Third grade teacher Karina Smith said, “The most special part of creation is man. God made us in His image. People can think, love, and worship.” 

When the students were learning about the eye and its parts, Super Science teacher Jennifer Shoopman brought in real sheep eyes for the children to dissect and explore. Students were allowed to cut the eyeball, which was much harder than they expected it to be, and felt the hard lens and sifted through the rods and cones. Students saw that some of these sheep had poor eyesight, as their lenses were covered with cataract tissue. 

“It was a great hands-on extension of what we were exploring in our classroom,” Smith said. “It was so great to see the inner parts of the eye and how it helped the children grasp what was really inside their own eyes. The scripture in Psalm 139:14 came to life that says, ‘I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’”  

Third grader Claudia Robinson added, “My favorite part of the dissection of the sheep eye was holding it. I saw the lens, pupil, clear jelly, and a pretty blue color that were the rods and cones. I learned a lot of things. It was fun and gross all at the same time!”

Third grader Parker Ford said, “It was so much fun. Some girls might think it’s gross, but not me! I love eyeballs. I want to do it again. My favorite part was taking it apart.”

Third grader Wyatt Chappel said, “This experiment was awesome! I love Super Science!”

“I want my students to experience the joy that playing a musical instrument provides,” he said.

Racina teaches in the music lab, where students are provided a piano keyboard that is connected to a computer filled with exceptional music software. Each student is guided through the “Children’s Music Journey” and “Piano Suite.”

The Mozart Effect asserts, “In an instant, music can uplift our soul. It awakens within us the spirit of prayer, compassion, and love. It clears our minds and has been known to make us smarter.” 

Music is a valued part of culture; it is a birthright of every child. In addition, learning music in school contributes to student achievement in four important categories: 

• Success in society
• Success in school and learning   
• Success in developing intelligence
• Success in life 

Recently one of Racina’s first grade students, Julia Howell, asked if she could play “Heart and Soul” in class.  

“She played so well that I asked her to play for the entire class,” he explained. “Her sense of rhythm was so awesome that I couldn’t wait to pick up my flute and jam along with her.” 

Racina is grateful to those who made the music lab a reality. In his lab, students have fun learning the fundamentals of music while moving through the material at their own rate of speed. 

“Every so often, students hear me perform for them on my clarinet, saxophone, or flute. Students who take piano lessons are also encouraged to play for their classmates,” he said.  

At Liberty, we are interested in the whole child. Our Fine Arts program will continue to be strong because it develops our students intellectually, spiritually, and relationally so that they will succeed at Liberty and beyond.

After the students listened to these selections, they answered questions like, “What song lit a fire in my heart?” and “What song touched my feelings and made me happy or sad?” 

Students then had time to listen to worship music and write a prayer request or a prayer of thanksgiving to God for what He has done in their lives. 

“The students’ reactions were priceless,” said Lower School Fine Arts teacher Christy Besett. “The creativity shown from their artwork and the sincerity and depth of their letters to God glorified Him.”

Student responses included: 

• “Dear God, thank you for giving your only Son and all He went through for us all. I love you so much.”
• “Dear God, we all lift you up and praise you. Thank you for everything you have done for us. I hope everyone follows your path. We love you, Lord. Thank you for a roof over my head, food on our table, a house, a bed, and clothes.”
• “Dear God, I love you so much! Thank you for loving and helping me through all of the tough times. When I’m said, I pray and think of you, Lord! You are my Savior. I trust in you! Thank you for loving me and blessing me. Thank you for my family. Thank you for my school where I can pray to you. You are my everything.”
• “I’m sorry for my sins. I thank you for dying on the cross for me. I love you.” 

Besett said this exercise was a powerful lesson in music. 

She said, “Music penetrates our soul, mind, and spirit on every level. An increased awareness of this fact adds so much to the richness of life, recognizing the blessing of music as a gift in our own lives and in our relationship with God. Every perfect gift is from Him. 

“This was a memorable lesson, and another testimony of the power of music. To God be the glory.”

“This year marks the seventh for the program, but it was Liberty’s first year to participate,” said Mandy Welton, Lower School art teacher. 

“We spent two class days working on four- and five-pointed pinwheels, and on the International Day of Peace, students chose where to display their pinwheels in the Lower School hallway as a symbol of peace.” 

Welton talked to her class about how to find ultimate peace, which is through Jesus. 

“In John 14:27, the Bible says, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid,’ and this verse of Jesus’ is a great verse to learn and apply early in our lives,” she said. 

Interesting to note is that the symbol for the International Day of Peace is a dove. When Christians think of a dove, they are reminded of Mark 1:9–11 that says, “At the time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” 

Students received individual certificates to show their participation in the event.

Pinwheels for Peace is an art installation project started in 2005 by two art teachers from Coconut Creek, Fla., as a way for their students to express their feelings about the events in the world and in their lives. The project was quickly embraced by their students and the entire school community and by millions of art teachers, teachers, parents, children and adults who desire peace in the world. 

Welton said, “I plan to make this project a yearly tradition with my fifth grade students.”

Students built rockets, explored reptiles, and saw gravity in action through zip lines. They were challenged in ropes courses and encouraged spiritually through devotionals and praise and worship.

“I absolutely love teaching science to our youngest generation,” said Shepherd. “In my class, we explore our world and enjoy hands-on experiments to inspire our students to love science.” 

In this new class to ECE, Super Science seeks to expand students’ understanding of science and provide them with a solid foundation. 

“I pray Super Science will be a fun and interesting time that the children will look forward to throughout the year,” she said. “I want them to begin to look at all of God’s creations as intricate and beautiful aspects of life.”   

Some of the science concepts she is teaching to preschoolers and pre-kindergartners include: 

• Magnets – exhibit items that are attracted and not attracted to magnets, which helps children learn characteristics of magnetic items.
• Blow the Man Down – show students how air is real and takes up space, even though it cannot be seen or touched.
• Egg in a Bottle – display to students how air pressure works
• Dancing Raisins – demonstrate what carbon dioxide is and what happens when it is created
• Volcano Creations – show how different substances react when added together
• Sink and Float – describe the properties of flotation and absorption
• Swirling Colors – reveal how colors mix together to make new colors, which helps children learn their primary and secondary colors
• Plants and Animals – demonstrate what plants need to grow, plant properties, and animals and their characteristics 

Shepherd said, “I want all of my students to learn that God is one with science. I also want them to begin to ask questions about how things work and the reasoning behind it. Asking questions and finding answers is what science is all about!”

Senior Karly Evans encouraged students to listen and try their hardest in class. She also told them, “Find a balance in extracurricular activities; don’t be afraid to try new things, but make sure they don’t interfere with your studies.” 

