October 3, 2007
A REMINDER – EARLY RELEASE DAYS AND PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES IN OCTOBER
There are a total of six early release days on the 07-08 school calendar. The 2-hour early dismissal schedule below will allow lunch to be served at all schools. The preschool midday routes will run one hour early.
*Thursday, October 11, 2007:
Preschool, Elementary, Secondary
*Thursday, October 25, 2007:
Preschool, Elementary, Secondary
Senior High/Academy……………. 12:35 pm
Liberty Junior High……………….. 12:35 pm
South Valley Junior High…………. 12:35 pm
South Valley Middle School…….... 12:35 pm
Liberty Middle School……………. 1:25 pm
Alexander Doniphan……………… 1:25 pm
Lewis & Clark……………………. 1:25 pm
Manor Hill………………………… 1:25 pm
Ridgeview………………………… 1:25 pm
Shoal Creek………………………. 1:25 pm
Franklin…………………………… 2:05 pm
Liberty Oaks……………………… 2:05 pm
Lillian Schumacher………………. 2:05 pm
Warren Hills……………………… 2:05 pm
Early Childhood-AM session…….. 10:40 am
Early Childhood-PM session……... 2:00 pm
Friday, October 12 – Elementary In-Service/Secondary Parent-Teacher Conferences – SCHOOLS CLOSED
Friday, October 26 – Secondary In-Service/Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences – SCHOOLS CLOSED
LOCAL DEVELOPER DONATES LAND TO LPS
The Liberty Public School District is pleased to announce that land has been donated by local developer Tim Harris for a 10th elementary school. The approximately 16 ½ acre property is located at 108th Street and Eastern. The K-5 school will be part of the April 2008 no-tax-increase bond issue and will help take pressure off of Shoal Creek and Lewis and Clark Elementaries. The major portion of the no-tax-increase bond issue is the first phase of the second high school. “We are appreciative of this kind gesture by Mr. Harris, a progressive developer, and the tremendous opportunity this presents our district. Lots sell fast next to a new elementary,” said Superintendent Phil Wright. “The Liberty Public School District is one of the fastest growing districts in the Northland, and there is no sign of a slowdown; therefore, the district will need to continue to look for property to build additional schools in the future.”
DISTRICT MOVES FORWARD ON FORD CENTER RENOVATION PLANS
Renovations will soon be underway to turn the newly acquired UAW-Ford Family Service and Learning Center into the Liberty Public School District’s Early Childhood Education Center. Back in July, the Board of Education approved a lease-purchase agreement on the 40,000 square foot space located at 9600 NE 79th Street. The state-of-the-art facility will house the Early Childhood Center, Parents as Teachers programs, and plans are in the works for a district employee childcare facility. The district will now be able to expand its preschool program that provides early intervention for children ages three to five. More than 180 children are currently enrolled in the program. Parents as Teachers, a free program for children birth to five-years-old, is a voluntary early childhood parent education and family support program designed to help parents give their children the best possible start in life. The district is currently exploring what it will take to develop a high-quality daycare program for LPS employees at the same facility. “This was a tremendous opportunity to purchase a larger early childhood facility for a great price, thus saving the district money and time to have an expanded early childhood program. We are fortunate that we will be able to pay this facility off in a much shorter time frame than new construction and at a much lower cost,” stated Dr. Wright.
LPS PLANS TO WITHDRAW FROM EDUCATIONAL EQUITY LAWSUIT
Over the past several years, Liberty Public Schools, along with 220 other school districts mostly smaller and rural centered, have been part of a lawsuit aimed toward finding a solution to the foundation formula equity issue in Missouri’s schools. Dr. Wright states that the Board of Education will consider a resolution to withdraw from the Committee for Educational Equality (CEE) suit at the October 15 regular meeting. “This suit has run its course, and our focus needs to be on the staff and students in our buildings. The judge has ruled, and an appeal at this point would be spending more money on legal fees and not on teachers. We will move forward and focus on issues specific to Liberty and our schools,“ stated Dr. Wright.
