Top Stories From LPS
Winter Vacation at LPS Quickly Approaching
It is hard to believe, but the conclusion of first semester and the beginning of winter break is right on our doorstep. Don't forget that LPS will be on a two-hour early release schedule on Friday, December 21, 2018. Winter Vacation will then take place from Monday, December 24, 2018 - January 4, 2019 for students. Following a teacher workday on Monday, January 7, 2019 (no school for students), second semester will begin on Tuesday, January 8, 2019. All of us at Liberty Public Schools would like to wish our families a safe and enjoyable upcoming holiday season!
LPS to Host Holiday Open House Friday, December 14
Liberty Public Schools will get into the holiday spirit on Friday, December 14, as we host our annual Holiday Open House at the District Administration Center. As you will see when you click on the link below, it is a packed schedule of performance groups throughout the day, beginning at 8 a.m. In addition to all performances being recorded and replayed on KLPS-TV and our YouTube Channel over the holidays, we will also be airing the performances live on our Facebook page. To view the detailed listing of performances, click here. We hope you can make plans to join us!
LPS News to Know
Major Saver Fundraiser
November 28 – December 12
We are pleased to share this year’s Major Saver card, featuring great offers, for only $15! Proceeds benefit individual schools and the Liberty Education Foundation directly. This year, we will hit the $1 million mark in funds raised by our incredible Liberty Public Schools students through Major Saver! We love partnering with local businesses to enrich educational experiences for our students. Learn more, and purchase cards at: www.libertyeducationfoundation.org/majorsaver . Questions? Contact Tanna Campbell , Executive Director of the Liberty Education Foundation, at 736-7119.
Student/Staff Recognitions
Speech and Debate Keeps on Rolling
The Liberty High School Speech and Debate Team had another impressive performance this past weekend at Raytown, Raytown South, and Dowling H.S. (in West Des Moines, IA). At Raytown, varsity won the overall sweepstakes competition; their fourth tournament victory this year. The team climbs the national rankings this week and starts the week ranked 2nd in the country. Individual honors for the tournament include:
Grace and Sarah Keenan - Tournament Champions, Duo Interp
Kelsey Pierce - Tournament Champion, Original Oratory
Katherine Vlamis - Tournament Champion, Program Oral Interp
Dylan Johnson - 2nd place, Informative Speaking
Katherine Vlamis - 2nd place, Original Oratory
Olivia Sherman - 2nd place, Dramatic Interp
Mackenzie Greenwood - 3rd place, Dramatic Interp
Abbie Schulte - 3rd place, International Extemp
Sarah Keenan - 3rd place, Humorous Interp
Olivia Newell - 3rd place, Student Congress
Karlie Benton - 3rd place, Lincoln Douglas Debate
Abbie Schulte - 3rd place, Champ Lincoln Douglas Debate
Regan Mills - 4th place, Humorous Interp
Olivia Cotton - 4th place, Lincoln Douglas
Abby Maloney - 4th place, Champ Lincoln Douglas
Katie Baughman/Emma Davolt - 4th place, Policy Debate
Logan Heil/Drew Cason - 4th place, Champ Policy Debate
Elijah Nash - 5th place, Dramatic Interp
Alexis Fischel - 6th place, Original Oratory
Logan Heil - 6th place, International Extemp Speaking
Caleb Goodwin - 6th place, Storytelling

In West Des Moines, Iowa, at the Dowling Paradigm, Grace Johannes finished in 9th place at a tournament featuring the country’s best debaters.

At Raytown South, the following novices earned the following honors:
Jordan Naseem - Tournament Champion, Humorous Interp and Dramatic Interp
Erin Brage - 4th place, Humorous Interp
Jocelyn Hayes - Quarterfinalist, Lincoln Douglas Debate
Andrew Bolz - Quarterfinalist, Lincoln Douglas Debate
Alex Klein - 6th place, Informative Speaking
The team will compete at Fort Osage and Grain Valley, where they will try to continue success in the new year!
Golden Girls Dance Off to Solid Start
This past weekend, the Liberty North Golden Girls competed at their first competition of the season. This competition was The Kansas Classic Regional Competition and was hosted by the Liberty Sapphires.The Golden Girls ended up placing 1st place in their hip hop routine, 2nd place in their precision jazz routine, and 2nd place overall in division 5. They also had 4 soloists and an ensemble compete. For solos, Alaina Lee placed 4th, Annalise Pinedo placed 6th, Courtney Rowe placed 10th, and Shelby Whitley placed 14th. The ensemble that included Emma Dammann, Cara Nedeau, Kaylin Robinson, Alexa Spurlock, and Mia Spurlock placed 4th. The Golden Girls consist of 17 dancers: Rachel Cascone, Madison Currey, Emma Damman (captain), Makenzie Horn, Alaina Lee (captain), Cara Nedeau, Tyci O'Quinn, Parker Paredes, Annalise Pinedo, Kaylin Robinson, Courtney Rowe, Amelia Snedigar, Alexa Spurlock, Mia Spurlock, Rylie Turner, Caroline Utz, & Shelby Whitley. The team is coached by Tiffany Cunningham and Mallory Gooch
Upcoming District/Community Events
DMS Hosting Shoe Drive
Neighbors, friends, and family - don’t throw away your old shoes! Discovery Middle School is hosting a SHOE DRIVE through January 31, 2019. Get your gently worn, used, or new shoes to Discovery Middle School, 800 Midjay Drive, Liberty, before January 31. Your shoes will be shipped to entrepreneurs in third world countries who will re-purpose the shoes and provide them to those in need. 

The Discovery Middle School Jr. Thespian troupe is sponsoring this event, and they are hoping to gather 2,500 pairs of shoes for donation. The troupe will receive a check according to the total weight of shoes donated.

Help support your local students and donate to a world-changing cause! Go to Funds2orgs.com to check out how the Shoe Drive works. More questions? Contact Kate Brady .
LPS Insider for Wednesday, December 12, 2018
LPS Tweets of the Week
Twitter has become an important communication tool for our schools, teachers, programs, and district. Each week, we will be sharing with you a few highlights from the previous week that have been shared on our page. If you do not follow us, you can find us at @LIBERTYSCHOOLS. We recently exceeded the 8,000 follower mark. If you haven't joined us on Twitter, we encourage you to do so today!
Upcoming District Dates at a Glance
Tuesday, December 18 - Board of Education Meeting (7 p.m./District Admin. Center)
Friday, December 21 - End of First Semester (2-hour early release)
Mon., Dec. 24 - Fri., Jan. 4, 2019 - Winter Vacation (No Classes)
Monday, January 7, 2019 - Teacher Workday (No Classes)
Tuesday, January 8, 2019 - Second Semester Begins
LPS Mission:  Inspire and equip all learners to discover their voice and unlimited potential.

LPS Vision:  A future-focused community with a passion for lifelong learning.

Liberty Public Schools
8 Victory Lane
Liberty, MO 64068
816.736.5300