Liberty Union Transportation Once again a new school year is upon us. The bus fleet has been serviced, checked over and cleaned from bumper to

bumper and inspected by the

Ohio Highway Patrol Motor

Vehicle Inspection Unit. Bus

Drivers are all ready to roll with

certifications and physicals up to

date and I have been working

diligently with a new routing

program to make sure the bus

routes are all well established.

There will possibly be, as with

anything new, a few “bugs” to

work out. Please be patient with

me on this and feel free to drop

me an email at

MapesK@libertyunion.org

should you find a discrepancy or

if your child will require an

alternate bus stop location that is

different from the home stop.

Just a reminder to motorists that children will be out walking to their bus stops or to school again, something we

have not been used to seeing for a few months. School buses will be traveling the roads and picking up children so

remember to give yourself extra time to travel in areas where buses are in route.

Also, please keep in mind that it is illegal to pass a school bus in the process of picking up and discharging students.

Ohio Revised Code section 4511.75 states “The driver of a vehicle upon meeting or overtaking from either direction

any school bus stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school child shall stop at least ten feet from

the front or rear of the school bus and shall not proceed until such school bus resumes motion, or until signaled by

the school bus driver to proceed. It is no defense to a charge under this division that the school bus involved failed to

display or be equipped with an automatically extended stop warning sign as required by division (B) of this section.

Whoever violates division (A) of this section may be fined an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars. A person

who is issued a citation for a violation of division (A) of this section is not permitted to enter a written plea of guilty

and waive the person’s right to contest the citation in a trial but instead must appear in person in the proper court to

answer the charge.”

Student safety is my number one priority here at Liberty Union-Thurston Local Schools, however, I cannot

accomplish this task alone. It takes an entire community to remain vigilant before and after school. Being aware

and alert to the presence of children and remembering that flashing red means stop ahead can keep children safe

from accidents.

In closing, I am looking forward to another safe and eventful school year. Thank you for your continued support for

our Bus Drivers. They have an extremely difficult job to perform under all sorts of different conditions. I am proud

of the exceptional job they do and I appreciate each and every one of them. Once again, please don’t hesitate to

contact me should you have any questions or concerns at any time.

Kevin M. Mapes, Transportation Supervisor

LIBERTY UNION - THURSTON LION REPORT August, 2015

LOCAL SCHOOLS

1108 S MAIN ST www.libertyunion.org

BALTIMORE, OH 43105 Ohio Department of Education: www.ode.state.oh.us/

To view the “Lion Report” online, refer to www.libertyunion.org.

Welcome to Liberty Union-Thurston Schools for the 2015-2016 School Year,

I hope students and teachers had a fantastic summer break and were able to

charge their batteries as a new school year approaches. I look forward to

seeing everyone as you return to classrooms. The custodians and maintenance

crews have done a great job cleaning and repairing items around the school,

and the buildings look great.

We have added several new team members to Liberty Union-Thurston

Schools! Please give a warm Lion Welcome to the following educators to

the District:

Administrators: Matt Gallatin, High School Principal;

Sara Hayes, Student Services Coordinator;

BethAnn Morgan, School Psychologist.

Teachers: Donna Anderson, High School Family and Consumer Science;

Andrew Bauer, High School Intervention Specialist;

Elisa Beveridge-Fouts, Middle School Guidance Counselor;

Seth Martin, High School Intervention Specialist;

Karen Morris, Middle School Math;

Joe Palmer, Middle School Science;

Lauren Spector, High School English;

Brandon Thomas, High School Agriculture Science;

Meghan Wilder, Middle & Elementary School Art;

Brett Baucher, High School Intervention Specialist.

Support Staff: Mike Grover, Maintenance Department;

Kathryn Martin, High School Study Hall Aide;

Alysa Webb, School Nurse Aide.

Welcome to everyone and you are in “The Place To Be.”

As we embark on the new school year, everyone must embrace the premise that the fundamental

purpose of school is to ensure that all students learn at high levels. We must examine every existing

practice, program, and procedure to ensure it aligns with that purpose. Collectively teachers, students,

and parents are responsible for student learning and we must work independently to achieve shared

goals and must hold each other mutually accountable.

