November 28, 2007

BLUE RIBBON TRANSITION COMMITTEE SET TO MEET
Members of the Blue Ribbon Transition Committee will meet Monday, December 3, at the new Early Childhood Center, 9600 NE 79^th Street (off Church Road near Gary Crossley Ford).  Superintendent Phil Wright will conduct a tour  at 7 p.m. of the state-of-the-art facility.  The committee meeting will begin at 7:25.  Agenda items will include finalizing the schedule for the winter 2008 community outreach program and discussing the process for creating identity (school name, mascot, song, etc.) for the second high school.  The meeting is open to the public.   

COACH TIM NIXON INDUCTED INTO THE HALL OF FAME
Liberty High School’s cross country coach, Tim Nixon, was recently inducted into the Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Association (MTCCCA).  Nixon, who has taught at Liberty schools for 28 years, is also the 8^th grade boys track coach at Liberty Junior High where he teaches 8^th grade science.  Nixon has lead Liberty High School to three state cross country championships.  Nixon has a long list of accomplishments including the 1992 National Gatorade Coaches Care Award. Congratulations, Coach!

LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS LEARN LESSON FROM GIVING TO OTHERS
Earlier this month, three refugee families from Somalia and Burma were the recipients of gifts, food and clothing, thanks to the seventh grade LMS Diversity Team. The students will sponsor the families for a year.  Through their hard work, students raised over $1,500 along with clothes and food. The families from refugee camps are selected through Jewish Vocational Services, the organization that handles all refugees to the KC area. For the past nine years, LMS has been involved in the project helping families from the Sudan, Vietnam, Russia, and Kurdistan.  Congratulations to the students and their sponsors Max Garrison and Michelle Beagle for an outstanding service project.  To read more about this story in the Kansas City Star, go to http://www.kansascity.com/602/story/379578.html

SCIENCE AND MATH SATURDAY STUDENTS CAN EXPLORE TOPICS ONLINE
Over two-hundred 4^th and 5^th grade students from Liberty elementary schools met at South Valley Junior High on Saturday, November 3, to spend two exciting hours exploring math and science topics.  To continue this exploration of math and science, the Super Saturday participants can be a part of a monitored online community through Blackboard.  This site features picture highlights of Super Science and Math Saturday, science and math activities and Web sites to explore together at home, and a discussion forum about math and science topics hosted by teachers.  Participants can access the online community at http://blackboard.liberty.k12.mo.us and sign in using their school username and password.  For more information, contact the district math and science coordinators:  Mary Coogan at mcoogan@liberty.k12.mo.us, Sara Langford at langford@liberty.k12.mo.us, or Rachel Ward at rward@liberty.k12.mo.us

LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL FUNDRAISING EFFORTS SOON UNDERWAY
Liberty Middle School’s Battle of the Books Program is sponsoring a book fair at the Zona Rosa Barnes and Noble on Saturday, December 15, with 10% of all purchases by Liberty patrons going to the Battle of the Books Program.  Tell the Barnes and Noble employee at the checkout counter that you are supporting Liberty Middle School, and 10% of your purchase will be donated back to the school.  Barnes and Noble is located at 8625 NW Prairie View Road.  Store hours are 9 am – 11 pm.

 Cheesecake Factory cheesecakes may also be ordered by Friday, December  7, and picked up and paid for on December  15. Liberty Middle School will also receive 10% of the proceeds from this purchase.  Order forms may be downloaded from the LMS library Web site.  Return the cheesecake order form to the LMS librarian, Susan Martin, by Friday, December 7.

SOUTH VALLEY STUDENTS HAVE A WINNING RECIPE FOR FUNDRAISING
South Valley Middle School students have created a cookbook with more than 200 recipes collected from South Valley Middle School students and staff.  All proceeds will be donated to the Community Christmas Tree Fund.  Cookbooks are $10 each and can be purchased December 10 - 19 from 7:10 – 7:25 a.m. and 2:30 – 3:00 p.m.  For more information, contact Robyn Barreca at 736-7180 ext. 7198 or at rbarreca@liberty.k12.mo.us .  Cash or checks accepted.  Make checks payable to South Valley Middle School.

