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

Inside this issue:

Daily Schedules 2

December Events 2

PSAT / ACT 3

JAG News 4

Key Club News 5

Tutoring 6

FFA News 8

Phoenix Awards 9

ATPI Fall Photo

Contest Winners

10

Blood Drive 11

FINALS Schedule 12

Congratulations 13

Responsible Use . . . 14

Volume , Issue DECEMBER 2017

Parent Newsletter

Dear Parents,

It is hard to believe that we have reached the midpoint of the school year.

We are asking for your assistance as we make one final academic push for the

last days of First Semester. Tutoring is available Monday through Thursday from

3:30 to 5:00 in the Free State library. Please check this newsletter (page 12) for the

semester finals schedule for Wednesday, December 20 and Thursday, December

21.

Students needing to make schedule corrections for Second Semester need to see

their counselor BEFORE the winter break. Schedule corrections after the winter

break will be limited to graduation requirements.

As we enter the winter sports schedule please remember that demonstrating

good sportsmanship is an essential characteristic in promoting and development

of quality sports programs.

Again thank you for supporting the many excellent programs at Free State High

school. We hope that everyone has an excellent winter break.

As students return to class on Thursday, January 4 this is a reminder that it will be a

regular schedule day with 0 thru 7 periods, (7:00 to 3:10).

Sincerely,

Myron Graber

FSHS 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 DECEMBER EVENTS

6 7-9 pm—Winter Choral Concert

9 8—11 pm—WINTER FORMAL @ Abe & Jakes

12 6:30—9:00—Winter Band Concert

14 6:00—8:30—Winter Orchestra Concert

14 4—8PM—Band Chipotle Eat-n-Earn

20 FINALS (8:05—12:35) see page 8 for details

21 FINALS (7:00—11:25) see page 8 for details

22 NO SCHOOL—WINTER BREAK BEGINS

JANUARY 4, 2018—CLASSES RESUME

(REGULAR DAY SCHEDULE)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

SCHOOL CLOSED

December 22—January 3

CLASSES will resume on

Thursday, January 4

REGULAR DAY SCHEDULE

ACT TEST DATES—2017-2018

Date Registration Deadline

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

Mar. 10, 2018 Feb. 9, 2018

May 5, 2018 Apr. 6, 2018

June 2, 2018 May 3, 2018

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 PARTNERS

(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

The Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas program

celebrated their annual Initiation and Installation Ceremony on November 21, 2017.

Free State students organized the event which was themed “Shoot for the Stars”

and were recognized for their commitment to the JAG-K program.

Officers and members were inducted into the Career Association.

The Career Association is a unique student organization and important component of the JAG model.

It is designed to help JAG members achieve academic and career success through development and

reinforcement of: respect for the dignity of work; effective decision-making skills;

pride in accomplishments; positive self-esteem; respect for authority;

and concern for the needs of others.

The Career Association President Gabriel Smith opened the ceremony

and introduced the guest speaker, Charles Thomas.

Vice Presidents of Social Awareness: Hayley Smith and Kala Ewing

presented each JAG-K student with a certificate and lead their fellow classmates

in reciting the Career Association pledge to complete their initiation.

Gabriel Smith was presented a special award by the North Region Director, Diane Hoy-Webb,

for earning another trip to the National Student Leadership Academy in Washington D.C.

for competition in the Employability Skills event.

A potluck dinner was served following the ceremony.

KEY CLUB PROJECT

For the third year in a row, FSHS Key Club

has designed, constructed, and donated a tree to the Festival of Trees.

They were super creative this year, and did an "Under the Sea" theme!

The auction was Wednesday, November 29.

Lawrence Free State High School earned the 1st place team trophy in K-12 in the Lawrence Thanksgiving

Chess Tournament at the Lawrence College and Career Center on Saturday, Nov. 17, while Cordley and New

York Schools garnered the 2nd place trophy in K-5 and K-3, respectively. Third-place trophies went to New

York and Prairie Park in K-5 and K-3, respectively, as well. West Middle School’s Samuel Coleman was the

individual champion in K-8. Lawrence medalists in K-12 were: Ryan Duan, Free State, 3rd; Caleb Prescott, Free

State, 4th; Isaac Lee, Lawrence High, 5th; Rita Joseph, West, 15th; Marcus Souders, Central Memorial Middle

School, 17th; and Shrivatsa Malladi, Free State, 20th.

The Math Department

is offering after school tutoring

in the school library

from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

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.

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 Tutoring

After School in the Library

3:30 – 5:00

Monday – Thursday

Teachers and paraprofessionals are ready to help students conquer major concepts covered in class, as well as complete specific assignments.