21st century pedagogy is the driver of 21st century schools. Challenging students to become better

thinkers, problem solvers and creators will be a major focus for teachers as they design authentic,

challenging and interesting lessons for their students.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and I look forward to seeing everyone soon. If anyone would like to

meet with me please feel free to contact the District Office and schedule a meeting.

Mr. Todd Osborn, Superintendent

2015 – 2016 LU-T Events Year Month Date Time Bldg Event

2015 Aug 10 7:00 HS Freshman Orientation (auditorium)

2015 Aug 11 8:00-3:00 All Bldgs Teacher Work Day

2015 Aug 11 4:30 MS Grades 7 & 8 Open House

2015 Aug 11 6:00 MS Grades 5 & 6 Open House

2015 Aug 12 8:00-3:00 HS Teacher Work Day

2015 Aug 12 6:30-7:30 Elem Open House

2015 Aug 13 HS & MS First Day of School w/ 2pm Dismissal for HS & MS

2015 Aug 13 HS First Day for Students

2015 Aug 15 Doors Open 4:30 HS Bingo

2015 Aug 19 6:30AM HS FFA-Officer Meeting

2015 Aug 21 Elem NO Kindergarten: Screening

2015 Aug 26 Elem Picture Day

2015 Aug 26 7:00 HS FFA-Night Games

2015 Aug 27 HS & MS Picture Day

2015 Aug 28 Elem NO Kindergarten: Screening

2015 Aug 29 Doors Open 4:30 HS Bingo (Athletic Boosters)

2015 Sept 1 7:00 HS Music Boosters (music room)

2015 Sept 2 7:30 HS Athletic Boosters (cafeteria)

2015 Sept 3 7:00 Elem Elementary Booster Meeting

2015 Sept 4 Elem NO Kindergarten: Screening

2015 Sept 5 Doors Open 4:30 HS Bingo

2015 Sept 7 All Bldgs NO SCHOOL – Labor Day

2015 Sept 9 6:30AM HS FFA-Officer Meeting

2015 Sept 11 All Bldgs Interim Reports to Students

2015 Sept 16 6:00 HS FFA Meeting

2015 Sept 17 6:00-8:00 Elem Curriculum Night: time depends on Grade

2015 Sept 18 All Day HS & MS Select Choir @ Geneva Hills Leadership Training

2015 Sept 19 Doors Open 4:30 HS Bingo

2015 Sept 25 MS Picture Retakes

2015 Sept 25 HS FFA-Chicken BBQ

2015 Sept 26 HS Homecoming Dance

2015 Sept 28 All Bldgs NO SCHOOL STUDENTS – Staff Professional Day

2015 Sept 30 Elem Picture Re-Takes

2015 Oct 1 HS Picture Re-Takes

2015 Oct 1 6:00 Elem Title 1 Parent Meeting

2015 Oct 3 Doors Open 4:30 HS Bingo

2015 Oct 6 7:00 HS Music Boosters (music room)

2015 Oct 7 6:30AM HS FFA Officer Mtg

2015 Oct 7 7:00 HS Athletic Booster Mtg

2015 Oct 8 7:00 Elem Booster Meeting

2015 Oct 9 3:00 HS FFA Fair Set-up

2015 Oct 9 All Bldgs End of 1st Grading Period

2015 Oct 12-16 MS NO SCHOOL – Fairfield County Fair

2015 Oct 17 7:00 HS Music Boosters (music room)

2015 Oct 19 All Bldgs Begin 2nd Grading Period

2015 Oct 21 6:00 HS FFA Meeting

2015 Oct 22-24 Land Lab Athletic Booster Field of Screams Haunted Forest

2015 Oct 26 MS Report Cards Issued *

2015 Oct 28-31 HS Nat’l FFA Convention

2015 Oct 31 Doors Open 4:30 HS Bingo

Over the summer @ Liberty Union High School

French Ambassador Visit: On June 27th the FFA Officer

Team was invited to meet the French Ambassador of

Agriculture, Stéphane

Le Foll at David Brandt’s farm. Mr. Brandt presented his

methods of no-till farming as well as his work with cover crops.

