Lawrence Public Schools
All Students. One Team.
Hello, Lawrence Public Schools Community,
We appreciate all of the families who engaged with us during Conference Week. We invite and encourage that engagement to continue. We know that there are big benefits for children when our school teams and families partner to identify needs, provide support, and celebrate student successes on an ongoing basis.
Community Conversations & Survey
As we move forward and plan for the future, we want to hear from you! Read more about our fall engagement schedule and community survey below. We are grateful to have partnered with friends in KU’s School of Education for survey analysis.
Living Our Core Value of Belonging
Our elementary students have been exploring the character trait Responsibility in their CharacterStrong studies this month. It was my pleasure to read "I am We: A Book of Community" this week at Cordley Elementary's CharacterStrong community assembly (see image).
CharacterStrong, implemented PreK-12 across all our schools, is more than a curricular resource; it’s creating a culture that fosters meaningful relationships among students and staff. By promoting engagement, well-being, respect, perseverance, and empathy, CharacterStrong empowers our schools to build strong connections and supportive and equitable learning environments.
I want to share the FamilyStrong link from CharacterStrong that includes a video and provides a great overview of the program, its purpose, and its benefits. These lessons highlight the importance of "seeing value in all people and things and treating them with care," which I believe is especially relevant during this election season.
In just the first quarter, across all PreK-12 schools, there have been 4,575 logins and more than 1,000 hours of usage, reflecting staff dedication to teaching the whole child. Through its focus on social-emotional learning, CharacterStrong helps cultivate perspective, understanding, and a sense of belonging for all.
Celebrations
Please read more below about our Lawrence Schools Foundation's wonderful surprise presentations at Quail Run and Southwest Middle Schools, and our football teams and spirit squads joint effort to help all students have their basic needs met. Please bring a hygiene item to the big game tomorrow!
Lawrence High invites children and families to wear their costumes and join Chesty Lion for a night of Spooky Science from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Sunday. In addition to trick-or-treating, this free event will feature fun and spooky science activities. Donations are welcome in support of the LHS Science Department.
Another opportunity to celebrate the season is with our Native American Student Services Trunk or Treat event from 5:00-6:30 Wednesday night in the parking lot at Broken Arrow.
Wednesday also is the final opportunity to see our Elementary Art Showcase exhibited at the Lawrence Public Library. We appreciate the library for displaying our students’ creativity and supporting the excellent work of our elementary art teachers.
We value our partnership and thank you for your support of our more than 10,000 students and the remarkable staff who serve them each day.
Sincerely,
Jeanice Kerr Swift
Interim Superintendent of Schools
Lawrence Public Schools
Engaged Communities = High-Quality Schools
Join Dr. Swift in conversation from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Liberty Memorial Central Middle School's cafeteria. All are welcome!
Our high school students working to earn certification in the early childhood education pathway will provide childcare for children ages 3-7. Families must RSVP for childcare by emailing Dr. Kelly Welch at Kelly.Welch@usd497.org.
We look forward to hearing about your experiences in Lawrence Public Schools.
- In what areas are we doing well and should continue to strengthen?
- In what areas do we have opportunities for improvement?
- What do you see as the top priorities as we move forward together this year?
As principals engage their schools in conversation around these questions, Dr. Swift will also meet with high school students and other groups.
Additional Community Conversations are planned:
- Nov. 8, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Lawrence Public Library
- Nov. 12, 6:00-7:30 pm., Southwest Middle School
- Nov. 19, 6:00-7:30 p.m., West Middle School
Our district will use your input to inform its school improvement planning toward providing the best educational experiences possible to all students.
Take a Brief Survey; Guide Future Planning
Whether or not you attend one of our opportunities for community engagement, you may share your hopes and dreams for your child's education and future, and the challenges and concerns you see as barriers to realizing them, by completing this short survey by Nov. 22.
"We will use what we learn and align our work with the voices, needs, and direction of our community. High-quality public schools are an outcome of engaged, caring communities," said Dr. Swift. "What do we need and want most for our students as we move forward in Lawrence Public Schools?"
Boundary Committee Invites Public Input
The Boundary Advisory Committee will host Public Input Sessions, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at Lawrence High and Nov. 14 at Free State to share its work and gather community feedback. The school board charged the committee to study and recommend a proposal to better balance high school enrollments and socioeconomic student populations.
With the committee's Feeder School option (see image), Southwest and Billy Mills Middle School students would attend LHS, and West and Liberty Memorial Central students would go to Free State. Committee members said this option balances enrollments and would help develop consistency through grades 6-12, such as in friendships and school-family relationships. A concern is it places LHS within Free State’s attendance area, meaning neighbors of LHS would attend Free State.
Committee members called the Lawrence High "L" option the least disruptive. It would expand the LHS attendance area by moving part of its 15th St. boundary line that lies east of Massachusetts St. north to include East and North Lawrence. They said this option is more walkable, bikeable, and would create fewer transportation needs. A concern could be perceptions that it affects only the east side of Lawrence. Review committee materials at www.usd497.org/Boundaries.
Rivals Unite to Meet Needs
The Free State and Lawrence High School Spirit Squads hosted their annual Middle School Cheer/Dance Clinic Saturday, teaching fundamentals through motion techniques, jumps, tumbling, and stunts. All four middle school cheer teams will join the high school squads on the sidelines and for a special half-time performance during the Hometown Showdown football game between the Chesty Lions and Firebirds Friday at Free State.
You can help both football teams and all six spirit squads by bringing to the game a donation to their Hygiene Supplies Drive. They ask for donations of shampoo/conditioner, mouthwash, toothpaste/toothbrushes, deodorant, soap/body wash, feminine hygiene products, brushes/combs, laundry detergent, tissue, and antibacterial wipes. Join both schools in showing your support for meeting all students' basic health and hygiene needs.
Teamwork Leads to Trophies
Congratulations to the students in Cordley Elementary’s after-school club for dancing their way to first place at the Boys and Girls Club’s annual Lights On! After School competition held at Haskell Indian Nations University. Students in the Langston Hughes and Hillcrest Elementary after-school clubs finished second and third. We appreciate the dedicated Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence staff and choreographers who worked on fun, creative dance performances with about 150 students from 12 after-school clubs for this event. What a great example of teamwork! (Photo credit: Jeff Burkhead, Backstory Photography)
All Positions Essential to Mission
When a small crowd entered the Southwest Middle School cafeteria Monday during the eighth-grade lunch period, school custodian John McCrary was sweeping the floor. Assistant Principal Jason Kingman turned on a microphone and introduced the Interim Superintendent, and McCrary swept. Dr. Swift took the microphone and welcomed Foundation Executive Director Dena Johnston, and McCrary continued sweeping. Only when Johnston announced his name did McCrary stop sweeping, drop his broom, and celebrate (see image)!
The Foundation presented its A.C.E Award and $500 to McCrary, just as it had done the week prior to Dionne Chavez, Quail Run Elementary instructional support assistant. Both classified education support professionals connect with students, lift their colleagues, and demonstrate giving their best effort every day. They don't just sweep the floors or help students tackle a challenging math skill, McCrary and Chavez help ensure their school communities are welcoming, warm, and positive places for student learning, growth, and success.