Help is available in these subjects on these days:

After-school tutoring leads to

less stress

improved grades

increased confidence

improved time management skills

a strong foundation of knowledge

Questions? Call 832-6050, and ask for

Keri Austin-Janousek or Leslie Campbell

Keep calm and go to tutoring.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Math (until 4:30) Math (until 4:30) Math (until 4:30)

Biology Biology

Chemistry Chemistry

Physics Physics

English English English English

Social Studies Social Studies Social Studies Social Studies

The Free State Link Crew is sponsoring Mud Volleyball tournament

on Saturday, May 6th

10:00 a.m. at Broken Arrow Park

Each team member must have

a parent consent for and a safety form signed.

ATTENTION Captains—turn in ALL forms and money

by Thursday, April 20th.

Cost is $5/person

Questions? Contact Chris Everett

ceverett@usd497.org at Free State

Be sure to set the morning aside to

come and support your favorite students and

join us for an awesome tournament!

Bring your lawn chairs, there’s plenty of room and

more than enough laughs to fill the day!

The Free State FFA Chapter successfully

competed in the FFA East Central District

Employability Skills Competition on

November 10 at Mission Valley High

School. We had three out of four students

place in the top ten.

Junior, Blake Wagner, won the Senior

Division and qualified to compete in

the Kanas FFA State Employability Skills

Competition.

Freshman, Lakyn Roehrich-Puthoff,

placed second in the Junior Division.

Senior, Delanie Stone, placed 7th in the

Senior Division.

Our students worked very hard to prepare

for the contest and we are extremely

pleased with the results.

Free State High School sponsored the annual Phoenix Award ceremony in November. This ceremony is an

opportunity for teachers to nominate students that have made a transformation over the semester. The

changes recognized included self advocacy, students going the extra mile, asking for extra help, and assist-

ing peers/classmates to name a few. This award is a special privilege for all students nominated.

Students received a certificate designed by one of our own Free State students, Ali Dodd. Certificates

included the name of the teacher who nominated the student along with the teacher’s comments. Students

also received coupons for some free items at Taco Bell and Slim Chickens and cookies that day from Eileen’s

Colossal Cookies.

Congrats, Phoenix Award Winners!

Jahmal Flowers, Miguel Hernandez, Kyle Portela, Noah Lister, Devon Buck, Gershwin Kile, Jade Wakolee,

Sophia Riedemann, Chloe Wolff, Isaac Jacobs, Louise Balderrama, Myles Palmer, Antonio Seekie, Evan Smith,

Isabel Loney, Jaylee Getten, Caleb Stelk, Nell Schmidt,Ethan Carroll, Jahmel Flowers, and Miranda Meyer!

Keep up the great work!

WINTER BAND CONCERT

6:30 PM

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12

BAND CHIPOTLE EAT-N-EARN

4—8 PM

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14

Huge congrats to the Free State photographers who had their work accepted into the

Annual ATPI Fall Photo contest!

The following Firebirds received Honorable Mentions: Lyla Beckingham, Maddie Day, Ali Dodd, Amelia Lang,

Leah Matthews, Emma Pravecek, Rylee Roberts, and Nell Schmidt.

Madison Goeser received First Honorable Mention in the Advanced Nature Category,

and Erin Fagan won FIRST PLACE in the Advanced Nature Category!

There were more than 6,800 entries from 87 schools across Texas, California, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, New

York, and Utah. Our congratulations go out to these awesome photographers!

Way to represent Free State and the Arts!

link to photos:

https://docs.google.com/a/usd497.org/document/d/1jnlCpTSftKd6V5dC71kVQsbY2jslYqL71o8VzrL_tgk/edit?usp=sharing

Erin Fagan—1st Place, Advanced Nature Madison Goeser—1st Honorable

Mention—Advanced Nature

Amelia Lang—Honorable Mention,

Beginning Smart Phone

Lyla Beckingham—Honorable Mention,

Advanced Formal Studio Portrait

Nell Schmidt—Honorable Mention,

Advanced Sports Action

Rylee Roberts—Honorable Mention,

Advanced Student Life

Maddie Day—Honorable Mention,

Advanced Landscape

Ali Dodd—Honorable Mention,

Advanced Sports Action

Leah Matthews—Honorable

Mention, Advanced Open

Emma Pravecek—Honorable

Mention, Advanced Sports Action

Emma Pravacek—Honorable Mention,

Advanced Sports Action

Fall Blood Drive Helps Over 150 Individuals in Need

On November 16, FSHS hosted the fall blood drive in the small gym.

