Liberty High Newsletter 4-21-2025
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Principal's Message 4-21-2025
Students, Parents, Guardians, and Staff,
Please take the time to meet with your student and discuss next years goals with them. Seniors need to meet with you and Counselor Woods to discuss both college and career goals. Also, they need to consider their 4 year, 2 year, and technical school or college options. Juniors need to start looking into the college or career options that they are considering. Our Counselor, Mrs. Woods, can help them look into and plan for their interests and goals over the next few months.
Students and parents of returning students, please, take the time policy for smartphones and how it is changing in the Lodi Unified School District and the state of California. This is a letter detailing those changes from the district.
Lodi Unified School District Families:
This important update is being shared regarding smartphone use during school in 2025-2026.
Beginning next school year, students will be required to keep their smartphones turned off and stored in their backpacks during the regular school day. This practice, already in place at many of our elementary and middle schools, aligns with Lodi Unified School District’s Board Policy 5131: Student Conduct.
This Board of Education approved change is designed to reduce distractions, support student mental health, minimize instances of cyberbullying and support student academic discourse throughout the school day. Research strongly supports limiting phone use during the school day, and similar policies are being adopted in schools across the state. In fact, California’s Assembly Bill 3216 will require school districts to adopt such policies by July 1, 2026. Please note that exceptions will be made for students with medical needs or accommodations outlined in their IEPs.
We understand that this may change how you communicate with your child during the day, even though they will be able to retrieve messages or return calls at the end of the regular school day. Our school offices are always available to relay important messages, and students can use office phones if needed. In the event of an emergency, it's essential that students stay focused on staff instructions. First responders recommend limiting phone use to ensure safety and clear communication.
We’ll share more information as the school year approaches, but we appreciate your support in preparing your student for this shift. Please take a moment to discuss these expectations with your child.
Thank you for partnering with us to create a safe and focused learning environment
Students, we have 6 weeks left until the end of the school year. Please, continue to do your best and set yourself and your future up for success!!!!
Seniors Graduation practice is on May 27th and is mandatory in order to participate in graduation. Graduation is on May 28th at Hutchinson Square make sure you get everything done in time. The entire staff can't wait to see you all walk the stage!!! More details will follow with regard to graduation and information can always be obtained in the front office.
Have a blessed day, Dr. Christmas
Announcements
PARENT Input Needed – LCAP Thought Exchange
Lodi USD invites you to share your thoughts on the district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)! Your input is essential in shaping our priorities and ensuring our students receive the support they need.
Please take a moment to participate in our Thought Exchange by clicking the link below:
🔗 https://tejoin.com/scroll/308859188
Your feedback will help guide the development of our LCAP moving forward. Thank you for being a valued part of our community!
Students – We Want to Hear from You!
Thank you for helping elevate student voices!
Your voice matters! Lodi USD invites you to share your thoughts on how we can improve your school experience through the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). This is your chance to speak up about what’s working, what needs improvement, and how we can better support you and your classmates.
Take a moment to share your ideas in our ThoughtExchange by clicking the link below or scanning the QR code:
🔗 https://tejoin.com/scroll/308859188
Your input will help shape decisions that impact your education. Thank you for making your voice heard!
Free College Guide (7-12)
California Opportunities Workbook
· English - https://issuu.com/ecmc_outreach/docs/2024-2025-ca-opps-book?fr=xIAEoAT3_NTU1
· Spanish - https://issuu.com/ecmc_outreach/docs/2024-2025-ca-opps-book-sp?fr=xIAEoAT3_NTU1
For College-Bound Seniors:
What to do when you get to campus
· English - https://www.ecmc.org/media/sobnpglv/what-to-do-when-you-get-to-campus.pdf
· Spanish - https://www.ecmc.org/media/tgsllchr/what-to-do-when-you-get-to-campus-spanish.pdf
English
It’s time to apply!! The state priority deadline in California was just extended to April 2, 2025.
