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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

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Walking the halls, freshmen students move quickly to the next stop on their tour destination. Free State LINK Crew organized leaders to give building tours to new students.

District officials discuss precautions during hybrid learning

Zanna Ingram, Copy Editor November 8, 2020

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...

2020 candidates share priorities for Douglas County

2020 candidates share priorities for Douglas County

Ethan Wood and Nisa Khosh November 3, 2020

Douglas County Commissioner Pam McDermott (Republican) Pam McDermott has been a Lawrence resident for nearly 40 years. She is running for Douglas County Commissioner of District 3.  Her priorities...

A ballot box sits ready for Douglas County voters. Despite many not being old enough to vote, Free State students have found ways to be civically engaged.

Students get involved in 2020 election campaigns

Mary Kate Shultz, Copy Editor November 2, 2020

For many young people, politics can seem inaccessible. Teenagers are brushed off by adults as idealistic or ignorant or feel as though they can’t make an impact. Most notably, many high schoolers...

Debate prepares Firebirds for Tournament of Champions

Debate prepares Firebirds for Tournament of Champions

Emma Holsclaw, Talon Co-Editor in Chief October 12, 2020

For the first time in school history, a Free State debate team is headed to the Tournament of Champions in April. Juniors Serena Rupp and John Marshall will join other top debate teams in the nation...

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...

Protest for hybrid learning held outside district offices

The Paraeducators Association of Lawrence, PAL-CWA, hosted a teach-in outside of the USD 497 District Office on Monday, Oct. 5, as a form of protest against the Board of Education’s recent decision to...

Lawrence schools to begin hybrid learning

Isis Norris, Print Editor in Chief September 29, 2020

Lawrence Public Schools students will soon have the option to attend in-person classes through a hybrid learning model — returning to the classroom for the first time since March.  After an intense...

Opinion: Team photo sparks anger

Isis Norris, Print Editor in Chief August 18, 2020

On Sunday, Aug. 16 the Free State football team posted a photo through the @freestatefootball Instagram account. The photo featured 29 players standing shoulder-to-shoulder without masks or social distancing...

School board discusses reopening precautions, met with protests

Isis Norris, Print Editor in Chief July 14, 2020

On Monday night, the USD 497 School Board held a meeting to discuss how the district will adapt the 2020-21 school year to the current COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the newly-established Kansas for a...

Administration delivers food to students

Brooke Burgess, Reporter April 26, 2020

When schools closed, many students’ access to steady food supply was cut off. During the past weeks, administration has developed a plan to provide for students in need. “Our goal is to operate...

News Brief: School board relaxes graduation requirements

Jack Bellemere, Reporter March 23, 2020

After a school board meeting earlier today, USD 497 Executive Director of Communications Julie Boyle announced the school board will reduce the number of credits required for students to graduate high...

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