Griffin's Nest

The LVS Staff wishes our students and families a wonderful holiday season. We will be closed from Dec 22 - Jan 5. School resumes on January 6. The Griffin's Nest next edition will publish on January 4! See you next year.

Valuable resources in Douglas, Johnson, Shawnee, Wyandotte, and McPherson counties and general resources in Kansas may be found by clicking the picuture above. More information for resources across the state may be found at 1800childrenks.org.

We are Bryson, Claire, and Daniel, a 9th-grade team from LVS competing in the eCYBERMISSION competition. For our research project, we're exploring how digital media and AI might be impacting the critical thinking skills of students just like you. We truly value your perspective and would be so grateful for your help! If you have a few minutes, please consider taking our survey at https://forms.gle/sxprczdaBo5waTrn7. Your participation is completely anonymous and voluntary, and your input is incredibly helpful for our research. Thank you for your time and support!

The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is an Annual Pitch Competition that brings students together to gain hands-on business experience. The date is February 20 and for more info download the flyer below.

Encore Homeschool Fine Arts will be adding a jr high/sr high choir second semester! The group will meet at 9 am each Friday, starting January 16 at Lawrence First Church of the Nazarene - 1470 N 1000 Rd. This class will be led by Merry Nanne.

The older choir is in addition to their elementary choir, Bitty Beats (PreK music enrichment), and instrumental chamber ensembles. All classes are accepting new students for the spring semester!

Interested in checking out Encore's class offerings? They welcome visitors on Fridays to sit in a class or meet the directors. You can also see their groups in action at their fall semester recital December 12th, at 7 pm, at Lawrence First Church of the Nazarene.

Enrollment and general information can be found at the following here, as well as the Encore Homeschool Fine Arts FB page.

When: Friday, February 20, 2026, 7:30 am- 2 pm

Where: Bartle Hall, KC

Cost: $25, includes all activities and lunch

At this live face-to-face event, high school girls get a chance to learn more about science and engineering careers, including:

• Getting paired up with a woman in the engineering industry to be a mentor for the day
• An overall introduction to engineering
• A career fair with engineering companies and firms
• A college fair with local/regional colleges that have engineering, etech, and/or drafting programs
• An industry fair with more detailed look at specific types of engineering
• A design and build activity with your mentor
• Lunch and keynote speaker
• College panel of female students in various programs at different schools that were at the college fair

High school girls can learn more and register by clicking here.

Check back for more upcoming field trip opportunities

All currently enrolled LVS High School students can access their transcript through Parchment. When creating your account please use your personal email address; DO NOT use a school email address. You will have access to this account until July 31st after graduation or withdrawal from LVS. The LVS office will no longer be providing transcripts to current High School students, so please create your Parchment account today!

Suicide doesn't discriminate and is the leading cause of preventable death in the US.

Be ready if a family member or friend needs help by downloading the "Kansas a Friend AsKS" app. Visit http://www.ag.ks.gov/asKS for more information.

Suicide Prevention Hotline simply dial 988!

For more information and to RSVP to attend by Friday, December 12 for the Middle School's Winter Games and Crafts Day, click on the picture above!

The LVS Middle School team has put together a guide to help Learning Coaches keep your students on track. Click here to see these tips.

Cooking Club with Mrs. Case returns on Friday, January 9, 11:30 am - Noon. Watch the Griffins Nest when we return for Winter Break for details on what we will cook and the ingredients needed.

Friday, January 23 at 12:30 pm

This club will meet about once per month at 12:30, dates to be determined each month.

Students will get a chance to share their own musical talents or just listen to others. Talents could include playing a song on an instrument or singing. We will also hope to learn about some famous musicians and various musical instruments.

There is no need to sign up in advance. Students should use this Zoom link if they choose to attend:

https://usd497-org.zoom.us/my/dkarasek

If needed, the Meeting ID is 520 576 4868

We’re making it easier to stay connected! Lawrence Public Schools are now using ParentSquare for most of our communication between school and home.

Families can receive updates, sign forms, schedule conferences, and more, on your phone, computer, or through the free app.

We’re looking forward to stronger connections and better communication across our school community.

Sign Up

Download the app

Intro to ParentSquare

Tips for using the App:

1. Download the app

2. Open the app

3. Enter parent email in the app (the same one you use to communicate with LVS)

4. Tap Next

5. ParentSquare send an email with a code to complete the process

Haveing technical issues with your school-issued device? Contact IT by sending a work order to: itworkorder@usd497.org

You may also call IT for support at 785-330-HELP (4357).

Below are some more detailed Zoom instructions for students and learning coaches. If your teacher is using Zoom please be sure to download these for further reference.

All LVS Parents, for your student to be successful you need to create your PowerSchool Parent Account as soon as possible. The Enrollment department will be providing all new parents within the next couple of weeks with the information required to set up your parent account.

Please visit this page for more information.

School Fees for 2025-2026 school year have been assessed by the District Finance Office. Fees are the same as last year ($100 Instructional Resources Fee and $15 Technology Fee). Payments can be made by check, credit/debit card, or by calling the office.

• By check made out to USD497 and mailed to LVS, 110 McDoald Dr., Lawrence, KS 66044
• Online with a credit/debit card by going to Pay Fees
• Credit/Debit card via phone by calling Cindy in our Business Office at 785-330-4375

To qualifiy for Free/Reduced LVS school fees families need to complete the LPS Free/Reduced Lunch Application and a Consent for Disclosure Form annually. Both the application and Consent Form are now completed online by clicking the blue links.!

Please contact Cindy in our Business Office with any questions at 785-330-4375.

It is important that your LVS teachers and staff have current contact information. If you have a new email or phone number please contact our office (lvs@usd497.org or 785-832-5620).

All Home/Mailing Address Changes will be made by completing the Address Change form. Home address changes require Proof of Residence (parent driver's licence with new address, utility bill, lease agreement, or vehicle registration uploaded in the Address Change form).

Scholastic Reading Club is an opportunity for K-8 students to order books from Scholastic Book Clubs that are delivered directly to your home. When you use the LVS code to purchase books, we can offer free books to share with students.

Shop Online: http://scholastic.com/readingclub

One-Time Class Activation Code: LVYZB

Please associate your student with Marcia Riggis' “class” when prompted to connect your student to a class. Book orders are due on the 29th of each month.

Questions? Contact Marcia Riggins

Community Rewards is an easy way to donate to LVS based on the shopping you do every day at Dillons. The program does not change your own Dillons points; it just gives LVS a bit of a boost.

You're only three easy steps away from earning rewards for LVS.

1. Create a digital account using your Dillon's Card. (must have a digital account to participate)

2. Go here to search for Lawrence Virtual School.

3. Select LVS and start shopping!

Every little bit helps.

For more information visit Dillons Community Rewards FAQs.

Buy. Scan. Earn. (Yes, it's that easy!)

LVS earns cash when you purchase participating Box Top items and scan the receipt containing those items. Our goal is to earn $1,000 this year which we can use for student events.

Download the Box Tops App on your phone and start scanning those receipts.

Target is offering 40 Bonus Box Tops when you buy 4 select General Mills items. Click above for more information.

Zach Harwood: Principal

Sarah Mahoney: Dean of Student Engagement

Daiceonna Henderson: Enrollment

Cindy Hills: Business Office/Newsletter Editor

Lawrence Virtual School

Website

lvs@usd497.org

(785) 832-5620