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

News

6 Feet Apart Under the Stars

Nisa Khosh, Reporter April 16, 2021

Prom is one of those memorable, once in a lifetime moments that seniors experience in high school. Due to COVID-19, prom was canceled last year. Student Council recently released news that this year, prom...

Lawrence school board president, Kelly Jones

Legislators Debate Trans Rights

Isis Norris, Free Press Editor-in-Chief April 13, 2021

During a year filled with fallout from the pandemic and political uprisings, some Kansas legislators have focused their attention on other matters: transgender youth. A History of anti-LGBTQ legislation Kansas...

Brief: Possible Ban On Sports For Transgender Women

Brief: Possible Ban On Sports For Transgender Women

Zanna Ingram, Copy Editor April 5, 2021

A bill that would prevent transgender students from participating in women's sports is currently being debated in the Kansas State Legislature. The bill states that due to the biological advantage of...

Teachers required to return to classrooms

Zanna Ingram and Isis Norris March 5, 2021

In an email sent to district personnel on Feb. 24, Superintendent Anthony Lewis announced that all staff members will be required to return to the building by March 15.  If a staff member would like...

NEWS BRIEF: BOE begins in-person plans

NEWS BRIEF: BOE begins in-person plans

Alexandria Brown and Isis Norris February 9, 2021

6-12 grade students will be able to return to full time in-person learning on March 29, according to plans announced by Superintendent Anthony Lewis.  The announcement came as the USD 497 Board of...

February Movie Releases

Nate Ankenbauer, Reporter February 5, 2021

  1. Malcolm and Marie To be released on February 5th, Malcolm and Marie tells the story of a filmmaker (John David Washington) and his girlfriend Marie (Zendaya) by discussing their...

NEWS BRIEF: School board approves changes to school schedule, weighted gating criteria

NEWS BRIEF: School board approves changes to school schedule, weighted gating criteria

Jack Bellemere, Reporter December 15, 2020

Students will get two more days of winter break than expected, following last night’s school board meeting.  Classes will resume on Jan. 7 instead of Jan. 5. Those two extra days will be used for...

School board looks to balance academics, activities and safety

School board looks to balance academics, activities and safety

Ethan Wood, Copy Editor December 5, 2020

Sports and music activities will continue with mitigation measures, following Thursday’s special school board meeting. The board also approved new district gating criteria that will potentially allow...

A student checks their temperature in the front office so they can be cleared to enter the school and start their day. At the beginning of each day, every student is required to check their temperature to ensure that students are staying healthy. There is least one temperature station per entrance to make sure all students are checked in before they enter the building.

School board postpones adopting county health department reopening guidance

Jack Bellemere, Reporter November 24, 2020

USD 497’s school board discussed using new metrics for reopening schools and planning for the winter sports season during its Monday meeting. The board narrowly declined to adopt Lawrence Douglas...

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...

NEWS BRIEF: New Wednesday schedule starts this week

NEWS BRIEF: New Wednesday schedule starts this week

Alexandria Brown, Free Press Managing Editor November 10, 2020

Starting this week, a new Wednesday schedule will begin that allows students to get help from teachers and explore new subjects, Principal Myron Graber announced late last week. This change is a...

Following the Pre-ACT, freshmen sit waiting in the Commons before touring the building. For many, this was their first time being in Free State.

Board discusses budget shortfall due to enrollment decline

Isis Norris, Free Press Editor-in-Chief November 10, 2020

More than $2.65 million has been spent by the district to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, according to a report given by Executive Director of Finance Kathy Johnson at the Lawrence Public Schools Board...

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