Liberty Link
March 3, 2023
If you have a second or third grade student, this message is for you!
Our 2nd and 3rd graders will take IREAD this upcoming week. Third grade will take the test on Tuesday and Wednesday, while the 2nd graders will take the test on Thursday and Friday. Previously, only 3rd grade students took this test. Now, we have the opportunity for 2nd grade students to take it (it's based on 2nd grade skills) and get it done with. That enables us to remediate those who need it right from the beginning of their third grade year. Please ensure that you/ your children have done the following:
- Charge iPads fully the night before.
- Get enough rest (try putting them to bed 30 minutes sooner on their test days).
- Keep an upbeat attitude- don't be nervous, do your best!
- Eat a healthy breakfast.
- Send them to school with a smile-- if they've had a bad morning, it may carry over into their school day.
- Come to school, on time, each day. We have days built in for make-up tests, but we know that kids will do best in a testing environment with their peers as originally planned.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns- I will send a reminder phone call home the day before your child tests with these reminders, as well.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Warmly,
Mrs. Heidi Hennigar
219-983-3650
Today is the last day for nominations...
Teacher & Employee of the Year Nominations
Nominations are now OPEN!
Help the Duneland School Corporation celebrate the outstanding teachers and employees that make up this district. Each year, DSC conducts the Teacher and Employee of the Year Recognition Program with the mission of inspiring and celebrating those in the education industry. Nominations will be accepted for the following categories:
- Elementary Teacher- Grades K-6
- Secondary Teacher- Grades 7-12
- Employee of the Year- Classified Staff Employee
Toys at School
Parents, we need your help with toys being brought in to school. Recently there has been a rash of Pokemon cards, action figures, vehicles, slime, etc. brought in backpacks and/or coat pockets. While I definitely do understand that kids like to have their treasured possessions close to them, it causes a big distraction. Students will sometimes bring these to recess (which is not permitted) and they will then get broken or lost, resulting in a lot of disappointment and disruption. Please help us prevent this from happening by reminding your child that they are not permitted to bring these items to school. They may be confiscated if they're brought in, and we will have to have you come and pick them up from the office. Thanks for your support and understanding in this matter, I appreciate it!
Attention: 4th Grade Families
Calling all 4th graders, the fun is about to begin! Be a part of something special with Chesterton Orchestras next year in Intermediate School. Make lifelong friends, and join a fun team!
Join the orchestra and learn to play a violin, viola, cello, or string bass. This opportunity is available to all 4th grade students.
- In Person Instrument Try-Outs are March 14th (WIS) and 15th (LIS) at CMS
- Summer Orchestra is August 1-5th
- Registration Forms are due March 3rd. Join us and be a part of the Orchestra!
Girls on the Run @ the YMCA
Snapshots of School Happenings
ROAR Assembly T-shirt Winners
Author Visit with Adam Rex
Cheer Club
PTO Updates
Upcoming PTO & School Events
Tuesday, March 7th
- 3rd grade starts IREAD test
Wednesday, March 8th
- 3rd grade completes IREAD test
- Variety Show Dress Rehearsal
Thursday, March 9th
- 2nd grade starts IREAD test
Friday, March 10th
- 2nd grade completes IREAD test
- Variety Show @ 5:00 - Chesterton Middle School
Tuesday, March 14th
- Body Safety Program
- Cookies & Canvas 5:00-7:00
Thursday & Friday, March 16th-17th
- Spirit Wear Order Pickup (Time TBD)
Tuesday, March 21st
- PTO Bundt Cake Pickup (Time TBD)
Wednesday, March 22nd
- Five Guys (Portage) Restaurant Night
Friday, March 24th
- PTO Read-A-Thon order forms go home
Monday, March 27th- Friday, March 31st
- Spring Break (No School)
Get involved!
Your PTO Officers:
President: Mandee Pollock
Co-Vice President: Mike Myers
Co-Vice President: Nicole Forsythe
Co-Secretary: Amber Andrews
Co-Secretary: Jill Rainbolt
Treasurer: Jessica Decker
Interested in getting involved? Contact them!
Arts A-Budding
Congratulations to the following students, who have been chosen to participate in Arts-A-Budding at Valparaiso University on March 12th:
Charlotte Biron, Kate Bonez, Valerie Buford, Maci Carmichael, Charlotte Deal, Penelope Ott, Lucas Pendowski, Weston Righter, Colton Thompson, Alexis Vivian, & Colston Winkoff.
