Griffin's Nest

Hi LVS families. Do you know of a student who would benefit from attending Lawrence Virtual School? Would their family like more information? Principal Harwood is hosting two upcoming LVS Information Sessions on April 23rd and May 14th. Share the informational slide below or have them visit our web site.

When:

• Remote Test Dates: April 30, May 1, 4, & 5 (see Parent/Guardian Agreement below)

Who tests?

• Grades 3, 4, 6, 7, 10 test in English Language Arts and Math
• Grades 5 and 8 test in English Language Arts, Math, and Science
• Grade 11 test in Science
• Grades K, 1, 2, 9, and 12 do not test

Important Remote Testing Information: To register for Remote Testing please download and complete the Parent-Guardian Agreement Form below. Once the form is returned to lvs@usd497.org we will provide you with the access code to register.

Questions? Email cindy.hills@usd497.org or call Cindy at 785-330-4375.

The USD497 District Art Show is a celebration of the thriving visual arts education in Lawrence Public Schools. Representing every Elementary, Middle and High School, the artwork in this show is a testament to the collective potential and artistic expression of our student body.

Thanks to our partnership with the Lawrence Arts Center, our young artists get to experience their work professionally displayed in a public gallery. Not only does this event instill pride and joy for our artists and families, but the community also gets a peek into the hard work and creativity that happens year-round in our art classes.

Let's make the Griffin presence a strong one at the District Art Show!

To submit: Photography, Mixed Media, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Digital Art, Fiber Arts - any artwork you’ve made this school year.

• Send artwork image via email to genevieve.busby@usd497.org
• Must be in .jpeg/.jpg or .png format
• Make sure your photo is well-lit, in focus, and not warped
• Include title and medium and artist name and grade level
• Email or Parentsquare Mrs. Busby with questions
• Deadline extended: April 15, 2026
• Click here for more information

Email your Video to Ms. Overton moverton@usd497.org.

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.

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!

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.

Friday, April 24 at 12:30 pm

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

Our final Cooking Club for the year is coming up on Friday, May 8th from 11:30 am-12 pm.

We will finish the year with a pizza variation (pizza is Mrs. Case's favorite) and a yummy chocolate mug cake for one. Check out the ingredients and supplies and come cook with us!

Mrs. Case's Zoom Room

It's not too early to be thinking about Summer Activities for yours students. The Nest will post opportunities as they become available. If you know of any in your area contact Cindy at cindy.hills@usd497.org.

It has come to our attention that some readers are no longer seeing our newsletter's table of contents. This may be due to being zoomed all the way in on on the webpage. To zoom out follow these directions:

For Mac devices, hold the Command key and press the minus key to zoom out.

For Windows PC devices, you can zoom out by holding Ctrl while pressing the minus symbol.

The Table of Contents allows you to quickly access the topis without scrolling through the enrire newsletter. We hope this helps make the Griffin's Nest easier to access.

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 link!

Below is a PDF copy of the Consent for Disclosure if you didn't complete one online when applying for Free/Reduced fees.

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