Lawrence Together is an AI-automated podcast that blends essential news from The Township of Lawrence, Lawrence Schools, The Lawrence Business Community, and other key organizations around town into one friendly briefing. This is a free service that aims to make it easier to get your local news, without getting it in your inbox. It can make pronunciation mistakes from time to time. For that, we apologize in advance. But, hey, it's free, and we hope this is helpful. If you like it, subscribe!

All Episodes

Latest Episodes

All Episodes →
#47

Homecoming, Community Day, and Thanks to Our Custodians

๐Ÿ“ Producer's Notes Time-sensitive: Homecoming Football Game (Oct 2), Homecoming Dance and Community Day (Oct 3), and Custodian Appreciation Day (Oct 2) may have passed by publication. The thrift sale's Sept 26 date has already passed, so the script covers only Oct 10. The Young Rembrandts early-bird discount ended 10/1 and was omitted. Duplicate source: the PDF held two identical copies of the email. Missing details: the newsletter gives no time or location for the Homecoming Football Game or the Board of Education meeting. Discrepancy: the Volunteers Needed flyer says "Spring Arts Festival" on Oct 9th and 10th, while the body text says Fall Arts Festival with no dates. The script uses the flyer dates. Expanded acronyms: LTEF (Lawrence Township Education Foundation), PCDI (Princeton Child Development Institute), USATF-NJ (USA Track and Field New Jersey), LCSW dropped in favor of "licensed mental health professional." These expansions are not in the source, so please verify LTEF and PCDI. Flyer-sourced details: Community Day activities, Meadows Miler date and location, Young Rembrandts schedule, price, and location, and the Dolly Parton event time details come from the flyers. Omitted for family-friendliness: the beer garden listed on the Community Day flyer. Link-only items: Mercer County Cotillion ("See flyer for more information") is omitted from the script and listed below. Source typo fixed: "Our elementary students and celebrated" read as "elementary students celebrated." ๐Ÿ“… Key Dates DateEventTime / LocationOct 2 | LHS Homecoming Football Game | Not listed Oct 2 | LMS House Relays | 1:15โ€“2:15 PM Oct 3 | LHS Homecoming Dance | 7:00โ€“10:00 PM Oct 3 | Lawrence Township Community Day | Village Park, 1โ€“5 PM Oct 5โ€“9 | LMS Week of Respect | All day Oct 6 | LES Student Photos; LMS Homework Club begins | 9 AMโ€“12 PM; 2:30โ€“4 PM Oct 8 | LMS Digital Safety Assembly; LIS Shines Day | 8โ€“11 AM; 9 AMโ€“3 PM (rain date Oct 9) Oct 9 | LMS Be a Cardinal Day | All day Oct 10 | LHS Cardinal Thrift Sale | LHS Cafeteria, 9 AMโ€“3 PM Oct 12 | Family Workshop: Reset | LHS Auditorium, 6โ€“7:30 PM (doors 5:30) Oct 13 | LMS Picture Retakes; BF Student Pictures | All day Oct 14 | Early Dismissal (Staff PD); Board of Education Meeting | Dismissal 12:30โ€“3:30 PM Oct 24 | 10th Annual Meadows Miler | Rosedale Park, Pennington Nov 7 | A Dolly Parton Candlelight Experience | Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, 2688 Lawrenceville Rd; sittings 6โ€“7 PM and 8โ€“9 PM Nov 13 | LTEF 15th Annual Handbag Bingo | West Trenton Ballroom Nov 21 | Craft Fair (vendors wanted, $30) | LHS Cafeteria, 9 AMโ€“4 PM ๐Ÿ“– Stories Club Fair (Sept 18), Challenge Day, Dot Day, and the Custodian Appreciation feature are summarized in the script above, including the full custodial team. ๐Ÿ”— Links and Contacts Family Workshop sign-up: https://forms.gle/DXZsUnBeeiWKpdKY9 LTEF newsletter: https://www.ltefnj.org/newsletter Girls on the Run: girlsontherunnj.org Fall Arts Festival volunteers: https://tinyurl.com/2026FallArtsFest Young Rembrandts: www.youngrembrandts.com/centralwestjersey Meadows Miler: www.meadowsmiler.com Healthy Kids Running Series: healthykidsrunningseries.org Mercer County Cotillion (flyer only): cotillion.com Lawrence Township Public Schools: 2565 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, 609-671-5500
#46