Senior Nate Nicholson told students to never give up and remember that God is always with them. “If you’re scared to do something, just face your fears and do it!” he added. 

Evans shared that she is considering Texas A&M after graduation and Nicholson’s preference was Abilene Christian University to study to become a youth pastor. 

Senior Miles Smith and junior Maggie Quam visited another fifth grade class. Fifth grader Reed Tabor asked Smith if he was going to score a touchdown at the game that night, and Smith replied, “If you come, I’ll score two!” 

And he did.

Liberty third through sixth graders enjoyed an information-packed program that included storyboards, cutout animal figures, and binders full of rewritten versions of Bronson’s books. Students learned about the extensive research involved in creating a book, the planning of characters and actions, the writing and rewriting of the story (up to 31 times in the case of one of their books), the different media used in creating her illustrations, and the process of publishing and manufacturing the finished book.

Mrs. Bronson gave the children many insights into the work of a writer and answered their questions after her presentation. Mr. Bronson explained some of the pitfalls and triumphs of writing a rhyming story, as well as his experience touring a book factory.

The authors’ enthusiasm and thoroughness reflected their commitment to creating delightful picture books that can be enjoyed by a variety of age groups. They, in turn, were enthusiastic and delighted with Liberty Christian School and expressed their pleasure at visiting the school.

Many of the fifth graders were only one year old on September 11, 2001.

Students watched a video made for children of what happened on 9/11.

Fifth grade teacher Michelle Simms said, “We talked about the sacrifice of the firemen, policemen, and emergency responders, and the boldness of the passengers who crashed in Pennsylvania.”

She said students gained a new understanding of words like bravery, courage, sacrifice, honor, and love.

The fifth graders drew pictures within the white stars and stripes of the giant flag depicting a blessing to soldiers or what they learned from the lesson.

The parent who was sent to help hang the flag in the Lower School hallway happened to be a flight attendant for a major airline, and Simms said the parent wept at the beautiful and inspiring messages.

“Liberty parents and students alike walk by in awe of the flag that is hanging in our hall,” Simms said. “They are captured by the big picture but also the individual messages of hope and faith made by our students.”

In the lesson, Simms said, “We compared the loving sacrifice of Jesus to the faithful sacrifice of the emergency responders, who knowingly risked their lives to save others by running into that burning building.

“Students were reminded of how much we need to be thankful for our troops and pray for their safety. I think they appreciated how safe we feel in the United States because of what our troops accomplish for us overseas, and to ultimately trust God for our security.”

During the week that followed, two Liberty Christian kindergartners, twin brothers Brock and Baron Shoopman, wanted to help and told their mother they would like to give their toys to the children of Joplin. Their mother, who is Liberty teacher Jennifer Shoopman, began an amazing journey with her family that was documented this summer by the Denton Record-Chronicle.

Boys’ wish gives boost to children in Joplin
Family, volunteers deliver bicycles, other donations to town hit by tornado

12:29 AM CDT on Saturday, June 25, 2011

By Les Cockrell / Region Editor

The desire of two young boys to help the children of Joplin, Mo., in the wake of a devastating tornado touched hearts throughout the area and resulted in donations of more than 70 bicycles and scooters, 335 pair of shoes, 234 backpacks filled with items and much more.

“It was a huge success,” said Denton resident Jennifer Shoopman, who organized a campaign called “Backpacks and Bikes for Joplin — Children Helping Children” after her 6-year-old twin sons, Baron and Brock, told her they wanted to help.

Shoopman, her family and other volunteers left Denton Thursday night on the first leg of their journey to Joplin and were scheduled to meet with residents of the area to deliver the donations on Friday.

“We can really hand out backpacks tomorrow to children who lost their homes,” Shoopman said Thursday.

One of the volunteers’ contacts in Joplin is Steve Doerr, a past superintendent of schools and past president of the Joplin Kiwanis Club, Shoopman said. Doerr helped Denton volunteers coordinate plans for the trip and distribution of donations.

Donated bikes will be handled by Dan Stanley, an Edward Jones investment representative in Joplin, Shoopman said. Bikes will be stored and given to kids as they move into new residences or as their homes are rebuilt.

Nearly 40 volunteers, in addition to Shoopman, her husband and their sons, pitched in to help organize and pack donations. Shoopman said the volunteers included about 18 youngsters.

“We’ve really seen the kids jump in and really love doing this,” she said. “There’s a lot of love put into those backpacks.”
Shoes donated during the drive were gently used or new, Shoopman said, and ranged from toddler size 3 to adult sizes. Two boxes of new socks were donated.

Shoopman said Half Price Books donated 30 cases of books to help Joplin schools rebuild their libraries or to be used wherever they are most needed. Volunteers were also delivering about 10 boxes of sorted children’s books and 10 to 12 boxes of school items for use by Joplin teachers.

The shipment included several boxes of toys and stuffed animals.

The 234 backpacks were filled with age-appropriate toys, craft supplies and school items, as well as toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss. Each backpack also contained a Bible, Shoopman said, thanks to a last-minute call for help that she posted on Facebook.

“We didn’t have enough Bibles,” she said, adding that once again, area residents responded.

“We have more than enough Bibles today,” Shoopman said Thursday.

Major contributors to the effort included Bullseye Bike Shop in Denton, which donated all items necessary to get donated bicycles ready to roll, and the Denton Kiwanis Club, which donated dental care items and $700 worth of shoes and paid rental charges on the 24-foot trailer taken to Joplin, Shoopman said.

Absolute Smile Dental donated toothbrushes and toothpaste, Old Navy provided a discount on flip-flops, Barnes & Noble donated books, and Little Guys Movers provided packing boxes and tape. U-Haul Storage in Lewisville at Interstate 35E and Main Street provided storage units for donations and locks, and Frenchy’s Lawn & Tree Service provided a truck to store bikes and posted information about the drive on its vans to help spread the word, Shoopman said.

Cooper’s Copies & Printing in Denton printed and provided signage, and North Texas Family Resources donated items and provided volunteers, Shoopman said. Donations were taken at Tim Shoopman State Farm, Liberty Christian School in Argyle and the Denton Kiwanis Club.

“First Baptist Church VBS — thanks to Preschool Minister Shirley Jones — made our project their mission project for the week and gathered donations,” Shoopman wrote in an e-mail.

Members of the Kiwanis clubs of Southlake and Richardson also collected donations, she said.

One special donation of two bicycles came from Steve and Paula Pruett, in memory of their son, Austin. The Pruetts lost their son in October at age 13.

“Austin touched a lot of lives, and people have really been good to us,” Paula Pruett said. “We wanted to give back.”

She said Shoopman arranged to have a picture of her son presented to the two youngsters who receive his bikes.

