Lawrence Public Schools

Aug. 20, 2025

Thank you for a wonderful start to school year 2025-26!

We are grateful to share such positive energy as we open this school year across our Lawrence Public Schools. It is such a great time as students, staff, and families are settling into the rhythms and routines of learning and growing together. I encourage you to take a moment and view our #FirstDayIn497 back-to-school photo gallery!

Thank you to our wider school community for all you have contributed to ensuring a strong and safe start to the school year for each student. We extend our gratitude to all who reached out to support with donations of school supplies, or in other ways, connecting with school teams and communities. We are especially grateful for the efforts of the Lawrence Schools Foundation, which sponsored the 2nd annual Kids Expo community event. More than 2000 students and their families attended as more than 60 community partners came together to ensure students were well-prepared for school. Our Lawrence business and community partners donated approximately 3000 pairs of Bombas socks, 800 pairs of shoes and backpacks filled with school supplies, along with free books, haircuts, and bike helmets. These efforts reflect the strength of our community’s commitment to students and their success.

As a Lawrence Public Schools community, we are working together to ensure learning, belonging, and well-being for every child, every day.

School Safety

We hold the safety of our students and staff as our highest priority in our schools. During these early days of the school year, we know teachers and school teams are ensuring that students are well reviewed in our safety protocols—I witnessed a fire drill at an elementary school this morning!

I appreciate Lawrence Police Chief Rich Lockhart joining me in creating a safety video message featuring important back-to-school reminders. We will share this message with our middle and high school students at school. I’m sharing the message with you in advance to request your assistance. Please reinforce with your children at home the importance of the ‘report, don’t repost’ message shared by the Chief. We know the safety of our students is our shared responsibility, and we thank you for your partnership and support. You may find more information about student safety in Lawrence Public Schools at www.usd497.org/safety.

School Celebrations

We have so much to celebrate in our schools! I invite you to engage with me @lpssuperswift.bsky.social and follow @Lawrence Public Schools on Facebook, @usd497 on Instagram, and @USD497 on YouTube for real-time updates. Visit our website for more news and celebrations at www.usd497.org/news.

High-quality public schools are an outcome of committed, engaged communities. I am grateful for our work together to support all students and the beautiful school community we share.

Sincerely,

Jeanice Kerr Swift
Superintendent of Schools
Lawrence Public Schools

Our students are officially back! LPS staff members welcomed students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 for their first Wednesday on campus this school year. The day was chock-full of mascot appearances, see-you-later hugs, new routines, and reuniting with school friends.

Here’s to the hallways buzzing, curious minds, and just the right amount of snow days this year.

Click the link below to see some #FirstDayIn497 highlights from around Lawrence Public Schools!

Look at our district calendar to see upcoming events by clicking the link below.