Lincoln East High School Counseling Center

December Tips from the Counseling Center

The end of the semester and winter break are quickly approaching! To ensure a smooth transition and meet important deadlines, here are crucial tips regarding letters of recommendation, scholarships, and transcript requests.

Letters of Recommendation: If you are applying for college admissions or scholarships that require letters of recommendation, planning ahead is crucial.

- Allow Two Weeks’ Notice: Writers (teachers, counselors) need a minimum of two full weeks to compose a thoughtful and personal letter.

- Provide Key Info: Always give the writer your Student Information Summary sheet or resume. This allows them to write a stronger, more personal recommendation.

If your application has a January 1st deadline, the recommendation request must be in the writer’s hands two weeks prior to the start of winter break.

(Counselors and teachers will be on break from December 22, 2025 – January 2, 2026)

Scholarship Opportunities: December is a busy month for new scholarship announcements! Visit the LPS website and use jump code RCGL to view and search the latest scholarship opportunities.

Transcript Requests: Current East students (and parents/guardians of students under age 18) may request student transcripts by completing the online Google form.

Processing Time: Requests are typically processed within 2 business days and include high school credits earned, cumulative GPA, and academic achievements.

How to Request Your Transcript: Go to the LPS home page and enter jump code YZOW in the keyword/search field to access the online Google form.

Please be aware that the registrar’s office will be closed December 24, 25, 26, 30 and January 1 & 2, 2026.

8th Grade Information Night

East High School invites all current 8th Grade Students and Families to our annual Informational Night! Join us to explore the exciting opportunities East High has to offer as you prepare for the transition to high school.

Date: Thursday, December 18th
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: East High School South Gym

Event Agenda:

6:00 – 6:30 PM – Doors Open: Find a seat in the South Gym
6:30 – 6:50 PM – Welcome & Pep Rally!
6:50 – 7:00 PM – Transition to Open House
7:00 – 7:45 PM – Informally Tour the School & Meet Spartan Staff

For more information about planning and preparing for the 2026-2027 school year, please visit the Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) website.

LPS Preparing for High School 2026–2027 | Home It is time to think about your student’s exciting transition from middle school to high school! Lincoln Public Schools has a variety of programs and opportunities for each child to find their unique path to graduation, and we are thrilled to share this journey with you.

Important Information Regarding Caps and Gowns

Order your cap, gown and tassel on-line at https://signaturegraduation.com/. Don’t Delay! After January 31st an additional $15.00 late fee will be added to your order.

Students/Families can continue to order from the Signature Graduation website until midnight on Wednesday, May 13th. Orders placed from May 14th-21st WILL NOT be shipped instead, parents will need to pick up their order at the Lincoln Graduation office located on 4535 Normal #195. Contact Lincoln Graduation for pick up at 402-937-0812. All orders must be placed by NOON (central time) on May 21st to give adequate time for processing.

Free and Reduced Lunch Students
LPS Fee Waivers are available for students who are receiving Free and Reduced lunch this school year BUT submitting your waiver must be placed BEFORE May 8th. See Mr. Venema at the Fines and Fees window. All Fee Waiver orders will be delivered to the school the week of May 11th. The counseling secretary will contact students when their order arrives.

Questions: Call the Counseling Center 402-436-1302, opt 3.

On Thursday, November 6th, all 10th grade students will take the Pre-ACT. All sophomores are expected to take the Pre-ACT, as this gives students the opportunity to take a free, practice version of the ACT.

Sophomores will need to report to East High School for check-in no later than 7:45 a.m. on testing day. Testing will last until approximately 11:15 a.m. Students will be dismissed after testing is complete.

Please note that students MUST arrive on time. Students may not be admitted to the test once their room has begun testing.
Students MAY NOT USE CELL PHONES OR ELECTRONIC DEVICES during the entire testing period, including during breaks.
Students who bring electronic devices will need to power them off and leave them in the provided phone holder until testing is complete. If a phone or alarm goes off during testing, the test may be marked void and the student will be asked to leave the testing area.

Students must have their school ID or a state ID. ACT requires identification to test.

Students should bring their own calculator. Students can check with their math teacher to make sure their calculator is permitted by ACT. Additional calculators will be available for students who do not bring a calculator.

Please bring several sharpened No. 2 pencils – no mechanical pencils may be used.

There will be no school for 9th, 11th or 12th grade students on Thursday, November 6th due to Pre-ACT testing for 10th grade students.

Please contact Kyle Thompson, test coordinator, at [email protected] with questions.

2025 Fall Open House at The Career Academy
Sunday, October 19, 2025
1-2:30PM at TCA

Students will have the opportunity to meet TCA instructors and current students, explore the space and discover the many pathways they can take by attending TCA.

Apply2College Day: Get Your Application Done

Seniors, wondering how to get started on the college application process? We’ve got you covered!

