Top Stories from LPS
Upcoming Calendar
December 18, 2015 - End of First Semester
December 21, 2015 - January 1, 2016 - Schools Closed for Winter Break
January 4, 2016 - Teacher Workday, No Classes
January 5, 2016 - Classes Resume
First Semester Concludes Friday, December 18, 2015
Friday, December 18, marks the end of the first semester at Liberty Public Schools.  Don't forget that schools will be closed beginning Monday, December 21 - Friday, January 1.  Following a teacher workday on Monday, January 4, classes will resume on Tuesday, January 5, 2016.  

QuickNews will also be taking a Winter Break and will resume on Wednesday, January 6, 2016.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy upcoming holiday season! 
LPS Receives $15,000 Grant for Student Safety
The Missouri School Boards' Association, through its Missouri Center for Education Safety (CES), is pleased to announce that Liberty Public Schools has been awarded a school safety grant in the amount of $15,000.  Funds will be used to assist in the purchase of an upgraded visitor pass management system, which is scheduled to be implemented at schools in January 2016.
 
"Of the funds made available with this grant opportunity, we received the maximum amount, based off the size of our student population," said LPS Director of Safety and Security Gary Majors.  "With the safety of our students and staff while at school our top priority, we are obviously extremely pleased to receive this grant, which will go toward continuing efforts in keeping our students and staff safe."

More on this announcement can be accessed by clicking here. 
LPS to Offer Sprigeo Reporting System in All Secondary Schools
When all LPS secondary students return to class for second semester in January 2016, we will have available a new online system that students can use to report bullying incidents and school safety threats.  This system, called Sprigeo, is being implemented in all LPS secondary schools.  Sprigeo was piloted in a few of our schools in recent years, and positive feedback was received on the system.  Therefore, our district's Safety and Security Committee made the decision to implement the system district-wide at our secondary schools.
 
Click here to read a document providing additional information on Sprigeo.  There will be several ways for our students to use the system, and we plan to promote it using several methods, including posting the link on building websites and posters hanging in secondary buildings.
 
With the safety of our students while at school the top priority at LPS, we are excited to have this new tool accessible to us and want to encourage students to take advantage of this system, if necessary.
Next Coffee with the Community Thursday, December 17
Join us Thursday, December 17, at 10 a.m., for our next Coffee with the Community. Trey Katzer and Tracey Kracht will present an interesting, informational session, keeping us in the loop on Technology Integration within Liberty Public Schools.  Join us at the LPS District Administration Center (3rd Floor Board Room), 8 Victory Lane, Liberty.
LPS to Host Holiday Open House Friday, December 18
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Liberty Public Schools will celebrate a successful semester, while also wishing everyone a happy holiday season by hosting a Holiday Open House at the District Administration Center, 8 Victory Lane, on Friday, December 18.  Several elementary music groups will be performing throughout the day, beginning at 9:30 a.m.  Performance times for each school are below.  LPS Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Tucker will be in attendance, along with other special guests.  Performances will take place on the 3rd floor of the DAC in the Board Room.  Community members are encouraged to attend this fun event!
 
9:30-10 a.m.      Lewis and Clark Elementary
10-10:30 a.m.    Lillian Schumacher Elementary
10:30-11 a.m.    Alexander Doniphan Elementary
11-11:30 a.m.    Kellybrook Elementary
11:30-12 p.m.    Warren Hills Elementary
12-12:30 p.m.    Ridgeview Elementary
1-1:30 p.m.        EPiC Elementary
1:30-2 p.m.        Shoal Creek Elementary
LPS News to Know
Board of Education Election Information
Liberty 53 School District will accept declaration of candidacy from any person interested in running for a position on the Liberty School Board in the April 5, 2016, election. Persons interested may file at the Liberty Public School District Administration Center located at 8 Victory Lane, Liberty, Missouri.
 
Filing will begin on December 22, 2015, at 8 a.m. and will continue during the district's regular business hours, which are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.  Candidates should enter the building through the east entrance doors.  Filing will not occur on days that the school district's offices are closed due to inclement weather.  Filing will not occur on the following holidays when the school district's offices are closed:  December 24, 25, 31, 2015, and January 1, 18, 2016.  Filing will end on January 19, 2016, at 5 p.m.
 
