Liberty Newsletter Volume 28
April 15, 2019
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
Liberty's Smore Newsletter
During the Spring Smores I'm going to share more about our BOLTS matrix and our core values around what it means to be a BOLT. As a reminder B is for Belonging, O is for Ownership, L is for Leadership, T is for Teamwork and S is for Safety.
As always if you have suggestions for my twice monthly newsletter you may simply email me. I am open to feedback and am always looking to get better and grow our Liberty Experience.
Thank you
Scott
Scott Kibby
Principal
Liberty High School
Iowa City Community School District
The T in BOLTS is for Teamwork
Teamwork is synonymous with Collaboration. Teamwork/Collaboration is very much a core value around our school. Whether its the furniture that was chosen for classrooms or the computer labs that are really collaboration labs, Liberty was designed to WORK TOGETHER. In my own life's work I have always accomplished more when I teamed with others. Our collective minds are far more brilliant than my solitary mind. I would hope that if you talked to Liberty staff they'd say "Scott believes in collaborating". Whether, it's a hiring team, choosing the science equipment or my Instructional Leadership Team or my PBIS team, at Liberty we work together.
In the small slide to the right you'll see one person's view of the 10 most important traits for employees to have. And on the top of that list....The Ability to Work on a Team.
Certainly, we see teamwork in athletics, and performing arts groups. But, I also see teamwork in the Difference Makers running a mini-dance marathon or In Shoc providing a meal at the Ronald McDonald House. I get super excited when I see students working together on projects and presentations where they depend on one another. I believe Teamwork is one of the most important soft skills that we can teach our students.
Iowa Testing (Tomorrow and Wednesday)
Student will need their Chromebooks charged and ready for use as the entire test is now "on-line".
The schedule for the two days is as follows.
1) Seniors are not tested and need only come to school for classes in the afternoon.
2) Tuesday's schedule is
a) Reading Test
b) Math Test
c) Science Test (for sophomores only)
d) Lunch
e) Periods 5-6-7 beginning at 12:55 and running for 60 minutes each
3) Wednesday's schedule is
a) Writing test
b) Period 4 including lunch beginning at 11:15am
c) Periods 1-2-3 beginning at 12:55 and running for 60 minutes each
Make-up tests will be done on Thursday, April 18 as all high school students grade 9-11 must complete all portions of ISASP per state regulations.
We encourage students for good testing results to start with a good night's sleep and a little nourishment in the morning. thank you
Weighted Grades Updated
1) Only AP courses and NOT honors courses will be weighted.
2) All AP courses earned in a student's entire high school career will be retroactively weighted. (originally we were going to only weight new grades from the 19-20 school year going forward)
Shine Award
Congratulations to Liberty ELL teacher Daniel Lekin as he is our first ever Shine Award winner. Daniel is one of our leaders on our school PBIS team. He is known throughout school as a positive, caring adult for ALL kids.
Legally Blonde
Special thanks to Mr Borrison, Mr Williams, Ms Hanson, Ms Duncan, Ms Long, Ms Klosterboer and Mr Kiebel for your leadership with our student performers.
Batting Cages
Staff Spotlight: Neil Davis
As a 25 year resident of North Liberty, Neil Davis is excited to have such a beautiful high school facility in our town, and feels very honored to be teaching Bolts at Liberty High School. Neil has undergraduate degrees in Biology and History from Western Illinois University and his master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Iowa. He has taught everything from Biology to Government in the Iowa City Schools and is presently teaching American Studies and World History at Liberty High. Neil also sponsors the brand new Liberty organization, Student Led and Acted Productions or SLAP. This group just had a blast presenting its first completely student led play. Davis is also busy this spring coaching the sprinting, jumping, and hurdling Bolts on the Liberty High Girls Track team. Away from school he enjoys visiting his sons Jeff (31 yrs.) in Washington D.C. and Daniel (29 yrs.) in Chicago. His biggest thrill nowadays is getting to watch his daughter Elizabeth (11th grade) wear purple and represent Liberty High School in the classroom, on stage, at state Speech and Track and Field championships!
