Liberty Newsletter: Volume 138
June 4, 2024
Iowa City Liberty High School
Email: colbert.justin@iowacityschools.org
Website: https://liberty.iowacityschools.org/
Location: 1400 South Dubuque Street, North Liberty, IA, USA
Phone: (319) 688-1350
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LibertyHighSchool2017
X: @ColbertJust, @ICLibertyHS
Instagram: liberty_bolts
**Wednesday, June 5: Last Day of School- 1-Hour Early Dismissal**
Important Dates
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
- October 11- 4:15 pm-7:45 pm (In-person)
- October 17- 4:15 pm-7:45 pm (Virtual)
- January 17- 4:15 pm-7:45 pm (Virtual)
- April 24- 4:15 pm-7:45 pm (In-person)
DANCES
- Sept. 30- Homecoming Dance @ Liberty (7:00 pm-10:00 pm)
- January 27- Winter Dance @ Liberty (7:00 pm-10:00 pm)
- April 20- Prom @ Hyatt Regency Coralville (7:30 pm-10:30 pm)
SENIORS
- October 10- Senior Jostens Assembly (@ 1:45 PM, Auditorium)
- Feb. 28- Senior photo due to Yearbook
- Mar. 27- Cap & Gown Distribution (10:00 AM- 1:00 PM in Grand Commons)
- May 22- Senior Awards & Scholarship Recognition Evening (@ 7:00 PM, Auditorium)
- May 29- Graduate Walk-Through @ Elementary Schools (8:15 AM)
- May 30- Senior’s Last Day
- May 31- Graduation Rehearsal (Xtream Arena @ 12:30 PM)
- June 1- Liberty High Graduation (Xtream Arena @ 7:00 pm)
MIDTERMS & END OF TRIMESTERS
- October 4- Midterm
- November 16- End of 1st Trimester
- January 17- Midterm
- March 1- End of 2nd Trimester
- April 24- Midterm
- June 5- End of 3rd Trimester & Last Day of Classes
District Messages
Registration is Open for the 24-25 School Year
We are excited to announce that registration for the 2024-25 school year is now open! We encourage you to take this early opportunity to register your students for the next school year.
As a reminder, all families are required to register their students in Infinite Campus each year. Please use the link below to register your child(ren). Remember to select the school year “24-25” to register for next year.
Registration instructions for returning families to the District
Families who need assistance with the registration process may attend on-site registration at their home school which will be held this summer. On-site registration schedules will be shared at a later date.
We thank you for taking the time to register your students early as it helps greatly with our staffing efforts over the spring and summer.
Summer Meal Program
We are excited to participate again in the Summer Food Service Program this summer. We will provide free meals and snacks to all children on a first-come, first-served basis. The program will run from June 17 to August 2, 2024, with a break from July 1 to 6, when all sites will be closed. The locations and schedules are as follows:
Antelope Mobile Lending Library: Afternoon snacks will be served as noted below from June 19 through August 10, 2024, at the following stops:
- Wednesdays:
- Western Hills Mobile Home Park, 3701 2nd St, Coralville (1:15 to 2:45 pm)
- Breckenridge Mobile Home Park, 4494 Taft Ave SE, Iowa City (3:30 to 5:00 pm)
- Waterfront HACAP Office, 367 Southgate Ave, Iowa City (5:30 to 7:00 pm)
- Fridays:
- Coralville Food Pantry, 804 13th Ave, Coralville (12:30 to 2:00 pm)
- Mercer, 1317 Dover St, Iowa City (3:15 to 4:45 pm)
- Saturdays:
- Regency Mobile Home Park, 4455 Oak Crest Hill Rd, Iowa City (12:15 to 1:15 pm)
- Casey’s, 1904 Broadway St, Iowa City (1:45 to 3:15 pm)
- Open Heartland, 3 E Benton St, Iowa City (5:00 to 6:30 pm)
Coralville Food Pantry: 804 13th Ave, Coralville
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays:
- Lunch from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm
- Afternoon snack from 1:00 to 1:30 pm
- Closed on June 19, 2024
Hills Elementary School: 301 Main St, Hills
- Mondays and Wednesdays only, grab & go meals including breakfast and lunch for 2 to 3 days provided from noon to 1:00 pm.
