January 2017 Volume 11, Issue 4

Liberty Middle School

1612 NE Garfield . Camas, WA 98607 http://schools.camas.wednet.edu/liberty

Gary MollerPrincipal, Ext. 78433

Stephen BaranowskiAssociate Principal,

Ext. 79183

Nicole O’RourkeDean of Students, Ext. 79999

Bob FosterAthletic Director, Ext. 78187

Annie SumpterAdministrative Asst.,

Ext. 78123

Melissa McGuffinFiscal Secretary, Ext. 78125

Gail SoohooRegistrar, Ext. 78047

Taunya StanbrookAthletics & Activities

Secretary,Ext 79919

Donna FullmerHealth Assistant, Ext. 78502

Molly Ndoloum, RN, MSNHealth Services, Ext. 75746

Emily FitchA-L Counselor, Ext. 75516

Billie Jo McEathronM-Z Counselor, Ext. 78128

Glenn HartmanIntervention Specialist,

Ext. 78407

From our Administration…

Whether you look for the negative or look for the positive, you’ll find what you are looking for.

Too often, it is poor behavior and poor decisions that catch our attention, and these must not go unnoticed and unaddressed. But if we want to encourage acts of kindness and responsible choices, then it is important to recognize and reinforce the many ways in which our Liberty Lions show their PRIDE everyday at school and with each other. Building a positive school culture and supportive community have always been important at Liberty Middle School. We believe that when students know they are cared for as individuals and valued as essential members of the larger community, their potential to learn and achieve is limitless.

This year, the leadership team is focusing even more closely on helping students connect meaningfully with each other, the school, and their communities by introducing Restorative Practices (described in the November Newsletter) as an aspect of the disciplinary process, bringing in character and leadership guest speakers geared toward students (described in the December Newsletter), and offering professional development around these areas for school staff. The excitement around our focus this year has also led to a refinement of the existing PBIS program.

As a nationwide program, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) was first developed in the 1980s as a way of identifying and implementing successful behavior intervention strategies with students needing specific support; but for the last 16 years, it has evolved into a school-wide system that supports all staff in developing curriculum, instructional strategies, and reinforcement of positive behaviors among students. If we want students to learn how to calculate mathematical equations, or read music, or write an essay, we teach them explicitly how to do these things and we show them what success looks like so they know they’ve got it. PBIS operates from the same principle - if we want kids to be responsible, respectful, and safe, we need to explicitly teach them and show them what success looks like.

At Liberty, teachers deliver lessons and guide activities for students in their advisory classes that focus on positive behaviors in a variety of environments and situations. Students are then asked to monitor and assess their behaviors: Are they respectful, responsible, and safe? And what do those positive behaviors look like in the commons, or the

Liberty Middle School . 1612 NE Garfield . (360) 833-5850 Page �2

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

Monday, January 16, 2017

classroom, or in school assemblies? Throughout Liberty, you can see laminated posters hanging in the hallways, locker rooms, commons, gymnasium, and classrooms with specific examples of respectful, responsible, and safe behaviors. The positive phrasing of these expectations helps students and staff focus on what they should do, rather than on what they shouldn’t.

Another component to a successful school-wide PBIS program is having a means of affirming positive student behaviors in the form of a conversation and something tangible. This year, we have introduced PRIDE Tickets and PRIDE Mart. Every staff member has personalized pads of tickets with the words: “Mrs. [staff name] thanks you for being a positive respectful individual demonstrating excellence.” When a student is witnessed doing something that exemplifies the excellence in service to others, the staff member commends the student for their specific behavior and awards them a PRIDE Ticket. These tickets can then be redeemed for pens, snacks, Liberty spirit gear, and other items at the PRIDE Mart, which is held in the commons during lunch every other Wednesday. Students have also been nominating each other to receive PRIDE Tickets when they themselves have witnessed positive behavior.

When we look for excellence, we are bound to find it - and it is all around us at Liberty Middle School. Students holding open the front doors in the morning and greeting those who enter; a group of six grade boys approaching a new student and eating lunch with him; a seventh grade volleyball player picking up abandoned drink containers after a game; a sixth grade girl recruiting students to form a club focused solely on serving others; and an eighth grader deciding to be kind to everyone, no matter who they are, and following through with it. These are just a few examples of the great things we see at Liberty everyday and they affirm what we already know - that it is truly an honor to work with such positive, respectful, excellent individuals.

Go Lions!

Nicole O’Rourke, Dean of Students

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Tues, Jan. 3rd 3-4:00pm: Writing Club (Every Tuesday) - Library

Tues, Jan. 3rd 3:15pm: 7/8 Girls’ Basketball Tryouts - Gyms

Tues, Jan. 3rd 7-9:00pm: Science Olympiad (Every Tuesday) - Rm. 306/303

Wed, Jan. 4th Lunches: Clothes Closet Open!

