October 17, 2007
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE MEETING
The Blue Ribbon Committee will meet Monday, October 22, at 7 p.m. at South Valley Junior High School, 800 Midjay Drive. This committee will make major decisions concerning the second high school. Three subcommittees have been established: Communication, Curriculum, and Facilities. Formed in March 2005, the committee will continue to investigate and communicate ideas and issues surrounding the opening of Liberty’s second high school. The meeting is open to the public, so if you are interested in sharing your ideas, please attend the meeting or go to http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/about/blue-ribbon for more information.
LIBERTY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL WINS STATE AWARD FOR SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS
Liberty Junior High School has been selected as the Center for School Reform’s Outstanding School for 2007. According to Jeanette Okerstrom, Interim Director for the Center for School Reform, “Your school’s accomplishments and programs are many, and this is a well-deserved award.” A major emphasis has been placed upon staff collaboration, student support, and learning. The school has made excellent gains in achievement in math and communication arts. In 2006 and 2007, Liberty Junior High School was recognized as a Missouri Top 10 School on the 8th grade MAP test. Principal Scott Carr accepted the award at an annual conference in Columbia, Missouri, last weekend. Congratulations to the staff and students at Liberty Junior High School for this great accomplishment!
NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK AWARD WINNERS
October 15 -19 is National School Bus Safety Week. Four students from Liberty Public Schools received first and second place honors in the annual Missouri Association of Public Transportation school bus safety poster contest judged this past summer in Springfield, Mo. Entries were received from elementary schools across the state of Missouri.
Division 1 – (Kindergarten - 2 grade)
Ashley Moss (1st grade) First Place
Briana Saad (1st grade) Second Place
Division 2 – (3- 5 grade)
Allison Brucknor (4th grade) First Place
Haley Brown (5th grade) Second Place
Ribbons were given to the top three places, and first place entries received a $100 savings bond. Congratulations to our student winners. View their winning posters on our Photo Gallery at http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/news/photo-gallery
KEEP LIBERTY KIDS WARM – HELP WITH BUNDLE UP BLUE JAYS!
Cold weather is just around the corner! For the past 13 years, Liberty High School PTSA has sponsored the “Bundle Up Blue Jays” coat drive. A collection box will be in each school building October 15 – October 25. As you go through your coats, please keep this worthy project in mind. Through your generous contributions, the students were able to collect over 500 coats last year.
The coats will be distributed through In As Much Ministries at the Journey Covenant Church. Distribution date is Saturday, October 27th. Coats are also available to our school counselors and principals for students in need. Please bring your clean coats to any of our school buildings. All coats collected will stay within our community. LHS students thank you in advance for your support of their project. The Bundle Up Blue Jay Committee include: Michelle & Jake Taylor, Nancy & Andrew Zelenak, and Deeann & Taylor Glock.
LIBERTY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL RENAISSANCE PRESENTS “Scream in the Dark III”
Can you make it through four stories of terror? If the answer is yes, the haunted attraction at Liberty Junior High is for you! Join the fun on Friday, October 19, and Saturday, October 20, from 7 – 11 p.m. each night. New extended route, extra scenes, and over 50 cast members will take you on a 30-minute tour sure to make you scream! Recommended for ages 10 and up as the attraction is intended to startle and scare! An extra scene will be added for Saturday night. The cost is $5. Concessions, glowstix, and much more will be sold. Please enter at rear entrance by tennis courts. All proceeds directly fund the Liberty Junior High School Renaissance Program, an incentive-based initiative that recognizes students for good attendance, citizenship, and grades.
LIBERTY JUNIOR HIGH RENAISSANCE OFFERS THE 2nd ANNUAL TRICK OR TREAT VILLAGE
Looking for a safe and fun place to take your little ones trick or treating? Come to Liberty Junior High to see what everyone is talking about. Teachers, clubs, and students will decorate classrooms and hallways and lead your children on a fun adventure through the old junior high. Candy will be handed out at every stop, and games, face painting, and prizes await them at the end of their journey.
Tuesday October 30, 6-8 p.m.
Parking in the rear entrance by the track and tennis courts
Ages 9 and under are welcome
This event is free of charge to all Liberty families, but donations will be accepted to help support the Junior High Renaissance Program.
HALLOWEEN COSTUMES NEEDED
Serteens, a service club at Liberty High School is collecting new and used Halloween costumes for Operation Breakthrough until October 19. This charitable organization needs about 400 costumes for their kids this year, anywhere from infants to 14 years old. Donated costumes need to be in good condition. The costumes may be dropped off at Liberty High School, 200 Blue Jay Drive.
INTERNET SAFETY NIGHT AT SOUTH VALLEY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Internet Safety Night is a nationwide event that brings information and resources to students, parents, and members of the community to educate people how to stay safer online. The event will be at South Valley Junior High on October 23 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The goal is for communities to begin a discussion about the importance of Internet safety. The local discussion, occurring simultaneously all around the country, will then connect to a national host site in Columbia, Missouri. Topics include online predators, cyber-bullying, identity theft, and other Internet-related issues. The featured speaker is Chris Pickering, Chief Investigator, Missouri Attorney General’s Office. The event is free and open to the public.
