Lawrence Public Schools

The energy was contagious as the Chesty Lions returned to the hallowed halls of Lawrence High School.

In first-year teacher Justin Chaipet's Intro to Stagecraft class, students kicked things off with a name game, circling up and swapping places to learn who's who before the curtain even rises this year. Down in Journalism with Abbi Epperson-Ladd, new reporters teamed up for a cup-stacking challenge using rubber bands and string, no hands allowed, just teamwork and a little friendly chaos. Orchestra strings students stepped out of their comfort zone too, being tasked by Director of Orchestras Mariah Barnett with playing "Happy Birthday" on instruments they'd never played before. Ironically, it was a piece of cake for the musicians. Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Swift also stopped through the LHS commons during lunch, greeting students as part of her first-day visits across the district.

It was certainly a great day to be a Lion!

Despite the new school year jitters, Quail Run Elementary School proved that they have the first day of school down to a science.

Students and families were already well prepared before the doors even opened: lining up outside the building, taking first day photos, and sharing their first good-bye hugs of the year. Once the doors opened, the Quails went straight to their new classrooms and greeted their teachers. A few even brought little gifts for their teachers and school staff, like flowers and apple-shaped sticky notes.

First-year teacher Leah Tison guided fourth graders through their morning meeting routine for the year. Tison's students showed a great deal of excitement when they heard they had back-to-back specials today. Erica Keller's third graders were already impressing their teacher with their excellent backpack cubby etiquette and lining-up skills. In science, Keller's class was particularly amused by their science teacher Kevin Daniels' own elementary yearbook photo.

There were cheers, scavenger hunts, new faces, new places, and plenty of excitement across Lawrence Public Schools this morning as students entering kindergarten, sixth, and ninth grades got a head start on the 2026-27 school year during Transition Day.

Designed especially for students beginning important transitions in their school journeys, the morning gave them an opportunity to explore their new schools, meet teachers and classmates, learn routines, and begin building connections before all K-12 students return Thursday.

At Free State and Lawrence high schools, upper-level students known as LINK Crew were ready to welcome the Class of 2030. Student leaders formed cheering lines as freshmen entered the gym before spending the morning helping their newest classmates get acquainted with high school. At Free State, students were encouraged to “Find Your Groove” during several team-building challenges, such as playing Simon Says, competing in a balloon popping relay, and arranging themselves in rows in order by birthday without speaking.

Across the district's elementary schools, kindergartners met their teachers, explored their classrooms, and started becoming familiar with the schools they will call home. Kindergarteners at Sunset Hill turned that exploration into an adventure with a Pete the Cat-themed scavenger hunt, searching throughout the building as they learned their way around.

Sixth graders were on the move, too. At Southwest Middle School, students completed a scavenger hunt that introduced them to important stops throughout the building and gave them opportunities to meet teachers along the way. Southwest Student Council members were also there to greet their newest classmates and help welcome them.

We're excited to welcome all K-12 students Thursday, August 13, for the first full day of the 2026-27 school year!

Throughout the week, we'll continue sharing more of the people, classrooms, traditions, and experiences welcoming students back across Lawrence Public Schools.

This year's Kids Expo saw thousands of students, families, and community members from across Lawrence and Douglas County gathered together under one roof for a single purpose: making sure every student starts the 2026–27 school year with a pair of shoes, a backpack, and a smile.

The 3rd Annual Kids Expo, hosted by our friends at the Lawrence Schools Foundation, was the biggest one yet. Approximately 2,500–3,000 families in attendance were offered free backpacks filled with school supplies, new shoes, haircuts, food, drinks, activities, prizes, and so much more throughout the day. Over 75 businesses, organizations, and community partners were on hand giving attendees the chance to connect with valuable resources and services from around our community. Free bike helmets courtesy of Douglas County, KS- Emergency Management were also given out to visitors, along with free Kona Ice, hot dogs, chips, lemonade, and plenty of water. The district's Educational Support Center was also visited by vehicles from Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, our School Resource Officers, and one of our very own LPS school buses.

A Lawrence-sized thank you to the Lawrence Schools Foundation and our world-class LPS team of volunteers, teachers, principals, and staff, who worked tirelessly to help us celebrate the start of the new school year and lift up Lawrence learners. We are truly proud to support the students and families in the community we call home. No better way to start the school year!

