Aardvark News

August 2025

A Message From Principal Kluck-Spann

Hello Irving Families! Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year. I hope you have all had a fantastic summer and that all Irving students are getting excited for school to begin! Our staff has been busy preparing for the year to come and we are all looking forward to having students back in the building. Although we all enjoy the additional planning time and the slower pace summer months provide, we are ready for our students and all the energy they bring to school each day. As always, if you have any questions, concerns, etc...please feel free to reach out!

My best,

Rachael

Wednesday, August 6 from 5:30-7:00 pm: 6th Grade Open House
Thursday, August 7 from 5:30-7:00 pm: 7th & 8th Grade Open House
Tuesday, August 12: First day of school for 6th Grade students
Wednesday, August 13: First day of school for ALL students

Please Welcome NEW Irving Staff

We are thrilled to welcome new faces to our Irving staff. Each individual brings a wealth of experiences, talents and skill sets to our already phenomenal teaching staff and can't wait to get to know our students, families and community. New and/or returning to Irving this year:

Maddy Nagel: 6th grade Special Education teacher
Ben Haney: 6th grade Science teacher
Ana Solano-Becerra: 7th grade Math teacher
Nicolas Seuferer: 7th grade Social Studies teacher
Allison Buell: 8th grade English teacher
Nate Meter: PE/Health teacher

MEET THE IRVING ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Principal: Rachael Kluck Spann (rklucks@lps.org)

Associate Principal: Deanna Macek (dmacek2@lps.org)

Instructional Coordinator: Cory Hachiya (chachiy@lps.org)

Special Education Coordinator: Anne Marie Boose (aboose@lps.org)

We are here to partner with all families and want to ensure your student’s experience at Irving is positive. We welcome email and phone calls and are always available to help. If you call the main office (402-436-1214) our secretarial staff will direct your call to the appropriate administrator.

Irving Open Houses

6th Grade: Wednesday, August 6

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

7th & 8th Grade: Thursday, August 7

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

This is a great opportunity to meet your teachers, find your classes & locker & to see classmates!

During 6th grade open house, incoming 6th grade students will have the opportunity to have their fingers scanned by nutrition services staff for students that plan to have breakfast and/or school lunch. If students miss open house, they will have the opportunity to have their finger scanned on the first day of school.

Thanks to a generous donation, we have several backpacks available for Irving students. If your student needs a backpack for school, please let us know!

Middle School Schedules available on ParentVue/StudentVue on August 1, 2025

Irving student schedules are viewable on ParentVue & StudentVue starting on August 1, 2025. Please know that schedules are continuing to change until the beginning of the school year as our counseling team and administrative team monitors class sizes, adds new students and as we focus on meeting the unique needs of all our students. If you have a question or notice an error on your students schedule, please reach out to grade level counselors by email. We will do our best to accommodate and problem solve as we set students up for a successful school year. Additionally, every Irving student will be assigned a locker. We are still in the process of assigning students lockers. Lockers will be finalized before August 6, 2025.

6th grade counselor: Abigail Rehm (arehm@lps.org)
7th grade counselor: Beau Gothier (bgothie@lps.org)
8th grade counselor: Janis Fiero (jfiero@lps.org)

You may also contact the Irving Counseling Center to connect with grade level counselors by calling 402-436-1214, option #3.

Attendance Counts: Be on Time & Ready to Learn when the Bell Rings!

Our school day starts promptly at 8:00 am. The bell sounds for students to enter the building at 7:53 am, which allows students plenty of time to get to their locker to store their belongings and then to transition to class.

All students begin their day in Irving Advisory. During Advisory class, students will develop academic strategies to enrich achievement, practice behavior expectations to ensure students are engaged in their learning and connected to the Irving community and learn about their peers through prosocial and team building opportunities.

Attendance is taken during Advisory class and it is critical that students are on time to school each day.

Help your child succeed - Every Day Counts!

Did you know… the first two weeks of school are an important time when students establish routines and learning habits?

If students miss at least two days of school per month or more, it impacts not only their ability to gain important reading, math and relational skills, but it can be an early indicator of not graduating on time. Every Day Counts when it comes to your child being successful in school.

We value your partnership and know you also want your child to succeed. Let’s work together to ensure your student regularly attends school!

Routines: Establishing a routine of on-time daily attendance helps reduce stress at home, and supports a habit of attendance that will help your child succeed.
Engagement: Being in school helps students to get to know school staff and each other. Building relationships can motivate participation in learning.
Access to resources: Schools provide access to valuable resources such as meals, health supports and fun enrichment activities such as sports, clubs, music, and other afterschool programs.
Learning: Students who attend school regularly as early as elementary school do better academically and are more likely to graduate from high school on time.

