Liberty Public Schools

The Liberty High School Student Newspaper, The Bell, has been presented with the prestigious MIPA All-Missouri award for best overall newspaper in the State! Way to go!

Today we conclude our All-State Fine Arts recognitions by announcing members of the All-State Speech and Debate team. Those selected to this prestigious group include: Liberty North High School - Georgia Barge (District Champion - Dramatic Interp), Max Hodes (District Champion - Lincoln Douglas Debate), Alec Walls & Addie Kimmerle (District Champions - Policy Debate), Jami Lewis & Lianna Morelli (Duo Interp), Briggs Maynor (Humorous Interp), and Alayna Pickard (Poetry).

Today we salute eight LPS high school students recently named to the prestigious All-State Choir. Students named include: Liberty North High School - Georgia Barge (Soprano), Jacob Aldridge (Tenor), Jacob Hagen (Tenor), and Duncan Sanford (Tenor). Liberty High School - Kennedy Naseem (Alto), Gabe Baldaia (Tenor), Will Pierce (Bass), and Becki Beebe (Soprano - 2nd Alternate).

In recent weeks, Liberty Public Schools has received questions regarding the upcoming April 6 election surrounding the Metropolitan Community College (MCC) item placed on the ballot. Below is a link that provides information that we hope you find informative. https://bit.ly/31ADDYh

Congratulations to Liberty High School and Liberty North High School students named to the All-State Band. Students named include: Liberty High School - Grant Owen (1st Chair Percussion Option 1, All-State Orchestra), Jillian Arnold (3rd Chair Tuba), Catherine Duncan (1st Chair Tuba, Honorable Mention), and Charlie Cope-Morris (4th Chair Bassoon, Honorable Mention). Liberty North High School - Mitchell Smith (1st Chair Bassoon), Braden Baker (4th Chair Alto Saxophone), Josh Nelson (4th Chair Percussion/Snare Drum), Will Elling (5th Chair Trombone), and Kenny Riley (1st Alternate Contra Bass Clarinet).

Important information below from our nutrition services team.

We look forward to welcoming our students back for the start of the second semester tomorrow! 2021 is going to be a great year!

To: All of Our Friends in Liberty Public Schools From: District Administration Center Team Happy holidays! Have a wonderful winter vacation! See you in 2021!

EPiC's Studio 5 Dare 2 Care EVENT - Music, interviews, poetry, skits, and so much more. Premieres at 6:30 pm, December 15th.

We hope our students, staff, and families are enjoying the weekend. We look forward to beginning our second semester in just a few days! Don't forget that Monday, January 4, 2020 is a teacher workday and is a NO SCHOOL day for our students. Classes resume on Tuesday, January 5, 2020.

Happy New Year Everyone! We envision much brighter days ahead for us all in 2021!

Help the Liberty community celebrate healthy holidays this year! Let’s all do our part: wear a mask, practice physical distancing and use those critical thinking skills to make wise decisions if you must travel or gather in groups. We value the relationships we have with our local community partners, and thank them for partnering with us!

Since originally posting last night, we are excited to report that we have been overwhelmed with "Gratitude Grams" being submitted! We will continue to share many of them here in this album. We also encourage our families to continue sharing with us the gratitude you have for our staff. https://tinyurl.com/yycejrmp The 2020-2021 school year has been a year like no other. Our staff have worked tirelessly to serve our students and families over the course of the past several... months. In LPS, we receive feedback from staff, parents, and students on a regular basis. In an effort to #ShareTheGoodLPS, we want to provide an opportunity to share with us a "Gratitude Gram". It could be an individual, a department, a school, or anything/anyone else you feel needs to be celebrated. Thank you for your support of Liberty Public Schools! *Please note that your submission might be considered for use on LPS social media platforms. Only the first name and last initial would be used as identification for those submitting.

Today enjoy the sounds of the Liberty North High School Symphonic Band, who performed on December 9, 2020. https://youtu.be/UWdT-keTIaE

Grace - Patience - Flexibility. We would not have been able to accomplish what we did this semester if it weren't for our staff, students, and families displaying these traits every day. We have so much gratitude for each of you, and we look forward to brighter days ahead in 2021. Have a great winter vacation, LPS!

LPS Chief Equity Officer, Dr. Andrea Dixon-Seahorn, provides an update that highlights the great work taking place within her department.

As we begin the final week of first semester, just a quick reminder that we will be on a two-hour early release schedule Friday, December 18, 2020.