The Lawrence Board of Education will meet at 6:00 p.m. tonight for its first business meeting of the month, and its final before students return to school this week, with special recognitions for student AVID Ambassadors from West Middle School and a welcome to new Lawrence Public Schools staff.

The board's consent agenda includes several facilities projects: emergency generator repairs at Billy Mills Middle School; an HVAC upgrade at the Educational Support Center (ESC), with the contract recommended for award to Kruse Service, LLC; and the donation of a small property easement at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School to the City of Lawrence to support pedestrian and street improvements along Massachusetts Street. Other items include a five-year memorandum of understanding with Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center (Peaslee Tech) to continue providing workforce-aligned Career and Technical Education opportunities for USD 497 students; the purchase of classroom rugs for PK–5 classrooms; several technology software renewals, including PowerSchool, Cisco network support, and Laserfiche document management; and contracted staffing services to meet special education requirements.

Additionally, the board will consider adopting on second reading a new policy prohibiting student use of personal electronic devices during the school day, in compliance with the new state law: KS HB 2299. Under new business, the board will consider participating in a property tax rebate program to support a redevelopment project at 714 Vermont Street, and will review proposed updates to district policy on staff online activities. The board will also receive a school finance and budget overview ahead of upcoming 2026-27 budget decisions, along with a second back-to-school preparations update.

Review the board's agenda at www.usd497.org/school-board. Attend the meeting at 110 McDonald Drive, or watch it live at www.youtube.com//live or LPS TV 26 (Midco Channel 26).

Do you have a school bus rider? Need bus registration support?

All students riding the bus during the 2026-27 school year must be registered.

Bus Registration Support is Available:

📅 Saturday, Aug. 8, 9 AM - 5 PM
Family Engagement Center (110 McDonald Dr.)

📅 Sunday, Aug. 9, 12 PM - 4 PM
Family Engagement Center (110 McDonald Dr.)

For additional support, contact the Enrollment Center at 785-832-5000, or your school’s front office.

After a summer of preparing classrooms, improving facilities, and readying schools for the year ahead, Team Lawrence is now back together.

Today, staff members across Lawrence Public Schools returned to their buildings to reconnect with colleagues, collaborate with their teams, and prepare to welcome 10,000 students in just a few days.

Across the district, educators and staff reflected on their hopes and priorities for the new school year, worked together to strengthen plans for student success, and recommitted themselves to the shared purpose that unites every role in our district: serving students, families, and the Lawrence community. As Superintendent Dr. Swift shared in her opening message to staff, every member of Team Lawrence shows up for one shared purpose—our students.

This year's district focus, together in partnership, with intention and by design, reflects our commitment to working collaboratively to create classrooms and schools where students feel seen, their voices are heard, and they learn, grow, and thrive each day. Grounded in a culture of dignity and belonging, that work continues across every school and every department.

From classroom teachers and educational support professionals to custodial, nutrition, transportation, technology, maintenance, administrative, and district office teams, every employee plays an essential role in creating a successful school year.

The countdown is on, and Team Lawrence is ready to welcome 10,000 students back to our schools!

Every child. Every day.

We're excited to welcome our students, staff, and families for the start of another incredible school year!

Please note our first-day schedule for students:

Aug. 12: Kindergarten, 6th Grade, & 9th Grade Transition Day (A.M. only)
Aug. 13: First Day of School for all K–12 students
Aug. 18: First Day for Preschool & Early Childhood

Here's to an amazing 2026–27 school year!

Lawrence Public Schools will join all Kansas school districts in implementing a personal electronic communication device-free school environment throughout the school day for all PK–12 students across all campuses, as required by Kansas House Bill 2299.

All personal electronic communication devices—including cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, tablets, laptops, and other similar personal devices—are prohibited during the school day for all students at all grade levels. Exemptions are permitted for Individualized Education Plan accommodations, Section 504 Plan accommodations, or when required as medically necessary to support health needs as provided under state law and district policy.

For more information about our continuing work to prioritize a distraction-free instructional environment in Lawrence Public Schools, please visit:

🔗 https://www.awayfortheday.org/
🔗 Superintendent statement:https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1785245192/usd497org/bqgvt2qc1in69jptulmb/LPS_2026-07-27_Superintendent_Statement_PK-12_Personal_Electronic_Devices.pdf

More information will be shared by building principals as we begin this school year.

We thank you for your continued support and look forward to welcoming students for the start of the 2026-27 school year.