FAQs

Transition:

How do I prepare for the new school year?

• Watch for the summer newsletter or check the school's website for details about back to school information and the school supply list. 

How will the transition look like to middle school?

• Orientation, Bulldog Blastoff, is offered the day before school starts in the fall. This day will include only 6th graders and 7th/8th graders new to Southwest. We will have Student Council members here to help students feel welcomed!

What transition events can I plan for?

• Besides Bulldog Blastoff we offer Bulldog countdown, which is the day students get their schedules, can talk with teachers, and walk their schedule. We also offer Popsicles on the Plaza, which allows new students to mingle with each other, but also Student Council members to get to know each other. 

Daily Schedule:

  What are the school hours? 

• Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays classes are 50 minutes long with a 35 minute W.I.N (What I Need) period. On Wednesdays classes are 29 minutes long with a 90 minute W.I.N time that offers different activities including clubs, musical teasers, music concerts and pep assemblies. 

• On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, school is from 8:00 AM to 3:11 PM. On Wednesdays school is 8:00 Am to 1:40 PM.

What does lunch look like?

• Students have a 25 minute lunch time. Lunches are by grade levels. 

How many classes will I take?

• Students take 8 classes a day. For more details on those classes, be sure to select the grade-level tabs above. 

How long are passing periods?

• We have 3 minute long passing periods between each class.

Do classes change throughout the year?

• Students' core classes do not change throughout this year; this include Math, Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts, Physical Education, and Student Success. Students' elective classes and W.I.N. classes do have the potential to change throughout the year. Elective classes are offered on a year long, semester and quarter (6th grade only) basis. We also have students rotate through W.I.N. groups based on need. 

Course Selection:

Do you offer and Advanced Courses?

3. • Math is the only course that currently has advanced offerings. 6th grade families may choose between Introduction to Pre-Algebra 6 or Math 6, 7th grade families may choose between Pre-Algebra 7 or Math 7 and 8th grade families may choose between Algebra 1 or Pre-Algebra 8. If you feel like there needs to be acceleration beyond that, please reach out to the counselors for help in the process.

How do I know which math class I am supposed to be in? 

3. • If you are unsure, please feel free to talk to your student's current teacher and they can help you navigate your choice.  You can make changes during the school year, but this is a conversation that happens between a student's adult(s) and current math teacher. 

Do you have any foreign language offereings?

• 6th graders will take World Languages class as a quarter option that will allow students to get a very brief introduction to multiple languages. 7th graders can take Intro to Spanish for a semester and 8th graders can take Spanish 1 for a year long option with the plan to take Spanish 2 their freshman year of high school. 

If I fail a class, do I have to take it again?

3. • We do not retain students at the middle school level. 

When will I see my schedule? Can I make changes if I don't like it?

• Students will receive official copies of their schedules at Bulldog Countdown (Dates TBA). Sometimes schedules go live before that time, but they are not official until Bulldog Countdown. If you do not like your class, you may reach out to one of the counselor to see if another class option is available.  Schedules changes can be looked at for the first week of the semester. After that changes need to be requested through Administration.  Counselor work hard to ensure that students have at least 3 of their 4 semester be classes they requested, but because of factors like staffing and requests from other students, we cannot guarantee a student gets all 4 semester choices. 

Do you have teams?

• Yes, as a middle school we have two teams at each grade level, Blue and Silver. These teams are randomly selected!

What is the curriculum for middle school?

• Curriculum information can be found here: Middle School Curriculum 

Enrollment Questions:

When is enrollment due?

12. • • • Enrollment Dates: Current 5th Graders - April 9th and 10th

        • Enrollment Dates: Current 6th and 7th Graders - Aprile 2nd and 3rd

Where do we find the enrollment forms?

• Enrollment forms are included on the tabs above for each grade level. 

 We attended a school outside of Lawrence Public Schools last year. How do we enroll? 