“It was really sweet of Jennifer,” Paula Pruett said. “It really meant a lot to us.”

Shoopman said she was touched by the Pruetts’ gift.

“It was really a humbling experience,” she said.

In Liberty Christian’s Lower School, music students were blessed earlier last year by the visit of a very gifted musician. Tong Lu came to America for the first time from his home in Beijing, China, to visit the Avery Smith family of Liberty. The Smith family’s adoption of their three girls from China brought Lu’s family together with the Smith family.

Tong Lu, or his American name, Tom Lu, was a special guest to all the Lower School music classes, as he plays a very rare and beautiful instrument called the ruan. The ruan is a Chinese instrument that dates back to 140-87 B.C. This instrument is made of wood and has a moon-shaped body and a neck with frets similar to a guitar.

The ruan has four strings and produces a beautiful, warm sound. Lu spoke to students from kindergarten to fourth grade, and taught students using a presentation he created containing pictures of his school, his city, and his home. Lu also demonstrated solving a Rubik’s cube in one minute’s time. The children also heard his amazing talent in playing the ruan.

“The students’ faces lit up as he played, and many students asked him questions about his musicianship and his home in Beijing,” said Christy Besett, Lower School fine arts teacher.

Lu explained the discipline in practice and hard work that he and his classmates devote to their 10-hour school days. Lu practices his instrument for one hour each day, and his music teacher practices for two hours each day.

The school where Lu attends is called the Beijing No. 2 Middle School. He said the school is a pristine building full of technology, fine arts, dance, athletics, a marching band, and a library with many computers available to the students. In addition to Besett, Liberty music teachers Shara Collins, John Racina, and all of the music students enjoyed this special day with Lu.

“We will never forget the beautiful sound of the ruan, and Tom’s unique talent and knowledge,” Besett said. “Music truly is an international language.”

Liberty’s 83 fifth graders partnered with Kid2Kid ministry and each made a blanket for the Liberty-sponsored God Cares Orphanage in Uganda. Youth pastor Chris Searcy took a team at the end of May to deliver the blankets. Liberty alumna Ashleigh Stateson spoke to the fifth grade classes to kickoff this ministry project. Stateson and her family first visited Uganda in 2007 on a Liberty mission trip, where she served as a preschool teacher. She noted that the scripture she had put to memory came alive on this trip. Since 2007, Liberty has given its time, prayers, and donations from Jeans Days to this Uganda mission ever since. The “no sew” fleece blankets that fifth graders made went to high school students who live at the new God Cares High School located near Kampala, Uganda. The school opened just this year, so these new student blankets arrived just in time.

All parents are invited to “Books and Breakfast” at the Commons door to the library on Tuesday, May 10, starting at 7:30 a.m. Enjoy light refreshments and an early-bird peek at the book fair before it opens for the children at 8:15 a.m. A drawing for a book fair gift certificate will be held for those who come! We hope to see you next Tuesday morning! 

In other library news:

In the library’s special feature case during May, an impressive collection of awards and activities is displayed from third-grader Madelyn Cybuski and her years in the American Heritage Girls (AHG). She is a member of Troop 771 in Argyle, which is part of the combined Scouting ministry with a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout troop. 

American Heritage Girls was founded in 1995 by parents seeking a God-centered program for girls, seeking to “build women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country.” 

Madelyn earned numerous badges for learning activities, participated in service projects, and learned leadership skills in her American Heritage Girls path. Her troop was named an Honor Troop in 2010. These AHG awards, badges, and projects will be in the library display case through the end of the school year. 

Congratulations to Madelyn and the girls of Troop 771!

How much do we remember of what we read? Quite a lot, as 20 third through fifth graders demonstrated when they competed in Liberty’s fourth annual “Quest for the Crown” playoff on March 10.

To prepare for this competition, students throughout the year read 20 books that were above and beyond the normal curriculum. At the competition, students listened to statements made about the 20 books that were on this year’s “Children’s Crown Award” list, and selected the title of the book to which each statement referred, scoring points for their teams. 

Before a cheering crowd of their peers, teachers, and proud parents, the contestants competed in three brisk rounds. In a spirited final round, the “Crown Award Kings” team, consisting of captain Cole Shiflet, Cheryl Shaffer, Meredith Cole, Bella Lovalvo, and April Smith, earned the title for 2011. 

Runner-up teams were the “Reading Red Robins” – captain Elizabeth Shuey, Josiah Liszewski, Addison Hudelson, Morgan Monschke, and Sabrina Simms; the “White Tigers” – captain Anna Sitzes, Kate Stidham, Madison Sanford, Connor Stephens, and Sarah Spivey; and the “Tie-Dye Bookworms” – captain Rachael Rowland, Sammie Wuensche, Rebekah Fife, Garin Boniol, and Hannah Johnson. 

Fourth grader Charlotte Pyle served as an alternate, prepared to step in if needed, and led the enthusiastic audience in their cheering. Alternate Morgan Brewer, fifth grader, was unable to attend. All of the competitors were well-read and met the challenge with good sportsmanship, courtesy, and good humor. 

A special thank you to the parents who attended, Liberty staff members Shannon Brown and Vivian Nichols who read the questions to the panelists, Craig Brandon for audiovisual and technical assistance, and the devoted maintenance and setup team.

Utilizing 4MAT creates an exciting, challenging, and confidence-building academic environment where students connect new material with their background knowledge, practice and reinforce the new material in creative ways, and apply its usefulness with real-world applications, which builds critical thinking skills. 

“In 4MAT teaching, students hear it, see it, do it, and apply it,” said Lisa May, ATS coordinator and 4MAT certified trainer. 

The 4MAT teacher training at Liberty is ongoing, and in November, teachers were introduced to the 4MATION website. Containing more than 300 exemplary lessons that each adheres to the 4MAT method of instruction, the 4MATION website is a great resource for teachers. 

In addition to finding great ideas on this website, Liberty teachers learned in January that they could post their own 4MAT lesson plans to the site. May said that it could have taken a year to get only a few postings from Liberty teachers, but in just a few weeks, Liberty teachers posted 57 lesson plans. 

“This means many hours of creativity and labor,” said 4MAT certified trainer Missy Sharp, world history and German III teacher. 

“We have an amazing staff who do incredible things,” May said. 

“It makes me feel wonderful to see teachers this early in the game demonstrating that they are a part of the team and supporting the 4MAT program,” May added. 

Sharp said there are great advantages to posting lesson plans. 

“The benefit of posting our lessons on the 4MATION website is three-fold,” she said. “One, it allows teachers to be much more intentional in their teaching when their lessons are conceptually constructed and developed at a deeper level. Two, it encourages our colleagues to share our ideas with each other on this site. Three, it promotes inter-disciplinary coordination when we are familiar with the material being taught in other subjects by fellow teachers. 