East High is participating in the statewide Apply2College Day campaign to help you take this crucial step.

On Wednesday, October 8th, EHS counselors and local college admissions representatives will be in the Commons during periods 1, 2, and 3 to provide direct, one-on-one help. Prizes will be won and t-shirts will be given out!

Details:

* You MUST bring your Chromebook.
* Students are allowed to attend for one period only.

East High College Fair Tomorrow

Juniors and Seniors are invited to meet with over 45 college and military representatives during 2nd and 3rd period to discuss their post-high school plans.

To save time, please sign up for a barcode via the QR code below before you come to the fair.

HBCU INFORMATIONAL
Thursday, September 25th, 2025
5:00 – 7:00 PM
Lincoln High – Johnson Gym

All LPS high school students are welcome to attend the HBCU Informational session on Thursday, September 25th at Lincoln High, presented by the 1895 Project. Learn about different Historically Black Colleges & Universities, programs, and how to apply. There will be food, music, and giveaways! To find more information on the event, a list of HBCUs, and the registration link for the event go to

HBCU Informational 2025 – The 1895 Project, Inc. HBCU Informational 2025 HBCU Informational 2025 HBCU Registration Register Student Registration Register Community Partner Registration Register List of HBCUS List Pathways to Success: HBCU Informational Join us for our 3rd HBCU Informational, where representatives and alumni from HBCUs, community p...

2025-26 LPS ACT Test Prep Workshops

Lincoln Public Schools offers high-quality, affordable workshops to help students prepare for the ACT college exam. The Fall LPS ACT Prep Workshop, Session 2 begins Monday, October 20th, 2025. It will be held at Lincoln High School from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and is timed for the December 13th National ACT Exam. The deadline to register for Session 2 is Monday, October 15th, 2025.

There are a total of three sessions. The final session, Session 3 is timed to prepare students for the LPS Junior Exam on April 7th, 2026, which is a free test for the LPS Class of 2027. Each high school will register its students for this test. More information regarding the Junior ACT Exam will come as the test date gets closer.

To learn more about the LPS ACT Prep Workshops visit

LPS ACT Test Prep | Fall Workshop Information Full prices listed above. If a student qualifies for free or reduced lunch, tuition is reduced (contact your school counselor or Michelle Fonck at [email protected] for tuition information). A current year qualification letter needs to be on file with the district to receive price reduction.

Upcoming Events for the Week of September 18

UNL Senior Fall Visit
Thursday, September 18 at 9AM

Skyler with UNL admissions will be here on Thursday, September 18 at 9:00 a.m. to meet with seniors who are interested in attending UNL next fall. The meeting will be in the commons area. Topics will include: the admissions process, financial aid, deadlines and opportunities UNL has to offer. Attendance will be taken in the commons at the beginning of 2nd period.

Financial Aid Program
Thursday, September 18 at 5:30 PM

East High School is hosting a financial aid program with the EducationQuest Foundation on Thursday, September 18, at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.

Come learn about:
- Completing the FAFSA
- Finding scholarships
- Searching for colleges
- Understanding student loans

A free meal will be provided for all attendees. Plus, you can register to win a $500 scholarship!

READINESS DAYS - July 30, 2025
On Readiness Day, students can have their school picture taken by Digital Solutions, check out a locker, pick up their parking pass, pay fees for the upcoming year, complete athletic packets, check out Chromebooks (9th grade), and tour the school to see where their classes are for the 2025-2026 school year. Students will receive their Student ID on the first day of school.

Times:
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 10th, 11th, and 12th grade
12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. 9th grade
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ALL grades are welcome

If your student can’t attend their scheduled session, they may attend at any point of the day. If July 30th does not work for your family, your student(s) will have an opportunity to get their school picture taken during the first week of school, and fees may be paid online anytime through ParentVue.

2025 Summer School Information

Summer School Dates
May 29th – July 2nd (no school on 6/19)
Period 1: 8:00 – 10:30 am
Break: 10:30 – 10:45 am
Period 2: 10:45 – 1:15 pm

Location
Summer School will be held at Lincoln High School.

Registration Dates
Week of April 7th: Current LPS Seniors only

Week of April 14th: Current LPS Seniors and Juniors only
Week of April 21st: All Current LPS students
Week of April 28th: All Current LPS students
May 2nd: Last day to accept registrations in schools- forms shut off at midnight.

(Schedules will be available on StudentVue and ParentVue on May 28th at 12:00 p.m.)

Registration Process
Students will fill out the Google Form for enrollment and registration online. Summer School links go active on Monday, April 7th. If you have questions, please see your counselor.

Summer School – High school summer school classes in the Lincoln Public Schools have been planned to cover a wide range of course offerings for students grades 9-12 High school summer school classes in the Lincoln Public Schools have been planned to cover a wide range of course offerings for students grades 9-12. The summer school program provides: