Liberty Newsletter, Volume 12
August 17, 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
I hope that you had a wonderful summer break from classes.
It is officially BACK TO SCHOOL TIME!
If you are new to my Smore newsletters, this is an opportunity to stay "in the loop" on Liberty news. If you have ideas for the smore I am always open to suggestions.
There are some repeat items here today as we have added new families and I wanted to make sure that everyone has access to Food Service and Transportation information.
Thank you
Scott
Scott Kibby
Principal
Liberty High School
Iowa City Community School District
New Student Orientation TUESDAY
Students will have a chance to meet their teachers, get acquainted with the building and have some fun.
Lunch will be served using the students' normal lunch account, but if a student has any dietary restrictions they can bring their own lunches as well.
Free transportation from the Kirkwood attendance area is available at 8:15am via school bus and departs from the front parking lot of Northwest Junior High. The bus will also bring the students home at the conclusion of the day.
Liberty's National Honor Society students have put together the program for the day. Thank you to them and their sponsors Jonna Hall and Sakinah Ellickson.
Bell Schedule adjustment
A quick overview for parents includes on Monday and Friday, classes will run from 8:50am to 4pm with each class approximately 53 minutes long. Buses will depart at 4:15pm
On Thursday, classes will run from 8:50am to 3pm for staff development. Buses depart at 3:15.
On Tuesday and Wednesday the traditional 7-period day will run from 8:50am to 3pm (following Thursday's schedule) with classes 45 minutes long. Formerly AFT will now be called "Liberty Time" and will run from 3:05-4pm after 7th period and will be on every student's schedule. Buses will run at the normal 4:15pm time. During Liberty Time students have the ability to access their teachers for extra instructional help. Additionally, it is a time for us to do some all school teaching regarding behavior expectations, club fair opportunities and other various activities. Every student, regardless of grade level, is assigned a Liberty Time teacher. In all cases it should be a teacher that they already have during the day so that we can create an Advisor/Advisee environment. Attendance will be taken during Liberty time like all other class periods.
More details will be shared with the students when they arrive back. Thank you
E-Registration is OPEN
Parents and guardians can now log into their PowerSchool parent account by going to the District website at the following link: https://www.iowacityschools.org/domain/31.
Parents can also use this link: PowerSchool Parent Login Screen to access the site.
Important Note: We request that you review and update the demographic, emergency contact, health information, and permissions sections in e-Registration to ensure that what we currently have on file for your child(ren) is the most accurate information.
E-registration is a place to pay your school fees "on-line" as well.
Please note: If you have completed e-Registration at any time before August 1, 2018, you will need to complete this process again for the upcoming 2018-19 school year.
Food and Nutrition Services Document
Recall, you must apply each year for the free or reduced meal program
Liberty Calendar Information
Liberty Calendar Website
Please see the rSchool calendar to not only stay in the know about our athletic events but for ALL events happening at the school.
There is also a phone app. To get the app click on the rSchool calendar link below and then click on "Get the mobile app" on the menu on the right side.
You may also sign up for notifications for your student(s)' specific activities.
Rschool is the first place that schedules are posted and announcements on changes are posted. You'll know before the media!
https://mississippivalleyiowa.org/public/genie/80/school/2671/
School Bus Transportation information
The District has posted the bus transportation letters electronically in the PowerSchool parent portal account. The letters were processed and “hung” in the parent PowerSchool accounts, if the student was registered in PS and routed by Durham by Monday, July 31st. Please note this information is not accessible using the PowerSchool app.
For new students who have registered (since Wednesday, August 1st) or for students who have a change in address and need bus re-routing, you should fill out the transportation request form and forward this form to Esme Davis at the ESC. Davis.esme@iowacityschools.org
Library News (Chromebooks/Materials)
Chrome Book Update:
Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors, please make sure your chorme books are charged and ready to go when you return to school on Thursday. You will be renewing them in the library during the first week of classes.
Freshmen will be receiving a school-issued chrome book, charger, and carrying case during the first week of school. All students are expected to charge their devices each night and bring them to school each day ready to go. Loaner chrome books are available when needed.
Library Materials:
Students must have their school-issued ID to check out materials from the Liberty Library, including chrome books and textbooks. Please make sure you carry your ID with you to school each day.
Liberty Staff
Jenny Saylor-Art
Maggie Yocius-Art
Staff Spotlight-Liberty Art
Jenny Saylor and Maggie Yocius are the team of teachers that make up the Liberty High School art department. Together they offer a wide range of art courses from traditional classes like drawing, painting and ceramics, to more specialized classes like metalworking, graphic design and AP Art Studio.