The officers greeted Mr. Le Foll before the presentation. The

officers were allowed to ask Mr. Le Foll a question. One

officer asked if he had any advice for agriculture and farming in

the United States. The French Ambassador answered the

Officer Team’s question by saying, “The advice is what you

hear.” Mr. Le Foll also told the officer team to use diversity in

cover and to gain from nature rather than chemicals. The

Liberty Union FFA Officer Team thanks Mr. Brandt for

inviting them to take part in such a unique experience of meeting the Ambassador of French Agriculture, Mr.

Stéphane Le Foll.

During the week of June 22nd- 26th, members of

the Liberty Union FFA Chapter had the

opportunity to attend Ohio FFA Camp

Muskingum. Many members chose to attend this

year’s camp with a nautical theme. Throughout

camp, our members made new friends, took part in

leadership workshops, and had many new

experiences. These experiences included, boating,

shooting sports, paintball, public speaking, and

much more. Each day campers gathered around

the flag pole together as State Officers led flag

raising and lowering to honor the nation. To end

every night, campers would gather at Blue Gill

Rock to take part in reflections of their day at

camp. During this time, State Officers would also

give short motivational speeches about facing fears

and

solving everyday problems that the campers might face. At the end

of the week campers and the camp staff gathered at Blue Gill Rock

one final time for awards, including Shooting Sport winners and

other Chapter awards. The State Officers wished the campers a safe

trip before they set sail for their trips back home.

LUHS Important Information

Freshman Orientation: August 10th 7:00pm

Computer Pick-Up: August 11th -12th 4:00pm - 6:00pm

School Time: 7:50am - 2:49pm

Varsity Football Schedule

8-15 @ Crooksville 5p

8-20 vs Bishop Ready 7p

8-28 vs Caldwell 7p

9-4 @ Columbus East 7:30

9-11 vs Belmont 7p

9-18 @ Bloom Carroll 7p

9-25 vs Hamilton Twp 7p

10-2 @ Logan Elm 7p

10-9 @ Teays Valley 7p

10-16 vs Circleville 7p

10-23 @ Fairfield Union 7p

10-30 vs Amanda 7p

Middle School Lion Pride

Helpful Back To School Information:

Middle School Open House is August 11th with the 7th and 8th grade at 4:30 p.m. and the

5th and 6th grades at 6:00 p.m.

All required forms and start school information will be given out at the Middle school

open house.

First day of school for students is August 13th with an early dismissal at 2:00 p.m.

Middle School tardy bell rings at 7:35 a.m.

All 7th graders must have the Tdap vaccination before the first day of school.

Sixth grade DARE Graduation

Officer Jason Harget, school resource officer, congratulates the sixth graders for completing the

requirements for the D.A.R.E. program. Each of the 93 sixth graders received a certificate and

D.A.R.E. shirt at the graduation ceremony held at the end of the past school year.

8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip

The 8th grade students would like to thank all the sponsors and chaperones for their help in

making this year’s trip to Washington D.C. successful. Ninety-eight students had the

opportunity to visit the Capitol and surrounding historic buildings.

From the Desk of Mrs. Rainey ..... Great Things WILL Happen at the Elementary! Wow, summer break flew by. Our custodians have been working hard to prepare the

buildings for our 2015-2016 school year and the building looks wonderful! Class lists and

bus lists have been posted by our front door and our teachers have been working in their

rooms to prepare for our incoming students.

Most of our teachers have spent some of their summer break learning in classes about ST

Math (JiJi), Eureka Math, and Differentiated Learning to name just a few. Everyone is

excited and ready to greet our students on the first day of school, August 13.

New Faces There will be some new faces for our students when they return to school. We’re very excited

to announce the return of the elementary art program. Miss Meghan Wilder

(pictured right) will be teaching art at both the elementary school and middle

school. Miss Wilder is a recent graduate of The Ohio State Unversity.

Elementary students will receive art instruction weekly for a semester.

We’d also like to welcome Mr. Bryan Johnson (pictured left), who will be

moving from the high school to the elementary school to teach physical education.

Mrs. Megan Sattler, is our new speech therapist; and Ms. Alysa Webb, will be our district-wide nurse’s aide

with Mr. Jeff Dupler.

