Lawrence Schools Foundation

10/16/2026

🥨 A Little Snack, A Big Impact!

A huge thank-you to our three Lawrence Rotary Clubs for teaming up for their annual fall Snack Drive! Thanks to their generosity, individually packaged snacks are heading to our elementary schools to support students who may need a little extra nourishment throughout the school day.

This is a wonderful example of community partners coming together to care for our students and help meet individual needs.

We are grateful for the Lawrence Rotary Club, Jayhawk Breakfast Rotary Club and the Lawrence Central Rotary Club for their continued commitment to Lawrence Public Schools!

10/11/2026

We are excited to share this project!

Lawrence school board members on Tuesday will hear updates on the student-focused coffee shop at Community Connections at Pinckney.

09/23/2026

LET’S RIDE! DAY 2! 🚲

We wrapped up Day 2 of Let’s Ride! with another incredible day of smiles, excitement and BRAND-NEW BIKES!

Today, the Lawrence Schools Foundation, in partnership with the Steve Tilford Foundation, delivered more than 230 bikes and helmets to Lawrence Public Schools 2nd grade students in our Title 1 schools at Woodlawn, Prairie Park, Sunflower and Sunset Hill Elementary Schools!

Over the past two days, 460+ Lawrence 2nd graders received a new bike and helmet — made possible by an amazing team of community volunteers, LEAP business partners and the incredible Steve Tilford Foundation.

We are so grateful to everyone who showed up, helped fit helmets, delivered bikes and made these two days so special for our students!

Two days. Eight schools. 460+ bikes. COUNTLESS smiles.

We’re proud that Lawrence Public Schools is the first district in Kansas to partner with the Steve Tilford Foundation for this initiative! Our hope is to make Let’s Ride! an annual program, with the Lawrence Schools Foundation working to help offset costs so we can eventually provide a bike and helmet to every 2nd grader in Lawrence Public Schools.

Thank you, Steve Tilford Foundationfor partnering with us to bring this incredible opportunity to Lawrence students. Special thanks to Kent & Chris who believed in the Lawrence Schools Foundation and our mission and who have been amazing humans to get to know and to partner with on this project! We can’t wait to keep this ride going!

09/22/2026

LET’S RIDE! DAY 1!

Today, the Lawrence Schools Foundation partnered with the Steve Tilford Foundation to bring more than 230 brand-new bikes and helmets to 2nd graders in our Title 1 schools at New York, Cordley, Hillcrest and Schwegler Elementary Schools!

Community volunteers and our amazing LEAP business partners joined forces to make this special day possible.

Let’s Ride! is designed to remove barriers and give kids access to movement, independence, confidence, outdoor exploration and the simple joy of learning to ride. The program reflects the mission of the Steve Tilford Foundation, which honors the legacy of legendary Kansas cyclist Steve Tilford by helping young people find and chase their passions through cycling, education, mentorship and access to quality opportunities..

We’re proud that Lawrence Public Schools is the first district in Kansas to partner with the Steve Tilford Foundation for this initiative! Our hope is to make Let’s Ride! an annual program, with the Lawrence Schools Foundation working to help offset costs so we can eventually provide a bike and helmet to every 2nd grader in Lawrence Public Schools.

Four schools down… and so many more kids ready to RIDE!

Stay tuned for Day 2 adventures on Wednesday.

09/18/2026

HAPPY NATIONAL TRADESPERSON DAY!

There couldn’t be a better day to share the video we debuted at our Community Education Breakfast—and announce an exciting new opportunity for Lawrence Public Schools students!

We’re proud to introduce the Lawrence Schools Foundation Trade Skills Fund!

We believe there are many pathways to a successful career—and college isn’t the only path. Skilled trades offer rewarding, in-demand careers, and we want our students to know that these pathways are valued, respected and worth pursuing.

The Trade Skills Fund will help remove financial barriers between a student and their future by providing support for:

- Certifications
- Training
- Tools
- Equipment
- Supplies

Our goal is simple: help students take the next step toward a skilled career without financial barriers standing in the way.

We’re incredibly grateful to the local business partners who helped make this fund possible: Truity Credit Union, McCownGordon Construction, Amcor Packaging and A & A Precision Painting. Your investment in our students is also an investment in the future workforce and our Lawrence community.

Today, we celebrate the tradespeople who build, create, repair, design, serve and keep our communities moving—and the future tradespeople who are sitting in our classrooms today.

Thank you Alpha Roofing LLC, P1 Construction, LLC, Amcor Packaging, Good Energy Solutions, Construction Specialties and Peaslee Tech, Bob Sight CDJR and Haven for Haircuts for sharing your stories and your passion for the work you do in our community!

Every student. Every pathway. Every opportunity.

Watch the video we shared at our 24th Annual Community Education Breakfast to learn more about why this matters.

P1 is built to bring trusted partnerships, facilities, and the comm...

09/15/2026

TURNING FINES INTO SCHOOL SUPPLIES — AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

A HUGE thank you to the City of Lawrence, Kansas - Municipal Government and our incredible community members who participated in the annual program that allows residents to donate school supplies in place of paying certain fines.

