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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
As the district reviews facility rental fees, sports teams may now have to pay the district the same fees charged to outside groups for their summer workouts and camps, in accordance with a new fee...
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...
As hybrid plans start to roll into effect, students and faculty are asking questions about the precautions needed to keep everyone safe.
Principal Myron Graber said that plans have been put in place...
“I don't think [the administration] outwardly cares about their students,” one anonymous student said when describing their frustration with USD 497’s anti-vaping initiatives. “I think they just...
On November 7, USD 497 Board of Education released an updated dress code draft. More lenient than past policies, the administration seeks to define more open guidelines of appropriate attire.
According...
Jackson Barton, Online Editor in Chief
• January 30, 2018
Dr. Anthony Lewis has been selected as the next superintendent of Lawrence schools effective July 1 according to a press release sent out Monday morning. Lewis previously served as an assistant superintendent...
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...
![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.](https://www.fsfreepressonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Cook_DistrictArtFair_4_28_23-55-625x900.jpg)
![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.”](https://www.fsfreepressonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Roust_Erpelding_5_11_23-600x900.jpg)