Important Dates August 12- 6:30-7:30 - Open House (Meet the Teacher)

August 13 - First Day of School for Grades 1-4

August 13 & 14 - First Day of School for Kindergarten

(Call the elementary office if you are unsure

of your child’s start date.)

August 26 - Picture Day

September 7 - Labor Day-No School

To-Do List Check the school supply lists on the Liberty Union School website on

the elementary page.

Ensure that all forms are completed and turned in on the first day of school.

Pay lunch money in advance to avoid the last minute scramble of finding lunch money.

Work with your child so he/she has your telephone number memorized.

Go to the website to sign up to receive our newsletters and OneCall Now

messages.

Details, details, details..... 8:30 Students may be dropped off.

8:30 Students are permitted to enter the building for breakfast.

8:40 All students may go to their classrooms.

8:50 Tardy Bell will ring. Students who have not entered their classrooms will be marked tardy. (Remember

that 3 tardies could mean an intervention time during recess.)

3:30 Students who are being picked up by parents report to the multi-purpose room.

3:35 Bus riders are dismissed.

Follow us on Twitter at LUelementary

From the Desk of Sara Hayes, Student Services Coordinator

Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year!

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you. My name is Sara Hayes, and I am the

new Student Services Coordinator, replacing Jan Clayton who retired in June. I am very happy to be working

with the families, staff and students of Liberty Union-Thurston Local schools!

I received my Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio University and my Master’s Degree from Ashland

University. I have worked in education for over 15 years. My husband is also an educator. He and I live in

Pickerington with our six year old daughter.

The Liberty Union-Thurston district is committed to providing a free, appropriate public education

(FAPE) to all students. Liberty Union-Thurston offers special education programs and services for students

identified as having a disability. As Student Services Coordinator, I will work to ensure your student receives

the appropriate and necessary services designed to help them meet their individual needs in the least restrictive

environment (LRE).

As always, please feel free to call, email or visit me with questions or concerns you may have. I

welcome your thoughts and suggestions as we work together as partners in your child’s school experience.

Yours in Education, Sara Hayes, Student Services Coordinator Shayes@libertyunion.org

