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

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES

• October 7- 4:15-7:45 PM (In-person)
• October 9 - 4:15-7:45 PM (Virtual)
• January 22 - 4:15-7:45 PM (Virtual)
• TBD - Will align as a course registration conference

DANCES

• September 21 - Homecoming Dance @ Liberty (7:00-10:00 PM)
• January 25 - Winter Dance @ Liberty (7:00-10:00 PM)
• May 3 - Prom @ IMU (7:30-10:30 PM)

SENIORS

• October 8 - Senior Jostens Assembly (@ 1:45 PM, Auditorium)
• March 1 - Senior photo due to Yearbook
• May 21 - Senior Awards & Scholarship Recognition Evening
• May 30 - Senior’s Last Day
• May 30 - Graduation Rehearsal (Xtream Arena @ 10:30 AM-12:00 PM)
• May 31 - Liberty High Graduation (Xtream Arena @ 6:00 PM)

MIDTERMS & END OF TRIMESTERS

• October 4 - Midterm
• November 21 - End of 1st Trimester
• January 24 - Midterm
• March 6 - End of 2nd Trimester
• April 25 - Midterm
• June 6 - End of 3rd Tri. & Last Day of Classes (2-hr. early release)

The safety and well-being of our students and staff are our highest priority. We believe that working together can create a safer school environment where our students can focus on learning and thriving.

We want to remind everyone of the importance of our "Say Something" campaign. If you notice anything suspicious or concerning, we urge you to speak to a trusted adult or report it by texting @SayIt to 833-769-0372. Your actions can play a crucial role in keeping our schools safe, no matter how small they seem.

Our district has comprehensive safety protocols in place to ensure that our schools remain a secure space for all. One of these important measures is the adoption of the I Love U Guys Standard Response Protocol (SRP). The SRP provides clear, consistent language that helps guide our actions during emergency situations. The five specific statuses used during incidents are:

• Hold: Students remain in classrooms while a situation, like a medical or behavioral issue, is managed in another part of the building.
• Secure: The building is secured, and students continue their activities inside while outside threats are addressed.
• Lockdown: All classroom and building doors are locked while any threats within the building are addressed.
• Evacuate: Students and staff leave the building due to an emergency inside.
• Shelter: Students and staff seek shelter from severe weather or other hazardous situations.

We understand that it’s important for families to stay informed during any emergency situation at school. Our goal is to provide information promptly and accurately while ensuring we do not create unnecessary alarm. For major emergencies that involve emergency personnel, we will send updates to all families. In less severe situations, such as a Hold, we typically communicate only with the families directly involved to respect privacy.

If an incident directly impacts your child, we will always contact you. For any other emergency situations, such as Secure, Lockdown, Evacuation, or Shelter, all families in the impacted school will receive updates as soon as possible, with continual information provided as needed.

In addition to the multiple safety measures in place across our district, we want to let you know that we are currently in the process of installing shatterproof film on several window areas across our schools. We appreciate your patience as crews carry out the installation. Rest assured that workers will be mindful of the learning environment and will do their best to minimize any disruptions.

We are deeply committed to providing a safe learning environment for your children, and we thank you for placing your trust in us. Please know that we take this responsibility very seriously, and we are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of safety in our schools.

For more information about our school safety protocols, please visit www.IowaCitySchools.org/SchoolSafety.

Sunday, October 6, 2024!

The Run for the Schools race for 2024-25 is set to take place on Sunday, October 6, 2024. This family-friendly event offers participants a range of distances to choose from – Half-Mile, Mile, 5K, or 10K – and the opportunity to run, walk, or volunteer.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS YEAR'S RACE

Since 1999, this race, sponsored by MidWestOne Bank and organized by Iowa City Road Races, has been a significant supporter of the Iowa City Community School District and Regina Catholic schools. Through donations exceeding $1,000,000, it has made a substantial impact on our community schools.