Staff Spotlight: Jeff Kelley
Jeff Kelley is a member of Liberty High’s social studies department. Prior to joining the staff at Liberty he spent 10 years teaching social studies and coaching softball at West High. Jeff obtained his Associate of Arts Degree at Indian Hills Community College in Centerville before transferring to Graceland University in Lamoni. There he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in History with a minor in Physical Education and an emphasis in Secondary Education. After several years teaching and coaching at the junior high and high school levels Jeff left secondary education and went to work in athletic administration at Simpson College in Indianola. He later returned to school at Iowa State University where he received his Master’s Degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Sport Management. After teaching and coaching stints at Marshalltown Community College and Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa Jeff returned to teaching and coaching at the secondary level when he joined the staff at West High. Jeff carries endorsements in American History, World History, Government and Education. Between teaching and coaching at the secondary and collegiate levels, Jeff has more than 30 years experience in education. Jeff currently teaches American Studies and Government and is the head softball coach for the Lightning. Outside of school, you will find him spending most of his time with his daughter McKenna (6th grade) and son Wyatt (3rd grade), traveling and doing all things outdoors. Jeff is proud to be given the opportunity to help establish a positive culture at Liberty High and a winning tradition with Lightning softball.
Important Dates
Iowa State Wide Assessment of Student Progress: April 16 and 17
Family/Teacher Conferences: April 17
Snow Make-up Day: April 26
Junior/Senior Prom: April 27
AP Testing: May 6-16
Senior Awards Assembly: May 16 (9:40am)
Seniors Last Day/Graduation Rehearsal: May 23
Graduation: May 25, 1pm
Memorial Day (No School): May 27
Last Day of Classes: May 31 (noon dismissal-lunch is available)
Recall, Liberty along with the schools of the MVC run all their activity schedules and calendars through a company called Rschool Today. You can look up game schedules for specific sports as well as performing arts performances. My favorite feature is "Notify Me". On the middle right hand portion of the page you can sign up to receive notifications for any changes that occur in YOUR child's activities. You will only get what you want. No season has more changes that Spring in Iowa. With the notify me feature you'll know before the media if a game is delayed, postponed or changes.
https://mississippivalleyiowa.org/public/genie/80/school/2671/
Counseling Office News
Senior Deadlines
April 19th- Submit speech for Student Commencement Speaker Contest (optional) to counseling office
May 1st- Senior Lists of Awards document due to Main Office (Mr. Bergmann sent an email with this link)
May 10th- Deadline to reserve Graduation Reception Table in Grand Commons (form available in main office)
May 20-22nd- Senior Final Exams
May 22nd- Senior Locker Clean Out
May 23rd- 9:00 am Graduation Rehearsal- mandatory (meet in gym)
May 25th- Graduation at Liberty High School at 1:00 pm (seniors meet in Band room at 12:30 pm)
AP Testing
Advanced Placement testing will take place the second and third week of May (May 6th-May 17th). Students will receive a testing handout of test time, location, and testing procedures of the day. Several tests start promptly at 8:00 am (before regularly scheduled classes), students are responsible for their own transportation. To view the 2019 AP Exam Schedule, click here. For any AP testing questions, please contact AP Coordinator/School Counselor Jenni Naughton at naughton.jennifer@iowacityschools.org.
Who's My Counselor? (by students last name)
A-G Troy Bergmann, bergmann.troy@iowacityschools.org
H-N Jenni Naughton, naughton.jennifer@iowacityschools.org
O-Z Mayra DeVries, devries.mayra@iowacityschools.org
Prom
A Night With the Stars!! Liberty High School is excited to announce the 2019 PROM is almost here!!! Prom will be April 27th 8-11 PM and will be held at Liberty High School. Students will be strolling down the red carpet as our theme is "A Night With The Stars." Tickets will be sold starting with the first full week of April until the Friday before Prom. Liberty juniors and seniors are invited along with their guests. Students inviting non-Liberty students, please stop in the office to grab a "guest form" and check out the guidelines for bringing a guest.
Iowa City Boutique
IC Boutique is back and hoping for another successful year!
Last year, they were able to assist 20 deserving students with requests to make their prom experience great! Last year they raised $600 and are hoping to increase that to $1000 this year!
Monetary donations were used for meal gift cards, hair and makeup appointments, tux rentals, as well as other miscellaneous prom expenses. Dresses and accessories were also donated for students.
IC Boutique is excited to serve even more students this year. They are proud to be able to expand their reach and will be serving Liberty, West, and City high schools this year!
All monetary donations will be spread evenly between all three high schools.
In-kind donations are accepted as well.
Liberty's contact for more information is Counselor Mayra DeVries at devries.mayra@iowacityschools.org
Honor Roll
In addition to this posting we share these lists in our Academic Foyer.
Pay to Ride
The Iowa City Community School District Transportation Department would like to notify you of the 2019-20 Pay to Ride Program.