MISSOURI ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR – ROGER KELLEY
Roger Kelley, Liberty Public Schools Fine Arts Coordinator, received the Outstanding Administrators award at the 75th annual conference for the Speech and Theatre Association of Missouri. Each year at the conference STAM awards an administrator that shows overwhelming support for speech and theatre. Roger not only provides outstanding support for speech and theatre, but all of Fine Arts K-12 for Liberty Public Schools. Congrats Roger, you are very deserving of this award!!
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR SUPER SCIENCE AND MATH SATURDAY
There is still time to register students for 4th and 5th Grade Super Science and Math Saturday to be held on Saturday,
November 3, from 9:20 a.m. to noon at South Valley Junior High. Students will choose two interactive and exciting sessions, but class sizes are limited, so enroll your 4th or 5th grade student soon. The registration page may be accessed directly at
http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/parents/super-science-and-math-saturday or can be found under the "For Parents" tab on the Liberty Public School District Web page, http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us.
This event is funded by the Kauffman Foundation Grant for Science, Math, and Technology. For additional information, please contact Mary Coogan, Secondary Science Coordinator, 736-7126, mcoogan@liberty.k12.mo.us; Sara Langford, Secondary Math Coordinator, 736-7125, langford@liberty.k12.mo.us; or Rachel Ward, Elementary Math and Science Coordinator, 736- 7127, rward@liberty.k12.mo.us
STUDENTS RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER RESEARCH
The Senior Girl’s Group at Liberty Academy will sell pink “Celebrate Courage” bracelets for $2 each to students and staff members at Liberty Academy and Liberty High School before and after school and during lunch periods on October 8 and 9. Proceeds from the sales will support the “Susan G. Komen for the Cure” foundation, the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all, and energize science to find the cures. Students and staff are also being encouraged to donate $5 and wear pink on those two days to show their support for the battle against breast cancer. Parents wishing to purchase bracelets, or donate $5 to wear pink, may contact Sandra Bray or Shannon Calohan, group facilitators and coordinators of the Passionately Pink for the Cure days.
CITYWIDE GARAGE SALE TO HELP LPS STUDENTS
Liberty Disaster Relief is a new non-profit organization in our community. The group is sponsoring a FREE city-wide garage sale Saturday, October 6, at Ruth Moore Park, 401 North Morse Avenue. The event will be open to Liberty students and their families from 9 a.m. – noon; from noon – 7 p.m., it will be open to the general public.
The event is designed to help families in Liberty that need assistance. If you would like to donate items to the event, you can drop them off October 2-5 between 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., at an empty storefront located next to Dollar General in the Crossroads Shopping Center. Donations are also welcome throughout the day of the sale. The following is a list of items that are needed for local families:
Clothing (all sizes)
Winter Apparel
Shoes/Boots (all sizes)
Diapers/Bottles & Baby Items
Clothes Hangers
Linens/Towels
Blankets
Beds/Mattresses
Furniture
Appliances
Computers
Printers
Kitchen Needs
Pots/Pans
Cleaning Supplies
Heaters/Fans
Canned Goods
Dry Goods
Bottled Water
Toiletry Items
Children’s Books
School Backpacks
Canes/Walkers
Wheel chairs
Financial donations will also be accepted. Fifty (50) percent of all financial donations will go to the Liberty Academy and Liberty Public Schools social workers for their emergency funds for students and their families. If you have questions, contact help@libertydiasterrelief.com or call 816-429-6880.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAN ALL DONATIONS ARE CLEAN, USABLE AND IN WORKING ORDER.
SEATBELT ENFORCEMENT CHECKS AT LIBERTY SCHOOLS
With the safety of students being our foremost priority, the Liberty Public School District, along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Liberty Police Department, will conduct child restraint and seatbelt enforcement checks at various school sites during the week of October 1st. The goal of this program is to encourage all Liberty families to be safe and secure on their way to and from school. Buckle Up Jays!
DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR CHILD IS SAFE ONLINE?