Spirit Week, Homecoming, and a Bronze Star: This Week at Lawrence High

๐Ÿ“ Producer's Notes Omitted from audio (preserved here): The Club Hub section (Fellowship in Christ, Students Helping Honduras, STEM Society, Green Action Team, Theater Company, DECA, Debate Club, Tangents, Peer Buddies, Lawrencian, Math League, Driver's Education Club, Teen PEP, and Knitting and Crochet Club) consisted of flyer images with no descriptive body text, so it was left out of the narrated script per our link-only convention. Omitted from audio (preserved here): The Daily Bell Schedule and the October rotation calendar were image-based tables not suited to narration. Omitted from audio (preserved here): "In Case You Missed It" (newsletter archives), "District News" (LTPS Quick News), and the full "Stay Connected" contact block (address, phone, and social media handles) were boilerplate or link-only items. Summarized: LTC Steve Austin's Bronze Star Medal citation was condensed for the audio script due to its length and dense formal language. Full citation text is below. Acronym expansions: ELL โ†’ English Language Learner; LTC โ†’ Lieutenant Colonel; PE โ†’ Physical Education. PSAT was read as letters, as is standard for that test name. Flag for review: "42D Regional Support Group" was read as "Forty Second Regional Support Group." Please confirm this is the intended pronunciation. ๐Ÿ‚ News from the Nest โ€” Lawrence High School September 29, 2026 ๐ŸŽฅ Back to School Night Video A recording of last week's Back to School Night welcome video is available for families who missed it. Questions can go to your child's teachers via email. ๐Ÿˆ Spirit Week & Homecoming Homecoming Spirit Week runs September 28โ€“October 2, with themed dress-up days. Friday's modified schedule makes room for the pep rally and homecoming court reveal. Homecoming royalty will be crowned at halftime of the football game vs. Kipp Cooper Norcross Academy. Spirit week photos: kroche@ltps.org. ๐Ÿ“ธ Picture Days Event Date | Underclassmen (grades 9โ€“11) picture daysย  | Tues., Sept. 29 & Wed., Sept. 30 | Picture retake dayย  | Tues., Oct. 27 ๐Ÿ’ƒ Homecoming Dance Saturday, October 3, at the German-American Society. Ticket and school ID required; tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. ๐Ÿซ Early Dismissal Wednesday, October 14 โ€” Professional Development Day for staff. ๐ŸŠ Lifeguards Needed Red Cross Lifeguard-certified students interested in working home LHS swim meets this winter should stop by the athletic office. ๐Ÿ“š Cardinal Nest Tutoring National Honor Society peer-to-peer tutoring begins Wednesday, September 30. Every Wednesday, Resource 1 & 2 Library Conference Room Free tutoring in all major content areas Language support available for ELL (English Language Learner) students โ€” contact Mrs. McSheene SmartPass required; check in with resource teacher first ๐ŸšŒ Late Bus Tuesdays and Thursdays, departs 4:00 p.m. Sign up in Room 319 by 12:45 p.m. ๐Ÿงญ The Cardinal Connection The guidance office's monthly publication is out with its first edition of the year. ๐Ÿ‘ช Parent Organizations PTO Meeting: Tuesday, October 13, 7:00 p.m., LHS Library. Contact: lmslhspto@gmail.com Craft Fair Vendors: LMS/LHS PTO is seeking vendors for its November craft fair. [Vendor flyer link โ€” see original newsletter] ๐Ÿ’ฐ Fundraisers Fundraiser Date Details | Bake Sale (Class of 2028)ย  | Fri., Oct. 2ย  | During homecoming football game; items $1โ€“$5; contact cmendicino@ltps.org | Fall Thrift Shopย  | Sat., Oct. 10ย  | Items $1โ€“$5; fill a bag for $10 from 2โ€“3 p.m. | Give and Garden Bulb Fundraiser (PTO)ย  | Ends Sat., Oct. 3ย  | Bulb sale supports the school | Laps for a Cause (Student Council)ย  | Sat., Oct. 24, 11 a.m.โ€“2 p.m.ย  | LHS track; proceeds support breast cancer research ๐ŸŽƒ Halloween Run, Walk & Family Fun (HomeFront) Sunday, October 25, at 502 Carnegie Center, Princeton. Halloween 5K Run, 1 Mile Walk, and Preschooler Pumpkin Dash. Registration: $40 (5K), $25 (1 mile walk), $10 (preschooler dash); prices increase after October 17. Teachers, students, and staff can join or support the LHS team. ๐ŸŽ–๏ธ Brag Bag Congratulations to LTC (Lieutenant Colonel) Steve Austin, School Resource Officer at Lawrence High School, awarded the Bronze Star Medal on September 12, 2026, at the 42D Regional Support Group's Welcome Home ceremony in Princeton, NJ. Full citation: For exceptionally meritorious service during combat operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, from 11 August 2025 to 25 April 2026. LTC Steve Austin demonstrated steadfast leadership, tactical proficiency, and unwavering dedication across the Area of Operations. His direct efforts sustained base life support and operational readiness throughout sustained combat operations during Operation Epic Fury. By ensuring critical supplies and mission support were seamlessly executed under hostile conditions, his actions were vital to the overall success of the mission. His distinguished performance and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself, Task Force Integrator, Combined Joint Task Force โ€“ Operation Inherent Resolve, and the United States Army. Submit your own Brag Bag nominations to kroche@ltps.org. ๐Ÿ“… Save the Dates PSAT Day: October 20 (modified schedule to be shared) Teacher Conference Scheduling: Portal opens October 26 (instructions to be shared) ๐Ÿ˜„ Just for Fun Word Power: aki no koe (Japanese) โ€” "Autumn's voice," the collective sounds of the season, like wind rustling dry leaves. Good Humor: Why should you always wear glasses in math class? Because they help with da-vision. Stay Connected โ€” Lawrence High School Email: kroche@ltps.org Website: www.ltps.org/LHS Location: 2525 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 Phone: 609-671-5510 Twitter: @cardinalslhs Instagram: @cards_lhs Facebook: LHSCardinalsNJ
#45

