Foundation for LPS names Park Middle School 2025 Inspire School of the Year

March 7, 2025

The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools announced Park Middle School as the 2025 Inspire School of the Year during a surprise assembly on Friday. This award is the highest honor given to an LPS school or program, recognizing outstanding achievement in academic excellence and goal attainment.

In addition to being named Inspire School of the Year, Park Middle School will receive $5,000 for its Fund for Excellence, which can be used at the principal’s discretion for things like staff appreciation, classroom supplies or student experiences, enhancing its positive impact on students, staff and the broader community. 

“I am so proud that Park has been awarded the 2025 Inspire School of the Year Award,” Park Principal Charlotte Everts said. “This award celebrates the dedication and creativity of our amazing staff and their unwavering pursuit of student success and well-being. Most importantly, it sends a powerful message to our students: your efforts, inherent worth, individuality and boundless potential are not only seen, but deeply valued and celebrated! I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with the entire Park community.” 

The dedication of Park’s staff and administration to supporting students’ social, emotional and academic needs was a major contributor to Park winning Inspire School of the Year. Through comprehensive programs, including targeted interventions, restorative practices and inclusive extracurricular opportunities, Park has created a nurturing environment where all students are encouraged to succeed. 

One key initiative from the 2024-29 LPS strategic plan that Park focused on is student well-being and outcomes. The school has established robust support systems, counseling services, after-school academic supports, peer mentorship programs, Social Academic Instructional Groups (SAIG) and community outreach programs. When students experience instability in their home environment, these programs can profoundly impact their feelings of safety, security and connectedness to their school community. 

Additional strategies and programs that contributed to Park's success in the last year include:

• School Ambassador Program: The program is designed to guide incoming students through a structured experience that helps them acclimate to the school environment.
• English Learner (EL) Pilot of Prosocial Learning: In collaboration with the district's EL and counseling teams, targeted lessons were designed for students to cultivate essential skills for success in and out of the classroom.
• Community Resource Fair: To ensure greater accessibility for families, Park staff invited community resource groups and organizations to parent/teacher conferences to give families direct access to a wide range of resources.
• Hair Care Station: The school partnered with a local church to provide students with hairstyling products so they can feel confident and focus on learning.
• School Store: Panther “Paws” can be earned with positive behaviors and academic success. Students use them as currency at the store to buy fun items and free activities.

“Park Middle School is undeniably deserving of the 2025 Inspire School of the Year Award,” said Natalia Wiita, President of the Foundation for LPS. “The dedication of Park’s educators and staff is nothing short of extraordinary, creating meaningful impact both inside and outside the classroom. Their data-driven approach, unwavering commitment to student success, and deep collaboration with the Lincoln community set a powerful example of what’s possible in education. Lincoln’s schools are among the best, and at the Foundation, we are honored to support every school, educator and student as they continue to achieve excellence.”

The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting excellence in Lincoln Public Schools. The Inspire School of the Year Award recognizes a school that has demonstrated significant progress towards its school improvement plan and has positively impacted its students, staff, faculty and the community.

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