The Liberty North High School volleyball team received a nice send-off at school earlier this morning as they boarded the bus and made the long trek to Cape Girardeau for the Missouri State Volleyball Championships scheduled for tomorrow evening. This is the first ever Final 4 appearance for the volleyball program at LNHS! They will face St. Dominic in the semifinals tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. Best of luck Eagles!

This evening we share with you the Middle School Honor Symphony, who performed their talents on December 9, 2020. ENJOY! https://youtu.be/UWdT-keTIaE

NATIONAL HONOR FOR LNHS YEARBOOK! On Friday, December 4, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association announced its Crown Nominee Yearbooks for the 2019-2020 school year, and the Ayrie, the yearbook for Liberty North High School, received a nomination. This distinction, for the second year in a row, places the Liberty North yearbook among the top yearbooks in the nation. Only 41 yearbooks from across the nation received this distinction, and The Ayrie is the ONLY yearbook in the... state of Missouri to receive the nomination. This is an honor that recognizes not only the yearbook staff but all of the teachers and staff who have guided these young women and men through the LPS educational system and have supported them in their endeavors. This award has been likened to the Pulitzer Prize of high school journalism. Please congratulate the 2019-2020 yearbook staff of: Delaney Pierce and Belle Zubiri: Editors In Chief Ella Bowers: Managing Editor Mackensi Killbreth: Copy Editor Audrey Culver: Student Life Editor Chloe Main: Student Life Editor Mady Glenn: Senior and Underclassmen People Editor Sophie Conover: Clubs Editor Rylie Hutchison: Varsity Sports Editor Averi Mickelson: JV Sports Editor Allie Hillman: Copy and Classes Editor Makaila Mills: Senior Editor Maritza Tovar: Seniors Editor Savanna Churchill, Ella Adams, Kate Grundy, Payton Reeves, Brooke Row, Emily Wilson, Kirsten Zirjacks: Varsity Reporters Brooke Anderson, Lucy Chu, Riley Dayton, Sophia Thomas, Aliyah Wilson, Jaiden Serino, Hanna Eickmann, Mary Martinez, Lexi McCleave: Reporters Adviser: Ronna Sparks-Woodward, MJE (JEA Master Journalism Educator)

Need to great holiday music to listen to? Our Liberty High School Choir Department has it covered for you! Way to go, Blue Jays! https://youtu.be/o-CSEhrFqeA

LifeChanger of the Year is a national, annual program recognizing K-12 educators and school employees across the country. The program celebrates those who are making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020-2021 Program. Liberty Public Schools Chief Operations Officer Steve Anderson, an instrumental leader in the readiness for LPS students to return to scho...ol during the fall of 2020, has been nominated by the district leadership for his selfless efforts impacting all students and staff of the Liberty School District. Please see the nomination for Mr. Anderson below and offer congratulations and support for his nomination. Thank you Mr. Anderson for all of your efforts in helping lead the efforts in keeping our staff and students safe while in the midst of a pandemic! http://app.lifechangeroftheyear.com/nomination_list.cfm See more

The Liberty High School Orchestra displayed their talents on December 1, 2020 at their winter concert. Great job to all involved! https://youtu.be/ONahDRuE4oQ

Happy Halloween everyone! Be safe out there tonight!

The 2020-2021 school year has been a year like no other. Our staff have worked tirelessly to serve our students and families over the course of the past several months. In LPS, we receive feedback from staff, parents, and students on a regular basis. In an effort to #ShareTheGoodLPS, we want to provide an opportunity to share with us a "Gratitude Gram". It could be an individual, a department, a school, or anything/anyone else you feel needs to be celebrated. Thank you fo...r your support of Liberty Public Schools! *Please note that your submission might be considered for use on LPS social media platforms. Only the first name and last initial would be used as identification for those submitting. https://tinyurl.com/yycejrmp

Today we introduce you to Liberty High School Senior Olivia Dorman, who is participating this year in a student internship opportunity with OmniLife. These are amazing real-world learning experiences for our high school students. Any interested students should contact our Career Navigators at Liberty High School or Liberty North High School. Liberty HS: Tim Anderson ([email protected]) Liberty North HS: Dustin Sollars ([email protected])

Our friends at Children's Mercy - Kansas City provide some great safety tips for our students that will be participating in Halloween activities this weekend. Be safe everyone!

