The Liberty Ledger: March 23, 2022

The Liberty Ledger

Providing students and parents with important updates and report of events happening at LMS.


Liberty MS vs. Stone MS Basketball 

THIS FRIDAY March 25th at Liberty MS

JOIN US TO CHEER ON OUR TEAMS!

 

Girls, Boys, and a Staff Game

6:15PM Doors Open

6:45PM Staff Game

7:15PM Girls Game

7:30PM Ticket Sales & Doors Close

7:45PM Boys Game

8:15PM Be prepared to pick up your student

 

Admission: $5 

Concessions (Pizza, Candy, Snacks, Water) will be sold in the cafeteria. CASH ONLY

NO Bags or Backpacks allowed. 

 *Notice: Students with violations of the SR&R during March will not be allowed to attend the games.


Author Presentation

Julie Lythcott-Haims, NYT Best-Selling Author of 

How to Raise an Adult returns to McLean on April 26th!

Back by popular demand, former Stanford dean and New York Times best-selling author Julie Lythcott-Haims presents “Throw Out the Checklisted Childhood: Tips and Strategies for Raising Successful Kids.”

This FREE program, sponsored by the Safe Community Coalition and The Potomac School, takes place April 26th from 7-9pm at Temple Rodef Shalom. It’s open to all, but space is limited and registration is required.  Visit the Safe Community Coalition website for more information and registration:  http://mcleanscc.org/.


VIP Camp 2022

What are your Rising 7th & 8th graders doing this Summer?

SAVE THE DATE FLYER -  English  /  Spanish

Like you, we believe your child is a very important person and deserves a summer experience that is safe and full of fitness, friends, fun and enrichment. FCPS and Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (DNCS) have teamed up to offer a 5 week camp for rising 7th and 8th graders in the Western Fairfax area. Campers will have a great time participating in sports, games, fitness and STEAM activities in a safe environment.  Field trips to local water parks and amusement parks also give campers exciting experiences to look forward to with their new friends. The program is led by FCPS After-School and DNCS Teen/Community Center Staff.

Details:

  • Dates - Wednesday, June 29th - Thursday, July 28th
  • 9:00 AM - 4:00PM (Site opens at 8:00AM for drop off)
  • Location – Stone Middle School
  • Bus Transportation will be provided from feeder middle schools and other selected stops
  • Cost – $50
  • This camp serves the Franklin, Katherine Johnson, Liberty, Rocky Run and Stone middle school districts (2022-2023 school year 7th and 8th grade students)

Registration Process

The online application will be sent the week of March 28th.   You will be sent a "News You Choose" email from “Western Fairfax VIP Camp” with more detailed camp information and the online registration application link.  Please apply early as spaces fill quickly.  Email Sandy Donlon, Liberty After-School Specialist, at sldonlon@fcps.edu for more information. 


Tutoring Services Beginning in April

This week, families received information from FCPS about a 24/7, on-demand, online tutoring support service that will be available to all FCPS students. 

Tutoring is focused instruction provided to students in a one-on-one format (voice and/or text chat). Tutors will focus on developing your student’s strengths and capabilities in reading, mathematics, or other specified subjects. Tutoring services may be accessed before, during or after school hours and/or weekends. 

Stay tuned for more information from us regarding this opportunity. We'll send more information by email, and you'll also receive a flyer and opt-out form. If you do not want your student to have access to this online tutoring resource, complete the hard copy of the opt-out form or the opt-out form in ParentVUE by April 11, 2022.  Directions for opting out can be found on the Online Tutoring Services website


Family Engagement Survey

 

FCPS is partnering with independent firm K12 Insight to administer its second Family Engagement Survey to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our school communities. The survey will be emailed to FCPS parents and caregivers on Sunday, March 13. Topics include:

  • Welcoming environment
  • Communication
  • Student success
  • Advocacy
  • Family and school partnerships
  • Collaboration with the community to see if FCPS is meeting its goals at the school, region, and division levels.

Results will be used to develop a plan to improve family and school partnerships throughout the division. The survey will be available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, Chinese, Urdu, Farsi, and Amharic. For more information, watch this short video from Superintendent Brabrand and visit the Family Engagement Survey webpage.

 

How to Complete the Survey

There are three ways you can complete the survey:

  1. Check your email on March 13, for an invitation with a survey link from K12Insight, with subject line: FCPS Family Engagement Survey.
  2. Ask the front office staff of your child's school for a paper survey. You can complete it right there on the spot or take it home and return it during the survey window.
  3. Use one of the school computers. Front office staff would be happy to show you an available computer for you to complete the survey electronically.

If you are unable to access the survey at your child's school, please take the survey via this link: Family Engagement Survey 2021-22.  It will be active on March 13 and closes April 3, 2022.   


SEL Screening

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) commits to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning (SEL). The School Board has approved a screener to review students’ skills and experiences in these areas. FCPS staff will use the screener to identify strengths and needs for students in grades K-12. The screener provides information regarding students’ experiences and how staff can support their needs.

SEL skills include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The screener will review these skills, as well as students’ relationships, feelings of belonging, feelings about their school environment, and mood. These factors are critical to positive academic, social, and emotional success.

Students in grades K-2 will be screened in the winter and spring. In these grade levels, teachers will complete a survey on their observations of students' skills and experiences. Students in grades 3-12 will be screened in the fall, winter, and spring. In these grade levels, students will reflect and report on their own skills and experiences. Screener data will only be accessible to teachers, administrators, and staff with legitimate educational interests. Results will be maintained in secure files and databases accessible only to these individuals. Screener results will be used with other data to inform practices for SEL skill development and mental wellness. Screener data will also help staff plan interventions for students with identified needs. Parents and guardians will receive an individualized report regarding their student’s screener results following each assessment window. School staff will be available to discuss results with families on planned support.