Back to School, Back Together: Governors, Handbags, and Hope Squads

๐Ÿ“‹ Producer's Notes Source: Lawrence QuickNews (LTPS newsletter), dated September 17, 2026 Acronyms expanded for audio clarity: LTPS = Lawrence Township Public Schools; LHS = Lawrence High School; LMS = Lawrence Middle School; LIS = Lawrence Intermediate School; LTEF = Lawrence Township Education Foundation; PCDI = Princeton Child Development Institute; USATF-NJ = USA Track and Field, New Jersey LES (District Calendar, "LES Back to School Night") is not defined in the source. Inferred as Lawrenceville Elementary School based on public LTPS school directory information โ€” please confirm before publishing if precision matters. Mercer County Cotillion listing had no descriptive body text (only "See flyer for more information") and was omitted from the audio script per convention; preserved here for reference. District Calendar items already covered in the main story sections (Back to School Nights, Yom Kippur) are not repeated in the calendar recap to avoid redundancy. ๐Ÿซ LTPS News Convocation Day (Aug 26, 2026-27 school year): Staff PD keynote by LTPS teachers Sabrina Pacifico, Jeanette Capritti, and Jametta Clark; debut of new mascot Lovey Dovey the baby cardinal. Welcome to the Neighborhood Family Workshop: 150+ families connected with community organizations and resources. Governor Sherrill & Commissioner Laux Visit: State leaders visited Eldridge Park Elementary during the second week of school. Cardinal Kickoff (LHS Hope Squad & Peer Leaders): Inaugural team-building event for underclassmen. Back to School Nights: LMS and LIS held theirs already; all 4 elementary schools + Lawrence Day School tonight; LHS wraps up the season next week. 9/11 Remembrance: District-wide activities marking the 25th anniversary. ๐ŸŽ‰ Events & Fundraisers Event Date Time Location | LHS Cardinal Thrift Saleย  | Sept 26 & Oct 10ย  | 9 AMโ€“2 PM / 9 AMโ€“3 PMย  | LHS Cafeteria | Craft Fair (vendors wanted)ย  | Nov 21ย  | 9 AMโ€“4 PMย  | LHS Cafeteria | LTEF Handbag Bingo (15th Annual)ย  | Nov 13, 2026ย  | TBDย  | West Trenton Ballroom ๐ŸŒŸ Community Programs Program Dates Details | Healthy Kids Running Seriesย  | Sundays 9/27โ€“10/25ย  | Lawrence Middle School, 4 PM, register | Girls on the Runย  | Sept 24โ€“Nov 16ย  | Mon/Thu 4:30โ€“5:45 PM, girlsontherunnj.org | Telugu Language Classes (ManaBadi)ย  | Sundays, Septโ€“Mayย  | Greater Princeton area | Drawing Classes for Kids (Young Rembrandts)ย  | Fridays 10/16โ€“12/11ย  | 5โ€“6 PM, The Community Well, Lawrenceville | Meadows Miler (10th Annual)ย  | Oct 24ย  | Rosedale Park, Pennington โ€” benefits PCDI | 4-H CloverBud Clubย  | Ongoingย  | Grades Kโ€“3 | Dolly Parton Candlelight Experienceย  | Nov 7ย  | Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, 2 sittings | Mercer County Cotillionย  | Oct 27โ€“Feb 2ย  | Trinity Church Princeton โ€” see flyer for details ๐Ÿ“… Additional District Calendar Dates Sept 18: LMS Mum Sale orders due; Fall Picnic & Club Fair (tentative) Sept 21: Yom Kippur, schools closed Sept 22: Senior portraits (appointment required) Sept 24: LMS Student Council Meeting; LMS Back to School Dance Sept 25: LMS Mums pick-up Sept 29: Picture Day (Grades 9โ€“11) ๐Ÿ”— Links Hispanic Heritage Month resources: link text only in source, no URL provided (see LTPS newsletter directly) LTEF newsletter signup: ltefnj.org/newsletter Craft fair vendor signup: link text only in source, no URL provided (see LTPS newsletter directly) Fall Arts Festival volunteers: tinyurl.com/2026FallArtsFest 4-H CloverBud info: nj4h.rutgers.edu/cloverbud
#44

