July 10, 2020

Dear Liberty Tech Families,

As we approach the upcoming school year, we are navigating a new and challenging landscape due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. You likely have had to make difficult decisions for your own family about returning to work, interacting with others, and assuming normal activities. All of us at Liberty Tech Charter School believe strongly that school is vital for the intellectual, social, and emotional growth of all students. Our ultimate shared goal is to provide hands-on learning in order to allow our students to be able to use critical thinking and problem solving skills while building character education through our cardinal virtues. Please know that our top priorities are the safety of your child(ren) and our staff, as well as providing the best academics possible for our student body. 

At this time, we would like to inform you of how we plan to proceed with the 2020-2021 school year. As you are already aware, we have made the decision to push back the start of school instruction until August 3, 2020. At that time, we will be offering two educational options for your child(ren). Please review and discuss which option would be best for your family, and complete your selection notification by Friday, July 17th. Note: School leadership is carefully monitoring information from the CDC, the GA Dept. of Health, the GA Dept. of Education, and local Health Departments on a continual basis. While it is possible that our instructional model may have to change due to the fluid situation that we are currently facing, know that we will keep you informed of any changes as quickly as possible. 

Option 1: Brick and Mortar
Traditional, face-to-face learning with protocols designed to mitigate the spread of disease. These prevention protocols include, but are not limited to: 

• Social Distancing:
  
  • To the greatest extent practicable, individual distancing will be strongly encouraged.
    
  • Distancing will be observed where practicable during large group activities and transitions.
    
  • Protocols will be implemented to manage movement and limit transmission opportunities within the school building.
• Face Coverings:
  
  • ALL students are strongly encouraged to use face coverings, when practicable, particularly in physical spaces where distancing is not practical. 
  • Staff will be required to wear face coverings throughout the duration of the school day.
• Health Checks: (Staff will be trained to identify symptoms of illness that warrant further clinic screening)
  
  • All students and staff are encouraged to stay home when ill.
  • Staff screenings will be performed by the School Health Specialist or School Administrators before entering the building.  
    
  • Screening for students will take place upon arrival to their classroom and then again at lunchtime. 
• Personal Hygiene:
  
  • Hand-washing and sanitizing will be strongly encouraged throughout the day.
• Environmental Modifications:
  • Installation of HEPA grade filtration with UV sanitation units in each classroom.
  • The design and implementation of both a well clinic and a sick clinic. 
  • Restricted use of water fountains
• Training:
  
  • Prevention training provided to both staff and students.
    
• Cleaning and Sanitation:
  • Enhanced cleaning, disinfection, and sanitation of the school building and playground.
• Movement Logistics:
  
  • Specially designed transition procedures to minimize large group gatherings.
  • 4th-8th Grade: To minimize transition of groups between classes, teachers will rotate classrooms instead of students.
    
  • Smaller groups during recess breaks. 
• Operations:
  
  • Limiting school visitors, guests, and outside contractors.
  • Lunch in the classrooms to eliminate large student groups in the cafeteria at lunchtime. (Due to lunch being served in the classroom setting and anaphylaxis/allergy concerns, we will require that families refrain from sending in nuts or nut products to the school.)
  • Individually packaged school lunches will be supplied by Subway and Senoia Pizza for the 2020-2021 school year. More information on these new vendors will be sent out at a later date.

Option 2: Full-time Virtual School 
Education provided online in a virtual classroom. For families considering this option, the following expectations will be in place:

• Attendance will be taken twice per day. In order for your child to be counted present, he/she will need to be present both times. 
• Students will need to be online at specifically scheduled times throughout the regularly scheduled school day from 8:00 am-3:15 pm in order to take part in mini-lessons as well as guided practice for each academic subject. These times will be communicated with you from your child’s teachers. 
• The following is the minimum amount of time daily that students will need to be engaged in their online instruction, independent activities, and group classwork:
  • Kindergarten through Third Grade: 4 ½ hours
  • Fourth and Fifth Grade: 5 hours
  • Sixth through Eighth Grade: 5 ½ hours
• While LTCS will do our very best to provide your child with exceptional learning experiences, please understand that this option will require a large effort on your part to assist your child. 
• For K-5 grade, no Specials classes (Art, Spanish, Music, STEAM, Computer, or PE) will be offered.
• Grading expectations will be the same for the full-time virtual option as the Brick and Mortar option.
• Online students will participate for the entirety of the first trimester in full-time virtual learning. The last day for the first trimester is October 16, 2020.
• Families selecting this option will need to complete a Virtual Learning Application. This application will be made available to you through the survey link provided below.

