The Liberty Link

The MSD of Decatur Township is Student Invested, Community Connected. We prioritize Student learning, Safety and Customer Service, fostering a support system for our families.

“You may have tangible wealth untold; caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be. I had a mother who read to me.” -Strickland Gillian

The preschool teachers and I have been studying the "Science of Reading" together this semester. Although we have always spent our Thursday lunchtime meetings learning together about best practices in teaching preschoolers, we really wanted to concentrate on the building blocks of reading this year so we can better prepare our students to be strong readers, writers and thinkers! One of those building blocks is a rich and robust vocabulary. An amazing fact we've learned is that kids who are read 5 board or picture books a day will have heard 1.4 million more words by age 5 than children who are rarely or never read to (research from Ohio State University). Even children who are not speaking yet benefit from hearing books read aloud. So, pull those books off the shelf or out of the crate and read, read, read to your child. It makes a difference!

Mrs. Susan Bryant

Email: sbryant@decaturproud.org
Website: http://www.decaturproud.org/liberty
Location: 4640 Santa Fe Drive, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Phone: (317) 243-7559
Facebook: Liberty Preschool MSD Decatur (under Pages)

Instagram: libertypreschool_msddecatur
Twitter: @hawks_liberty

Coming Up at Liberty:

• Thursday, April 25th: Kindergarten Round Up at each elementary school, 5:00-7:00 pm
• Tuesday, April 30th: Preschool Art Show, 4:30-6:00 pm
• May 6th - 10th: Staff Appreciation Week
• Wednesday, May 15th: Preschool Graduation, 6:00 pm at the DCHS Auditorium
• Thursday, May 23rd: Last Day of School; Preschool Field Day

Thank you to everyone who uploaded 10 or more contacts for our Book Blast! We had 59 students earn 3 prizes just for completing that "assignment." Now, the donations are pouring in as your friends and family send money to purchase books for your child's personal library. Donations will be accepted through Sunday night. Your child's books will arrive in May!

***BREAKING NEWS!***

We've gotten permission to keep our Book Blast portal open for the coming weekend! You can still register your child at http://bookblast.booksarefun.com/LibertyEarlyES46241 and upload your 10+ contacts to earn prizes for your child, build his/her personal library and, maybe, earn a shopping spree for your child's teacher!

If your child is "graduating" from preschool and will be going to kindergarten next year, be sure to take him/her to Kindergarten Round Up on April 25th to see the big kids' school! If you're not sure which elementary your child will attend, feel free to contact your child's teacher or Mrs. Bryant and we will look it up for you.

Liberty will host its second annual Preschool Art Show on Tuesday, April 30th from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. Every preschool student will have a work of art on display in our preschool hallway. Make plans now to stop by and see the beautiful pieces our kids will be making, inspired by the work of famous artists!

Liberty Preschool is thrilled to present the newest addition to the playground: The Communication Station! This sign will help give access to language for all our preschool learners while on the playground. Thank you to the Decatur Township Educational Foundation who funded the project through the spring grant, and to our Speech & Language Pathologists, Kelly Brodowicz and Frannie Yohler, who wrote the grant! If you're ever visiting our playground after hours, be sure to click on the QR code to see how the Communication Station can help your child communicate using the pictures on the sign.

Whenever you're buying gift cards, you can help Liberty by purchasing them through us! You can get ecards to download immediately and use from your phone, or purchase physical (plastic) cards that are shipped to you! Details are available once you enroll in our Raise Right program! Scan the QR code below, or go to RaiseRight.com/m/StartEarning and use enrollment code XTG56AB65VS2. Feel free to invite friends and family members to participate, too!

Our PTO is still accepting reservations for our inflatable birthday cake and sign. For only $15 (cash or check made payable to Liberty PTO or via Venmo @Charity-Thomas-18) we'll have the cake outside the preschool wing of the building with a sign showing your child's name and age. It will be on display for a whole day. We'll take your child's picture with the sign and send it to you via email or Parent Square, too. To reserve the cake for your child's birthday, email/message your child's teacher and Mrs. Bryant (sbryant@decaturproud.org or on Parent Square) with the date of your child's birthday. Then, send in the payment and your date will be reserved! Thanks for supporting the Liberty PTO!

Remember, Liberty Preschool follows the district-wide guidelines for celebrating birthdays at school. While we can't allow you to send in cupcakes, cookies or even healthy snacks as a birthday treat for your child's class, you can send in a non-edible surprise (party favor toys, stickers, small play-dohs or bubbles, etc.) to pass out to the children in the class. Thanks for your understanding in following these guidelines!

All volunteers are required to submit a volunteer application and clear a background check prior to volunteering at any Decatur Township school. It is important to submit your application at least 2 weeks prior to a field trip, class party, and/or any other special event to ensure we get the background check results to clear you to volunteer. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. To begin the volunteer process, click the application link below.

Volunteer Application

Dry and fresh food items will be available for drive thru pick up for any families with children enrolled in MSD of Decatur Township Schools!
When: Select Thursdays 11:30AM – 12:50PM (dates listed below)
Where: Decatur Central High School, Door 10
How to apply: Complete the intake form below and submit! (required for each distribution date). The form must be completed by the Tuesday before the pick up date.

Food Pantry Intake Form

Pantry Pick-Up Dates:
August 17th
August 31st
September 7th
September 21st
October 6th (Note: this is a Friday)
November 2nd
November 9th
November 30th
December 14th

If your child is struggling to adjust to school, is having behavior issues, or has other mental health issues, the MSD of Decatur has contracted with Square One to provide counseling services at all of our schools. To make a referral for counseling, please contact Mrs. Bryant at 317-486-4203. We want to help!

It is the Board’s commitment to provide a safe, positive, productive and nurturing educational environment for all of its students. Any individual who believes a student has been or is the victim of discrimination, bullying, or harassment should report the situation to the building principal or designee or complete the School District’s Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying report form, which is available online at www.decaturproud.org.