“Liberty has always done such a great job encouraging our students to strive for excellence in everything they do,” Sharp said. “I am honored to work with so many people who live by that example. 

“We have been presenting 4MAT material to our teachers during in-services since the beginning of school, and software tutoring sessions since November. Our success as a faculty, who has posted so many lessons on the 4MATION website to share with others, has been inspirational.” 

Liberty students, who are learning in a vibrant, innovative environment, are the glad recipients who will benefit for a lifetime.

Liberty third graders have been a part of an outreach to this community for the past seven years. This year the purpose of the outreach was to show the love of Christ to Mi Escuelita through giving. 

“We went to bless these families with our gifts of love,” said Vicki Miller, Liberty third grade teacher. “We took much-needed supplies such as baby wipes, paper towels, toilet paper, and tissues. We also asked that our students each bring a book to donate, which they read to the preschoolers. 

“Our parents also donated $500 that was given to Mi Escuelita teachers to buy much-needed educational supplies for their classrooms, which left the director and teachers speechless. 

“As we left Mi Escuelita this year, there was a new bond between Mi Escuelita Preschool and Liberty Christian School. Showing the love of Christ seemed to impact them in a way that they had not been impacted before. Our own students experienced the joy of giving to those that are truly in need.”

Liberty third grade student Nathan McCray said, “I had a great time at Mi Escuelita. We sang songs to the preschoolers and did crafts with them.” 

“Going to Mi Escuelita was so fun,” said third grader Kathryn York. “I read to a little girl whose name was Kathryn, just like mine! We also surprised the teachers with money and gave books to all of the little kids.” 

Miller added, “In the book of Acts, the Bible says that ‘All of the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.’

“It was a great honor and privilege to be a part of a body of believers who put the Bible’s words into practice. We truly saw hearts change as a result of the generosity of God’s people.”

By Yvonne Lacy
Head Librarian 

Happy New Year and Happy New Books! 

The library has expanded its selection of books with additional informative, fun, and interesting series of books for students this year. Students and their parents are welcome to borrow books and audiovisual materials anytime between 8:20 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. all of the days that school is in session. 

Check out these new books:
America’s National Parks (Middle School and up) – Get your own personal, Internet-linked tour!
 Ancient Warfare (Middle School) – Greeks, Romans, Persians, etc.
Queens and Princesses (Lower and Middle School) – Famous royal women past and present.
Linking the Past and Present (Middle School and up) – What they did then … what it means today!
Good Manners Matter! (Lower School) – Yes, they do … at school, on the phone, and in public.
Moments in History (Middle School and up) – Why significant historical events happened.
Get Smart With Your Money (Upper School) – Apartment-hunting, getting credit, finding a job, and more! 

Just for Parents
The parents’ collection is a convenient area in the library where parents and family members may find books on parenting and child development.  It is located along the wall between the library’s Commons doors and the doors to the Lower School hallway. 

Just below it is the counseling collection, a selection of books about areas of concern to children that explain these subjects in a compassionate and age-appropriate manner. Parents are encouraged to borrow these to read with your children. 

Parenting books also include the Gesell Institute series on stages in young children’s lives; books by Kevin Leman, Dr. Charles Dobson and other Christian writers; and volumes about learning differences and learning styles. We welcome your suggestions for additional books for this collection. 

See you at the library!

Parent Chelle Werntz had two of her three children attend Liberty’s ECE. 

“The two younger ones who went to Liberty’s ECE had a smooth transition into Lower School. In kindergarten, they fell right in line with the ABeka reading program and were better prepared for the discipline and routines of Lower School,” she said. 

Werntz added, “What made Liberty’s ECE so special for us was the loving environment. We felt comfortable leaving our children there knowing they would not only be hugged, kissed, and prayed over, but they would lovingly but firmly be shown right from wrong. Also we felt they would benefit from the consistent, structured environment that was coupled with professional moral guidance. 

“Our experience was nothing but positive, from the curriculum, to the Bible lessons being applied in daily activities, to the encouragement of parental involvement. All of the staff makes the ECE a very nurturing environment for the children to learn and play. 

“Liberty’s ECE program provided many learning opportunities that involved centers, music, computers, and Scripture study. This ECE program is also special because of the families involved. The ECE wing is a beautiful, safe environment with its own playground and lunchroom. 

“The ECE gave our children a joy for learning and a good moral foundation at such an early age. Principal Anna Joyner and all of the teachers and staff have such a love for the Lord and the children. They have made such a wonderful and lasting first impression on my children that will be their

foundation for their future learning and their relationship with the Lord.”

Liberty’s ECE offers a joyful and encouraging environment for preschoolers to grow spiritually, academically, and physically the way God intended. The curriculum is Christian-based with music movement and computer education every day. 

Parent Amy Ward said her children’s experience in the ECE has been fantastic. 

She said, “As our boys graduated from the ECE, they were prepared for Lower School to advance in every aspect of their education. ECE’s atmosphere of fun, education, and caring, all in a context of Christ-like love, is one of the many reasons why we are here.

“The chief reason that the ECE is so good is the teachers and leadership. When you drop off your children to people who love and are constantly praying for them, you are locked arm in arm with a partner in helping raise your child. 

“The teachers and leaders have always been such a blessing to our family, so we only know confidence and joy when our kids go to school. The children are so loved and cared for by these dear people. I can’t imagine a better environment for my children to learn about the world God created and His tremendous love for them as evidenced by their teachers.” 

The ECE program also develops fine and gross motor skills, provides an atmosphere of imagination, and supports character development. 

Parent D’Ann Chappel said she has truly loved the ECE program for her children – two of her children went through the ECE at Liberty and are doing great in Lower School, and her third child is currently in the ECE. 

Chappel said, “The ECE prepared my children very well for Lower School. In ECE, my children’s individual strengths and weaknesses were noted and then encouraged or mitigated, depending on what was best for that child. That is an art and a rarely seen ability, even among dedicated educators.” 

Chappel went on to say that she thinks Liberty’s ECE is amazing. 

She said, “The teachers do all of the ‘normal’ things – my children learned ABCs, songs, 123s, and art. They also learned that learning is fun! More importantly, they learned that life is fun, that there are acceptable and unacceptable behaviors, and that adults will truly love them no matter what. The entire staff at the ECE loves the whole family of the child, not just the child. I believe that the ECE has accomplished something incredibly rare, and that is life here on earth as it really should be. 

“I do believe that Liberty’s ECE program is better than others. I’ve been involved with two other great programs, but there is something about the level of love and acceptance at Liberty’s that sets it apart.”  