There are two positions available with three-year terms.
Major Saver Cards Now Available
Liberty School District Foundation is once again partnering with Liberty elementary and middle schools to raise funds through the sale of Major Saver Cards.  Cards cost $15 and feature discounts at 20 Liberty businesses - including Price Chopper, Blanc Palette, and the Liberty Community Center. Proceeds from the sale of the cards benefit both the participating schools and the Foundation; in fact, last year $60,000 was raised, half of which was gifted back to the schools!  The Foundation uses the other half of the money raised to fund innovative learning projects throughout the entire District - projects like the Maker Spaces at Lewis and Clark, Manor Hill, and Heritage Middle School, as well as the summer reading mail pal program at Ridgeview, and financial support for STEM learning equipment and supplies to enhance PLTW curriculum.
 
Cards may be purchased from elementary or middle school students online or via the Major Saver app available on both Google Play and iTunes through December 16.  Visit the Foundation's website for more information!
Northland CAPS Open House
Will you be a high school junior or senior for the 2016-17 school year? Do you enjoy working with students from other districts and business partners from the real world of work? Are you eager to solve real problems in a fast growing business outside of the high school walls?  If so, join us at 6 p.m. for the Northland CAPS Open House on January 20 at the Gladstone Community Center, 6901 N. Holmes St., Gladstone. You will be able to talk with other students currently enrolled in Northland CAPS, visit with instructors, and learn more about the program.  
Strands for the 2016-17 school year include: Engineering/Advanced Manufacturing, Global Business/Entrepreneurship, Global Logistics and Transportation, Medicine and Healthcare,
and Technology Solutions.  
Seating is limited, so if you're interested, you may want to sign up now.          
January 20:  Click here     
For more information, click on this link: www.northlandcaps.org or call 816-977-8111. 
Students Attend Northland Youth Leadership Summit
Great things are going on at LHS and LNHS!  In September, each high school sent a group of students to the Northland Youth Leadership Summit.  As a result, students were inspired to take action to keep themselves and their peers safe.  

LHS students formed SPARC, Student Prevention And Resistance Coalition. This group has issued a challenge to their classmates to remain alcohol free and are developing fun activities to educate on the risks involved in substance use.  

Students at LNHS created TRY, Teaching and Reaching Youth. This group is currently creating a billboard design competition that will highlight the need to remain alcohol, tobacco, and drug free. The winner of the competition will have their design displayed on an area billboard. Both groups have become active members of Liberty Alliance For Youth and are a teen presence at  community coalition meetings.  
Changes in Immunization Requirements for 2016-2017
Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, all incoming 8th graders will be required by law to receive the Meningococcal Meningitis vaccine. This change also requires all incoming 12th graders to have 1-2 doses of the Meningococcal Meningitis vaccine, depending upon when the initial immunization was given. Please contact your school nurse for additional information.
Staff/Student Recognitions
LHS Students Selected to UMKC Honors Orchestra Weekend
Congratulations to the following Liberty High School students on their selection to the UMKC Midwest Honor Orchestra Festival and Symposium:
Violin:  Sungjune Park, Nolan Burroughs, Amy Jurgensen, Natalie Juno
Viola:   Zoe Moody, Heather Shipley
Bass:   Alex Soto 
Students will participate in clinics/rehearsals and perform in concert on Sunday, February 14, at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.  Being selected for this event is a very high honor!
Congratulations to 2014-2015 Ayrie Yearbook Staff
Please congratulate the 2014-2015 Ayrie yearbook staff at Liberty North High School for its outstanding rating from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association! The 2015 Ayrie, with its theme of "Bursting" received top honors, a Gold Medal, from CSPA, which is the highest rating CSPA awards to scholastic publications.
 
The judge's comments included, "It is clear that each aspect of the school received ample coverage for the year. As a reference tool, your book is outstanding. The bulk of the story writing throughout the book was written at a high level and offered many different rhetorical devices. Clearly, your staff is filled with skilled writers, and that should be commended. There are very few errors, which also shows how much they care about the editing process. There are so many wonderful things that [the staff has] done with this book, and you should all be so proud of your creation. It is evident you have a well established curriculum and production strategy. Thank you so much for sharing your book with me."
 