How you can help:

Start now setting a regular bedtime and morning routine.
Lay out clothes and backpacks the night before.
Take steps to keep your child healthy and make sure they have the required immunizations.
Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Identify a family member, a neighbor, or another parent you can call for help in getting your child to school.
Try to schedule non-urgent related medical appointments and extended trips when school isn’t in session. You can find the 2025-2026 LPS Student Calendar here.
If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors and other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning.
Work with the school to find opportunities for your child to get involved in a school activity or club to help build excitement in attending school. Approximately 98% of LPS students who participated in athletics and activities graduated high school on time.
Reach out to school staff if you need help eliminating barriers for your child

Irving Traffic & Plan for drop off/Pick Up

In the coming weeks, there will be a four way stop installed at Lake St and 22nd St. Currently, there is a two way stop with stop signs on 22nd St. Stop signs will now be added to Lake Street as well. This will hopefully reduce speeding on Lake St and it will enhance the safety of everyone using that intersection (people in vehicles and students walking).

In addition, you may have noticed, the morning drop off & after school pick up at Irving is a busy time. In order to keep our students safe and to increase efficiency, we have worked with our district safety and security personnel to develop a traffic plan for before school drop off & after school pick up. This plan was established in 2022-2023, and reviewed regularly as we promote a safe drop off/pick up process. You will notice at the beginning of the year, administrators will be at student cross walks before and after school and there will be an increase in supervision as we know it will take all of us working together to ensure the new traffic plan is a success. Below is a link that describes the plan in detail:

DOWNLOAD THE TRAFFIC PLAN HERE

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL SUPERVISION & EXPECTATIONS

BEFORE SCHOOL

Breakfast at Irving occurs from 7:30-7:53. Students eating breakfast will enter through the main entrance (Door #1-the only unlocked door during this time) and go directly to the cafeteria. When students are finished eating, they are expected to clean up their area and they may wait in the cafeteria for the bell to sound at 7:53, or they may return outside to wait for the bell. If your student is running a little late, they may grab a 'grab & go' breakfast in the cafeteria on the way to first period.

Irving staff begin supervision duty outside promptly at 7:45. Students are not permitted into the building until the morning bell rings at 7:53 AM, unless they are eating breakfast, are enrolled in 'Morning Choir' or have a pass to meet with an administrator, counselor or teacher. 7th grade students enter the building through Door #1, 8th grade students (and breakfast attenders) enter through Door #2 and 6th grade students enter the building through Door #19.

**If we are experiencing inclement weather, 6th grade students may enter the building through Door #19 and will be supervised in the 6th grade hallway, 7th grade students may enter through Door #1 and will be monitored in the main hallway and 8th grade students may enter through Door #2 and will be supervised in the back area of the cafeteria.**

AFTER SCHOOL

Irving staff supervise student dismissal each day until 3:10. Students should leave school grounds by 3:15 each day UNLESS they are participating in an after school club, Homework Hub, intramural activities, have made arrangements to work with a teacher or have been assigned after school detention time. Students participating in programming at the Rec Center are also expected to be at the Rec Center by 3:10 each day. If a student is late to the Rec Center, the Irving staff working with the student, will write a pass for the student to participate in programming at the Rec Center.

Please encourage your child to leave school grounds promptly after school. We are happy to work with families if/when students need to remain after school on occasion due to transportation conflicts.

Lunch & Recess Times & Expectations

Irving students have lunch/recess at the times listed below:

6th grade: 11:20-11:50
7th grade: 11:55 -12:25
8th grade: 12:44 -1:14

All students will eat lunch in the cafeteria. When students are done eating, they will signal (raise their hand) to a cafeteria supervisor they are finished and the student will be dismissed to discard their lunch tray, or cold lunch garbage and may go to their assigned recess area. At the end of 6th & 7th grade lunch/recess, supervisors will line students up by class and students will be escorted back to class by their teacher. If parents/guardians would like to come into school to have lunch with their student, please notify the office so we may make arrangements for you to eat with your student. Parents/guardians may bring lunch from an outside restaurant for their child only.

Recess for all students is located at the playground behind the school or on the playground/basketball hoops located between Door #1 & Door #2. Recess activities include basketball, soccer, 4 square and/or just walking & talking with peers.

Free & Reduced Lunch Applications

Did you know LPS families can potentially save money by filling out the Free and Reduced Meal Application. This application must be completed each year in order for families to qualify for free or reduced school meals. We are encouraging families* to fill out the Free and Reduced meal application online as soon as possible.

