November 30, 2011

Top Stories from LPS

Save the Dates:  Summer School 2012

The Liberty Public Schools summer school program, Summer Adventure 2012, will take place June 4 - 29, 2012, for students in grades Kindergarten - 12th grade.  Summer school enrollment will open February 21, with the deadline for transportation being April 16.  More information on Summer Adventure 2012 will be available coming up in February.  If you would have any questions, contact the Summer Adventure office at 816-736-6730.

Board Candidate Filing Begins December 20, 2011

The annual Liberty Public Schools Board of Education election will take place on April 3, 2012, when Charlene Armitage's seat and Mattie Ransom's seat will be open.  Each will be three-year terms.  Filing for these positions will begin Tuesday, December 20, 2011.  If you have any questions, please call Sandra Cockrum, Board secretary, at 736-5301. 

Other LPS News to Know

LPS "United for United Way"

During the week of October 10-14, Liberty Public Schools conducted its annual United Way Fundraiser.  Various activities took place in the buildings, and when the money was counted, LPS proved once again that our district is one of the best supporters of United Way!  A total of $56,678.64 was raised district-wide!  Thanks to our students, staff, parents, and community members for making this impressive total possible!

Liberty Academy Students Do Good Deed

The Liberty Academy Senior Girls Group dedicated some of their day on November 14 to helping families at the Ronald McDonald House near Children's Mercy Hospital.  Students traveled to the house and made lunch for deserving families.  These families spend numerous hours at the hospital, so a home-cooked meal they can enjoy without having to prepare it themselves, is appreciated.  Students were also given a tour of the house and allowed to hear the story of a resident and her son's battle with cancer.

Rosetta Stone Makes Special Offer to LPS Residents

Liberty Public Schools has partnered with Rosetta Stone to make available online subscriptions that can be used for one full year of access for up to five levels of Rosetta Stone in the language of your choice!  More information on this offer can be accessed by clicking here.  This program is being offered at a highly discounted rate of $89 per learner. 

If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Bridges in the LPS Academic Services Department at 736-5321.  You will need to respond by Monday, December 19, 2011, to take advantage of this opportunity!

Upcoming Events

Sophomore Parent and Student Night Information

Current ninth grade students and their parents are invited to the annual Incoming Sophomore Parent and Student Night on December 6 at Liberty North High School and Liberty High School. Students and their parents should attend their designated high school based on district boundaries. Information will be provided on the registration process, graduation requirements, and additional high school opportunities. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. at Liberty North High School and 6:30 p.m. at Liberty High School. Questions may be directed toward Dana Combs at Liberty North and Brenda Wiederholt at Liberty High. Boundary questions should be directed to the LPS Transportation Department at 736-5360.

Please Support Bundle up Liberty

The Liberty High School Student Council and Lady Jays Dance Team are sponsoring this year's Bundle up Liberty coat drive.  We are asking the community to donate clean, gently used coats and/or new hats, gloves, and scarves.  A collection box has been placed in the entryway of each school in the District.  Donations will be accepted through December 13.  The coats will be distributed to families in need on December 17 from 8 a.m. - noon at a location to be determined.  Help us keep all students in Liberty warm this winter!

Blood Drive to Take Place at LNHS

The AP Biology and Medical Interventions classes at LNHS are hosting a blood drive with the Community Blood Center on Friday, December 9.  Please consider helping to make our first blood drive a success by making your appointment to save a life today.  The drive will take place at Liberty North High School (located at 1000 NE 104th St.) from 7 a.m.-3 p.m.  If you would like to make an appointment to donate, click here.

LJH Bookfair at Barnes and Noble Set for December 11

Come out and holiday shop while supporting students of Liberty Junior High at the Barnes and Noble Bookfair on Saturday, December 11, at the Zona Rosa Barnes and Noble location at 8625 N.W. Prairie View Road.  You will need to present a voucher prior to making your purchases.  This voucher can be accessed by clicking here.  A percentage of the net sales will be donated to LJHS.  If you would like to purchase online, please use the bookfair ID # (10610236), so the sale is credited to LJHS.  For more information, contact Julie Day or Jackie Davis.  Thanks for your support!