The ECE provides an environment focused on Christ’s love for the students as uniquely-designed children of God who are being prepared for success in their educational career. A student’s journey at Liberty truly does begin in the ECE. 

ECE Director Dr. Marcy Nicklas concluded, “What an amazing Early Childhood Education program we have at Liberty! Liberty’s preschool and pre-kindergarten classes offer the perfect combination of developmental readiness activities and academic instruction in a Christ-centered atmosphere that is filled with love and joy. Our own Wee Warriors are a very special part of Liberty and are beautifully prepared for success in kindergarten and the years to come, with a love and strong foundation for lifelong learning.” 

If you or your friends have little ones who are interested in being a part of the ECE Wee Warriors, call 940-294-2010 to schedule a tour of its beautiful facility that is designed to help your preschooler excel in every way.

The Mozart Effect asserts, “In an instant, music can uplift our soul. It awakens within us the spirit of prayer, compassion, and love. It clears our minds and has been known to make us smarter.” 

Music is a valued part of culture; it is a birthright of every child. In addition, learning music in school contributes to student achievement in four important categories: 

• Success in society
• Success in school and learning   
• Success in developing intelligence
• Success in life 

Test Scores 

Why do we want a high quality music education program at Liberty Christian School? One reason would be that tests show students in top-quality music programs score better on the SAT as well as other standardized tests. In 2006, the “Journal of Research in Music Education” found that students in top-quality music programs scored 22 percent better in English and 20 percent better in math. The College Board reported that same year that on the SAT, students who had experience in musical performance scored 57 percent higher on verbal and 43 percent higher on math. 

Earning Potential 

A 2007 report from the “New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce” reported that high earnings are not just associated with people who have high technical skills. The mastery of the arts and humanities is just as closely correlated with high earnings. 

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee said, “Ask CEOs what they are looking for in an employee, and they will say they need people who understand teamwork, who are disciplined, and who understand the big picture. You know what they need? They need musicians!” 

Intellectual Development – The University of Stanford Research 

Many colleges view participation in the arts and music as a valuable experience that broadens students’ understanding and appreciation of the world around them. According to the “No Child Left Behind Act of 2000,” the arts are classified as a “core academic subject.” 

It is known and widely recognized that the arts contribute significantly to the intellectual development of children. 

But how does this work? What happens in the brain to make such a difference in learning? 

When a student is in a high quality music program, there is development in both hemispheres of the brain. The reason is because of the multitasking, compartmentalizing, and going back and forth that the brain must do. Let’s take singers, for example:

• They begin class with thinking about their breath, where it originates and how it is used to efficiently and effectively make a beautiful sound. 
• Next, they warm up their vocal folds by doing vocal exercises or “stretches.”
• They then take a piece of music that they have never seen and read it at sight. This sight reading exercise demands intense focus and tonal memory, muscle memory, hand movement, and eye coordination. Singers have to sing the pitches on the precise scale degree of each scale.
•  Next, they rehearse a piece of music. First, they must know the time signature (for rhythm and duration of notes), then the key signature (tonal memory). 
• Then comes tempo and dynamics (both stated in Italian), articulation that must be recognized and memorized, the learning of rhythm and pitches, and the understanding of the text. It is important to analyze the text so there is an understanding of time period, the composer’s life, and emphasis on words and phrasing.
• Lastly, reading the pitches using correct vowel shapes make each note perfect in pitch, as each phrase makes sense, and each song becomes internalized, as students make the music their own. 

This list is a detailed step by step explanation of what a musician does before making the first sound. What is incredible is that all of these details must happen at once! There is no time to “connect the dots.” The brain must work at an extremely quick pace to organize, retrieve, and anticipate. It is no surprise that nearly 100 percent of the past high school winners for the Siemens Westinghouse Competition in math, science, and technology play one or more musical instruments. 

A 2004 Stanford University study showed that mastering a musical instrument improves the way the human brain processes parts of spoken language. In the MIT Center for Biomedical Imaging, researchers using functional magnetic resonance imaging discovered that musical training helps the brain work more efficiently in distinguishing split-second differences between rapidly changing sounds that are essential to processing language. 

As stated in “Neuropsychology,” children with music training have significantly better verbal memory than those without such training, and the longer the training, the better the verbal memory. 

Stanford University School of Medicine released a study in August 2007 showing that music engages the areas of the brain involved with paying attention, making predictions, and updating the event (or piece of music) in memory. Peak brain activity occurred during a short period of silence between musical movements when seemingly nothing was happening. The team used music to help study the brain’s attempt to make sense of the continual flow of information the real world generates, a process called event segmentation. The brain partitions information into meaningful chunks by extracting information about beginnings, endings, and the boundaries between events. 

Music for All and to Connect All

Music and the arts are for everyone; singing, acting, drawing, dancing, or perhaps, appreciating and listening. When we choose to develop the gifts and talents God gives us, we glorify and honor Him.  

Yet music is not just about technique or development. It is about people developing relationships based on hope, trust, and love. 

At Liberty, we are interested in the whole child. Our Fine Arts program will continue to be strong because it develops our students intellectually, spiritually, and relationally so that they will succeed at Liberty and beyond.

Missy Sharp, world history and German III teacher, and Lisa May, ATS coordinator, taught “Recognizing and Teaching to the Different Learning Styles, and “Teaching with the Natural Learning Cycle.”

Science teacher Dr. Jody Vogelzang taught a seminar titled, “Extend Your Teaching through the Use of a Blog.” Vogelzang said that in class, there are so many questions and so little time. In her seminar, she told teachers that what is most important in the classroom is not the teacher’s questions, but the students’.

She said, “The depth and content of the students’ questions give great insight into how well they are internalizing and connecting the information. To preserve the great questions that are asked on a daily basis, my students are encouraged to write their questions on the ‘I Wonder Wall’ in my classroom. These questions are then put up on the Biology Snippets Blog (http://biologysnippets.blogspot.com) and are shared with classes on Super Science Friday.”

English teacher Ryan Barnhart taught two seminars, “Creative Writing, Creative Thinking” and “Enabling the Disabled in English.” Kindergarten teacher Christy McCallum taught, “A Busy Teacher’s Bag of Tricks.”

McCallum said, “I had a great time sharing tips that have worked for me and the teachers who surround me. It was so enjoyable to provide solid, practical tools for teachers that they could implement right away.”

Debra Cook, English III and German III teacher, taught seminars, “Using Children’s Literature in the High School Classroom,” and “Mark Twain and the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”

Chemistry teacher Kathy Hall taught, “Atomic Attractions and Periodic Power,” and President Dr. Rodney Haire led seminars titled, “Big Mistakes I Made While Building a School,” and “Dealing with Difficult People.”