Iowa City Public Library: 123 S Linn St, Iowa City
- Monday through Friday, afternoon snack from 2:00 to 2:30 pm
- Open June 17 through August 9, 2024, except for July 4, when the library is closed.
Wetherby Park: 2400 Taylor Drive, Iowa City
- Monday through Friday, morning snack from 10:30 to 11:00 am
Pay-to-Ride Program Information
We would like to notify you of the 2024-25 Pay-to-Ride program, which is available to families that do not qualify for mandatory transportation as required by the State of Iowa.
Iowa Code 285.1.a. The Board of Directors in every school district shall provide transportation, either directly or by reimbursement for transportation, for all resident pupils attending public school, kindergarten through twelfth grade, except that:
- Elementary pupils shall be entitled to transportation only if they live more than two miles from the school designated for attendance.
- High school pupils shall be entitled to transportation only if they live more than three miles from the school designated for attendance.
If you have any questions, before applying, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email at Davis.Esme@iowacityschools.org.
The Pay-to-Ride program details are available on the attached Pay-to-Ride application and on our District website at www.IowaCitySchools.org/Transportation.
Payment and Fees for Service
- Pay-to-Ride fee is:
- $650 per student, per year, round trip
- $390 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 no later than June 7, 2024, to be included on a bus roster for the start of the school year.
- Applications submitted after June 8th through September 8th will be included on a bus no later than September 27 if space available. Efforts will be made to make placements earlier; however, a date prior to September 27th cannot be guaranteed and remains dependent on space being available.
- After September 8 applicants will be notified no later than 10 school days from submission if space available.
- Applications will be accepted after the due date 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 the application is approved.
Application Process
- To apply for pay-to-ride busing, please complete the attached Pay-to-Ride application.
- Payment can only be made online: https://www.myschoolbucks.com
- Mail or bring your application and receipt from MySchoolBucks to the following address:
Iowa City Community School District
Transportation Department
1725 N Dodge Street
Iowa City, IA 52245
If you are interested in participating in the Pay-to-Ride program, please return the application and payment no later than June 7, 2024, to be considered for a bus roster for the start of the school year.
Support Resources
We want to remind you that your mental health matters. While there is much to celebrate within our school district family, we also recognize the challenges many face throughout the year. As summer approaches, we understand that this transition can bring a new set of challenges for many. It is important that you are aware of local resources that can provide support throughout the year, including during the summer months.
Below is a list of local and national support services. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you or someone you know needs help.
In addition, our District maintains and continuously updates a webpage dedicated to support resources available to our community. Don’t hesitate to visit www.IowaCitySchools.org/Support to access the resources below and more. A QR code linking to this support page is printed on every secondary student’s school ID.
We genuinely hope you have a safe and healthy summer!
Sincerely,
Matt Degner
Superintendent
Iowa City Community School District
Examples of Local and National Mental Health Support Services:
CommUnity Crisis Services & Mobile Crisis Outreach: Mobile Crisis operates in our community as a mental health crisis response. CommUnity Crisis Services & Food Bank has counselors equipped to help individuals struggling with a wide variety of issues. If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, thinking of suicide, or experiencing overwhelming mental health symptoms, Mobile Crisis is there to respond to you in person.
- To contact the Mobile Crisis team, please call 1-855-581-8111 and ask to meet with Mobile Crisis counselors.
- Crisis Phone/Text: 988
- Food Bank: 319-351-0128
- https://builtbycommunity.org/
Johnson County Social Services: Comprehensive resource directory of services available across Johnson County.
Phone: 319-356-6090
- Website: https://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/social-services/resource-directory
United Action for Youth: Prevention and intervention services specifically aimed at supporting youth and their families.
- Phone: 319-338-7518
- Website: https://www.unitedactionforyouth.org/
Four Oaks: Network of programs available across the state to support children and their families.
- Phone: 319-364-0259
- Website: https://www.fouroaks.org/
ChildServe: Specialized support for children with mental health concerns, developmental delays, disabilities, injuries, and other special healthcare needs.
- Phone: 319-351-5437
- Website: https://www.childserve.org/
IC Compassion: Community services aimed at supporting our immigrant families
- Phone: 319-330-9883
- Website: https://www.iccompassion.org/
Abbe Mental Health Center: Provides a variety of behavioral health service options to provide help and healing with expertise in nearly all aspects of counseling, mental health and psychiatric treatment.