Staff Spotlight: Ms. Hanrath
Ms. Hanrath is in her first year here at Liberty. She is one of our Title I aides, and she loves it! Her children (she has 4) attended Liberty years ago. She likes helping and encouraging the kids to make their day better. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, coloring, and watching movies. Her absolute favorite foods are ham & pineapple pizza, chicken quesadillas, chips and queso, potatoes & fruit. You will NOT find her eating chocolate, which she doesn't like! Mrs. Hanrath loves the quotes "All things are possible" and "Just keep swimming!"
Here's a really fun fact about Ms. Hanrath: She is newly engaged, and when she gets married, her name will be Kandy Hart!!
Lunch this Week
- Monday: Cheeseburger on Bun, French Fries, and Choice of Fresh Veggies w/Ranch Cup
- Tuesday: Macho Nachos, Salsa Cup, and Buttered Corn
- Wednesday: Rotini w/Pasta Sauce, Breadstick, Seasoned Green Beans, and Choice of Fresh Veggies w/Ranch Cup
- Thursday: Chicken Nuggets w/dipping sauce, Baked Doritos, Baked Beans, and Baby Carrots w/dip
- Friday: Pepperoni Pizza, Broccoli w/cheese, Choice of Fresh Veggies w/Ranch Cup, and Cookie
Lost & Found
Only one more week until the end of the quarter and then items will be donated!
Information from previous newsletters
If your child is tired of worksheets...
SCHOOL MEALS ARE NO LONGER FREE
School meals are no longer free for all students during the 2022-2023 school year unless you qualify for free meals through the free or reduced-price meal benefit.*
Please note: Parents/Guardians who owe money for their child(ren)’s meals, will receive an email each day with the amount owed. Those emails will be coming from the cafeteria computer software and will show up with Solana as the sender. Excessive negative balances can be turned over for collections.
Current Meal Prices:
Elementary/Intermediate Breakfast Price - $1.45
Elementary/Intermediate Lunch Price - $2.55
Middle/High Breakfast Price - $1.60
Middle/High Lunch Price - $2.95
Parent/Guardians can also put money on their child’s meal account through the following link: MyPaymentsPlus
*To see if you qualify for free or reduced price meals you must fill out an application. Applications can be found on the DSC Child Nutrition webpage or by calling your child’s school.
In case of inclement weather...
We have the following schedule also available in an attachment below. This is in case we have an e-learning day due to an unexpected event or inclement weather.
Unexpected/ Unplanned E-Learning Days
Pre-planned E-Learning Days
We currently have one more day on our school calendar in which students are scheduled to have an e-learning day: May 3. Teachers will have blocks of time available for 'office hours', where they will be available to students for questions, but the majority of this day the students will be completing Canvas activities on their own. Teachers generally have professional development scheduled on these days, so they are not available all day long. This method of instruction is referred to as asynchronous. I have linked the guidelines and differences between the two of these days below.
When the weather outside is frightful...
We will occasionally need to have indoor recess. We determine this when looking at wind chill as well as regular temperature, and take into account blowing snow or sleet. Third and fourth grade students now have the option of remaining indoors to work on quiet activities at recess time. Kindergarten, first and second grade students will be kept inside at recess time if they do not have appropriate clothing for the weather. This generally includes a winter coat (not a hoodie), gloves or mittens, and a hat or a hood. When it is snowing, students will need to have boots and snow pants on in order to go in the snow.
Note: Although we see many students with nice, warm scarves, we have a playground rule against students wearing scarves. This is due to safety concerns of the scarves getting tangled in equipment and inadvertently choking students. Thank you for your understanding.
Reminder
Parents who are picking up their child or dropping something off for their child must present a driver's license or state ID to our office staff in order to do so. If a parent is sending someone else to pick up their student or drop something off for them, they must not only present identification, they must also be on the list in Skyward as family or an emergency contact. This is also the case for attending any class parties.
DuneNews
The goal of the Duneland School Corporation district school newsletters is to inform students, parents and the school community about school-related information.
This year, the Duneland Schools will share information that pertains to opportunities our students may be interested in outside of school on a special page on our website. These available opportunities are offered by not-for-profit partnerships and organizations within our school district boundaries and local communities. Follow this link to Community Opportunities.
Liberty Elementary School
Website: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/liberty
Location: 50-1 West 900 North, Chesterton, IN, USA
Phone: 219-983-3650
Facebook: Liberty Elementary