Lawr en ce Free S ta te H i g h S c h oo l

Inside this issue:

Daily Schedules 2

Oct. Events 2

PSAT / ACT 3

Blue Moose

Fundraiser

3

Boys Swim & Dive

Mtg.

4

Wrestling Parent

Mtg.

4

Yearbook Info 5

PTO Dates 6

LEAP Partners 7

Responsible Use 8

National Honor

Society

11

Congratulations 13

Superintendent

Search

14

Mission and Vision

Statement

15

Volume , Issue OCTOBER 2017

Parent Newsletter Dear Parent / Guardian,

It is hard to believe that we are almost through the first quarter of the school year. This time

of year brings us to the first parent/teacher conference time. We would invite each of you

to join us for the upcoming parent-teacher conferences. Conferences will be held from

5:00—8:15 p.m. on Tuesday, October 17 and Wednesday, October 18. The first thirty minutes

will be informal hallway meet–and-greet setting, with the balance of the time available for

short, private conversations in a classroom setting. As students become older we as

parents move away from parent/teacher conferences. We would encourage you to re-

main active in the development and growth of your student.

The conference is an information exchange. You bring to the conference information

about your student’s interaction with people outside of school, his home life, and previous

experiences that might affect confidence or interest in school. The teacher brings infor-

mation about your student’s interaction with others in school, performance on tests, and

knowledge of learning strategies. Pooling your information gives you both a better picture

of your student’s strengths and weaknesses, and lets you develop an effective plan for

helping your student succeed.

Conferences help you become a more effective parent. If your student is really learning

“nothing” and never has any homework, you need to know why.

You may initiate a conference with the teacher any time. You don’t have to wait for an

invitation. If your student is struggling in school or is frequently absent, get together with

the teacher to find out why.

The conference makes the teacher more effective. The more the teacher knows about

your student, the better the student’s needs will be addressed.

Parent teacher conferences let you take part in your student’s education. Knowing what is

being taught at school lets you direct the conversation in your family to issues being studied

in school. Such reinforcement of schoolwork at home makes a big difference in your

students understanding, motivation, and school performance.

As we teach respect, responsibility and excellence young adults still need effective

guidance. Thus, I encourage you and your student to attend

parent/teacher conferences. Remember, you and the

teacher are a team—working together.

We hope to see all of you at conferences!

Sincerely,

Myron Graber

LFSHS Principal

WEDNESDAY—LATE ARRIVAL SCHEDULE

THURSDAY SCHEDULE

0 Period 7:00—8:00

1st Period 8:05—9:40

3rd Period 9:45—11:25

5th Period 11:30—1:30

1st Lunch 11:30—11:55

2nd Lunch 12:17—12:42

3rd Lunch 1:05—1:30

7th Period 1:35—3:10

0 Period 7:00—8:00

1st Period 8:05—8:57

2nd Period 9:02—9:56

3rd Period 10:01—10:53

4th Period 10:58—11:50

1st Lunch 11:55—12:20

2nd Lunch 12:23—12:48

3rd Lunch 12:51—1:16

5th Period 11:55—1:16

6th Period 1:21—2:13

7th Period 2:18—3:10

DAILY SCHEDULE—MONDAY THRU FRIDAY

Late Arrival provides time for staff to address professional needs

for professional growth and to implement the school improvement

plan. This process encourages a culture of professional dialogue

and unified efforts to enhance teachers’ capacities

to improve student achievement.

PLC 8:00—9:00

2nd Period 9:05—10:45

4th Period 10:50—12:50

1st Lunch 10:50—11:15

2nd Lunch 11:37—12:02

3rd Lunch 12:25—12:50

6th Period 12:55—2:30

TEACHER PLAN 2:30—3:10

ATTENDANCE

OFFICE

330-2503

SCHEDULES

OCTOBER EVENTS

2 6—7 pm—PTO Monthly Meeting

3 Picture Retakes

4 7—9 pm—Fall Choir Concert

10 9—9:56 am—Senior Graduation Mtg.

12 END OF 1ST QUARTER

13 NO SCHOOL—Prof. Dev. Day

17 5—8:15 pm—Parent/Teacher Conf.

18 5—8:15 pm—Parent/Teacher Conf.

19 7:30 am—3:10 pm Senior Cap & Gown

Photos—room 601

7—8:30 pm—Freshmen Fall Concert

20 NO SCHOOL

21 Heart of America Marching Band

Festival @ KU

28 7 am—1 pm—ACT Testing

Parent / Teacher Conferences

October 17, 18

5:00—8:15 p.m.

