Lawrence Public Schools
All Students. One Team.
Hello, Lawrence Public Schools Community,
We appreciate the diligent work of our students, teachers, school and district teams, as well as our parents and community members as we all work to wrap up this first semester of the 2024-25 school year over the coming busy days of December.
We enjoyed meeting Dr. Beryl New, Kansas State Board of Education member-elect, pictured here, when she visited us in Lawrence, attending a recent USD 497 Board of Education meeting.
Community Engagement & Survey
My thanks to all of the staff, school families, and community members who have joined me in conversations this fall, and I especially value time in conversation with our Free State, Lawrence High, and Lawrence Virtual School students. We learned a great deal from hearing about their school experiences, insights, and priorities for the future of Lawrence Public Schools. Conversations will continue throughout this 2024-25 school year as we connect with school and community groups to check in on our progress.
Our community survey will remain open through December 19, so I encourage anyone who hasn't already done so to visit our website and share their input by completing the survey. We value our partners at KU for assisting us with survey analysis. I look forward to sharing a full report with the board and community in January or February; we will use what we have learned to inform and plan our next steps for Lawrence Public Schools.
Use of Cell Phones & Personal Electronic Devices
To prioritize a focused learning environment, lift up quality teaching and learning, and protect the integrity of our classrooms, we are taking steps to ensure that our classrooms are free from the distraction of student cell phones. In summary, the expectation is that cell phones and personal electronic devices must be off and stored out of sight during instructional hours; devices should not be seen, heard, or interfere with instruction.
I know that we will all work together to support our students, teachers, school teams, and families as we work through this time of change, challenge, and learning during spring semester 2025.
Cell phone information, expectations, additional background information, and resources are posted on our website for your easy reference.
As we move through the spring semester, we will continue our conversation and learning together in implementing cell phone-free classrooms and fine-tune this work to prepare for any further adjustments that may be needed for fall 2025.
Communications
To keep up with the great things going on in the district, you may want to check out the most recent Superintendent Report to the Board, access the Lawrence Public Schools Podcast - a new episode on Cell Phone-Free Learning Environments will publish next week, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or check out our YouTube Channel.
Read more below about some exciting honors for members of our staff and see some of our fourth graders eagerly dive into their new dictionaries donated by the Lawrence Breakfast Optimist Club.
Caring, high-quality public schools are the outgrowth of engaged and supportive communities. Thank you for all you do to support the 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
Dedication to Education
The children of "The Bobs," another group of Lawrence Schools Foundation anonymous donors, support a $5,000 Dedication to Education Award. Every December, a teacher or paraeducator who goes the extra mile to help kids who need it most receives the honor. The Foundation recognized Southwest Middle School Director of Bands Deborah Woodall Routledge this year.
"Every June when sixth graders make the leap from elementary to middle school, their first opportunity to make new friends is a musical one. In the Novice Program, sixth graders get a week-long opportunity for a hands-on introduction to band and orchestra instruments. Deb and her colleagues are the reason why more than 4 out of 5 Lawrence students play a musical instrument. By high school, more than half will still play in band or orchestra,” wrote a colleague in their nomination.
Regional Recognition
The Northeast Kansas Music Educators Association honored Mike Jones, Lawrence High director of bands, with its Outstanding Band Director Award. The organization also will nominate Jones for the state KMEA Outstanding Music Educator award.
"We all know the difference that Mike makes at LHS -- the love he has for this school, the students, and our Fine Arts Department. For me, Mike has been a great mentor and supporter when stepping into this job. He always responds with kindness, patience, and caring, while also bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table," wrote Mariah Barnett, LHS director of orchestras, of Jones.
Honoring Classified Staff
It is evident that New York Elementary loves and relies on Jori Roberts, school administrative assistant. A teacher described her as “the happy heart at the center of our tiny school.” Another said, “She is our rock.” Others added that they should get Roberts a cape, because she makes challenging situations easier and heavy loads lighter, always coming to the rescue when help is needed.
Dr. Swift presented Roberts with our district's fall Class Act Award, recognizing exemplary educational support professionals. Lawrence Education Achievement Partner Truity Credit Union further sweetened the surprise with a $500 check.
“Ms. Jori is hard working and joyful… and gives a little spark to the day!” wrote New York staff members in their nomination of Roberts.