Wed, Jan. 4th 2:50pm: Staff Meeting - Library

Wed, Jan. 4th 2:55-3:55pm: Interact Club (Every Wednesday) - Rm. 113

Wed, Jan. 4th 3:15pm: Ed Tech Drop-In Support (M. Johnson) - Library

Wed, Jan. 4th 3:15pm: 7/8 Girls’ Basketball Tryouts - Gyms

Wed, Jan. 4th 6-8:00pm: Science Olympiad (Every Wednesday) - Rm. 306/303

Thurs, Jan. 5th 2:00pm: P.R.I.D.E. Talks (Every Thursday)- Learning Center (Rm 505)

Thurs, Jan. 5th 2:50-3:50pm: Astronomy Club (Every Thursday) - Library

Thurs, Jan. 5th 2:50-3:50pm: Magic Club (Every Thursday) - Library

Thurs, Jan. 5th 2:50-3:50pm: Coding Club (Every Thursday) - 3rd St. Computer Lab

Thurs, Jan. 5th 3:15pm: 7/8 Girls’ Basketball Tryouts - Gyms

Fri, Jan. 6th Lunches: Spirit Shack is Open! (Every Friday) - Commons

Fri, Jan. 6th 3-4:00pm: Game Night (Every Friday) - Library

Mon, Jan. 9th 2:00pm: NJHS Meeting (Every Monday)- Commons

Mon, Jan. 9th 2:45-4:00pm: Science Olympiad (Every Monday) - Rm 306/303

Mon, Jan. 9th 3-4:00pm: Crochet Club (Every Monday) - Library

Tues, Jan. 10th 7:00pm: *Rescheduled* Liberty Choir Concert - Gym

Wed, Jan. 11th 7:00pm: *Rescheduled* Liberty Band Concert - CHS Theater

Thurs, Jan. 12th 5-6:00pm: Sexual Health Curriculum Night - Rm. 117

Mon, Jan. 16th: Martin Luther King Day - NO SCHOOL!

Mon, Jan. 30th: Grading Day - NO SCHOOL!

Wed. & Thurs, Feb. 8th & 9th: LATE START - Doors Open at 9:45am

Fri, Feb. 17th: Inclement Weather Make up day - SCHOOL IN SESSION!

Upcoming Events

Liberty Middle School . 1612 NE Garfield . (360) 833-5850 Page �4

ALL SCHOOL MUSICAL AUDITIONS FOR

The Wizard of Oz COMING SOON!

BREAK A LEG EVERYONE!!!

Levy Presentation & PBL Tour at a Joint PTO Meeting

(Skyridge PTO, Liberty PTO, and the new Project-Based Learning Program PTO)

Wed, January 25th from 6:30-8:00pm at the Project Based Learning site (near Sharp Labs)

5780 Pacific Rim Blvd We’ll hear about the upcoming Camas Schools replacement levy

for technology and maintenance & operations, tour the new school, and share news with the other groups.

All are welcome to attend. We’d love to see you!

Please

join us!

Liberty Middle School . 1612 NE Garfield . (360) 833-5850 Page �5

Dear Parent/Legal Guardian:

The Camas School District adopted sexual health curriculum, “Family Life and Sexual Health (F.L.A.S.H.)” will take place during the health portion of your students health and fitness classes between March 6 and April 28 (7th/8th grade) and May 1 and June 16th (6th grade). This adopted curriculum complies with the state standards and law, which states that curriculum must “be medically accurate and include both abstinence and other contraceptive information” (ESSB 5297). The following are accurate depictions of the content that will be presented during this health unit.

• Health teachers will provide information about both the benefits of abstinence as well as medically accurate information about contraception.

• Health teachers emphasize that abstinence is the only 100% effective method of avoiding pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections but 8th grade students will learn about correct condom use.

• Information that is taught is medically and scientifically accurate and comes from a district adopted and state endorsed curriculum.

• Information is age and gender appropriate. •

Health and Fitness teacher will be presenting the main curriculum goals and learning targets at our Sexual Health Curriculum Night January 12th from 5-6 p.m. in room 117.

After January 12th the curriculum will be available for parent/guardian preview. If you would like an opportunity to preview the F.L.A.S.H. curriculum materials please make an appointment with the Liberty main office (833-5850) to schedule a convenient time. This enables you and your child to have meaningful family discussions before, during and after the curriculum is delivered. Below we have included a basic outline of the goals of our curriculum. We look forward to being partners with you in your child’s human growth and development education. Feel free to call or e-mail your students health and fitness teacher if you have any questions.

