Top Stories from LPS
Houston-Stewart/Evans Sworn Into Office
At the Monday, April 20, 2015 Board of Education meeting, Ms. Eileen Houston-Stewart and Mr. David Evans were officially sworn in to serve on the LPS Board of Education.  Both Ms. Houston-Stewart and Mr. Evans ran unopposed in this spring's election.  Each will serve three-year terms. To read the complete summary of the April 20 Board of Education meeting, click here.
Lawson Named New Liberty Middle School Principal
The Liberty Public Schools Board of Education has appointed Ms. Katie Lawson to be the next principal of Liberty Middle School, effective July 1, 2015.
 

Ms. Lawson is a life-long resident of the Liberty community and is a graduate of Liberty High School. She also has served her entire professional career in Liberty Public Schools as a teacher and administrator. She began her career as a teacher at Ridgeview Elementary in 1999 and has spent the last nine years as an administrator serving as an assistant principal at several buildings, most recently at Lewis and Clark Elementary. During her time as an administrator, Ms. Lawson also served as an interim assistant principal at Heritage Middle School.

 

She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from William Jewell College, a Master's Degree from Northwest Missouri State University, and is completing her Educational Doctorate in Leadership and Policy Analysis through the University of Missouri.

 

"We are excited for both Katie and the Liberty Middle School community," said LPS Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Tucker. "Katie's understanding of the Liberty community, coupled with her strong leadership skills, make her a great choice to lead LMS".

LPS News to Know 
Dr. Kris Martin Receives Special Recognition

Liberty Public Schools Director of Special Services, Dr. Kris Martin, was honored with the Outstanding Special Education Education Administrator for 2015 at the Missouri Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (MSHA) President's Luncheon on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at Tan-Tar-A.

 

This award recognizes one special education administrator in Missouri who has provided outstanding leadership and support, and who consistently strives to improve and enhance th services provided by communicatively-impaired students.

 

Dr. Martin was chosen for her advancement of knowledge, as evidenced by recent significant accomplishments in LPS. Five speech pathologists submitted letters of recommendation for Dr. Martin earlier this year.

Congratulations to Dr. Martin on receiving this recognition!

LPS Participates in Excellence in Education Banquet

The 2015 Excellence in Education Banquet, presented by the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce, was held Tuesday evening, April 21, at the KCI Expo Center.  Liberty Public Schools was represented well at the event, bringing home several indvidual awards. They included:  Chiarra Franklin, Liberty High School, Scholarship Recipient; Marshall Williams, Liberty North High School, Scholarship Recipient; Liberty Hospital, Business in Support of Education; Pat Cull, Volunteer in Support of Education; Bridget Lester, Lewis and Clark Elementary, Excellence in Service to Education; Amy Love, EPiC Elementary, Excellence in Service to Education; Karen Van Vleck, Manor Hill Elementary, Excellence in Service to Education; Glenda Monachino, EPiC Elementary, Excellence in Classroom Teaching; Carolyn Phelps, Ridgeview Elementary, Excellence in Classroom Teaching; and Ronda Ruckman, Early Childhood Center, Excellence in Classroom Teaching.  Congratulations to all of this year's recipients!

LSDF Hosts 19th Annual H.O.P.E. Awards

Foundation logoLast week, the Liberty School District Foundation hosted its 19th Annual H.O.P.E. Awards - an event that recognizes students from every campus in the Liberty Public School District for exceptional positive behaviors and character traits.

 

These special recognition awards were first presented in 1996 by the Foundation as a way to celebrate and honor Liberty students who exemplify special attributes above and beyond the normal efforts of the daily school routine.   Each school in the District is given the opportunity to nominate students that epitomize the following categories: Personal Initiative, Meeting the Challenge, Humanitarian, Walk the Talk, and Community Service. Awards are accompanied by stories of achievement told by each student's teacher, counselor, or principal, and this year, a student's bus driver! In addition to the elusive H.O.P.E. Award being presented to each student, local Missouri Representatives T.J. Berry, Nick King, and Noel Shull sponsored a Missouri House of Representatives Resolution to honor each H.O.P.E. Award recipient. Representative King's wife, Norma King, made a special appearance to present each student with his or her Resolution.

 

More can be found on this year's H.O.P.E. Awards, including recipient names, by clicking here.

Liberty Alliance for Youth to Host Special Event
Liberty Alliance for Youth (LAFY) is hosting a special screening of "Sticks & Stones", a movie about bullying, followed by a panel discussion.  This free event is Thursday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Theater of Liberty Community Center, 1600 S. Withers Rd, Liberty, MO.  This program is appropriate for students 13 and over, and we encourage parents and students to attend together. 

 

Following the movie, there will be a panel, including the Liberty Public Schools Superintendent, Liberty Public Schools Director of Guidance, a Liberty Public Schools student, an adolescent therapist and the Clay County Sheriff. There will be snacks and door prizes. This program is supported by Tri-County Mental Health Services, Liberty Community Center, and B&B Theaters.

