Lawrence Public Schools

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

How exciting to be fully engaged across our classrooms this week! It is wonderful to have our students actively learning, to have returned to the rhythms of productive school days, and gained a solid start to this spring semester.

While we have been focused here on winter weather, Californians have been affected by devastating fires. We continue to hold everyone impacted close in our thoughts, including firefighters and other first responders who are so heroically battling the fires.

School Board Recognition

January is School Board Recognition Month. We reflect on and honor the members of our board of education, their commitment to the Lawrence Public Schools, and the extraordinary service they so tirelessly give. I want to acknowledge the leadership and dedicated public service of Board President Jones, Vice President Gordon-Ross, Past-President Kimball and Members Byers, Cadue-Blackwood, Costello, and Franklin. You may read the full text of Monday's board member appreciation and watch a fun video created for this special occasion by Andrew Beaven.

Inclement Weather and Instructional Hours

Many thanks to all our students and staff, school families, and community for the efforts to navigate the foot of snow and ice, and the community ‘dig out’ necessary to resume school. I want to highlight our Facilities and Operations crew members, including school custodians. They worked around the clock to treat and clear sidewalks, drives, and parking areas on all of our campuses and attended to HVAC and many other weather-related needs.

You may want to review this board update about inclement weather and instructional hours. Our next steps include continuing to:

• Monitor winter weather and prioritize safety for our students, staff, families, and community in determining inclement weather days.
• Follow any steps taken at the state level impacting this year's instructional hour requirements.
• Provide monthly updates. We commit to share any needed adjustments to the calendar no later than the Friday before spring break, March 14, 2025.
  

Priority on Instruction and a Cell Phone-Free Instructional Environment

We continue our work together to sustain a systemic shift in this new year to prioritize the work of our teachers and students and the critical mission of learning across our classrooms by minimizing the distraction of cell phones. All of our staff and students continue to focus on learning and keeping personal electronic devices off and put away during instructional time. You may read more about the many advantages of reducing cell phone time in classrooms at Away for the Day.

Community Engagement

Later this month, I look forward to sharing a report about our fall community engagement efforts, including a summary of input, patterns, and themes shared in the survey that our KU partners have analyzed for us. We excitedly anticipate exploring our next steps from the what we heard from our students, staff, parents, and community.

I hope you enjoy the beautiful winter artwork created by Colin and Serenity, Schwegler Elementary fifth grade students who explore their arts education under the guidance of their gifted art teacher Erin Martin.

Caring, high-quality public schools are the outgrowth of engaged and supportive communities. Thank you for all you do to support the quality educational experiences of our more than 10,500 students and the remarkable teachers, staff, and leaders who serve them each day.

Sincerely,

Jeanice Kerr Swift

Interim Superintendent

Lawrence Public Schools

With the theme of "ONE DREAM: Protecting Respect, Courage, and Responsibility in the Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," Lawrence Public Schools invites the community to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King and explore how we can continue working together toward inclusion and justice.

Please join us at 6:00 p.m. January 23 at the Lied Center of Kansas, 1900 Stewart Dr. Explore our gallery showcasing student work and educational resources, including an interactive, collective community art project. Tap your toes to a Jazz Trio, graciously sponsored by Meyer Music.

Our program follows at 6:30 p.m. hosted by student emcees Anwen Williams, Free State, Jesse Johnson, Lawrence Virtual School, and Juan Casimiro-Mendoza, LHS. Enjoy performances by the Billy Mills Middle School 8th Grade Band under the direction of Collin Watgen; New Horizons Trombone Quartet; Dale He, Southwest Middle School student pianist; and Nicole Rials, vocalist.

We also look forward to recognizing students and staff members selected by their schools for demonstrating respect, courage, and responsibility in their daily actions. They make their schools better places to learn and work.