March 6, 2008

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2008 BOND ISSUE AT EVENT ON SATURDAY
The Liberty PTA invites you and your family to the Community Campaign Kickoff Rally at 12 noon on Saturday at the Liberty Community Center, 1600 S. Withers Road. This is an opportunity for members of the Liberty Public School District family to learn more about the No-Tax-Increase bond issue on the April 8 ballot.  Student led entertainment, community speakers, free T-shirts to the first 100 and snacks will be available.  The event is free and open to the public. Join in the fun!

SEUSSICAL JR. PERFORMANCE THIS WEEKEND!

South Valley Middle School presents the spring musical “Seussical Jr.”  The performances are March 6, 7, 8, at 7 p.m. on the SVMS Stage; 1000 MidJay Drive.  “Seussical Jr.” is based on the works of Doctor Seuss’s incredible series of books.  Characters that visit the stage are the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Mayzie and Gertrude the Birds, Yertle the Turtle, the citizens of Whoville, the Grinch, and many more.  This innovative musical weaves together his most famous tales and characters in unexpected ways.  Many of these characters have never met one another before; however, they get that opportunity in this musical.  The students of the cast and crew are directed by Lisa Southern and Lori Zeller, with the help of Eric Forsman, Amy Wright, and Robin Lewis.  Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for students and went on sale Feb. 14.   All shows (Thursday through Saturday) will begin at 7 p.m. with theater doors opening approximately 30 minutes before show time.  For more information, please contact any cast or crew member, as well as the directors at South Valley Middle School.
SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE THIS WEEKEND!
Liberty Middle School presents Schoolhouse Rock Live! this weekend at the Liberty Performing Arts Theater, 1600 S. Withers Road. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7 p.m. and a Sunday matinee begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5.00 at Liberty Middle School or from any cast member. The musical draws its inspiration from the Emmy-Award winning Saturday morning cartoon series of the 1970s that taught history, grammar, math, science and government. Many will remember popular songs like “Conjunction Junction,” “Unpack Your Adjectives,” and “The Great American Melting Pot.” The show features a large cast, and audiences are sure to enjoy the colorful sets and costumes. The production is directed by Christine Gregoire with musical direction by Leslie Bunch.  For more information, visit the LMS musical’s website: www.libertybluejays.com/schoolhouserocklive/

LIBERTY ROBOTICS PARTICIPATES IN FIRST COMPETITION

Liberty Robotics will head to its first competition this Thursday – Saturday (March 6-8^th) at Hale Arena (1701 American Royal Way in Kansas City. Hale Arena is part of the Kemper complex down in the West bottoms.  Thursday will be practice matches started at 9 am and running until about 4 pm.  Saturday, we start our regulation seating matches at about 9 am and finish again about 4 pm.  Saturday, we finish up with seating matches on Saturday morning.  Saturday after lunch, we start the single elimination final rounds.  If you can’t attend in person, you can watch online at http://www.more.net/mets/first/ .  Live video streaming and will archive all matches.  The Liberty Robotics team number is team 1764. Every robot  was designed and built by high school students.  Hope you can join us!

ANNUAL ITALIAN DINNER FUNDRAISER SET FOR SUNDAY

If you want a great meal and to help some great causes, plan to attend the 20^th Annual Italian Dinner, Sunday, March 9, from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Liberty High School cafeteria.  Adults and students are $5, while children under 6 are free.  The annual event benefits the American Cancer Society, The Children’s Spot, Down Syndrome Association, In-As-Much Ministries of Liberty, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and the Student Assistance Fund.  Make checks payable to Liberty Senior High School.  Sponsors for this year’s event include:  students and teachers of LHS, LJHS, and SVJHS, Mr. Strada, employees of Wal-Mart, Price Chopper of Liberty, McDonald’s, the Fraternal Order of Police of Liberty P.D., Missouri State Trooper Association, E.R. Physicians of Liberty Hospital, Cici’s Pizza, Crowley Furniture, Pepsi,  Backyard Burgers, Hy-Vee, QuickTrip, Applebee’s, LJHS Renaissance Program, Longhorn  Steak House, Belfonte Ice Cream, American Italian Pasta Company, Mr. Goodcents, Scimeca’s Italian Sausage Company, Lipton Dairy Farmers of America, Liberty Tribune, Liberty Sun, and Olive Garden.  

