Liberty Common Elementary School 
1725 Sharp Point Dr. 
Fort Collins, CO 80525 
Phone:(970)482-9800
Fax: (970)482-8007 
www.libertycommon.org

OfficeHours:7:50-4:00 
Attendance Line:  
(970)482-9800,option2   


Common Knowledge, 
Common Virtues, Common Sense

A National Charter School of the Year,  
A Nationally Recognized Blue Ribbon School, 
A Certified Official Core Knowledge Site School,  
A John Irwin School of Excellence, and A Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School  

2016-17 Calendar
  • Classes Begin-Aug.  29
  • Labor Day-Sept. 5
  • Parent/Teacher Conferences-Oct. 28
  • Thanksgiving-Nov. 23-25
  • Winter Break-Dec. 26-Jan. 6
  • Martin Luther King Day-Jan. 16
  • Professional Development Day-Feb. 17
  • Presidents'Day-Feb. 20
  • Spring Break-March 13-17
  • Good Friday-April 14
  • Last Day of Classes-1/2/Day May 26

Board of Directors  
You may contact all members of our Board of Directors at [email protected] or by telephone:
  • Patrick Albright: 232-8257
  • Joel Goeltl: 593-8556
  • Paulette Hansen: 282-8455
  • Jeff Webb: 545-9636
  • Denise Benz: 420-4184
  • John Rohrbaugh: 225-2259
  • Aislinn Kottwitz: 217-5925
Next Board of Directors Mtg., 
March 24, 2016 
Liberty Common Elementary
  
  
In an effort to keep students safe during drop-off and pick-up times, please refrain from using cell phones. The front, middle and back drop-off and pick-up areas are designated NO CELL PHONE AREAS. 

Mark Your Calendar
February 22-26|Penny Wars
February 23|WatchDOG Azer Yalin in the house.
February 29|Character Assembly|Tad, Jona and Isaac from Alexa's Hugs.  CLICK HERE to learn more about Alexa's Hugs.

8:10-8:45-4th-6th Grade
8:55-9:35-Kinder-3rd Grade
March 4|Classroom Pictures
March 14-March 18|Spring Break|NO SCHOOL 
March 24|Liberty T-Shirt Day
March 24|BOD Mtg.
March 25|Good Friday|NO SCHOOL

Attendance Policy
Please call our attendance line by 8:30 am if your child will not be attending school due to illness, appointment or is out of town.
The number is 482-9800, option 2.

If you need to take your child to an appointment during school hours, please come to the Front Office, sign them out and we will call them out of class.

All students who arrive after 8:00 a.m. must be signed in at the Front Office.  It is important that a reason be included on the sign-in sheet.
 
Liberty Sports News
This Week In Junior-High Sports: 

JH-Girl's Basketball
  • Monday, 2/22, 4pm, vs St. Joseph
  • Wednesday, 2/24, 4pm @ Windsor Charter Academy
  • Thursday,  2/25, 4pm vs New Vision Charter
  • Monday, 2/29, 4pm vs Heritage Christian (Spirit Game)
-Attention 6th graders - Anyone interested in participating on the school track and field team, must turn in a completed athletic packet to Mrs. Ronen(Front Office)before the first day of practice on Monday March 7th.  You may pick-up a packet from the front office.
 -There will also be a track and field meeting for your parents to attend next Monday, February 29th at 6:30PM in the elementary school gym.
 -If you have any questions please talk to Mr. Reeves or Mr. Wilcox.

Kindergarten Store Donations
Every February the Kindergarten classes begin learning about money. To provide a real-life experience, we open a toy store in each kindergarten classroom. We could use help stocking our stores. If you have any gently used toys or books that are cluttering your house, the kinders would greatly appreciate them. Please drop donated toys by one of the Kindergarten classrooms.
 
The Kindergarten Teachers 

Child Care
Students, do you babysit? Be a part of our Spring Gala's Babysitter Club Auction Item.  If interested call Tami O'Malley at 970-224-4341 or email me at [email protected] to learn more. Don't wait -- let us know by February 29th.
By participating, you would:
*Allow a great set of parents a night out.
*Get your name out as a fabulous babysitter.
*Be sharing your loyalty and love for Liberty Common.
*Raise money for Liberty.



