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

In 2006, Free State had graduation rates in the 80s. Now that number reaches the mid-90s. Programs such as AVID and Can We Talk have been credited with increasing this number.

Lawrence schools and district hope to raise graduation rates

Trenna Soderling and Reagan Sullivan February 6, 2016

Putting the organizational tools she has learned to the test, Junior Victoria Atkinson leans over her binder in her Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) class. The skills learned in these classes...

Students work together to ban Confederate flag

Libby Stanford, Online Editor February 3, 2016

On Tuesday, Jan. 19 students were greeted with the Confederate flag flying in the parking lot. Within an hour, snapchats and tweets about the flag littered Free State students’ feeds. Teachers held discussions...

Exchange students Juan Zarate and Denis Sitzmann play a traditional Paraguayan song for Free State spanish students. The group of Paraguayans arrived on Jan. 16 and will leave on Feb. 20.

Paraguayan exchange students hope to experience new things in the U.S.

Hala Hamid, Copy Editor February 2, 2016

As nine exchange students from Paraguay stepped off the plane and into the Kansas City airport, they were greeted with colorful signs and smiling faces. For five weeks, they will bear the frigid Kansas...

Social media habits require new methods of discipline

Evan Frook, Reporter January 25, 2016

Last September, parents filed into Southwest and South middle schools for a meeting geared towards discussing the realities of what their children were doing on social media and explaining how to use social...

A fire ruined much of the inside of Pet World last year. Their reopening is scheduled for Jan. 23.

Pet World rallies after devastating fire

Darby Gilliland, Reporter January 20, 2016

On March 25 of last year, Pet World suffered from an accidental fire. While no human lives were lost and many animals were saved, not all of them were so lucky. Owner Sherry Emerson says that part of...

Seniors share plans for early graduation

Maame Britwum, Online Editor December 15, 2015

As first semester comes to a close, many seniors are beginning to prepare for their final semester; however, for senior Kirsten Baska and many others, this semester will be her last. At the start of...

Government students register to vote

Libby Stanford, Online Editor December 14, 2015

On Nov. 24, Government students were provided with the opportunity to register to vote for the 2016 election. Throughout the semester students have been learning about the government and the different...

Curtain opens on biennial musical November 19-21

Sydney Gard and Maya Hodison November 20, 2015

Stressed actors already fill the auditorium when senior Nat Hoopes walks in. He has 16 measures of music and a two minute monologue memorized and is ready to perform a dance for the choreographer....

New district technology policy offers wifi hotspots and computers for check out. Students can go to the library if they are in need of a computer.

USD 497 technology policy provides equal access

Libby Stanford, Online Editor November 20, 2015

This year the school district took new steps to incorporate technology in learning. Textbooks in AP U.S. History classes and Algebra I classes are now being used online. One concern that arose out of this...

As students juggle seven or more classes their backpacks overflow with papers, binders and textbooks. People like Brittany Swearingen carry around many textbooks in order to avoid online resources. I hate reading on screens, she said. It really frustrates me. I have to be able to touch what Im reading.

Increasingly heavy backpacks have negative spinal effects

Trenna Soderling, Editor-in-Chief November 18, 2015

Passing period can easily turn into a fight to see who can sprint down the middle staircase and get to class on time. A common weapon of choice? Backpacks, stuffed with textbooks, binders, workbooks...

Homecoming video edits spark controversy among students and teachers

Libby Stanford, Co-Online Editor November 10, 2015

On October 8th students and teachers filed into the small gym to watch the much anticipated Homecoming video. This year's Homecoming candidates spent two days filming the video, which was themed “elections”....

Student Council members discuss General Assembly

Maame Britwum, Co-Online Editor November 9, 2015

At the start of the year Student Council began its transition from a classroom setting to a general assembly. Instead of having Student Council meet exclusively during third hour, meetings will be held...

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