2015 High School Sports Schedule Varsity Boys Golf Varsity Girls Golf Varsity Cross Country

8-10 @ Moundbuilders 12n 8-11 @ Homestead Springs 9a 8-15 @ National Trails 9a

8-11 @ Deercreek 9a 8-13 @ Pleasant Valley 4:30p 8-29 @ Granville 9a

8-14 @ Pine Hill 9a 8-17 @ Foxfire 4p 9-5 @ Ohio Christ Un 9a

8-17 @ Columbus CC 12n 8-20 @ Pleasant Valley 4:15p 9-8 @ Fairfield Union 4:30p

8-18 @ Estate Club 4p 8-25 @ Pickaway C C 4p 9-12 @ Watkins Mem 12n

8-20 @ Estate Club 4:40p 8-27 @ Airport 4p 9-19 @ Ammans Res 9a

8-22 @ Turnberry 1p 8-31 @ Broadview 4p 9-22 @ Liberty Union 5p

8-24 @ Locust Hills 9-1 @ Pleasant Valley 4:30p 9-29 BOYS @ D Stevens 4:30p

8-25 @ Pumpkin Vine 3:45p 9-3 @ Echo Springs 4:15p 10-3 @ Pickerington N 9a

8-27 @ Valley View 3:45p 9-8 @ Pleasant Valley 4:30p 10-10 @ Liberty Union 10a

9-2 @ Pickaway C C 3:45p 9-10 @ Pleasant Valley 4:30p

9-5 @ Westchester 1p 9-21 @ Blacklick 9a

9-8 @ Estate Club 4p

Varsity Volleyball 9-9 @ Foxfier 3:45p Varsity Boys Soccer

8-1 @ Harvest Prep 5p 9-12 @ Pine Hill 1p 8-10 vs C’bus Int’l 5p

8-14 vs Granville 5p 9-14 @ Longaberger 4p 8-13 vs Whitehall-Year 5p

8-18 vs Whitehall Year 7:30p 9-15 @ Estate Club 3:45p 8-18 vs Licking Valley 5p

8-20 @ Berne Union 6:30p 9-22 @ Westchester 9a 8-20 @ Bishop Ready 3:45p

8-27 @ Philo 7p 8-21 @ Gran Christ Acad 7:30p

8-31 @ Gahanna Christ 6:30p Varsity Girls Soccer 8-27 @ Gran Christ Acad 5p

9-8 @ Circleville 7p 8-11 vs West Jeff 5:30p 8-31 vs Johnstown Monroe 6p

9-10 vs Teays Valley 7:30p 8-13 vs Whetstone 6p 9-2 vs Amanda 7p

9-15 @ Fairfield Union 6:30p 8-19 @ Central Cross 5:30p 9-7 vs Heath 7p

9-17 vs Amanda 7:30p 8-21 vs Pleasant 7p 9-9 vs Fisher Catholic 5:30p

9-22 @ Hamilton Twp 7:30p 8-26 vs Westfall 5:30p 9-12 @ Harvest Prep 7p

9-24 @ Logan Elm 7:30p 9-3 @ Amanda 7p 9-14 @ Gahanna Christ Acad5p

9-26 vs Berne Union 12:30p 9-5 vs Wellington 5p 9-16 vs Hamilton Twp 5:30p

9-29 @ Bloom Carroll 7:30 9-7 vs Heath 5p 9-19 vs Northridge 10a

9-30 vs Circleville 7:30 9-9 @ Fisher 5:30p 9-21 vs Lakewood 7p

10-3 @ Fisher Catholic 11:30a 9-12 @ Franklin Hghts 11a 9-23 @ Bloom Carroll 7:15p

10-6 @ Teays Valley 7:15p 9-16 @ Hamilton Twp 5:30p 9-30 @ Teays Valley 5:30p

10-8 vs Fairfield Union 7:30p 9-21 vs Lakewood 5p 10-3 vs Circleville 6p

10-10 @ Amanda 12:30p 9-23 vs Bloom Carroll 7p 10-7 @ Fairfield Union 7:15p

10-13 vs Hamilton Twp 7:30p 9-30 vs Teays Valley 7p 10-10 @ Tree of Life 11:15a

10-15 vs Logan Elm 7:15p 10-3 @ Circleville 2p 10-14 @ Logan Elm 4p

10-17 @ Pickerington N 9a 10-7 vs Fairfield Union 7p

10-12 @ Tree of Life 5:30p

10-14 vs Logan Elm 7p

From the desk of Jennifer Blackstone, Curriculum Director

Blizzard Bags

As the summer heat settles in, snow days are probably the furthest thing from your mind.

But, the Curriculum Department is planning ahead designing instructional materials for

Blizzard Bags! During the 2015-2016 school year Liberty Union-Thurston schools will

utilize the Blizzard Bag option in order to make up instructional time missed due to

inclement weather or emergencies that cause school closure. The School Board approved

school calendar establishes that Blizzard Bags can be used for makeup of THREE snow days. Here is what

you need to know about Blizzard Bags:

Assignments will be available on the district website -- when needed, look for the Blizzard Bag icon

on the left side of the district homepage*

*Assignments will not be available until the first Blizzard Bag Day is used

Assignments will include a front page summary sheet of all required assignments and they will be coded with a picture to

represent that it is a Blizzard Bag assignment. (See chart below)

Assignments will also be available in print form if you do not have Internet access at home – when needed, request printed

materials from classroom teacher.

All Blizzard Bag assignments will be due to your student’s teacher TEN days after the school cancelation. If there is any

question about WHO to turn an assignment into, have the student give it to their English teacher.

Many of the Day 1 Blizzard Bag assignments are related to OUR TOWN. This is a continuation of the work started last

school year by the FAST Design Team using grant funds.

Day 2 and 3 Blizzard Bag assignments are all classroom teacher created. It is an opportunity for

review of previously taught concepts or previewing upcoming content.

FAQs about Blizzard Bags can be found on the Ohio Department of Education website at:

http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Other-Resources/Family-and-Community-Engagement/2013-

2014-Calamity-Days/Online-make-up-of-Excess-Calamity-Days/FAQs

If you have any questions related to Blizzard Bags, please contact me directly at 740-862-4171 or

blackstonej@libertyunion.org