The Eagle's Nest

LCS Student Council is sponsoring our Annual Penny War, Feb. 22-Feb. 26, with money collected going to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  
 We will NOT accept money after lunch on 2/26/16.
Rules of the Penny War:
-Pennies add to your class's total. Silver coins and bills subtract from other class's totals.
-Bills are accepted this year!
-The cardboard boxes are a place to collect coins at home for the next few weeks. The kids are not to go door-to-door. 
-The winning class gets a Pasta Party from Olive Garden.
February 22, 2016 
Volume 19 
Issue 23   
   
Winter Carnival Was Gnarly

 
A totally HUGE thank you to ALL the parent volunteers, staff, student council, The Soasey's for their DeLorean, Panino's amazing food and the Colvin family for tirelessly making cotton candy and pop corn. You all made this year's Winter Carnival totally radical.
 
  From the behind the scenes people who spent countless hours planning and prepping, to those of you that donated your time at the event or donated goods or both. You are totally righteous, appreciated and help make our school community stronger. We are so like grateful for parents, staff and students like you and to be apart of this amazingly totally rad and "uncommon" Liberty  Common School.
 
The Winter Carnival Team















Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers that helped organize the Winter Carnival this year. We had a great committee of folks that made this year's fest better than ever. Thanks for your time and commitment organizing such a fun event.
 
Hannah Knecht
Julie Russel
Kellie Kreikemeier
Kim Kent
Stephanie Staples
Alma Nielsen
Jen Stalcup
Yolanda Sears
Celia LeVasseur

Art Volunteers Needed, No Experience Required
 
Art Room Volunteers are needed for 2nd grade, 1st Grade, and Kinder Art classes starting at 12:00:

Help students and read aloud as they work on their projects. You don't have to have any special art skill, a child in that grade or class.  Just be willing to help students do their best job and prepare materials.   It's a lot of fun!
 CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER


Board of Directors Election - Deadline Correction
The correct deadline for applying for candidacy for the Board of Directors is March 9th.  Applications encompassing a letter of interest and statement of educational philosophy are due no later than March 9th to ensure adequate time for consideration. Elections will be held April 18th. To complete an application, go to http://www.libertycommon.org/k-6-school/staff/board-of-directors/.   Board members serve three-year terms and are instrumental in the governance of our school. You are welcome to contact Board Chair, Paulette Hansen at [email protected] or any Board member who can answer your questions regarding membership.

Candidates for the BOD must meet the following criteria to quality for election or appointment to the BOD:
  • Registered voter residing in Colorado.
  • Parent, grandparent, or legal guardian of a student enrolled at Liberty for a minimum of two years by the time the candidate's term on the BOD would commence.
  • Attendance at least one of the BOD meetings during the school year of the election.
  • Complete and sign the following documents:
    • Volunteer Application for the current school year
    • Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement
    • Volunteer Oath
    • Volunteer Agreement
    • Board of Directors Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreement
    • Board of Directors Affidavit
    • Read and support wholeheartedly the views presented in the following three books:            
      • Cultural Literacy by E.D. Hirsch Jr.
      • Why Johnny Can't Tell Right from Wrong by William Kilpatrick
      • The Schools We Need and Why We Don't Have Them by E.D. Hirsch Jr.
      • Submission of a Letter of Interest for BOD Membership
      • Submission of Statement of Educational Philosophy
      • Volunteer in the school
      • Embrace the principles of Liberty's Charter and founding books
      • Receive a recommendation from a School Principal
 
Paulette Hansen, Chairman
Liberty Common School Board of Directors


Gala News
Look for your Gala 2016 invitation in the mail.
Visit libertycommon.org and click the Gala 2016 icon to learn all about the event, register to attend online, or donate.


Liberty Common Academic
Summer Camps

Dear Parent/s,
Summer will be here before you know it! Liberty Common Elementary School is offering a SUMMER CAMP for reading and literacy, math, and academic individualized tutoring, for students entering 1st.-6th. grades.  Spots are filling up, so register early.

