Preparing for Success on AzMERIT

Spring testing signals the close of the school year and can be a stressful time for all involved—students, parents, teacher, and school administrators and staff. During the week of March 28, students, from grade 3 up, across the state of Arizona will be taking the AzMERIT test; 4th and 8th graders will also be taking the AIMS Science Test.

Tax Season is Almost Over

The Deadline Looms

April 15 traditionally closes tax season every year. If you haven’t filed yet, there is still time to earn the 2015 Arizona school tax credit. Arizona law (ARS 43-1098.01) allows tax payers to receive a tax credit of up to $400 for donations that benefit students in public schools. This credit lowers your state tax debt dollar for dollar.

Women Working to Form a More Perfect Union

March is Women’s History Month, and the 2016 theme, as stated in the title of this feature, is dedicated to honoring women in public service and government. This month typically features events and efforts to recognize and focus on the contributions of women and their “consistently overlooked and undervalued” roles in national and world history. The inroads and work of women in government and activism is sometimes missed and outright ignored, especially when their attention is focused on achieving actionable goals rather than recognition.

Love of Reading 2016: Engaging in Literacy

This week, February 8 – 12, 2016, schools and libraries all over the country are celebrating Love of Reading week. We are having special readers—city officials, police officers, servicemen and women, librarians, curators, parents, athletes, and other community members—come in to share their favorite books with students. For more information, check our newsletter and calendar of events.

Literacy and literacy education remain at the forefront of parent and teacher concerns. In our increasingly digital world, literacy is an indispensable commodity. Being able to read and write fluently is vital to participation and success in the current state of our world. Between text, email, and the time we all spend online, much of the information we consume is in print, so strong reading skills are a must for success today and in the future.

Kinder Counts: Welcome To Liberty Traditional Kindergarten

We believe that high-quality early childhood education is essential for a strong academic foundation that advocates lifelong learning.

Full-day kindergarten programs:

  • allow youngsters to develop strong academic, social, and emotional skills
  • produce better reading and math skills than half-day programs
  • yield students with higher retention and lower dropout rates throughout their academic careers

That’s why we offer FREE all-day kindergarten, plus free before- and after-school care.

Learn More About Free Full-Day Kindergarten

Welcome 2016

Students at Douglas charter school, Liberty Traditional School, learn about and are encouraged to embody the Six Pillars of Character:

  • Trustworthiness: able to be relied on as honest or truthful
  • Respect: a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements; due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others
  • Responsibility: the state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something; the opportunity or ability to act independently and make decisions without authorization; a thing that one is required to do as part of a job, role, or legal obligation; a moral obligation to behave correctly toward or in respect of
  • Fairness: impartial and just treatment or behavior without favoritism or discrimination
  • Caring: (adj.) displaying kindness and concern for others; (n.) the work or practice of looking after those unable to care for themselves, especially sick and elderly people
  • Citizenship: the character of an individual viewed as a member of society; behavior in terms of the duties, obligations, and functions of a citizen*

Thawing the Winter Brain Freeze

Most parents today are well-aware of the studies showing that children lose knowledge and skills over long breaks from school. The holidays are a time of fun and relaxation for most, but, with a little planning, you might just be able to halt the loss of some of those skills and engage your children in inspiring ways.

Be True to Your School

You can help your school by taking advantage of the Arizona School Tax Credit. Arizona law allows taxpayers to receive a tax credit of up to $400 for donations that benefit our students. A tax credit reduces what you owe in state taxes, dollar-for-dollar. For more information and a printable tax credit form, click below.

Download Tax Form

Understanding AzMERIT for Parents

Something new is on the horizon … and not just a new year. Before you know it, it will be time for the 2016 AzMERIT test. It may still be a little new, and it’s definitely different from AIMS, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be intimidating.

The Red Planet: 50 Years of Successful Mars Exploration

Mars regained the world’s attention this fall, with recent news of the discovery of liquid water on the planet and a new blockbuster film set on Earth’s nearest neighbor, The Martian. This is a timely moment to focus on Red Planet Day, November 28.

Holiday Volunteerism in Douglas

This holiday break, consider volunteering with your Liberty Traditional student, and help someone else in need. Volunteering within the community is a great way to instill the values of citizenship and compassion, which can last your child a lifetime. The season of giving is the perfect opportunity to introduce kids to or reinforce these character concepts.

Volunteerism teaches kids to appreciate what they have. Children oftentimes learn best by seeing and even experiencing a situation for themselves. Helping out in a soup kitchen or touring a homeless shelter after donating allows kids to visualize the contrast compared to their own lives. Your child can appreciate that he or she is able to have a meal and home while others may not be so fortunate.