*Please note: If your family received notification in July that your student has been Directly Certified for the 2025-2026 school year or you attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school then an application is not needed. CEP schools are: Culler, Dawes, Goodrich, Park, Lefler, Arnold, Belmont, Brownell, Campbell, Clinton, Elliott, Everett, Hartley, Huntington, Lakeview, McPhee, Norwood Park, Pershing, Prescott, Randolph, Riley, Saratoga, and West Lincoln.

This application must be completed each year in order for families to qualify for free or reduced school meals. Families who do not complete the application will be charged normal meal prices for any school meals their child eats.

You can go to our website to fill out this quick and easy online application. If you do not have access to the online application, you can go to your child’s school office and pick up a paper application.

Additional information about Free and Reduced meals is on our website: https://home.lps.org/ns/free-reduced. If you have any questions, please call (402)436-1747 or email us at freeandreduced@lps.org.

Cell phone/electronic personal device Expectation

Lincoln Public Schools has implemented the following consistent cell phone/electronic device policy in accordance with state law across the school district to help reduce the number of outside distractions during the school day to maximize instructional time.

Information about cell phones and personal electronic devices expectations in school will be shared with students during the first week of school.

All personal electronic devices must be powered off and out of sight at all times during the school day. The use of personal electronic devices by students is NOT allowed during the school day. This includes classrooms, hallways, common spaces like lunchrooms, and restrooms between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
If each student has their own school locker, the personal electronic device should be turned off and stored in the locker prior to the start of the school day.
Smartwatches may be worn, but cannot be used for communication purposes.
If a student uses a personal electronic device during the school day the following sequence of consequences will be applied. (Compliance at any step will prevent movement to the next step.)
- Step 1: Staff will ask the student to put their electronic device in the designated storage location in the classroom. (Does not count as an electronic device infraction if the student complies with the teacher's request). If the student does not comply, move to Step 2.
- Step 2: The teacher will contact the office and the device will be collected and held in the main office for the remainder of the day. The incident will be logged as an electronic device infraction. If the student does not comply, move to Step 3.
- Step 3: If the student refuses to turn over the device, they will be removed from the classroom and escorted to the office or designated problem-solving location. The device will be held for the remainder of the day.
If a student is accessing a personal electronic device in the hallway during the instructional period, the student will be returned to their classroom and asked to put their device in the classroom holder.
Students who need to contact parents/guardians for emergency reasons may request to use the phone in the school office.
Parents/guardians who need to communicate immediate information with their student during school hours may contact the school office and a message will be shared with the student.
As in years past, the school is not responsible for the loss of personal items brought to school.

News from the HEALTH OFFICE...

Welcome back Irving students! All 7th grade immunizations need to be turned in by the end of 1st quarter (Friday, October 10, 2025). Students who return to school after fall break will be excluded from school on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 if immunizations are not received. Also, please remember to turn in required 7th grade physicals and dental notes.

If your student has asthma, anaphylaxis, or seizures please contact the health office for an action plan. Action plans need to be filled out yearly.

Health Office Fax: 402-458-3214

Phone Number: 402-436-1214 EXT. 4

UPDATES FROM THE IRVING PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION (IPTSO)

News from the Counseling center...

Our school counselors wear many hats at Irving and serve as a wonderful liaisons between students, staff and families. Students may expect to see counselors throughout the day as they present classroom lessons, facilitate small groups, help with supervision & spend time with individual students. Currently, grade level counselors are continuing to welcome new Irving students and are busy modifying/updating student schedules. If you have questions or concerns, Irving school counselors are:

6th grade: Abby Rehm (arehm@lps.org)

7th grade: Beau Gothier (bgothie@lps.org)

8th grade: Janis Fiero (jfiero@lps.org)

In addition, we are fortunate to have a school social worker at Irving three days a week! Our school social worker is Makenzie Hofmeister, and she is more than happy to provide information families may need regarding community resources and/or other supports. Makenzie may be reached at mhofmeis@lps.org

For all information about enrollment, ParentVue, StudentVue, etc..please reach out to our registrar Christina Day (cday@lps.org) and she too is more than happy to help answer any questions!

ParentVUE - 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 (at the secondary level), attendance, and class information, ParentVUE is also the avenue to verify student enrollment in LPS. During the school year, parents can submit absences for their student(s) with just a few clicks! Parents of secondary students can also pay fees (Chromebook fines, yearbooks, etc.) via ParentVUE.