ACSI strives to enable and equip Christian educators and schools worldwide to effectively educate children and young people with the mind of Christ.

The mission of ACSI includes “seeking to increase the vision for students’ intellectual development through Christian faculty who model a rigorous Christian mind in their teaching and leading.”

For fifth and sixth graders, the Cotillion class is designed to demonstrate how good social skills contribute to character and are essential for developing positive relationships. Subject matter includes: first impressions, introductions, posture and body language, communication, and table etiquette and manners.

For seventh and eighth graders, the Cotillion class is designed to help students recognize how their behavior is not only a reflection of their character but also a demonstration of their education and leadership. The purpose of the class is to offer students the opportunity to develop life skills that go beyond the core academics they learn in school. The class challenges students to recognize that wherever they go, whatever they do, and whoever they meet, their social skills are essential for their well-being and success. Subjects include: first impressions that last a lifetime, appearance and dress, character and ethics, and dining etiquette and table manners.

Both courses also include social dance education, including Latin dances.

These classes will be held on Saturdays at Liberty for three consecutive 1 and 1/2 hour classes on Jan. 29, Feb. 5, and Feb 12 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for fifth and sixth grade students and from 7:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. for seventh and eighth grade students.

Expect to receive your invitation soon for this outstanding program!

To register online now, visit http://www.cotillion.com/jdw/registrationstep2/TX.

For more information, please e-mail liberty@cotillion.com or visit www.cotillion.com.

The hills are alive … with the sound of music. The fine arts hallway is also alive with the sound of music! This year marks the first year of musical theatre, an exciting and relevant spin-off of the drama elective for fifth graders. In this class, fifth graders perform two musicals per year, and in both performances, students will act, dance, and sing.

Students have enjoyed various projects thus far on emotion, voice, pantomime, gesturing, monologues, and more. They have acted out nursery rhyme characters, performed as newscasters, and written their own monologues. 

Earlier in December, the musical theatre students performed a Christmas musical titled, “The Christmas Trip.” 

The excitement of musical theatre is evident in class this year, and students are already glorifying God with their talents and abilities. 

See you at the show!

Sponsored by the Student Council Association and the National Honor Society, students will deliver the cans to the Denton Food Bank this week, and the food will be distributed to those in need for Thanksgiving. 

Students from preschool to 12^th grade are bringing food and participating in the collection. Thank you for partnering with Liberty and helping others during this season.

“The purpose of an observation program is to assist teachers in their professional development inside the classroom and to help them become better,” Noto said. “Lesson planning, implementation of a lesson plan, and classroom management are key elements in observing a teacher during the course of a full period during the daily schedule. 

“When I reflect on what I have witnessed in our classrooms during the first few months of the school year, I hardly know where to begin. The ingenuity of the lesson plans, the rapt attention and engagement of the students, and the love and effort put forth by each of our faculty members are simply amazing. 

Upper School principal Ed Cook said that observations touch the quality aspect of teaching – the feedback given to teachers is thorough and encouraging, helping them to feel more confident and continuously improve. 

Noto said, “What is extremely important to remember in the process of observation of our faculty members is that the observation is a tool to help our teachers grow. It is a non-threatening experience and one that is beneficial to our students and teachers. After each observation, an appointment is made to review what I observed with the teacher. Each faculty member gets to read the original document that is written by me and then it goes into the teacher’s permanent file. The teacher also receives a copy of the written report. 

“The observations performed this fall were announced, and in the spring semester, I will conduct unannounced observations and repeat the review process with each member of our faculty from grades K–12. I am happy to report that each of our teachers is exceptionally competent in the domains of lesson planning, classroom management, presentation, and knowledge and training. In addition, each teacher is a witness to our Christian faith all through the hours of each day in the classroom.”

Do you remember how fun it was to see the creatures God created and touch and feel them … as a first grader? That is why we love going to Green Meadows Farm every year. This first grade field trip is one of our favorites. Not only do our students love going, but our parents enjoy the experience right alongside of their children. 

First grade parent Beth Womack said, “The field trip to Green Meadows Farm was wonderful. My highlight was seeing my daughter, Maegan, milk a cow!” First grader Ashlyn Lamont added, “I liked the baby pigs and the goats!”

 In addition to petting all of the many farm animals, we enjoyed a hayride and watched an animal show that included a pig race and a counting horse named “Fella.” We also picked out our own pumpkin from the pumpkin patch to take home with us. 

First grade parent Susan O’Neal said, “As a parent, I had the unique opportunity to observe my child and his classmates have that first time experience exploring God’s wonderful creation. My best pictures captured the children’s priceless facial expressions as they milked a cow for the first time or attempted to pet a turkey. Fella, the counting horse, and the pig races, provided much laughter and memories that will last a lifetime.” 

Green Meadows Farm started in 1964 in Wisconsin, by Bob and Coni Keyes. That year they decided to convert their 80-acre hog and cattle business into a “pick-your-own” vegetables and raspberry farm for families. They also decided to incorporate some of the farm animals as an additional way to draw in families. 

As of the fall of 2005, Green Meadows Farms are found in nine states, and more than 500,000 visitors pass through their gates each year, including the first graders of Liberty Christian School.

Arlien is a certified trainer for 4MAT and participated in a 4MAT lesson writing collegial group. For Arlien, the 4MAT Cycle of Learning just made sense. “The 4MAT model has made me more intentional in how units are organized as I recognize the diversity of my students’ learning styles on a consistent basis,” Arlien said. 

Once Arlien began using 4MAT, students began to see the relevance of math and no longer asked, “When am I ever going to use this?” Arlien is the author of 4MAT 4 Algebra and 4MAT 4 Geometry, two full-scale courses for creating more dynamic and engaging math instruction. 

Arlien said that by using 4MAT, students perform at or above those students who are taught in traditional classrooms, and they enjoy class more. Teachers also spend less time reteaching. 4MAT asserts that all individuals can learn, that there is no one right way to teach, and that learning begins when the meaning of the lesson connects with its usefulness. With thanks to a generous gift of $50,000 from a Liberty family who is passionate about and dedicated to fostering academic excitement and excellence, 4MAT and this style of teaching was brought to Liberty this year. 

Arlien described to teachers how the founder of 4MAT has 30 years of research that shows how reaching all of the student learning styles significantly impacts student achievement. Arlien, who has a master’s degree in mathematics, is now a vice principal and is working to improve instruction throughout his entire school. 

The 4MAT system is based on the four major learning styles – Imaginative, Analytic, Common Sense, and Dynamic. The fact that students may have a preferred, most comfortable mode does not mean they cannot function effectively in others. In fact, the goal of 4MAT is for students to have the flexibility to move easily from one mode to another to fit the requirements of a situation. They will be at a definite advantage over those who limit themselves to only one style of thinking and learning. 

