 The Liberty Ledger
Providing students and parents with the important updates and report of events happening at LMS.
Important Dates:
- Thursday, March 6 - Global Day of Unplugging
- Friday, March 7 - Global Day of Unplugging
- Monday, March 17-21- Wellness Week
- Wednesday, March 19 - IRW Testing (8th-Grade)
- Monday, March 31- School Closed (Holiday)
- Tuesday, April 1- School Closed (Teacher Work Day)
Liberty Middle School PTA
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Protect After-School Programs:
Dear Parents,
We are writing to you today with serious concerns about a proposed budget reduction for FY2026 that could eliminate funding for the Middle School After-School (MSAS) program in all 27 Fairfax County middle schools, as well as all middle school Value In Prevention (VIP) summer camp programs. These vital programs provide a safe, supervised learning environment for our children after the school day ends as well as for five weeks every summer. Their elimination would have a significant negative impact on our community.
The MSAS program, funded by the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and administered by FCPS, offers invaluable support to students. Running five days a week, with late bus transportation provided four days a week, MSAS provides a structured and enriching alternative to unsupervised time. Studies consistently demonstrate that students who participate in after-school programs like the MSAS experience numerous benefits, including:
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Improved Academic Performance: After-school programs include academic support and enrichment opportunities, leading to better grades and test scores.
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Increased School Attendance: Students involved in after-school activities are more likely to attend school regularly.
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Improved Behavior: Structured after-school programs contribute to improved behavior and fewer disciplinary issues.
For many families, MSAS is a crucial resource that allows parents to work knowing their children are in a safe and productive environment. Eliminating MSAS would leave a significant gap in care and supervision and opportunities for many middle school students. All activities that happen after the school day dismissal bell are encompassed in the current after school program. Intramural Sports, Performing Arts rehearsals, after school tutoring and homework help, teacher office hours, and many enrichment activities like College Career & Exploration, Science Olympiad, TSA, Mathcounts, NJHS, and Model UN would all go away.
We understand the need for budget considerations, but cutting such beneficial programs would have far-reaching consequences for our children and our community. We urge you to take action to protect these vital resources immediately.
Please contact your Fairfax County Supervisor and School Board members immediately to express your support for the MSAS program. Let them know how important this program is to your family and the positive impact it has on your child's academic, social, and emotional well-being.
You can find contact information for your representatives on the Fairfax County website: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/myneighborhood/
Time is of the essence. Decisions about the FY2026 budget are being made NOW. Your voice matters. Please act today to ensure that our middle school students continue to have access to the valuable support and opportunities provided by the MSAS program.
Public participation is encouraged by the Board of Supervisors, and residents are invited to provide input through public hearings and community discussions before the final budget adoption in May. Each Magisterial District has scheduled public hearings and County-wide after-school Budget public hearings are scheduled for Tuesday through Thursday, April 22-24, with final budget adoption scheduled for May 13.
BUDGET TOWN HALL MEETINGS
INCLUDE THE APPROPRIATE DISTRICTS IN YOUR LETTER
Providence Budget Town Halls
March 10, 7 p.m. - Jim Scott Community Center, 3001 Vaden Drive, Facebook Live Stream
March 24, 6 p.m. - Spanish Budget Roundtable (Channel 16)
Sully Budget Town Hall
March 10, 7 p.m. - Rocky Run Lecture Hall
Braddock Budget Town Hall
March 11, 7 p.m. - Channel 16
Hunter Mill Budget Town Halls
March 12, 7 p.m. - North County Government Center, Community Room, Facebook Live Stream
March 19, 7 p.m. - Teams meeting, recording available on YouTube
Springfield Budget Town Hall
March 25, 7 p.m. - Channel 16
Mason District Budget Town Hall
March 26, 6 p.m. - Channel 16
Dranesville District Budget Meetings
March 28, 6 p.m. - McLean Community Center
April 2, 7 p.m. - Herndon High School
Franconia District Budget Town Hall
April 1, 7 p.m. - Channel 16
Staff Wishlist of the Month:
Please consider supporting our educators by purchasing items from their classroom wish lists:
Events Coming Up:
 Spelling Bee Contest
Congrats to the students who took the written test last Friday! The Oral test is scheduled for Thursday March 6th at 6:30 PM- Good luck!
The PTA is Raising Funds to Help Clear Student Debt
If you would like to contribute toward helping clear up some of our students debt accounts (lunch, instrument rentals, field trips, etc.) please do so by donating here: https://libertylions.givebacks.com/store/items/1042098
Join Us for our Next Meeting:
Shop our Limited Edition Spirit Wear until March 15th
Support our Liberty Lions!
Click here to shop or scan the QR code from the picture.
Staff Volleyball Game- TBD
More information to come….
Eighth Grade Celebration- June 10th
We'll soon be reaching out for donations and volunteers to help make this event a success!
Not a PTA Member Yet?