MATH AND SCIENCE NIGHT FOR THIRD GRADE STUDENTS AND PARENTS

Third Grade Family Science and Math Night will be held March 11 at the high school from 6-8 p.m.  All third grade students and their parents are invited to attend this exciting and engaging evening of science and math activities – come let our high school students show you the amazing worlds of chemistry, biology, geology, and physics!  The high school students spend quite a bit of time and energy preparing to entertain and teach the third graders through cool math and science activities. 

SESSION FOR PARENTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KINDERGARTEN
This event is designed for all ALMOST Kindergarteners and their parents, March 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the new Early Childhood Center, 9600 NE 79^th Street in Kansas City, Missouri (next to Crossley Ford).  “Specials” in kindergarten are the classes that take place away from the regular classroom.  We have wonderful music, art, and physical education teachers who are planning activities just for children who will be entering kindergarten next fall.  Come and see how much fun it is to work and play in Liberty’s kindergarten!  Call the PAT office at 736-7020 or e-mail dhead@liberty.k12.mo.us to reserve your place in class! 

BOARD MEETING SET FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 13
The Liberty Board of Education normally meets the 3^rd Monday of every month, but the date will change for the March meeting due to Spring Break. The March board meeting has been set for Thursday, March 13. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Administration Center, 650 Conistor.   

DEADLINE IS FAST APPROACHING – MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT

The Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce and Character for All Committee, working with Liberty Public Schools, are sponsoring a poster contest to promote positive character traits in the Liberty community.  The Liberty for All Program believes this contest will enhance the culture of the Liberty area by focusing on selected character traits that enable children and adults to be productive members of the community and workplace. 

Vote for the poster that best represents the character of the Liberty community.  The top vote-getter will have their poster displayed throughout the community and schools.  Chamber Cash will be awarded to the top three selections.  You may vote for your favorite entry as many times as you wish at www.libertycharacter.com   Click on the “Poster Voting Contest”, and cast your vote through March 14.  Questions?  Contact Cindy Dunlap at cdunlap@liberty.k12.mo.us
HIGH SCHOOL PERSONAL SAFETY AND AWARENESS SELF-DEFENSE CLASSES
Personal Safety and Awareness Self Defense classes are being offered to any LHS female in grades 10 through 12.  This course is free and filled with valuable information on how to maintain personal safety.  The classes will be offered after school from 3 to 4 p.m. in the high school LMC.  Currently, classes will be held on March 12, April 2, April 16, April 22, and May 9.  The classes are lead by Officer Andy Davis of the Missouri State Patrol.  If you are interested in attending, please email Brett Coffman at bcoffman@liberty.k12.mo.us.    

FEMALE  SAFETY AWARENESS TRAINING
Liberty Public Schools will host an extended personal safety awareness training session for LPS 6^th-12^th grade female students, LPS female parents, and LPS female employees from 9 – 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, at South Valley Junior High.  This hands-on course will cover basic self-defense strategies such as how to get away from an attacker.  The cost is $25 per person.  To sign up, call Peggy at 736-7315 before March 15^th. 

BUCKLE UP – SEATBELT CHECKS
During the next few days, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Liberty Police Department will be conducting child restraint and seatbelt enforcement checks at school sites around the district.  These are routine checks to remind and encourage families to engage in safe travel to and from school. 

LIBERTY SAPPHIRE TRYOUTS

There will be an informational meeting for all dancers interested in trying out for the 2008-09 Liberty Sapphire Dance Team on Thursday, March 27, at 5 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.  Coaches ask that parents also attend this meeting.  Auditions for the Sapphires will be open to 9, 10, 11, and 12 graders.  Sapphire 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).
SCHUMACHER MATH-A-THON

For the 6th year in a row, students at Schumacher Elementary have 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, beating 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. 