LNHS Men's Basketball Presents Youth Dribblers Program

The Liberty North Men's Basketball program is excited to introduce its Youth Dribblers program that will be implemented starting this season!  After two awesome and successful summer camps, the coaching staff has noticed the demand for more opportunities and is now excited to introduce the new Youth Dribblers program.  For more information on this program, click here.

LNHS Winter Guard Tryouts

Liberty North High School will be holding tryouts for Winter Guard on November 29 - December 1.  If you enjoy dance and movement, this may be the activity for you!  Winter Guard involves dance, flags, riffles, and sabre.  We can teach you to use the equipment.  We will perform basketball half time shows and participate in competitions.  If you are interested, please join us for our try-out workshops November 29 - December 1 from 3:15 - 4:30 p.m.  We will meet in front of the band room.  For more information, please contact the coach at ahall@liberty.k12.mo.us.

ACT Plan Results for LNHS

Liberty North High School parents are welcome to attend a session to receive their sophomore's ACT Plan results on Monday, December 19, at 6 p.m., in the LNHS Performing Arts Theatre.  Chris Mitchell with ACT will be reviewing the results with parents.  This is a great time to pick up your student's test scores and get information on how to read them.  Contact Dana Combs at LNHS for more information.

Liberty Junior High Art Show Scheduled

The Liberty Junior High Art Show will take place on Thursday, December 8 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. in the LJH art rooms.  All first semester students will have work on display.  If you would have any questions, please email Kate Roark.

Student and Staff Recognitions

LHS Broadcasting Wins National Award

As reported in last week's Board meeting summary, students from the Liberty High School broadcasting program, KLHS-TV News, won the National Pacemaker Award for broadcast excellence.  Yesterday, Fox 4 News did a feature story on this talented group of students, and it can be viewed by clicking here.

LNHS Yearbook Takes 2nd at National Conference

The 2010-2011 Liberty North yearbook, the Ayrie, placed second in the Best of Show contest at the Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association national convention in Minneapolis, MN, on Saturday, November 19.  Competing against yearbooks from across the nation in the 224-pages-and-fewer category, second place award is the highest in the Best of Show contest that a Liberty yearbook has received in the past two decades and is especially significant, because, as the first book for Liberty North, it continues the tradition of excellence Liberty Public Schools journalism has worked so diligently to create and maintain. This national recognition would not be possible without the support and encouragement of the LNHS faculty and staff, the LPS technology department, the businesses in the community who support our publication through ad sales, supportive parents/guardians, and educators who had, and have, the unique opportunity of working with such dedicated students. The following individuals were staff members of the 2010-2011 Ayrie:

Katelyn Palmer 

Averie Manglos

Sara Cable

Jessica Bonnot

Kane Hellman

Austin Robbins

Audrey Foy

Alannah Kenowith

Shannan Sanderford

Kim Rhew

Megan Hummel

Timothy Harder- Photography Editor

Rachel Hain- Assistant Editor

Brennan Canuteson- Editor-In-Chief

Ronna Sparks-Woodward-Adviser

District/Community Events

Kansas City Classic High School Dance Competition

Don't forget about the Kansas City Classic Dance Competition this Saturday, December 3, at Liberty Senior High School.  Performances will now begin at 9:10 a.m. and run all day long.  Sixteen area high school dance teams will be competing, including:  Staley, Platte County, Blue Springs South, Lee's Summit West, Lee's Summit, Notre Dame de Sion, Kearney, Winnetonka, Barstow, Raymore-Peculiar, St. Teresa's Academy Varsity, St. Teresa's Academy JV, Lincoln Prep Academy, Center, Liberty North, and St. Pius.  LHS's very own Ben Dehart will be the announcer for the event, while the Liberty Sapphire Varsity and JV teams will be performing exhibition numbers.  Additional exhibition performances will be danced by Northwest Missouri State University's Bearcat Steppers, Priscilla and Dana's School of Dance, Stars Unlimited Dance Studio, and Creative Arts Academy.  Hope to see you on December 3!    

