Liberty Loop
Weekly Family Newsletter September 19, 2024
PRINCIPAL PENOYER'S WEEKLY MESSAGE
Ahoy, Patriot Families!
Check out the PTO Updates link above
We are off to a great start with our annual Step It Up! Fundraiser! Thank you for supporting our students, staff, and school!
A reminder that our first ever Playground Playdate hosted by the PTO is tomorrow, Friday September 20th, from 4pm-6pm on the big kid playground. There will be an ice cream truck on-site to help cool us down. Please also bring your water bottles. This is a parent-supervised event. Please do not drop off your students! See you there!
Each month, we practice safety drills, including fire and lockdowns. In light of recent events, I wanted to give you advanced notice of an emergency lockdown drill we will be having on Friday, September 20th around 9:00am (read below for more information). Teachers practice what to do with the students in the event of different types of emergency situations and we anticipate that you are also having discussions with your child. **Please note that we will not regularly provide advanced notice of drills. We want to give staff and students the opportunity to practice unexpected drills, as well.
Sail on and enjoy your day!
Jennifer Penoyer
Principal
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Follow Liberty Elementary on Facebook: Liberty Elementary School - PVSchools
LOCKDOWN DRILL NOTICE
Throughout the year, we engage in emergency response training to help our students and staff be prepared to respond in an emergency. Our district has moved to a model that supports an options-based response in the unlikely event of an active assailant situation. In addition to our typical lockdown procedure, our teachers and staff are being trained to barricade and/or evacuate to a rally point.
On Friday, September 20th at approximately 9:00am, Liberty Elementary will be conducting an emergency lockdown drill. An emergency lockdown drill is an exercise to practice what to do in the event there is a person(s) on our campus with the intent to harm others.
Please note, during the drill, all doors to the building will be locked, including the front office doors. No one will be allowed to enter the school building, and parents/guardians will not be able to check-out their students while the drill is in progress. In addition, during the drill, the office will not be available to receive phone calls. Please plan accordingly.
Again, during the drill, teachers will be given the option to lockdown their classroom or to evacuate. When a classroom is in emergency lockdown, teachers lock their doors, pull any blinds, and direct the students to spread throughout the room while remaining quiet and ready to follow directions. If a teacher chooses to evacuate their class, the students will meet at our school’s rally point with their teacher. Teachers make this determination based on the information they have about the location of the danger on campus in relation to their classroom. The whole class will either remain in lockdown or will evacuate together.
It is understood that these types of drills can cause anxiety for students and adults. Our staff has been reviewing expectations and procedures with students to make sure they understand what to do, and to decrease stress and worry during the drill. Please talk with your child about making sure they take safety drills seriously, and remind them that we practice serious situations so we are prepared and not scared in the unlikely event of a real emergency.
If you have any questions, please contact the our front office at 602-449-6200 or you can contact me at jpenoyer@pvschools.net.
Important Dates
9/20 Playground Playdate, 4pm-6pm, **parent supervision required
9/24 School Council
9/24 6th Grade Catalina Meeting, 5:30pm
9/25 WACKY WEDNESDAY SPIRIT DAY - FALL COLORS - ORANGES, BROWNS, REDS!
9/27 Step It Up! Deadline!
9/30-10/4 FALL BREAK - NO SCHOOL
10/7 School Resumes
10/11 End of 1st Quarter
10/15 Day of Awesomeness
STUCO SNACK DRIVE
SOCIAL WORKER NEWS
Hello Families,
The previous articles included on our series of raising children in a digital age has focused on how to use technology to benefit your child’s growth and development. In this next article we will start to explore the negative impact technology can have on children. There has recently been a lot of research and focus on the correlation between technology and negative outcomes for children. These findings can help us make informed decisions on how we integrate technology into our homes and how we allow our children to use technology.
Impact of Technology on Kids Today and Tomorrow. (wgu.edu)
Chelsea Stanton
602-449-6216
MOWR - Move On When Reading Letter for Families of K-3 Students - Please read!
HORIZON HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA PERFORMANCE
STARS STUDENTS
I am excited to announce our STARS Students of the Week. These students were nominated by their classroom teachers and have been doing an excellent job of demonstrating our STARS expectations of being Safe, Trustworthy, Accountable, Respectful or Supportive.
In Mrs. Gruler’s Kindergarten, Dominic. Dominic is always showing STARS expectations around Liberty without being asked or reminded! He is a great student and a good friend to others. Keep up the great work, Dominic!
In Mrs. Devine-Wells’s Kindergarten, Cody. Cody is always supportive of his Kindergarten friends. He is a great example of a shining star at Liberty!
In Ms. Shonteff’s First Grade, Khushi. Khushi is a model student in our class. She always stays on task with few reminders and she enjoys helping other friends! Awesome job, Khush, keep up the good work!
In Mrs. Hamerski’s First Grade, Mia. Mia is accountable when lining up. She stands quietly, faces forward, and is ready for the hallway. Thanks for being a great example, Mia!
In Mrs. Salmans’s Second Grade, Lexi. Lexi consistently demonstrates STARS expectations in our classroom. Her responsible and kind nature shines through as she supports her classmates whenever they need help. She's always willing to go above and beyond in class!
In Mrs. Kroll’s Third Grade, Charlie. Charlie is always following our classroom STARS expectations. He is always on task and is willing to help his classmates. He is a wonderful role model for the other students showing them how to work hard and be accountable. I am so proud of you Charlie. Way to go!
In Ms. Etchells’s Fourth Grade, Brayden B. Brayden shows his STARS expectations when he is respectful and supportive of others. He is always willing to share materials, help classmates, and hold doors open for classes. I appreciate all you do for others Brayden! Keep shining!
In Mrs. Best’s Fifth Grade, Grant. Grant shows STARS expectations by being supportive to his peers. I have seen him support his classmates by helping students clean up a messes and by giving support when students are stuck on an assignment. Grant is kind and helpful to all! Keep shining bright!
In Ms. Saul’s Sixth Grade, Ronan. Ronan has been following all STARS expectations in the classroom. He participates in class, stays on task, and helps other students with their work, all with a smile on his face! I love having him in my class this year.
Congratulations to all our STARS students!
FLYERS AND MORE
LUNCH MENUS
PRE-K AT LIBERTY
Liberty now has Community Ed Preschool and there are openings! Register your child at this link. Pass the word to family and friends! We are excited to bring this program to our campus!
....................OLDER NEWS....................
VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS
Visitors and Volunteers
If you would like to volunteer during morning recess (before school), please find Mr. Dave or another staff member, sign in on the clipboard, and wear the visitor sticker.
If you would like to visit your child at lunch and/or volunteer for lunch/recess duty, please sign in at the front office and wear the visitor sticker.
If you would like to volunteer in the classroom, please reach out to your child's teacher.
**On site volunteer applications can be found in the front office**
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
Please call the office attendance line at 602-449-6201 to report your child's absence(s).
SCHOOL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Did you know....there is a link to the district emergency preparedness information website on school and district websites? Please review it here: School Safety - Paradise Valley Unified School District.
Liberty Elementary School
Email: jpenoyer@pvschools.net
Website: pvschools.net/lbes
Location: 5125 East Marilyn Road, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Phone: 602-449-6200