The benefits of using such a progressive teaching construct at Liberty are many, but most importantly include creating an exciting, challenging, and confidence-building academic environment. 

4MAT provides teachers with the tools necessary to present material to students regardless of the students’ specific learning styles. Liberty’s curriculum isn’t changing, but the way it is presented is being taken to the next level. 4MAT asks the question, “How are you smart?” versus “How smart are you?” 

Arlien encouraged teachers that implementing 4MAT is a marathon, not a sprint. In the in-services, he provided helpful insight for teachers who are currently implementing 4MAT in their classrooms, and Liberty students will reap the benefit.

Terri Woodworth, who has children in the second and third grade, organized “Prayer Warriors,” teams of parents who meet and pray weekly for LCS. 

“One of the privileges we have at a Christian school is to include our faith in everything we do. Being new, I was looking forward to getting spiritually plugged in with other parents.” 

In her children’s first year at Liberty last year, Woodworth and a group of about 20 other moms started a Bible study group on the book “The Power of a Praying Parent.” 

Woodworth said that in that group, moms learned about the power of praying God’s Word for their children. 

“We prayed about the idea of praying parent groups at LCS,” she said. “We submitted a proposal to administration in the spring, and they welcomed the idea of having prayer warriors supporting and covering Liberty. 

“We are so excited about the opportunity to serve the body of LCS through prayer. Through prayer, we want to support the families and staff of Liberty and focus our prayers primarily on them. 

“For students, we pray regularly for salvation and spiritual growth, safety, unity, the fruit of the Spirit, healing, and sound minds. 

“For teachers and staff, we pray for their teaching gifts to be stirred up and multiplied, and for God to bless the work of their hands and multiply their time.” 

In the ECE and Lower School, parents signed up to be a prayer warrior for their child’s classroom at Parent Orientation. After school began, fliers were also sent home asking for participation. 

Woodworth held a kickoff meeting to provide details of the program, and within two weeks, small teams of parents were meeting at Liberty weekly to pray. 

“Many parents want to support the kids and families through prayer and this gives us a format to do it,” said Woodworth. “It is so comforting and reassuring to join with other parents and bring our requests before God.  

“Many parents have shared that they are very encouraged to be a part of the prayer group, and it is an answer to their prayers.” 

Two of those parents are Amy Duininck and Tracy Bielamowicz. Duininck and her husband are both Liberty alumni and have five children, from three years old to sixth grade. 

She said, “Scripture after scripture tells of God’s faithfulness to answer prayer and be absolutely trustworthy in His promises to us. I believe He will answer when I ask Him to help. That’s why it is so fun coming together with other moms and watching God work. We ask for children to have the strength to obey Him and for teachers to be empowered to live a life fully submitted to God. 

“Come join us in the classroom or on your knees in your office. Wherever you are, you can be a prayer warrior.” 

Bielamowicz has three children and is in her fourth year at Liberty. She said that last year she felt she needed to connect spiritually with other families here. 

“When I saw the flyer, I felt like it was God answering my prayers. It is such an honor and blessing to be able to go to my children’s school and spend time in prayer. That is the one of the main reasons my children attend Liberty, to learn more about Jesus. It touches my heart to see that others have been as blessed as I have. 

“It has blessed my daughter to see her mom at school praying for her and her teacher. I am being a witness to her. But, most importantly, this prayer time has taken me to the next level in my relationship with Jesus Christ by spending more time with Him in prayer. 

“The meetings are truly a time spent with the Lord praying for our children, teachers, staff, and families. It’s also a great opportunity to really get to know some amazing people. It’s open to anyone who wants to come and pray with others. However, since some parents may not have time to meet, we also e-mail the prayer requests to allow them to pray on their own.” 

Woodworth concluded, “I believe this is a small beginning to a greater plan. God will answer prayers and move on behalf of His people. I believe this group will grow and continue to be part of the legacy of LCS. The impact will be immeasurable and eternal.” 

For more information on being a prayer warrior or to start a group in the Middle or Upper School, visit the “Community” section on Liberty’s homepage. All families are welcome.

Liberty Life is conducting a series of interviews with each current board member so that Liberty families can get to know each member better. We at Liberty want to appreciate the board members for all of their valuable service they voluntarily give to Liberty.

In the beginning, Andrew Gannon had no intention of paying for a private school for his small children, Jake and Cameron. However, his wife, Kayla, convinced him almost 15 years ago to attend an interview with Liberty President Dr. Rodney Haire. 

Gannon said he thought he would be doing the interviewing, but it turned out to be the other way around. 

“Three things stood out to me about that day: the first was Rodney’s penetrating questions about our commitment to our faith, the second was how all of the little children ran up to him with smiles and hugs, and lastly, was the fact that the Upper School students were warm and loving to all of the little ones,” he said. 

“I knew then that our children would be very blessed if they could attend Liberty, and we sweated it out waiting for Jake’s Lower School acceptance letter.” 

Since that time, Gannon has never looked back. 

When Dr. Haire asked him years later to consider being on the board, Gannon said he was shocked and humbled. 

What Gannon found is that every board member has a deep love for Liberty and an immeasurable amount of respect for all of the staff, teachers, and coaches who choose to devote their lives to doing God’s work with children. 

The board meets officially as a group five to six times a year, and Gannon said his respect for the board just continues to grow. 

“My fellow board members have become the best friends of my life,” he said. “I trust them completely. I can’t overstate how much those men mean to me, and my belief in them and their desires for the school. We sometimes disagree, but we always trust each other’s motives.” 

Gannon said his best memory of being on the board is just prior to every meeting, when they all greet each other, smile and hug, and just visit for a few minutes. “They are great, great guys,” he said. 

Gannon, who is an “Army brat,” was born in Germany and grew up living around the world. After his dad retired from the Army, the family returned to their roots in Alabama. Gannon graduated from Auburn University, and his son, Jake, also attends there now. Gannon’s daughter, Cameron, graduates from Liberty this school year and will head to Auburn as well. 

Three years after Gannon graduated from Auburn, his family started EDSCO, and now as president, Gannon has locations in both Denton and North Carolina. It was in Texas that Gannon met his wife, Kayla, who is a fifth generation Denton County, Texan. 

Gannon said that what he discovered about educating children was that parents have to trust the school where their children attend. Parents have to ask, “What is the school’s standard of education and behavior?” and “Will my kids be safe?” 

“What we discovered as a family is that Liberty challenges each of us to be better today than yesterday in our efforts to be students, athletes, parents, believers, leaders, and followers,” he said. 

