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

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...

Senior Caroline Börk smiles as she works on one of her art pieces on display at the Lawrence Arts Center. Börk began her art journey at a young age by taking classes at the Arts Center Preschool. “Funny enough, that is where the [previous] exhibition was held...so, I both started and ended my Lawrence artist journey at the arts center,” Bork said.

FEATURE: Lawrence Schools Held Annual District Art Show at Lawrence Art Center

Evie Chancy May 12, 2023

Art teachers from across USD 497 curated the best works from their students to be displayed at the annual District Art Show on April 28 at the Lawrence Art Center.  When the art teachers began accumulating...

Picking up a box of juice, JustFood warehouse manager Wayne Briggs collects donations of leftover food from the cafeteria. Briggs picks up extra, unopened food from the kitchen twice a week. These donations, often at least 50 pounds, are taken to the pantry, where anyone can take food free of cost.

FEATURE: JustFood Receives Leftover Food Donations

Lilly Wall May 4, 2023

During April, 855 pounds of leftover lunch food from both public high schools were repurposed to feed the community through just one partnership. Starting in the fall of 2022, USD 497 looked locally to...

District to continue hybrid learning in orange tier of reopening

District to continue hybrid learning in orange tier of reopening

Isis Norris, Free Press Editor-in-Chief November 13, 2020

Hybrid learning and winter sports will continue, despite a 13.8% COVID-19 positivity rate that has pushed the county into the orange tier of its Smart & Safe School Reopening Guidelines. Lawrence-Douglas...

Super Flex Wednesdays

Super Flex Wednesdays

Kaitlyn Fisher, Designer November 10, 2020

English teacher Samuel Rabiola uses his classless seventh hour to tackle some grading before the school day is over.

Loading Connections: Teachers share experiences with students online

Alexandria Brown, Free Press Managing Editor November 3, 2020

With the transition to partially online schooling, teachers like AP Government and Politics teacher Jeffery Haas are having to rethink how they go about teaching.  “I don't have the highest digital...

NEWS BRIEF: USD 497 releases official hybrid learning plan

Jack Bellemere, Reporter October 8, 2020

USD 497 released their official hybrid learning outline Thursday night.  The plan lays out how high school administrators hope to keep students and teachers safe and maintain a high quality education...

NEWS BRIEF: USD 497 negotiation team meets to discuss hybrid learning

NEWS BRIEF: USD 497 negotiation team meets to discuss hybrid learning

Jack Bellemere, Reporter October 8, 2020

The USD 497 negotiation team met Thursday night to lay out plans for a new hybrid learning model. The discussion spanned a range of topics from teacher sick days to tornado drills. One of the biggest...

Interim superintendent Dr. Anna Stubblefield opens the evening conversation with district accomplishments since the previous conversation last January. Attendees were handed sticky notes to write an issue they wanted discussed on.

District hosts second Community Conversation, administrators absent

Jackson Barton, Online Editor in Chief January 19, 2018

Around 50 students, parents, teachers and staff packed the auditorium at the Lawrence Public Library on Dec. 14 for a Community Conversation. It was the second of two opportunities for community members...

Kyle Hayden chosen as USD 497 Superintendent

Libby Stanford, Online Editor March 10, 2016

Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Kyle Hayden was chosen as superintendent of Lawrence Public Schools, effective July 1, 2016. Earlier this year, current Superintendent Dr. Rick Doll...

The American Civil Liberties Unions logo.

ACLU requests suspension of LEAP Ambassador Program in violation of Title IX

Hala Hamid, Reporter March 4, 2015

On Jan. 29, USD 497 Superintendent Dr. Rick Doll received a letter from the American Civil Liberties stating that the new LEAP Ambassador Program violates Title IX. Title IX states that the school may...

Firebird Productions: Students use film skills to give back to community

Natalie Hiebert, Reporter October 3, 2011

You probably have heard or seen some of the work of Firebird Productions, the student run film production class. But many students don’t know that the studio does work outside of the annual homecoming...

Load More Stories

Comments (1)

All Free Press Online Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest