Dear Free State Parents,

Thank you to those of you able to attend our open house on Monday,

August 25. I enjoyed meeting many of you, and I hope each of you found your

time at Free State worthwhile.

Open house was a time designated for teachers to share classroom

expectations and avenues for one-way and two-way communication. More

importantly, open house was a chance for our teachers to put on display the

excitement they feel toward their students and their content. My experiences in

the classrooms I have visited have been positive, and I am optimistic that we will

have our best year ever.

A couple of notable challenges to make you aware of as we move for-

ward. First, our school district has selected a new website host provider.

Beginning in early October, each of our staff members will have the ability to

create a simple website using Schoolwires. Until then, many of our teachers

continue to use the wide variety of host providers currently in place. Teacher

website links can be found on the “Staff” tab on the schools homepage

(fshs.usd497.org). Email access to teachers and select staff can also be found at

this location. The “Department” tab on the school’s homepage will soon

disappear in order to simplify the communication process and prepare for our

new home using Schoolwires.

Second, if you haven’t already noticed, fewer parking spots and school

entrances are available due to multiple construction projects. This reality makes it

necessary for a slightly earlier departure from home or work when attending Free

State events. The main entry from the student parking lot will be closed at least

through spring break. Entry from that side of the building will be through the main

doors to the gymnasium. Furthermore, when approaching the student lot, it is

easy to notice that some of the parking spots have been fenced off for

construction vehicles and equipment. These spots are likely to remain off-limits

through the entire school year. Please plan ahead.

Finally, if you did miss open house, you also missed the opportunity to

witness several hundred students participate in our club fair. We have been trying

to find the right venue to showcase our clubs to our students, and it appears we

(Continued on page 2)

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

Inside this issue:

PSAT Signup 2

Thespians Present 3

Spring Break Trip 4

Daily Schedules 4

ACT / SAT 5

WRAP News 6

Photos / IDs 7

Volume , Issue AUGUST 2014

Parent Newsletter

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

have accomplished the search for the most effective

time and place. The energy, enthusiasm and

response to our club offerings were truly inspirational.

Each club student representative I visited with

expressed great success in communicating the club’s

purpose and signing up new members. I already look

forward to next year’s event. If your son or daughter

was unable to attend, it is never too late to sign up

and participate in a club. A complete,

ever-changing list of clubs can be found on our

school’s homepage under the “Activities” tab.

Sincerely,

Ed West Principal

Free State High School

(Continued from page 1)

PSAT SIGN-UP!

Sign-up for the October 18 PSAT

will begin

Monday, September 8

in the Student Services Office.

Cost is $18;

please make checks out to

Free State High School.

This is the pre-SAT test targeting juniors,

but sophomores may also take it.

Space is limited, so sign up promptly!

FSHS LIBRARY

The Free State Library is open

from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each

day. On Late Arrival Days,

the library opens at 7 a.m.

The library provides students

with research materials to

support their classwork which

includes databases that can

be accessed from both school and home. The library

also provides a wide range of fiction in a variety of

reading levels and interests.

Students may check out fiction and non-fiction books,

audio books, and magazines from the library.

The library does charge small fines for overdue

materials. Overdue notices are sent by email to

student and parent email addresses provided to the

school. All students have an Outlook email account

and overdue-fine notices are sent to those accounts.

If parents have any questions about the library, please

call or email Diane Toplikar, librarian.

JOIN KEY CLUB! Would you like to provide your child with more

volunteer experience and give them the ability to

develop stronger leadership skills?

Would you like them to have more scholarship

opportunities their senior year?

Please encourage them to join KEY CLUB!

KEY CLUB is an international organization that

focuses on volunteer work at the local level, and

fundraising for groups such as the March of Dimes

and UNIFCEF. KEY CLUB is one of the largest clubs at

Free State, where your child will have the chance

to meet and work with some of the most

benevolent and hard-working

students in the school.

Our first club meeting is in room 226,

Thursday, September 4th.

In case you were wondering

about our construction,

here is the plan for the first

phases of our addition.

The new office area outside

the north doors.

FREE STATE THESPIANS PRESENT

TEN MINUTE THEATRE

By David Raine

7:30 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 18, 19, 20

Black Box Theatre

Our improve troup, Mission Improvable will also be performing!

Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for students and can be purchased at the door.

WEDNESDAY SCHEDULES DURING

LATE ARRIVAL/ASSEMBLY SCHEDULES WEEK

THURSDAY—LATE ARRIVAL SCHEDULE

THURSDAY—ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE

PLC 8:00—9:00

2nd Period 9:05—10:30

4th Period 10:35—12:30

1st Lunch 10:35—11:05

2nd Lunch 11:15—11:45

3rd Lunch 12:00—12:30

6th Period 12:35—2:00

TEACHER PLAN 2:00—3:05

2nd Period 8:05—9:30

Assembly/Activity 9:35—10:30

1st Lunch 10:35—11:05

2nd Lunch 11:15—11:45

3rd Lunch 12:00—12:30

4th Period 10:35—12:30

6th Period 12:35—2:00

TEACHER PLAN 2:00—3:05

0 Period 7:00—8:00

1st Period 8:05—8:56

2nd Period 9:01—9:55

3rd Period 10:00—10:51

4th Period 10:56—11:47

1st Lunch 11:47—12:17

2nd Lunch 12:15—12:45

3rd Lunch 12:43—1:13

5th Period 11:52—1:13

6th Period 1:18—2:09

7th Period 2:14—3:05

DAILY SCHEDULE—MONDAY THRU FRIDAY

LATE ARRIVAL/ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE DATES

FOR 2014-2015

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.

The Assembly Schedule allows time for school assemblies and/or

activities into the school day.

