Our SW Admin Office and Main Entrance project has begun. Temporary walls are being installed, with demolishing scheduled to start next week. The completed project date is July 1, 2025. This project has been made possible by the support of our community with the passing of our No Tax Increase in April of 2024. #WeAreLawson
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lawson R-XIV School District
March 24, 2025
Lawson R-XIV School District Announces Approval of 2025-2026 Academic Calendar
During their February 19th business meeting, the Lawson R-XIV School District Board of Education officially approved the academic calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. The newly approved calendar establishes key dates for students, families, and staff, ensuring a well-structured academic year that prioritizes instructional time, student well-being, and important holidays.
Highlighted Changes:
*Extended Thanksgiving Break will include Monday after the holiday weekend.
*Early release for students on the last day before Winter Break.
*Shifting second-semester Staff Development Days to the start of January, students returning to school on Wednesday instead of Tuesday.
*Spring/Easter Break is extended to include the Thursday before Good Friday.
*One additional day of student instruction was added to the calendar.
Key Consideration
The district intends to incorporate AMI (Alternative Methods of Instruction) days into the 2025-2026 academic year in case of prolonged weather-related cancelations. This change will be communicated to families during the fall semester with additional information on how the days will be integrated into the instructional process. Dr. Stephenson stated, “We want to have AMI as an option to be used in the event we see prolonged cancellations due to weather, as we have experienced over the past 2 months”. He added, “The district is aware of the stress virtual learning can cause our families, and we are preparing to utilize virtual days only when needed and to aid in enriching the learning that has already occurred in our classrooms. AMI days will not be utilized for the teaching of new content.”
Key Highlights of the 2025-2026 Academic Calendar:
*First Day of School: August 19, 2025
*Football Homecoming: October 3, 2025
*Thanksgiving Break: November 26, 2025 - December 1, 2025
*Winter Break: December 22, 2025 - January 6, 2026
*Spring Break: April 2, 2026 - April 6, 2026
*Senior Graduation: Sunday, May 17, 2026
*Last Day of School: May 20, 2026
The 2025-2026 academic calendar prioritizes student instruction while balancing time off for holidays and other school-related functions, essential for fostering an effective learning environment. Click the tab to access the complete 2025-2026 Academic Calendar https://5il.co/38kh3
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lawson Board of Education Approves A Change to the 2024-2025 Academic Calendar
The Lawson Board of Education approved modifying the current academic calendar during its February 19 meeting. The change will replace the Staff Professional Development Day on March 31, 2025, with a student contact day. Dr. Stephenson emphasized the importance of this change, stating, “Over the past two months, we have lost nine student instruction days due to weather-related closures. The approved change will allow us to regain a day of lost instruction.”
March 31, 2025, will now be a student contact day. No other changes were recommended for consideration.
The last day of school for the 2024-2025 school year will remain as scheduled for an early release on Friday, May 16.
❄️ School’s Stuck in a Time Loop—No Classes Tomorrow, Thursday, February 20th! ❄️
Just like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, we seem to be waking up to the same winter storm… over and over again! While we’d love to break the cycle, Mother Nature has other plans. Due to hazardous conditions, school will be closed tomorrow—again!
So, set your alarm, but don’t be surprised if you wake up to the same snowy scene. If you happen to see a groundhog, ask it how to escape this endless winter!
P.S. If we have to close again, we might just start offering extra credit for learning to predict the weather like Punxsutawney Phil!
🚨🚨 SCHOOL CANCELED AGAIN! 🚨🚨
NO SCHOOL - Wednesday, February 19th - We checked outside… yep, it's still frozen solid. The mysterious polar bear seen last night in the city park has been located heading north toward Cameron, and now penguins have overtaken the high school parking lot.
Until further notice, stay inside, drink hot cocoa, and brush up on your penguin-waddling skills—just in case this turns into a full migration. See you when we reclaim the school! 🐧❄️🚨 #WeAreLawson
🚨 POLAR BEAR ALERT! 🚨
Reports are coming in that a polar bear was spotted in Lawson City Park looking VERY confused, swatting at the wooden Cooper The Cardinal, asking for directions back to the Arctic. 🐻❄️❄️ Given this extreme encounter, we have decided it best to cancel school for Tuesday, February 18th.
Stay warm, stay inside, and remember: if you see a bear, DO NOT offer it your hot cocoa. See you all when the tundra melts! ☕🔥😂 #WeAreLawson
Due to inclement weather, all evening activities have been canceled for tonight, Monday, February 17th.
Due to lingering hazardous road conditions and extreme temperatures in the morning, there will be NO SCHOOL on Thursday, February 13th.
