Can you believe that Week 7 is officially in the books?! Mrs. King has the newest issue of the Principal Newsletter ready to get us all caught up and on the same page. So, click the link below to stay in the know!

http://bit.ly/2021_PrincipalNewsletter7

What?! Is it seriously the end of Week 5?!

Mrs. King has prepared the weekly Principal Newsletter for us so that we're all caught up and on the same page. So, click the link below to stay in the know!

http://bit.ly/2021_PrincipalNewsletter6

What?! Week 5? Let's GO!

Mrs. King has an info-packed newsletter ready to help us get Week 5 started with a bang! So, click below to stay in the know!

​http://bit.ly/2021_PrincipalNewsletter5

August 28, 2020Dear Liberty Tech Families,
We are excited to announce that LTCS will reopen for Brick & Mortar students September 14th!

Thank you for your patience as we worked to return our students to LTCS! Families that chose the Brick & Mortar option on the 2020-2021 School Year Registration Survey will be returning to in-person learning on Monday, September 14. We can’t wait for you to be in the building with us again!

Our Virtual Learning Option will continue to be offered through October 16. 

Our teachers and students have done a great job building their virtual classrooms in these first four weeks and we look forward to continuing our virtual learning option through the end of the first trimester! If you chose the Full Time Virtual option for your child(ren) on your Registration Survey, your child will continue to attend school virtually through October 16. We love seeing their shining faces brighten up our screens! 

Next Steps and FAQ
We recognize that our educational community extends far beyond the classroom, and every decision made impacts a great number of people. We are sure you have many questions as well as apprehension about the unknowns. Over the next two weeks, we will be sharing our “Day in the Life of a Maverick” video as well as an informational sheet to help you and your child(ren) know what to expect as we welcome our students back. In the meantime, we’d like to answer some of the most frequently asked questions. 

I chose Brick & Mortar in my Registration Survey, but I would like for my child to continue virtually for the rest of the first trimester. Can I do this?
Yes. If you would like for your child to continue virtually please email melissa.king@libertytechcharter.org.

I chose Full Time Virtual in my Registration Survey, but I would like for my child to return to Brick & Mortar on September 14, 2020. Can we make that change?
This will depend on the current number of students in your child’s classroom. At this time, the maximum students allowed in a class will be 14. Please email melissa.king@libertytechcharter.org if you would like to switch your child to Brick & Mortar. (Note: If the class is at capacity, your child will be put on a wait list.).

What happens after October 16th?
Our goal is to have all students return to in-person learning on October 19, 2020, and we will continue to assess the situation through September prior to making a final decision.

What precautions/safety measures will be utilized at LTCS?
While more detailed information will be provided in the next two weeks, the following list highlights some of the safety measures that will be implemented at Liberty Tech:

• Face coverings will be required for all staff members.
• Face coverings will be required for students when social distancing is not possible (Examples: entering/exiting the building, transitions, small groups, one-on-one instruction/services, etc.) 
• Temperature checks will be done for all staff and students upon arrival.
• Social distancing markings will be utilized in all hallways, the commons area, the cafeteria, etc. 
• All water fountains in the building have been turned off. Please supply your student with adequate water for the school day.
• Classrooms will be disinfected multiple times per day as well as each evening. 
• Shared supplies will no longer be used. Students will require their own school supplies.
• Students will eat lunch in their classrooms. Purchased school lunches will be pre-packaged and delivered to the classrooms by our LTCS Lunch Specialist.
• PE classes will use the gym, cafeteria, and/or the outside track to maximize social distancing. 
• Playground equipment will be disinfected at least once a week.
• LTCS has scheduled staggered dismissal times. (More information will be sent out next week).
• Staggered transitions will be utilized to minimize the number of students in the hallways.
• Student dividers will be used to allow students to have their own personal work area.

Response to Potential COVID-19 Exposure
What happens if a student or staff member becomes symptomatic or tests positive for COVID-19?
Liberty Tech is working with District 4 Public Health on a daily basis to help us navigate our return to in-person instruction. The DPH will advise us when notification of exposure is required as well as determine appropriate quarantining measures if needed. Additionally, the DPH guidelines list below will be followed:

Staff/Student has symptoms of Covid-19:

• Symptomatic staff/students will be isolated immediately and pick up arrangements will be requested.
• Stay home until symptoms have improved and fever is gone for 24 hours.
• Testing recommended. Note: ANY STAFF OR STUDENT AWAITING COVID-19 TEST RESULTS WILL NEED TO REMAIN AT HOME UNTIL TEST RESULTS ARE OBTAINED.
• Symptomatic cases will be reported to DPH daily and classroom surveillance will occur for 14 days.

