Change and Gratitude

 

After a full school year as a 9–12 building, I can report I really miss the fun energy of Liberty's 7th and 8th graders.  I look forward to seeing many familiar faces back in our halls next year as the current 8th graders matriculate. 

 

There have been some advantages to being a high-school-only building, most significantly the ability to focus more on less.  For example, the student-life team has been able to focus on the House System exclusively rather than both the House and Order Systems.  This has allowed positive change.  In one concrete example, we were able to assign three faculty deans to each house this year, up from the two we have had in past years.  More adults means better guidance, more resources for student leaders to draw upon, and lighter loads for all involved. 

 

The change to a high-school-only campus has also clarified and focused our efforts in academic support, advising, course registration, and a host of other areas.  Finally, a high-school-only building has created a sense of unity among the student body.  All students are at one level, abiding by one dress code and set of policies, participating in one student life, and focused on the ultimate goal of high-school graduation.  

 

LCHS students have achieved incredible successes this year.  Their accomplishments are more than I could quickly list, but they include statewide success in Junior Classical League, national-level achievement in robotics, all-state and regional honor band, choir, and orchestra participation, and league championships in athletics. 

We have particularly enjoyed celebrating the mighty class of 2026.   This incredible group includes National Merit Finalists and Daniels Scholarship winners.  They have been accepted to a wide variety of high-quality institutions, including some of the most prestigious colleges, universities, and military academies.  We will miss our seniors and hope they come back to visit.

 

During this year, the success of the school has been supported by incredible parent volunteers.  For example, Eagle Games last week was a fun, celebratory experience and would have been nearly impossible if it were not for parents setting up a breakfast buffet, grilling hamburgers, staffing an ice-cream station, serving lunch, and assisting with setup and takedown.  In another example, two weeks of AP examinations, during which hundreds of college credits were earned by LCHS students, were made possible by parent proctors who volunteered their time – often again and again.  Thank you for supporting Liberty Common High School.  We love our parents!

 

We are saying goodbye to some outstanding teachers and staff members this year, and adding some incredible new hires.  Mrs. Paulina Deitrick is leaving us after 15 years as our full-time Spanish teacher.  We wish her, Zach, and Jonathan all the best as they move to Chile.  Spanish courses will be taken over by Mrs. Aracelli Green, an experienced Spanish teacher at other local schools.  In chemistry, Dr. Don Morrison is moving on.  His expertise and enthusiasm for chemistry and student life will be missed.  Dr. Seth Stepleton, with experience at CEC, FRCC, and other institutions, will join us as the new chemistry teacher.  Finally, Mr. Brian Elshof, the LCHS maintenance coordinator, will retire at the end of June.  His contribution has been incredible and his dedication to the school unmatched.  We are excited to be joined by our new maintenance coordinator, Mr. Matt Hendley.

 

We wish students and parents a relaxing and restorative summer, and look forward to seeing you again in the fall.