·         Monday, March 24, the last day of Spring Break, has been set aside as an additional make up day if inclement weather occurs before Spring Break. 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 at 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 Wednesday, Feb. 27, March 5, March 12, March 26, 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 schools will hold their drives as designated:
Warren Hills Elementary (contact Linda Wansing, 415-4339) March 3-14

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

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

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^th – 20^th at Liberty Junior High School.  The tournament is for boys and girls, grade 4^th – 12^th.  The entry fee is $175, and each team will be guaranteed 3 games.  The entry deadline is April 11^th.  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!!!!    

ENGINEERING IS ELEMENTARY ARRIVES IN LIBERTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS!
Engineering is Elementary is an innovative program created by the Museum of Boston to infuse engineering and technology principles with science and math content. To better understand the world we live in, 3^rd – 5^th grade students at Warren Hills and Alexander Doniphan will begin an eight- week journey to foster engineering and technology literacy through after school clubs. The students enrolled in this after school program will gain knowledge of the industrial  engineering field through a study of simple machines. The Marvelous Machines study challenges students to not only learn about engineering and simple machines, but to become an engineer and apply their scientific knowledge as they redesign a current system to be more effective.  By offering this after school club to students this spring, Liberty Public Schools will be the first to introduce the Engineering is Elementary to elementary students in the state of Missouri and the Kansas City area. Students will also have the opportunity to sign up for an Elementary is Engineering session through the Summer Adventure program. Summer Adventure is offering two different sessions at each of the six elementary sites.  

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 two courses for you this spring. 
“Growing With Your Teen” for parents and youth (ages13-16) at Clay County Public Health Center, 800 Haines Drive, Liberty, MO, meets on Tuesdays, March 4, 11, 18, 25, and April 1 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Topics are “Communication”, “STDs”, “Teen Parents”, “Responsible Choices”, and “Dating and Relationships”. Register with Liberty Schools Community Education at 816-736-7117 or www.paypams.com/liberty . Fee is $30 per family.
“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.  A "parents only" orientation is March 16. 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

CUB SCOUT SPRING RECRUITMENT
Cub Scout Pack 394 will have a boy and adult spring recruiting meeting for boys grades K - 4 attending Liberty Oaks Elementary.  An informational meeting will  take place on Wednesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. in the Liberty Oaks cafeteria.  Questions? Contact Brian Streich at 781-3885 or bjstreich@kc.rr.com. Boys are eligible to attend summer camp and many of the activities planned for the summer. 

GIRL SCOUTING INFORMATION AVAILABLE
If you are interested in learning more information about Girl Scouts in Liberty, please email joinscouts611@hotmail.com.  Girl Scouts is open to all levels of scouting - kindergarten through 12th grade.

SUMMER SCIENCE CAMPS OFFERED AT WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE
The Jewell Academy for Women in Science (JAWS) and the Jewell Academy for Men in Science (JAMS) will be hosting residential summer camps for rising 7^th- and 8^th-graders on the William Jewell College campus in Liberty, Mo. Thanks to a generous grant from The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the week-long, interactive camps are open to students from across the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. 

The JAWS camp for girls is scheduled to take place June 15-21; the JAMS camp for boys is scheduled for June 22-28. In order to participate, students must attend the entire camp. Lodging and meals will be provided for campers in William Jewell’s residence halls and dining facilities throughout the week. The cost for the camp is $200, but scholarships are available on a sliding scale. The application deadline is April 4, and 40 slots are available for each academy.  The camp will be based on an interdisciplinary, integrative curriculum focusing on the concept of energy. Specifically, student participants will be exposed to biology, chemistry, ecology, physics, computer science and bioethics through hands-on laboratory learning. Evenings will feature less-structured science enrichment activities. In addition to the science curriculum, the camp will feature extensive leadership training, goal-setting, teambuilding and cooperation skills, and personal development.  Applicants should be in the 6^th- or 7^th-grade (or the home school equivalent) during the 2007-08 school year. Students from diverse backgrounds or representing underserved populations are especially encouraged to apply.  Applications can be found online at www.jewell.edu/scienceacademies/.  Completed applications should be mailed to: William Jewell College, Jewell Science Academies, Campus Box #1059, 500 College Hill, Liberty, MO 64068. 

