Health and Wellness

Extended Closure FAQ (updated April 1st)

Should families report confirmed cases of COVID-19 to the school?

Yes – Please let us know if you have been in contact with health officials and have been advised to self-monitor, self-quarantine, or have been diagnosed with COVID-19. This information will stay confidential but will allow us to alert others to a possible exposure.

Will St. Patrick School or Church be providing food for families?

Not at this time. See below for options from Lincoln Public School and Catholic Social Services

Is the Food Market still happening?

Yes – the Food Market will still be available the 3rd Tuesday of every month.

Will sacraments be rescheduled?

All parish events, including public mass times, are postponed indefinitely. If you need to talk to a priest please call 402-466-2752

Will report cards still be sent home this week?

Paper report cards will be sent home after the completion of 4th quarter.

How can we help families with immediate concern for feeding or caring for the health needs of their family?

Please see below from Catholic Social Services if you are need of assistance.

Any additions to the CSS resources offered will be sent by email to families.

Electronic donations for families in need are welcome via our online giving site: https://stpatrickcatholic.aware3.net/give/ or cash/check donations are welcome at the rectory office or by mail anytime.

Will the school year be extended into the summer to make up for lost time?

If students forgot things or if students were absent the Thursday before we closed school can they can come back and get things?

If you have an immediate need for any medications or other necessary items – please call the rectory to schedule a time to come in: 402-466-2752

If school closure continues, how does this affect tuition payments for families?

Tuition for all grades should continue to be paid through FACTS. If you feel you are unable to pay your tuition, please contact the finance office: 402-466-2752

Will IEP/MDT meetings continue as scheduled or will they be postponed?

Starting on April 6th, the LPS team will be connecting with families of students with IEPs by email or zoom to share remote learning activities. These materials will be available on the LPS Remote Learning Website. They will contact families at least 2 times a month to answer questions, recommend remote learning activities, or suggest home routines for students.

Will other clubs, sports, extra curriculars be postponed?

At this point, consider everything postponed. As soon as long-term plans can be made or cancellations finalized, we will update you.

Food Distribution from Lincoln Public Schools

LPS Nutrition Services will provide a sack lunch and breakfast for the next day to any child at any of the SEVEN locations listed below:

Belmont Elementary School (3425 North 14th St.)
Arnold Elementary School (5000 Mike Scholl Street)
Hartley Elementary School (730 North 33rd St.)
(NEW) Calvert Elementary School (3709 S. 46th St.)
Park Middle School (855 South 8th St.)
Northeast High School (2635 North 63rd St.)
Lincoln High School (2229 J Street)

Following the federal feeding program guidelines, the child needs to be present to pick up the meal. One meal per child will be available 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m. while supplies last.

Information from Catholic Social Services

Request Food

The St. Francis Food Pantry continues to provide households in need with perishable and
nonperishable items. You need to call (402) 474-6200. Requests are taken Monday through Thursday starting at 8am. You will receive a pickup time the same day between 1pm and 4pm. When you place your request, please let us know about any food allergies or dietary restrictions. In light of COVID-19, CSS is making the following adjustments.

Increasing the number of households served per day
Coordinating delivery options for quarantined households
Providing personal care items, including toilet paper, soap, shampoo etc. upon request

If you have any questions, please contact our Regional Director of Social Services, Katie Patrick at (402) 327-6223 or kpatrick@cssisus.org

Request Emergency Cash Assistance

CSS provides cash assistance to those struggling to pay rent, utilities, car repairs, and more. We take requests every Monday morning. The phone number is (402) 327-6211 and the line opens at 9am. Appointments are based on a weekly budget, however, in light of the coronavirus and its impact on our community, we are actively raising funds to increase our weekly budget. If you have any questions, contact our Emergency Services Coordinator, Marilu Cazares at (402) 327-6222 or mcazares@cssisus.org

Walk-In Services

We provide diapers, baby formula, personal care items, adult diapers, and more to walk-in clients during regular business hours. If you have any questions or would like to make a donation, please contact our Client Relations Specialist, Veronica Hotovy at (402) 474-1600 or vhotovy@cssisus.org

At this time, the Lincoln office will remain open during our regular business hours. Follow us on Facebook to receive information on hours, services, and ways you can help. Thank you!

