Nest News

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! We are so excited to welcome our students back and continue the tradition of excellence that makes Liberty High School such a special place. Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning for another great year, we’re grateful to partner with you in your child’s education. Our staff has been hard at work preparing for the first day, and we’re ready to support, challenge, and celebrate our students every step of the way. We’re looking forward to a school year filled with growth, connection, and opportunity.

2026 - 2027 Academic Calendar

Wednesday Schedules

June 22, 23, 24 - Senior Photo Days at LHS (Wagner will send emails to sign up)

July 13, 14, 15 - Senior Photo Days at LHS (Wagner will send emails to sign up)

August 11- 13 - Student Walk Days (8 am - 2:30 pm) SEE INFORMATION BELOW

August 21- Freshmen Orientation (Link Crew) Day (8:30 am - 11 am)

August 24 - First Day of School (7:15 am - 2:15 pm)

August 26 - Open House (5 pm - 7 pm)

August 28 - Senior Sunrise 6:15 am

August 28 - Picture Day grades 9 -11

September 7 - No School

October 9 - Picture Retake Day (9th - 11th grade)

October 9 - Homecoming Football Game at 7 pm

October 10 - WSD Homecoming Parade 9:30 am (Starting at Holt and traveling down Pearce to the American Legion Hall

October 10 - Homecoming Dance (7pm - 10 pm)

October 14 - Jostens Senior Class Meeting

October 16 - Early Release (7:15 am - 12:00 pm)

October 16 - ACT, ASVAB, PreACT, ACT WorkKeys Testing

October 21 - PSAT Testing

October 28 - Parent-Teacher Conferences (3:30 - 7 pm)

October 29 - Parent-Teacher Conferences (10 am - 8 pm)

October 29 - November 3 - No School Fall Break

November 25-27 - No School - Thanksgiving Break

December 3 - Club Photo Day

December 21-22 - Early Release/Finals

December 23-January 4 - No School - Winter Break

January 18 - No School

January 20 - Jostens Class Ring Meeting (10th grade)

February 15 - No School

March 19 - Early Release (7:15 am - 12:00 pm)

March 22-26 - No School - Spring Break

April 5-6 - No School

June 6 - Graduation - Family Arena (8:30 pm)

Last day of school for both seniors and 9-11 to be determined at the April 2027 board meeting

• Bell Schedule & Wednesday Schedules

• Liberty High School - Welcome Book

• Reporting an Absence

• Focus Login and Focus Parent Guide

• Canvas Login, Canvas Video Tutorial for Parents, and Canvas Parent Guide

Summer camps are officially available at Liberty High School! Whether you're looking to learn something new or sharpen your skills, we've got a spot for you.

Important Note: High school camp registration is exclusive to students currently enrolled at Liberty High School.

LHS Summer Camps

Complete the required annual registration forms in Focus School Software Portal by the start of school to ensure your student has access to District technology resources, including Chromebooks, on their first day. These forms include acceptable use policy and many more. The first parent listed in Focus (i.e. Parent Priority #1) can complete the eforms. To change which person is Parent Priority #1 in Focus, contact your child’s school.

Students entering 9th grade must complete Proof of Residency forms in Focus. These are the enrollment documents required to be uploaded to the Focus School Software Portal.

On August 7, the parent and student portal will open. Students can view, print, or take a screenshot of their class schedule for this school year. Parents must first complete all online registration forms before the schedule is viewable. If students are in need of a schedule correction due to missing a graduation credit needed please click this link (the link will open once schedules are released) or see Liberty’s counseling website. Emailing our counselors with your request may delay this process. If you have just enrolled and are new to Liberty, we most likely have not created a schedule for you yet. We will reach out via email as soon as your schedule is ready.

We are thrilled to welcome all of our new and returning families to the upcoming school year! To help you get oriented and prepared, we are hosting our Schedule Walk Days from August 11 through August 13.

Stop by anytime between 8:00 AM and 2:30 PM to take care of a few campus essentials before the first day of class.