LATE ARRIVAL DATES ASSEMBLY DATES

1st Sem. 2nd Sem. 1st Sem. 2nd Sem.

Sept. 4 Feb. 12 Aug. 28 Jan. 29

Sept. 26 Mar. 5 Sept. 11 Feb. 19

Oct. 16 Mar. 12 Oct. 2 Apr. 9

Oct. 23 Mar. 26 Oct. 30 Apr. 23

Nov. 13 Apr. 16 Apr. 30

Nov. 20 May 14

Dec. 11

0 Period 7:00—8:00

1st Period 8:05—9:30

3rd Period 9:35—11:00

5th Period 11:05—1:00

1st Lunch 11:05—11:35

2nd Lunch 11:45—12:15

3rd Lunch 12:30—1:00

7th Period 1:05—2:30

TEACHER PLAN 2:30—3:05

CHINA IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK!

If you are curious about the

trip to CHINA,

that is planned for

Free State students during

Spring Break 2015,

then come by room 251

on Tuesday, September 9,

at 5:30 p.m.

for a BRIEF meeting with

answers to your questions, information about the trip

and how to sign up.

If you can’t make the meeting, then email

Kim Grinnell at kgrinnel@usd497.org for details.

ATTENDANCE OFFICE

330-2503

Donna Madl

CLIP & SAVE

FREE STATE DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE

Switchboard/ Receptionist

Lynette Lottinville 832-6050

Administrative Assistant

Connie Kesinger 330-2414

Finance Office

Shelly Thornton 330-4641

Attendance

Donna Madl 330-2503

Athletics Secretary

Deb Carpenter 330-1746

Assistant Principals Secretary

Julie Goulding 330-2157

Student Services Secretary

Becky Browning 330-1690

Registrar

Teresa Arevalo 330-1445

School Nurse

Paula Hatcher 330-2234

Food Service

Pam Alt 330-1770

Lisa Baxter 330-1492

ACT Test Dates—2014-15

Date Registration Deadline

Sept. 13, 2014 Aug. 8, 2014

Oct. 25, 2014 Sept. 19, 2014

Dec. 13, 2014 Nov. 7, 2014

Feb. 7, 2015 Jan. 9, 2015

April 18, 2015 March 13, 2015

June 13, 2015 May 8, 2015

SAT Test Dates 2014-2015

Date Registration Deadline

Oct. 11, 2014 Sept. 12, 2014

Nov. 8, 2014 Oct. 9, 2014

Dec. 6, 2014 Nov. 6, 2014

Jan. 24, 2015 Dec. 29, 2014

March 14, 2015 Feb. 13, 2015

May 2, 2015 April 6, 2015

June 6, 2015 May 8, 2015

MARK YOUR CALENDARS—SEPTEMBER

1 NO SCHOOL—Labor Day

2 5 p.m.—NHS Induction Ceremony

15 NO SCHOOL—Professional Development

24 7—10 a.m.—Picture RETAKES

25 THURSDAY—Assembly Schedule

26 FRIDAY—LATE START

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.

NO SCHOOL

SEPTEMBER 1

SEPTEMBER 15

All about WRAP (Working to Recognize Alternative Possibilities)

I hope everyone enjoyed their summer and is getting back into the routine of a new school year. I’m excited

to be starting my ninth year as a WRAP clinician at Free State High School. I’ve met several of the new fresh-

men and am in the process of reconnecting with returning students. Everyone appears on track to have a

great year.

Many of you are probably aware of the WRAP (Working to Recognize Alternative Possibilities) program but for

those who are not, please allow me to give you the official description: WRAP is a program designed to im-

prove child development and learning, increase connectivity to our community, and provide wellness and

mental health support in our public schools. What this means in my words: I work with your students, their

teachers and sometimes even parents, to attend to their emotional needs so that your student can then at-

tend to his or her academic needs! If you would like to know more about WRAP or are interested in having

your student visit with me, please contact me.

A few years ago I read an article entitled Understanding How Adolescents Think, (from www.edutopia.org/

inside-teenage-brain), I was reminded that “in order for learning and thinking to occur, (the brain) must fulfill

(these) two categories first: You’ve got to survive, and you’ve got to have your emotional needs met.” Par-

ents, the first category is primarily yours to provide (and if you need help, please let me know as there may be

resources available) and the second category (having your emotional needs met) is the responsibility of all of

us and the area in which I enjoy working the most.

I’m so excited for this year for many reasons and the main one is to get to know your student! Please feel free

to give me a call at 330-1759 if I may be of assistance.

It’s going to be a great year for the Free State Firebird family!

April M. Ramos, LSCSW

WRAP Clinician Free State High School

(desk) 785-330-1759

(cell) 785-423-4240

aramos@usd497.org

Post-Secondary Services for Students with Disabilities

College Night October 14, 2014

5:45 PM in the LFSHS Black Box Theater

Workshop: Information on Services for Students with Disabilities

at the Post-Secondary Level

5:45 PM in the LFSHS Black Box Theater

Attend a special informational session on accessing support services at the

post-secondary level for students with learning and other types of disabilities.

There will be a panel presentation by college service providers

who assist students with disabilities and college students using the services.

This workshop is sponsored by the Transition Council of Douglas and Jefferson Counties.

For more information contact: Lorna Larson at 785-832-6050 Ext. 2467or llarson@usd497.org.

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 create a safe,

positive learning

environment so

students can

become life-long

learners and

productive citizens in

a global society.

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: Ed West

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:

Keith Jones A—E

Steve Heffernan F—K

Mike Hill L—Q

Lisa Boyd R—Z

Students are assigned to

the following counselors:

Bryan Duncan A—E

Joel Frederick F—K

Tina Mitchell L—Q

Ken Hile R—Z