

PREVENT LITTER & ILLEGAL DUMPING Keep Lincoln and Lancaster County Beautiful (KLLCB) maintains a clean, healthy and safe community by organizing residents for litter reduction activities. Follow KLLCB on Facebook (@KLLCB) for waste reduction and recycling tips or call 402-441-8035 for more information on the following programs: Volunteerism - Litter cleanup opportunities for groups and individuals are made possible by providing equipment such as gloves, safety vests, trash reachers, bags and more.

Visit KLLCB website

Grant Funds - These funds provide incentives and reimbursements to groups and individuals for neighborhood, roadway and park cleanups. Apply on the website.

Event Recycling Container Lending - This program provides containers for recycling at one-time meetings, conferences, benefits, festivals, and other special events.

Illegal Dumping Cleanup - Report illegal dumpsites for cleanup to 402-441-8022.

LANDFILL North 48th Street Solid Waste Management Facility 5101 N. 48th St., 402-441-8104

Bluff Road Solid Waste Management Facility 6001 Bluff Road, 402-441-8102 • Monday through Friday: 6:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m.

• Saturday: 6:45 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Sunday: 6:45 a.m.-12 p.m.

• Monday through Friday: 6:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m.

• Saturday: 6:45 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Sunday: 6:45 a.m.-12 p.m.

This location is for small vehicles and trailers only. Access is permitted for any size vehicle containing construction and demolition waste. All waste, except concrete and dirt, must be secured and/or covered. Unloading must be completed by closing time.

Yard and wood waste disposal is limited to small vehicles and trailers only.

This location is for commercial refuse haulers only. All loads must be covered.

Scan for more information

Yard waste, appliances and tires must be separated from other waste and deposited in designated areas. Corrugated cardboard must be removed from the load prior to arrival. From April 1 to December 1, disposal of grass and leaves in the landfill is prohibited by state law.

CONSCIOUS CONSUMPTION Consumers have the power to drive the demand for products made from recycled materials.

Choosing products like toilet tissue and paper towels made from recycled content is a great way to support recycling. Look for labels on products that specify recycled content. Ask businesses

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about their packaging and recycling methods.

For more information on how to use your purchasing power to encourage businesses to use environmentally-responsible practices, call the Solid Waste Management Division at 402-441-8215 or visit recycle.lincoln.ne.gov.