April 3, 2008

PERSONNEL CHANGES
Greg Dufoe, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, has resigned from his position to become the new superintendent of the Adel Desoto Minburn School District in Iowa.  In recent years, Mr. Dufoe served as principal and assistant principal at Liberty Middle School and was a Language Arts teacher in Iowa before coming to the Liberty School District. Mr. Dufoe holds a bachelors and masters degree from the University of Iowa and a specialist degree in educational administration from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. The new position will allow Greg, his wife, and four children to be closer to family. He will be missed, and we wish him the very best in his new position.

The Board of Education accepted Mr. Dufoe’s resignation at the March 31 board meeting.

Dr. Robert Vogelaar was named Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations.  Dr. Vogelaar is currently Principal at South Valley Middle School.  He has spent the last six years in administration at South Valley, the last four years as principal.  Dr. Vogelaar holds a bachelors degree in Curriculum & Instruction, a masters degree in Communication Studies, a masters degree in Educational Leadership, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership.   He has served the last two years as Treasurer and Executive Board Member of the Central States Center for School Reform.  Currently, he serves as President of the Greater Kansas City Missouri Principals Association.  He and family reside in Liberty.

LIBERTY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM AT NATIONAL MUSIC EDUCATORS CONFERENCE

Liberty Public Schools is proud to announce the first performance of the Liberty Senior High School Symphonic Orchestra at the 61st MENC National Biennial In-Service Conference. The orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Mary Lou Jones and Mrs. Andra Lewin, will perform for music educators from across the nation on Saturday, April 12, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Liberty Public Schools is extremely proud of its fine arts program, which comprises an 82-course curriculum and offers superb learning opportunities in orchestra, band, vocal music, general music, speech, debate, theatre, and visual arts. The district has 62 fine arts teachers in 14 buildings who conduct almost 1,000 rehearsals, performances, exhibits, and special events each year.

Orchestral ensembles from Liberty Public Schools consistently receive top ratings at the Missouri State High School Activities Association Large Group Music Festival. Small ensembles and individual soloists also frequently receive high ratings.

The high school orchestra has participated in the National Festival of the States in Washington, DC and was also invited to participate in a workshop with the U.S. Air Force Strolling Strings in June, 2004. In May 2007, the orchestra represented Missouri at the 400th anniversary celebration of the founding of Jamestown.

LJHS STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR STATE COMPETITION
The National History Day competition on March 8 at the Truman Library was a great success for some gifted LJHS students. A total of 418 students competed in the Junior (grades 6-8) and Senior (grades 9-12) divisions.  In the sixteen categories of competition, LJHS students received 5 first place winners and 2 second place winners! A total of 12 students are continuing on to the state level contest in Columbia on April 12. Penny Holm is the LJHS Gifted Communication Arts teacher.

Junior division

1st place
Emma Barry – Exhibit board(Kansas City race riots of 1968)

Mack Yi and George Glazier – documentary(The French strike of 1968)

Shannon O’Grady, Madison Wixom, and Jonathan Enders – Dramatic performance(The Spanish Inquisition)

2^nd place
Bradley Dice – Web site(The Korean War-The power of politics)

Senior Division

1^st place
Michael Hon and Erin Howard – Exhibit board (The Olympic Games of 1980)
Ami Jester – Web site(Apollo-Soyuz Test Project)

2^nd place
Jennifer Baldwin and Elizabeth Roecker – Dramatic performance (The political reign of Idi Amin Dada)

DISTRICT MUSIC FESTIVAL RESULTS FOR ORCHESTRA
Congratulations to the orchestra students who participated in the MSHSAA District Music Festival on Saturday.  Special thanks to teachers Tania Campbell, LJH; Andra Lewin, SVJH; and Mary Lou Jones, LHS.