What You Can Do:

• Walk Your Schedule: Explore the halls, locate your classrooms, and map out your daily routes so you feel confident on day one.

• Grab a Locker: If you'd like a designated spot to store your books and gear, you can claim and set up your locker.

• Pick Up Parking Passes: Student drivers can swing by to grab their parking permits.

We can’t wait to see you on campus! If you have any questions before you arrive, please feel free to reach out to the main office.

The transition from middle school to high school is a big one, and it comes along with many challenges. To help ease apprehensions and set freshmen up for success, Liberty High School's Link Crew will be hosting a voluntary freshman orientation on Friday, August 21 at 8:30 a.m. in our main gymnasium. Link Crew's junior and senior members were chosen to represent the many academic and social groups present at Liberty, and all have joined to assist freshmen in their time at and beyond orientation. Following a fun kickoff in the gym, students have an opportunity to meet Link Crew students and fellow students, ask questions they may have about classes and school life, tour the building, and explore ways to get involved at a club fair. The event will conclude around 11:00 a.m. Please plan to pick up/drop off your students at the main entrance of the school, as buses will not be running.

We are aware that some freshmen will be unable to attend. Those students will be contacted by our Link Crew students following orientation, and they can look for any Link Crew student in a Link Crew t-shirt on the first day of school to ask for help.

For any questions or concerns, please contact Matthew Eversole at mattheweversole@wsdr4.org.

We hope to see you there!

Read through the Fall Sports Information newsletter to learn about all required forms, registration, and tryout dates.

Questions? Email: marissawatkins@wsdr4.org.

Both SOAR and NEST time allow students time to study, complete homework, make up tests/quizzes, and visit teachers. Below is a breakdown of their differences.

SOAR Time

• Name on Schedule: Power Time
• When it Occurs: Midday on Standard (A) and Block (B & E) days
• Duration: Generally about 47-49 minutes
• Primary Focus: Student choice - Lunch, self-care, clubs/activities, and meeting with teachers.
• Clarification of Rules: Students may NOT leave during SOAR time. Liberty does not have an open campus policy. Meaning students are not allowed to go get lunch and come back during this time. Students may not order GrubHub, DoorDash, etc, during the school day. Students caught leaving campus and/or propping a door open will receive consequences including ISS (in-school suspension).

NEST Time

• Name on Schedule: Student Success Time
• When it Occurs: Wednesdays only (Block C & E schedules)
• Duration: 40 to 89 minutes (depending on the Wednesday block variation)
• Primary Focus: Focused academic support - Tiered intervention, checking grades, and career exploration.

Liberty High School uses a hybrid schedule format.

• Standard Days (Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays): Students attend 7 academic class periods plus a midday SOAR Time/Lunch block.
• Block Days (Tuesdays & Wednesdays): Classes are consolidated into longer, modified block periods. Tuesday (B Schedule): Covers periods 1, 2, (SOAR Time/Lunch), 7, and 8. Wednesday (C, D, or E Schedules): Covers periods 3, 4, 6, and sometimes 9 (NEST Time).

Understanding the 3 Wednesday Variations:

Wednesday schedules vary week-by-week to accommodate teacher collaboration (PLC time) and district-wide scheduling changes:

1. Wednesday C (Weekly 68-Minute Secondary Early Release)

• When it happens: Most weeks (full school weeks).

• The Schedule: Periods 3, 4, 6, NEST Time (Student Success Time), and Lunch.

• Dismissal: School ends early at 1:07 PM.

2. Wednesday D (Monthly 120-Minute All-District Early Release)

• When it happens: Once a month, replacing the old "Late Start Mondays."

• The Schedule: Highly compressed blocks for periods 3, 4, 6, and Lunch. NEST Time is cut from this day to maximize core class time.

• Dismissal: School ends even earlier at 12:15 PM.

3. Wednesday E (No Early Release)

• When it happens: Weeks that are already shortened or do not qualify for an early release.

• The Schedule: A full-length block day running until 2:15 PM. It includes periods 3, 4, 6, NEST Time, and SOAR Time/Lunch.

