This is the last week of the semester so the year is half over. Please encourage your child to finish strong by submitting all work right away.

January 2021 will be the last days for Monday and Tuesday after-school tutoring. Starting in February, all tutoring will switch to Saturdays as we prepare for the Spring FSA and state EOCs. Look for ways to sign up in January.  

Parents, do you want to reduce the time your child spends on the internet, phone, computer and gaming? If so, I encourage you to have your child participate in the Craft Challenge. It can be any project, of any nature [but safety first and supervise where needed]. Find something creative for your child to do over the break. Send your best pics for the next newsletter, Craft Challenge to 124824@ocps.net.  

I want to thank everyone for their support (parents, staff and community partners) for helping our families in need during the holiday season.

Saturday Tech Help Days (sign up below):

YMCA before/after school care is available.

I want to thank everyone for their support (parents, staff, and community partners) for helping our families in need during the holiday season. Remember to be safe and spend time with your families over the winter break.

Lovely Tinsley

Principal 

Liberty Middle School

Each year all parents need to complete the Parent Technology Media and Information Consent Form online.

This form provides you information on the acceptable and responsible use of technology by students, lets you decide if your student can have their picture taken, be in a video and have their directory information released when requested. Filling out this form online allows your voice to be heard and automatically record your choices in the Student Information System.

The form can be accessed on a computer or mobile device through the Parent Access site you use to check your student’s grades. The address is parentaccess.ocps.net

Parents who know their Parent Access login information can begin completing the form today. Parents who do not know their Parent Access login information should contact their school for login information.

WHAT IS SELF-CARE? Doing things for yourself that make you feel good.

WHY IS SELF-CARE IMPORTANT? When you practice self-care, you improve both your physical and emotional health, are able to view problems as opportunities rather than obstacles and are better positioned to create breakthroughs in all areas of your life.

All students participating as a student athlete on one of our sports teams must have an OCPS SPORTS PHYSICAL FORM completely filled out by a Parent/Guardian and a Doctor prior to tryouts. The Athletic Department will not be accepting the yellow School Entry Health Exam form as dictated by OCPS Rules.

School Physicals are not the same as a Sports Physical! Each participant needs a new sports physical every school year. In addition, the school must have on file a completed sports screening form, an emergency medical treatment form, a notification of risk form and a Covid-19 waiver which are all part of the OCPS Physical packet.

All of these items must be submitted before trying out. Physicals must be completed and turned in to the Athletic Director before the tryout date for each sport. We will no longer be able to accept copies of physical. The doctor must SIGN and STAMP the OCPS Physical Form.

The 2021-2022 Magnet Application will be open November 1, 2020, to February 15, 2021. Please visit www.ocps.net and search “Magnet Programs” for more details and access to the online application.

Tip #1: If you are going shopping, try to go during daylight hours if possible; if you have to go at night, make sure you have someone with you, especially at the malls.

Tip #2: Be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially when you are walking to and from your vehicle at night. Pay attention to who is following you in the stores or mall because they see the packages you have and it might entice them to follow you out to your vehicle. Always have your car keys or remote out prior to leaving the mall or store so you’re not fumbling around to find them and lose focus on your surroundings.

Tip #3: If shopping at night, try to park in a well-lit area or close to the store doors. Any packages that you have already in your vehicle should be in your trunk.

Tip #4: Even when driving home, be aware of suspicious cars following you to your home; if you see something strange, call 911 but do not park or pull onto your street yet, not until you meet with the police.

Tip #5: After Christmas, try not to put big boxes out on your curb; it’s letting everyone know what you got for Christmas. Break them down if possible and place in large pick-up trash cans with covers.

Tip #6: If you are going out of town for the holidays, don’t advertise it on social media (tell your kids not too! Their friends will be the ones breaking into your home!); have a trusting family member or neighbor watch over your house and keep a couple of outdoor and indoor lights on. Try to have one vehicle parked in the driveway so it appears that someone is home. I like to leave either a television or music on so it appears that I’m home when I’m away for a few days.

Tip #7: If you see something suspicious in your neighborhood or community, call the authorities no matter how small it may seem; let us be the ones to check it out; believe me, you are not wasting our time.

Tip #8: Please do not leave any valuables inside your vehicles overnight or at least have them out of view; just having a charger or loose change in view can entice someone to break into your vehicle, especially this year!

Tip #9: If you are buying items second hand, pick a location that has plenty of foot traffic or conduct the transactions at a police station parking lot where there are plenty of cameras. Ask the person if they are willing to meet at a police station; if they say no, then that’s a BIG RED FLAG!

Orange County Health Services is offering FREE Covid-19 tests at Barnett Park for all residents, seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., now until December 30, 2020. No appointments and no insurance is necessary. These tests are fast, free and for all ages.

WHEN: Rapid Testing will be available through December 30, 2020, seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weather permitting. Closed Christmas Day.

WHERE: Health Services Testing Site, Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32808

For more information, visit www.ocfl.net/Testing and click on #1 on the map.

Para información en español (or any other languages), por favor llame al 407-836-3111.

Please consider becoming a Liberty Middle School PTSA member. This is a great way to support Liberty and your PTSA this school year. Membership is only $5.00. There is a small fee to purchase memberships online but it is very convenient. You can also pick up a hard copy membership form in the front office.

* If you have not already, please like us on Facebook to keep up with the latest updates at @libertymiddleschoolptsa

Please click here for information from OCPS to help both students and parents with technology support.

It was only five months into the “War to end all wars.” World War I was the first conflict to be dominated by “trench warfare.” Each side dug miles of trenches and constructed barbed war between the warring factions. The German army on one side and the British and French on the other took turns charging the distance between the trenches, ending in dead bodies scattered along the battle lines.

It was Christmas week of 1914, and the sounds of exploding artillery shells, gunfire, and explosives began to fade in favor of celebrations and the singing of Christmas carols on both sides of the miles of trenches. The celebrations lead to shouted holiday greetings between the two enemies, surprising gestures given the brutal nature of the battles.

At the first light of dawn on Christmas Day, a few unarmed German soldiers emerged from their trenches to greet the British and French opponents with shouts of “Merry Christmas!” in English. At first, the Allied soldiers feared it was a trick, but seeing the German soldiers unarmed, they left their trenches as well and greeted their enemy with handshakes and hugs. They exchanged gifts of cigarettes and food while singing Christmas carols all along “No Man’s Land” as the territory between enemy trenches was known. There were reports of soccer games and the sharing of family photos between the men with laughter and smiles all along the lines.

During the remaining years of the war, the "Christmas Truce" ceasefire was never repeated. No one will ever be able to explain what happened that day, but it was a reflection of something deeper, a hope that even in a World War there was something that connected humanity. That there was hope for a better world where all could live in peace and harmony, even if only for a few hours.

Between the exchange of gifts, or watching your favorite Holiday movies multiple times, take the time to reflect on this most unique of years, and how you can make a difference, now, in the lives of others... even across enemy lines.

Copyright Notice

Reproduction of this material, either written or electronically, including the general layout, graphics, analyses, and content topics without the express approval of Target Performance Systems, Inc., a Florida corporation, and OCPS - Liberty Middle School is forbidden without written consent. Thank you for your support of the Orange County Public Schools and especially Liberty Middle School. Please contact Lovely Tinsley at lovely.tinsley@ocps.net with any questions related to the program.

Liberty Middle School | Ms. Tinsley, Principal | 407.249.6440 | Liberty Website