Copy
Fall is here! In this issue of our parent newsletter, we cover what's new, what's coming up, and what you need to know as we go through October and approach Thanksgiving.

Also, have you signed up to receive text message alerts from Liberty ESD? If not, you could be missing out on important news and alerts. Instructions on how to sign up can be found here or at the bottom of this newsletter.

And don't forget to follow us on all of our social media platforms and website. Just click the links below!
Facebook Facebook
Instagram Instagram
Twitter Twitter
LESD Homepage LESD Homepage

Liberty ESD Budget Measure on the Ballot

Good information from Superintendent Lori Shough on the facts of the district's upcoming budget override election.
Learn More / Español

Four-Day School Week Public Hearings

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 in the spring, 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 met four times, 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.  

A list of those pros and cons can be found here.

The working committee's research and planning was presented in public forums October 4 - October 6. Additionally, a survey was administered to gather input and final recommendations from all stakeholders. The data from that survey will be presented publicly for the first time during the October 24 Governing Board meeting.

The Governing Board will consider taking action to approve or not approve a four-day school week for SY2023 in their November 14 meeting.

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

Student ID Badges

We are excited to finally have our new ID badges for students.  Student ID badges assist with safety and security on campus, which is always a top priority.  Students are required to have their identification badge at school each day and wear it so that it is visible at all times during the school day. 

We recognize that wearing an ID badge at school each day is an adjustment for students, but there are many benefits to wearing ID badges for both students and staff.  Some benefits include increased efficiencies in many areas of campus. 

  • LIBRARY: Students will be required to scan IDs to check out books or technology items

  • LUNCH: Students will be required to scan IDs while going through lunch line

  • SAFETY: Badges help with security, so we can easily know and keep track of who’s on campus.

  • TRANSPORTATION: Students utilizing district transportation will be required to have IDs present to scan while boarding and leaving district vehicles

  • TARDIES: Students will scan IDs to log the time they arrive at school to be counted for attendance

The District will provide one student identification badge at no cost. Replacement badges will be provided for a $5.00 fee. 

Please show your support by talking with your student about the purpose and benefits of student ID badges, as well as the expectation of wearing their ID badge at all times while on school grounds and district transportation.  With anything new, it will require new habits. We are asking for your help to create some routines at home that can help your child be ready for school each day with his or her badge and other materials needed for school.  Routines will help to ensure that ID badges return with students to school each and every day.  

Thank you for your collaboration and partnership in keeping our schools the safest and most appropriate learning environment possible for all students.

Get to Know Rainbow Valley

Each one of Liberty Elementary School District's seven schools has something unique to offer. In this newsletter, get to know Rainbow Valley. This community school values its history and its mission to help each student find the leader inside themselves.

Thanksgiving Meals

We are excited to continue the Liberty Elementary School District tradition of offering Thanksgiving-style meals to our students and families. It's a great opportunity to come together and enjoy a nice meal. For current Liberty ESD students, the cost is the same as a standard school lunch. For visiting children, the cost is $2.65. For adults, the cost is $3.50. The schedule for our schools is below:

  • November 4 - Freedom

  • November 10 - Westar and Estrella

  • November 17 - Liberty and Blue Horizons

  • November 18 - Rainbow Valley and Las Brisas Academy

Liberty Day Contest

On September 21, more than a century ago, Liberty Elementary School District held its very first day of school. To honor that day, on September 21 of this year, the district held the Liberty Day Essay Contest, asking 'What does Liberty mean to you?'

The question was open to interpretation and some students wrote about the concept of liberty. Others wrote about the school district. One winner from each school was chosen and many PTOs rewarded their school's winner with a small gift card. Congratulations to all of our winners, and thank you to all participants.

Academic Celebrations

Liberty Elementary School District uses the program Achieve 3000 as a supplemental online literacy program. It provides reading content to students in grades 3-8 and focuses on building phonics, fluency, reading comprehension, vocabulary and writing skills.

Based on the Achieve 3000 data from September, our students made substantial Lexile level growth from the start of the month to the end of it.

For our students in grades 3-5, a growth of 100 points is equivalent to an entire year's expected growth. For students in grades 6-8, a growth of 60 to 70 points indicates the same thing.

Teacher consistency and high expectations are visibly impacting our students' reading in a positive way. Below are our September district grade-level winners:

  • GRADE 3 - Jacqueline Crane at Liberty
    • Average September Lexile growth +172
  • GRADE 4 - Denise Murphy at Rainbow Valley 
    • Average September Lexile growth +126
  • GRADE 5 - Gina Sanchez - Rainbow Valley
    • Average September Lexile growth +58
  • GRADE 6 - Jeff Daugherty - Estrella Mountain
    • Average September Lexile growth +32
  • GRADE 7 - Jennifer Esposito - Liberty 
    • Average September Lexile growth +37
  • GRADE 8 - Jeff Daugherty - Estrella Mountain
    • Average September Lexile growth +28

Building CHAMPS

A recap of CHAMPS Night at Estrella Mountain Elementary School.

A huge thank you to all who attended the CHAMPS Nights at several of our schools. These were great events, showcasing the wonderful work being done in our art, music and physical education programs.

Are You Getting Our Texts?

Have you signed up to receive text message alerts from Liberty ESD? If not, you could be missing out on important news and alerts. Instructions on how to sign up can be found here or below.
Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Forward Forward
view this email in your browser
Copyright © 2022 Liberty Elementary School District, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp