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Providing students and parents with the important updates and report of events happening at the LMS.
Dear Families,
As we look back with reflective glasses on the year that has been 2020, we are incredibly thankful for the strong support and partnership we have received from our parent community. You have been encouraging, patient, and resilient.
As a parent of one middle schooler and two elementary students, I know all that you have had to overcome. There have been sacrifices and hardships that this pandemic has brought and obstacles ahead that remain in front of us as we problem solve and discern a path toward returning to in-person learning. You have followed our motto for 2020 of “adapt, abide, and overcome.”
We hope that our students enjoy a break from online activities and assignments. In the spirit of taking a break during the holidays, we have asked staff to take a break as well. School offices will be closed over the winter vacation.
Save the date of the evening of January 14th (more info to come) for a Family Town Hall on Return to School Plans. Since the plans continue to be “fluid”, we have refrained from sharing too much, too soon. We will do our best not to overwhelm you with information and to make sure you are clear on how we are proceeding forward.
Helen Keller said, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” Because of the confidence you have given us that, no matter what, you are here to support us, we know we can overcome what lies ahead. I am truly bless and proud to be the principal of Liberty Middle School family.
I am hopeful for new learning experiences, connections, and overcoming challenges in 2021. I look forward to the jubilee of ALL being back together whenever that day arrives. Your children have been a gift and joy to us this year so we thank you for all you have done to shape who they are.
Peace, Joy, Hope, and Happiness for this season and throughout the New Year!
Principal Erbrecht
Holiday Spirit Week!
Spirit Days at Liberty Continue This Week
Join in the fun by dressing up during synchronous classes this week!
Coming soon…
Thursday: Ugly Sweater or Ugly Shirt Day
Friday: Pajama or Comfy Clothing Day
Whole School Read: When Stars are Scattered and Video Message From Principal E!
Watch Mr. Erbrecht's message HERE!
As part of our focus on social emotional learning during our 4th period Unity Time block, all students will be participating in a whole school read that we call Unity Read. For this experience, we will be using the text When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson. This is a graphic novel about two brothers who live in refugee camp in Kenya. This book covers issues like poverty, education, and family-structure. The topics in this book incorporate the Positivity Project and Portrait of a Graduate traits, and your child’s Unity Time teacher will be leading the students in discussions around these topics. We encourage you to discuss the book with your student. We will begin discussing the book this week, and students will begin reading the book on January 6th. For more information, contact Collin Whitt, Assistant Principal.
Step Inside our Classrooms!
Chorus Classes
The Liberty MS Choruses have been hard at work creating Virtual Choir performances! Please enjoy!
Combined Basso Choirs singing Thulalila Lele
Treble Choir singing Beautiful December
Advanced Treble Choir singing Letter From A Girl to the World
Art Classes
Students at Liberty Middle School are enjoying art classes and learning how to use Photoshop with beautiful results!
8th Grade Science
Liberty Middle School administrators take on a new identity as part of a recent 8th grade science activity. In the activity, super sleuthing students used their scientific investigative skills to solve the classroom mystery.
EXTENDED SCHOOL ABSENCE AND/OR TRAVEL OUT-OF-THE-COUNTRY
During virtual learning, it is still important and necessary for parents/guardians to notify Liberty Middle School if planning an extended absence for their student and/or traveling out-of-the-country. You must contact Jasmine Washington, School Office Assistant, at jwashington1@fcps.edu before you travel, and she will assist you with completing the Prearranged Absence form.
Your student will be given assignments from teachers that they will complete during their absence. Please be aware that connectivity issues may arise when attempting to use the FCPS laptop that the student was issued. If this does occur and the student is unable to sign on to classes, the FCPS Policy of 15-days of consecutive absence from school will result in withdrawal from Liberty. Once the student returns, they will be re-enrolled into their courses with the same schedule.
At the time the Prearranged Absence form is completed, and your travel location is noted, you will also be informed as to whether your student will be required to have a Tb test upon return. If you have any questions, you may contact Jenni Carnahan at jscarnahan@fcps.edu.