Breakfast with Santa Scheduled for December 10

The Liberty North High School Band Boosters will be hosting a fundraiser at LNHS on Saturday, December 10, from 8 - 11 a.m.  This is an all-you-can-eat breakfast titled "Breakfast with Santa".  Tickets can be purchased for $6 (12 and older), $5 (seniors and students), and children 3 and under will be free.  Santa will be at the event, and pictures with him can be purchased for $5.  In addition, a Christmas Bazaar, with over 20 vendors, will be available.  Crafts and face painting for the kids will also take place.  Advance tickets can be purchased by emailing libertynorthband@gmail.com. 

Community Winter Carnival

A special Winter Carnival will take place on Saturday, December 10, from 12:30 - 3 p.m. at the Liberty Community Center.  The cost of the event is $4 per child if registering in advance and $5 per child if registering on the day of the event.  The fee includes refreshments, a picture with Santa, and raffle tickets.  Come enjoy this family fun-filled afternoon of reindeer games with prizes featuring a spin off of the popular game show, "Minute to Win It".   All proceeds from this event will benefit the Liberty Parks and Recreation Charitable Fund Scholarship Program.  For more information, call 816-439-4360.

Community Food Drive Information 

Help spread holiday cheer by participating in the annual food drive to benefit the Liberty Community Christmas Tree November 28-December 2.

All Liberty public schools, and St. James School, will be hosting a food drive again this year to help disadvantaged families within the Liberty Community. Students are invited to bring non-perishable items and canned goods to their school.  The Liberty Community Christmas Tree anticipates helping over 200 families with more than 500 children.  Additionally, food will be provided to more than 125 senior citizens and households without children in our community.  Last year, 4½ tons of food was donated; this year, the LCCT commission set a goal to have 5 tons of food and nonperishable items donated to be distributed on December 10.  Local businesses are also invited to participate in the food drive. Collection boxes can be provided by calling 439-4424.  Food must be delivered to Heritage Hall on Monday, December 5.

Town Hall Meeting Scheduled for December 5

A town hall meeting will be hosted by Missouri Representative Myron Neth on Monday evening, December 5.  The event will be held at the Liberty Community Center and will begin at 7 p.m.  On the agenda will be a review of the special session, a preview of the upcoming session, and items Mr. Neth are currently working on.  Representative Neth will also be seeking valuable input from the community on this evening.   

QuickNews Bulletin Board

In an effort to make our Liberty Public Schools e-newsletter, QuickNews, a concise publication in which subscribers can read in a timely fashion, district/community announcements will be advertised in the main QuickNews section for a maximum of two weeks.  After this period of time, announcements will then be transferred to our new QuickNews Bulletin Board, which is located on the LPS website provided at the link below. In addition, there are other announcements that have, in the past, not met criteria to place in this publication.  The addition of the QN Bulletin Board will allow them to now be publicized.

This bulletin board will continuously be updated throughout the week, and announcements will remain until they expire by date.

http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/news/quicknews/quicknews-bulletin-board

LPS Mission  

Through our collective best, we do whatever it takes to inspire and equip every learner to find their voice and realize their unlimited potential.

LPS Vision 

As stewards of discovery, we will embrace innovation to instill a passion for life-long learning that will best serve our nation and the world in the 21st century.

LPS Core Values 

· Learning is our priority

· Respect is our norm

· Excellence is our expectation

· Collaboration is our culture

· Integrity is our foundation

What's Included in this Issue

Other LPS News to Know

Upcoming Events

Student/Staff Recognitions

District/Community Events

QuickNews Bulletin Board

Dates to Remember

Monday, December 19

Board of Education meeting
(7 p.m.)

Tuesday, December 20
End of First Semester

Wednesday, December 21

Winter Vacation begins