LHS BAND IS HAWAII BOUND!
The Liberty High School Band has been invited to participate in the King Kamehameha Parade in Honolulu, Hawaii, in June 2009. While in Hawaii, the combined Symphonic/Concert Bands will also perform at sites to be determined.  Every three years, Liberty High School band students have an opportunity to participate in a band trip.  In the past, students have visited New York City, Washington D.C., and Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

SAM GRAVES SUPPORTS EDUCATION BILL
U.S. Congressman Sam Graves voted to override President George Bush’s veto on H.R. 3043, the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill.  The House came within two votes of winning the November 15 override ballot.  Funding for Title I programs and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) could be affected as a result of the vote.  We thank Congressman Graves for his support of the education bill.  If you would like to thank Congressman Graves, please email his office through his Web site at www.house.gov/graves

SOPHOMORE PARENT NIGHT SCHEDULED AT HIGH SCHOOL
The Liberty High School Guidance Department will host the annual Incoming Sophomore Parent Night on Thursday, December 6, at 6:30 p.m. at Liberty High School.  The evening is intended for the parents of current ninth grade students.  The counselors will review the registration information and procedures.  Please do not bring students to this event.  Students will receive registration information and forms at the local junior highs during the school day.  If you have questions, please contact nlaven@liberty.k12.mo.us or kshaffer@liberty.k12.mo.us

WE NEED TO HEAR YOUR VOICE – COMMUNITY SURVEY OPPORTUNITY
Liberty Alliance for Youth, Inc., is collecting information about alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use in our community.  Please take time to fill out a survey that will help the organization better meet the needs of children in our community.  To complete the survey go to: www.northlandcoalition.com\libertyalliance.html and use the “Community Survey” link, or you can pick up a paper copy at Cupini’s Restaurant, Clay County Health Center, or the Liberty Public Schools Administrative Center.  The deadline to complete the survey is December 15, 2007.  As a special thank you, survey participants will receive three Cupini’s coupons. 

LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CLASSIC CHESS TOURNAMENT
Sponsored by the Kansas City Scholastic Chess Association, students in grades Kindergarten through 12^th grade can sign up to take part at the Christmas Classic Chess Tournament on Saturday, December 15, 2007, at Liberty High School.  If you pre-register, the entry fee is $16 and must be received by Monday, December 10, by mail or PayPal only. To pre-register online, send entry (using PAYPAL) to chessclub@powerpawn.net or mail your name, school, grade, and a check to Ken Fee, 1537 Baker St., Liberty, MO 64068.   Make check out to Ken Fee.

Onsite registration/entry fee is $21.  Check in and on-site registration will be from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. The first round is at 10:30 a.m.    

 There will be four sections:  Elite USCF Section, K-12 Section, K-6 Section, and K-3 Section.  Depending on the number of entries, organizers may combine sections.  Each player has thirty minutes to finish the game.  Sets and clocks will be provided.

Individual trophies will be awarded for 1st - 3rd each section, team trophies 1st each section, and 17 additional medals per section for a total of 68 medals!  Visit www.kcchess.org  for more information. Questions?  Call 816-835-7529 or email chessclub@powerpawn.net.

CLOTHES CLOSET NEEDS ARE MANY – YOU CAN HELP!
The Liberty Council of PTA's is partnering with the Clay County Clothes Closet to provide free clothing to Clay County children, which includes Liberty kids.  The Closet primarily meets the needs of children; however, all ages are served.  Approximately 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.  Alexander Doniphan Elementary will hold its Clothes Closet Collection drive December 3 - 10.  For more information, contact:  Yvonne Ferstl at 792-2311, yferstl@sbcglobal.net  or Sheryl Kaullen at 781-6975, kaullen@sbcglobal.net

MAKE CHRISTMAS A BRIGHT ONE FOR FELLOW RESIDENTS AND  VOLUNTEER!
Once again, the Liberty Community Christmas Tree Fund is helping families in our community have a brighter Christmas.  For the first time, the fund will help families who don’t reside in Liberty, but their children attend Liberty Public Schools.  If your family needs assistance this year, it’s not too late to make an application at Liberty City Hall.  Please contact LeAnn Lawlor at 792-6042 for more information.

Volunteer opportunities are available if you would like to help this year:
November 29 – Informational Meeting – 6 p.m., Liberty Community Center (If you’re interested in shopping for a family and delivering food and presents to them, this meeting is important to attend.  The fund will provide the food and vouchers for volunteers to purchase gifts.  All they need is your time).

December 3 -7 Sort canned goods - during evening hours – Heritage Hall, 117 W. Kansas (If you have a group of 15 or more, please call ahead.). 

December 8 – Deliver food and gifts to family (before noon)

This is a great opportunity to give back to our community by helping others.  Contact David Chamberlain at 792-2020 for more information.

