The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

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Waiting patiently, Cafeteria worker Ikuko Fox watches hungry students grab their second chance breakfast. Ms. Fox works at the Second Chance Breakfast cart at the end of the 2nd floor hallway.

NEWS: District Introduces Second Chance Breakfast to High Schools

Jayne Landers, Managing Editor September 8, 2023

Starting in the fall of 2023, Lawrence high schools have begun offering second chance breakfast, an additional breakfast serving time for students. The district aims for students to perform better in academic...

Studying math, sophomore Willow Marable takes notes using her iPad and stylus. While Marable misses having a laptop, she still prefers taking notes online instead of on paper. “I would use my iPad to take notes, because it’s easier to organize and faster to edit than pen and paper, and it also has autocorrect,” Marable said.

NEWS: MacBooks Out, iPads In

Stella Mosier, News Copy Editor September 8, 2023

Starting off this school year has been majorly different for every high school student in the district. The transition between the iPads and MacBooks has shown major differences in technology, which has...

NEWS: The Willow Project: What is It, and What can We Do?

NEWS: The Willow Project: What is It, and What can We Do?

May 17, 2023

Throughout the month of March, students and teachers across the country scrolled through TikTok and Instagram, met with numerous posts addressing concerns about the Willow Project. The Willow Project...

After receiving advice from her students, orchestra director Judy Erpelding marks her music. Although the director normally makes the artistic decisions, Erpelding will often consult her students and hear their opinions on what sounds good and what they should try out. “[The students] are the heart of the program, not me,” Erpelding said. “I know they will carry that on and I will miss them. Making great music with them, being able to challenge them, taking their inspiration.”

NEWS: Judy Erpelding Announces Resignation

Lilly Wall May 11, 2023

After serving as the Director of Orchestras program for 11 years at the school, Judy Erpelding has announced her resignation, effective May 26.  With this position being her first teaching job, she...

NEWS BRIEF: Students Walk Out For Trans Rights

NEWS BRIEF: Students Walk Out For Trans Rights

Conrad Hill and Allison Mayhew March 28, 2023

Students walked out of schools throughout the district on Tuesday, March 28, to voice their opinions on the introduction of anti-trans bills in Kansas. “It is more than just a political issue,...

NEWS BRIEF: District Votes to Close Two Elementary Schools

NEWS BRIEF: District Votes to Close Two Elementary Schools

Natasha Torkzaban and Lilly Wall March 28, 2023

The USD 497 Board of Education voted to close Pinckney and Broken Arrow Elementary on Monday in an attempt to bridge the $9.6 million budget deficit.  Despite two public hearings at Broken Arrow...

 “I really love these burgers and dont understand why people are stealing them,” freshman Emily Ahern said. Ahern said she is confused as to why the Free State students are robbing burgers and what they are doing with them.

NEWS: The Great Burger Heist

Grey Heiman March 20, 2023

Over the course of the school year, the cafeteria has dealt with students smuggling burgers out of the cafeteria in their pockets.  It wasn’t till early October that cafeteria manager Tracy Pobjoy realized...

With the option of an open lunch many students choose to visit surrounding establishments. Neighboring businesses have expressed concerns about shoplifting, fighting, vandalism and drug use.

NEWS: Reports of Vandalism of Local Businesses

Tommy Taylor March 20, 2023

During every lunch period, a number of students leave the school and get lunch and return without issue. However, administration has reported that students have caused harm to surrounding businesses during...

Chief Operations Officer Larry Englebrick shares a presentation slide talking about the impact of school closures.

NEWS BRIEF: School Board Makes Decisions Regarding School Closures

Cici Hunter February 28, 2023

On Monday, Feb. 27, the USD 497 Board of Education hosted a board meeting to hear administration and community input, in addition to the Future Planning Committee’s final proposal.  “We have cut,...

NEWS: School Closure Proposal Nears Final Decision

NEWS: School Closure Proposal Nears Final Decision

Cici Hunter and Natasha Torkzaban February 25, 2023

One year after the USD 497 Board of Education reached a consensus that no schools would shut down in light of budget cuts, a newly drafted proposal will put three schools on the chopping block. "Closing...

Senior Ashanti Riccardo draws on an iPad using a pen. Next year, students will be given a pen along with their iPad to allow similar functionality.

NEWS: Trading MacBooks for iPads

February 23, 2023

For six years, USD 497 high school students have been provided with MacBooks for school; however, the school board has opted to transition to iPads next year. The board made the decision on Jan. 23,...

Sophomore Merrit Hale was frustrated with the problems surrounding Ticketmaster when trying to buy tickets for her favorite artist. Its super frustrating because of how fast they sold out and how expensive they are, and Ticketmaster didnt help with that, Hale said.

NEWS: Ticketmaster? More Like Ticket Disaster.

Emi Stone February 20, 2023

On Nov. 15, tickets for Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour" went on sale on the website “Ticketmaster” which allows users to purchase tickets for concerts. Fans who bought tickets noticed that the process...

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