ACT TEST DATES—2017-2018

Date Registration Deadline

Sept. 9, 2017 Aug., 4, 2017

Oct. 28, 2017 Sept. 22, 2017

Dec. 9, 2017 Nov. 3, 2017

Feb. 10, 2018*@LHS Jan. 12, 2018

Apr. 14, 2018 Mar. 9, 2018

June 9, 2018 May 4, 2018

SAT TEST DATES—2017-2018

Date Registration Deadline

Oct. 7, 2017 Sept. 8, 2017

Nov. 4, 2017 Oct. 5, 2017

Dec. 2, 2017 Nov. 2, 2017

Mar. 10, 2018 Feb. 9, 2018

May 5, 2018 Apr. 6, 2018

June 2, 2018 May 3, 2018

Don’t forget! The ACT is October 28, 2017

Forgot to register?

Visit www.actstudent.org before November

3rd to register for the December 9th ACT.

The PSAT will be held Wednesday, October 11th at 8:00am at Free State High School

Counselor Tip: We’ve got a lot of tests coming up this month! Make sure you get a good night’s rest before the test

and do your best!

FAFSA application window opens October 1st! Don’t forget to apply!

Federal Student Aid is responsible for managing the student financial assistance programs authorized under

Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. These programs provide grants, loans, and work-study funds to

students attending college or career school.

Starting Monday, August 28

the Math Department

will be offering after school tutoring

in the school library

from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

of each week.

During this time there will be

two math teachers available

for assistance with course work.

The students do not need to

schedule or sign up ahead of time.

Boys Swim and Dive Parent Meeting

Tuesday, October 3

Library

7—8 p.m.

Wrestling Parent Meeting

Thursday, November 9

6:00 p.m.

Small Gym

FREE STATE STUDENT PHOTOS https://www.smore.com/mdjeb

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW

CAN PHOTOS BE ORDERED AFTER September 1?

YES! Everyone who doesn’t order photos will get a Second Chance Form. All “Second Chance” orders are

placed through the mail or internet. The school will NOT collect forms. Instead, Second Chance orders should

be sent DIRECTLY to Rolland Studios via mail or submitted online at www.rollandkc.com

PHOTO MAKE-UP DAY—OCTOBER 3

What happens if my student misses having her photos taken on September 1?

Students who miss having their photo taken on September 1 have a second chance on October 3. Students in

this situation will be called down automatically on October 3 to have their photo taken. There is no need for

these students to sign up for retakes.

Students who are not satisfied with their photo from September 1 can retake their photo on October 3.

These students should email Laurie Folsom at lfolsom@usd497.org to arrange to be released from class for a

retake.

2017-2018 TALON YEARBOOK INFORMATION The 2017-2018 Talon yearbook is for sale exclusively through

the www.YearbookOrderCenter.com website and Herff Jones yearbook company.

No more sending your payment to the school Finance Office.

The Talon is 288 pages of full-color coverage of this year’s events and can be ordered online.

To ensure your student(s) will receive a 2018 yearbook in May choose from one of three (3) easy payment

methods and pay by January 31, 2018.

1) Use our school code, 12781, to order online at the website www.YearbookOrderCenter.com

2) Mail payment to Herff Jones Yearbook Order Center with our school code, 12781. A postcard should ar-

rive to your home in August with mail in ordering information.

3) Phone in your order by calling 1-866-287-3096

Free Money

Are you looking for an easy way to support the Lawrence Schools Foundation with-

out spending a penny? Take advantage of these free community programs which

donate a portion of their sales back to the Foundation, so we can turn those dollars

into assistance for our schools.

Signing up with HyVee Dollars 4 Scholars, Dillons Rewards and Amazon Smiles are three easy ways to get

money back to the schools without costing you anything.

Learn more about these programs at https://www.usd497.org/domain/6568

Learn more about what we do and how you can help us enrich the education of all students in the Lawrence

Public Schools by visiting our website at www.LawrenceSchoolsFoundation.org, liking us on Facebook

(@LawrenceSchoolsFoundation) and following us on Twitter (@LawSchoolsFndn).

PLEASE NO DELIVERIES

Due to the size of our student population we are

unable to accept special occasion deliveries to

students, (i.e. birthdays, flowers, balloons,

or gifts of any kind)

We would appreciate your

understanding and cooperation.

Students are asked NOT to make phone calls

for food deliveries for lunch

(i.e. pizza, sandwiches, etc.).

Such deliveries WILL NOT be accepted.

PLEASE PATRONIZE OUR LEAP

(LAWRENCE EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT PARTNERS)!

