Top Stories from LPS
Last Day of School Quickly Approaching
The final day of school for the 2015-2016 school year in Liberty Public Schools is Monday, May 23, and will be a three-hour early release.

All of us at LPS would like to thank our students, staff, parents, and community members for making the 2015-2016 school year a successful one!  While QuickNews will not be delivered on a weekly basis during the summer, we do plan to send periodic updates when needed.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer break, and we look forward to seeing students back in our schools on Wednesday, August 17, for the first day of classes in the '16-'17 school year! 
Summer School to Begin June 1st and 2nd
After a brief break, we will be welcoming many of our students back to schools as part of the LPS summer school program, Summer Adventure 2016.  This year's program runs from June 1-24 for high school students and June 2-28 for K-8th grades.

To view detailed information regarding the program, visit the Summer Adventure website by clicking here. 
Coffee with the Community Slated for Thursday, May 19
Liberty Public Schools will host the final Coffee with the Community for the 2015-2016 school year on Thursday, May 19, at 10 a.m. at the District Administration Center (3rd Floor/Board Room). LPS Superintendent, Dr. Jeremy Tucker, will provide attendees with a year-in-review while also looking at what's ahead for LPS. We hope you will make plans to join us!
Join us for the LPS Retirement Reception Thursday, May 19
Liberty Public Schools will honor its Retiring Class of 2016 on Thursday, May 19, at South Valley Middle School.  An opportunity to congratulate and thank this year's retirees in attendance will take place from 4:30-5 p.m., followed by a brief program beginning at 5 p.m.
The following staff members are retiring; * indicates those who will be in attendance at the reception. Retiring staff members, with available email addresses, have been hyperlinked below, should you like to extend your best wishes. Congratulations, LPS Retiring Class of 2016!
 
Susan Abbott, Liberty North High School Gateway Paraprofessional
Kathy Alagna, Liberty High School Counselor
Tracee Gardner, Manor Hill Elementary Kindergarten Teacher
Mike Hammer, LHS Social Studies Teacher/Head Wrestling Coach
Carl Hines*, SVMS Custodian
Patricia Kurtz*, LHS/LNHS Latin Teacher
Jan Lunnon*, Liberty Oaks Elementary Paraprofessional
Tammy Payne, Liberty Middle School Administrative Assistant 
Sherri Porterfield, South Valley Middle School Vocal Music Teacher
J.J. Thompson*, Liberty Middle School Custodian
Trena Vivanco*, South Valley Middle School Paraprofessional
Changes in Immunization Requirements for 2016-2017 School Year
Missouri State Immunization Requirements have changed. Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year:  All incoming 8th graders will be required by law to receive the Meningococcal Conjugate vaccine. This change also requires all incoming 12th graders to have 1-2 doses of the Meningococcal Conjugate vaccine, depending upon when the initial immunization was given. Please contact your school nurse for additional information.
LPS News to Know
Audit and Finance Committee Seeking Members
The Board of Education is currently seeking applicants interested in filling the vacant seats of the Audit & Finance Committee. The seats available are two, 3-year positions ending June 30, 2019.  Service for the position will begin immediately following an interview and selection process by the Board of Education to be conducted on Monday, June 20. Applicants must be available to participate in the interview process on that date.  More information and applications may be found by clicking here. 
'16-'17 Blue Jay Nation Memberships Now Available
Please click on the membership link, or you can simply click here, to register your family for Blue Jay Nation! 
 
This year, we have bundled parent and student memberships. With each student you add to your membership, you save money on Blue Crew membership(s). This year, we gave away over $1,700 in prizes to Blue Crew members and $5,000 in senior scholarships. Plus, 50% of your membership goes directly to your club or clubs of choice. 
 
For the past three years, Blue Jay Nation has been one of the largest PTSA's in the state of Missouri. We look forward to continuing to build the Blue Jay Nation family!
 
If you have any questions, please email VP of Membership, Ms. Kim Turner. 
 
In addition to Blue Jay Nation membership sign-ups, you may sign your child up for an athletic physical by clicking here. 
Student/Staff Recognitions
Student/Staff Recognitions Available on QN Bulletin Board
Due to the high volume of student/staff recognitions submitted in the spring, these noteworthy mentions will be posted at a designated position on our LPS website for viewing. This page will be updated throughout the week as recognitions are received. To view this page, click here.
Upcoming Events
Summer Middle School Band Camp Opportunity
Sign up online for the LPS Middle Level Band Camp, June 6-10!  The half-day morning camp will be held at Liberty High School for all kids currently in grades 6-7, from all four LPS middle schools.  

It is strongly encouraged your band student attend a summer music camp!  Many cherished memories and lifelong friendships are made through summer music camps.
Youth Tech, Inc. Summer Camps
Youth Tech, Inc. is a summer camp dedicated to providing high quality, affordable training for students with a passion for learning, giving them a competitive advantage in the field of their choice. Camps will be held at Liberty Middle School, 1500 S. Withers Rd. Camp dates will be
July 5-8 * July 18-21 * July 25-28. 

