Liberty Newsletter Volume 65
January 15, 2021
Important Dates & District Communication
Updated 2020-2021 Important Dates
Family-Teacher Conferences (4:15 PM- 7:45 PM)
- Wednesday, February 3
- Thursday, April 29
Dances
- Winter Dance: Saturday, February 13 (Cancelled)
- Prom: Saturday, May 15
2021 Graduate Dates
- Senior photo due to Yearbook: February 26 (Cunningham.Ashley@iowacityschools.org)
- Senior Awards Recognition Assembly: Wednesday, May 26
- Senior Scholarship Recognition Evening: Monday, May 31
- Graduation Rehearsal: Friday, June 4 @ Coralville Xtream Arena
- Liberty High Graduation: Saturday, June 5, 2021 (7:00 PM) @ Coralville Xtream Arena
College Course Options Webinar for 21-22
Current sophomores and juniors and their guardians are invited to attend a webinar on Thursday, January 28 at 7:00 PM to hear information about college course options for next school year. These options including Kirkwood Academies, alternative-concurrent enrollment courses through Kirkwood, and PSEO options through the University of Iowa. A reminder that these options are all provided free to students while they are ICCSD students. This webinar will be recorded and sent out afterwards as well if you are unable to attend.
Webinar Link: https://iowacityschools-org.zoom.us/j/95626849695
MLK Special Learning Day (Virtual)
Culturally Responsive Parenting Seminar
For all ICCSD High School Parents, jointly sponsored by the high school PSTOs.
Via Zoom on January 27th from 6-8 pm.
Please join us for an introduction to cultural proficiency. Participants will be able to identify cultural proficiency and assess where they are on the continuum. Participants will also be able to identify barriers to it and ways to stand for equity.
Presented by Laura Gray, ICCSD Director of Diversity & Cultural Responsiveness
Depending on the number of participants, we will have break-out sessions for facilitated discussions.
To RSVP, fill out this form: https://forms.gle/3jEPzvoakCPFsXbY7 and the Zoom link will be sent to you before the event by email.
RSVP by January 20
Questions? Email: iowacitywestpsto@gmail.com
Family-Teacher Conferences
Canvas Assistance for Guardians
Virtual Homework Help- Available for ALL LHS Students
AVID Site Team Feature: Marianne McGrane
Involved with AVID Since: June 2019
Why Avid?
AVID is Awesome! When I first began to learn about AVID and the AVID philosophy, I felt like I was talking to someone speaking my love language. When I was in high school , I struggled to understand how to navigate or “do” school. Over the years, I have been lucky enough to work with some wonderful educators that have helped me to develop strategies and methods to help students get better at the behind the scenes skills needed to become a successful student. I feel that the AVID approach and techniques can benefit all students, however I believe that they’re especially helpful to kids who learn and think differently. They can make a big difference in how struggling students take in and work with information. The AVID approach develops the skills needed for all students to be successful in school. I believe that it can empower students in a way that I wish I felt when I was in high school many, many years ago. I am blessed to be on the AVID team and be a part of this work within Liberty High School.
Interested in learning more about AVID? AVID Smore
Extracurricular Activities
Varsity Boys Basketball Appear in Top 10
Trojan Bolts Boys Swim Team Wins Again

Activity Calendar
Miscellaneous
Her Drive
A group of Liberty and other ICCSD students have been organizing a North Liberty chapter of the national Her Drive to best support menstruating persons in our community who are experiencing especially harsh conditions this year. The drive will run from January 16 through February 14. Her Drive is a nonprofit organization that collects bras, menstrual care, and general hygiene products for people who need them. I have linked their Facebook page HERE so that you may continue to look into this awesome project!
In addition to the collection boxes in the main office at Liberty, they also have two locations around our community located at Smash Juice bar in North Liberty and the NL Rec center.


The Green School House Effect
The Iowa City Community School District began partnering with Green Iowa AmeriCorps (GIA) in the fall of 2019. This school year, two full-time GIA members, Lisa Stark and Meg SmolikHagen, will be working with the District on sustainability-related projects such as developing a model composting and recycling program, supporting school gardens, increasing prairie habitat, environmental/sustainability-related education outreach, as well as a monthly newsletter.
Please check out this month’s issue of their sustainability newsletter The Green School House Effect here: https://www.smore.com/3cvuk. We encourage you to subscribe to the newsletter to follow their work and find ways to get involved!
The Liberty Fund
We know that now, more than ever, the Liberty community needs us. Some of those needs might look very different than they have over the past two years, and The Liberty Fund is committed to adapting to our changing reality. If you are in a position to make a gift or are looking for a way to help Liberty navigate these changes, please help us support Liberty students and staff. Donate at //www.iowacityschools.org/TheLibertyFund or email for more information at libertyhighfund@gmail.com
Thank you for your support!
Liberty High PSTO
Liberty High PSTO (Parent Student Teacher Organization) welcomes all new and returning families to Liberty for the 2020/2021 school year. We are undoubtedly in for an interesting year, so please follow us on Facebook: Liberty High PSTO to stay up-to-date.
Join us on Zoom for our monthly meetings on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, 4:45pm. Click here for the monthly Zoom Link, or it can also be found on the PSTO Facebook page.
Short presentations on relevant topics will occur at each meeting as well as reports on things happening at Liberty are shared by an administrator.
Meeting dates for 2020/2021
September 16- Online Learning Update from a Liberty Teacher Ryan Kelly
October 21- Mental Health Supports Presentation by LHS Counseling Team
November 18- AVID elective from an AVID teacher
December 16- CANCELLED
January 20- TBD
February 17- K.I.N.G. Initiative- Asst. Principal Kimberly Fitten
March - No meeting (Spring Break)
April 21- TBD
May 19- TBD
2020-2021 PSTO Board
President: Julie Schmidt
President-Elect: Open
Secretary: Deb Wagner
Treasurer: Shawn Eyestone
Volunteer Coordinator: Lyse Strnad
Anyone interested in the President-Elect position can email the PSTO at
The PSTO has an ongoing fundraiser with our Amazon Smile account. Please consider using this with your next Amazon order.