- Phone: (319) 338-7884
- Website: https://www.unitypoint.org/cedarrapids/abbe-mental-health-center.aspx
University of Iowa - Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Resources: Multiple options for mental health care and support through the University of Iowa
- Website: https://mentalhealth.uiowa.edu/mental-health-resources/
- Website: https://uichildrens.org/health-library/suicidal-adolescent-family-empowerment-safe-program
988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Provides 24/7, free and confidential support for anyone in crisis.
- Phone: 988
- Website: https://988lifeline.org/
If you or someone you know has attempted suicide or is facing imminent physical harm, please call 911 immediately.
Liberty Features & Information
Construction Technology Students Completing Project
Mr. Casper and his construction technology students at Liberty High have recently been putting the finishing touches on their shed project near Penn Meadows in North Liberty. The shed is next to the community garden and was a joint project between the City of North Liberty and Liberty High.
This project is one of many projects that Liberty High construction technology students have completed in partnership with the City. If a student is interested in a similar capstone course, we would encourage you to talk to your counselor about the Home Build course offered each year.
Liberty Math Club at Nationals
Congratulations to Sophia Jin and Gretta Core! With a third place finish at State, these two ladies made it to the National Math Competition in St. Louis on May 18. They were scored on five different events: the power question, the sprint round, the target round, the team round, and the relay. The event was hosted at Washington University, so the girls got to see the campus.
This was Liberty's third appearance at Nationals, 2018, 2019, and now 2024! We had a great time competing, and are looking forward to next year's competitions. See Mr. Mueller if you're interested in joining Math Club next year! We also wanted to give a big thank you to North Liberty's Optimist Club for supporting our team!
AVID @ Liberty High School
The AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is welcoming 32 new students to the elective next year!
AVID is a selective college-prep program that enrolls students after a required application and interview process. This class is specifically designed to empower all students to maximize their potential by equipping them with various strategies for academic success, both now and in the future. In the AVID class, students will learn important academic vocabulary, enhance their critical thinking skills, participate in collaborative tutorials, go on field trips, engage with guest speakers, and implement a variety of WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, and Organization) strategies. The elective class is a fantastic chance for students to prepare for higher education and develop essential skills for success.
Liberty Path of Recognition
Leave a Legacy and support The Liberty Fund - Recognize your graduating senior, current, or soon to be Liberty Bolts! The Liberty Fund’s Mission is promoting a strong Liberty community through collective fundraising to:
- Provide students a broad and rich learning experience
- Support school co-curricular programs
- Ensure all students have access to opportunities
- Champion Liberty Pride
You are invited to become a permanent part of Liberty with your own personalized, engraved paver in your preferred location at the entrance of Liberty. Your donation helps ensure all students have access to opportunities.
- Donate $250 or more for the opportunity to engrave a paver brick at the entrance of Liberty High School on our Path of Recognition.
- Red “terra cotta” pavers can be inscribed with a gift of $250. Silver pavers can be inscribed with a gift of $500.
- Donations toward an inscribed paver may be made in a single payment or in multiple installments over time. If you elect to make multiple gifts over time, please track your total donations and email us at libertyhighfund@gmail.com when you have reached the donation threshold for a red or silver paver.
- Donations made on or before March 31 of each school year will be engraved in May of that school year.
Please see this google form for more information on how to purchase your paver.
Thank you for your support!
The Liberty Fund
Senior Elementary Graduation Walks
This year we partnered once again with Liberty's feeder elementary schools to coordinate a grad walk for all our seniors. Thank you to Penn, Garner, Van Allen and Kirkwood for their willingness to make this event possible. We received positive feedback from our seniors along with the elementary staff and students who also participated. This has quickly turned into a fun new tradition that we plan to continue doing in future years.
Next year we are planning to partner with all the elementary buildings across the district and hold the event on the same day as the other high schools as well.
Class of 2024 Graduation
On Saturday, June 1 the Liberty High Class of 2024 attended their commencement ceremony at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. Just shy of 300 graduates were joined by thousands of family and friends as they received their diplomas. Graduates and their guests heard from school administration, senior speaker Graham Beckman and Superintendent Degner. A staff graduation video message was also plaeyed and two honorary diplomas were handed out. One to retiring athletic director Mike Morrison, and one to the family of Owen Skelley.