The District’s goal is to ensure at least one parent/guardian per household has activated and uses their ParentVUE account. If you haven’t yet acquired an account, please contact the school office for an activation key.

More information about ParentVUE can be found on our school home page under the ParentVUE button.

6th Grade Student Password Change

Incoming 6th grade students receive their new passwords the week that school starts every year. Below, you’ll find important information and dates regarding the 6th grade password change, as well as messaging for staff.

Dates

Tues, August 12: Students will receive an email from [helpdesk@lps.org] including the new password
Tues, August 19: Students will receive a reminder email including the password again
Wed, August 20 (overnight): The emails containing the passwords will be removed by Computing Services
Wed, August 20 (overnight): LPS Computing Services will update student accounts with the new passwords. No action is needed from teachers nor students.
Thurs, August 21: Students will log into all LPS devices and approved applications using their NEW password.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE

Chromebook Information

Students returning to Irving Middle School in August will retrieve their returned Chromebook during the first week of school.

New students, including incoming 6th graders, will receive Chromebooks during the first week of school as well.

PARENTAL ACKNOWLDEDGEMENT (PA)

Parental Acknowledgement is required for students to use approved LPS Instructional Technology Tools (including Chromebooks).

RETURNING STUDENTS: Parent/Guardian PA decisions from last school year will continue for next school year. No further action is required by parents/guardians.
INCOMING 6TH/9TH GRADE STUDENTS: Parent/Guardian PA decisions from last school year will continue for next school year. Parents/Guardians will have the option to carry on their decision as part of the online registration verification process.
NEWLY ENROLLED STUDENTS: A parent/guardian PA decision will be included as part of the online registration process.

Responsible Use Agreement (RUA)

By signing into a Chromebook, students agree to the terms of the LPS Student Responsible Use Agreement (RUA). The RUA can also be found by entering keyword RUA in the Search / Keyword field at the LPS Website.

Chromebook Assurance Program (CAP)

LPS wants to protect students and families from full financial responsibility for Chromebook repairs and/or replacement. More details about CAP can be found here: LPS Chromebook Assurance Program (CAP). Enrollment in this optional, but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED program is available until the end of September.

The premium for participation in CAP is $20, annually (or $10 for students who qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch Program) and will appear as a fee in Synergy ParentVUE/StudentVUE for all students in late July. You have two payment options if you choose to participate in the program:

Pay online via Credit Card (via ParentVUE)
Pay on-site via Cash or Check

If you do not choose to participate in the program, the fee can be ignored and will be removed after September.

Please contact the school office for instructions and an activation key if you are new to Synergy ParentVUE.

News from Rec center...

After School Program

Lincoln Parks and Recreation has been serving Irving Middle School families after school since 1977. Much has changed in the past 39 years, and we believe supervised, safe, fun, and meaningful after school activities are as important as ever for middle school students. Some students visit the rec. center simply because they need a place to go after school; however, our staff is intentional about making the center "more than just a place to go." After school staff does this by focusing on a positive environment, supportive relationships, and constructive programs. During after school hours at Irving Recreation Center, middle school students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of age-appropriate, fun, and enriching activities. Students can stay as busy as they’d like with homework, clubs, and special events, or they can simply choose to socialize with friends. We encourage all students to be engaged and take advantage of the activity choices available at the rec. center.

HOURS

Irving Rec. Center is open exclusively to Irving students upon school dismissal until 5:00 p.m. Students are welcome to stay after 5:00 p.m. when the rec center opens to the public. Closing times vary by season.

AFTER SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP

Students must submit an After School Member Form participate in clubs and be eligible for discounted punch cards and year passes. Need-based scholarships are also available to qualifying members.

FEE INFORMATION

•$4.00 per day

•$50.00 for a 20-day punch card (38% discount)

•$360.00 for a school year pass (50% discount*)

*Year pass discount calculated at 180 days.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

HIGHLIGHTS

•Homework Room

•Special interest clubs, classes and activities

•Game room

•Field trips

•Adult supervision

THE BASICS

•Students must have a pass to enter the rec center after 3:10 p.m.

•A student cannot enter the rec center on another student's punch card.

•Loitering and/or waiting for rides outside the rec center are not allowed.

•Students who drop-in following school intramurals must pay the daily fee at that time.

•Students may remain at the center after 5:00 p.m. The center is open to the public at that time.

•Make sure to sign up to receive our monthly email newsletter!

CLOSED

Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, M.L. King Jr. Birthday, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, the Last day of School and Election Days (the Rec center is a polling location.)

August Newsletter: August 2025

Thanks for taking time to stay informed about our Irving Community!

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