Check out the choices our 2016 courses include:
Suggested ages 10-17 * Animation * Web Design * Web Studio * Movie Makers * Game Design * 3D Game Design * Gaming Academy

Suggested ages 6-10 * iVideo Game Design

For more information, call 877-984-2267 or go to www.youthtechinc.com or info@youthtechinc.com.  
Summer Orchestra Opportunities
Calling all string students!  LPS offers fun and enriching opportunities over the summer for orchestra students entering 6th through 12th grade. Click here  for details and registration. Middle school strings camp for incoming 6th through 8th graders is July 11-15. Liberty High School Orchestra "Get-to-Know-You" rehearsals are Aug. 8 and 9. Liberty North Freshman Orchestra "Get-to-Know-You" rehearsals are Aug. 3-5.  
 
It's the place to be for fun, friendship, and music making!  Sign up today!
Spirit Squads to Host Clinics Coming Up This Fall
The Liberty High School Cheerleaders and Sapphires will be hosting their annual Cheer and Pom Clinic on September 21.  For more information on this event, click here.

In addition, the LHS and LNHS Cheerleaders will host a clinic for students K-5 on Tuesday, August 30.  Participants will receive a t-shirt, learn cheers, play games, and perform during pregame for the LHS/LNHS football game on Friday, September 2.  For more information or to register online, click here. 
District/Community Events
Picnic in the Park Coming to Liberty Friday!
41 Action News Chief Meteorologist Gary Lezak will be visiting Liberty coming up Friday, May 20 as part of their "Picnic in the Park" series.  Gary will be at Bennett Park from 4 - 6:30 p.m., and among the activities held, the Liberty North High School Jazz Band will perform.  In addition, the first 141 people to arrive will receive picnic-style cuisine.  An opportunity to meet Sunny the Weather Dog and play fun games will also be available!

The weather is looking nice for Friday afternoon, so make plans to attend this fun event! 
Cybersecurity and STEM Career Opportunities
Interested in learning about CyberSecurity? The AFA CyberCamp program is designed to excite students new to cybersecurity about STEM career opportunities and teach them important cyber defense skills through hands-on instruction and activities.  Click on the following links for more information.  Still have questions?  Contact Colleen Jones.
 
Camp information:  Click here
Registration:  Click here
Garrison School Celebration
Members of the Clay County African American Legacy, Inc. will host its 16th Annual Juneteenth Celebration and the 140th Anniversary of Garrison School, at Garrison School, 502 N. Water Street, 6 p.m., June 24. Tickets for the event are $50 and will include a soul food dinner, silent auction, and musical entertainment, featuring Mark Anderson and Friends. To learn more about this event on the QuickNews Bulletin Board, click here and scroll down just a bit.
Relay for Life of Liberty Returns Saturday, June 25
Relay for Life of Liberty returns on Saturday, June 25, from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the South Valley Middle School/Discovery Middle School track, located at 800 Midjay Drive, Liberty, MO.  To register for the event, visit their website by clicking here.  If you would have any additional questions about this event, contact Event Chair Julie Davidson at 820-6696.
LPS to Offer DIVAS Camp
LPS is thrilled to offer an engineering camp specifically for girls.  We will focus on building relationships with female engineering students and professionals, using our creativity to problem solve and exploring the many career paths open to women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  This camp is scheduled for July 14-15 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Liberty North High School.  For more information on the camp and to sign up, click here. 
Liberty Parks and Rec Offers Summer Camps
From engineering with legos to ballet to sports-themed camps, Liberty Parks and Rec has something for everyone.  To view the various summer opportunities for students, click here! 
Earnest Shepherd Youth Center Offers Summer Camps
Looking for adventure? Sign up for summer camps at Earnest Shepherd Youth Center. Their summer camp line-up includes Camp Half Blood, Camp Crazee Daze, Harry Potter Camp, Art Camp, Adventure Camp, Camp Grimm.  Each week targets a different age group and camp theme.  Camps will be held May 31 through August 12.  Call the Youth Center today for more information at 781-7733 or check us out at www.earnestshepherd.com. 
Explore Mosaic Life Care at Shoal Creek
Does your career align with your life's purpose? Explore Mosaic Life Care and discover health-care and life-care skills that can help you meet your life's purpose and live life well. Learn more about nutrition, diabetes, and cholesterol education for future health-care providers. Join us at the workshop at the Life Center at Mosaic Life Care at Shoal Creek on:
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. * $10 per person * Lunch Included
Register at www.nwmoahec.org; click on event registration and forms. For more information, call 271.6769.
Student Summer Opportunities in the Kansas City Area
To view some amazing upcoming summer opportunities for our students, click here! 
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