TRIVIA NIGHT SPONSORED BY THE LIBERTY SCHOLAR BOWL TEAM
Friday, November 30, 2007, from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., the Liberty Scholar Bowl team will host a Trivia Night fundraiser in the cafeteria at LHS.  Participants are encouraged to form teams of 4 – 6 players to engage in an exciting evening of seven themed rounds of trivia questions.  Snacks, beverages, and door prizes will also be available.  The cost for the event is $10 per person, and teams may register a table by contacting Mary Coogan at mcoogan@liberty.k12.mo.us or 816-736-7126.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION COURSES FOR DECEMBER
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN TEACHING A COMMUNITY EDUCATION CLASS?  We are always looking for instructors for new Community Education classes that the Liberty community would find interesting.  If you have a special skill or talent in an area you would like to share with our community, please contact Mr. Dee Rosekrans, Director, Community Development, at 816-736-7104 or email drosekrans@liberty.k12.mo.us

 CLASSES FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER – To enroll, go to www.paypams.com/liberty

Introduction to Microsoft Access 2007 Course Number 8114 – Saturday, December 1^st
9am-1pm – LMC, Liberty Senior High, Room 302.  Learn how to create tables, forms, basic queries, and reports using Microsoft Access.  An additional $10 book fee is payable to the instructor the first day of class.  Class Fee $ 40

Multi-Grain Breads and Creative Shaping Course Number
8664 – Monday, December 3^rd
6:30pm-9:00pm – Liberty High School, Room 104.  After you have mastered basic whole grain bread, it is time for more fun.  Expand your knowledge of working with different grains in creating your own recipes.  Shaping dinner rolls, pizza crust, calzones, sweet rolls, and party breads using different grains.  Plenty of samples to try.  Class Fee $25

 Intermediate Microsoft Access 2007 Course Number 8128  Saturday, December 8^th – 9am-1pm
LMC, Liberty Senior High, Room 302. Introduction to Microsoft Access 2007 is a prerequisite for this class.  You will learn how to create relationships, macros, and intermediate queries.  Also create and manipulate from scratch.  Additional $10 book fee is payable to the instructor the first day of class.  Class Fee $40

LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL’S MILITARY HALL OF FAME
Liberty High School is partnering with Proud Military Moms to implement a Military Hall of Fame for Active Duty Alumni.  We want to honor current Liberty High School students that are classified as Active Duty or Liberty High School graduates that are currently in Active Duty, the Reserves, or in the National Guard.  To participate in this program, or for more information, please contact Mrs. Parnau at www.proudmilmoms.com or 913-338-9473. To read more about this story in the Kansas City Star, go to http://www.kansascity.com/317/story/372371.html

CONGRATS TO OUR GREAT STUDENTS & STAFF
The Liberty High School Varsity Cheerleaders competed at the state cheer competition on Saturday, November 17.  They placed 2^nd in the state of Missouri!  The girls are also the Kansas City Regional Champions!  Both are firsts for Liberty Cheerleading!   Congratulations Ladies!!  Members of the team include:  Michelle Anderson, Abby Backhaus, Ellie Backhaus, Brittany Crabtree, Brenda Doehring, Kaitlyn Evans, Rae-Shawn Hale, Paige Heiskell, Jessica Jimenez, Amanda Kirkland, Micha Lorenz, Mary-Margaret Mense, Birttany O’Connor, Danielle Painter, Ashley Pearl, Madi Reid, Lindsey Rheuport, Kara Simmons, Sarah Simmons, Lauren Walker, Erica Williams, and Anna Wright.  Coaches are Brenda Moats, Allison Kenealy, and Daisy King.

Kali Hall, Rebecca Graham, and Marqui Alexander from South Valley Junior High; James Fichter, Chara Miller, Romeo Templeton and Moriah Shull from Liberty Academy; and Mallory Hamilton from Liberty High School were among 35 Northland students to attend the Northland Teen Institute on November 15 - 17. Keynote Speaker, Jeff Yalden, from MTV’s Made, spoke about taking time to think and being responsible for your own life.  Additional educational workshops, role playing, small group interactions, debating, team challenges, and social activities gave students the skills to create positive change in their lives, schools, and communities.  Liberty Alliance for Youth, Inc. assisted in funding the students to attend the program.  Please contact Bill Scott or Amy Tuso at 736-7300 for more information about leadership training and opportunities.