Each year, the Community Blood Center (KCMO) visits local high

schools to offer the opportunity for students and members of the

community to donate blood in order to help recipients in the Kansas

City area. Turnout for the fall blood drive was slightly ahead of last year, signing up nearly

150 students and collecting nearly 80 pints of blood. The Community Blood Center is

centered in Kansas City, MO and collects and distributes nearly 3,600 units of blood weekly. They rely solely on

donations for their blood supply, so your support is needed for them to continue to provide their amazing ser-

vices. Special thanks to Kate Odgers, STUCO, the Pre-Med Club, students in the Pre-Med courses who helped,

and all of the amazingly generous students, faculty and community members who selflessly donated.

The spring blood drive will be hosted once again in the small gym on March 29, 2018.

Thank you in advance for your support!

DECEMBER 2017—FIRST SEMESTER FINALS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21

1ST HOUR 8:05—9:05 0 HOUR 7:00—8:00

2ND HOUR 9:15—10:15 5TH HOUR 8:05—9:05

3RD HOUR 10:25—11:25 6TH HOUR 9:15—10:15

4TH HOUR 1 11:35—12:35 7TH HOUR 10:25—11:25

CLIP’N SAVE—CLIP’N-SAVE—CLIP’N SAVE—CLIP’N SAVE—CLIP’N SAVE—CLIP’N SAVE—CLIP’N SAVE—CLIP’N SAVE

CLIP’N SAVE—CLIP’N-SAVE—CLIP’N SAVE—CLIP’N SAVE—CLIP’N SAVE—CLIP’N SAVE—CLIP’N SAVE—CLIP’N SAVE

Mark your calendars now for the Orchestra Winter Concert on December 14,

beginning at 6:00 pm in the auditorium.

The Freshman, Concert, Chamber, Philharmonic and Symphonic Orchestras will be performing.

Featuring students:

Eileen Huang, performing the “Butterfly Lovers” Violin Concerto with the Symphonic Orchestra

Barry Zhang, performing Saint-Saens Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor with the Symphonic Orchestra.

IMPORTANT

Immediately following the concert in the auditorium

there will be a meeting regarding the 2019 Orchestra Trip.

DEBATE NEWS! Kelly Thompson

Debate Coach

Free State High celebrates the #1 ranked team in Kansas:

Li Gordon-Washington and Max Lillich. Washington placed third Speaker,

and Lillich, fourth, at the Kansas City Kansas Community College Debate

featuring 75 teams and 150 debaters from five states.

Current Varsity Rankings: 2nd Place Overall Squad and 1st Place Team

(Lillich/Gordon-Washington), 7th Place Team (Hill/Sommerville) and 11th

Place Team (Shi/White). The following debaters have qualified for State

this season (by winning more than 50% of their debates, and traveling to

at least four tournaments!): Varsity State - Sivani Badrivenkata,

Jack Bellemere (a novice!), Zoey Chi, Brady Cullen (a novice!) Gwen Elo (a novice!), Li Gordon-Washington,

Ian Haas, Ethan Harris (a novice!), Zach Hill, Max Lillich, Ting Ting Shi , Alexi Sommerville, James Vereen,

Amanda White, and Spencer Yost-Wolff. Novice State Braiden Bangalan, Aiden Basore, Jack Bellemere,

Brady Cullen, Gwen Elo, Ethan Harris, Grace Mechler, Scout Meyers, Cian O’Lear, Lexi Whitson, Jacob Wilkus

and Savana Williams.

Follow FSHS Debate on social media

@LFSHS4n6&db8

or

www.Facebook.com/LawrenceFreeStateDebateandForensics

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has nominated

Charles Bermel, Free State High senior (pictured),

and Joseph Harms, a 2017 graduate of Lawrence

High, for admission to the United States Air Force

Academy. "Having the chance to nominate some of

Kansas' best and brightest young people to our

United States Service Academies is a distinct honor

for me each year," said Sen. Moran. "I am proud of each and every one of these students,

who have demonstrated a commitment to service, the drive to succeed and tremendous

dedication to our state and our nation."

Interviews took place at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene. Sen.

Moran's Service Academy Selection Board considered more than 70 young Kansans

interested in attending the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy or the U.S. Merchant

Marine Academy. Academy nominees submit an application that includes a personal statement, resume, letters of

reference, academic transcripts and standardized test scores. Following the interviews, the board made recommenda-

tions to Sen. Moran for his decision. Sen. Moran's nominees must meet the individual admission requirements of each

academy. The academies will make the final decision of who will receive an appointment of admission in early 2018.

The Free State Library has …

Our easy-to-use research database search box!!!

It will make finding credible, quality resources very simple.

Go to: books.usd497.org > Free State Library

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