Back to School, Back Together: Governors, Handbags, and Hope Squads
#45

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

📋 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 — 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.
🏫 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.
🎉 Events & Fundraisers

Event Date Time Location
| LHS Cardinal Thrift Sale  | Sept 26 & Oct 10  | 9 AM–2 PM / 9 AM–3 PM  | LHS Cafeteria
| Craft Fair (vendors wanted)  | Nov 21  | 9 AM–4 PM  | LHS Cafeteria
| LTEF Handbag Bingo (15th Annual)  | Nov 13, 2026  | TBD  | West Trenton Ballroom
🌟 Community Programs

Program Dates Details
| Healthy Kids Running Series  | Sundays 9/27–10/25  | Lawrence Middle School, 4 PM, register
| Girls on the Run  | Sept 24–Nov 16  | Mon/Thu 4:30–5:45 PM, girlsontherunnj.org
| Telugu Language Classes (ManaBadi)  | Sundays, Sept–May  | Greater Princeton area
| Drawing Classes for Kids (Young Rembrandts)  | Fridays 10/16–12/11  | 5–6 PM, The Community Well, Lawrenceville
| Meadows Miler (10th Annual)  | Oct 24  | Rosedale Park, Pennington — benefits PCDI
| 4-H CloverBud Club  | Ongoing  | Grades K–3
| Dolly Parton Candlelight Experience  | Nov 7  | Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, 2 sittings
| Mercer County Cotillion  | Oct 27–Feb 2  | Trinity Church Princeton — see flyer for details
📅 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 9–11)
🔗 Links