🚨URGENT WEATHER ALERT🚨
Attention, students, and staff! NO SCHOOL Wednesday, February 12th. Due to our highly advanced, borderline psychic meteorological expertise, we are preemptively canceling school for SNOWMAGEDDON2.0-2025—even though not a single flake has fallen.
We know what you're thinking: "But... the roads are clear? The sun is shining?" That’s exactly what the snow wants you to think. Trust us, we’re professionals.
So, enjoy your Preemptive Snow Day™—and remember: if the snow never actually arrives… you’re welcome. ❄️😎
📢 Showing Up MATTERS! 🎯 Attendance = Success! ✅
Did you know that attendance is the #1 skill for success in school, work, and life? 🌟
✅ Showing up builds responsibility – Employers, colleges, and opportunities favor those who are reliable.
✅ Consistency creates success – The more you're present, the more you learn, grow, and achieve.
✅ Opportunities come to those who show up – You can’t win the game if you’re not on the field!
Your future starts with one simple step: SHOW UP! 💪🏽🏆 #AttendanceMatters #ShowUpToGrowUp #SuccessStartsWithShowingUp #WeAreLawson
2025-2026 Employment Opportunities
It's always a great day to be a Cardinal...but it's better WHEN YOU're HERE!!!
Click to learn more:https://www.lawsoncardinals.org/page/employment-page
All evening activities and events are canceled. Campuses will remain closed until 6am Thursday, February 6th.
This week marks National School Counseling Week! We want to recognize our amazing school counselors for all they do each day to support our students, families, and staff! We appreciate you!
There will be NO SCHOOL today, Wednesday, February 5th. Campuses are closed to all activities until further notice.
Congratulations to Our Concert Band and Select Choir!
We are incredibly proud of our Concert Band and Select Choir for their outstanding performances at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference at Margaritaville in the Lake of the Ozarks!
Being selected for this prestigious event is like winning the state championship in music education—a true testament to their talent, dedication, and hard work. Our musicians and directors represented our school and community with excellence, performing on one of the biggest stages for music in Missouri.
Thank you to everyone who supported them on this journey. Congratulations on this incredible achievement!
#StateChampsOfMusic #Proud #MusicExcellence #MMEA #WeAreLawson
Immediate Opening: Paraprofessional Support Position
📍 Location: Southwest Elementary Building
🗓 Start Date: ASAP
⏳ Employment Type: Full-time
Job Overview:
Southwest Elementary seeks a dedicated and compassionate paraprofessional to provide immediate support to students and teachers. This position will assist with classroom instruction, student supervision, and individualized support for students with diverse learning needs.
Application and additional information can be found on the district website. Click https://www.lawsoncardinals.org/page/employment-page to learn more and to apply.
Lawson School District Announces Approval of Contract with Excel Construction for New Administrative Office Suite and Main Entrance
Lawson School District is thrilled to officially announce the approval of an exciting construction project that will enhance functionality and security at Southwest Elementary School. Plans are underway to develop a state-of-the-art administrative office suite and a redesigned main school entrance.
This project, approved by the Lawson Board of Education, reflects a commitment to providing an improved experience for students, staff, and visitors. The new administrative suite will feature modernized workspaces for school personnel, an upgraded conference room, and enhanced technology to streamline operations. The redesigned main entrance will also prioritize accessibility and safety, ensuring a welcoming and secure environment.
Key Features of the Project Include:
*Expanded Administrative Offices: Designed with efficiency and collaboration in mind, the new office suite will provide ample space for staff and streamline administrative functions.
*Modernized Security Enhancements: The new entrance will include updated security measures, including controlled access points, to ensure the safety of students and staff.
*Improved Visitor Experience: A welcoming reception area and clear navigation will make the school more accessible for families and community members.
*Aesthetic and Functional Upgrades: The design will blend seamlessly with the existing architecture while incorporating contemporary elements.
“This project represents a significant step forward for Southwest Elementary and our community,” said Mrs. Cross, Principal of Southwest Elementary School. “The new administrative suite and main entrance will enhance our ability to support students’ educational journeys while ensuring their safety and comfort. We’re grateful for the support of our community for making this vision a reality.”
The Southwest project is one of several initiatives designated for completion as part of the No Tax Increase Bond passed by the Lawson community in April 2024. The construction is scheduled to begin in March 2025 and is expected to be completed by July 2025. The construction timeline will ensure no interruption of daily school operations during the build process.
Lawson School District is committed to informing the community as the project progresses. Regular updates, including timelines and milestones, will be shared via the school’s website and communication channels.
Check out the before and after of our Blazing Cardinals Band Trailer. It's great to know we will look as good as we sound when we hit the road. #WeAreLawson #BlazingCardinals
2025-2026 Employment Opportunities
It's always a great day to be a Cardinal...but it's better WHEN YOU're HERE!!!
Click to learn more:https://www.lawsoncardinals.org/page/employment-page