Ratings were as follows:

“I”or Superior

Emily Anderson, SVJH, Viola Solo

Lindsey Gregory, LJH, Violin Solo

Michael Hon, LJH, Cello Solo

Michelle Patton, Krista Koch, LJH, Violin Duet

Brendan Lean, LJH, Bass Solo

Ami Jester, LJH, Cello Solo

Michael Hon, LJH, Cello Solo

Lindsey Gregory, LJH, Violin Solo

James Duvall, LHS, Viola Solo

Tina Bradshaw, Brittany Stockwell, LHS Violin Duet

Anna Bridgman, LHS, Violin Solo

Joseph Tatum, LHS, Cello Solo

Amy Marrs, Danielle Gregoire, LHS, Violin Duet

Alison Tatum, Joseph Tatum, LHS, Violin/Cello Duet

Melissa McAnally, LHS, Violin Solo

Kristy Biermann, LHS, Violin Solo

Danielle Landrum, LHS, Cello Solo

Corey Testorff, LHS, Viola Solo

Riley Kurtenbach, LHS, Viola Solo

Alison Tatum, LHS, Violin Solo

Josh Comninellis, Corey Testorff, LHS, Violin/Viola Duet

Jessica Scassellati, LHS, Viola Solo

Melissa Kelly, Mai Le, LHS, Violin Duet

Tina Bradshaw, LHS, Violin Solo

Jaime Price, LHS, Violin Solo

Bryce McDonald, LHS, Bass Solo

Alyssa Kelly, LHS, Violin Solo

Shelby Bell, LHS, Violin Solo

Bryce McDonald, Rosey Matney, LHS, Viola/Bass Duet

Rosey Matney, LHS, Viola Solo

“II” or Excellent

Jaclyn McKee, LJH, Violin Solo

Stewart Duncan, LJH, Violin Solo

Ben Reynolds, LJH, Viola Solo

Kim DeGoosh, LJH, Violin Solo

Ami Jester, Lindsey Gregory, LJH, Violin/Cello Duet

Annie Stocksdale, Collette Slofkosky, LJH, Violin Duet

Diane Steifthau, LJH, Violin Solo

Allie Kline, Karen, LHS, Violin Duet

Monroe Gamble, LHS, Viola Solo

Brittany Stockwell, LHS, Viola Solo

Josh Comninellis, LHS, Violin Solo

Brianna Magnuson, LHS, Violin Solo

Wesley Hodges, LHS, Viola Solo

Jon Heiman, LHS, Cello Solo

Jessica Baker, LHS, Violin Solo

“III” or Good

Christine Paeth, Arielle Saulsbury, SVJH, Violin Duet

Kelsey Chabot, Becca Graham, Taressa Alicie

and Rhocia Ibok, SVJH, Violin Quartet

Emily Anderson, Zach Boss, SVJH, Viola/Cello Duet

Jessica Cato, LJH, Violin Solo

Stacey Caudillo, Jaci Elliott, LJH, Violin Duet

Chans Dykes, Brandon Harris

and  Meagan Mahanes, LHS, Violin/Cello Trio

Wesley Hodges, Monroe Gamble, LHS, Viola Duet

Kayla Morgan, LHS, Viola Solo

Melissa McAnally, Kris Poe, LHS, Violin Duet

Tyler Cowart, Miguel Valdes, Rachel White, LHS, Violin/Viola Trio

Samantha Fiek, Tara Raweewon, LHS, Violin Duet

DISTRCT MUSIC FESTIVAL RESULTS FOR BAND
The Liberty Public Schools Band Department had a very successful day at the Missouri State High School Activities Association’s District Solo/Ensemble Music Festival held at Liberty High School on Saturday, March 29.  Twenty-eight events received a “I” or Superior rating and will advance to the State Music Festival held at the University of Missouri-Columbia on Friday, April 25.  The band staff – Paul Warnex, Shane Fuller, Cindy Svehla, and Jeff Lean would like to thank the students, parents, administration, community, and private instructors for their support of this very successful event.