Staff/Student has tested positive for Covid-19:

• Symptomatic staff and students need to ISOLATE at home for 10 days + 24 hours after the last symptom/fever.
• Asymptomatic staff and students need to ISOLATE at home for 10 days.

Staff/Student has had an exposure to a lab confirmed Covid-19 positive:

• Staff/Students need to QUARANTINE at home for 14 days (count from the last date of exposure).
• 
  

Medication Drop Off Schedule
If you need to drop off medicine at school, please see the schedule below:
Friday, September 4th - Wednesday, September 10
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
*Medication can be brought to the front office window. Please bring all necessary, completed paperwork/health plans/medication authorizations with the medication. 
Please click here to access medication authorization forms and/or condition specific health plans.

Working Together 
To ensure that we have a safe and successful reopening, we need your help. We are asking that you be diligent in screening your family for symptoms, performing temperature checks before arrival, and remaining at home if they are feeling unwell or presenting with a fever. During times of illness, your child may participate virtually if he/she feels well enough to do so. 

We are very grateful for your continued support, patience, and partnership in providing a safe and healthy learning environment for our LTCS family. Remember, We are in this together! We are a Team! We are Mavericks!
​
Thanks,
Melissa King
melissa.king@libertytechcharter.org
770-461-0005

​In case you missed the Board meeting Monday, August 24th, click below to watch online by clicking here: https://fccdl.in/l7uodDJGUl 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: 8

Can you believe that Week 3 is officially in the books?! No? Us either! Before you start your big weekend plans, make sure to check out the latest issue of the Principal Newsletter by clicking on the link below.

​https://bit.ly/2021_PrincipalNewsletter4

​Liberty Tech Charter School Board will hold its second FY2020-2021 Budget Hearing & regular August Board Meeting on Monday, August 24th at 7PM as a virtual meeting due to COVID-19 guidelines – participants may join the meeting by phone: (425) 436-6351; Access Code: 289390# or teleconference at https://join.freeconferencecall.com/andreaferguson1

The meeting agenda and budget may be found on our website here: https://www.libertytechcharter.org/board-agendas.html

*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    

Wow! Can you believe we've wrapped up our second week of the 2020-2021 school year?! It's flying by, and our Mavericks are thriving. There's a lot going on, and Mrs. King has published the weekly Principal Newsletter to help us all stay in the know. So, click the link below to get plugged in with what's going on around our virtual campus.

​https://bit.ly/2021_PrincipalNewsletter3

Good morning, LTCS Family! Don't forget that the due date for the Student Chromebook Agreement is tomorrow (Friday, August 14, 2020). If you have not completed the form, please click here.

Good afternoon, #LTCSFam! Can you believe that the first week of the 2020-2021 school year is officially in the books?! This week flew by, and we've loved seeing all of the fantastic learning environments that you all have been creating at home. 

Now, to get everyone caught up on what's going on around the LT, go check out the latest edition of the Principal Newsletter that Mrs. King just put out. So, click below to stay in the know!

https://bit.ly/2021_PrincipalNewsletter2

​Liberty Tech Charter School Board will hold a Called Meeting on Wednesday, August 5th at 12PM as a virtual meeting due to COVID-19 safety protocols – participants may join the meeting by phone: (425) 436-6351; Access Code: 289390# or teleconference at https://join.freeconferencecall.com/andreaferguson1

The meeting agenda may be found on our website here: https://www.libertytechcharter.org/board-agendas.html .  Meeting purpose: review proposed replacement software for IXL called iReady.

*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  

Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back! Our teachers and staff are PUMPED for our first day of school next week. Until then, get plugged back in with what's going on around the LT by checking out the first Weekly Principal Newsletter for the 2020-2021 school year. So, click the link below to stay in the know!

https://bit.ly/2021_PrincipalNewsletter1

Good afternoon, Families! 

Chromebook Use Policy Agreement Needed
As you know, tomorrow starts the family pick up times for LTCS school supplies. To ensure all students will have access capabilities, sending a Chromebook home with each student. To speed up the process, we've made our Chromebook Use Policy Agreement digital. No more signing multiple pages! Please click this link and complete one agreement for each child (estimated 1-3 minutes per agreement).

Chromebook Use Policy Agreement

Optional Device Protection Plan
Liberty Tech is offering a Device Protection Plan for families to cover Chromebook repair or replacement in the event of accidental damage. The Protection Plan cost is $25.00. If a student/family chooses to decline the insurance coverage, the student/family will assume full liability for any damage or loss of the Chromebook and must replace/repair the Chromebook at their own expense at current pricing guidelines. Payments for the Device Protection Plan can be made via credit card by calling Jennifer Mullinix, Business Manager, at 770-461-0005 between 8am and 4pm. Credit cards payments may also be made in-person when you arrive to pick up your students' supplies. Payments MUST be made no later than August 17, 2020 to receive coverage through the Device Protection Plan. More information is available in the Chromebook Use Policy Agreement. To make a payment, please click here.

