The Liberty Letter
December 2019
Reflecting on Our Blessings
Counselors' Corner: Quick Tips for Helping Your Student Manage Stress
Quick Tips for Helping Your Student Manage Stress
As we approach the Christmas season, we often see an increase in stress levels from our students. While many different factors contribute to this feeling, there are a few simple ways to support students at home as they learn to manage stress
1. Ask questions, and be specific.
Create an open dialogue for your child to talk about their worries and stress. Be
specific; ask questions like "What went well today?" instead of simple yes or no
questions.
2. Restrict social media and phone time.
Research has shown a link between feelings of sadness and stress and social media
usage.
3. Support physical health.
Make sure your student is getting consistent sleep and eating nutritious meals.
4. Reach out.
If your child's stress feels unmanageable, call your school counselor. We're here to
help!
Mrs. Stinehart and Ms. Wilkie
Spread the Word...NOT the Germs!
A note from the School District of Pickens County:
Over the past week we have seen varying degrees of sickness including flu, strep throat and other illnesses among the students and employees. In order to keep our schools healthy and decrease the spread of illness, we are asking that families work with us in keeping your student home when they are sick.
When does my child need to stay home?
- Temperature of 100° or higher with
- Cough and/or sore throat
- Body aches
- Headache
- Fatigue (feeling very tired with no reason)
- Vomiting or Diarrhea (this is more common in children than adults with the flu illness)
*It is important to remember that not everyone with the flu will have a fever. Not everyone with the above symptoms will have the flu, but may not feel well enough to be at school.
How long does my child need to stay home?
Before returning to school, students need to be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications (Advil, Tylenol, etc.) for 24 hours. If your child’s physician has written a note for your child to be absent from school, they need to remain out of school for the full period of time the physician has requested. Students need to feel well enough to participate in school activities.
*You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.
What are the schools doing to prevent the spread of the flu and other illnesses?
- Custodians are being diligent in cleaning surfaces that are frequently touched by students and employees.
- Teachers are helping keep their classroom surfaces clean and encouraging students to wash hands and cover coughs.
- School nurses are seeing any student that does not feel well and calling parents if they are too ill to remain at school. They are also communicating with area physicians to monitor the illnesses that are in the community and watching for those illnesses in our schools.
- Administrators and district level administration are monitoring the numbers of absences in our schools due to illness and will be in contact with DHEC and area physicians as necessary.
If you have a question about whether your child needs to come to school, don’t hesitate to call your school nurse.
Yearbook
Did you know that students who purchase yearbooks are 800% happier than their non-yearbook-toting counterparts? That is a totally unverified statistic J…but we think it’s true! The LMS yearbook contains 72 pages of memories that will make you smile. Order your yearbook before Feb 23rd for the low price of $40.
Go to https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1042493/Liberty-Middle-School/
and become 800% happier today
Calling All Proud Parents
Celebrate your students journey with a yearbook ad. Create and purchase online by 2/13/20. Jostensadservice.com 1/4 page color ad $40. Create one for your child or a couple for them and a friend. Recognize your students milestones and successes with a yearbook ad.
Basketball Season has started!
Come support the LMS Basketball teams for Wall to Wall Basketball!
Our December Schedule:
- Thursday, December 12 @LHS starting at 6 PM
- Monday, December 16th @LMS starting at 5:30 PM
- Thursday, December 19th @Starr-Iva starting at 5:30 PM
Socktober Update!
The students at LMS collected 611 pairs of socks for the Julie Valentine Center. We smashed our goal of 400 pairs. Way to go LMS students!
Upcoming Events
12th - Basketball vs. Dacusville - LHS Gym - 6:00 pm
13th - FCA - 7:30 a.m. - Band Room - All are welcome.
16th - Basketball vs. Starr Iva -
17th - Combined Concert - Chorus, Band & Strings - 6 pm - LMS Gym
18th - Kona Ice Sales During Lunch
20th - End of Quarter 2
20th - Early Dismissal - 11:20 a.m.
23rd - January 5th - Holiday Break
January
6th - School Opens
7th - Winter Sports Photos - Basketball & Dance
9th - Basketball v. Belton - LMS
15th - 17th - Beta Club Trip
16th - Basketball at West Oak
17th - Kona Ice Sales During Lunch
20th - No School