Soloists receiving a “I” rating (Superior)

Flutes – Jackie Williams, Shannon Loethen, Audrey Adams, Alan Bruner

Clarinets – Heather Carrel, Brianna McKown

Bass Clarinet – Lauren Taylor

Trumpets – Allyson Lean, Christina Kuhlmann, Lauren Fitzpatrick

French Horns – Casey Chlapek, Jennifer Garrison

Trombones – David Warnex, Evan Edwards

Tuba – Taylor Hunt

Snare Drum – Dalton Breshears

Timpani – Dalton Breshears

Piano – Matt Armstrong, Layne Sutton, Bethany McQuerry, Lilith Riehl, Austin Sutton

Ensembles receiving a “I” rating (Superior)

LHS Percussion Ensemble – Taylor Juenger, Collin Huster, James Shackelford, Tony Sekine, Adri Spiehs, Christina Kuhlmann, Ryan Mose, Zach Brown

LJHS Percussion Ensemble – Ben Reynolds, Dominique Sullivan, Derek Testorff, Dalton Breshears, Cole McClain

French Horn Quartet – Casey McQuerry, Casey Chlapek, Sara Stewart, Jennifer Garrison

Flute Trio – Shannon Loethen, Rebecca Owens, Jackie Williams

Mixed Clarinet Quartet – Heather Carrel, Audra Bunch, Sara Yunghans, Lauren Taylor

Flute Quartet – Jackie Williams, Shannon Loethen, Audrey Adams, Whitney Nielsen

Soloists receiving a “II” rating (Excellent)

Flutes – Lane Zipsie, Heather Roebbeke

Clarinets – Amy Hull, Erica Boan, Audra Bunch, Jenny Patton, Allison Wenzel, Courtney Gibson, Gabe Parra

Trumpet – Brenton Sterle

French Horn – Olivia Nalley

Trombone – Brendan Lean

Euphonium – Trevor Bond

Snare Drum – Alexis Popa, Derek Testorff, John Wehr

Ensembles receiving “II” rating (Excellent)

Percussion Ensemble – Jordan Fowler, Ryan Barman, Tyler Phillips, Mitchell Allen

Clarinet Quartet – Jenny Patton, Brianna McKown, Sandra Hinton, Amy Hull

Flute Trio – Alan Bruner, Haley Protzman, Heather Roebbeke

Flute Trio – Katelin Hill, Mallory Hamilton, Shannon Weber

Woodwind Quintet – Emily Aunspaugh, Alan Bruner, Courtney Gibson, Olivia Nalley, Samantha Lacey

Brass Quintet – Allyson Lean, Christina Kuhlmann, Casey Chlapek, David Warnex, Taylor Hunt

LIBERTY ROBOTICS TEAM RANKS HIGH IN COMPETITION IN DENVER

The Liberty Robotics Team performed well during its second competition of the year in Denver, Colorado, this past week.  At the end of the qualifying matches, the team was ranked 7^th out of 42 teams and was elected team captain of the 6^th alliance during final matches.  During final matches, the team made it to quarterfinals, but was not able to qualify past this point.  Throughout the entire competition, the team showed outstanding leadership and strategy skills, helping to win many close matches against their opponents. 

Furthermore, they were awarded the Motorola Quality Award given to the team whose robot shows great design and fabrication techniques, along with machine robustness to endure the competition.  This includes custom omni-directional wheels designed by the students, as well as sensors, such as digital compasses, gyro and ultrasonic ranging sensors, to help guide and drive the robot.

Special thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Pride Manufacturing, Aquila Inc., ProAct Marketing Group Inc., and the Liberty Public School District, as well as the parents and mentors who have donated their time and effort to help the students this year.  You are all inspiring the future!

LIBERTY SCHOLAR BOWL EARNS FIRST PLACE VICTORY

Who says lightning can’t strike twice?  The Liberty Scholar Bowl varsity team earned yet another first place victory at the Lexington Minuteman Varsity Academic Tournament on Saturday, March 29.  After securing two wins and suffering one loss in the morning preliminary rounds, Liberty battled their way back in the afternoon single-elimination play-offs to defeat two of the best teams in the state and earn the 1^st place trophy.  Both Savannah and North Kansas City fell to the Liberty team’s superior competition play, resulting in another victory for this hard-working team.