For further clarification of which Wednesday is which, please utilize the district academic calendar and our bell schedule.

Please complete the following two steps to receive your parking permit.
Step 1.
Purchase your parking permit through FOCUS for $30.00
Step 2.
Enter the required vehicle information into FOCUS.

Child information-Transportation-

Select Student Driver, then complete the following fields...

* Car Make

* Car Model

* Car Year

* License Plate

Parking tags for the 26-27 school year will be distributed in the Student Center on Student Walk Days Aug 11 - Aug 13.

Students must present a valid driver's license and current auto insurance card to receive their parking permit.

Seniors will receive passes for the front lot.

Juniors will receive passes for the back lot.

Sophomores will receive passes for the football field lot.

Each grade level is assigned a specific lot, but not a specific spot.

*Only students who are 16 years of age with a valid driver's license are eligible to apply*

Students may obtain their passes during Schedule Walk Days - August 11 through August 13 (8:00 AM - 2:30 PM).

Questions? Contact Matthewkiesel@wsdr4.org

We ask that you arrive early the first week of school. Doors will open at 6:45 a.m.. Please drive cautiously in our lot and be patient with our staff as we work through issues that may arise due to new student drivers and drop-off traffic this year.

The recommended entrance for parents and students is Sommers Rd due to ability to avoid bus traffic. Please only exit via the south or stadium entrance. This is for the safety of all.

Bus information will be emailed out from the Transportation Department in early August.

Arrival & Dismissal

Buses Arrival and Dismissal take place on our back lot near the auditorium. Teachers will review bus lineups with students on the first day of school.

Student Drivers - Student Drivers are only permitted to park in the Parking Lot with a Parking Permit.

Parent Pick Up/Dismissal - Students must be in their classrooms by 7:15 a.m. in order not to be counted as tardy. We recognize that our lot/Sommers Rd. becomes very busy between 7:05 - 7:15 a.m.. We HIGHLY recommend all car riders arrive by 7 a.m. or earlier in order to be on time for class.

Any student may request a locker at Liberty. To request a locker, students should visit the Student Center during our Student Walk Days (see the Important Dates section above), or the Student Center during the school year and speak with Mrs. Gomillion. Before requesting a locker, we recommend walking through your schedule and noting the locker numbers that would be most convenient for you.

Athletic lockers may be requested in the Activities Office. Please see Mrs. Watkins with a request.

Important Locker Room Information

Chromebook Insurance will be online this year through Focus, and is available to purchase in July (click here to learn how to pay this fee through Focus). The cost to participate in this program is $20 annually. Coverage begins once the Chromebook has been issued to your child and payment has been received. It remains in effect through June 30, 2027. This fee is non-refundable and does not transfer to the next school year if the insurance is not used.

How to Login to LunchTime

Make a Cafeteria Deposit

Set a Low Balance Reminder

Free and Reduced Meal Information

As we head into a new school year, I wanted to provide you with a few reminders of things needed to ensure that your student has everything ready to go when it’s time to start the 2026/2027 school year.

#1: Class of 2027, please ensure that you have the required second dose of the meningococcal ACWY (MCV4) vaccine and provide an updated record. You will not be able to attend school without it.

#2: Any student with Diabetes, a Seizure Disorder, Asthma, and/or Allergies needs an updated Action Plan/Medication Order from their doctor for the new school year. Also, please notify the school nurse if your student will self-carry medication and/or their own medical supplies for additional authorization form(s).

#3: If you’d like your student to be able to take Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc. at school, please obtain a Non Prescription Medication Authorization form with your doctor’s signature. A new form is required for each school year.

#4: If your student requires prescription medication at school, please ensure we have an updated Prescription Medication Authorization form on file. You can drop off medication and supplies beginning August 17.

Please reach out to Nurse Melle in the Liberty Nurse Clinic if you have questions or concerns.

636-561-0075 (press 2) or melissasimms@wsdr4.org

To order your yearbook using a credit card:

1. Go to yearbookordercenter.com

2. Enter order number 17208

3. Follow the onscreen instructions

If you do not have internet access, to use a credit card to order your yearbook, call 1.866.287.3096 and use order number 17208.