Now is the time to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Apply today by visiting https://csac.ca.gov/apply
Spanish
¡Es momento de solicitar ayuda financiera! La fecha límite prioritaria del estado de California se ha extendido hasta el 2 de abril de 2025.
No dejes pasar esta oportunidad y completa tu FAFSA (Solicitud Gratuita de Ayuda Federal para Estudiantes) o la CADAA (Solicitud de la Ley Dream Act de California). ¡Aplica hoy mismo en https://csac.ca.gov/apply!
Liberty High School - College and Career Field Trips
We have a field trip planned for April 23 to visit Sacramento City college. Please, see your librarian Mrs. Goudie to discuss this opportunity. This field trip is a great opportunity to see what your options could be after high school.
H2O Hackathon (9-12)
Calling all high school students! It's time to register for the 2025 H2O Hackathon! Students compete for $20,000 in cash prizes. The event is free, including lunch and snacks. There are two competitions at the H2O Hackathon.
• A competition to build a mobile app. No coding experience needed and there are tutorials available.
• Multimedia competition.
Students can compete in either the high school or college division. This year's theme for the challenge is "Hack the Tap."
The event is Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. at the San Joaquin County Office of Education, Wentworth Education Center, 2707 Transworld Dr., Stockton, CA 95206.
Learn more and register at https://h2ohackathon.org/
Click on the link below for the flyer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e_MAGYqZxnkHgPNfQJCwcp2ZqTPlc5ey/view?usp=sharing
Click on the link below for the flyer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t36aPB_NTrUZ_2LsSaaYG2acJhemH6dM/view?usp=sharing
Tutoring
Mr. Hannah before school science tutoring Tuesday and Thursday from 7:10 am to 8:30 am
Mr. Strawn after school tutoring music and social science Monday thru Thursday until 2:40 pm
College and Career Field Trips
We have a few field trips planned for the spring to visit select colleges. Please, see your counselor Mrs. Wood to discuss these opportunities. The field trips will also be announced in your classes and are great opportunities to see what your options could be after high school.
Upcoming Minimum Days, Holiday's and other important dates
May 7th - Minimum Day
May 26th - Memorial Day (no school)
May 27th - Graduation Practice
May 28th - Graduation
May 30th - Minimum Day and last day of school
Guitar Club
Interested in playing guitar? Details: Guitar, Bass, and Drum lessons - 1:45-2:40 in Room B-2. All skill levels welcome. Some days will include Band, Free Play, and Maintenance.
Liberty Thursday Thrift Store
Does your student need a coat or warmer clothes for the winter season? Mrs. Lewis runs the Liberty Thursday Thrift store that offers clothing items and more to students at no charge. Students are welcome to shop and find something they can use. We are currently welcoming donations of hooded sweatshirts, jackets and dark colored graphic t-shirts. Thank you!
Picking Up and Dropping Off Students at School
Please respect our neighbors and the quiet area that we live in. Drive the speed limit, turn down your music, and refrain from blocking driveways. Thank you for your cooperation.
Have You Reported Your Students' Absence?
Parents and Guardians,
To report an absence, please call our office at 209-331-7633. If leaving a message, please remember to include your name, your child's name, and the reason for the absence. Uncleared absences will become unexcused absences after ten days without a parental excusal. For medical appointments, please remember to get a doctor's note and have you or your child bring it to the office as soon as possible.
School/Office Hours and Important Numbers
Just a reminder that school hours are 8:30AM - 1:45PM on regular school days. Office hours are 8:00AM - 4:30PM.
The main school number is (209) 331-7633. The attendance number is (209) 331-7622. Dr. Christmas, the principal, Mrs. Wood, the counselor, and all of our teachers are here to assist you and your student.
We are all here to partner with your student and family to ensure their success at Liberty High School. We look forward to making this a great school year for your student.
School Site Council
The next School Site Council Meeting will be held on April 22nd at 2:30 pm in the School Library. All parents, students, and staff are encouraged to attend.