Parents who wish to have their child OPT OUT from the F.L.A.S.H curriculum must review the materials and sign a release form. Release forms will be available in the Liberty office. An assignment will be given for the student to complete in the library during regularly scheduled health class days. This assignment will take the place of the grades earned in class.

Curriculum Goals

6th grade: Videos: “That’s’ a Family”, “You, your body and Puberty” • Various types of families and support systems, differences and similarities in families, importance of family. • Basic anatomy and physiology of the reproductive systems. • Decision making • Clearly defining sexual exploitation and abuse • Identify and understand the physical, social and emotional changes in their bodies. • Overview of HIV/AIDS; what it is, myths, how it’s spread, how to keep yourself safe.

7th grade: Video: “Thinking about Abstinence” • Review of anatomy and physiology of the reproductive systems. • Review of HIV/AIDS prevention. • Fetal Development and pregnancy • Communication skills

8th grade: • Review of HIV/AIDS prevention. • In depth review of sexually transmitted infections. • Contraceptive methods • Correct use of condoms (teacher demo only) • Understanding the possible physical, emotional and social outcomes of sexual relationships including parenthood • Understanding Risky Behaviors • Communication skills

Liberty Middle School . 1612 NE Garfield . (360) 833-5850 Page �6

For students in grades: 6-8

Join Liberty Middle School Spanish teacher, Jillane Baros, at an after school Community Ed. class. Come enjoy a good story while learning to listen, read, write and

speak Spanish in a fun environment. New students accepted anytime.

Day: Tuesday & Thursday (no school – no class) Time: 2:50-3:45 PM Date: January 3-31 $90 #2079-17 Date: February 2-28 $80 #2086-17 Date: March 2-30 $90 #2088-17 Date: April 11-27 $60 #2089-17 Location: Liberty Middle School, room 202 Teacher: Jillane Baros, CSD Middle School Spanish teacher

Payment is required on the first class of every month. Return bottom portion � ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Student’s Name:

Parent’s Name:

Youth Info: School: Grade:

Phone: # Phone #

Email Address:

Medical information:

Code Class Title Fee

# Community Ed Spanish Class – Liberty $

$

Total Enclosed: $

has my permission to participate in this CCE activity. I understand the Camas Community Education program does not provide insurance. I certify that my child is physically and mentally able to participate in this activity. I will communicate my child’s potential medical/medication needs with staff. I, intending to be legally bound, waive and release my rights and claims for damages I may accrue against any and all sponsors of this activity. I understand my child’s image may be used for promotional purposes for CCE and/or the CSD.

Signature: Date:

Register online, mail or drop payment off at Camas Community Education, 841 NE 22nd Ave, Camas, WA 98607 Online registration is available at CamasCommunityEd.org. 3.5% convenience fee applies to online payments only.

Registration Form Camas Community Ed. - 841 NE 22nd Avenue, Camas, WA 98607 (360) 833.5544

Liberty Middle School . 1612 NE Garfield . (360) 833-5850 Page �7

Camas STEM Event for Females Science � Technology � Engineering � Mathematics

Join our team for a fun, informative, interactive day of STEM

activities and presentations. The goal of this event is to engage young females in the exciting possibilities of a career in a STEM field.

There is a maximum of 250 students accepted. Please register by Wednesday, January 18th or before.

Who: Camas School District Females, Grades 5-8 When: Saturday, January 21st, 2017 Time: 8:30 AM to1:40 PM Fee: $10 per student by January 18th at 2:00 PM

$20 per student January 18th after 2:00 PM Code: #2087-17 Location: Camas High School Commons

For more information call Camas Community Ed at (360)833-5544

Cut Here � ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————--

Students Name:

School: Grade: Age:

Dietary Restrictions?

Number 1-4 the Sessions you are Interested in # Animal Science # Biomedical # Computer Science # Engineering

T-shirts come in youth or adult sizes. Please check one: � YM � YL � YXL � AS � AM � AL

Parents Name:

Phone: # Phone #

Address: City/Zip:

Email Address:

Total Enclosed: $ has my permission to participate in this CCE activity. I understand the Community Education pro-gram does not provide insurance. I certify that my child is physically and mentally able to participate in this activity. I, intending to be legally bound, waive and release my rights and claims for damages I may accrue against any and all sponsors of this activity. I understand my child’s image may be used for CCE and CSD promotional purposes. Parent/Guardian Signature: Date:

Office Use: Cask/Check#: Entered by:

Class Code Class Title Fee

#2087-17 Camas Girls STEM Event $

Mail Registration Form to: Camas Community Ed, 841 NE 22nd Avenue, Camas, WA 98607