“I’ve talked to so many people over the years about Liberty and how it has changed their families and mine,” he said. “Both of my children accepted Christ in the second grade, and those are moments I will never forget. We’ve all been affected by the Holy Spirit who definitely has a presence at Liberty, and I pray that will never change. Every family has times that are especially tough, but our faith in Jesus Christ has always pulled us through, with lots of support from the wonderful friends and experiences we’ve had at Liberty.” 

Gannon said the board is charged specifically with the responsibility of helping plan for the long-term development of the school. 

“It’s our job to advise the president of the school in developing plans regarding the financial stability and growth of the school, to assist in the implementation of those plans, and then measure the success of those plans. 

“Each of us has our regular day jobs, and we aren’t asked to involve ourselves in the day-to-day running and operation of the school, and I believe that we do an excellent job of working within those parameters. 

“I absolutely love being on the board and get a lot of satisfaction from it,” he said. 

Gannon said one his proudest moments of being on the board was developing a plan for the naming rights of the different facilities at the Argyle campus and seeing that project successfully completed to include the name of Bowles Stadium in honor of Mark and Patrice Bowles. 

“It was very deserving, and I’m proud that the other board members felt the same way,” he said. 

Gannon’s second proudest moment is what the board is working on right now – the creation and work of the Master Plan Committee, whose job it is to try to project the needs of the school with regard to structures and facilities, and then design and determine the cost of those items. 

Gannon and his wife have also helped run and grow the Warrior Club, and their children have been very successful in athletics in their own right – Jake was on the state champion football team in 2007, the same year Cameron was on the state champion girls basketball team.

He said the Warrior Club’s mission is to raise money for all of athletics and enhance communications between athletics and parents. 

After this year, Gannon will resign from the Warrior Club but will continue to be on the board. 

When asked what he thinks Liberty will look like in the next 25 years, he said Liberty will be the same Liberty, still winning awards, with just more students wearing the Navy and Gray. He added that structurally Liberty will be bigger but will still be as nice and new. 

Gannon said that the board is working on projecting how many students Liberty will have in the next five years to ensure there is a place for them and the programs in place to support them. 

“We are learning that the spirit of Liberty is the reason why we have growth, and new families are adding to what Liberty is all about,” he said. 

Liberty President Dr. Rodney Haire said, “When I think of Andrew Gannon, I think of the values that he so clearly walks out in his everyday life. He values God, his family, the children at Liberty, and the people who he hires to run his company. The unique thread that runs through Andrew’s very being is that he cares about people; and that is also the heart of God. 

“The families who make up Liberty Christian School really have no idea of the long hours and courageous leadership that Andrew pours into our school. Without Andrew, and his wonderfully supportive wife Kayla, Liberty would just not be the same. 

“As a board member, Andrew has served the families of Liberty in a way that makes children’s lives at Liberty a better and safer place. Every conversation with Andrew will ultimately be about the kids, and how their faith in the Lord can be enriched. Andrew is a treasure to me, and I love him.” 

Bregg Smith, executive director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, said “Andrew Gannon is a true Warrior, in mind, body, and soul. He has helped champion the cause of Liberty Christian School for many, many years. Thank you, Andrew and Kayla, for such a wonderful legacy.” 

Gannon concluded, “I love this school. I have been blessed in so many ways by the students, staff, teachers, and coaches, and my desire is that Liberty will mean as much to all of the other families as it does to ours.”

First grade teachers, and now many grade levels are following suit, began parent workshops last year to help parents help their children at home. 

First grade teacher Jamie Michael said, “Just helping parents understand what we teach and how we teach it bridges the gap between teachers and parents. It puts us all on the same page, which, ultimately, sets the children up for success!” 

These first grade workshops were held earlier this month, and parents were given two different dates to choose from. The invitation also left space at the bottom for specific questions that parents wanted addressed. 

First grade teacher Patty Parker added, “We feel these workshops benefit the parents by giving them an understanding as to how their child is learning and how they too can be a huge part in that learning process.” 

In the workshop, teachers provided insight into the curriculum, how they teach, and what to expect in homework. They also described some of the important skills that the children were expected to grasp this year, and how parents could help and support it. 

First grade teacher Lisa Morris said, “Our first grade workshop provides parents with valuable information. It helps parents understand what occurs in the classroom, as well as help them truly feel like they are a valid part of educating their child.” 

In the workshop, parents met in a first grade classroom and participated in a real language lesson, phonics test, math test, and speed drill. They saw firsthand what their child learned each day and gained a better understanding of expectations. 

These workshops are another important way teachers are communicating with parents about how their children can succeed in school. Parents were very receptive at the workshops and happy to hear how their children learn and what they can do to help.

An e-mail from Donna Lewis, Liberty receptionist said, “I get to see many wonderful ‘little’ things here at the front desk, but the one that touched me today was a group of freshman boys huddled up and praying together. What an awesome sight!” 

Science teacher Jennifer Shoopman said in an e-mail that she was reminded how thankful she was to be at Liberty. 

She said that as she was driving onto Liberty’s campus in the pouring rain, she saw Middle School principal Dr. Noto walking a student from the Middle School Village to the main building, holding his umbrella over her to shield her from the rain. 

Shoopman then parked her car, and as she was unloading her trunk of all of her science supplies, staff member Luke Zimmerman pulled up in the golf cart and offered her a ride, but because the seat was so wet, he said he’d be happy to take all of her things and deliver them to her office. 

Shoopman said, “I then walked to the kindergarten rooms to deliver something and peeked in the window to see my son’s class singing praises and worshiping the Lord. His teacher, Mrs. Shiflet, had the most wonderful joyful smile on her face, and you could see the love of God just pouring out onto my son and the rest of her sweet babies in that class. 

“All of this to say how thankful I am and blessed I feel to not only work here but have my children here where the little things still matter; chivalry is alive and well, and the number one goal is our Lord. Praise God for Liberty!” 

Rebecca Brooks, who works for Our Living Yearbook at Liberty’s Photo Shack, wrote in an e-mail, “I saw Mrs. Sanchez pray with a little kindergarten boy in her class who was having a hard time at school because he missed his mommy. God is always good to give me a glimpse of those kinds of things just when He knows I need it.”  

Marilee Gundlach, administrative assistant in Middle School, said in an e-mail that her first grade son, Seth, commented on one of their neighbors who goes to public school and asked about the differences between our school and theirs. 

“We were discussing the many differences, and he said, ‘Momma, if they can’t learn about Jesus, what do they do all day?’” 

Debi Habern, dean of student life, was thankful to read these visual reminders of the presence of the Lord on our campus and wrote in an e-mail, “We are all blessed to be a part of His work here!”