Liberty Newsletter: Volume 187

Email: zimmermann.adam@iowacityschools.org
Website: https://liberty.iowacityschools.org/
Location: 1400 South Dubuque Street, North Liberty, IA, USA
Phone: (319) 688-1350
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LibertyHighSchool2017
X: @ICLibertyHS

Instagram: liberty_bolts

Students enrolled in AP courses: the deadline to register for AP exams is at the end of this month! We encourage you to take the exam as an opportunity to demonstrate what you’ve learned and potentially earn college credit or advanced placement. Families, please check in with your student about their exam plans and make sure registration is completed before the deadline. Contact your AP teacher or school counselor with questions about registration, fees, or available financial assistance.

Name of Field Trip: Career Inspire

Date of Field Trip: 11/10/26

Time of Field Trip: 8:50am-12:20pm

Destination of Field Trip: Cedar Rapids

Location of Field Trip: Alliant Energy Powerhouse, 370 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA

All 9th grad students will attend this event.

As we approach the end of the trimester, please plan for finals. Below is the schedule for finals beginning on Friday, November 13th. If you have any questions, please reach out.

We will be hiring an internal interim AD for the remainder of the school year. Interviews will be held in November. Given that this is an interim position, this process will be abbreviated with the goal of on-boarding our new AD by January. Thank you for your continued commitment to our students and school community. If you have any questions, please reach out to me. Adam Zimmerman @ zimmerman.adam@iowacityschools.org or call 319-688-1350.

Please help us keep arrival and dismissal safe, efficient and smooth for everyone! As a friendly reminder, please keep the bus lane clear during drop-off and pick-up so our buses can safely load and unload students.

Please refer to the attached campus map for available parking areas marked in green. The bus lane, marked in red, should remain clear of cars at all times.We appreciate your cooperation and care for our Liberty community!

Today Brian Donohoe, David Heck, and our entire custodial team was recognized as collective BOLTS Belt recipients by Ms. April Kelly for the care they put into Liberty each day. From preparing classrooms for learning to getting our building ready for activities and events, their work makes so many student experiences possible. They respond when we need help and take pride in making Liberty a clean, safe, and welcoming place for students, staff, and families. Brian, David, and team—thank you for all you do for our school community!

The Bolts Journalism staff has been busy! On Oct. 20, editors from the Live Wire had the opportunity to participate in an Iowa Football Media Day organized by the IHSPA. They interviewed players and attended the press conference with reporters from various news sources.

On Oct. 22, Newspaper and Yearbook staffers attended the annual IHSPA Fall Conference at the University of Iowa. They attended a variety of breakout sessions, listened to a keynote speaker and took home yearbook awards. It was a fun day!

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) prepares motivated students for college and career readiness and success in a global society. One important part of AVID is our college visits. These field trips provide our AVID students the opportunity to come together across the grade levels to help them find their "college fit" and understand college on a deeper level. Our first field trip of the year was to the University of Northern Iowa on October 20.

Students and families - we are excited to offer the opportunity to nominate staff members who go the extra mile to ensure our school is a great place to learn. Nominations are made through the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty (ABCD) Staff Award Google Form (click here) and staff members will be recognized for going the extra mile.

The seniors have a cap and gown informational meeting Tuesday, October 6 during Advisory!

Your Jostens online school store is open and along with your senior's Cap & Gown, there are dozens of options to make your senior's year special.

From senior apparel and exclusive 2027 key rings to custom class rings and belt buckles, there's something to help every senior celebrate.

For Senior Days Specials, order by October 22 for best package pricing. Your grad apparel and gear will ship to you in 1-2 weeks so you can enjoy it right way.

Most SENIOR RINGS are currently discounted 30% - 40% OFF until October 19. Price online includes discount.

Caps and gowns and announcements will arrive at your school in the spring but be sure to order now for the lowest price!

Learn more about ordering here

Flyers and catalogs are available in the high school office. Questions? Contact kristy.stern@jostens.com

Jen Peterman took a group of AP Cybersecurity students to the Youth Cyber Summit at Kirkwood CC on October 13. This event introduced high school students to cybersecurity careers through hands-on activities and connections with industry professionals. The program featured a team-based cyber incident response simulation, capture-the-flag challenges, and demonstrations of password cracking and threat detection, emphasizing teamwork, problem-solving, and real-world applications of cybersecurity skills.

Purchase your 2026-27 Yearbook! Head over to the Varsity Yearbook Order Center (school code: 26852)!

Please email Anna Jabbari with any questions. (jabbari.anna@iowacityschools.org)

Trivia Night Fundraiser

Join us for a fun-filled evening of trivia, friendly competition, food & drinks! Gather a team of 6 or come on your own and help support our students while enjoying a great night out.

Trivia Night Details:

• Ticket link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/trivia-night-194
• Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
• Time: 6:30 - 9:00 pm
• Location: North Ridge Pavilion, 2250 Holiday Road, Coralville, IA 52241
• Cost: $50/ticket or $300 for a table of 6

Thank you for supporting our Liberty students—we appreciate it!

Best,
Liberty Prom & After Prom Committee

The purple shading is the area is where the event will be held for families who are attending the event. This event is organized by the Student Council.

State-bound, Bolts! Congratulations to the Liberty High boys cross country team on claiming the qualifying meet title and securing their spot at State!

