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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

News

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 I'm 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...

Student shares his experience and thoughts on Breast Cancer Awareness

Madi Engnehl-Thomas, Reporter November 5, 2015

When senior Zak Reed drove across the Kansas River with his parents to see the bras across the bridge after moving here in 2009, he didn’t think much of it. Now, six years later, Reed believes the bras...

During a home game, Free State Soccer fans cheer on the team. Students would like the ability to go to away games in spirit busses, but it is often hard to organize.

Students weigh pros and cons of spirit busses

Elizabeth Patton, Social Media Editor November 4, 2015

While two lightning delays and double overtime made for an exciting soccer city showdown, it presented challenges in managing a spirit bus restricted by district rules. The first spirit bus of the 2015-2016...

When her Rocky Mountain adventure went wrong, Everett and her son's girlfriend found themselves lost in the wilderness for two nights. Soon after, a helicopter came to their rescue, "It was something I'll not soon forget," Everett said.

Helicopter rescues librarian after two nights in Colorado mountains

Elizabeth Patton, Social Media Editor October 25, 2015

Most trips to the bathroom don’t end with a rescue helicopter ride out of the Rocky Mountains. For librarian Chris Everett, however, that was the case. On her annual Rocky Mountain hiking trip with family...

During fourth hour, Williams explains a concept to Spanish 3 student, sophomore Kaya Shafter. Williams has created a new homework system for her classes, focusing on student activities rather than bookwork.

Spanish three classes take new approach on foreign language education

Reagan Sullivan, Reporter October 24, 2015

Sophomore Jackson Mason goes home after a long day of school. He looks at his Spanish homework to see what activity he should do for this week. After deciding to listen to a Latin radio station on Pandora...

Students in Michael Williams' Drafting 2 and 3 classes designed this open-air shelter for the Prairie Restoration Project. Novice Woodworking classes will help build the shelter once the design is complete.

Drafting students design and build a shelter by Free State prairie

Sydney Gard, Co-editor in chief October 23, 2015

Many high school drafting students would not expect to be able to design a structure for their peers. However, when sophomore Darik Dudley walked into his Drafting 2 class during the second week of school,...

Every year the school board sets goals for equity, excellence and engagement. This year these goals include a look at what the district can do to help LGBT+ students to feel comfortable in the school environment. For example, the option to use the bathroom for the gender a student identifies as.

USD 497 adds new equity goals

Madi Engnehl-Thomas, Reporter October 22, 2015

When New York Elementary School third grade teacher John Bode was in high school, coming out as gay or lesbian was unheard of. Many of his high school friends didn’t come out until after graduation,...

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