Congratulations to the Speech and Debate team for placing 1st out of 21 schools at the Park Hill South and North Kansas City tournaments.  The following placed individually:
1^st Policy Debate- Jace Gilmore/Max Pepper
1st US Extemp-Sam Tabory
2nd US Extemp- Susan Taylor
2nd Foreign Extemp- Max Mikitis
2nd Humorous Interp- Eric Staves
2nd Duo Interp- Ryne Dittmer/Camille Yameen
3rd Lincoln Douglas Debate- Tim White
3rd Oratory- Sam Tabory
3rd Dramatic Interp- Camille Yameen
3rd Duo Interp- Chris Young/Cherelle Stevens
3rd Prose/Poetry- Eric Staves
4th Public Forum Debate- Max Mikitish/Susan Taylor
4th US Extemp- Max Pepper
4th Foreign Extemp- Kristen Wright
4th Student Congress- Tim White
5th Dramatic Interp- Jordan Talbot
6th Student Congress- Jace Gilmore

1^st Novice Policy Debate- Henry Mikitish/Cameron Nave
1^st Novice Novice Oratory- Cheryl McGiffin
1^st Novice Humorous Interp- Zach Musselman
1^st Novice Foreign Extemp- Cheryl McGiffin
1^st Novice US Extemp- Cameron Riemensnider
1^st Novice Dramatic Interp- Rebecca Ascarrunz
2^nd Novice Policy Debate- Erika White/Amy Lostroh
2^nd Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate- Cameron Riemensnider
2^nd Novice Public Forum Debate- Jack Otis/Matt Orr
2^nd Novice Oratory- Krista Koch
2^nd Novice Humorous Interp- Michaela Lowe
2^nd Novice Foreign Extemp- Todd Swetnam
2^nd Novice US Extemp- Henry Mikitish
2^nd Novice Dramatic Interp- Eva Udris
2^nd Novice Student Congress- Erika White
3^rd Novice Oratory- Brittany Stockwell
3^rd Novice Foreign Extemp- Anna Wright
3^rd Novice US Extemp- Tessa Edwards
3^rd Novice Prose- Kim Petroll
4^th Novice Foreign Extemp- Anthony Chartier
4^th Novice US Extemp- Billy Soper
4^th Novice Dramatic Interp- Will Petroll
4^th Novice Prose- Rebecca Ascarrunz
5^th Novice Policy Debate- Bailey Bolinger/Zach Musselman
5^th Novice Foreign Extemp- Brenden Woody
5^th Novice US Extemp- Travis Ritchie
6^th Novice Public Forum Debate- Ben Reynolds/Krista Koch
6^th Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate- Kay Hottel
6^th Novice Foreign Extemp- Abby Mahanes
6^th Novice US Extemp- Julianna DelCastillo

Congratulations to the following students who have qualified for the Bradley University national-level forensics tournament in Peoria, Illinois, December 6 - 7.  Elizabeth McGiffin, Shelby Thomas,Brittany Miller,Matt Wiles,Camille Yameen,Tyler Hammond,

Ryne Dittmer, Chris Melton, Brittany Stockwell, Rachel Shaw, Corrinne Amador, Annie Simpson, Amy McGiffin, Aisha Truss, Zach Musselman, Chris Young, Cherelle Stevens, Kim Petroll, Eric Staves, Becca Ascarrunz, Eva Udris, Michaela Lowe, Kay Hottel, Cheryl McGiffin, Katja Jones, Jonathan Maize and Isaac Ames.

 RECYCLE INK JET CARTRIDGES 
The Liberty Council of PTA recycles expended, unbroken ink jet cartridges and cell phones to support two annual scholarships:  the Dr. Black Educational Career and the PTA Council Scholarships.  In order to help the growing number of students who need financial assistance to attend college, PTA Council needs your help to continue awarding scholarships.  Each school has a cartridge collection box and a PTA recycling contact person, as listed below.   Please call PTA Council Coordinator Sheryl Kaullen at 781-6975 with your questions regarding cartridge pick up or for the name of your school's PTA recycling contact person.

 School                Location             Contact

LHS, Attendance Office, M.B.Fish                 

South Valley Jr. High, Library, Phyllis Malone       

South Valley Middle School, Office, Marianne Falleri

Liberty Junior High, Office, Jerri Griffith 

Liberty Middle School, Office by front desk (trash cans), Sara McConnell

Alexander Doniphan, Lobby outside of the cafeteria, Michele Fullerton

Franklin, Front hallway by office, Ingrid Brooks 

Lewis and Clark, Front entryway by office, Susan Newton

Lillian Schumacher, Foyer on the PTA Table, Kelly Henrichs

Liberty Oaks, Drop box in front office, Tina Hart

Manor Hill, Hall by the pencil machine, Heather Borchardt

Ridgeview, Front office, Wendy Coffey

Shoal Creek, Labeled box in office, Lori Taylor   

Warren Hills, Office, Linda Wansing       

District Adm. Center, Storage area, Dee Rosekrans or Heddie Leger