Program details
- The program is provided on a space-available, time-available, first-come, first-served basis. Participation is limited according to capacity as determined by the District, and is available to students in grades K-12.
- The program is only available on existing bus routes and at existing stops. No additional routes and or stops will be considered for pay-to-ride students after the deadline.
- Buses provided specifically for special education students are not eligible for this program.
- Bus stop locations and times are assigned by North America Central School Bus (NACSB).
- Availability of seats and location of bus stops is subject to change based on changes in enrollment, boundaries, and other factors determined by the District or NACSB, and can occur at any time. When changes to routes or stops occur, families utilizing pay-to-ride busing will be notified at the same time that the families of eligible students are notified.
- Students must be picked up and dropped off at their assigned location only. Pick-up and drop-off must be at the same location.
- Requests for a change in a student’s bus stop will only be honored if the student’s address has changed.
- No guest students will be allowed to ride along with pay-to-ride students.
- All students riding the bus are subject to the rules and regulations of conduct and safety established by the District and NACSB. The District and NACSB use video cameras on school buses as a means to maintain a safe environment for students and staff.
- Refunds will be granted for any unused full trimester purchased for the current school year.
- No refunds or rate adjustments will be made for days buses cannot operate because of weather or other circumstances beyond the control of NACSB or the District.
- Payments can be made online via the District’s website or by mailing a check. Fee is charged on a per year basis.
Payment and Fees for Service
- $438 per student, per year, round trip
- $262 per student, per year, round trip, for students who qualify for reduced price lunch
- $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, 2019, to be included on a bus roster for the start of the school year.
Application Due Date
Payment Due
June 3, 2019
June 14, 2019
· Applications will be accepted after the due dates while capacity remains on existing routes. (Note: Students will only be assigned to existing bus stops and routes; buses will not be re-routed to accommodate requests.)
- Students are not eligible to ride until payment is received and application is approved.
Application Process
- To apply for pay-to-ride busing, please download the following form:
- Pay-to-Ride Student Transportation Application
https://www.iowacityschools.org/Page/18202
- Payment can be made online or checks should be made payable to Iowa City Community School District
https://iowa-city.revtrak.net/
- Mail or bring your application and payment, if paying by check, to the following address:
Iowa City Community School District
Att.: Esme Davis
1725 N Dodge Street
Iowa City, IA 52245
- Iowa City Community School District will begin processing applications upon receipt, in the order they are received. Each application and payment will be kept on file until it is determined the student is eligible for a seat on the bus.
If you are interested in participating in this pay-to-ride program please return the application no later than June 3, 2019 and payment must be made in advance no later than June 14, 2019, to be considered for a bus roster for the start of the school year.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email or by phone.
Construction Phase 3 UPDATE!
I'm excited to announce the project is scheduled for completion in Mid-June 2020 and should be fully functional for the 20-21 school year
1) The project has begun with a satellite bus depot to serve the northern part of the district (on the east side of the campus)
2) Mid-May is the scheduled start for the 21-classroom addition on the east side of the building
3) A fully secure "hard-scaped" courtyard and
4) An additional activity parking lot on the far western portion of campus should be complete before the start of school and football this fall (2019)
It is exciting to see the continued growth of Liberty. #GoBolts
The Liberty Fund makes first grants!
In the next few weeks you'll see the first 80 bricks engraved on the pavers entering the building. These 80 bricks represent 70 different donors. We will engrave again in the fall and so if you are interested in leaving a Liberty legacy on the brick pavers please follow the directions on the link below that connects you to the Iowa City School District Foundation.
www.iowacityschools.org/TheLibertyFund
The Liberty Fund has made its first grants to teachers.
Gaining financial support are Business Professionals of America, In Shoc, MLK Day, Storm Show Choir, Garden Club, The Math Team and the Art Club.
PSTO
PSTO meets at 4:45 on the third Wednesday of the month in the Liberty Library.
2018-19 dates and guest speakers
· April 17-guest speaker Marge Hartman on the North Liberty Summer Meals Program
· May 15-guest speakers Beth Long and Jenny Saylor with the Garden Club
The PSTO has done wonderful work to support the students and staff at Liberty. They'd love to have you join them for meetings. No signup is necessary If you'd like more information you can contact them at libertyhspsto@gmail.com
PSTO board members for 2018-2019:
· President: Sandy DeSchinckel
· President Elect: Marisa Keeney
· Secretary: Deb Wagner
· Treasurer: Shawn Eyestone
· Volunteer Coordinator: Lyse Strnad