December 2006

 

Hello,

The school year is flying past us at an incredible speed. The holiday rush is upon us, the band has returned from Hawaii, the LHS Holiday Concert is Friday night, and the football team has us all looking forward to a return trip to Hershey Saturday. Our winter sports programs are getting into full swing too. While all of this is going on, we can’t forget that the PSSA’s are looming on the horizon.  Wow!

The first semester will end shortly after the holiday break, and students are reminded it is never too early to begin reviewing for final exams.  The Student Achievement Taskforce is scheduled to meet again on December 20th in the Library at 3:00 pm.  Any member of the community who wishes to become part of this committee is welcomed to call me for more details.

We at Liberty wish to thank all members of the community for your support in the numerous activities and programs sponsored by Liberty High School.  Our faculty and students are working hard in the classrooms as well as in the many extra and co-curricular activities offered at Liberty, so you can be proud of their efforts and results.

From the administration, faculty, staff, and students at Liberty High School we wish you a safe and joyous holiday season.  See you in ’07.

Yours in Liberty,
Dean M. Donaher, Principal

Fall 2006

Greetings,

The first marking period is in the books and school is in full swing.

This summer witnessed the continuation of the construction project. The Field House was completed, providing state of the art facilities for all of our students, and especially our student athletes.  Construction continues in and around the Commons Building, with an anticipated completion in April 2007.  Next, we will close the Klein Classroom Center for the 2007-2008 school year. In the summer of 2008, we will open the Klein Classroom Center as well as the new Student Activities Center.  The completion of the renovations to the Memorial Gymnasium and to the ground floor of the Commons Building will take place during the 2008-2009 school year. I believe we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

This also marks the beginning of a school year where Liberty High School finds itself categorized as a school in need of Corrective Action as described by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  As a result of our failure to meet goals set by the Commonwealth in Mathematics and Reading on the PSSA test, student performance at Liberty is now “under the microscope.” We are all a part of the solution to this problem and must work together to help get Liberty off “the list.”  The only way to get off the list is to show a dramatic improvement in the grade 11 PSSA test, which will be administered later in the school year.  It is a responsibility we all share faculty, staff, students and parents  in raising the level of expectation for our children. Please talk to your children and encourage them to do their best everyday, on every test in every class.  Let us all help in getting Liberty off “the list,”  Thanks!

Yours in Liberty,
Dean M. Donaher, Principal

June 2006 Message...

Graduation is over, final exams are in the grade-books and the Liberty High School Class of 2006 is on their way.  It has been my honor to have been your Principal during your senior year‚ and what a year it was.  I know you will cherish the memories as much as I.  You are the future, and I for one feel confident that our future has never been brighter.  Don't forget to follow through.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all the many people who make Liberty High School the best high school in the country.  From the Board of School Directors, to the Superintendent and Central Administration, to fellow administrators, to teachers, to support personnel, to custodians, to parents, to students, and to all the supportive community members who help keep Liberty rolling - THANK YOU.

I want to express my deepest thanks to all employees of the Bethlehem Area School District who are retiring at the end of this school year.  Your dedication to the BASD will long be remembered and forever cherished.  In particular I would like to send out special thanks to those staff members who are retiring from Liberty High School this year: Lynn Teles, Joanne LaBar, Don Midway, Len Perrett, Rebecca Ormesher, James Fox, Jay Schuler, Connie Lewis, and George Maunz. You have given your hearts and souls to the students of Liberty High School.  Thank you.

Please enjoy a safe and relaxing summer. We will see all of you right back here in August.  Thanks for a great year.

Sincerely,
Dean M. Donaher, Principal

March 2006 Message...

As we close in on the final lap of another school year we are reminded that it is time for standardized testing.  The Junior Class will be participating in the PSSA test during the weeks of March 20th and 27th.  Likewise, the Sophomore Class will be participating in the Terra Nova Test during the same time period.  Please encourage your children to perform to the best of their abilities. These tests are extremely important in the overall evaluation of Liberty High School in particular, and the Bethlehem Area School District in general.

We also close the books on another sports season.  The winter season offered us many reasons to be proud of Liberty High School.  Senior, Willie Horwath placed 7th at the Pennsylvania State Wrestling Tournament, great job Willie. The Boy's Basketball team fought their way into the State Playoffs and made it to the second round before falling to the defending State Champions from Chester High School. Girl's Head Basketball Coach John Tone became the win ingest coach in Liberty Basketball history during the 2005-2006 season.  Congratulations to Coach Tone.  Once again the true spirit and class of Liberty High School coaches, athletes, and fans were on display and they never failed to impress.

I would also like to take time to recognize the Freedom High School Girl's Basketball Team for their outstanding season as they continue their march through the State Playoffs.  Congratulations to their coach Kelly Mikulski and her staff, just a note that Kelly is the daughter of Liberty Athletic Director Sam Senneca.

Spring also signals the arrival of the musical and theatre productions at Liberty High School.  Please join us for our various concerts, be they instrumental, vocal, or theatrical.  Our teachers and students have been logging long hours rehearsing to bring you performances which rival any Broadway Production.  This web site will provide information on show dates, times, and locations.  Please remember that due to our state of construction, traditional production venues may have changed from last year.  Please double check the performance location to insure being at the right place at the right time.

I would like to remind everyone that numerous students have earned awards and recognition from Liberty High School as well as other various agencies in the Greater Bethlehem Community.  If you are aware of recognition received by a Liberty student please let us know.  We are always willing to share good news with the entire community. 

Well the weather is getting warmer, well a little warmer anyway, spring is in the air and graduation is only a few months away.  The busy season is upon us all.  I hope to see you soon.

Sincerely,
Dean M. Donaher, Principal

January, 2006 Message...

It feels like only yesterday we were preparing for the opening of school and now we are closing in on the end of the first semester. Time has flown over the past few months in part due to the success of our Fall Sports Programs.  What can be said about our record setting football team that has not already been said?  Not much.  Wow!

This past holiday season witnessed the terrific production of ‚"It's A Wonderful Life" by Liberty Theatre and we all got in the spirit with a successful Holiday Concert by our vocal and instrumental music programs. Congratulations to all the staff and students involved in these outstanding performances.

January signals the time for course selection for the 2006-2007 school year and preparation for first semester final exams. Time is flying.

All of our winter sports programs are in full swing, please plan on attending as many events as possible to cheer on our student-athletes.  They really appreciate your support.

Stay warm.  Spring is just around the corner.

Sincerely,
Dean