Patriot Press - November Edition
Liberty Lake Elementary - 10.28.24
Letter From Mrs. Tesky
Dear Liberty Lake Community,
As October comes to a close, we’re excited to enter a season of gratitude and giving back. November provides us with a special opportunity to reflect on our blessings and foster a spirit of thankfulness within our school and community. This month, our students will engage in activities designed to support and uplift others, learning the importance of compassion and community service.
A huge thank you to our generous community partners, Liberty Lake Fitness, 3 Ninjas and New Love Coffee, who helped make our new t-shirts possible for students and staff! We’re excited to show our school spirit every Friday by wearing them. Your support truly makes a difference, and we’re grateful for the incredible commitment you show to our school community. We couldn’t make these special initiatives happen without each of you—thank you!
We’re thrilled to announce two key initiatives this month. First, we’ll be working together to send four care packages full of goodies to airmen stationed overseas from Fairchild AFB, bringing a bit of home to those serving far away. Additionally, we’re collecting donations for our Generation Alive campaign, which empowers students to make a difference by contributing to causes that help those in need. Both efforts give our students hands-on experience in community service and allow them to see the impact they can make. For more detailed information on both intiatives see below.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work to instill the values of servant leadership in our students. At our school, we believe that true leadership is about serving others and making a positive impact in the community. By engaging in initiatives like the care packages for airmen and our Generation Alive campaign, our students learn the importance of empathy, responsibility, and collaboration. We look forward to sharing updates on our progress and celebrating this season of giving with all of you.
With gratitude,
Mrs. Tesky, Principal
Classroom Halloween Party Reminders
We’re looking forward to a fun-filled day of Halloween celebrations this Thursday! To make it a smooth and safe experience, please remember that all volunteers—including parents just stopping by—must be volunteer-approved in advance. Check in at the front office before heading to classrooms. We will have pre-labeled name tags ready for parents we know are attending, as shared by your child’s teacher.
Students are welcome to wear costumes to school, but we ask that any weapons or accessories that could be a distraction during learning time remain at home. Masks are permitted but should only be worn during the party time. Thank you for helping us make this a memorable and safe event for everyone!
Spreading Kindness in our Community
We’re excited to announce our school’s partnership with Liberty Lake Starbucks to celebrate World Kindness Day on Wednesday, November 13th! Our students have been busy writing kind messages on coffee sleeves, and when you stop by Starbucks on November 13th you’ll not only get your daily dose of coffee but also a little boost of kindness from our community while supplies last. It’s a wonderful opportunity to spread positivity and make someone’s day a bit brighter. We look forward to sharing these heartfelt messages and promoting kindness throughout our community!
Fall Fundraiser
A huge thank-you goes out to our amazing PTSA for hosting an unforgettable Halloween Family Fun-Raiser on Friday night! The event was a fantastic blend of festive spirit, fun, and community-building that brought families together for a night of laughter and enjoyment. From the creative costumes to the thrilling activities, it was clear that a lot of thought and hard work went into every detail.
We also want to extend a big thank-you to the Ridgeline student volunteers and our LLE teachers who stepped in to lend a hand and make this event a true success. Your time, energy, and enthusiasm helped make the evening special for everyone, and we couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you all for creating a wonderful Halloween experience and supporting our school community!
Generation Alive
We are thrilled to partner once again this year with Generation Alive to bring our all-school service project to the students at Liberty Lake Elementary. This initiative wouldn't be possible without the amazing support from Liberty Lake Smile Source Dentistry!
Our students have begun collecting funds, and we are eager to make this drive a success once again. Each 25 cents raised provides one meal, demonstrating how small contributions can make a significant impact. On Friday, December 6th, each grade level, along with assistance from our ASBL action team, will spend part of their school day packaging oatmeal for Generation Alive. The best part is that all meals will stay right here in our community!
Below, you will find additional information on ways to donate and give back. We’ve also included a video from last year’s packaging day, showcasing the magic that happens when our students come together for a good cause. It truly is a day filled with inspiration and teamwork as we watch our students unite to make a difference!
Thank you for your continued support in this meaningful project!
LLE Chiefs Hockey Family Night
Join the Chiefs for School Night presented by Shriners Children's Spokane on Saturday, November 16th vs. Red Deer Rebels!
Promotion: Coca-Cola Family Feast Night & Rally Towel Giveaway
*First 5,000 fans through the gates will receive a Spokane Chiefs Rally Towel and Concessions feature discounted food options courtesy of Shriners Children's Spokane
Through this exclusive ticket link Students, Staff and their Families can get discounted tickets to the game for just $11 per ticket!