Jenny earned her BA majoring in art and her MBA from the University of Iowa. Later, she returned to the University of Iowa to complete her teaching certification. Before coming to Liberty High School last year, Jenny enjoyed being part of the West High art department for 22 years. The opportunity to help plan and create the art space and program at Liberty High School has been a highlight.
When she isn’t at school, Jenny loves spending time with her husband Brady Shutt, playing in her garden, cooking, and being outdoors.
Maggie Yocius studied art and graduated from the University of Iowa with a BFA in Ceramics. She traveled, taught art, and worked in outdoor education and recreation for 6 years. Some of her favorite experiences during that time include working as an art teacher at a canoe building and trip camp in Maine, river guiding down the Arkansas River in Colorado, and touring in the southern United States with a stop motion animation group.
She returned to Iowa City and soon began working with the school district. Last year, Maggie taught art at West High and greatly enjoyed working with students and teaching them her passion. This year, she will split her time: mornings at West and afternoons at Liberty
Maggie and Jenny believe art is for everyone. Whether art has always been your thing or you just want to try something new, the art rooms are a place to explore ideas, develop new skills, find your voice, and collaborate with classmates in a hands-on environment.
Maggie and Jenny are excited to meet this year’s Liberty students, and to help them explore and express their creativity.
North Liberty Free Summer Lunch Program
National Honor Society served on a different day under the direction of teacher Sakinah Ellickson.
Kudos, to Director Marge Hartman for the tireless work that she does to organize daily lunches for hundreds of kids all summer long. Thanks Marge!
Tennis meeting
We are gauging interest in having our own teams for the 18-19 school year.
There will be a meeting of any interested Liberty athletes on Tuesday, August 28th at 4:15 in the Liberty Commons. Though, tennis is a spring sport, we need to know now if our numbers support a team of our own so that we can hire the coaching staff.
If numbers aren't sufficient for our own team, West High is still willing to continue a cooperative sharing agreement.
Sparkles Cheer Squad
Liberty is starting a new cheerleading club that is bringing together students with and without disabilities.
The team will cheer at designated home sporting events throughout the fall and winter season.
If you are interested in participating, please come to our informational meeting:
August 20 at 4:30 in the Commons.
If you cannot attend at this time but are interested,
Please email Kim Cranston at:
Phase 2 and Phase 3 of construction at Liberty
Phase 2 are the activity fields west of campus that are really starting to take shape. The Stadium is nearing completion. Baseball and Softball are really taking shape. Irrigation has been laid for our sand capped soccer field on the far west side of campus. The footings for the tennis courts have also been installed. Thank you to Larson Construction for the incredible work and timelines that they have met on behalf of Liberty kids.
Phase 3 was approved on Tuesday, May 8. The Liberty Administrative team met with SVPA architects the week of August 6th on preliminary designs for the new wing on the East end of campus. The plan is to break ground in May of 2019 (This School Year!)
PSTO-Parent Student Teacher Organization
Here is the list of the PSTO board members for 2018-2019:
· President: Sandy DeSchinckel
· President Elect: Marisa Keeney
· Secretary: Deb Wagner
· Treasurer: Shawn Eyestone
· Volunteer Coordinator: Lyse Strnad
PSTO meets at 4:45 on the third Wednesday of the month in the Liberty Library.
2018-19 dates
· September 19
· October 17
· November 14
· December 19
· January 16
· February 20
· March - No meeting due to Spring Break
· April 17
· May 15
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
Job Shadowing through Kirkwood's Workplace Learning Connections
Workplace Learning Connection (WLC), a department of Kirkwood Community College, coordinates high-impact programming in career connected learning. One of those quality programs is the student job shadow program. Students explore a career of their choice within a pathway of interest so they are better informed and prepared to make decisions about their next steps after high school. After applying, students are matched with area professions for a job shadow where they will learn about the highlights, challenges, essential skills and educational pathway of that career. These work-based learning experiences support our students individualized career and post-secondary education plans. There is no charge to students to participate.
The WLC student portal opens on August 1, 2018 to field job shadow requests from AREA 10 high school sophomores*, juniors and seniors. WLC staff will visit and present information on WLC programs within all AREA 10 participating high schools in late August and early September. The WLC Job Shadow application portal will remain open to accept applications through insert your school's deadline here. Students and their parents are encouraged to visit www.workplace-learning.org and click on the Job shadows tab to explore the many options for both group and individualized job shadow experiences.
United States Military Academies
Another Liberty First. First AP Science test with a 5
The ladies earned the score of 5 on the AP Biology Exam in the spring. She will be honored at the Belin-Blank Center this fall. Congratulations to their AP teacher, Mr. Nate Oswald, as well.
Congratulations to Trainer Anna Manternach
Congrats, Anna
Orchestra's Annie Savage highlighted