Winter Break Food Distribution
Below is an overview of the Winter Break meal service plans:
- Friday, 12/18 -- Bus routes will offer 4 days of breakfast and lunch Grab & Go locations will offer 4 days of breakfast and lunch
- Monday, 12/21 -- Bus routes will offer 4 days of breakfast and lunch Grab & Go locations will not distribute any meals
- Tuesday, 12/22 -- Bus routes will offer 4 days of breakfast and lunch Grab & Go locations will offer 14-day meal kits Meal Kits sites will offer 14-day meal kits
- Wednesday, 12/23 through Friday, 1/1/21 -- No food service
- Monday, 1/4/2021 -- Bus routes delivering breakfast and lunch will resume daily service
- Tuesday, 1/5/2021 -- Grab & Go locations resume daily meal distribution
- Wednesday, 1/6/2021 -- Sites that distribute 7-day meal kits resume
Register Now for January Webinar
Registration is now open for a January webinar which is part of the “Encouraging Positive Behaviors at Home” series. Strategies for Increasing Replacement Behaviors includes a review of methods to increase target skills and a review of problem solving strategies if target skills are not increasing. The times offered are Thursday January 21, 2021, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Register for Strategies for Increasing Replacement Behaviors
Winter Clothing Drive
Liberty Winter Clothing Drive Continues in January
Our Family Engagement Team is sponsoring a winter clothing drive. We are collecting new hats, gloves, and socks. We are collecting from January 11 through February 5. With our donations, we hope to bring some warmth and comfort to others in our community.
 What’s happening After-School?
The after-school program has continued to run in the virtual environment with 30+ programs being offered to students every day throughout the week. You just need to jump into the Student Site or School Website to see our weekly schedule. Some of the highlights from this Fall include..
- Clubs that have enrollment of over 100 students each with many having attendance of approximately 20 each day which is perfect for making connections and for students to have a voice.
- Western Fairfax Talent Showcase – students across our 5 schools sharing a program base submitted entries and these were made into a video. Students can find the video on the After-school Google Classroom and Grade Level Classroom sites.
- Winter Smiles – our very own League of Ladies club sponsored by Madison Fleming will be hosting virtual babysitting for elementary students this Thursday after-school.
- The expansion of our program due to student requests. If a student asked for a program, we helped finds sponsors and started those clubs to add to ones already being offered by our amazing staff. We have added Car Club, SAGA, and Rocket Club due to student requests. There is also a request for a Harry Potter /Hogwarts Club which we hope to have up and running by the next session. Just need to find a sponsor.
- On the horizon… A virtual Science Fair and a restart with open enrollment for all of our programs in January. Look for more news about this in the new year
For more information about After-School Programs and activities, please contact Sandy Donlon at sldonlon@fcps.edu; or check out the Student Site for the most up-to-date options and news. And don’t forget to sign up for the After-School Google Classroom: IDACFTS
Weekly Progress Reports from SIS
In order to receive the weekly progress reports (assignments, grades) from FCPS, you must ensure that your data in SIS ParentVUE is accurate and complete. Please visit this page for additional information - Parent SIS Account Overview
Social Worker Corner
December Clinical Newsletter can be seen HERE
In this issue:
- Holiday Changes During COVID
- Scavenger Hunt
- Self Care Checklist
- Flexibility During the Holidays
- Symptoms of Stress
- Identifying Stress
- Holiday Candies/ Gift ideas
- Journaling Prompts for Self Discovery
- Resources
If you have any questions regarding resources like food and family assistance, please contact Angie Huber, School Social Worker at aahuber@fcps.edu
Or visit our Social Worker Page HERE
Helpful Resources
Principal: Adam Erbrecht | AWErbrecht@fcps.edu
Assistant Principal: Gregory Hall | GHall3@fcps.edu
Assistant Principal: Natalie Lissy | NSLissy@fcps.edu
Assistant Principal: Collin Whitt | CTWhitt@fcps.edu
Director of Student Services: Renee Pete | ERPete@fcps.edu
 From Left-Right: N. Lissy, R. Pete, A. Erbrecht, G. Hall, C. Whitt
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