Liberty will administer the Spring SEL on Tues, April 12thand Thurs, April 14th, 2022. If you do not want your student to take part in the SEL screener, please return the opt-out form linked here to the school.


Notification of Testing and
Retest Permission Form

            SOL Non-Writing Assessments Grades 7-8

 

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Students in grades 7-8 in our school will be taking the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests between April 25, 2022, and May 27, 2022.  Liberty’s testing window is as follows:

SOL Test

Date

Paper-Pencil Testing (All Subjects)

April 26th-May 6th

Reading 7/8

Weds, May 4th (Blue Day)

Science 8

Fri, May 6th (Blue Day)

Math7/Math7HN/Math8/Algebra 1/Geometry

Tues, May 10th (Blue Day)

Expedited Retakes

To Be Determined

If you become aware of an unavoidable conflict that could result in your child missing a testing day, please notify your child’s teacher as soon as possible.

Parent Permission to Retest Google Form

The Virginia Board of Education allows middle school students who fail Standards of Learning (SOL) tests by a narrow margin to retake the test before the end of the school year.  Retesting is available when a student fails their first attempt with a score of 375-399 (where 400 is passing).

Parent permission is required for any retests in grades 7-8.  A decision not to allow retesting will not impact your child’s course grade or academic record.

If you believe your child would benefit from a second opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills on the SOL test, please complete the Parent Permission Retest Form by clicking the link below no later than Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

 

Liberty M.S. Parent Permission to Retest Form


March Clinical Newsletter

 

Click here to see the newsletter: (link)

 

In this issue:

  • Eating Disorders
  • Fairfax County Resources
  • Coloring Sheet
  • Texting and Social Media Etiquette
  • Mindful Moment
  • Resources
  • Journaling Prompts for March

 

Please see other newsletters here.  (link)


Food Pantry at LMS

We have a food pantry at Liberty MS for families in need.  We are asking for donations to the food pantry to restock the supplies that we have.  If you are able to help us with this need, please bring the following items to the main office.  Also, please look at expiration dates as we need to have food that has not expired in order to hand it out.  Thank you so much!

ITEMS AVAILABLE:

  • Canned Meats- tuna, chicken
  • Peanut Butter
  • Beans
  • Protein Bars and Shakes
  • Canned Meals (chili, beans and rice, pastas with meat)
  • Packaged Meals- (mac and cheese, cup of noodles)
  • Microwavable Meals and Snacks (Can be frozen)
  • Soups
  • Pasta
  • Sauces
  • Rice
  • Oatmeal
  • Crackers
  • V8 juice
  • Ketchup
  • Mayonnaise
  • Soaps
  • Shampoo, conditioner
  • Paper towels
  • Feminine pads
  • Individual cups of instant oatmeal

  • Individual cups of cereal

  • Toothbrushes (individually packaged)

  • Toothpaste (individually packaged)

  • Bar Soap (individually packaged)

  • Maseca Corn Masa Flour

We also have a limited amount of clothing and have a need for clothes. If you have gently used clothes to donate, please bring them to the office.  We are looking for the sizes below.

 

Girls Shorts - Junior size 8; 9; L or XL and adult Sizes:  2, 4, 8, 10

Boys Shorts – Adult size 28; 29; 30 & 32

 

Girls Capris  - Junior size 8 or 9 and  adult Sizes:  2, 4, 8, 10

 

Girls -   T-shirts – Junior size 8 or 9 and  adult Sizes:  2, 4, 8, 10

Boys  -  T-shirts – Youth size: 18-16; L or XL;  Adult Sizes:  Small, Medium or Large

 

Girls and Boys – ankle sports socks – Size Small and Medium

Shoe sizes-  Adult 5- 7 ½

Socks and underwear donations would need to be new in the packaging


PTA UPDATES:

PTA Membership:

Please consider supporting the PTA by becoming a MEMBER. Member fees are just $15 and allow the PTA to continue to provide valuable support to Liberty MS students and teachers. Click here for a quick and easy registration process. This year ALL PTA meetings will be held VIRTUALLY.  Each meeting will highlight a different academic and specials department at Liberty MS and teachers will join us to share details about curriculum and teaching methods and answer your questions.

LMS PTA Support:

LMS PTA has a number of fun events for our students and community that we would like to get underway, however we need your more support. Support can come in many forms; creating flyers, contacting vendors, volunteering during lunches etc. If you would like to hear more please complete this Google Form and we will contact you by email with opportunities! 


Student Services Department


Shirley Alvarez-Leon

7th Grade Counselor (Pride,         AllStars)

SAlvarezLeon@fcps.edu

Scott Steele

7th Grade Counselor (Patriots, Navigators)

srsteele@fcps.edu

John Basta

8th Grade Counselor (Rockets, Wizards)

jbasta@fcps.edu

Madison Fleming

8th Grade Counselor (Eagles, Comets)

msfleming@fcps.edu

Angie Huber

School Social Worker

aahuber@fcps.edu

Joanna Wheeler

School Psychologist

jwheeler@fcps.edu

Renee Pete

Director of Student Services

erpete@fcps.edu

 


Helpful Resources


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LMS Administrative Team

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

admin team LMS

From Left-Right: N. Lissy, R. Pete, A. Erbrecht, G. Hall, C. Whitt