The Run for the Schools event serves as a crucial fundraiser for the Iowa City Community School District. The funds raised for ICCSD schools go to support the Foundation for the ICCSD’s Excellence Fund, benefiting various programs such as School of the Wild, Any Given Child Fine Arts experiences, the Big Idea Hunt, resources for Student Family Advocates and staff recognition and events.

Once again this year, the Iowa City Community School District is excited to offer Influenza vaccine clinics in our schools. We’re pleased to announce a new partnership with Towncrest Pharmacy to provide this service. You can find the full clinic schedule on our district website. To schedule your vaccine appointment, please follow the link and instructions provided below:

1. Click the following link: https://cornerstoneimmunize.as.me/?calendarID=10676666
2. Please select the “BOOK” button to the right for the school where you will receive your vaccine.
3. Select the time you would like to receive your vaccine.
1. Elementary School Clinics
1. Begin at 2:15 pm for school staff only
2. The public clinic will run from 3:15 pm-5:00 pm
2. Middle School & High School Clinics
1. Begin at 3:15 pm for school staff only
2. The public clinic will run from 4:15 pm-6:00 pm.
4. Fill out all information and upload a picture of your pharmacy insurance card.
5. Select CONFIRM APPOINTMENT at the bottom of the page.

The day of your vaccine appointment:

1. Arrive at the school on the selected date and time of your appointment.
2. Please bring your pharmacy insurance card.
3. All children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

If you have any questions regarding the influenza vaccine or need assistance scheduling, please call Towncrest Pharmacy at (319) 337-3526.

If your child qualified for free or reduced-price meals last year, please be aware that the grace period for this eligibility is ending soon.

Each year, your student’s meal eligibility continues for the first 30 days of the new school year. This means last year’s eligibility expires on October 4, 2024.

Starting Monday, October 7, 2024, any student who has not submitted a new application will return to paid meal status. To avoid any interruptions, please complete a new application before the rollover period ends. You can easily apply online at myschoolapps.com.

If you’ve already applied or received a notification from the school district confirming your benefits, you can disregard this message.

We encourage you to apply even if you're unsure if your family will qualify. Financial situations can change anytime during the school year, and applications are available year-round. If your circumstances change, feel free to reapply at any time.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our Nutrition Services Office at (319) 688-1021 or email Jackie Andresen at andresen.jackie@iowacityschools.org.

We want to share some important information regarding an update to Board Policy 605.6—Internet Appropriate Use. This update requires us to provide age-appropriate training for students on safety when using generative artificial intelligence (AI) resources.

What Does This Mean for Our Students?
We have developed lessons that are tailored to different grade levels (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12) to help students understand AI and its impact. These lessons are divided into three parts:

Lesson 01: Basics
This lesson will introduce students to the basics of AI and generative AI, helping them develop a foundational understanding.

Lesson 02: Potential
This lesson will explore the potential uses of generative AI in both education and society, showing students how this technology can be a valuable tool.

Lesson 03: Pitfalls
Students will learn about generative AI's potential downsides and challenges in education and society, emphasizing the importance of responsible use.

How and When Will These Lessons Take Place?
These lessons will be taught by librarians for students in grades K-5, while students in grades 6-12 will receive instruction from their classroom teachers. The three-part series will be delivered throughout the 2024-2025 school year, ensuring it fits into each class’s schedule at an appropriate pace.

We are committed to equipping students with the knowledge they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly, and we look forward to supporting them in understanding this evolving technology.

Liberty Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place on Monday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 9, from 4:15-7:45 PM. Guardians can plan on meeting with all of their student(s) teachers on one night, or spread it out across the two different evenings. Please see below for additional information about both dates.

• Monday, October 7- This in-person conference date will take place between 4:15-7:45 PM at Liberty HS. Teachers will be located throughout the building in their classroom, or a similar more private location. These in-person conferences are not scheduled, but rather will operate on a first come first served drop-in basis. Maps will be made available to assist guardians in locating teachers.