PROJECT RESPECT COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS
Project Respect, presented by the Clay County Prosecuting Attorney, is a live multi-media event that presents timely information about how poor decisions have a dramatic and life-changing impact on entire families and those around them. Join the Liberty Alliance for Youth, Inc., as they host the event on Thursday, October 25, at South Valley Middle School, 1000 Midjay Drive. Complimentary Rancho Grande Dinner at 6 p.m. and program begins at 7:15 p.m. Please RSVP to 736-7315.
Project Respect: Adults and 7th -12th grade
Synergy Services – Stop Violence – 4th – 6th grade
Story Teller – Steve Otto – 3rd grade and younger
BOOK FAIR AT MANOR HILL ELEMENTARY
Book Fair Blizzard is about to blow into Manor Hill Elementary. Come chill out with some great books October 23 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. and October 25 from 2:00-8:00 p.m. at Manor Hill Library. Everyone in the community is welcome.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT ENGINEERING?
Metropolitan Community College – Maple Woods is sponsoring an Engineering Night on Monday, November 5, from
5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Maple Woods Student Center. Engage in class demonstrations and learn more about the engineering program from Maple Woods and University of Missouri-Rolla faculty. The evening will include a dinner and program. Tickets are available at no charge, three per family. RSVP by October 29 to 437-3116 or mcckc.edu@engineeringnight
OCTOBER COMMUNITY EDUCATION COURSES
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 OCTOBER – To enroll go to www.paypams.com/liberty
Junior Robotics-Amusement Park Adventure! (Ages 8-12) – Course Number – 8442
Saturdays, October 20 and 27 – 10:00am-3:30pm – Fee $100
This beginner robotics program enables groups of students to learn to build and program amusement park robotics. Special LEGO Educational kits will be used to provide a powerful learning tool that presents students with a hands-on, minds-on laboratory for experimenting with robots and robotic activities. The children will use the all-time familiar LEGO bricks, computer hardware called the RCX and simple but powerful software to design, construct & program amusement park rides! This exciting program uses bricks, sensors, and motors. See options for one week sessions below.
Optional One Week Session: Course Number 8465 Week 1 October 20 - Building the Merry-Go-Round and Bumper Car $65
Optional One Week Session: Course Number 8466 Week 2 October 27 - Building the Tour Bus and Ghost Train $65
Fire Safety (Ages 5-10) – Course Number 8449 – Thursday, October 25 - 6:30-7:00 p.m.
Learn the importance of fire prevention, escape routes, fire drills in the home, calling 911, and not going back into a burning building. Students receive brochures that can be shared with the entire family. Fee $5.
First Aid for Little People (Ages 5-7) – Course Number 8450 – Thursday, October 25 – 7:00-8:00 p.m.
This introduction to first aid features Harv and Marv, two cartoon kids who guide participants through scenarios that teach them how to deal with common injuries and illnesses. Topics include identifying an emergency, cuts, burns, and fractures, as well as how to get help and what to do until help arrives. Fee $5.
Long-Term Care Planning: Do You Know The Facts – Course Number 8548 – Tuesday, October 23 – 6:30-8:00 p.m.
What is long term care? Why is it so important to plan ahead. Improve what you know about long-term care as a family financial issue, take action before a crisis, and make more informed decisions by planning ahead. Fee $15
Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2007 – Course Number 8104 – Saturdays, October 20 & 29 – 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Learn how to use Microsoft Excel 2007 just a few months after its release. In this hands-on class you will learn how to enter and format information and create charts. You will enter formulas using auto formulas and create formulas yourself. You will leave this class with intermediate use skills. Additional book fee of $10 payable to the instructor at first session. You must be registered one week prior to first class to be guaranteed a book. Fee $50
Signing With Your Baby – Session II – Course Number 8214 – Mondays, October 22-November 12 – 6:30-7:30pm
This course is for those parents and caregivers who are already using sign language with their children and are ready for more vocabulary. The class fee includes the sign language dictionary, Teach Your Tot to Sign. This class is for adults only. Optional materials are available for purchase through the instructor. Fee $50/Individual - $90/Two caregivers of same child.
FOUNDATION HONORS FORMER GRADUATES AT SPECIAL EVENT
In 2002, the Liberty School District Foundation initiated a new award called “Honoring Our Own.” The purpose of the award is to recognize Liberty High School graduates whose deeds and character exemplify outstanding achievement in their life’s work and/or service to their communities. In the past four years, 14 individuals have been recognized for their valuable contributions. The Foundation also recognizes the district’s Teacher of the Year, outstanding volunteers, and retired educators at this event. This year, the recipients will be honored on Thursday, November 1, 7 p.m., at Liberty Hills Country Club. This year’s honorees include:
Brigadier General Jack L. Capps, RET. Class of 1943
Dr. Vicki S. Johnson – Aerospace Engineer for NASA Class of 1977
Capt. Jacqueline Todd Rychnovsky – PhD and R.N. Class of 1978
Juarenne Hester – Outstanding Retired Teacher
Eric Langhorst – Missouri Teacher of the Year – 2007-2008
This event is open to the public. Tickets are $35 per person. If you are interested in attending the event, please call the Liberty School District Foundation at 736-7120 or Diana Reiter at 590-1507 or reiter@lsdf.org
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, CONTAINER LOCATION, CONTACT PERSON
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
Liberty Oaks, Front office drop box, Tina Hart
Lillian Schumacher, Foyer on the PTA Table, Kelly Henrichs
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