The Ayrie staff thanks the faculty and staff of Liberty North who allowed us to make the book happen and to all of the faculty and staff they've learned from during their education at LPS, as well as to the administrators who allowed the students to do what they needed to do to make the book happen. Writers and designers who receive awards and comments like that don't just happen in a year or two or from one instructor or adviser. It takes years of education and support.
 
The 2015 Ayrie staff consisted of:
Emily Vandel and Jessica McCartney: Editors-In-Chief
Sarah Young: Managing Editor
Shelby Adkins: Copy and Classes Editor
Keara O'Brien: Student Life Editor
Savannah Culver: Varsity Sports Editor
Celeste Meyer: JV/9 Sports Editor
Alydia Claypool: Organizations Editor
Brooke Culpepper: Clubs Editor
Sarah Brewer: Senior Section Editor
Maddie Mosbauer: Underclassmen Editor
Madison Colley: Business Manager
Catrina Wilson, Cheyanna Arnold, Emily Niec, Emily Schonemann, Faith Irvine, Jessica Schell, Jordan Givens, Lauren Birkeness, Lindsay Marvine, Madalyn Riley, Michaela Alexander, Nicole Kronick, Zaria Jones, Shi Lee: Reporters
Ronna Sparks-Woodward: Adviser
Upcoming Events
LHS Annual Financial Aid Night
Liberty High School will host its annual Financial Aid Night on January 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the LHS Little Theater.  Parents of seniors are encouraged to attend this informational meeting, which will cover details about the Liberty Local Scholarship Program, as well as tips for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The general program will conclude at 7:15 p.m., followed by an optional Q&A session with a financial aid expert. Immediately following this event, our Wellness Night will be held in the Library Media Center from 7:15-8:30 p.m.  Additional details on both events may be found on the LHS Counseling website.  Should you have more questions, contact Melanie Prince, LHS Counselor.
Winter Volleyball League
Liberty Juniors is offering a winter volleyball league for those in 3rd-7th grades.  Liberty Juniors provides skill training and develops fundamentals, while offering a game-like atmosphere. The league will meet at Liberty Middle School on Sundays from 3-4:30 p.m., beginning January 17th, and will be 8 sessions long. Cost is $90, which includes a team t-shirt.  Deadline for registration is January 13th.  Openings are limited for this session, so please complete the registration form by clicking here as soon as possible.  Please contact Erica Bruggemann if you have any questions. 
TSA Day Out Wednesday, December 30
Liberty High School's Technology Student Association (TSA) is hosting a TSA Day Out for all students currently in Kindergarten through 6th grade.  This one-day event on December 30, from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Liberty High school, will provide a full day of fun activities for students, while parents get a break to take care of any end-of-winter break needs or just get the kids out for some great activities.  For $25, students will have 7 hours of games, experiments, an engineering movie, and lots of fun.  A snack will be provided during the movie, but a lunch will need to be brought from home.  All proceeds will go toward helping the 50 TSA students travel to State and National competitions in various Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields.  (Sign up quickly, as our spring camp filled every spot!)  To register your student, please email dboden@liberty.k12.mo.us for more information and the registration form.
District/Community Events
Liberty Community Health Action Team
Would you like to be more involved in the health and happiness of your child? Join an LCHAT (Liberty Community Health Action Team) taskforce!  Liberty Public Schools is part of a coalition of public and private organizations, including Clay County Public Health Center, Liberty Hospital, and the City of Liberty, working to improve the health and wellness of the community as a whole. We need active parents who have the drive to impact the health of our youth. Contact LCHAT Project Coordinator, Kate Lesnar, 816-595-4213, to find out more. You may also visit the LCHAT website.
QuickNews Bulletin Board
In an effort to make our Liberty Public Schools e-newsletter, QuickNews, a concise publication in which subscribers may read in 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, the Bulletin Board may include announcements not meeting the criteria to be placed in this publication. The addition of the QN Bulletin Board allows 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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8 Victory Lane, Liberty, MO 64068
816.736.5300