Cardinals in Full Swing: September News from Lawrence High School

๐Ÿ“ Show Notes News from the Nest โ€” Lawrence High School Newsletter, September 15, 2026 Producer's notes: See "Producer's Notes" section above for omissions and acronym expansions. ๐ŸŽ’ Announcements Welcome back message; August newsletter still available with start-of-year info School store reopens Wednesday, September 16, during both lunches (cash/check; new quarter-zip) Fall Picnic: Friday, September 18, during lunch/resource period, stadium turf field School closed Monday, September 21 (Yom Kippur) Senior portraits: final day Tuesday, September 22, LHS auditorium Back-to-School Night: Thursday, September 24, doors 6:30 p.m., program 7โ€“9 p.m. Late bus begins September 24 (Tue/Thu); sign up in Room 319 by 12:45 p.m. Picture Days: grades 9โ€“11 on September 29โ€“30; retake day October 27 Attendance: ext. 5514 (609-671-5514) or Genesis Parent Portal ๐ŸŽญ Homecoming โ€” "Masquerade," Saturday, October 3, German-American Society Ticket Sales Date Location Seniors only Sept 22 700 hall by the pool All grades Sept 23 & 25 300 hall outside Rm. 301 Court nominations open September 22 at 7:40 a.m. ๐Ÿซ Parent Organizations & Fundraisers LMS/LHS PTO new website launched โ€” lmslhspto@gmail.com Craft fair vendors wanted (November) Class of 2027 thrift shop โ€” clothing donations to school lobby Jersey Mike's Dine to Donate, September 17, Lawrence Shopping Center Give and Garden bulb fundraiser Pink-Out shirts (order by Sept 26) for Breast Cancer Awareness Month; Pink-Out game vs. Steinert Oct 23 Football discount cards, $10, local businesses listed in script Laps for a Cause: Saturday, October 24, 11 a.m.โ€“2 p.m., LHS track HomeFront Halloween 5K/1-mile/Pumpkin Dash: Sunday, October 25, 502 Carnegie Center, Princeton ($40/$25/$10, price increase after Oct 17) ๐Ÿ† Brag Bag Nominate a student, teacher, or staff member: kroche@ltps.org ๐ŸŒ Also in this issue (link/image-only, not read aloud) Club Hub: Fellowship in Christ, Theater Company, DECA, Debate Club, Peer Buddies, Lawrencian, Tangents, Teen PEP, Driver's Ed Daily Bell Schedule and Rotation Calendar graphics "Words to Live By" graphic Word Power: la rentrรฉe (French), psithurism (Greek), kouyou (Japanese) ๐Ÿ“… Save the Dates Homecoming Spirit Week: Sept 23 โ€“ Oct 2 Early Dismissal (staff PD): Oct 14 PSAT Day: Oct 20 Teacher Conference Scheduling portal opens: Oct 26 ๐Ÿ”— Links LHS Newsletter Archives (high school website/Facebook) LTPS Quick News district newsletter archive/mailing list ๐Ÿ“ž Contact Newsletter questions: Kerry Roche, kroche@ltps.org Website: www.ltps.org/LHS Location: 2525 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 Phone: 609-671-5510 Facebook: LHSCardinalsNJ | Instagram: @cards_lhs | Twitter: @cardinalslhs
#43

