Liberty Common School  
1725 Sharp Point Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525
Phone: 970-482-9800 | Fax 970-482-8007 | www.libertycommon.org
Attendance Line: (Please call by 8:30 AM) 970-482-9800 Option 2 
Office Hours:  Monday -  Friday 7:50AM - 4:00 PM

                                                                              Volume 20, Issue 18
                                                                                                 January 9, 2017           
A big thank you to Tracy Nichols, Liberty Elementary Art Teacher, and her hard work beautifying our school. Over the break she installed Core Knowledge idioms on the stairs leading to the 5th and 6th grade classrooms. Enjoy! 
Mark your Calendar 
January 16|Martin Luther King Day, NO SCHOOL
January 17|Geography Bee, after school
January 17| 6:30 pm  -  LCS 6th Grade Parent Night - LCHS Great Hall(see information below)
January 19|Spelling Bee, after school
January 19|BOD Meeting, LCS, 6:00 p.m.
January 23|Public Information Night, LCS, 6:30 p.m.
January 26|Liberty Lecture Series-Wake Up To Weird, 6:30 p.m., LCHS 
January 27|5th/6th Grade Science Fair, 3:30-4:00 p.m.

Major Dates- 2016-17 Calendar
  • Martin Luther King Day-Jan. 16-NO SCHOOL
  • Professional Development Day-Feb. 17-NO SCHOOL
  • Presidents' Day-Feb. 20-NO SCHOOL
  • Spring Break-March 13-17-NO SCHOOL
  • Good Friday-April 14-NO SCHOOL
  • Last Day of Classes-1/2/Day May 26
  T-Shirt Days
  • Jan. 27th
  • Feb. 24th
  • March 31st
  • April 28th
  • May 19th
2017-2018 BOD Approved School Holidays and Intermissions:
  • First Day of School|Aug. 28
  • Labor Day|Sept. 4
  • Parent/Teacher Conferences|Oct. 27
  • Thanksgiving Break| Nov. 22-24
  • Winter Break|Dec. 25-Jan. 5
  • Martin Luther King Day|Jan. 15
  • Professional Development Day|Feb. 16
  • Presidents' Day|Feb. 19
  • Spring Break|Mar. 12-16
  • Good Friday|March 30
  • Last Day of School-1/2 day|May 25

Liberty Happenings 

Public-Information Night-Tonight, January 9th., 6:30-8:30, LCHS Great Hall     

Do you know anybody interested in sending their kids to Liberty (either campus); or just learning more about the school's history and philosophy? Please urge them to attend our Public-Information Night tonight, January 9 from 6:30-8:30PM in the LCHS Great Hall.  This is an informative presentation for all parents wanting to know more about why we teach what we teach, and why we do what we do.  For hopeful families waiting on the Liberty lottery list for any grades K - 11, attending one of these presentations puts you into the "upper tier" of those waiting for the next open-enrollment spot.   

  Date Change of Next Liberty Lecture
The next Liberty Lecture, Wake Up To Weird, has been rescheduled to  Thursday, January 26th, 2017 6:30 – 8:00 pm from this  Thursday January 12th . America’s best high-school art instructors   Megan Salazar   and   Rex Seiple  walk their audience through the history and elements of contemporary art.  Liberty Lectures are designed for students, parents, grandparents, alumni and all friends of Liberty (both campuses). 

It is important for students to see adults  and families gathering and devoting their leisure educational lectures on topics of cultural interest.  Please plan to attend.

6th Grade Parents: You are invited!
January 17th - 6:30 pm - LCS 6th Grade Parent Night - LCHS Great Hall
This evening event will serve to ensure that you, Liberty Common 6th-grade parents, are well informed regarding the opportunities, expectations, and philosophy of the junior high school years (7th and 8th grades).  We want to answer your questions and ensure that you have the information you need to help your children begin their transition to 7th grade. This night will be directed to parents.  6th-grader students will have several fun-filled student-oriented transition opportunities in the coming months (CLICK HERE to review the list of upcoming events).
L iberty Family Death.   A beloved parent in our Liberty community died tragically on Christmas Day leaving behind his wife and their three Liberty students.  Mr. Richard Sinley’s funeral was held on Friday, December 30th, 2016.  Many Liberty faculty and friends were in attendance.  The U.S. Navy veteran’s remains have been interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver.  To assist surviving family members in this time of grief and need, a special fund has been set up to receive donations.  Please CLICK HERE to assist contributing online.    
 

A New Year Of Opportunity
By:  Bob Schaffer, LCHS Principal

Welcome back to school everyone.  It’s going to be another great year full of opportunities for Liberty Common students, and for the school itself.  
 
As I sat down to composed this little column (the last week of school in December 2016), I thought I would highlight some of the exciting developments in the student leadership structure known as the “House System” (grades 9-12) and the “Order System” (7-8).  Student-life activities at the high school are now nearly totally managed by students.

That level of student empowerment has added an enriching social dimension to the school.  A positive ethos of student leadership has created sustained opportunities for good clean fun, and a vibrant youthful culture.  

All this would make for a great report to Liberty’s parents at both schools, I thought.  Then, as serendipity would have it, the school’s top two student leaders – the School Captains – sent me an email requesting a “Free-Dress” Day at the high school.  