• Wednesday, October 9- This virtual conference date will take place between 4:15-7:45 PM via Zoom and our online scheduling website, PTC Wizard. An email will be sent to all guardians on Thursday (10/3) evening that will include written directions and a recorded screencast that will walk guardians through how to access and schedule virtual conferences. Once a guardian has scheduled virtual conferences, they will have access to the Zoom links of the teachers they have scheduled a conference with. Guardians will click on the Zoom links to join the virtual meeting from a location of their choosing.

PSTO Conference Meal for Teachers

We want to show our teachers and staff appreciation for the long hours they put in on conference days! Please consider signing up for one or more of the items below. If you are short on time, we will welcome monetary donations to purchase pizza and sandwiches for staff. Checks may be made out to LHS PSTO and delivered to the LHS office. Venmo donations will be accepted @lhs-psto.

Please have items to school by 2:30 pm on October 7th or 9th. Please label your dishes so those with allergies can identify foods. Your utensils and containers will be available for pick-up later in the week from the main office.

Fall Conference Meal #1

Fall Conference Meal #2

Thank you for making the meal special for our amazing staff! - LHS PSTO

All throughout the third week of September students, staff, and community members came together to celebrate Liberty's Homecoming. The week started with a fun color run where hundreds of runners and walkers traversed campus and the surrounding area. All the funds raised went to The Liberty Fund, which will directly benefit Liberty students and programs for years to come. Various athletic teams performed throughout the week at a high level including a big home varsity volleyball victory against Dubuque Senior and a varsity football victory over Cedar Falls on Friday night under the lights.

The parade on Wednesday evening saw just shy of 50 entrees and was attended by thousands of people across the Liberty community. The juniors won the annual Powderpuff showdown in the stadium following the parade, but a group of seniors ended up representing the student body during the pep assembly in the tug-of-war final against a staff all-star team, who eventually took home bragging rights. Lastly, almost 900 students attended the Homecoming Dance on Saturday and danced away the night to close out the week.

Commended students are being recognized for the exceptional academic promise demonstrated by their outstanding performance on the qualifying test used for program entry. Of the original 50,000 highest scorers that were initially identified by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, 34,000 have been named Commended Students.

Congratulations to Liberty senior Avery House for being selected as a Commended Student, which is an impressive individual accomplishment!

Late this summer the University of Iowa's Belin-Blank Center released the results of the 2024 Iowa AP Index. The AP Index is a ratio that helps determine the extent of Advanced Placement opportunity at a school. Advanced Placement is an important indicator of available challenges for high school students, and providing appropriate challenges is critical to student success.

Liberty High's 2024 Index (based on 2023 AP exam and graduation data) is 2.66. Liberty High is the 2nd highest-ranking public school, and the 4th highest ranking school in the state. Our #4 overall ranking is the highest AP Index ranking in school history. To see the top 50 schools and for an explanation of the Iowa AP Index, please visit www.iowaapindex.org

A resident therapy animal has been approved under ICCSD policies to be present at Liberty High School. The animal is a golden retriever (dog) named Bear and has been individually trained to perform therapy animal work. Bear is handled by Kayla Strand, College & Career Transition Counselor. Therapy animals can help reduce stress levels, provide reinforcements and incentives, support attendance, and boost academic engagement. Bear joins our other resident golden retriever Clover, who resides in the counseling office approximately one day per week, and is handled by school counselor Shelby Bryce.

We want to minimize any negative effects on students and staff in the building due to Bear’s presence. You can review ICCSD’s animal policies online if needed. If your child has any known allergies to, fears, or restrictions of dogs, please email Principal Colbert, so our staff can plan accordingly. If you have any questions, please contact Kayla Strand (resident therapy animal handler).

Over the course of the previous calendar year, Liberty has been slowly adding an outdoor classroom space that will be available for classes to utilize during the school day when weather allows. This space already includes a tiered seating area, but we will also be adding drawing tables, and outdoor whiteboard, and other elements to support a class of students in their learning.

Late in September AP Environmental Science students were involved in the landscape planting around Liberty's outdoor classroom space. This provided a great opportunity for students to apply some of what they are learning about in class, while also getting their hands dirty in the soil supporting plant life.

