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Contributed photo
Free State High School troupe selected to perform at Wichita festival; local performance to send them off
Free State High School theatre students will take “The Addams Family: School Edition” on the road after being selected as one of five schools statewide to participate in the Kansas Thespian Festival.
MORE USD 497 & K-12 EDUCATION NEWS
Contributed
Lawrence High student’s photos capture moldy biscuits, pink chicken on cafeteria trays
Spoiling biscuits, expired milk, soggy sandwiches, food that looks uncooked inside. Since the school year started, junior Gabriella Wakole and her friends have complained about the quality of food and lack of meal choices in the Lawrence High School cafeteria.
Anti-masker’s obscenity-laced tirade at Capitol erased from Legislature’s video of hearing
The 28 seconds of profane commentary by Justin Spiehs during a special legislative committee hearing on COVID-19 government overreach was cut from the publicly available video of oral testimony on the Legislature’s website and posted to YouTube.
Contributed
Sunset Hill teacher draws inspiration from students in quest to complete New York City Marathon
Even though she’s never run a full marathon before, Sunset Hill Elementary PE teacher Stephanie Dickson has no doubt in her mind she’ll finish all 26.2 miles on Nov. 7 in New York City.
Contributed/Lawrence Schools Foundation
Community nominations open for Lawrence school district employees who show dedication to their craft
A $5,000 prize awaits the winner of the Lawrence Schools Foundation’s 2021 Dedication to Education Award. The honoree’s check will arrive just in time for the holidays and winter break, but the foundation must receive the nomination by Nov. 30.
Allie Lippe-Mackey/Contributed Photo
Lawrence High School science classes create a city-scale solar system
Allie Lippe-Mackey likes her Lawrence High School students to learn by doing. So rather than just quiz them on planets, she had them build a whole solar system.
Screenshot/Sources of Strength Media Kit
Lawrence High School club to host mental health discussion Tuesday
A student-led suicide prevention program has taken root at high schools in the Lawrence school district. Using peer leaders and adult advisers, Sources of Strength is a program focusing on suicide prevention and other issues teens face, including substance abuse and violence.
Screenshot/YouTube
Lawrence school board approves PAL-CWA contract; hears update on behavior data, restorative practices and mental health services
The Lawrence school board on Monday heard from several administrators with updates on student behavioral and mental health, restorative practice and more. It also approved the district’s first contract with PAL-CWA.
Lawrence school board to hear behavior and restorative practice update, consider ratifying classified staff contract and more
The Lawrence school board on Monday will receive an update on behavioral incidents, restorative practices and more from the first quarter, plus consider ratifying a contract with the district’s hourly employees.
Lawrence schools report most positive daily COVID-19 cases this fall; district gears up to help vaccinate 5- to 11-year-olds
The Lawrence school district reported 13 new COVID-19 cases among students Wednesday — the most reported cases in a single day during the first nine weeks of the school year. Meanwhile, the district is preparing to help roll out vaccines for those 5-11 years old.
Lawrence Public Schools / Contributed Photo
West Middle School’s choral music director named Lawrence’s Teacher of the Year for secondary schools
Craig McCauley, West Middle School choral music director, has been honored as the Lawrence school district’s Teacher of the Year for secondary schools.
Dick Meidinger/Lawrence Rotary Club
Lawrence high schoolers develop leadership skills at Rotary summer academy
Three Lawrence high schoolers were honored at the school board’s Monday meeting for being selected to attend the noon Lawrence Rotary Club’s 2021 summer Rotary Youth Leadership Academy.
Screenshot
Lawrence school board honors Indigenous people, meets in private to discuss PAL-CWA tentative agreement, and more
The Lawrence school board on Monday honored Indigenous people in the district, approved a donation of trees for Cordley Elementary’s playground and more.
Tricia Masenthin / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to consider donation of trees for Cordley Elementary playground
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider a donation of trees for the playground at Cordley, then meet in executive session to discuss contracts with the PAL-CWA union.
Tricia Masenthin/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board candidates critique process of evaluating superintendent’s job performance
Candidates for Lawrence school board defined their perceived roles in public education advocacy, budgeting, COVID-19 safety protocols, hiring, wage increases and grading the superintendent during the teachers union forum on Saturday.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Construction project at Lawrence High School to culminate in ribbon cutting, alumni Hall of Honor ceremony Saturday
As an extreme makeover of Lawrence High School nears completion after a two-year renovation, the public is invited to view the Chesty Lions’ new digs.