Their rationale, eloquence, and persuasiveness make my point better than I can.  So I decided to cut and paste.  Here it is, in their words:   

Mr. Schaffer:  Liberty Common High School truly has some outstanding students. This month we witnessed some incredible achievements by a number of students, which we will relate to you in this email.
  Art work title, Assurance, Recognition, Propriety
In the arts department of LCHS, senior Natalie Freeman submitted one of her pieces from her AP Studio Art Course to the International Center for Fine Art Photography. She was one of 900 entrants from the professional community across the globe to submit a piece of artwork to this gallery. Not only was Natalie Freeman's piece selected to be shown in the gallery, but she won the Directors Honorable Mention Award, making her piece one of only a handful to be distinguished in this way. It is unheard of for a high-school student to be recognized internationally for her work, let alone be awarded the prestigious Director's Award! Proof of an outstanding arts department, in a well-rounded charter school! 
  In the music department of LCHS, not one, not two, but four LCHS students competed to join incredibly selective honor bands. And all four got in. Senior  Haley Kubala  and Sophomore  Zoe Avery  competed for a spot in the Colorado All State Honor Band, open to student musicians across Colorado. They along with juniors  Nathan Dowdy  and  Stuart Hoskins  also were selected for the highly selective Combined Patriot League Honor Band. Their outstanding instruction and dedication allowed them to beat out statewide competition and secure a spot in these prestigious groups.
  
  In the computer-science department of LCHS, the Liberty Common High School Alpha Team participated in the second CyberPatriot competition of the year earlier this month. Their scores came back from the Air Force, and our CyberPatriot Alpha team, consisting of seniors  Brady Lane Daniel Scott , and  Annie Williamson , and sophomores  Jack Casterella  and  Madison Kubala , was ranked as one of the top teams in Colorado, and placed into the competitive and prestigious platinum tier of competitors-- the highest ranking possible. We also showed an incredible performance by our CyberPatriot club in its entirety. 

A school that is able to have students excelling in everything from fine art to music to computer security is indeed a school that is well rounded and of the highest caliber. 

In light of these incredible achievements by LCHS students, we would like to humbly ask that you grant LCHS a free-dress day this coming Friday, December 23rd. We will meet with you tomorrow morning before the announcements to follow up.    
Thank you for your time and consideration on the matter, and Merry Christmas! 

James Conrady
Annie Williamson
LCHS School Captains

Their excellent request was approved.  Students indeed enjoyed an extra Free-Dress Day on the last school day of 2016.  

Our students continue to make us all proud.  They give every indication that 2017 will be Liberty’s best year yet – full of achievements, and packed with new opportunities.   QVO NEMO ANTE IIT!

 

'Tis the Cold and Flu Season;  When to Keep Your Child Home
School Illnesses. There is a lot of illness passed around this time of year.  When considering whether to keep your child home from school, please refer to this policy our school utilizes (found on the school website), based on recommendations from The Children's Hospital Colorado: CLICK HERE
to view. 


LIBERTY COMMON SUMMER THEATRE CAMP
 
Please visit  http://bit.ly/LibertyTheatreCamp  for more information.   

LIBERTY LEGACIES BOOKS FOR SALE

Liberty Legacies Books For Sale
The Liberty Legacies book was written and published by LCHS students and is for sale.

The stories of the students’ grandparents, and family members are incredible. The book is on sale for $20. To purchase, CLICK HERE, or visit the Liberty Common High School front office.
 

Still Time to Sign-Up for Chessmates
 Chessmates at Liberty Common
All grades welcome!
Beginner and Advanced Groups
Fridays 3:15 - 4:15PM

Meet in: Art Room

Dates:
Jan 20, 27
Feb 3, 10, 24
March 3, 10, 24, 31
April 7, 21, 28

Cost: $65 for 12 weeks of class and chess instruction.

Each class includes 30 min of instruction and 30 min of playtime taught by an experienced
chess coach.

Registration: Online at www.chessmatesfc.com >SCHOOL CLUBS > Liberty Common
Fill out Form and make payment.

Question or Comments?
Contact Us:

Chessmates Chess Club
www.chessmatesfc.com


www.facebook.com/chessmatesfc

(970) 658-9976 (call or text)


Refund policy: Any participant may receive a full refund until after the second class is completed. After the second class there
will be no refunds granted, or partial credits given, for any reason.

Congratulations to All Liberty Robotic Teams 

Busy Bees took 2nd Place in the Inspiration catagory.  Team members are: Anagha Mathur Avery Peters, Josie McElwain Juliana McElwain, Riya Shadaksharappa, and Ripley Carlson.  They are coached by Jenny and Jon McElwain with the profuse help of Kevin Carlson and very active support of all the parents. 


 
Many Ways to Support Liberty Common School

Give Your Child the Gift of Time and Energy: Be a Liberty WATCH D.O.G.
WATCHD.O.G.S . (Dads of Great Students) is an innovative father involvement, educational initiative of the National Center for Fathering (see www.fathers.com for more info). It began in 1998 in Springdale, AR and has since grown into a nationally recognized program that has brought hundreds of thousands of fathers and father figures into our nation's classrooms and hallways.  

Liberty Common School's WATCHD.O.G.S. program provides many benefits for our children and our school:
  • Students win because the father and father-figures give their time and energy as a positive role model.
  • Fathers, father-figures and grandfathers get a glimpse of their student's everyday school life.
  • Liberty gains another set of eyes and helping hands for the day.

Become a WATCHD.O.G. today by CLICKING HERE.  Go to School Forms and then  scroll down the page to WATCHD.O.G. registration. 

Already a WATCHDOG? Take a few minutes and Sign-Up. Remember, part-days are also appreciated.

Thank you for wanting to make a difference in the lives of Liberty Common School students. 


 
Board of Directors
Paulette Hansen:  282-8455
Patrick Albright:  232-8257 
Joel Goeltl : 593-8556 
Jeff Webb : 545-9636 
Denise Benz : 420-4184 
Kelly Notarfrancesco:  295-4643
Aislinn Kottwitz : 217-5925

Upcoming Board Meeting- January 19, 2017, LCS 6:00PM


You may contact all members on our Board of Directors at  BOD@libertycommon.org .