Please click here to select an option that best fits the needs of your family. Those choosing option 2 will automatically be directed to the Virtual Learning Application. 

The survey must be completed by Friday, July 17, 2020.

Please be advised that failure to complete the survey will result in a default selection of Option 1 for your child(ren).

Information will be sent out in the coming weeks about our virtual open house dates for each grade level. If you have any questions concerning our reopening plans, please email your questions to melissa.king@libertytechcharter.org by Monday, July 13th. An FAQ document answering your questions will be sent out on Thursday, July 16th. All surveys must be completed by Friday, July 17th. We are honored to be a part of your child’s education. 

Melissa King
Principal
770-461-0005
melissa.king@libertytechcharter.org

**This meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, July 20th**
Liberty Tech Charter School Board will hold its FY2020-2021 Budget Hearing on Monday, July 13th at 7PM as a virtual meeting due to COVID-19 closure – participants may join the meeting by phone: (425) 436-6351;  Access Code: 289390# or teleconference at https://join.freeconferencecall.com/andreaferguson1

*Public comments may be emailed to board@libertytechcharter.org by 8am on the meeting date or submitted via the teleconference chat window during the allotted public comment sign-up time, 30 minutes prior to the meeting.  Please reference our public comment policy on our website at https://www.libertytechcharter.org/ltcs-board.html
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​Welcome to all of our new Mavericks! We are so glad to have you as part of the Maverick family. We are eagerly awaiting the moment that we can meet you in person. For the 2020-2021 school year, the start date has been changed from July 20, 2020 to August 3, 2020. Our school calendar has been updated from 187 school days to 180 school days. We will post the updated calendar shortly to reflect the changes that were made. The last day of school remains Friday, May 28, 2021.

We will share more information with you in the coming weeks regarding the reopening of the school. The goal is to have our reopening plan out to all of our families by July 10, 2020 at the very latest.

Reminder: The Liberty Tech Charter School Board Annual meeting will be held on the 22nd day of June 2020, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually pursuant to 50-14-1 (g) due to the COVID-19 state of emergency. General public may attend by joining the teleconference instructions below:  
Dial-in number (US): (425) 436-6351;
​ Access code: 289390# or online at: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/andreaferguson1  
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Public comments submitted via email to Board@libertytecharter.org by 8am on the day of the meeting will be reviewed during the meeting. Comments received outside of the allotted time can be submitted during the Public comment sign-up between 6:30pm-7:00pm online via the meeting chat function.  Please join the meeting online via the link above to view slides and comments during the meeting.

In accordance with O.C.G.A. 50-14-1 (d)  notice is hereby given to the qualified electors of the School District of Liberty Tech Charter School that an annual meeting will be held on the 22nd day of June 2020, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually pursuant to 50-14-1 (g) due to the COVID-19 state of emergency. General public may attend by joining the teleconference instructions below:  
Dial-in number (US): (425) 436-6351; Access code: 289390# or online at: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/andreaferguson1  

Today, we are officially honoring this year's 8th grade class at Liberty Tech Charter School.  Many of them made up our original fifth-grade and some we have been lucky enough to pick up over the years.  All of them are Mavericks, and all have made us so incredibly proud.

Below, you will find the link for the 8th Grade Bridging Ceremony video.  We hope you will enjoy this celebration of our creative, kind, quirky, wonderful eighth graders.  

https://bit.ly/1920_BridgingCeremony_YouTube
*Please make sure that this video’s quality is set to 1080 HD to have the best viewing experience possible.

Greetings everyone!

The end of the 2019-2020 school year has come. What a year it has been! Congratulations to all of our Mavericks for finishing strong!

8th graders: Congratulations on completing middle school. We will miss each and every one of you. Yet, we can't wait to hear the amazing goals you accomplish in high school and beyond. Please stay in touch through email or even drop by the school every now and then.

Parents: Virtual learning was a new thing for most of our staff, students and families. We would love your feedback on our virtual learning. Click here to complete a short survey.