Team members include Spencer Fish (captain), Allie Kline, Cameron Kieffer, Alex Dobson, Lucas Mobberley, Katelin Hill, Andrew Hart, and James Hatler.  The team is coached by Alison Schultz, Lindsay Frey, Mary Coogan, and Rosemary Camp.

LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL BAND MEMBERS RAISE FUNDS FOR HAWAII TRIP

LHS band members are currently selling trash bags to help offset the cost of their Hawaii 2009 trip.  Members are selling two sizes of bags:  39 gallon (25 bags/roll) and 55 gallon (16 bags/roll).  The bags are 2 mil thick and are much heavier (and reliable) than standard household trash bags.  The bags are Blue Jay Blue; the 39-gallon bags will be printed with “LHS Bands”, and the Blue Jay logo on appears on each bag.  Each roll costs $13. All profits from the sale of the bags go directly to the account of the band member selling the trash bags.  This fundraiser will be ongoing through May of 2009, but the first orders are due by April 4, with a delivery date of April 25.  Please contact your favorite band member and order a roll or two.  Or send an email to bandbags@gmail.com.  Someone from the band will contact you to get your order information.  Thanks for your support. Hawaii, here we come!

LHS CHEERLEADING TRYOUTS
LHS Cheer tryouts will be held April 8-11.  There will be an informational meeting on Wednesday, March 26, at 6 p.m. in the LHS commons. Please contact Brenda Moats at bmoats@liberty.k12.mo.us with any questions.

LIBERTY SAPPHIRE TRYOUTS

Auditions for the 2008-2009 Sapphires will be open to 9^th, 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th graders.  Tryout dates are scheduled for April 2, 3, and 4.  For more information, please contact Coach Maggie Willis (mwillis@liberty.k12.mo.us) or Coach Stephanie Simon (ssimon@liberty.k12.mo.us).

INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN HEALTHCARE?

Meet professionals, learn about careers in high demand, and talk with college representatives on Tuesday, April 15 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at the North Kansas City Hospital Health Services Pavilion, 2800 Clay Edwards Drive, North Kansas City, MO.  This is an opportunity to connect students with healthcare careers.  For more information call 413-5057 or email alight@nkcsd.k12.mo.us .

PARENTS AS TEACHERS PROGRAM
Trucks, trucks, and more trucks!  Join Liberty’s Parents as Teachers for some up close time with some BIG TRUCKS, Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at South Valley Junior High and Middle School parking lot, 1000 MidJay Drive.  You can act like you are coming for your children even if you really want to check them out yourself.  You and your child are invited to walk around, touch, talk to the drivers, and be amazed by the size of the vehicles. No pre-registration required.

AUTISM ALLIANCE PLANS ACTIVITIES

The 5^th annual KC Walk for Autism Awareness will take place on Saturday, April 12, at 901 NW Blue Parkway, Unity Village.   Registration begins at 9 a.m. For the past several years, Manor Hill Elementary has had a team called “Liberty’s Kids”.  If you are interested in participating on Liberty’s team, go the Web site and follow the instructions to register as part of the Liberty’s Kids team.  To register, or for more information, go to: http://www.autismalliancekc.org or call Vonda Murphy at 223-9632.

FIRST ANNUAL BARRETT WEPLER/LIBERTY BLUE JAYS BASKETBALL CLASSIC
The 1^st Annual Barrett Wepler/Liberty Blue Jays Basketball Classic will be held April 18 – 20 at Liberty Junior High School.  The tournament is for boys and girls, grades 4– 12.  The entry fee is $175, and each team will be guaranteed 3 games.  The entry deadline is April 11.  Proceeds will benefit the Barrett Wepler Scholarship Fund and the Liberty Blue Jay men’s basketball team.  Awards will be given to 1^st and 2^nd place finishers in each division.  If you have a team and are looking for a great tournament right here in your own back yard, you shouldn’t miss this one.  If you have any questions or would like to get an entry form, please contact Robert Brinser at rbrinser@kc.rr.com.  GO BLUEJAYS!