AMARR ENTREMATIC CENTRAL BANK OF THE MIDWEST

COMMERCE BANK EILEEN’S COLOSSAL COOKIES

HY-VEE MCDONALDS

RAISING CAIN’S SLIM CHICKENS

THERAPY WORKS t.LOFT

TRUITY CREDIT UNION ZAXBY’S

Kylee Wright and Andrew Martin (School Assistance Grant)

Poetry Team ($1,000)

The Free State slam poetry team competed in a national competition in San Francisco this summer. Funding covered the cost of one of the five students

who competed in the event. Not only did the students spend the week competing against teams from all around the country, they were able to learn

and participate in workshops at the event.

OCTOBER 13 NO SCHOOL

Professional Development

OCTOBER 20 NO SCHOOL

Check into

everyoneon.org

for low-cost internet

for USD497 families.

everyoneon.org

Text “connect” to 21-545 or

call (877) 947-4321.

Help us end the digital divide

in the United States.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18

5—8:15 P.M.

Mark your calendars

for the fall musical!

November 16, 17, 18

7:30 p.m.

FSHS NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY 2017

On the evening of September 12, 145 students were inducted into the

Free State High School chapter of the National Honor Society. NHS is a

national organization established to recognize outstanding high school

students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to recognize those students who have

demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

Free State students must maintain a 3. 5 GPA in order to be eligible and must participate in

a minimum of 34 hours of individual service projects to benefit the school and community.

The ceremony was officiated by NHS student President, Ting Ting Shi and Principal,

Mr. Graber. Other NHS officers, Carly Oliver, Madelyn Johnson, Heather Buckingham, and

Piper Rogers gave speeches related to the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, service,

leadership, and character, and secretary, Lacey Windholz oversaw the signing of the

official chapter registry. A reception followed in the commons.

Congratulations to the following 2017 National Honor Society Inductees!

