Schoolhouse talk

Kids just don’t understand

Almost two million freshmen have started college or are just moving in for their first semester/trimester as adults. (The [college I went to][1] started in September, so I'm not on top of the whole "school in August" thing.) This group of 2012 includes my little brother, Warren. (Sniff.) He has ...

See yourself in a yearbook photo from any decade

Today and tomorrow are yearbook picture days at [West Junior High][1] and that got me thinking.I used to dread those school pictures, especially in that awkward stage known as "middle school." Braces, bad hair ... the list goes on. (You're lucky all of my yearbooks are at my [parents' ...

District Digest

A few news bites from USD 497:**NASCAR drivers to speak to students at Kansas Speedway** NASCAR drivers Mark Martin and Aric Almirola will be among several motorsports industry insiders speaking to high school students at the Kansas Speedway on Sept. 26. They'll speak about the importance of ...

Hear the whirring? It’s just a helicopter parent.

So, everyone is talking about [helicopter parents][1]. (Um, hello...there's a Wikipedia entry on them!)As a child with a helicopter parent (although I'm no longer being blown away by the chopper since she's gone to higher elevations and is now focusing on my 18-year old brother), I know the ...

School district/teachers negotations continue tonight

Tonight at 5, the Lawrence school board and the Lawrence Education Association are meeting to try and conclude stalled contract negotiations. The meeting is at district headquarters, 110 McDonald Drive, and is open to the public.[As we have previously reported,][1] the district and LEA are far ...