CLICK HERE for information about and to register for  Reading and Literacy Camp.

CLICK HERE for information about and to register for Math Camp.

CLICK HERE for information about and to register for Individualized Tutoring.   

We are excited to offer our summer camp and hope your child can join us!

Sincerely,
Keith Churchill
Principal, Liberty Common School

Coming Soon: An Opportunity to 
Purchase A Lasting Impression
Legacy Bricks. Purchase a Liberty-Legacy brick to show your support for finishing the gymnasium. 

Bricks will be available in two sizes and can be purchased online as well as at the upcoming spring Gala. 4" x 8" is $250, 8" x 8" is $500, 8" x 8" with Eagle logogo is $550.
 
Bricks will be laid in a garden area outside the new gymnasium at the high school. Design your brick and be part of Liberty Common High School's foundation forever.
Students Unplugged
By Jeff Siener, 4th Grade Teacher, LCS
Over the course of nearly 20 years teaching at Liberty, I have seen many changes. Testing on computers, the explosion of the Internet, and using email as the primary source of communication with families name just a few. Yet some aspects of the field of education have remained very constant. I have observed a common thread in many of the students who have thrived, not only academically, but also socially, and thereby become better prepared for college and the working world. Interestingly, this commonality is not something taught at school. It is an action and philosophy from their home lives. Many of the most successful and driven students I have had the privilege of working with and watching pass through the halls of our school have been brought up in an environment with limited screen time and exposure to video games and other gaming devices.

For most children and young adults, electronics have addictive qualities. Their high levels of visual stimulation and immediate feedback cause many "plugged-in" students to become less engaged with daily tasks at home and at school.

There are many studies and articles circulating about the pros and cons of video games in relation to reaction time and problem solving abilities. Additionally, I have used my own unofficial study group over nearly two decades, my students. The negative implications for students who regularly play video games and excessively watch television far outweigh the benefits.

On and off over the last 10 years, I have given a challenge to my students. At the beginning of second semester, I challenge them to completely refrain from watching TV, movies, and playing video games at home, even on the weekends and during breaks from school. The results of this challenge are always the same. Many students are unable to hold out beyond the initial five day school week. For the motivated students who push through the first two weeks, there is a noticeable transformation. At home, they spend more time outside, reading, and playing with siblings. At school, I find the students are better rested, more focused on tasks, have better class participation, and display improved work quality. The students that persevere beyond one month begin to develop new habits and take on new hobbies or sports. They seem to be physically healthier because their attendance at school improves. The most profound change for every student that pushes beyond one month is the immense growth in his or her reading skills. 

In the 21st century, it is very difficult, and unrealistic, for all of us to completely "unplug", especially when so much of our daily lives are conducted through these convenient, yet addictive, devices. Below are several small steps that can have a huge impact for reducing distracting screen time and improving long term success.
-        Avoid movie-sitters. Keep a stack of books in a bag to take with you when you go somewhere that may involve sitting and waiting. Save movies in the car for road trips if watched at all. Audiobooks always make a great alternative.
-        Do not put a television or computer in a child's bedroom at any age.
-        Avoid getting children their own cell phones, tablets, or computers as long as possible. Base the timing on family needs, not social pressures or a begging child. Having an extra "family" phone is a possible solution.
-        Avoid screen time from Sunday evening until Friday afternoon unless it is school related, such as studying, practicing skills, or doing research.
-        Avoid cell phones or tablets in the bedroom at least one hour before bedtime. Many studies have shown how detrimental the use of electronic devices before bed is to sleep quality and duration.
-        When your children's friends come to your home to visit, help them develop healthy social skills by asking them to leave their electronic devices in a basket by the door.
 
We live in an amazing time with so many great tools and a vast amount of information at our fingertips. As parents and educators, it will be a continuous endeavor to balance the use of such tools and devices while setting reasonable and realistic boundaries for our children.
 
For a guy that grew up in Buffalo, NY, this story strikes a chord and hopefully reinforces the points I have made above.  
 
"When I was a kid, my social network was outside."
-         Unknown


Liberty Common School | 1725 Sharp Point Dr. | Fort Collins | CO | 80525