HILLCREST WALK FOR THE HOMELESS - CLAY COUNTY
The 19th annual Hillcrest Walk for the Homeless is May 17, 2008. The 2.8 mile walk benefits Hillcrest Transitional Housing of Clay County by raising awareness and funds to support its mission to transition homeless families to self-sufficiency. This is a family-friendly event with food, fun, and prizes. Check-in begins at 7 a.m. The walk begins at 8 a.m. at Rotary Plaza, the corner of Franklin and Gallatin Streets in Liberty.

Walkers can register at www.hillcresttranstionalhousing.org or call Hillcrest at 816-694-7849.

Continue your day at the adjoining Liberty Heritage Festival, which starts at 9 a.m. on the Liberty Square. Craft booths, food and free activities available for children.

SCHUMACHER MATH-A-THON

For the 6^th year in a row, students at Schumacher Elementary have had the opportunity to practice the life skill of caring by participating in the St. Jude Math-A-Thon.  Students work on 200-250 fun math problems, then collect pledges based on the number of problems they complete.  All money benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which treats children from around the world with catastrophic diseases, such as sickle cell anemia, AIDS, and leukemia.  No child is ever turned away due to lack of insurance or ability to pay.  St. Jude is one of the leading research hospitals, constantly searching for better treatments and cures for these horrible diseases.  You can check out St. Jude and the Math-A-Thon program through their Web site at:  www.mathathon.org  or through a link on the Schumacher Web site.  Schumacher students are trying to raise over $6,000 in order to surpass the amount they raised last year.  If you would like to help Schumacher students reach this goal and support the St. Jude Math-A-Thon, please contact Laura Pixler, Math-A-Thon coordinator, (lpixler@liberty.k12.mo.us)

MAKE UP SNOW DAYS INFORMATION

Liberty School District officials have examined the school calendar closely, and since the district has aligned its calendar with Missouri requirements, only one make up day will be required at this point.

Students will attend school the following days:

Thursday, May 29, will be a full day instead of the half day currently on the calendar.

Friday, May 30, will be the last day of school with a 4-hour early dismissal.  School lunch will not be served at any schools.  Preschool students will not attend on May 30. 

If additional snow days occur beyond March, the calendar may be extended into early June. We will keep you posted through QuickNews and through your school buildings if additional changes occur to the 2007-08 calendar. 

AFTER PROM COMMITTEE NEEDS YOUR FINANCIAL HELP
After Prom 2008 is fast approaching for LHS juniors and seniors.  This 2008 “Through the Looking Glass” themed party is a parent-sponsored event designed to keep our students (800+) safe on prom night, May 3, 2008.  The school’s After Prom parent committee is asking community members and parents to provide support in the form of monetary and product donations.  Past donations have included decorations, food, and prizes such as gift certificates.  Monetary donations help finance activities such as a food court, obstacle course, hypnotist, and games.  Individuals or businesses wishing to support this event may send checks made payable to “LHS After Prom” to the following address:

LHS After Prom
P.O. Box 1328
Liberty, MO  64069-1328
Those interested in donating other items may contact Kay Carrico, 792-2470.  Those interested in volunteering to help at the event may contact Gwen Williams at gwilliams25@kc.rr.com.

ACT PREP CLASSES AVAILABLE AT LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL

LHS will offer ACT preparatory classes before the April 12 national test.  Registration is required. The cost is $10 for LHS students, $20 for Liberty students living in Liberty, but attend school in a different district, and $50 for non-Liberty students. Early results from October classes indicate that students are improving their scores by an average of 2 points. Please register early and take advantage of this instructionally sound, cost-effective opportunity.  Classes will be offered on April 2 and April 9 from

6–9 p.m.  Classes will also be offered on Saturday, March 15, March 29, and April 5 from 9 a.m.– 3 p.m.  Students/parents may register at the attendance office at Liberty High School. For more information, contact Eric Greely at LHS at 736-7032.

