Starting in the fall of 2023, Lawrence high schools have begun offering second chance breakfast, an additional breakfast serving time for students. The district aims for students to perform better in academic...
Starting off this school year has been majorly different for every high school student in the district. The transition between the iPads and MacBooks has shown major differences in technology, which has...
Throughout the month of March, students and teachers across the country scrolled through TikTok and Instagram, met with numerous posts addressing concerns about the Willow Project.
The Willow Project...
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...
Head boys basketball coach Sherron Collins will not be returning to Free State next year and has accepted a position at Oak Park High School, he confirmed in an interview last week.
Collins, a first-year...
This spring, the Science Olympiad Team traveled to Wichita State University to compete at the annual state tournament, wherein the team placed 12th overall.
Science Olympiad comprises 23 independent...
Students walked out of schools throughout the district on Tuesday, March 28, to voice their opinions on the introduction of anti-trans bills in Kansas.
“It is more than just a political issue,...
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...
Over the course of the school year, the cafeteria has dealt with students smuggling burgers out of the cafeteria in their pockets. It wasn’t till early October that cafeteria manager Tracy Pobjoy realized...
During every lunch period, a number of students leave the school and get lunch and return without issue. However, administration has reported that students have caused harm to surrounding businesses during...
On Monday, Feb. 27, the USD 497 Board of Education hosted a board meeting to hear administration and community input, in addition to the Future Planning Committee’s final proposal.
“We have cut,...
One year after the USD 497 Board of Education reached a consensus that no schools would shut down in light of budget cuts, a newly drafted proposal will put three schools on the chopping block.
"Closing...
![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)