SVJH BAND IS SUPERIOR AT MUSIC CONTEST
The SVJH Band participated in the Kansas City Metro Middle School/Junior High Band Festival on Saturday, March 1, at Lee’s Summit.  The group received a unanimous (1) Superior rating from the panel of judges.  The band worked very hard all week in preparation for the contest with numerous extra rehearsals.  The band recorded a CD last Friday morning that will be used for an audition to perform at the 2009 Missouri Music Educators Conference.  On Saturday, February 23, high school and junior high jazz ensembles from Liberty traveled to the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg for their annual Jazzfest.  The Liberty High School Big Band Jazz Group and the Liberty Jazz Trio each received a (1) Superior rating from the panel of judges.  Seniors Allyson Lean and Dominique Sanders and junior Devin Cline received “Outstanding Musicianship” awards.  The Junior High Jazz Ensemble comprised of students from Liberty Junior High and South Valley Junior High received a (2) Excellent rating.  9^th graders Brendan Lean, Derek Testorff, and Nick Motta each received “Outstanding Musicianship” awards.  The high school jazz groups will travel to Maryville this Saturday to compete in the Northwest Jazz Festival.  Jazz groups from the high school, junior high, and middle school will perform in the annual “Jazz and Java”  held in the Liberty High School gym on Saturday, April 12, from 6-8 p.m. 

TEAM HEADS TO NATIONAL TOURNAMENT
The Speech and Debate team competed at the National Forensics League District tournament and qualified eight students to the National tournament in Las Vegas, NV.  The students had to place in the top three in each event.  The team will try to add more students to this list this weekend at Park Hill South, where they will compete in the Forensics and Public Speaking Events.  Congratulations to the following National Qualifiers for 2008. 

Cara Ascarrunz/Kristen Wright- Policy Debate
Jace Gilmore/Max Pepper Policy Debate
Sam Tabory- Lincoln Douglas Debate
Katie Whittaker- Lincoln Douglas Debate
Max Mikitish/Susan Taylor- Public Forum Debate 

LIBERTY SAPPHIRES WIN 3^RD PLACE AT STATE COMPETITION

The Liberty Sapphires traveled to Blue Springs South High School on Feb. 23 to compete in the 6A Missouri State Dance Competition.  The Sapphires earned a 1^st place trophy for their pom routine, another 1^st place trophy for their novelty routine, and a 2^nd place trophy for their prop routine. Combining all three total scores from their routines, the Sapphires brought home a Sweepstake High Point Award, as well as the 6A 3^rd Place Missouri Dance Team title.  Along with the team awards, many Sapphires were named to the All-Academic Missouri Dance Team.  Sapphires honored for holding a 4.0 GPA were Coleen Sumpter, Anna McKee, Jill Strayer, and Hayley White.  Sapphires honored for holding a 3.5-3.9 GPA were Brianna Blackmon, Mandi Derryberry, Nikki Dinsmore, Courtney Kuhnhenn, Leah Marx, Jacelyn Miller, Tara Salmon, and Mallory Williams.  

Members of the 2007-08 Liberty Sapphires are Ariel Belkonen, Brianna Blackmon, Mandi Derryberry (captain), Nikki Dinsmore, Melissa Howard, Courtney Kuhnhenn (captain), Tiffany Liberty, Leah Marx, Anna McKee, Jacelyn Miller, Tara Salmon, Jill Strayer, Coleen Sumpter, Hayley White, and Mallory Williams. 

RECYCLE YOUR CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
LJHS PTSA is simply asking you to protect the environment by donating your used/old cellular phone(s), ink jet cartridges, DVD movie(s)/video game(s), portable DVD player(s), laptop/notebook computer(s), MP3 player(s), video game console(s), digital camera(s), digital picture frame(s), and portable navigation & GPS device(s).  100% of the proceeds will help fund Liberty Junior High School PTSA programs.  Please drop items off at the LJHS office recycle box.  Questions, contact Jerri at griff64068@yahoo.com