Please remember to see the important information below about drop-off of school materials and pick up of student belongings. I just wanted to provide some information about the Chromebooks prior to them being returned.  Please click here to see the Chromebook Policy and Information for Students and Parents.
Cost of Chromebook: $230
Cost to replace charger: $20
Cost to replace the screen: $99
Cost to replace the keyboard or touchpad: $50

If you purchased the $25 Device Protection Plan, it covers the cost of one full claim in full for breakage of any parts. Additional claims will be at total cost to the student. This plan does not cover the cost of a lost Chromebook. 
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If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me.

We are looking forward to seeing you as you come by the school to drop off materials and pick up your child's belongings. 

Have an enjoyable three day weekend!

Thanks,
Melissa King
Principal


Calling All Current
5th-7th Graders:

All Current 5th-7th Graders Returning to LTCS next school year: Please click here to complete the Middle School Elective Survey.

Click here to view the Middle School Elective Course Catalog. The deadline to complete the survey is Monday, June 1, 2020.
 

Liberty Tech Charter School 

School Health Office Medication Pick Up

If your child has medication on file in the clinic, please contact Veronica Umstattd via email to schedule an appointment for pick up.  Medication may be retrieved until May 29. 

ALL MEDICATION MUST BE PICKED UP BEFORE THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. MEDICATION THAT IS NOT RETRIEVED WILL BE PROPERLY DISPOSED OF.

Please contact  Mrs. Umstattd at veronica.umstattd@libertytechcharter.org to schedule an appointment.


Returning School Materials & Picking Up Student Belongings

Mark your calendars for June 2-5, 2020

Drop off/Pick Up Times:
Tuesday, June 2nd - 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wednesday, June 3rd - 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday, June 4th - 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday, June 5th - 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

During one of the days and times listed above, you will drive through the dismissal area on the side of the school. We ask that you remain in your car at all times. We will have cones marking the lanes to pull into.

If you are returning a Chromebook, please make sure the Chromebook is fully charged. Don't forget the charger. We will ask that you open the Chromebook in order to check the screen. You will be asked to move the mouse and type on the keyboard before we take the Chromebook. If you know the Chromebook is not working and did not purchase the Chromebook insurance, please be prepared to pay for the Chromebook. Please contact Melissa King at melissa.king@libertytechcharter.org if you need to know the cost of the Chromebook.

Please bring any LT materials (including library books) with you. We will have an individual bag labeled with each student's name on it. We will put any personal belongings in that bag. In that bag you will find your child's final report card, any certificates for this school year, and a yearbook if one was purchased. Your child's bag will be brought out to your car.

Parents of Upper School Students: Please email your homeroom teacher the combination for your child's locker. If your child doesn't remember the locker combination, please send an email giving permission for the lock to be cut. If you have done so, please send this information to your child's homeroom teacher ASAP. No student will be allowed into the building to clean out his/her locker. A Liberty Tech staff member will be cleaning out lockers for all students.

If you are not available to come on the specified days or you have questions, please email Melissa King at melissa.king@libertytechcharter.org.
Governing Board Meeting
In case you missed the May Board meeting Monday, May 18th, click below to watch online by clicking here: https://fccdl.in/5erWUnFqzM  or dial in to hear the meeting playback. Listen over the phone by dialing the playback number Playback number: (425) 436-6309, Access code: 289390#, Reference Number: 3

The next board meeting will be Monday, June 22, 2020. More information will be sent out soon.

Public Comment Policy

Copyright © 2016 Liberty Tech Charter School, All rights reserved.


Our mailing address is:
119 Price Rd.  Brooks, GA 30205
www.libertytechcharter.org

#LTCSFam, can you all believe we only have two weeks left in our academic year?! No? Ok, glad it's not just us! Well, Mrs. King has the weekly Principal Newsletter ready to get you caught up with everything that's going on around the virtual LT campus. So, click the link below to stay in the know!

https://bit.ly/LTCS_Newsletter39

Greetings!

Thank you to the many families who have already completed the Student Intent to Return Form for the 2020-2021 school year. If you have not completed the intent to return form, please click here by Friday, May 1st.

Today is the last day for K-6 students to register for your FREE Six Flags ticket. Today is also the last day to guarantee you will receive a 2019-2020 LTCS Yearbook by placing your order. Please see the information below.

My Hero Is You: How Kids Can Fight COVID-19 is a book that has been written primarily for 6-11 year olds. The goal is to help children understand and come to terms with COVID-19. If you are interested in reading this book, please click here.

