Liberty Newsletter, Volume 8
May 11, 2018
Liberty High School
Email: kibby.scott@iowacityschools.org
Website: https://www.iowacityschools.org/LibertyHS
Location: 1400 South Dubuque Street, North Liberty, IA, United States
Phone: 319-688-1350
Twitter: @LibertyHS_Kibby
Welcome to Liberty's Smore Newsletter
It's hard to believe that Liberty's first school year is almost complete. It seems like yesterday that we did our August grand opening in front of 2500 people in the main gym.
I am very thankful for the unbelievable support that we have received from the Liberty Community. Thank you so much.
This week is Teacher Appreciation week. The PSTO provided staff with various treats throughout the week. I am blessed to work with a such a tremendous set of educators and support staff. They have worked tirelessly to establish traditions and expectations this year. The year certainly hasn't been without it's bumps, but I daily see the love and care that Liberty Staff provide Liberty Students. That foundation of working for ALL kids will serve us well for years to come.
Scott
Scott Kibby
Principal
Liberty High School
Iowa City Community School District
Senior Recognition Assembly
Senior Recognition is Wednesday, May 16th at 9:45. Families are invited. Seniors are reminded to share their accomplishments using the following google form. Deadline is Monday, May 13th for inclusion in the program. thank you
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9WB7-jY7QY-C2f5cyaD13yjQDD7XRl_IW3AXA-BPoBCvgNg/viewform
Transportation News
The ICCSD offers a Pay-to-Ride program, which grants transportation to students living within three miles of their homeschool. This program is available to ALL students interested. If you would like to register your student, please copy/paste the following link and complete the Pay-to-Ride Student Transportation form: https://www.iowacityschools.org/Page/17325
THIS IS BASED ON FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JUNE 1, 2018.
Payment and Fees for Service
· Pay-to-ride fee is:
o $432 per student, per year, round trip
o $260 per student, per year, round trip, for students who qualify for reduced price lunch
o $0 per student, per year, round trip, for students who qualify for free lunch
· Full payments must be made in advance no later than June 14, 2018, to be included on a bus roster for the start of the school year.
Application Due Date Payment Due
June 1, 2018 June 14, 2018
If you have any questions, please contact the Student & Family Advocate, Heba Nabhan, at 319-688-1354 ext. 3019 or Nabhan.Heba@Iowacityschools.org
Special Education survey for parents
Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) requires states to report the percent of parents with a child receiving special education services who report that schools facilitated parent involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with IEPs.
The Iowa Department of Education is gathering these data as a census for both students with and without an IEP using a brief survey.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2018AEA10
Survey Information
Please use the link above to answer the following questions for each of your children. The survey will allow you to answer these questions for up to five children.
- How old was your child on January 1, 2018? (choose 3-21)
- What is your child’s race or ethnicity? (choose American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Two or More Races, White)
- Does your child have an Individualized Education Program – IEP? (y/n)
- Did the school your child is currently attending facilitate (request, encourage or initiate) your involvement as a means of improving services and results for your child? (y/n)
Daniel Lekin and the Liberty ELL program
Enjoy the story here.,,,
Staff Spotlight-Melissa Nies, Social Studies
A lover of all things social studies, Melissa Nies loves being a part of the faculty at Liberty High School. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Nies’ earliest education in the social studies came from travel. Inspired by these experiences, Nies pursued her undergraduate degree in history and philosophy at the University of Illinois. After moving to Iowa, she continued her education and received her Master’s degree in Education at the University of Iowa. Since that time, she has taught high school history, geography, psychology, government, sociology, and economics and loves working with our students on exploring their ideas, world, and passions. Outside of school Melissa loves spending time with her family, including two children aged 2 and 5 who keep her busy! Travel, hiking, being in nature, good books, and music top the list of favorites. Melissa loves being a Bolt!
Staff Spotlight-Stacey Strief, Social Studies
Stacey Strief grew up on a dairy farm in Hopkinton, IA in rural Northeast Iowa. After graduating from Maquoketa Valley High School, Stacey attended The University of Iowa and earned a Bachelor's degree in History with a minor in Political Science. Shortly thereafter, Stacey obtained her Masters degree in Social Sciences from The University of Northern Iowa. Mrs. Strief spent 10 years teaching at West High School before joining the Liberty staff in 2017.
Dear Liberty Families:
Ordering for the 2017-2018 yearbook is closing on May 25th.
This year's book, "A Storm is Brewing" will be the first edition of Liberty High's yearbook and it will be one you want a copy of! The book's front cover includes a cut out that says "Liberty Lightning", which matches the cut out from student lockers. The book also documents the entire first year of Liberty High, including student life, academics, and athletics. Books will be delivered to students during the first day of school in August.
There will be a very limited amount of extra books purchased so it is important that you order before May 25 to ensure that your student gets a book.
You can order your student's book at jostensyearbook.com or by calling 1.877.767.5217.
If you have any questions about ordering, please contact Ashley Oleson, our journalism adviser, at oleson.ashley@iowacityschools.org.
Thank you
Ms Oleson
Baseball and Softball Parents
Please remember to signup for the FREE Rschool updates.
http://mississippivalleyiowa.org/public/genie/80/school/2671/
Rschool is the first place that schedules are posted and announcements on changes are posted. You can choose just your student's activities and get instant text messages on all changes. You'll know before the media!
Phase 2 and Phase 3 of construction at Liberty
Phase 2 are the activity fields west of campus that are really starting to develop. The company will be laying the turf next week. Facilities include tennis, soccer, baseball, softball, track and football along with practice fields.
Phase 3 was approved on Tuesday, May 8. This moves the 500 seat addition up 3 full years in the facilities master plan. Planning and designs are already under way for these improvements on the east side of campus.
State Large Group Music
Congratulations to the concert band for receiving Straight Division 1 ratings (the highest honor). Attached is a link to their performance. https://youtu.be/e2-QDuq7BpM
Additionally, all 3 vocal ensembles received Division 1 ratings. That includes Concert Choir, men's bass cleft choir and women's treble cleft choir.
Congratulations to all the directors for their dedication to the music students at Liberty
World Language Trip Abroad
The meeting is Wednesday May 16th at 6pm in Carmen Gwenigale's room, G011
The Training Room
Hiring Season at Liberty
Dean of Students-Kim Fitten from Cedar Rapids Community Schools
Art-Maggie Yocius who will be shared with West High
Business-Zach Hammes who is student teaching at West Des Moines Valley
Choir-Caitlin Hanson from Sheldon
Counseling-Mayra DeVries from West High
English-Wesley Phipps from West High
Math-Tom Eilers who is student teaching at West High
Math-Ryan Kelly from Dubuque Senior
PE/Health-Austin Pink from North Tama
Science-Sasha Shomshor from CR Jefferson
Science-Clint Feuerbach who comes back to teaching after working in his family business
Social Studies-Neil Davis from West High
Spanish-Maya Echols who used to work at West High and is returning to education
Spanish-Angie Ungs from Vinton
Special Education-Courtney Anderson who was student teaching in Roseville MN
As our student population grows by nearly 250 students next year we are excited to bring on these talented educators from across the midwest.
Bike Path
PSTO is looking for officers for 18-19
PSTO has done a wonderful job of laying the foundation of support for Liberty students and teachers this past year.
They are looking for more members and anyone interested in being an officer. If you have interest please email them directly at the link below. Thank you PSTO!
LibertyHSPSTO@gmail.comLiberty TV and Announcements
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQoCVAictWlkqgwJsN-ESng?view_as=subscriber
Below are Thursday, May 11th's announcements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8duXfIpHao
Thank you for watching Liberty TV