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Maya Smith/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board signs off on facility upgrades, hears update on state legislation
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved some capital project bids and received updates on state legislation that could impact schools in the district.
MORE USD 497 & K-12 EDUCATION NEWS
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to hear update on the district’s Redesign schools
The Lawrence school board on Monday will hear an update on the district’s four Redesign schools, Free State High School and Broken Arrow, Hillcrest and Deerfield elementaries.
Free State High School student’s photo wins Great Shot contest
Addie Driscoll, a senior at Free State High School, has won first place in a national photo contest for a joyful photo of her lemon beagle, Maizie Jo.
Sunflower first-graders design unique jewelry for auction to benefit injured, orphaned wildlife
First-graders in Jessica Brown’s class at Sunflower Elementary have named the muses that inspired the colorful jewelry they’ve crafted. Now it’s time for the public to place bids.
Students cross finish line with confidence in Lawrence school district’s adaptive triathlon
The time he spent pounding the track’s pavement during the adaptive triathlon Wednesday at Lawrence High was the funnest part for Richard Outcalt. That, and the Southwest Middle School eighth-grader envisioning himself attending LHS in the fall.
Learning coach to fill interim principal position at Broken Arrow Elementary
The Lawrence school district has announced that Amanda Green, a curriculum and instructional learning coach at Broken Arrow Elementary School, will fill the position of interim principal, effective July 1.
Threat against Billy Mills Middle School under investigation, principal says
Law enforcement is investigating after Billy Mills Middle School received a report that a former student had made threatening comments about violence toward the school on social media, according to an email to school families.
Fire destroys Little Free Library at Pinckney Elementary; school looks for help to replace it
Pinckney Elementary School has lost a piece of its community. A fire last week destroyed its Little Free Library, located outdoors at the school’s northeast entrance.
Contributed Photo
Fifth grade teacher set to leave Lawrence schools bolstered Indigenous studies curriculum
A fifth-grade teacher at New York Elementary, who has left her mark helping students and even her colleagues better understand Indigenous history, is leaving Lawrence Public Schools following a difficult school year occupied by uncertainty.
Free State High School students and lifelong theatre buddies nominated for Blue Star Awards
Two students at Free State High School have been nominated for prestigious Kansas City-area theatre awards.
Tricia Masenthin/Lawrence Times
Justice Matters adds focus on elder care to its list of priorities during annual assembly
Douglas County suffers from an elder care crisis, according to members of the nonprofit organization Justice Matters. Senior care service providers can’t recruit and retain enough qualified staff to provide quality care to seniors in Douglas County who need it.
Contributed photos
Free State High School announces changes in administration
Free State High School will see three educators move into new positions starting in July, including one hire from outside the district.
Andrea Albright / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence High School’s Showtime returning to the stage
Lawrence High School choir members have been hard at work rehearsing for the first Showtime since the pandemic hit.
Emma Fotovich, USD 497 / Contributed photo
‘Families need to know they’re not alone’: Upcoming fair offers resources, fun for Lawrence families
Lawrence families will have the opportunity to learn more about resources for children and families in the community at an upcoming Early Childhood Family Resource Fair.
Lawrence school board approves Montessori program for New York Elementary
The Lawrence school board narrowly approved implementing a Montessori program at New York Elementary this fall to serve 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds and kindergarteners.
Girls high school gymnastics program to continue in Lawrence school district next year
The FireLions gymnastics team will go on. After hearing the findings of a Title IX report, the Lawrence school board agreed Monday to look at ways the district could boost participation in its high school gymnastics program as well as other offerings for girls.