Please see the event flyer below for more information. You can click on the following link or the picture below to purchase tickets: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/dueling-pianos-2024/items?cart

The 2024 Liberty Fall Photo Ordering Link is still available for parents to order fall pictures. Click on the link included here or scan the QR code below.

Anyone who missed picture day or would like retakes, Halverson will be back on Wednesday, October 16. They will be available during all lunches in the Grand Commons, outside the main office.

Join the Marching Bands from City, Liberty, and West High Schools at the third annual Corridor Marching Classic on Wednesday, October 16, 2024! Hosted by Liberty High this year, the evening is a non-competitive showcase of the halftime shows from nearby schools. Clear Creek Amana, West Branch, and West Liberty will be featured alongside the Iowa City schools. Tickets are now available on Bound at https://tinyurl.com/CorridorMarchingClassic24, or they can be purchased with cash or through Bound at the gate. All proceeds go towards supporting the six Marching Bands. Starting at 5:45 pm, come and see "Cirque Do Soleil" from City, "Happily Ever After" from Liberty, and "The Music of Michael Jackson" from West!

Join Liberty Lightning Theater for our fall production of "The Crucible," from Nov. 7th-Nov. 10th!

Salem, Massachusetts, 1692. A small group of girls begin accusing their neighbors of witchcraft in an attempt to avoid punishment for their own misdeeds. John Proctor, a farmer who had an affair with the girls' leader, must try to save his wife and friends from their accusations...but the whole town has gone mad with fear, greed, and anger.

Performances run from November 7th-November 10th; tickets available soon!

The combined Liberty & West High TrojanBolt swim and dive team is once again off to a great start! This weekend the team returned home with 1st place at the Cedar Rapids Kennedy Cougar Invite. Congratulations to coaches, divers, and swimmers!

On Tuesday, October 1 the Trojan Bolts will host City High for their last home meet of the season. It is also Senior Night, and the ceremony will begin at 5:45 PM. Come out and celebrate our senior swimmers and divers!

Below are highlights for top 8 finishes at the Cougar Invite from this past weekend:

Diving(11)

*Kamila with another 1st place finish in back to back invitationals. Rowan Russell (5th) and Lindy Clark (8th) with great diving and big point additions to the Team Score!

Relays

*200 Medley Relay (O'Neill, Bilskemper, DIsmang, Friessen) with a 3rd place finish of 1:59.07

*200 Free Relay (Geng, Cwiertny, Friessen, Bilskemper) with a 4th place finish of 1:44.37

*400 Free Relay (Geng, Liu, Gerke, O'Neill) with a 4th place finish of 3:54.40

200 Free

*Hannah Geng (3rd) with a time of 1:58.79, Gretchen Gerke (7th) with a time of 2:06.68

200IM

*Megan O'Neill (3rd) with a time of 2:22.87, Gabby Cwiertny (5th) with a time of 2:27.87

50 Free

*Averie Bilskemper with a 1st place finish with a time of 25.33, Bella Friessen (6th) with a time of 25.85.

100 Fly

*Berkley Dismang (4th) with a time of 1:06.88, Emelia Grueter (6th) with a time of 1:07.89

100 Free

*Hannah Geng (2nd) with a time of 54.44, Bella Friessen (5th) with a time of 57.98.

500 Free

*Gretchen Gerke (2nd) with a time of 5:29.64, Maggie Nguyen (3rd) with a time of 5:34.38

100 Back

*Megan O'Neill (4th) with a time of 1:05.78

100 Breast

*Averie Bilskemper (3rd) with a time of 1:10.62, Maggie Nguyen (7th) with a time of 1:16.48

The home football game on Friday, September 27 was sponsored by the Liberty High Difference Makers and was designated as a Gold Out. The Gold Out Game was designed as a pediatric cancer awareness opportunity that included selecting a future Liberty student to serve as an honorary kid captain. This evening was a huge success as our kid captain Cooper and his family felt the support from our community and The Difference Makers raised $1,400 for the UI Children's Hospital.

