First day is the best day
For me, today is the best day of the school year. This morning I was able to visit four schools (Adams, Hill, Zeman and Humann elementary schools) and capture the excitement of kids and teachers as...
View ArticleIs it really September?
Hard to believe it is already September – whatever happened to June, July and August? In the old days those were the top three mythical reasons that some folks went into education, but today educators...
View ArticleVibrant, growing community = increased LPS student numbers
The recent release of the student enrollment numbers at Lincoln Public Schools is a great sign of a vibrant and progressive community. While our increase was less than last year, it was greater than...
View ArticleHappy holidays…and answers to your questions
This is my favorite time of year and I want to wish each of you a happy and joyous holiday with family and friends. Each year at this time I look forward to a little slower pace and time with family...
View ArticleA promise for our children
Happy holidays – wishing everyone a great new year. I wrote the following article as a guest editorial that ran in the Lincoln Journal Star on Sunday, Dec. 23 – and I thought others might enjoy reading...
View ArticleA new year, new challenges, new opportunities
It is hard to believe that another year is in the books – but looking back I believe 2012 was another very good year for Lincoln Public Schools in virtually all areas. Our academic achievement was up...
View ArticleSnow, early childhood, grandchildren and more
The six-inch snow surprise last week probably altered my reputation as an anti-snow-day caller. With the snow coming late into the evening and early morning hours, there was little time for the city...
View ArticleOne step closer to digital classrooms
Greetings. Earlier this week at the Lincoln Board of Education meeting, Lincoln Public Schools took a significant step forward on our way to creating the digital classroom. The approved purchase of...
View ArticleSuperintendent’s Facilities Committee: dynamic, passionate, supportive
On April 17, we called together close to 90 people from all walks of Lincoln life for the Superintendent’s Facility Advisory Committee. The purpose was to begin the conversation regarding Lincoln...
View ArticleWhew—Made it through another year!
Whew—Made it through another year. I always say that the last couple of weeks are very challenging and this year was no exception. Kudos go to our staff and leadership for keeping students on track...
View ArticleBoxes, coding, moving plans – we’re coming home to 5905 O
It is Monday of the last week in our temporary digs for Lincoln Public Schools District Offices. Boxes adorn the hallways of the building and the corners of all our offices as we make plans for the...
View ArticleFirst week of school: priceless
I absolutely love the first week of school. For me, the opportunity to be part of greeting our students and staff, and capture some of the moments that make school special, is hard to beat. It is...
View ArticleBeauty of Fall
The school year is off to a wonderful start. I am always amazed at how eager teachers, students AND parents are for school to begin. I am not sure that is true everywhere. We are settled in at LPSDO...
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The beauty of fall – outside and inside our schools What a great time of year this is. The cooler temperatures mean that leaves are beginning to descend and t-shirts make way for sweatshirts. I...
View ArticleA new year of gratitude and action
Well, it is now official. On February 11, the community will have an opportunity to express an opinion on the Lincoln Public Schools bond issue through a mail-in election. While we believe the...
View Article‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’
This winter song captures the feeling all of us had last week when I called the first cold-weather day of my career. In fact, the call was an easy decision as the near 30-degree-below wind-chills were...
View ArticleGathering stories from the bond issue
The last month seemed and felt like three. I think we made every effort to ensure that our patrons had accurate information in giving over 110 informational bond presentations to interested groups...
View ArticleSpring break: Catching up on superintendent tasks
This has sure been a different and difficult winter. The extreme temperatures have undoubtedly led to more illness among students and staff. The lack of snow (and subsequent student reference to...
View ArticleLPS already starting bond projects
Although the recent $153 million Lincoln Public Schools bond issue was approved less than two months ago, the work has begun in earnest. Dirt is being moved as we speak at Southeast Community College...
View ArticleLooking back, looking forward
This last school year was another success. The graduation of more than 2,300 Lincoln Public Schools seniors, just a few weeks ago, reminds us of the importance of K-12 in the life of a student,...
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