McKenzie Vedepo and Mackenzie Maher are also headed to the State Cross Country Meet after qualifying individually for the girls!

We’re so excited to announce that 11 Liberty students were selected for the 2026 OPUS Honor Choir! Congratulations to Keira Galvin, Finley Loes, Charlotte Pearl, Norah Person, Elliette Winegardner, Eli Beck, Clover Clark, Jack Hegouet, Dom Hilsman, Tyler Hoth, and Sean Miller! Let's Go, Bolts!!

Congratulations to Liberty volleyball on its regional semifinal win over Dubuque Hempstead! The Bolts now advance to face Cedar Falls in the regional final, with a trip to the state tournament on the line. We’re proud of the hard work and teamwork our players and coaches have put into this season. Let’s cheer them on as they take the next step—Go Bolts!

All athletic registrations must be completed online and paper forms are no longer accepted.

Registrations can be completed or renewed by clicking on GoBoundIowaCityLiberty Once on the Bound Website, click on 'Registration' and follow the directions provided. (It is recommended you complete the registration process on a computer rather than cell phone.)

If you do not already have a Bound account, please create one by entering your information and creating an account. Next, follow the steps listed for setting up a new Bound account. If you cannot remember your password - click the "forgot password" link. Do not create a new account.

Physicals must be uploaded as a .pdf or .jpg file. Please make sure you have completed the health history questions and provided a parent/guardian signature to avoid delays in processing. You must upload and go through all forms before your registration is complete. Please make sure that you are creating a registration for the 2026-27 school year.

Every cell phone can turn a photo into a PDF using one of these free apps:

PDF scanner for Android

PDF scanner for iPhone

If you have any registration questions - please email the athletic trainer, Anna Manternach, directly: manternach.anna@iowacityschools.org or contact Athletic Secretary, Michael Janssen via email (janssen.michael@iowacityschools.org) or the Athletic Office by phone, 319-688-1352. You can also access a registration step by step guide here.

Support Student Programs. Leave a Legacy. Donate today!

The Liberty Fund needs your help! We want to ensure all Liberty students can participate in school activities where belonging and school pride come together through both academic and co-curricular activities.

The Liberty Fund has provided grants to students and groups to support student access to opportunities through fundraising. Here are a few program examples that grants have supported:

• New Student/Freshman Orientation
• National French Competition Exam
• Liberty Lightning Technical Theater
• Garden Club
• African American Literature Classes & Black Student Union
• Business Professionals of America Leadership Conference

Make a tax deductible donation to The Liberty Fund today! Donate at The Liberty Fund Website or email for more information at libertyhighfund@gmail.com.

The Lightning Athletic Booster Club is now accepting memberships for the 2026-2027 year for as little as $25. Sign up today at https://golibertylightning.com/membership/

Want to get involved? Our meetings are the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30 at the Liberty High School Library.

To our incredible Liberty community, Thank you for supporting our students. Your support, whether through volunteering, donating, or cheering from the stands, fuels our mission to uplift every student-athlete. Together, we’re building a legacy of pride, perseverance, and community spirit. Go Bolts!

Event Snapshot: JA Dream Accelerator™

• The Experience: An immersive career and budgeting simulation where volunteers work at a station and help young students navigate life after high school.

• Location: ICCSD Center for Innovation (Iowa City)

• Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Includes a 1.5-hour midday break from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM to relax, work, or grab lunch offsite).

• Team Size: 6 volunteers per date (volunteers can sign up individually or together).

Volunteer dates available through April 2027

See the event in action here.

Sign Up Here for the JA Dream Accelerator

As we look ahead to the new school year, we’re excited to open up nominations for the 2026-27 Shine Awards, which recognize the incredible staff in our schools.

We’re now accepting nominations for the first individuals to be recognized this school year. This is a chance to acknowledge someone who has made a meaningful impact on you, your family, or your school.

Please consider the teachers, paraeducators, secretaries, nutrition services workers, student & family advocates, counselors, librarians, nurses, custodians, tradespeople, support staff, administrators, and more throughout our District who you feel should be recognized for this honor.

To submit a nomination, please complete the Shine Award Nomination Form.

Thank you for helping us recognize the work and dedication of our team.

• Elementary and Middle School students are eligible for free transportation if they live more than two miles from their assigned school.

• High School students are eligible for free transportation if they live more than three miles from their assigned school.

If your family qualifies based on these mileage requirements and you would like to sign up for transportation, please complete the Application for Transportation.

Additionally, families who do not qualify for transportation based on mileage may apply for our Pay-to-Ride Program. If you’re interested in Pay-to-Ride, please submit your application as soon as possible, to be considered for a bus spot at the start of the school year.

If you have any questions before applying, please don’t hesitate to contact our Transportation Manager, Esme Davis, at Davis.Esme@iowacityschools.org.

Additional information can be found on our website at www.IowaCitySchools.org/Transportation.

Check it out by clicking on this link: https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/iowa/northliberty/liberty-high-school or by clicking the image below.

It is the policy of the Iowa City Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic status in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact the Student Success Office at StudentSuccess@iowacityschools.org for programming, or the Human Resources Office at HR@iowacityschools.org for employment (2255 N. Dubuque Rd, Iowa City, IA 52245, 319-688-1000). If you are unsure how to proceed or would like assistance in discussing your options, you may also contact the Ombuds at ombuds@iowacityschools.org or 319-688-1312.