One of our Maverick families has shown a major act of kindness this week. I would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Armstrong for paying off ALL of the unpaid lunch balances from this school year for our Mavericks! I hope that we can all pay this act of kindness forward to others in some way (a hand written letter, encouraging words through a phone call or email, etc). I am so proud of how our Maverick family has united during this COVID Pandemic!

Our staff really miss our Mavericks! Please click here for a special video to all of our Mavericks and their families.

Thanks,
Melissa King
Principal

Monthly School Board Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 22 at 11:30AM via teleconference. Conference phone Phone# 605.313.5634; Access code: 257939#

Good Morning Liberty Tech Families:
It is hard to believe that we only have 6 weeks left in this school year. What a crazy ending to the 2019-2020 school year. We appreciate your continued support during our virtual learning. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to help you out during these last few weeks.

As we begin to plan for next year, we want to hear from you about your plans for your child next year. We would love to see all of our Mavericks return for the 2020-2021 school year. Please complete and return the Intent to Return form here by Friday, May 1st.

As we wrap up this year, we are in the process of making plans for distributing yearbooks and students' personal belongings as well as collecting school materials. As soon as we have these plans in place, I will let you know.

Thanks,
Melissa King
melissa.king@libertytechcharter.org

Good afternoon Annie Jr. Cast, Crew, and Families

As you know, we've made the very difficult decision to cancel the Spring 2020 production of Annie, Jr. due to school closures related to the coronavirus.

TO DONATE YOUR TICKET COST
If you would like to offer your purchase as a contribution, we truly appreciate your support, and no action is needed. The Production Team will use your donation to honor our cast and crew with an "Annie, Jr. Celebration" once school resumes. Should school closures extend to where this event would not be possible, your donation will then go directly toward production(s) in the 2020-2021 school year.  

TO RECEIVE A REFUND
If you prefer a full refund, please contact Brown Paper Tickets within 2 weeks by emailing refunds@brownpapertickets.com. Be sure to include your confirmation number.

It's truly been our honor to work with these young performers, and we can't wait to celebrate them once we are all back together. Thank you for your understanding, and we hope you and your families stay safe and healthy.

If you have any questions, you may contact us directly at ltcsanniejr@gmail.com.

Kindest Regards,
The Annie Jr. Production Team

#DistantLearning Week 2 is officially in the books, and we're hearing about all the amazing things happening across our virtual campus. Mrs. King has prepared the weekly Principal Newsletter, and it may be found at the bottom of this post.

Remember, together we are Maverick strong and we are #InThis2Gether. Now, click the link below to stay in the know!

https://bit.ly/LTCS_Newsletter34

Dear Liberty Tech Families:
On March 16, 2020, Governor Kemp signed an executive order closing all public schools in Georgia until March 31, 2020. Therefore, Liberty Tech Charter School will be closed until at least March 31, 2020. We will notify you at a later time about our operational status for April 1-3, 2020.
We will continue digital learning beginning today through March 31, 2020. Please continue to check your email regularly for updates from your child's teachers, our counselor, or myself. If you or your child have questions about online assignments, please feel free to reach out to the teacher during his/her "office" hours or by email at any time.
I will continue to send out the weekly newsletter each Friday. I would encourage you to keep your child on a normal school routine during our digital learning days.
If you or a loved one needs additional support, including access to food resources, please reach out to the US Department of Health and Human Resources at www.hhs.gov or 877-696-6775​. Additionally, the GA SNAP nutrition program can be reached at 877-423-4746.
If you are a resident of Fayette County and in need of food, Spring Hill Elementary and North Fayette Elementary will be providing breakfast and lunches daily from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. This is a drive thru service for any students in your car under the age of 18.
Thank you for your continued support!
Thanks,
Melissa King

​Student Expectations for Digital Learning
Teachers will have daily office hours to answer questions via email each day Monday - Friday.

Please see the times listed below: 

Kindergarten - 10:00-11:00 am & 3:00-4:00 pm
First Grade - 8:00-9:00 am & 2:00-3:00 pm
Second Grade - 9:00-10:00 am & 1:00-2:00 pm

Third Grade
Freeman - 9:00-10:00 am & 3:00-4:00
Fincannon - 9:00-10:00 am & 2:00-3:00 pm

Fourth Grade
Caldwell - 9:00-10:00 am & 2:00-3:00 pm
Griffin - 10:00-11:00 am & 12:00-1:00 pm

Fifth Grade
Cohen - 9:00-10:00 am & 2:00-3:00 pm
Crowe - 10:00-11:00 am & 3:00-4:00 pm

