Loup City Public Schools Mobile App now Available

A mobile application (or mobile app) is a software application designed to run on smartphones, tablet computers (such as ipads) and other mobile devices. LCPS students, parents, patrons, and Red Raiders everywhere can now download and install the LCPS app on their mobile devices to instantly and conveniently keep up with all things LCPS.  At the tap of a screen, the LCPS app will allow users to access:

• The school calendar
• The district website
• The LCPS Facebook page
• Lunch menus
• Power School
• Phone numbers for district offices
• Email addresses for district staff
• CNCS Pre-school

The LCPS app is available free from the district website 

(http://blog.loupcity.k12.ne.us/) and the district Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Loup-City-Public-Schools/144655882253701). 

To download the LCPS app, users need only to scan the QR code (smartphones) or click on the LCPS banner (tablets) and the download process will begin. 

It is now easier than ever to keep up with all of the great things happening at the Loup City Public Schools by using the free LCPS app. 

LCPS Board adopts District Goals for 2013-14

At their January retreat, the Loup City Public Schools Board of Education identified the following district goals, mission statement and district values for the 2013-14 school year.  The Board formally adopted these guiding principles at their February meeting.

School Improvement Goals

To be determined as part of the AdvancED Continuous Improvement Process

School Mission Statement

The Loup City Public Schools, with the support of parents and community, are committed to providing all students with positive and challenging educational experiences that will empower them to succeed as members of a changing society.

District Governing Values

WE BELIEVE that every student and staff member should have healthy self-esteem.

WE BELIEVE in the importance of parental and community support.

WE BELIEVE that all students should experience success.

WE BELIEVE in the importance of developing excellent communication skills, problem solving skills, and an interest in learning in all students.

WE BELIEVE that everyone should have respect for school, community, and peers.

District Goals

     Academic Excellence-  To become a school system that inspires, challenges, and supports the highest level of excellence for all our students.  We believe an intellectually rigorous educational phase of their lives prepared for function effectively in the world of the 21^st Century, and who understand the importance of living as informed, responsible citizens.

    Safe and Orderly Schools- The District and community will work together to provide a safe learning environment.

     Community Schools- Establish public trust and confidence through open, honest communications and positive relationships.

      High Quality Workforce- Recruit, retain, and professionally develop a high quality workforce.

Public Meeting Scheduled to Discuss Activities Co-op with Arcadia Schools

At a strategic planning meeting, scheduled to be held at the Loup City JSH Commons on February 6, 2013 at 7:30pm, the Loup City Board of Education would like to hear from district patrons regarding a proposed activities co-operative agreement with the Arcadia Public Schools.

Facilitating the discussion will be Todd Beck, principal at Greely-Wolbach Public Schools along with Arnold Public Schools Superintendent, Pat Osmond and Jarod Rush, activities director at the Arnold Public Schools.

The Board and district administration will field questions, hear comments, and consider suggestions on the possible co-operative sponsorship of school activities with the Arcadia Public Schools. Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) guidelines, which are listed below, will be used as discussion points during the strategic planning meeting:

1.     If you already have a program, are students from another school going to replace students from your community?

2.     Who will pay the cost of equipment and travel?

3.     How will gate receipts be dispersed?

4.     Who is responsible for the cost of travel to and from practice?

5.     Where will practice be held?

6.     Where will contests be played?

7.     Which school’s identity will be use? Mascot, colors, ect.

8.     Are local eligibility rules, lettering guidelines, ect., the same at both/all schools?

9.     Selection of cheerleaders. Who’s eligible?

10.  Will activity tickets and or season tickets be honored?

11.  How will coaches be employed and paid?

12.  Insurance.

13.  If students are combined for girls basketball, for example, the boys’ teams may be assigned to different districts-possibly even different classes.

14.  Expenses for facilities, lights, heating, showers, towels, laundry, ect., including maintenance of practice and playing facilities.

15.  Expenses for scouting, coaches’ meetings, ect. Who is responsible?

16.  Contracts with other schools, officials, ect.

17.  Responsibilities for hosting and supervising events.

18.  Resolution of disputes.

19.  Which school will handle eligibility?

 The strategic planning meeting  is an opportunity for district patrons to express opinions, get the facts, and ask questions. Please join us on February 6^th and be part of the discussion as we explore this exciting opportunity for our students.