 

Liberty Alliance for Youth is a voluntary, not-for-profit coalition of local organizations committed to bringing resources together to help reduce alcohol, tobacco, other drug abuse, violence, and other negative behaviors, and to improve the lives of Liberty citizens. This program is funded by the Clay, Platte, Ray Tax levy Board and with support from Tri-County Mental Health Services, Liberty Community Center, and B&B Theaters.

 

For more information on LAFY, contact Kendra Callaway at 679.5361 or send them an email by clicking here.

LPS Student Enrollment Goes Online
Families who will be enrolling new students to LPS for the 2015-2016 school year in grades K-12 may now do so online.  The 3 steps to enrolling your child are provided as follows:

Step 1: The process may begin from the comforts of your own home using your home computer (or any computer with Internet access). Begin by visiting the LPS student enrollment website at
https://registration.liberty.k12.mo.us/, then simply follow the directions to complete the online application, download (and print, if possible) any necessary forms, and gather the requested student information documents (listed in Step 3).

 

Step 2: You will then be directed to schedule a time to visit your student's school to complete the enrollment process. If you are not sure which LPS school your child is to attend, simply click here. If you would have further questions, don't hesitate to call the LPS Transportation Office at 736-5360.

 

Step 3: Visit your child's school at your scheduled time, and bring the following documents to secure your student's enrollment:

  • Parent/Legal Guardian - Photo ID
  • 2 current proofs of residency (2 different utility bills - gas, water, or electric only- OR lease agreement OR house contract - less than 60 days old)
  • Your child's state-issued birth certificate
  • Your child's immunization record
  • Your child's social security card
Summer School Center Stage Theatre Offered

Take Center Stage with Liberty Public Schools' new Summer Theatre Program June 18-26 from 12 noon-4 p.m. in the South Valley Middle School cafeteria. There will also be a special performance for family and friends at 7 p.m. on June 26.  This program is for students entering 5th through 9th grade in the Fall of 2015.  The first 100 students are guaranteed a spot in the Center Stage Program.

 

During this 7-day course, students will:

* practice auditioning techniques

* participate in improvisation games and activities

* work on character development

* rehearse a play

* learn about technical theatre (set painting, lights, sound, and props)

 

This is a wonderful opportunity for students entering 5th through 9th grade who want to continue developing their performing and technical theatre skills as well as those who want to try live theatre for the first time. Daily snacks will be provided, and all participants will receive a complimentary Center Stage t-shirt.

 

Directors include:

* Christine Gregoire - LMS Director (Alice in Wonderland, Hairspray)

* Olivia Wheeler - HMS Director (Annie, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe)

* Jill Hemann - SVMS Director (Grease, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe)

* Todd Hoover - District Theater Manager (Shrek, Hello Dolly)

 

In order to enroll in Center Stage Summer Theatre, you MUST be an enrolled student in 2015 Liberty Summer School and between the grades of 5th and 9th for the 2015-2016 school year. 

 

Click here to sign up for this great opportunity!

Student/Staff Recognitions 
Due to the high volume of student/staff recognitions, these announcements will be posted on our QuickNews Bulletin Board, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Upcoming Events 
Sculptures Now on Display

On display for public viewing is the 7th Annual Children's Book Character Sculptures made in clay at the Shoal Creek Branch Mid-Continent Public Library from April 17-30. Congratulations goes to the following students whose work was selected for the exhibit:  Danielle Kuhn, Kole Wright, Anthony Maschino, Madi Dye, Zach Klein, Katherine Herrick, Ian Orlich, Sam Schipper, Hannah Richardson, Kaleb Sloup, Lindsey Downey, Sydney Banton, Kyle Stein, Kobe Shields, Zooey Davis, Koryn Dale, Katie Fuller, Aoife Choice, 

Valerie Alvarado, Amara Phillips, Cami Smith, Sierra Crow, Kaylin Hink, Stephanie Shoemaker, and Lane Carty.

Discovery Middle School Presents XANADU

It's time to believe in magic with XANADU! It's 1980, and the magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, descends from the heavens of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California, on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, as he strives to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time - the first roller disco!  See you Thursday, April 23; Friday, April 24; Saturday, April 25 @7 p.m. or Saturday, April 25, at 2 p.m., at Discovery Middle School.

 

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased in advance on-line by going to the LPS Fine Arts webpage (finearts.liberty.k12.mo.us) and click on the ShowTix4U.com logo near the top of the page.  Tickets will also be on sale at Discovery Middle School one hour before the start of each performance.  Contact the Fine Arts Office at 736-5660 if you have any questions.