You can click here to view the recorded livestream of the entire ceremony and watch the staff graduation video message embedded below along with a 2024 ICCSD Graduation Highlight video that is also embedded. A final produce of the 2024 Graduation Ceremony will be shared later this summer in a future newsletter.
Extracurricular Activities
Bella Pettersen Finishes Strong Career at Liberty
Congratulations to Bella Petersen on her second place finish at the state golf meet. Her second place finish at the state meet makes 3 top 3 finishes in her 3 trips to the state tournament.
Bella finishes as the most decorated golfer in school history. In her 41 rounds of golf for Liberty, she finished 3rd or better 39 times, 2nd or better 33 times, and 1st 22 times. Bella will be continuing her academic and golf career at UNI.
Color Run T-Shirt Contest Results
Congratulations to North Central 8th grader Melody Nimmo. She submitted the winning Color Run t-shirt design and will receive a $25 Panchero's gift card, free event registration & t-shirt.
Save the date for the 2nd Annual Color Run: Sun., Sept. 15 @ LHS Sponsored by The Liberty Fund Registration will open in August
Girls Soccer Qualifies for State
Last month the Liberty Girls Soccer Team made school history by qualifying for the state tournament for the first time in program history. Liberty defeated Burlington 3-0 in a Class 2A regional final at Liberty to advance to the state soccer tournament. Liberty played Pella in the first round and lost a hard fought battle 4-2.
Miscellaneous
Student Artist Selected for Iowa City Library Project
Liberty High School Junior Nugget Larkai was recently selected to create a design for the 2024 Literacy Loot Collection: Book Bags with Benefits. You can read more about this project in the press release from the City of Iowa City, or on the public library Book Bags with Benefits website.
However, you can purchase tote bags with Nugget's design, and sales of this limited edition, durable canvas tote bag support the Iowa City Public Library! Featuring a striking heroic figure envisioned by Nügget, this design is a tribute to the spirited advocacy of free speech, intellectual freedom, and access, embodying the core principles of the “Library Bill of Rights.” Join us in celebrating the mission of public libraries,
Silver Cord Hours Volunteer Opportunity- North Liberty Summer Lunch Program
It is time for North Liberty Summer Lunch and Fun 2024!
We are in need of 5 volunteers each weekday from 11AM - 1PM. Duties include set up, food prep, serving, clean up, and assisting with the daily activity as needed. Volunteers are not expected to provide the activity for the day, but if you are volunteering as a group and would also like to provide an activity, please sign up here to serve as well as on the Activity Sign Up.
If you have questions please reach out to us at cbrase@northlibertyiowa.org or mjames@northlibertyiowa.org
Graduation Gown Donation
Cultural Diversity & Equity Newsletter
Liberty Lightning Virtual Spirit Store
Check it out by clicking on this link: https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/iowa/northliberty/liberty-high-school or by clicking the image below.
The Liberty Fund
Support Student Programs. Leave a Legacy. Donate today!
The Liberty Fund needs your help! We want to ensure all Liberty students can participate in school activities where belonging and school pride come together through both academic and co-curricular activities.
The Liberty Fund has provided grants to students and groups to support student access to opportunities through fundraising. Here are a few program examples that grants have supported:
- New Student/Freshman Orientation
- National French Competition Exam
- Liberty Lightning Technical Theater
- Garden Club
- African American Literature Classes & Black Student Union
- Business Professionals of America Leadership Conference
Make a tax deductible donation to The Liberty Fund today! Donate at The Liberty Fund Website or email for more information at libertyhighfund@gmail.com.
Liberty High PSTO
Liberty High PSTO (Parent Student Teacher Organization) welcomes all new and returning families to Liberty for the 2023-2024 school year. Please follow us on Facebook: Liberty High PSTO to stay up-to-date.
All PSTO meetings will occur on the 3rd Wednesday each month at noon via Zoom. The final meeting of the school year was held on Wednesday, May 15.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please send them to libertyhsPSTO@gmail.com
The PSTO has an ongoing fundraiser with our Amazon Smile account. Please consider using this with your next Amazon order.