LCPS Board Schedules Special Meetings in January & February

At their January 14, 2013 meeting, the Loup City Board of Education scheduled two special meetings to focus on specific district issues:

·       The first meeting, to be held on Monday January 21, 2013 at 7:30 pm in room 316 will address the appointment of a person to complete the Board of Education term of the late Steve Badura.

·       The second special meeting, to be held on Wednesday February 6, 2013 at 7:30, will be a strategic planning meeting to invite public comment on a school activities co-operative agreement with the Arcadia Public Schools.

Public Participation: Board of Education meetings and Board of Education public forums are open meetings, which patrons are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Following a short introduction by Superintendent Tom Hinrichs, Board President Mike Rademacher will invite comment and questions from the public, utilizing the following guidelines:

·       Any person wishing to address the board will be asked to sign-in before speaking or in advance, by contacting the superintendent’s office.

·       Comments must be limited to issues at hand.

·       We ask that comments be limited to five (5) minutes in length.

·       For groups with the same special interest, we request that a spokesperson be appointed.

·       We are requesting that, if possible, a copy of patron comments is provided in writing, to the Board via the Superintendent’s office, before the meeting, or provided by the speaker at the meeting.

A record of all questions, comments, and suggestions will be compiled and added to the information on these topics, which will be made available to the public.

Please join us on January 14^th and February 6^th for these important discussions

Following 2-day school visit

LCPS Receives AdvancED Recommendation for Continued Accreditation

Following a two-day visit by an AdvancEd accreditation team, lead by Jeff McQuistan of Educational Service Unit #17, the Loup City Public Schools received the team's recommendation for continued AdvancED accreditation. The AdvancED process is voluntary and represents a commitment on the part of the district to embrace higher accreditation standards than required by the Nebraska Department of Education for school accreditation.

The accreditation team was very complementary of the Loup City community, teaching and support staff, administration and Board of Education. The report lists powerful practices of the district,  ratings according to the five AdvancED standards, and actions required to maintain AdvancED accreditation.

The complete AdvancED Accreditation Team Exit Report, which was provided to LCPS staff and Board Members at the conclusion of the team's visit is available on the district website.

LCPS Joins Arcadia Public Schools in Junior-High Boys’ Basketball Co-op

At their December 10, 2012 Meeting, the Loup City Board of Education approved the co-operative sponsorship of junior high boys’ basketball with the Arcadia Public Schools for the 2012-13 season.

 Tentative practice plans call for one combined weekly practice at Loup City and one at Arcadia. Athletes will practice separately at their home schools on Wednesdays (church night). Friday night’s practice schedule will be determined by early outs and home varsity games at each school. Games are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Coaches for the combined squad are Kirk Harrington and Dusti Van Slyke

2013 Arcadia-Loup City JHBB Schedule

1-10-13 ENLS @ Arcadia- 2:30p,

1-14-13 Spalding/Spalding Academy @ Arcadia- 2:30pm

1-21 & 22-13 Ansley-Litchfiled Tournament @ Ansley- 3:30pm

1-24-13 @ Burwell- 4pm

1-28-13 Centura @ Loup City- 4pm

2-4-13 St. Paul @ Loup City-4pm

2-11-13 Ravenna @ Ravenna-4pm

2-18-13 Gibbon @ Loup City-4pm

LCPS Receives Excellent Audit Report

 At the November 12, 2012 Loup City Board of Education Meeting, Gary Hinrichs and Mick Puckett of Dana F. Cole and Company, the district’s auditors, reported on the outcome of the yearly district audit.  According to the auditors, the Loup City Public Schools received an, “unqualified audit report, which is the best report available as the results of an audit.”

The audit report went on to explain that an unqualified opinion “means that in our opinion the financial statements are presented fairly in all material respects in accordance with the basis of accounting as reported on.”

The audit report went on to praise district business manager, Janelle Swanson, stating that, “We encountered no difficulties in dealing with management and the staff in performing and completing our audit. The records were in great shape.”

The complete audit presentation is available on the district website, http://blog.loupcity.k12.ne.us/