Seating: Section 218
A portion of each ticket will be donated back to Liberty Lake Elementary School.
*Tickets will be delivered digitally to purchasing email.
**Dates and Times are all subject to change. Please check Spokane Chiefs' Social Media for updates.
If you have any questions or require disability seating with your order, please contact Spokane Chiefs Account Executive Marcus Winston at mwinston@spokanechiefs.com or call/text 509-431-6817.
Care Packages for Fairchild AFB
With Veterans Day approaching, we want to honor the brave men and women who serve our country, including members of the Air National Guard currently deployed from Fairchild Air Force Base. To show our appreciation, we will be collecting items for care packages to send to them.
If you would like to contribute, please send in one or more of the following items:
- Cards from students: Jokes, drawings, or thank-you notes for their service
- Non-perishable snacks: Jerky (no pork), candy, protein bars, granola bars, trail mix, Goldfish, gum
- Coffee and tea: Single-serve coffee packets or tea bags
- Card games: A deck of cards or card games
- Stationery: Pocket-sized notebooks, pens, or cards for writing letters home
- Small toys: Poppits, brain puzzles, or mini foam footballs
- Chapstick
All items must be brought to school by Wednesday, November 6th. We will display the collected items at our Veterans Day Assembly before mailing them off. Thank you for your support in honoring our heroes!
Veterans Day Assembly
We are proud to honor our veterans on Friday, November 8th, with a special assembly at Liberty Lake Elementary. If you are a veteran or are assisting a veteran for our assembly, we warmly welcome you to join us. However, due to limited space, we regret that we cannot accommodate all Liberty Lake families at this time.
For those with children participating in the choir, we will record their performances and share them with you afterward. With over 500 students involved this year, our gym space is quite limited, and we truly appreciate your understanding. Thank you for your support as we come together to honor those who have served our country!
A light reception with coffee and treats will be held in the Liberty Room from 1:15-1:45 PM, after which all veterans will join us in the gym for the assembly from 1:45-2:45 PM.
To show our appreciation, we will also have reserved parking in front of the school for all veterans.
Thank you for your support in helping us honor these amazing men and women who have served our country!
Parent Teacher Conferences
Get ready! This Friday, November 1st, you’ll receive a SignUpGenius link from your child’s teacher for upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences. These meetings are a valuable opportunity for us to discuss your child’s education and share insights that will help them thrive in the classroom.
To help accommodate schedules, our staff will be staying late on Thursday, November 21st, for our late-night conferences. We truly value partnering with you to support your child’s success, and we look forward to collaborating to ensure they reach their fullest potential. Thank you for being an integral part of our school community!
Leo's Picture Retakes
Student pictures were sent home last Friday for those who placed an order, along with flyers for picture retakes. If you’d like your child to have retakes, please refer to the instructions on the picture package. For families whose students were absent, you can place your order directly on the photography company’s website. Should you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our front office at 509-558-4300.
Community Link Event
This Tuesday, October 29, Ridgeline will be hosting the East Region Small Learning Community Link Night! Starting right at 6 PM, you’ll have the chance to hear from Superintendent Dr. John Parker, who will share a “State of the District” update, giving insights into Central Valley School District’s operations and East Region schools. This is a great opportunity to learn more about how the district supports our students and manages resources.
Come early for pizza, hot dogs, dessert, and Italian sodas! After Dr. Parker’s presentation, you’re invited to an Open House featuring staff and students from all East Region schools. Explore exciting programs and opportunities offered from kindergarten through high school, and connect with staff and students who are eager to share what makes our district unique.
An elementary child (age 5-10) play waiting area will be provided with a trusted adult and secondary students to free you up to fully participate and enjoy the event while your kids play and have fun. No food will be allowed in this area, so your child will need to eat with you, prior to signing in for play time. Please bring a photo ID and mobile phone for signing in and picking up your child in the play waiting area during the event. Please RSVP your child(ren) for the play waiting area ahead of time.
https://www.cvsd.org/apps/form/CommunityLinkRSVP
We hope to see you there!
