I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful first 6 weeks of school. The staff has worked very hard preparing for the opening of school and they have done an excellent job. The students did an outstanding job learning the expectations and they are already in a routine that will provide a year of increased student achievement.

Exciting news! The USDA partnered with the Kansas Department of Agriculture to award a $99, 958.21 Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grant to Lawrence Public Schools. The funds will support the creation of a district-supporting bakery at Community Connections at Pinckney to engage with the local food system by prioritizing the use of local grains, enhance child nutrition and provide job training for our students in collaboration and consultation with a local baker!

As we stressed last year, regular attendance and consistent on time arrival to school is vitally important to our students' success. Being present and prompt will prepare students for what will be expected of them throughout life. We are asking for your cooperation in ensuring that your child misses as little school as possible.

Thank you as always for your continued support!

- Jenna

Support Our Students' Work Experience Program!

Our students are gaining valuable skills through our work experience program, and we need your help to make it even more rewarding!

How You Can Help

We're seeking donations in two forms:

1. Gift Cards

• Local establishments (restaurants, shops, etc.)

• $5 increments preferred

• These allow students to "purchase" rewards with their earned work credits

2. Experiential Offerings

• Group experiences such as:

• Class pizza parties

• Ice cream socials

• Class bowling trip

• Other fun group activities

Your contributions will expand our selection of rewards, making the work experience even more motivating and enjoyable for our hardworking students.

Why It Matters

Students "clock in" for their work experiences and earn C-Tran bucks. These credits can be used to "buy" items from our reward selection. By expanding our offerings, we can:

• Increase motivation

• Teach budgeting skills

• Provide more diverse experiences

• Connect students with local businesses

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference in a student's life and learning experience.

To donate or for more information, please contact: jennifer.burnes@usd497.org

Thank you for supporting our students' growth and independence!

Student Work Experience Highlights

We're proud to showcase our students' growing independence through various work experiences:

Community Partnerships

• Sunset Hill Elementary: Two students gaining entry-level employment skills:

• Library assistant: book check-in, alphabetizing, shelving, and light dusting

• Cleaning towel manager: laundry, folding, distribution, and light cleaning duties

• Kennedy Early Childhood Center: Student helper for snack cart distribution

• District Adaptive PE Team: Student APE aid assisting and motivating children across different locations

• Lawrence Public Library: Student worker cleaning board books and dusting shelves twice weekly

Building-Based Work Rotations

We're gradually introducing students to various roles within our building:

• Office aide

• Breakfast set-up assistant

• Library positions

• Clothing closet helper

• Laundry room assistant

• More positions are coming soon!

These building-based jobs offer students a supportive, safe environment to build confidence and independence. Students choose their top 2-3 preferred positions, and we're working on scheduling them accordingly.

We're incredibly proud of our students' dedication and growth as they take on these responsibilities!

High School STC classes pick up flowers from educational partner Owen’s Flower Shop on Thursdays. Students help arrange flower bouquets to display in classes or share with family and friends. Students participate in this hands-on activity to express creativity, appreciation of beauty, and as a relaxation task. Pictured is Joseph Hartford with a bouquet for his mother.

Covid is here and Flu season is around the corner.

Keep yourself and loved ones protected by getting vaccinated.

CDC Recommendations

Arrival and Dismissal-

C-Tran: 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM

STC/FirstStop: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

SAP: 8:00 - 2:30 PM

Wednesday -

C-Tran: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

STC/FirstStop: 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM

SAP: 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM

• Doors open at 7:45 AM
• All students will enter through side doors at bus drop off entrance or Front Entrance facing 6th Street
• Students arriving after 8:00 AM - enter through the main door

8:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Main Office Number- 785-832-5800

Extensions:

Administrator/Principal- Jenna- Viscomi- x2115

Transition Specialist C-Tran- Jennifer Burnes- x2258

Admin Assistant- Isabelle Stanley- x2755

Please call our main office number at 785-832-5800 or email jviscomi@usd497.org or isabelle.stanley@usd497.org to report an absence or to check a student out during the school day. Please leave a message if you are unable to reach us.

Download the First View app on your phone or device to help keep track of the bussing schedule and arrival/departure times.

Go to your devices App Store and type in FirstView, download the app to your phone/device. You will then enter the school code. The C-Tran code is YFF5 and the STC code for middle/high school is RDNE. First student will use this app for notices of bussing running late and other important information.

For any questions or concerns, please call FirstStudent at (785)-841- 3594.

September:

2nd- Labor Day- No School

October:

10th- End of 1st Quarter

11th- No School

16th- HS STC/C-Tran Conferences 4-8

17th- MS STC - No School; day conferences. HS STC/C-Tran Conferences 4-8

18th- No School

November:

25th-29th- Fall Break