An additional highlight from the Gold Out was the participation from members of the Boys & Girls Cross-Country Teams from Liberty, and our opponent in the football game that night, Cedar Rapids Prairie. Members of the XC teams from both schools ran a game ball from the Children's Hospital by Kinnick Stadium all the way to Liberty's Stadium prior to kickoff. It was great to partner with students and coaches from another school to bring awareness of and support to kids and their families who are battling childhood cancer.

Garner PTO is currently working on planning the Garner Fallin' Into Fun family event, scheduled for Wednesday, October 30th. This is a fun event but we need lots of volunteers to make it happen. If you are interested in learning more you can reach out to communityevents@garnerpto.org or complete the sign-up genius.

Sign up today and volunteer for this year's Iowa City Run for the Schools! We need adult and high school volunteers on Saturday, October 5 (packet pick up) and Sunday, October 6 (race day). Volunteers associated with the Iowa City Community School District will receive credit for their schools - make sure to indicate your school affiliation when you sign up.

This is a great opportunity to earn silver cord hours!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B49AAA72FAAF58-50592717-2024#/

Do you have a Cap & Gown from an older sibling or someone else that is taking up space in your closet? We would like to begin collecting lightly used purple Liberty cap and gowns to offer to students and their families who may not currently have the resources to purchase a new one for graduation. All donated cap and gowns can be dropped off in the main office during regular school hours.

Iowa City, Iowa – October 13, 2024 – Team Breast Friends proudly announces the 10th anniversary of the 5K Rack Run, set to take place on Sunday, October 13th, 2024, at the Terry Trueblood Recreation Area in Iowa City. This milestone event invites participants to run or walk to support breast cancer patients in the Corridor, with all proceeds directly benefiting those in need.

This year’s event will feature chip timing for participants who wish to record their run times. Registration is now open at getmeregistered.com, and all are encouraged to join this community effort, whether running or walking, to make a difference in the lives of those battling breast cancer.

Since its inception, Team Breast Friends has raised over $598,000.00, providing critical funding for mammograms and other diagnostics for underinsured breast cancer patients in the local area. The organization, a local 501(c)(3), ensures that every dollar raised stays in the Corridor, directly supporting patient diagnostics or offering personal grants.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the 5K Rack Run is just one of the many events planned by Team Breast Friends to raise awareness and support for breast cancer patients. Watch the Team Breast Friends’ website or social media posts for information about other fun October events.

About Team Breast Friends:
Team Breast Friends was founded by a handful of friends with a mission to make a positive difference in the lives impacted by breast cancer and to bring awareness through their efforts. Over the years, the team has become a dedicated local organization committed to supporting breast cancer patients in the Corridor through fundraising events like the 5K Rack Run. With a focus on funding diagnostics and providing financial assistance, the team has made a significant impact in the community, ensuring that underinsured patients receive the care they need.

For more information about Team Breast Friends, visit teambreastfriends.org.

To register for the 5K Rack Run, visit getmeregistered.com.

Quarterly the District Cultural Diversity & Equity team produces a newsletter. Click here to access this quarter's Cultural Diversity & Equity Newsletter. You can also visit our District Equity website for additional information and links to previous newsletters.

Take a moment to check out the new Liberty High Spirit Store provided by BSN Sports. This store offers a large number of options for Liberty gear. You can search by your favorite brand and customize your own items.

Check it out by clicking on this link: https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/iowa/northliberty/liberty-high-school or by clicking the image below.

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 (Parent Student Teacher Organization) welcomes all new and returning families to Liberty for the 2024-2025 school year. Please follow us on Facebook: Liberty High PSTO to stay up-to-date.

The next PSTO meeting will occur on Thursday, October 17 from 12:00-12:30 PM via Zoom. The passcode for the meeting is CEDwk1

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.

It is the policy of the Iowa City Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact Jeremy Tabor, Director of Equity and Employee Relations, 1725 N. Dodge St., Iowa City, IA 52245, 319-688-1000, howard.eric@iowacityschools.org.