Tax Bills, Trail Rides, and Comfort Pillows

Producer's Notes Ramp closure and dog licensing items reference start dates (June) that predate this edition; included as published in the source newsletter. "FOP" expanded to "Fraternal Order of Police" โ€” not spelled out in source. Source discrepancy: body text lists "2207 Lawrence Road," footer lists "2207 Lawrenceville Road." Script uses "2207 Lawrence Road." Omitted from audio (link-only, no descriptive detail): Mobile Food Pantry schedule, Operation Blue Angel registration, LTPD LinkedIn, NJ Disability Information Hub, Mercer County Cooling Centers, Mercer County Food Finder, individual volunteer opportunity links. ๐Ÿšง Township News Ramp Closure: I-295 southbound, Exit 69B to Rt 206 southbound, closed/detoured for noise barrier installation (Lawrence, Mercer County); right lane closure near Exit 69B also planned. Details Municipal Address Update: PO Box 6006 discontinued. Mail correspondence, including payments, to: Township of Lawrence, 2207 Lawrence Road, Lawrence Township, NJ 08648. Details ๐Ÿ’ฐ Tax Collector ItemDetail3rd Quarter 2026 Taxes | Bills mailed August 6th; due date extended Last day to pay without penalty | Tuesday, September 8, close of business Late payment interest | Accrues back to August 1st Contact | 609-844-7041 ยท website ๐Ÿƒ Recreation Department Fall & Winter programs open for registration โ€” Learn more Hiring: full-time Recreation Leader โ€” applications close 9/4 โ€” Apply Adult Volleyball League: Tuesdays, 10/13โ€“5/4, Lawrence Intermediate School Gym, 6:30โ€“8:30 PM โ€” Register Youth Basketball: multiple grade divisions, Saturdays beginning December 5; High School League begins December 12 โ€” Register ยท Volunteer Senior Center: September Calendar ยท Senior Connect ยท call 609-844-7048 to register Material Donations Needed: fabric/sewing supplies for "Create to Donate" comfort pillow program, drop off at Senior Center, 30 E Darrah Lane, 609-844-7048 Contact: 609-844-7067 ๐Ÿฉบ Health Department Mobile Food Pantry โ€” Schedule Nursing services (vaccinations, blood pressure monitoring, community resource assistance): 609-844-7094 Dog Licensing: 500+ delinquent owners contacted; summonses possible; $9 late fee; rabies vaccination valid through November 2026 โ€” Application ยท Questions Free at-home COVID-19 test kits available while supplies last โ€” Details Contact: 609-844-7089 ยท website ๐Ÿš“ Police Department FOP Lodge 209 Golf Outing: October 21, Mercer Oaks West, West Windsor NJ, $180/golfer, registration deadline September 21, includes 18 holes/1PM shotgun start, meals, open bar, raffle โ€” Register (email) Hiring: Per Diem Public Safety Telecommunicators (dispatchers) โ€” Submit Resume Operation Blue Angel โ€” Details & Registration LTPD LinkedIn ๐Ÿ“… Boards & Committees MeetingDateTimeRecreation Advisory Committee | Thursday, Sept 3 | 6:30 PM Health Advisory Board | Tuesday, Sept 8 | 5:15 PM Public Safety Committee | Tuesday, Sept 8 | 6:30 PM Business & Economic Growth Committee | Tuesday, Sept 8 | 7:00 PM Senior Executive Committee | Wednesday, Sept 9 | 9:30 AM Schedule subject to change for reorganization; check the township website for updates. Municipal Clerk: 609-844-7001. ๐ŸŒณ Community Resources Environmental Education Foundation: Sept 6 Sound Bath for Relaxation, Sept 9 National Trail Mix Day, Sept 18 Sound Bath for Relaxation โ€” Register Historical Society Canal House Challenge: Sunday, Sept 13, 10 AMโ€“4 PM, multiple locations โ€” Details MCLS Comic Book Workshop with Mike Dawson: Saturday, Sept 26, 10 AMโ€“3 PM, Lawrence Headquarters Branch, ages 8+ โ€” Register Lawrence Hopewell Trail Full Moon Ride & Walk: Saturday, Sept 26, check-in 7 PM, begins 7:30 PM, Rosedale Park โ€” Register Electronics Recycling Drop Off: Wednesdays, 7:30โ€“11:45 AM & 12:30โ€“2:30 PM, Joseph H. Mayer Jr. Ecological Center, 3701 Princeton Pike (proof of residency required) Mortgage Assistance (ERMA): COVID-19 hardship relief for eligible homeowners โ€” Details Mercer County Cooling Centers โ€” Details Mercer County Food Finder โ€” Find food NJ Disability Information Hub โ€” Details Crisis Support: Call/text 988 for mental health/substance use crisis support โ€” 988 Lifeline Volunteer Opportunities: Lawrence Historical Society ยท Meals on Wheels ยท Lawrence Township Community Foundation