THE PATRIOT PARENT CONNECTION
2022-2023: Summer Edition
Dear Liberty Families,
We are so excited to welcome our 2022-23 Patriots HOME to Liberty!
For our new families, welcome to the first issue of The Patriot Parent Connection of the school year. This is a weekly newsletter, typically sent out on Monday mornings, to provide families with ongoing information about school happenings. This edition includes details about Camp Liberty and Open House, beginning of the school year purchases, and more! Should you have further questions, be sure to consult our "Quick Contacts" below and don't hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to partner with you for a successful start to the year!
The regular, weekly installments of the Patriot Parent Connection will begin on Monday, August 1st. Until then, please refer to all of the information housed here and on our website. We look forward to seeing you at Camp Liberty and Open House!
Sincerely,
Amanda Thrower
Principal
FOR YOUR CALENDAR
August 4 - First Day of School
August 29 - Curriculum Night
September 2 - Early Release
September 5 - Labor Day (No School)
September 7 - Coffee with Counselors
CAMP LIBERTY & OPEN HOUSE
Camp Liberty - Rising 6th Graders Only
- In an effort to keep groups small and provide a more personalized experience for students, we are offering three sessions for families to choose from. Once a session is full, it will no longer be available on the sign-up form. Click HERE to access the form.
- Parents/guardians will drop off students in the cafeteria at the start of the session. Students will enjoy Camp Liberty while families are welcome to proceed to the gymnasium for Open House activities. Each session will last approximately 45 minutes.
- While our 6th graders who have purchased a Patriot Pack on MyPaymentsPlus will be issued lockers at Camp Liberty, they will not have an excessive amount of time for decorating and set-up. Please send minimal supplies with your student. Rest assured, there will be time on the first day of school, and the building will be open for family access on Tuesday, August 2 from 2:30 - 4:00 P.M. You will also have the opportunity to meet teachers on August 29 at Curriculum Night. We ask that parents stay clear of the 6th grade hallway during Camp Liberty in order to ensure all sessions have equal amounts of time and we are able to maintain the planned schedule for the day.
- Want early access to your locker? See the details below about a special opportunity provided by our PTSO.
Open House - Rising 7th & 8th Graders
- Upon arrival, consult the posted lists in the cafeteria to locate your student's Patriot Time teacher and then proceed to their classroom to collect your schedule.
- For time purposes, lockers will not be issued at Open House, but all students who have purchased a Patriot Pack on MyPaymentsPlus will be issued a locker on the first day of school.
- Want early access to your locker? See the details below about a special opportunity provided by our PTSO.
BACK TO SCHOOL PURCHASES
Optional Purchases Available on MyPaymentsPlus (starting July 22)
- Patriot Pack - includes locker and agenda*
- P.E. Uniforms - can sample and try-on at Camp Liberty & Open House
- School Spirit Wear
- Drawstring Bag (please note that backpacks must be stored in lockers, but drawstring bags are permissible to travel from class to class)
*Lockers will be issued at Camp Liberty for 6th graders and on the first day of school for 7th & 8th graders. Agendas will be delivered to students in Patriot Time within the first few days of school. Want early access to your locker? See the details below about a special opportunity provided by our PTSO.
PTSO MEMBERSHIP & EARLY LOCKER ACCESS
Please click HERE for membership information and sign-up.
Families who have joined PTSO and purchased a Patriot Pack on MyPaymentsPlus are eligible for early locker selection and access.
When: Friday, July 29 from 3:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
What to Bring:
- Receipts for PTSO membership & Patriot Pack purchase (phone screenshots are fine)
- Locker accessories & school supplies (optional)
- Patience (we anticipate long lines, and this is a volunteer-run event)
Deadline: All family memberships MUST be purchased by midnight on July 27th in order to be eligible to attend Early Locker Day on Friday July 29th from 3-7pm.
PTSO-SPONSORED WISHLIST
A NOTE ABOUT STUDENT CELL PHONES
The Forsyth County Code of Conduct requires electronic devices, including cell phones, to be OFF and out of sight during the instructional day. We will be strictly enforcing that rule this year, requiring students to put phones in their lockers.
Why is this the case? When students pick up their phones, they are immediately bombarded with notifications and noise disrupting the learning process. Middle school students simply do not have the willpower to ignore these constant interruptions. Kelly McGonigal, a health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University, discusses in her book, The Willpower Instinct, that when we ask students to hold onto their phones during class, we are asking them to demonstrate considerable willpower to reject their habits to check their notifications, respond to buzzes and communicate with friends and family. Asking them to do that time and time again during the school day is causing willpower fatigue and students have less energy to devote to learning.
Additionally, there is a body of research that digs into this habit of constantly being “connected.” Nearly any study you look at analyzing the relationship between phone use, notifications, social media and mental health, is overwhelmingly negative for students of this age group. Students being constantly on their phone is simply not healthy and does not allow them to fully engage in the learning. When students are not on their phones, they have time to listen, learn, and thrive without the distraction of a phone.
We will need your help in making this policy successful. Please do not tell your student that you will text them during the day; if you need to get a message to your student, call the front office and we will be happy to assist you. Transportation arrangements should be made before the student arrives to school and should only change in an emergency situation.
If your student is in violation of the Code of Conduct, their phone will be collected for parent pick it up in the main office. Repeat offenders will be subject to the consequences outlined in the Code of Conduct.
Our goal at Liberty is to ensure that every child has access to a quality learning experience, free from the constant distraction of a phone. We have technology for students to use at school. Our teachers work very hard to plan engaging, fun, and hands-on activities. We appreciate your ongoing support to ensure that our students are present, active, and involved in their learning!
NEWS FROM THE PATRIOT CLINIC
The county requires new medical forms EVERY school year for every student that has a listed medical condition. With each new school year, it is necessary to update all medical files in the school clinic. If your child has a medical condition (i.e. allergy, asthma, seizure, diabetes, or other specialized care) that needs to be treated at school please have these forms completed and signed by your physician over the summer and turn them in during orientation week. Remember that in order to carry emergency medication you must also have the “Authorization for Student to Carry” form completed by the physician as well. If your child has a health condition on file that has been resolved, please let the school nurse know.
You can locate these forms on the LMS web site by clicking here: Health Care Forms
Questions? Contact Nurse Sommer at f39018@forsyth.k12.ga.us or ext. 290120.
7th GRADE IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENT
Where can a student get vaccinated?
Children should visit their health care provider to get their Tdap or meningococcal vaccination. Local Health Departments also offer the Tdap and meningococcal vaccine. See the flyer below for a special Back to School Health Event provided by Georgia Highlands Medical Services & Dental Town.
Once I confirm my student has received these immunizations, how do I let the school know?
The school nurse has access to the Georgia Registry of Immunizations and will be able to see when your student’s vaccinations are updated in the system. You are also welcome to email or call the school nurse at f39018@forsyth.k12.ga.us 770-781-4889 ext. 290120.
Please click here: 7th grade Immunization information for more information regarding 7th grade required immunizations.
THANK YOU TO OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS!
Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. - Silver Level Partner
Vulcan Materials Company - Silver Level Partner
Interested in becoming one of our Partners in Education? Learn more HERE.
STAY CONNECTED!
Make sure you have a Parent Portal account with an active email address.
LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Website: https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/libertyms
Location: 7465 Wallace Tatum Road, Cumming, GA, USA
Phone: 770-781-4889
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LibertyMiddlePatriots
Twitter: @LibertyMDL