It's more great content today from our LPS Fine Arts Department, as we hear from the Heritage Middle School Band as they performed at their holiday band concert on December 3, 2020. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/rwkNh36FBHU

As we enter the final stretch of our first semester in LPS, Alexander Doniphan Elementary Kindergarten Teacher Heather Porter reflects on how far we have come in just a few months. While it has certainly come with many challenges for us all, we have so much to be thankful for, and it wouldn't be possible if it weren't for the patience, grace, and flexibility our staff, students, and families have given us! THANK YOU!

It has been announced that longtime Lillian Schumacher Elementary Principal Chris Gabriel has been selected as the 2021 Clay-Platte Distinguished Principal honoree! Mr. Gabriel is currently serving in the role of Director of Covid-19 Response for LPS, and we appreciate all of his leadership! Congratulations on this great honor!

Prior to the end of the first semester in LPS, Kellybrook Elementary Teacher Sarah White's class made "wish you well" messages for local hospital staff. These messages made it to the hospital staff at Truman Medical Center, and the video provided captures their response upon receiving these messages.

Our employee recognition program, the SOAR Awards, returns for a seventh year in Liberty Public Schools. This program provides us with the opportunity to recognize deserving staff members for providing SERVICE OVER and ABOVE the REST! Thanks to the Liberty Education Foundation for being the sponsor of this fantastic program!

Another tremendous learning opportunity coming soon for our high school students! EDGE is a new global microschool in LPS for students entering grades 9 - 12 in the Fall of 2021. If you are interested in exploring the world, solving global issues, and becoming a change agent, EDGE might be a great fit for you! RSVP now to attend an informational session and learn about how to enroll for the 2021-2022 school year. Check out our website for more information about EDGE at https://www.lps53.org/edge. RSVP for an enrollment session by visiting our enrollment page. Please note that you must RSVP to attend the information sessions so that we can plan for proper social distancing.

This morning we hear some great music from the Discovery Middle School Band as the performed at their winter concert on December 7, 2020. https://youtu.be/BZByPoFw8sk

While we have seemed to dodge any kind of "October Surprise" winter weather event related to school closings, we did want to take this opportunity to share with you some additional information on how inclement weather days will be handled during the 2020-2021 school year. Be looking for more details in the coming weeks as we enter into the heart of the winter season.

Wishing our students, staff, families, and community a Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for each of you!

SAVE THE DATE! One of our District's showcase events, the Diversity Festival, returns in January 2021. Like most events, this years festival will look different, as it will be held in a virtual format during the week of January 25 - 29, 2021. More information will be shared about the event as we return from winter vacation, but we wanted to provide you with the dates in advance.

With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up later this week, here is a story to warm your heart. In recent weeks, our special needs students have been packing bags of food for those in need within our local community. This project has been made possible through a partnership with Feed Northland Kids. A huge LPS THANK YOU to all involved with this! We are truly thankful to be in such a warm and caring community!

Missouri Hall of Fame Bound! Huge congrats to Head Coach Brenda Moats and the Liberty High School Cheerleading Program for being named as a 2020 Missouri Hall of Fame selection! They will officially be enshrined on November 15 at the HyVee Arena in Kansas City. What an amazing accomplishment!

Quick reminder that following today's two-hour early release, schools will be closed tomorrow (Friday, October 23, 2020). We hope everyone enjoys the long weekend, and thanks for your continued support!

Courtesy of the LPS Fine Arts Department, we present the Middle School Honor Symphony Winter Concert from December 9, 2020. https://youtu.be/J2sbcYBqxrI

Enjoy the fantastic sounds of the Liberty North High School Band as part of their Winter Concert held December 9, 2020! https://youtu.be/2pmio3IA_Hw

We hope you join us in congratulating and thanking longtime LPS administrator Scott Carr, who has announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2020-2021 school year. Mr. Carr began his career in education back in 1991, and has served in the roles of teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal. During this span, he also played a key role in helping lead our grade reconfiguration project in 2012-2013 when we transitioned to four middle schools (grades 6-8) and moved our freshmen students to the high schools (grades 9-12). Mr. Carr has been a mainstay in LPS over the years, and will be missed greatly. We wish him nothing but the best in his upcoming retirement, and encourage anyone that has crossed paths with him to leave a message below.

Here is a friendly reminder that we will be on a two-hour early release schedule tomorrow (Thursday, October 22, 2020). This is due to Parent-Teacher Conference/Student Showcase Week in LPS. In addition, schools will be closed Friday, October 23, 2020.

Throughout the winter vacation we will be sharing with you several vocal and instrumental performances from our talented Fine Arts students across LPS. Today we hear from the South Valley Middle School Choir. https://youtu.be/rfIW3aOCtLM

LPS Director of Health Services, Ms. Kathy Ellermeier, recently submitted a Gratitude Gram for her nurse team. We are so thankful for all they do for us!