Don't miss the chance to congratulate your senior and express your pride and love with a dedicated ad in the 2027 yearbook! Ads are accepted on a space-available basis, so be sure to submit early.

Pricing & Ad Sizes

• 1/8 Page: $60

• 1/4 Page: $100

• 1/2 Page: $190

• Full Page: $280

How to Order & Submit Online

1. Visit www.yearbookordercenter.com and enter school order number 17208.

2. Go to the "START YOUR AD" tab located in the SHARE YOUR LOVE box.

3. Follow the prompts to design your ad, add it to your cart, and complete the checkout process. Your ad is not complete until you receive a confirmation email.

⏳ Deadline: All ads must be submitted and paid for no later than Friday, October 30.

Contact & Support

• Questions? Reach out to the yearbook adviser, Jonathan Hall, at jonathanhall@wsdr4.org.

• Technical Issues? Contact Varsity Tech Support at 877.362.7750.

What is Booster Club?

The Liberty Booster Club plays a vital role in supporting Liberty High School by raising funds for student clubs and athletic programs. Through concession stand funds, fundraisers, and generous donations, the Booster Club helps provide essential resources, equipment, and opportunities that enhance the student experience and promote school spirit.

Board Members-

President Julie Turnipseed

Vice President Colleen Grams

Treasurer Bethany Schnell

Secretary Andrea Fortson

Linked HERE is a Google form for committee sign ups, please consider helping us, help your student!

The majority of funds for Liberty Booster Club comes from our concession stand profit at our events. We cannot do this without your help. Please consider signing up using this link. Thank you for your consideration. Concessions sign up: bit.ly/lhs-volunteer

*must use a personal email address/will not work with a @wsdr4.org email

Please reach out if you have any questions. Thank you so much!

Email: info@libertyboosterclub.com

WHAT IS OPEN HOUSE?
The staff at Liberty High School invites you to attend our Open House, where you'll have the opportunity to walk through your student's schedule and meet Liberty's teachers, counselors, and principals. This is a drop-in format. You do not have to visit every class if you do not have the desire/time. We are excited to meet you, and can't wait to support your student this year!

WHEN IS OPEN HOUSE?
Open House is August 26, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

Bring your student's schedule, which can be found in the Focus portal.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?
This is the perfect time to learn about the content your student will learn and review class syllabi for this school year. Note that this is not a time for individual conferences; stay tuned for more information about Parent Teacher Conferences in an upcoming Nest Newsletter.

The WSD will host its annual testing window from Oct. 13-23, 2026, offering high schoolers a convenient, school-day opportunity to fulfill Missouri's College and Career Readiness graduation requirements. Students can choose from three assessment options: the ACT ($56.25, free for Juniors; ideal for college-bound students), the ACT WorkKeys ($36.00; designed for career and workforce readiness), or the ASVAB (Free; measures vocational aptitude with no military commitment required). Registration opens via the Focus Portal on July 13, 2026. Please note the strict deadlines, as late registrations cannot be accepted: Aug. 28, 2026 for ACT/PSAT accommodations, and Oct. 9, 2026 for all standard registrations.

ACT: October 16, 2026

ACT WorkKeys: October 16, 2026

ASVAB: October 16, 2026

PreACT: October 16, 2026

PSAT: October 21, 2026

• Missouri State Personal Device law
• LHS is NOT an open campus. Students may not leave campus during lunch.
• LHS does NOT allow student food delivery during the school day.

• To ensure a smooth and timely pickup during lunch, we kindly ask that parents and guardians remind their students to meet them in the main office. By having students wait in a designated location, we can ensure a quick and efficient sign-out process, helping you get to your appointments on time. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

• Remember to report a student's absence via email attendance.liberty@wsdr4.org.

• Focus custom notifications directions.

• Information on securing belongings in the locker rooms.

Please help us keep Liberty High School a safe environment for all.