6/7 Team
DeMarcus & Parks - 9:00-10:00 am & 3:00-4:00 pm
Loveless & Tyburski - 10:00-11:00 am & 4:00-5:00 pm

7/8 Team
Tonnis - 8:00-9:00 & 12:00-1:00 pm
Burns - 9:00-10:00 am & 1:00-2:00
Brooks - 10:00-11:00 am & 2:00-3:00 pm
Maupin - 11:00 am - 12:00 pm & 3:00-4:00 pm 

EIP (Miss Christy) - 10:30-11:30 am & 3:30-4:30 pm
Gifted (Mrs. Kessler) - 10:00-11:00 am & 4:00-5:00 pm
Mrs. Croft - 8:00-9:00 am & 1:00-2:00 pm
Mrs. Langford - 10:00-11:00 am & 4:00-5:00 pm
Mr. Harper - 9:00-10:00 am & 1:00-2:00 pm
Mrs. Rosier - 7:30-8:30 am & 3:00-4:00 pm

Specials 
Art - 10:00-11:00 am & 3:00-4:00 pm
Music (Band/Chorus) - 9:00-10:00 am & 3:00-4:00 pm
Spanish - 10:00-11:00 am & 3:00-4:00 pm
STEAM - 8:00-9:00 am & 2:00-3:00 pm
Computer/Digital Media - 9:00-10:00 am & 1:00-2:00 pm

- We encourage you to keep your child on his/her normal routine.
- Google Classroom will be utilized for digital learning. If you do not have internet access, work packets will be used. 
​- Students will have one lesson per subject per day. For example, for a 2nd grader, the student will have math, reading/language arts/writing, history, and science lessons each day.
- Assignments will have due dates. Please make sure assignments are turned in by the due date unless you are utilizing work packets and not technology. Work packets are expected to be turned in immediately upon returning to school.

Free Resources
Comcast - Free internet for Low-Income Customers for 60 days
https://corporate.comcast.com/press/releases/internet-essentials-low-income-broadband-coronavirus-pandemic

edHelper - Free math worksheets
https://www.edhelper.com/math_worksheets.htm

List of Free Online Sources for Families
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xMOKOnBRzEHMF6g7MkJFokj0QRx7PJfPvT4PLm788mk/edit?ts=5e6e4d9a#gid=0

Dear Liberty Tech Families:

As the safety of our students and their families is always our first priority, it has been determined to close Liberty Tech for a minimum of one week beginning Monday, March 16, 2020. Information will be sent out soon about digital learning for next week.

As this decision was reached after the school day on Thursday, the LTCS facility will be open on Monday, March 16th from 7:30 am until 4:00 pm. Students who indicated they are without access to a computer at home should plan on picking up a school-issued Chromebook during this time. Additionally, if students need to pick up any personal items they may also do so on Monday. As disinfecting procedures are already underway, families are requested to minimize their time in the building, and students must remain with an adult family member at all times. 

We will remain in contact with our families with updates regarding the status of reopening dates and procedures. Please continue to check your email regularly - details regarding the week of March 23 will be communicated no later than Thursday, March 19. Teachers will also be reaching out to students soon to implement our online education plans during this closure.

Our aim is to reduce contact among our students and dramatically reduce the potential exposure and spread of COVID-19. Please continue to implement the following measures:

- Stay home and limit contact with others when you are sick. Avoid those that are ill.

- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and properly discard used tissues. If no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.

- Frequently wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, as this is a primary way germs can spread.

We know that it may be hard to get a doctor’s appointment, go to a clinic, or even be seen in a hospital emergency room. Here are some tips for helping those who become ill:

- Drink a lot of clear liquid such as water, juice, or electrolyte drinks.

- Keep the sick person as comfortable as possible. Rest is important!

- For fever, sore throat and body aches, use ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Please do NOT use aspirin with children or teenagers as it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a life-threatening illness.

- Be sure everyone in the home washes their hands properly and frequently.

We know this is a hard time for our community, and our hearts go out to those who are ill. If you or a loved one needs additional support, including access to food resources, please reach out to the US Department of Health and Human Resources at www.hhs.gov or 877-696-6775​. Additionally, the GA SNAP nutrition program can be reached at 877-423-4746.

Liberty Tech would like to express our gratitude to all our LTCS family members in the health profession as they fight this virus fearlessly and tirelessly. You are Maverick strong!

Thanks,
Melissa King