Student Materials Pick Up Schedule
Please see the listed times and locations for your family to pick up the supplies and equipment that students will need for the beginning of our school year.

Wednesday - 7/29/2020
8:30 - 4:00 @ Dismissal Lanes
4:00 - 5:00 @ Front Office Window

Thursday - 7/30/2020
Friday - 7/31/2020
8:30 - 4:00 @ Dismissal Lanes

Monday - 8/3/2020
8:00 - 5:00 @ Front Office Window

Tuesday - 8/4/2020
Wednesday - 8/5/2020
8:00 - 4:00 @ Front Office Window

Thursday - 8/6/2020
8:00 - 5:00 Front Office Window

Friday - 8/7/2020
8:00 - 4:00 Front Office Window

Thank you very much! If you have any questions regarding the Chromebook Use Policy Agreement, Device Protection Plan, or pick up schedule, please email jennifer.mullinix@libertytechcharter.org.

We are Maverick Strong!

July 24, 2020 

Dear Liberty Tech Families,

In May, a Reopening Team of Liberty Tech staff was formed to begin developing the 2020-2021 reopening plan for Liberty Tech Charter School. As you have seen over the last few weeks, our reopening plan offered two options for our families: Option 1: Brick & Mortar and Option 2: Full Time Virtual. While it was necessary to design a plan in preparation for the school year, school leadership made the commitment to closely monitor the evolving situation of the COVID-19 Pandemic and respond accordingly. 

Our top priority is the safety of all of our students, staff, and families. LTCS has partnered with our state public health authorities to review, modify, and implement guidelines that would allow for the safe and successful return to in person instruction. At this time, based on community level of transmission, The Georgia Department of Public Health has advised LTCS to begin via a virtual platform for all students.

Our first day of virtual learning will begin on August 3, 2020. At this time, we will continue virtually for a minimum of half a trimester (6 weeks). We will reassess the situation at the end of August to determine if we can open safely for in-person instruction based on guidance received from the Georgia Department of Public Health. Please know our goal is to have our students return to in-person instruction as soon as safely possible. 

We learned a great deal last spring when we made the switch to remote learning - a decision that literally happened overnight. I am very proud of our students and teachers for navigating those uncharted virtual waters together! We were constantly evaluating what worked and what did not based on the feedback we received from our students, parents, and staff. As a result, you will notice some changes in how instruction will be delivered in the 2020-2021 school year. There will be more rigor, accountability, and support for our students’ learning. We will continue to utilize our pre-planning days to develop virtual classrooms that will challenge, support, educate, and socialize our students. We will be in communication with families to ensure that our reopening will be a successful one and one that upholds the principles that Liberty Tech Charter School was founded upon.

For virtual learning, we encourage students to participate in synchronous, or live, lessons following their daily grade level schedule as much as possible. However, we do understand that some of our families may face hardships due to opening remotely, so lessons will be recorded in order for those students to participate asynchronously. Teachers and other staff members will be available during class time and throughout the school day for assistance and to keep our Mavericks on track academically.

More information will be sent out on Monday for days and times families will be able to pick up a Chromebook and any other needed school materials. We do realize that some families might need to pick these materials up during the first week of school. 

Together, we can do this. We are Maverick strong. 

Thank you,
Melissa King
Principal

770-461-0005
melissa.king@libertytechcharter.org

July 16 2020
Dear Liberty Tech Families,
Thank you for submitting your questions about Liberty Tech's Reopening Plan. Please click here for the Frequently Asked Questions document. 

If you have not chosen the option for your child(ren), click here to select Option 1: Brick and Mortar or Option 2: Full Time Virtual Learning. If you choose option 2, you will automatically be directed to the Virtual Learning Application. The survey must be completed by Sunday July 19, 2020. 

Please be advised that failure to complete the survey  by July19th will result in a default selection of Option 1 for your child(ren).

If you choose Option 2: Full Time Virtual Learning, you will be receiving more detailed information by Friday, July 25th. 

All grade level open houses will be held virtually this year. Your child(ren)'s homeroom teacher will be contacting you soon with more information. 

Grade level supply lists will also be sent out next week as well as posted on the Liberty Tech website: libertytechcharter.org.

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

Liberty Tech Charter School Board will hold its second FY2020-2021 Budget Hearing on Monday, July 20th 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
​
The meeting agenda and budget may be found on our website here: https://www.libertytechcharter.org/board-agendas.html

*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
​

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