Nora Agah

Thomas All

Helena All

Ethan Anderson

Jake Anthony Baker

John David Baska

Lyla Beckingham

Lily Begeman

Charles Bermel

Liam Berns

Alexandra Bido

Chance Branson

Zain Brittain

Brenna Brown

Alexis Buck

Jack Burrichter

William Byers

AllysSun Carper

Hanna Case

Zoey Chi

Suzy Chun

Mitchell Clark

Ashley Coup

Drew Covington

Morgan Crabtree

Kelsey Davis

Kenzi Lloyd Dowdell

Morgan Dunn

Will Easter

Rileigh Edwards

Jaxon Egan

Emily Ellis

Elizabeth Embrey

Raegan Finkeldei

Ryan Flakus

Delaney Fouraker

Mason Fowler

Kalia Fowler

Ruth Gathunguri

Aidan Goertz

Ethan Goldstein

Owen Gonzales

Gabriella Gorman

Elise Graves

Elizabeth Grinate

Thomas Guier

Eliza Haase-Divine

Derek Hale

Taylor Hamby

Charlie Hamer

Maria Hansen

Oscar Haro

Brooks Hartstock

Jordan Hauber

Shaya Havercamp

Cara Hays

Elliot Herrod

Zach Hill

Liam Hoey-Kummerow

Brittany Hoffman

Ben Holiday

Sarah Hood

Lauren Hoppe

Nia Hughes

Emil Ivanov

Ahmed Jakmouj

Calvin Janzen-Chappell

Gabe Johnson

Sydney Jordan

Richa Joshi

Jack Kallenberger

Liliana Keathley

Ella Keathley

Brynn Kelly

Gabriel Kennard

Nicole Knapp

Walker Koberlein

Julia Larkin

Christina Lee

Morgan Leslie

Max Lillich

Erin Liston

Shrivasta Malladi

Dagny Mavilla

Caitlin McAndrew-

Beckman

Erin McClorey

Trey Melvin

Michael Mendoza

Sophia Mitra

Taylor Morstorf

Emily Myers

David Nachev

Ambrosia Naramore-

Winfrey

Jordan Nations

Davis Nguyon

Sawyer Nickel

Olive Olson

Ricardo Oliveira

Oliver Paranjothi

Sara Pavlyak

Oliver Pepin

Rose Pilakowski

Kate Piper

Arnav Rashid

Zachary Rasys

Sandya Ravikumar

Emily Raye

Mason Rettele

Diego Rivera

Anna Riley

Grace Rockers

Anne Roszak

Talia Rowland

Jarrod Saathoff

Harper Schoenfeld

Thea Marie Scholz

Bayne Schrader

Sophia Schrader

Shane Skwarlo

Landon Sloan

Colton Smith

Daniel Sola

Dylan Sommer

Alexi Sommerville

Ryan Stacy

Emma Stanwix

Sarah Steimle

Annika Syverson

Kaliyah Townsend

Everett Waechter

Nina Wang

Robert Ward

Jaxson Webb

Anna Welton

Hope Wheeler-Halsted

Christopher Wilkus

Ellie Williams

Seth Williams

Christopher Woodward

Emma Yackley

Spencer Yost-Wolff

Brandon Zeller

Jake Zenger

Luy Zuo

KUDOS…

The School of the Arts Institute of Chicago—as represented

by Ashlee Walker and Cale Ruiz, former students that have

excelled in their post-secondary studies at one of

America’s most influential arts schools. They congratulate

the faculty and staff for the preparation of these students,

specifically the Art Department.

Stanford University recognizes KAREN GIPSON, for exceptional teaching and leadership that

has contributed to the future of her students, this recognition is through former student,

Natalie Adams-Menendez.

Lawrence Public Schools celebrate the National Merit Scholarship Corporation's announcement of 14

Lawrence seniors as National Merit Semifinalists. We congratulate (sitting, from left) Free State seniors Jeseung

Lee, Sandhya Ravikumar, Milo Schoenen, Anton Barybin, Jake Morris, Ben Katz and Eli Bork. (Standing, from

left) Free State seniors Madelyn Johnson, Janet Stefanov, Karen Shi, Lawrence High seniors Quentin Harrington,

Jackson Hoy, and William Kampa, and Free State senior Harrison Hughes.

Of the 1.6 million students taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, some 16,000

students qualify as Semifinalists. To ensure that academically talented young people from all parts of the

United States are included in this talent pool, Semifinalists are designated on a state-representational basis.

They are the highest scoring entrants in each state. These academically talented high school seniors have an

opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million

that will be offered next spring.

L a w r e nc e F r e e

S t a t e H ig h S c h o o l

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of

Lawrence Free State

is to Educate all

students and

empower them to be

responsible citizens

and life-long learners

in a changing world.

VISION STATEMENT

Student Growth & Development

Students will be committed to high levels of academic achievement in order to develop skills

necessary to become independent, life-long learners.

Students will grow in their awareness and preparation for careers.

Students will participate in community service and increase their awareness of and participation in

the democratic process.

Students will give their best efforts to achieve high, yet attainable, goals and accept personal

responsibility for their actions.

Students will be involved in academic and co-curricular pursuits that will contribute to personal

growth and wellness.

Effort and achievement will be encouraged, recognized and celebrated.

Curriculum

Students will engage in comprehensive studies of college preparatory and vocational courses.

Through active, relevant instruction, teachers will challenge and hold students to attain high stand-

ards of achievement.

Students will attain mastery of essential knowledge and skills.

Staff will collaborate to develop integrated curriculum that raise expectations and hold students

accountable for achievement.

Learning Community

Staff will model life-long learning by participation in effective staff development aimed at

student and school improvement.

There will be open and ongoing communication among all members of the Free State community.

Free State staff and students will create and sustain effective partnerships with the Lawrence busi-

ness and civic community.

Parents will play an active role in the education of their children, monitor their children’s perfor-

mance, and understand the importance of their children’s attainment of proficiency on all stand-

ards.

Co– and Extra-Curricular Activities

Students will be involved in at least one co– or extra-curricular activity.

Staff members will be expected to moderate, coach, assist, or direct at least one co– or extra-

curricular activity.

Students parents, and staff will demonstrate school spirit by attendance of co– or extra-curricular

activities.

Climate and Culture

All members of the learning community will be responsible for promoting a positive atmosphere

through collaboration and communication.

Staff, students, and parents will celebrate student and staff achievements.

Staff and students will seek wellness physically, emotionally, and intellectually.

All members of the learning community will treat each other with mutual respect, consideration and

acceptance.

Principal: Myron Graber

4700 Overland Drive

Lawrence, KS 66049-4130

(785) 832-6050

Fax: (785) 832-6099

Mascot: Firebird

School colors:

Hunter Green & Silver

Students are assigned

to the following

Assistant Principals:

Amy McAnarney A—FA

Steve Heffernan FE—LA

Mike Hill LE—RI

Lisa Boyd RO—Z

Students are assigned

to the following

counselors:

Bryan Duncan A—FA

Sarah Leeser FE—LA

Tina Mitchell LE—RI

Ken Hile RO—Z