As our Parent-Teacher Conference/Student Showcase Week continues, we wanted to share with you all of the sights and sounds from the 7th Annual Global Cardboard Challenge held at EPiC Elementary earlier this week. Impressive work by the students involved! Great job!

Winter vacation is officially underway in LPS. This year more than ever, we encourage our students, staff, and families to relax, recharge, and refresh over these next two weeks!

At the Tuesday evening, December 15, 2020 regular Board of Education meeting, the Board formally approved the proposed Return to Learn Plan revisions for the second semester, which begins Tuesday, January 5, 2021. To read more, click the link provided. https://bit.ly/3gQEH10

Join us tomorrow, while supplies last.

Meet Rhonda. Along with serving as the president of the Liberty Education Foundation, she also is now a substitute teacher for us this year after recognizing the need in our District during these challenging times. We thank Rhonda greatly for her willingness to step up and serve in this role. We need more Rhonda's. To become a sub for LPS, click the link below. https://bit.ly/2UINp7a

ICYMI: We announced yesterday that we intend to continue our current learning models when we return from our Thanksgiving break on Monday, November 30, 2020. The full update is at the link provided. https://bit.ly/333QTG6

The Liberty North High School Eagle Football Team plays in the Missouri Class 6 semifinals tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon at 1 p.m., as they host Raymore-Peculiar. As you likely know, attendance is being limited for this game. Find important streaming information below! This broadcast is being made possible by our talented KNET crew at LNHS! https://bit.ly/33k4oBF Good luck Eagles!

This semester has been challenging for all of us. Among the departments we are so grateful for is our Health Services Team. Recently our entire school nurse staff submitted over 30 individual SOAR Award nominations for their leader, Ms. Kathy Ellermeier. To open a scheduled meeting earlier this morning, we had a chance to surprise Kathy with this award. One of our team members captured this moment and felt it was worthy of sharing with you. #InThisTogetherLPS

Coffee with the Community: This month we are joined by Dr. Jeanette Westfall, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Design, and her team as they provide a Liberty Virtual School update.

The pandemic has caused us to transition our recognitions at Board meetings to a virtual format. As part of the Board meeting last night, we saluted the recently crowned Liberty North High School Eagle Volleyball Team for bringing home the state championship! Last week, Dr. Tucker had a chance to present the ladies a congratulatory certificate. Our Board also gave them the traditional "standing ovation" to open the meeting. Congratulations to coach Katie Dowden and her amazing group of young ladies!

The Liberty High School Cheerleading Program was officially inducted into the Missouri State Hall of Fame on Sunday afternoon, November 15, 2020. We had a chance to visit one of their practices recently to see what makes this program so special.

The Liberty Blue Jays and Liberty North Eagles resume the Crosstown Showdown series tonight with a spot in the Missouri Class 6 semifinals on the line. Below you will find information how you can watch the game from home. Along with the webstream option, the game will also be aired live on Spectrum Sports Channel. Game time is 7:05 p.m. from Liberty High School. Best of luck to our two favorite teams!

Today we salute our heroes. Happy Veterans Day! REMINDER: Our LPS Salute to Veterans special premiers right here on our Facebook page later this morning at 9:30 a.m. We hope you can make plans to tune in!

Employee recognition is always so important to us, but even more than ever while in the midst of a pandemic. We recently had the opportunity to present several SOAR Awards to deserving LPS staff. To nominate someone today, click the link provided! https://tinyurl.com/j3xxyox

HISTORY MADE! The Liberty North High School Volleyball Team became the first girls athletic program in LNHS school history to win a state championship earlier this afternoon as they defeated Nixa in the title game in Cape Girardeau. To put icing on the cake, the Lady Eagles finish the 2020 season with an unblemished 24-0 record. Way to bring it home ladies!

Ms. Taneka Brown is into her fourth month leading our School Age Care Program (Kid's Zone). Today we get to know Ms. Brown, as we had a chance to visit with her recently. We are glad she is on our team!

A friendly reminder for tomorrow (Friday, October 16, 2020).

Our Chief Operations Officer, Steve Anderson, provides us with a Covid-19 Response Update. If you are joining us live, we encourage you to share with us your coffee mug while watching in the comments section below!

This young Schumacher Shark displays a message on his t-shirt that we can all use right about now. #ALittleKindnessCanChangeEverything