Liberty ESD Budget Measure on the Ballot

Four-Day School Week Forums

Last year, as a result of failing to pass the budget override, the Liberty Elementary School District Governing Board explored potential cost saving measures. One idea was changing to a four-day school week. After surveying staff and families, it was clear this idea garnered initial support regardless of how much money it saved. For that reason, combined with the potential to better recruit teachers in a nationwide shortage, the idea was further explored.

A working committee was established and is close to wrapping up its four meetings, with the goal of preparing information, studying research, developing four-day plan options, and summarizing pros and cons for implementing a four-day school week.  

The working committee's research and planning will be presented in public forums from 6-7 p.m. at the following locations/dates:

• October 4: Blue Horizons Elementary
• October 5: Virtual meeting
• October 6: Rainbow Valley Elementary

Additionally, the working committee's planning and information will be shared by email with all staff and parents. A survey will be administered to gather input and final recommendations from all stakeholders. Following the public forums and collection of survey data, an agenda item will be posted in late October for the Governing Board to consider taking action to approve or not approve a four-day school week for SY2023.

To view videos and notes of previous committee meetings on this topic, please click here. 

New Preschool Opens

Thanks to grant money and support from the Liberty Elementary School District Governing Board, preschool has officially expanded in the Liberty District. Starting Monday, August 22, Liberty expanded to include an inclusive preschool, where children with and without disabilities learn and play together.

Up until this point, Liberty had three developmental preschools that served students with special needs. This new inclusive program gives children with disabilities time to learn and practice their skills with typically developing peers.

“I think families will get opportunities that they will not be able to get elsewhere,” said Kay Hamrick, Executive Director of Special Services for Liberty. Public school districts in Arizona are required by law to provide preschool services for children aged 3-5 who meet state eligibility criteria because they are experiencing developmental delays. However, this new inclusive preschool will provide a unique experience for families who want it.

“It builds an inclusive environment, which is representative of the real world,” said Hamrick. Prior to this school year, Liberty Elementary School District’s three developmental preschools were spaced out across the district. With the addition of the inclusive preschool, all four programs are now housed at Liberty Elementary School in Buckeye.

“Liberty will now have all the teachers to work together, to train together, to plan together, so that they have a nice cohort to support each other,” said Hamrick.

There is a waiting list for the inclusive preschool, but as the program grows, it’s the hope of the district that the inclusive preschool will expand to other campuses across the district. Currently, the Liberty Elementary Preschool program operates a half-day program, four days a week.  The AM session provides 4-year-olds with a Kindergarten readiness program. The PM session provides 3-year-olds with play-based exploration of learning skills.

Liberty Involved in Southwest Valley Safety Coalition

Liberty Elementary School District is collaborating with other Southwest Valley school districts to ensure staff, students and families are well-educated on safety during the school year.

Liberty is part of a new Southwest Valley Safety Coalition, which will help educate staff, students and community members on protocols, practices, drills and information to stay safe during a crisis situation.

The first of its kind coalition in the Southwest Valley, Liberty is collaborating with first responders and working with local and national resources to enhance protocols and raise awareness about safety measures in our community.

The mission is to ensure the entire community around a school is informed on procedures and can collaborate with stakeholders to be prepared for unprecedented events. Liberty joins Agua Fria High School District, Avondale Elementary School District, and Litchfield Elementary School District, as part of this coalition. The goal is to meet and communicate on an ongoing basis with staff and families, along with educating students throughout the year.

School Meals Reminder

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Gifted Testing

Liberty Elementary School District is taking advantage of this screening opportunity and will offer the universal screener to all second grade students this school year, in addition to the universal CogAT kindergarten screener. 

Since all kindergarten and second grade students will be assessed using CogAT, they will not be eligible for other gifted testing rounds.

The dates of the kindergarten and second grade screeners are listed below:

• Grade 2: December 7 - 14
• Kinder: March 27 - 31

College Savings
Essay Contest

It's no secret that the cost of college continues to increase. But there's a unique opportunity to get a head start on saving. The State of Arizona is holding an essay contest for all 5th graders.

Students have to answer the question, "What is your dream job and how do you plan on achieving it in the future?" Winners will be given $529 toward an AZ529 Education Savings Plan.

For rules and more specifics, click here. Entries are accepted through October 2. 

Learning About 9/11

At Liberty, we have long valued the importance of history. A state law that goes into effect this year requires all public schools in Arizona to teach about the history of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

"We have an obligation to teach our children about the events and ideas that made us who we are as a nation. On that day, we faced an attack on who we are and what we stand for: democracy, liberty and freedom. We’re going to ensure future generations of Arizonans never forget how those values were defended on Sept. 11, 2001," said Arizona Governor Doug Ducey.

The video above shows Westar Elementary's school-wide observance of 9/11. Students created a chain link with names of the victims, which they displayed on the school's fence. Students also recited poetry and observed a moment of silence.

Start of Athletics

Liberty's Finest Recognized

The Liberty Elementary School District is proud to announce that two of its employees were recently recognized as winners of The Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce Community Awards. Kendra Goodere was named Educator of the Year, and Deb Cooper was named Education Support Staff Member of the Year.

Goodere, who’s been with the district for more than two decades, was chosen for the way she “understands the needs of students, encourages their talents and fosters their self-esteem.” Promoted this year to instructional coach at Liberty Elementary School, she also continues to serve as a physical education teacher. Goodere is beloved by families and co-workers alike, and Buckeye is truly home for her. Goodere grew up in Buckeye, she has been raising her own family in Buckeye, and is now inspiring future leaders of the city. 

Deb Cooper is an assistant mechanic and bus driver for Liberty Elementary School District. She was chosen for this award for “demonstrating outstanding leadership and maximizing the resources available to support educators and students.” Deb’s normal responsibilities include repairs and maintenance for the school district’s fleet. However, last year, due to a shortage of bus drivers, she was driving kids to and from school daily in addition to her other duties.

“To make your life easier, I’ll help you out… if I can help out I’ll do it. That’s just how I am,” said Cooper in a recent interview.

Liberty is grateful for all of its wonderful employees. It’s always nice to see remarkable staff recognized for the wonderful work they do.