Summer Driver's Education Program Information
Registration for the LPS summer Driver's Education program is still open.  The early bird Driver's Education registration rate of $330 ends April 30.   Starting May 1, the registration rate will increase to $375. To enroll in the program, or for more information, click here.
LHS/WJC to Host Youth Volleyball Camp
The Liberty High School and William Jewell College volleyball programs are teaming up to host a youth volleyball camp.  The cost of this camp is $40 if you pre-register by Friday, May 1, and $45 if you register onsite. Cost covers all fees, as well as an LHS VB t-shirt.  Athletes should wear proper clothing, such as shorts, t-shirt, and proper shoe attire. The purpose of this camp is to have fun by instilling at an early age the proper fundamentals of volleyball through the use of positive reinforcement. This volleyball camp is made available for 4th-7th graders and will run May 4-7 from 6-8 p.m. at LHS.  To register for the event, click here.
PLTW Senior Students to Showcase Work

Tuesday, May 5, from 6-8 p.m., at the Mosaic Life Care Center (8870 NE 82nd Ter., KCMO), graduating Project Lead the Way (PLTW) seniors will highlight capstone projects from the Engineering Design and Development (EDD) course in a series of quick-hitting presentations.  Past projects include, "The Ketchup Cap," which was featured on such sites as Huffington Post and Good Morning America.  The event will also feature two keynote speakers.  You may RSVP to this event at http://tinyurl.com/EDDShowcase2015.  If you have any additional questions, contact Brett Kisker.

LHS Hosting LEAD Camp

Liberty High School's Technology Student Association is hosting its first Liberty Engineering and Design (LEAD) camp for K-5 students. This event will be held on May 22 at Liberty High School from 8:45 a.m.-3 p.m. and will cover a fun, diverse range of topics. There will be many engaging age- group-related projects in engineering disciplines, such as civil, aerospace, chemical, etc. Registration is open now and is restricted to 15 students in each grade on a first come first served basis. All supplies, lunch, a project to take home, and a t-shirt are included in the cost of $40. Email name and grade to dboden@liberty.k12.mo.us.  You will be emailed a link to the full registration.

District/Community Events  
Hillcrest Hope to Host Family Fun Run/Walk

The 3rd annual one mile Family Fun Run/Walk to support Hillcrest Hope will be held on the trail around the Woodneath Farms neighborhood pond (90th St and Manning Ave) on Sunday, May 3. Registration begins at 5 p.m., run/walk at 5:30 p.m., $5 per person. There will be music, snacks, and a few door prizes from area businesses at the end. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the children living at Hillcrest. The mission is to help these families get back on their feet and on the road to self-sufficiency in 90 days, but in order to do that, they are expected to maintain a strict budget. The budget has room only for needs, and not wants. Things like Halloween costumes, other holiday goodies, birthday cakes and gifts, etc are not "needs".  These are the things that the proceeds will help to purchase for some of the children in the program this year.  The event is put on by Discovery Middle School 6th graders Brady Maher, Quin Ackerson, and Drew Cason.

 This event started as a 4th grade school project, and the boys have loved giving to these Hillcrest kids and want to keep the event going.  A basketball goal for the Liberty Hillcrest Apartment Complex parking lot (located a few blocks off the Square) was purchased and installed the first year, and a Wii and a few games were given last year for all of the kids to use in the office while their parents attend required weekly meetings. The event is open to anyone.  Strollers, wagons, and friendly dogs on leashes are welcome, but no scooters or bikes please. Rainout date is May 17th. If you have any questions, or cannot attend but would like to make a contribution, you may email Lisa Maher at lisamaher@ymail.com.  

LPS to Host DIVAS Camp and Camp Med

The camps listed below provide students with tremendous summer opportunities.

  • DIVAS Camp - Design & Innovation via Applied Science (incoming 6th-9th grade GIRLS) July 13-15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Liberty North H.S.  This engineering camp is specifically for GIRLS! The focus will be on building RELATIONSHIPS with female engineering students and professionals, using CREATIVITY to problem solve and explore the many career paths open to WOMEN in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  The informational flier for this event can be accessed by clicking here.
  • Camp Med, July 20-22, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Liberty Hospital  This camp will help students learn about the medical field. It is a hands-on approach to find out what the biomedical science program is all about.  Students will meet with medical/healthcare professionals.  The informational flier for this event can be accessed by clicking here.

Additional details for both camps:

  • $50, payable to Liberty Public Schools
  • T-shirt + pizza on the final day of camp (bring lunch the first two days)
  • Parents/community are invited on the last day at 1 p.m. 
Mentoring a Girl in Construction Camp (MAGIC)

Free, one-week summer day camp hosted by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), Greater Kansas City Chapter #100. The purpose of this camp is to introduce high school girls to the world of construction. Girls who like working with their hands and who enjoy a feeling of accomplishment after successfully completing a challenging task, will enjoy this opportunity.  

 

MAGIC Summer Camp will be June 1-5 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.  Lunch, snacks, and drinks provided. Class size limited to 24. Registration is open now on a first-come, first-served basis, with the last day for registration being May 18. 

 

All participants will receive a MAGIC summer camp t-shirt, take home all completed projects and hand tools, will learn about scholarships, and will meet women from all areas of construction. Click here to learn more and register for the camp.

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 be transferred to our 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.  To access this page, simply click here.
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Important Upcoming Dates 
at LPS
  
Monday, May 18, 2015
Board of Education Meeting (7 p.m./District Administration Center)
  
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Last Day of School
(3-hour Early Release)
  
Monday, June 1, 2015
Summer School Begins