• First of all, welcome to USD 497! You will have to go to the  USD 497 Enrollment Center and register as a new student in the district.  New Student Registration

Student Involvement:

What sports or activities can I be involved in?

• Sports - 7th and 8th Graders

  • Fall Sports - Football, Volleyball, Girls Tennis, Cheerleading

  • Winter Sports - Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Cheerleading, Wrestling

  • Spring Sports - Track, Boys Tennis

• Theatre - 6th-8th Graders. Generally, there is one musical and one play throughout the school year. 

• Clubs - 6th-8th Graders

  • Current clubs available to students are Study Club, Garden Club, Speech and Debate Club, Chess Club, Taylor Swift Club, Deck-Building Club, Art Club, Rock Band Club, Sewing Club, Gaming Club, RISE Club, International Club, Math Club, and Anime Club. These clubs change yearly based on student interest, if you would be interested in starting a club, reach out to Administration and they can help you with the process!

What is the eligibilty requirements to be involved?

• Students must pass 5 classes (60% or higher) in at least 5 classes in the previous semester to be eligible for sports or activities. Student Success and PE count for 1 class. 

School Contact Questions:

What is the best way to contact my student's counselor? 

15. • E-mail is the best way to connect with the school counselors. Do not hesitate to reach out, we are here to help you. Contact information can be found at the bottom of each tab. 

Can I contact my school counselor during the summer?

15. • School Counselors are on a 10-month contract just like our teachers, so they have limited availability during summer break.  Counselors return to school a week before school starts so there is plenty of time to attend to questions and concerns you might have before the school year begins.

What if I need to be absent from school?

• If there needs to be an absence from school, please contact the school via phone at 785-832-5550 or email the school at swms.office@usd497.org. 

Guardian Involvement:

How do you communicate with families?

• We have a weekly newsletter that goes out to families with important information for that week and beyond. Plus fun and exciting things that are happening in the building. Teachers also communicate with families through traditional ways (emails, phone calls, etc.), but our school district also uses ParentSquare which teachers also use. To get set up with ParentSqaure, visit here: ParentSquare Information 

How can I check my student's grades and attendnace in PowerSchool?

17. • Go to this link for information on setting up  or getting help with a PowerSchool parent account: PowerSchool Parent Portal

Do you have PTO or Site Council?

• We have both a Parent Group and a Site Council that meet about once a month. Tune into the weekly parent newsletter to get more information about that.

Lunch:

Where do I find lunch and breakfast menus?

• All menus for all schools can be found here: USD 497 Menus 

Where can I apply for Free or Reduced Lunch?

• We encourage families to apply for Free or Reduced Lunch here: USD 497 Free and Reduced Application 

How do I pay or add money to my student's lunch account?

• Information for payment can be found here: Lunch Account Information 

Other FAQs:

What technology devices do students have?

• USD 497  is a 1:1 school district. This means every middle school student in Lawrence Public Schools will have an iPad issued to them to use for the year.  If you have questions or need help with the iPad you can contact the IT help desk. You will find more information here: Technology Resources     1:1 iPad Parent Guide 

What is the average student/teacher ratio in the classroom?  

19. • 25-27 depending on the class. 

How do I sign my student up for bussing?

19. • Transportation is organized through a separate company, First Student, find more information here: USD 497 Transportation

Do you have lockers?

• We don't currently assign lockers to students, but we do allow students to purchase lockers with BowWOWs through Ike's Inventory!

What about drop off and pick up?

• Families can drop students off in the half circle drive in front of the Plaza. Supervision outside starts at 7:40 A.M. and breakfast starts for students at 7:30 A.M. If it is raining or temperatures drop below 15°, all students will be allowed to enter the building at 7:40. Students can exit any door at the end of the school day. Both car pick-up and bus pick-up happen in the half circle drive and parking lot in front of the Plaza. 

What about cell phones and other personal devices?

• USD497 is a cell phone/personal device free environment. For more information visit here: Cell Phone Expectations