Lawrence High School Back-to-School Packet 2019

1. BACK-TO-SCHOOL PACKET Welcome Chesty Lions! The purpose of this back-to-school packet is to highlight important information, processes and procedures regarding our upcoming school year. Due to construction, this is a year of changes to ensure LHS is a safe and secure environment, as well as to update facilities. Thank you in advance for your patience and flexibility. Please contact us whenever you have questions. The main office number is 785-832-5050. AUGUST 2019 • Administrative Team • Dr. Cynthia Johnson, Interim Principal 785-330-1659 • Cynthia.Johnson@usd497.org • Dr. Margene Brohammer, Associate Principal 785-330-1896 • mbrohamm@usd497.org • John Hilton, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director 785-330-2196 • jhilton@usd4979.org • Mark Preut, Assistant Principal/Activities Director 785-330-1688 • mpreut@usd497.org • Quentin Rials, Assistant Principal/Facility Director 785-330-1673 • Quentin.Rials@usd497.org

2. USD 497 POSTPONES START DATE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS August, 2019 Lawrence Public Schools will postpone the start of school for students attending Lawrence High School and the Lawrence College and Career Center due to unforeseen delays associated with facility improvements. The postponement gives our high school students an extra (6) six days of summer break. Instead of starting on August 14 and August 15 as planned, students in 9th grade will participate in a half-day orientation in the morning on August 20 while new incoming 10-12 students will participate in a half-orientation in the afternoon. The first full day of high school on August 21 will follow the regular seven period day schedule, not a late start schedule. The Lawrence College and Career Center will begin its Certified Nurse Aide (CAN) and Emergency Medical Science programs on August 19. Those students will complete college applications/enrollment at the Center on August 15. The Center will send information about these courses and the applicant/enrollment requirements to school families via email as well as post it to www.usd497.org/discoverwhatsnext. All other College and Career Center classes will begin on August 21. The scheduled start date for high school teachers and staff will not change. This will provide extra time for staff planning, moving, and professional learning before students begin the school year. The high schools will use alternate locations for some staff activities and will share those plans directly with their employees. “We sincerely apologize for any challenges this change may cause our high school families. We want to provide the best learning environments possible for students and staff. That means ensuring that we provide safe and welcoming spaces conducive to a successful start to the school year,” said Dr. Anthony Lewis, superintendent of schools. “We want to thank our high school communities for their patience and understanding. We know this is unexpected and challenging. We are confident that postponing the start of school for high school students will give them the best chance for a successful back-to-school experience,” Dr. Lewis said. As a result of the postponement and in order to meet state instructional time requirements, the district will add (5) five minutes to each school day at the high school level. School will start at 8:00am instead of 8:05am, with a 7:00am zero hour. The high schools will continue to dismiss at 3:10pm. School hours on Wednesday late-start/early dismissal days will be 9:00am-2:30pm. First Student, which partners with the district to provide student transportation services, will accommodate this change with five-minute earlier morning pickup times for high school bus routes. Several unforeseen challenges have delayed the building improvements. Construction crews uncovered asbestos, requiring additional time to ensure its safe and effective removal according to health requirements. Severe weather, including recording-breaking rainfall and a tornado, also contributed to construction delays. The EF-4 tornado that touched down in the southwest corner of Douglas County on May 28, caused extensive and long-lasting electricity challenges. “We continue to work closely with our architect and construction team to complete these improvements quickly. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of all those involved, we need extra time to deliver on our plans, “ said Dr. Lewis. “Once the renovations are complete, we will provide our students some of the most advanced school facilities in the state.”

3. Please see information below to prepare for the start of school Student Service Teams  Administrative and counselor assignments are made by student last name as follows: A-E: Mark Preut (Assistant Principal) and Jen Hare (Counselor) F-K: Margene Brohammer (Associate Principal) and Amy Brown (Counselor) L-R: John Hilton (Assistant Principal) and Lori Stussie (Counselor) S-Z: Quentin Rials (Assistant Principal) and Kelsey Buek (Counselor) Student Schedule Changes Priority will be given to fixing mistakes (incomplete schedules, corrections needed to meet graduation requirements, etc.). Schedule change forms are available in Student Services. Schedule requests for specific teachers will not be honored. If you have specific questions, please email your counselor or drop by Student Services after August 5. Daily Schedules Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday, classes begin at 8:00 am and dismiss at 3:10 pm. Every Wednesday, classes begin at 9:00 am and dismiss at 2:30 pm. Period 0 classes begin at 7:00 am and dismiss at 7:55 am, but do not meet on Wednesdays. Fee Payment This year, there are not designated days for payment of fees. We encourage you to use one of the three payment options: mail-in option, online payments, or in person at the Finance Office at LHS. Parking permits may also be purchased at the Finance Office. Forms are available online from the school website under the “Finance” Tab. Building Access The Main Entrance of the building (by the Chesty Lion statue) will open at 6:45 am daily. Entrances by the Black Box and to the Main Gym will also be accessible at 6:45 am daily. NOTE: The entrance to the Main Gym should only be accessed by students enrolled in Period 0 weights class. Access through other entrances will be available starting at 7:30 am by badge access only. Following the conclusion of the school day, students must leave the building within 20 minutes, unless under the supervision of an adult. Staff is responsible for monitoring students who remain in the building after 3:30pm in the activity they are sponsoring, coaching or leading.

4. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ParkingRegistration All cars parked in school parking lots must be registered and display a current LHS parking permit.  Student parking spaces are marked with white stall stripes; staff and visitor parking spaces are marked with blue stall stripes.  Staff parking permits are provided at no cost.  Student parking permits are available for $10 in the Finance Office.  Students are required to show current registration and a valid driver's license when purchasing a parking permit. Student Parking The former Annex parking lot is inaccessible to students, as it is used for construction staging.  Designated student parking is in the north parking lot by the football stadium, but parking is limited.  Additional designated student parking is available in the south parking lot to the west of the soccer field.  Due to ongoing construction, parking spots may change or be limited.  Please plan ahead and allow extra time for parking. Lockers Lockers are available by request only; no lockers have been pre-assigned. All locker combinations have been reset, so if you had a locker in previous years, it is not assigned to you this year. To request a locker, please see DianniaAffalter in Student Services. Devices for Everyone All students will receive their devices on August 21. If you checked out your device over the summer, please bring it fully charged to school.

5. UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES August 12 - All-Sports Meeting - 6:00 pm We continue to build on the rich athletic tradition of Lawrence High School!  Meet Athletic Director John Hilton, review expectations for Chesty Lion student-athletes and families and meet the coaches.  Breakout sessions for each fall sport with each coach will be held. August 13 - Incoming Freshman Parent Meeting and Information Fair - 6 pm As we welcome our incoming LHS families, join us for an evening of introductions and information.  After a presentation in the Auditorium, breakout sessions by administrator/counselor team will be held.  These sessions will be followed by an Information Fair, where vendors such as the Lawrence College & Career Center, Bert Nash, PTO, Boys and Girls Club, KU Blueprint, architects, PowerSchool, and others will share resources. Chesty Lion gear will also be available for purchase.  Note:  Incoming 9th graders are not required to attend.   August 20 - Freshman Orientation - 8:00 am to 12:00 pm Come learn what it takes to be a Chesty Lion!  Trained LINK leaders, current LHS juniors and seniors, will lead our freshman students in a morning full of activities.  Students need to wear comfortable clothing and backpacks and supplies can be left at home.  Not only will freshmen learn traditions and expectations, they will receive their schedule and tour the building.  Lunch will not be provided.  Busses will run their morning routes and transport students after dismissal. August 20 - New to LHS Orientation - 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm Sophomores, juniors, and seniors new to Lawrence High School are welcomed by current LHS students.  Students will be introduced to traditions and expectations, as well as tour the building.   August 21 – First Day of School for all grades – 8:00 am to 3:10 pm August 21 – Picture Day for juniors and seniors August 22 – Picture Day for freshmen and sophomores August 24 - Lions Leap Dance - 8:30 pm to 11:00 pm Join new and old friends at the Lions Leap dance in the Rotunda.  This event is fun for LHS students only; no outside guests are allowed August 26 - Open House - 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm Please join us for an opening welcome from Dr. Johnson, followed by a construction update.  Families will then have an opportunity to follow student schedules and meet each teacher (Period 0 begins at 6:45, followed by Period 1 at 7:00 pm).  Throughout the evening, an Information Fair will be held in the Rotunda.  Vendors such as PowerSchool, PTO, KU Blueprint, Lawrence College & Career Center, Bert Nash, Boys and Girls Club, and others will share resources.  Chesty Lion gear will also be available for purchase.  Note:  Students are encouraged to attend with their families. August 28 - Club Fair - 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm Participating in clubs and organizations is an integral part of a successful high school experience.  Encourage your student to attend the Club Fair in the Cafeteria.  The Club Fair presents the amazing variety of and diversity in opportunities for student involvement.  Come, explore, and score some candy! September 2 - No School October 14 & 16 – Parent/Teacher Conferences - 5:00 pm to 8:15 pm