Warren Hills Elementary PTA invites the public to attend a Cyber Space Safety meeting at 7 p.m., October 9. The meeting will be held in the cafeteria at Warren Hills, 1251 Camille Street. The Cyber Space meeting will focus on Cyber Space Safety for the Elementary Child, as well as safety in general. Are the on-line games your elementary child is playing safe? What do you need to look out for while your child is on-line? Come and join us on October 9 at 7:00 p.m.
2007 POM/CHEERLEADER KIDDIE CLINIC
The Liberty Sapphires and Liberty Varsity Cheerleaders will host their annual Kiddie Clinic on Saturday, October 6. The clinic will start at 8:30 a.m. with registration and conclude at 10:30 a.m. Students in grades K-5 are invited to attend. Participants will dance and cheer with the varsity squads at the Liberty Blue Jays football game on October 12. Participants will receive a t-shirt, pom pons, and a commemorative photo. Additionally, cheerleading skirts will be available for purchase the day of the clinic. Please pre-register for this event by October 4. The official flyer and registration form can be found at the following Web site: http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/parents/online-information-table
Contact Stephanie Simon if you have further questions: ssimon@liberty.k12.mo.us
JOIN PARENTS AS TEACHERS FOR FALL ACTIVITY
Join Parents as Teachers for some fall fun at Liberty Family Tree Nursery. Meet Me at the Nursery will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 10 at 830 West Liberty Drive. Children will see some of the colorful fall plants and pumpkins, learn about nature, and enjoy some seasonal children’s books. If you would like to attend, please call the PAT office at 736-7020 or e-mail dhead@liberty.k12.mo.us.
SUPPORT THE LIBERTY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION BY SHOPPING!
Enjoy a one-day shopping event to celebrate Macy's national day of support for nonprofit organizations. Make a $5 donation to the Liberty School District Foundation and save up to 20 percent all day at any Macy’s on October 13. PLUS, you'll be entered for a chance to win a $500 shopping spree at Macy’s! The Foundation receives 100 percent of the profit from ticket sales. For more information, contact the Foundation office at 736-7121 or info@lsdf.org. Tickets will also be available for purchase through October 12.
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
ALEXANDER DONIPHAN HOSTS FIRST ANNUAL SPAGHETTI DINNER FUNDRAISER AND FAMILY FUN NIGHT!
Join Doniphan families and students at 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Friday, October 19, for a spaghetti dinner, games, music, a raffle/silent auction for great prizes, plus a staff karaoke contest! Tickets can be purchased from a Doniphan student, or by calling the school at 736-5400. Pre-sale tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children 4-12 years old. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 for adults and $6 for children 4-12 years old. Children 3 and under are free with a paid adult ticket. Ticket price includes spaghetti, salad, bread and drink. This is Alexander Doniphan’s first year to try a new fundraising concept in response to parent requests. Help them meet their goal and have a great time in the process. See you there!
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.
LIBERTY COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE PROGRAM TO EXPAND SERVICE AREA
The following is a news release issued by the City of Liberty.
In an effort to benefit a greater number of Liberty area residents, the Liberty Community Christmas Tree Program will accept applications from residents in the Liberty School District. Because the Liberty community extends beyond the city limits, and the entire Liberty School District has played a vital role in the viability and success of the program, the Community Christmas Tree Commission recently approved expanding the program’s service area. Schools in the Liberty School District have been the primary contributors of canned and non-perishable foods through their annual food drives.
The Liberty Christmas Tree Program is designed to lend a hand to disadvantaged families and seniors who are facing a difficult holiday season. Donations are used to provide volunteer shoppers with vouchers to purchase gifts at Sears Grand. Last year, program volunteers delivered gifts and food to 161 families with 431 children and food to 106 seniors. This year’s program is expected to bring even better results as the service area now embraces the entire school district.
Applications will be accepted from October 8 through November 21 for those that need assistance during the holiday season.
If you need assistance, call the Liberty Community Christmas Tree program at 792.1112 beginning October 8. Phones will be answered Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Deadline for applying for the Community Christmas Tree Program is November 21. If you would like to donate food or presents to the Community Christmas Tree Program, call 792.6042 for more information.