CLOTHES CLOSET CAN USE YOUR HELP
The Liberty Council of PTA's has partnered with the Clay County Clothes Closet to provide free clothing to Clay County children, which includes kids in Liberty schools.  The Closet primarily meets the needs of children; however, all ages are served.  Over 2,000 people a year are referred to the Closet by agencies, churches, and schools.  Liberty school service groups and PTA's will collect new and gently worn clothing during select weeks.  The following school will hold its drive as designated:

South Valley Middle School (contact Julie Wolff, 415-1698) April 7-11

For information regarding collection at the schools, contact your PTA designee.   To obtain additional information concerning the program, please contact Liberty Council Chairperson Sheryl Kaullen at 781-6975, kaullen@sbcglobal.net

YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE GATEWAY DRUG FORUM

Complimentary dinner, presentations and entertainment will be presented to families by the Liberty Alliance for Youth, Inc. Parents and students are invited to attend a forum, today, April 3, at Warren Hills Elementary, 1301 Camille Street, to learn more about how substances and prescription drugs impact families and the community.  Dinner will be provided by the Olive Garden at 5:30 p.m., a keynote speaker at 6:30 p.m., and presentations at 7:15 p.m.  Children will be entertained by magician Jim Lysaght while parents attend the breakout sessions. RSVP’s were to have been made by March 31 to Peggy Sparks, 736-7315. 

ENROLL FOR PARENT/CHILD SEX ED CLASSES

If you want to talk to your child about sex, but worry about giving your child too much, too little, or the wrong kinds of sexual information, Clay County Public Health Center & Liberty Schools Community Education have a course to assist you:

 “Growing With Your Child” (ages 9-12) course is on Sundays, March 30, April 6, 20, and May 4, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Liberty Presbyterian Church, 138 N. Main.  Register with Liberty Schools Community Education at 816-736-7117 or www.paypams.com/liberty . Fee is $30 per family.

This abstinence-based program allows parents and children an opportunity to explore the facts, feelings, attitudes, and values related to human sexuality.  The program has a "family centered" philosophy which is team-taught – the instructors presenting the factual information and facilitating discussion, and the parents sharing their values and beliefs. Group activities, games, films, and "mini-lectures" are structured to allow both parent and child to have fun together as well as to learn.  Facilitators will be from Clay County Public Health Center.

Questions? Call Kathleen Welton, Clay County Public Health Center, 816-595-4235 or kwelton@clayhealth.com

CAMP GONE WILD SUMMER PROGRAM

Enrollment dates for the Liberty Kids Zone summer program is March 3- April 11.  A summer school before and after care program will be offered June 9-July 2. The program will be located at all summer school sites.  Full day camp will take place July 7 – August 8, and will be located at Warren Hills Elementary School.  Space is limited to the first 450 students.  The cost of the camp covers daily field trips, movies, swimming, bowling, skating, gymnastics, and Friday Fun trips to places like Worlds of Fun, Power Play and the Kansas City Zoo.  A weekly curriculum of reading, music, art, cooking and science are also part of the camp schedule.  Breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack, travel t-shirts and safety wristbands are provided.  For more information and the cost of the programs, call the Kid’s Zone office at 736-5378.

EARNEST SHEPHERD YOUTH CENTER SUMMER PROGRAMS

Looking for fun this summer?  Come join the Earnest Shepherd Youth Center staff for a great adventure.  You can choose between the famous Harry Potter Camp, Camp Crazee Daze, Art Camp (taught by Lynn Pierce and Ann Grundy), Adventure Camp, and Swim Lessons.  Registration begins on March 31 at 8 a.m.   Call Earnest Shepherd Youth Center at 781-7733 for more information.   Hope to see you at camp this summer at Earnest Shepherd Youth Center!  Nancy Elkins Mense, Executive Director, MenseN@missouri.edu