Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) announced district-wide closures on Fridays as a COVID-19 response due to the increase in cases in Lincoln and in schools.

LPS informed students, parents/guardians and teachers on Friday, Jan. 14 that classrooms will be closed Jan. 21, Jan. 28 and Feb. 4. 

According to the email that was sent out to the public, there will be no classes, in-person or remote, offered to students for the following three Fridays. 

“With 924 positive COVID-19 cases reported already this week at Lincoln Public Schools, we need to put extra measures into place to sufficiently staff our schools in order to continue safely serving students.” 

In the email, LPS also addressed some concerns and reassured the public about the Fridays off and what will be accessible for students during those days. 

LPS adds that all these protocols put into place still allows students to pick up meals if needed, and many teachers are also still being active online so students can reach out for help and catch up. The email stated, “Using COVID Response Fridays will aid students who are home due to illness as they will be able to receive staff support virtually on work they missed.” 

Some students are taking this opportunity to focus on school work and gain educational benefits with their three Fridays off.

“I think that the Fridays off are good for students and teachers, personally I have time to now study for ACT. So this gives me almost enough time and then I also plan meetings,” LSE junior Taylor Streich said. “It definitely gets people caught up, especially if they were gone due to Covid.”