Stay Connected and Follow us on Social Media:
 
PTA Sponsors:
After-School Program
We are happy to welcome back our After-School Specialist, Sandy Donlon, after an extended leave from Liberty. For information about the Liberty After-School Program, please reach out to her at sldonlon@fcps.edu or 703-988-8230. There will be a separate After-School “News You Choose” going out next week to families sharing the 2nd Semester(3rd quarter) schedules, information about our MS Sports Track and Field program, and exciting news about activities and events happening in the next semester.
This week in After-School…
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Tuesday, January 28th – No After-School Program, End of Quarter
- Wednesday, January 29th – Student Holiday-Teacher Work Day
Integrated Reading & Writing Test (IRW)
Integrated Reading & Writing Test (IRW): All 8th grade students will be taking the IRW on Wednesday, March 19th. Liberty will be operating on an adjusted bell schedule to accommodate testing. Seventh graders will have an extended 1st period.
Virtual Parent Café
Virtual Parent Café: Social Media Panel for Teens and Parents on Tuesday, March 11 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm.
Parents and their teenagers please join us for a panel discussion featuring young adults sharing their experiences navigating social media when they were teenagers. Panelists will discuss lessons learned about social media, the positive and negative impacts on their wellbeing, and what they thought their parents did well, or did not do well in monitoring their social media access. There will be time for questions and further discussion.
Join online via Microsoft Teams:https://bit.ly/4hBnRli
For more information, please contact BuildingStrongerFamilies@FairfaxCounty.gov or call 703-324-7720
Ramadan Cafe
As we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances throughout the year, we are pleased to provide accommodations, including spaces for lunch, prayer/meditation, and silent reflection during Ramadan .
We have reserved a supervised calming space at Liberty during all lunches for students who are in observance of Ramadam. If your student would like to use this space, please have them complete the linked Google Form. This form will also be available on your students Schoology account beginning February 27th or through their Unity Time teacher.
Please note that students must complete the Google Form to access this space.
Thank you for your continued support.
Monday, February 24 - Friday, February 28th
Public Schools Week is an annual celebration that brings together school leaders, educators, parents & community leaders to recognize the importance of our nation’s public schools.
VDH Immunization Packets for Rising 7th Graders
As required by the Code of Virginia, parents or legal guardians need to provide proof of immunizations for their child to attend public school. All students entering seventh grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations:
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older.
- Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older.
- A complete series of 2 doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parents/guardians sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with their child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. If your child does not have a health care provider, please visit the FCPS Immunizations Resource page to find out where to get an immunization.
Please review the Virginia Department of Health Information Packet for more information on rising 7th grade immunization requirements.
Free GMU Men’s Basketball Team Student Tickets:
Parents can use this LINK to register to receive free student tickets for the final two regular season games on February 26 and March 5.
Liberty Library Amazon Wishlist:
Please consider helping the Liberty Library by purchasing off our Amazon wish list. Students love to use these items in the library makerspace and during lunches. Additionally, if you have MagnaTiles or PicassoTiles that your family is no longer using, I would love them for the library!
Click here for Amazon Wishlist!
Materials Review Committee
We are seeking parent volunteers to serve on our Materials Review Committee. Committee members will read or watch the texts that teachers submit for approval to ensure that it is age appropriate for students. We will also meet monthly to discuss the texts prior to completing the required forms.
Please reach out to Maggie Wickham at mpwickham@fcps.edu if interested in serving on the committee this year.
Student Services Team:
 (From left to right: Shirley Alvarez-Leon, Liberty Counselor, Rachel Lee, Liberty Counselor, Valerie Peters, Director of Student Services, Raychal Hart, Lead Liberty Counselor, Scott Steele, Liberty Counselor.)
Free and Reduced-Price Meals:
Learn more about the criteria and process to apply for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.
If you have children eligible for the federal Free and Reduced-Price Meals program, they may also be eligible to participate in other Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) fee-based programs without paying a fee or by paying a reduced fee (e.g fees associated with elective classes).
To learn more and apply online click here : https://www.fcps.edu/frm
The free and reduced-price meals application also includes a section where you provide consent to share information allowing FCPS staff (School Principal, school counselors and other FCPS program staff) to share information about your children's meal eligibility status.
Information received by FCPS staff will only be used for the purposes described in the application.
Questions or Concerns?
If you have any questions regarding resources like food and family assistance, please contact Sarah Hughes, School Social Worker at shughes@fcps.edu or visit our Social Worker Page.
Helpful Resources
LMS Administrative Team
Principal: Adam Erbrecht | AWErbrecht@fcps.edu
Assistant Principal: Gregory Hall | GHall3@fcps.edu
Assistant Principal: Jennifer Filsinger | JLFilsinger@fcps.edu
Assistant Principal: Sarah Letina | SCLetina@fcps.edu
Director of Student Services: Valerie Peters | VCPeters@fcps.edu
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