Basic care for preventing the spread of viral and bacterial infections.

Review and model basic hygiene and healthy lifestyle practices for protection.

Encourage your child to practice every day good hygiene—simple steps to prevent spread of illness:
- Wash hands multiple times a day for at least 20 seconds (singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star slowly takes about 20 seconds).
- Cover their mouths with a tissue when they sneeze or cough and throw away the tissue immediately, or sneeze or cough into the bend of their elbow. Do not share food or drinks.
- Practice giving fist or elbow bumps instead of handshakes. Fewer germs are spread this way.
Giving children guidance on what they can do to prevent infection gives them a greater sense of control over disease spread and will help to reduce their anxiety.
Encourage your child to eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly; this will help them develop a strong immune system to fight off illness.

Communicate with your school.

Let your school know if your child is sick and keep them home. Your school may ask if your child has a fever or not. This information will help the school to know why your child was kept home. If your child is diagnosed with COVID-19, let the school know so they can communicate with and get guidance from local health authorities.
Talk to your school nurse, school psychologist, school counselor, or school social worker if your child is having difficulties as a result of anxiety or stress related to COVID-19. They can give guidance and support to your child at school.

Know the symptoms of COVID-19.

- The CDC believes these symptoms appear in a few days after being exposed to someone with the disease or as long as 14 days after exposure:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness for breath
- For some people the symptoms are like having a cold; for others they are quite severe or even life threatening. In either case it is important to check with your child’s healthcare provider (or yours) and follow instructions about staying home or away from public spaces to prevent the spread of the virus.

School Cleanliness Protocols

Teachers are routinely cleaning frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, light switches)
We are using disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (e.g., keyboards, desks) can be wiped down by students and staff before each use.
Students are reminded to follow basic hygiene and healthy lifestyle practices listed above.

Talking with children at home

Remain calm and reassuring.

Children will react to and follow your verbal and nonverbal reactions.
What you say and do about COVID-19, current prevention efforts, and related events can either increase or decrease your children’s anxiety.
If true, emphasize to your children that they and your family are fine.
Remind them that you and the adults at their school are there to keep them safe and healthy.
Let your children talk about their feelings and help reframe their concerns into the appropriate perspective.

Make yourself available.

Children may need extra attention from you and may want to talk about their concerns, fears, and questions.
It is important that they know they have someone who will listen to them; make time for them.
Tell them you love them and give them plenty of affection.

Avoid excessive blaming.

When tensions are high, sometimes we try to blame someone.
It is important to avoid stereotyping any one group of people as responsible for the virus.
Bullying or negative comments made toward others should be stopped and reported to the school.
Be aware of any comments that other adults are having around your family. You may have to explain what comments mean if they are different than the values that you have at home.

Monitor television viewing and social media.

Limit television viewing or access to information on the Internet and through social media. Try to avoid watching or listening to information that might be upsetting when your children are present.
Speak to your child about how many stories about COVID-19 on the Internet may be based on rumors and inaccurate information.
Talk to your child about factual information of this disease—this can help reduce anxiety.
Constantly watching updates on the status of COVID-19 can increase anxiety—avoid this.
Be aware that developmentally inappropriate information (i.e., information designed for adults) can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young
Engage your child in games or other interesting activities instead.

Maintain a normal routine to the extent possible.

Keep to a regular schedule, as this can be reassuring and promotes physical health.
Encourage your children to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities, but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed.

Be honest and accurate.

In the absence of factual information, children often imagine situations far worse than reality.
Don’t ignore their concerns, but rather explain that at the present moment very few people in this country are sick with COVID-19.
Children can be told this disease is thought to be spread between people who are in close contact with one another—when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
It is also thought it can be spread when you touch an infected surface or object, which is why it is so important to protect yourself.
For additional factual information contact your school nurse, ask your doctor, or check the https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html website.