Congrats Active 4 Youth Runners
🎉 Huge shout-out to all our incredible Active 4 Youth Cross Country runners! 🏃♂️🏃♀️ Your hard work, grit, and unstoppable spirit made this season one to remember! Whether you dashed through rain, shined in the sun, or battled through those challenging hills, you proved that every step counts. We’re so proud of each of you for showing up, giving it your best, and finishing strong. Here’s to the miles you’ve conquered, the friends you’ve made, and the memories that’ll last a lifetime! Keep running toward greatness, champions! 🌟 #Active4Youth #ProudCoaches #FinishLineFeels
Safety Drills
At Liberty Lake Elementary, we practice several types of safety drills—fire drill, evacuation drill, lockdown drill, and secure and teach—to ensure our students and staff know how to respond in a variety of situations. Each drill prepares us for specific incidents and helps reinforce safety protocols that keep everyone on campus safe.
The fire drill is essential as it teaches students and staff to evacuate swiftly and calmly in the event of a fire. Practicing the fire drill regularly helps everyone remember exit routes and gather at safe locations, reducing panic and confusion if a real fire occurs. The evacuation drill is similar but prepares us for situations where the entire school may need to vacate the premises due to hazards like a gas leak. Knowing these evacuation protocols is vital in maintaining order and safety during such incidents. Lockdown drills prepare us for scenarios where there may be a threat inside the building, such as an unauthorized intruder. These drills teach students and staff to lock doors, secure themselves in classrooms, and remain silent, which can be crucial in helping law enforcement manage the situation effectively. Finally, the secure and teach drill is used when there’s a potential threat outside the building, and it’s safer for students to remain indoors. This drill allows students to continue learning with minimal disruption while ensuring their safety. For instance, in a secure and teach situation, we may have inside recess to keep everyone protected.
Practicing these drills builds confidence and helps students develop a sense of responsibility. They learn that safety is a priority, and by practicing together, we create a supportive, prepared environment that fosters resilience and calm during unexpected events.
Parenting in the Digital Age Resources
If you missed our Parenting in the Digital Age event, don’t worry! We've got you covered. Check out the link below for resources and information to help you navigate the ins and outs of cell phone use with your child.
In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to understand the pros and cons of digital access. With thoughtful guidance, we can help our students use technology responsibly to foster a positive, uplifting school environment for everyone. These resources offer practical tips for setting boundaries, managing screen time, and encouraging digital citizenship. Let’s work together to support our kids in making healthy, balanced choices that benefit their friendships, learning, and well-being.
Cold Weather Memo
With colder weather on the way, we want to remind everyone of our district’s policy on when students stay indoors and when they go outside during the winter months. Please note that morning supervision still begins at 8:45 AM, and our drop-off time remains the same through winter. If your student eats breakfast at school, they can enter the building at 8:40 AM and head to the cafeteria.
Morning Building Access & Recess on Cold Weather Days: On days when the temperature, including the wind chill factor, “feels like” it is between 15-20 degrees, we’ll make accommodations to allow students to enter the building before 8:57 AM (or 9:57 AM on Thursdays). The “feels like” temperature considers wind chill, sunshine, cloud cover, and moisture in the air. For instance, a sunny, dry day with no wind can feel warmer than a cloudy, windy day at the same temperature. Additionally, when the temperature “feels like” it’s within the 15-20 degree range, schools will hold indoor recess to ensure students’ safety.
Please remember it’s essential for children to come prepared for cold weather. We strongly encourage parents to ensure their children are dressed appropriately, with coats, hats, and gloves, so they stay warm and comfortable when outside.
If you need support in providing warm clothing for your child, please reach out to our counselor, Courtney Lawson, or contact the front office. Thank you for helping us create a safe and supportive environment for everyone!
Ridgeline Wresting Camp
Ridgeline High School coaches and wrestlers will be running a weekend wrestling camp for youth in the Spokane/Liberty Lake area Saturday-Sunday, November 2-3. This camp can serve as an introduction to wrestling for a brand-new athlete, or a chance to review the basics and get some mat time for someone with several years of wrestling experience.
Register here: https://gofan.co/event/1972723?schoolId=WA87837
Upcoming Events
November
About Liberty Lake
Liberty Lake Elementary inspires students to achieve their fullest potential…
every student, every day, every way!
We inspire students to be collaborative thinkers, creative problem solvers, risk-takers and accountable learners.
Liberty Lake Elementary is a safe and joyful learning community.
Email: jtesky@cvsd.org
Website: http://lles.cvsd.org/
Location: 23606 East Boone Avenue, Liberty Lake, WA, USA
Phone: 509-558-4300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LibertyLakeElementaryCVSD/