School Redesign Part 3: Restorative practices predicted beneficial to students
Jack Bellemere, Reporter
May 17, 2019
When a student gets in trouble at Free State, teachers traditionally “write up” that student, and send them to the office where administrators will dole out their punishment. However, english teacher Kylee Wright sees this protocol as archaic and ineffective. Instead, Wright wants to incorpor...
School Redesign Part 2: Teachers emphasize need for student feedback
Jack Bellemere, Reporter
May 17, 2019
“I don’t believe that teachers should have desks in their classroom,” said special education teacher Patrick Dipman. “I believe that what that creates is squatters rights.” Dipman is explaining one of his many ideas for the school redesign coming next school year, with suggestions such as ...
School Redesign Part 1: Plan approved by staff, efforts begin
Jack Bellemere, Reporter
May 17, 2019
“We customize everything everything,” graphic design teacher Michelle Salmans said. “We customize our phones, our laptops [and] our clothing. Why can't we customize our education? Salmans is referring to the upcoming school redesign project, dubbed “Kansans Can School Redesign.” The projec...
Teachers value maternity/paternity leave
Daulton Meadows, Reporter
May 15, 2019
Having a child is time consuming and expensive, which is why paid maternity is so crucial to new parents who teach. The Lawrence School District recognizes this and therefore offers paid maternity leave, something which many jobs do not provide to their employees. While taking a parental leave, some teachers...
Seniors Max Lillich and Spencer Yost-Wolf take debate State title
Jack Bellemere, Reporter
April 22, 2019
Seniors Spencer Yost-Wolf and Max Lillich are competing the finals round of the Kansas state debate championship at Garden City High School. It’s midnight on January 13, and they have been debating for more than 16 hours straight. Yost-Wolf and Lillich are affirmative—meaning they have to def...
Head choir director Hilary Morton announces resignation
Sabrina Castle, Editor-in-Chief
April 11, 2019
After being head director of the school’s choir program for 13 years, Hilary Morton has announced her resignation from the position after this school year. Living in Lawrence her entire life, Morton received a double major in musical education and vocal performance, as well as a masters in chora...
Student Council brings awareness to eating disorders within the school
Brooke Burgess, Reporter
March 19, 2019
In an effort to raise awareness for eating disorders, Student Council gave out purple ribbons at lunch during the last week of February. They encouraged everyone to wear purple on Thursday, February 28 in support of those who struggle with self image. Handing out ribbons annually for the past two...
Students express religion through accessories
Brooke Burgess, Reporter
February 18, 2019
Faith can be expressed through having or wearing something that represents a religion. For these three students, these items serve as a symbol of their values and a reminder of their beliefs. Kaitlyn Fisher Kaitlyn Fisher wears a ring with the bible verse "The Lord your God is with you wherever you go...
“9 to 5” Musical censored after parent complaints
Alex Decker, Reporter
January 22, 2019
Upon opening night of Thespian Club’s production of “9 to 5”, originally a movie featuring Dolly Parton as lead female role, parents expressed discomfort towards multiple scenes in the musical. Acknowledging the disapproving emails and phone calls received by principal Myron Graber, Thespian advisor ...
Trump’s MAGA rally supporting Kobach draws protesters
Sabrina Castle, Editor-in-Chief
December 6, 2018
After receiving a text message from Trump’s campaign advertising his “Make America Great Again” rally in Topeka, Kansas, people were able to make requests online for a free ticket to attend the event. The rally on October 6 attracted thousands who lined up in the cold rain for hours outside ...
Math teacher Alyssa Barratt receives district level Horizon Award
Corinne Scales, Reporter
November 15, 2018
Going above and beyond her fellow first year teachers, Alyssa Barratt was awarded the district Horizon Award for Secondary Teachers. Not all teachers have opportunity to receive this award—only teachers who display excellence throughout their first year of teaching. “Alyssa has showcased an incredible profe...
Technology takes over classrooms
Ahmed Jakmouj, Reporter
October 28, 2018
As virtual learning becomes more popular, the Lawrence School District voted in 2017 to give students personal laptops which they can use for the duration of the school year. By using certain tools like Google Classroom, teachers are able to upload assignments online so that they are accessible to s...
Isabel Janssen, Photographer
May 17, 2019
Isis Norris, Photographer
May 16, 2019
Baya Burgess, Photographer
May 13, 2019
‘Just treading water, dude’: Baseball ready to prove they deserve no. 1 ranking
May 16, 2019
At the Free State baseball alumni game earlier this season, former Sunflower League MVP Ryne Price brought one message to the Firebirds baseball team that...
Firebirds suffer season-ending loss in State basketball tournament
March 9, 2019
While maybe not as easily as in previous seasons, for the third consecutive year Coach Sam Stroh took his Firebirds to the state tournament, this time...