These donations were collected and are helping provide much-needed school supplies to students and classrooms throughout Lawrence Public Schools.

What may seem like a simple donation can make a BIG difference for a student — helping ensure they have the tools they need to feel prepared, confident and ready to learn.

We are so grateful for the City of Lawrence's continued partnership and for everyone who chose to turn a fine into an opportunity to give back to our students and schools.

This is another great example of what makes our community so special — when we work together, our students benefit. ❤

Thank you for investing in our kids and our schools!

09/14/2026

WHAT A MORNING. WHAT A COMMUNITY. WHAT AN IMPACT.

Our 24th Annual Lawrence Schools Foundation Community Education Breakfast was one for the books!

Hosted Friday, September 11 at the Burge Union at the University of Kansas, we welcomed another SOLD-OUT crowd of community members, educators, business leaders, alumni, families and friends who believe in the power of our Lawrence Public Schools.

And together, YOU helped us raise more than $124,757.27!

Here are just a few highlights from an unforgettable morning:

👏 147 NEW attendees joined us for the very first time!
🤝 11 NEW sponsors joined our incredible family of supporters — bringing us to 70 sponsors, in addition to individual ticket holders.
🏆 We proudly honored four outstanding Student Champions:
• Emery Lacle — Free State High School
• Ben Lyles — Free State High School
• Baden Masenthin — Lawrence High School
• Aaden Chee — Lawrence High School

We announced the launch of the new Lawrence Schools Foundation Skilled Trades Fund!

This new fund will support Lawrence Public School students pursuing careers in the skilled trades through post-secondary technical education, certification programs and trade schools — helping provide access to certifications, tools, training, equipment and other educational needs.

We were incredibly grateful to announce a $30,000 gift to kick off the fund, including:

💙 $25,000 from Truity
💙 $3,000 from McCownGordon
💙 $500 from Amcor
💙 $1,888 raised through our Yellow Cup Ask

We were also grateful to receive a generous donation of $15,000 from our partners at GFiber, to support our ICAN fund, for urgent and immediate needs of our students and families.

This is about more than funding education — it’s about opening doors, removing barriers and helping students see the incredible opportunities available through skilled trade careers.

We were honored to welcome Dr. Alex Hyler, a 2009 Lawrence High School graduate, home to Lawrence as our guest speaker. Her story reminded us of the incredible things that can happen when students are given opportunities, encouragement and people who believe in them.

We also paused to remember and honor the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, with a special reflection from former educator Chuck Law and a moving presentation of Taps by Curtis Marsh. We were also honored to recognize the local first responders and School Resource Officers who serve and protect our students, schools and community every day. Their presence was a powerful reminder of the courage, dedication and service that continues to strengthen our community.

And what better way to celebrate Lawrence than with a little school spirit?

Big Jay and Baby Jay, Freddy the Firebird and Chesty Lion helped kick off the morning alongside our LHS and FSHS pep bands, who performed the National Anthem and fight songs — bringing plenty of school spirit to the room!

Guests were also welcomed by the beautiful sounds of the Free State High School Orchestra as they arrived and enjoyed breakfast.

And we ended the morning on a high note with a special performance by Alexus Walker, Free State High School student and performer in our upcoming Ovation! fundraiser event in February 2027 at the Lied Center of Kansas - Performing Arts Center. Alexus treated guests to a powerful performance of a song from Hamilton, giving everyone a preview of the incredible student talent we’ll celebrate at Ovation!

From our students and educators to our business partners, sponsors, volunteers, board members and every person who showed up and said YES to supporting Lawrence Public Schools — THANK YOU.

09/10/2026

📢 We are looking for the next rising stars to be in the eleventh annual Ovation USD 497 Talent Show on February 7, 2027! ✨ Middle and high school students in Lawrence Public Schools can apply by Nov. 11 to audition for the show. All talents are welcome!

Learn more at lied.ku.edu/ovation.

Tickets for the event are on sale now, and proceeds benefit the Lawrence Schools Foundation!

09/02/2026

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 VALEDICTORIAN MAJOR SPONSORS!

Our 24th Annual Community Education Breakfast is almost here, and we are incredibly grateful to the businesses and community partners whose generous support makes this event—and the work of the Lawrence Schools Foundation—possible.

Your investment helps us inspire learning, enrich teaching, and enhance opportunities for students and educators across Lawrence Public Schools.

Thank you for believing in our students and investing in their future!

📅 Friday, September 11, 2026
📍 Burge Union at KU
⏰ 7:30–9:00 a.m.

We’re nearly SOLD OUT and have a BIG announcement planned for this year’s breakfast! We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

08/30/2026

So excited to be selected as part of this project and celebration! Big things coming…

Stay tuned!

Kansas Athletics and the Big 12 Conference will bring a three-day Fall Tour celebration to Lawrence Oct. 22-24.>>>wibw.com/2026/08/29/kansas-host-big-12-fall-tour-celebration-oct-22-24/