There will be no school tomorrow or Monday for Easter Break.
We’ll see everyone back on Tuesday, April 22.
Enjoy the short break and have a wonderful Easter weekend!
Teacher Leader Spotlight!
We’re proud to celebrate one of our incredible educators, Susan Thomlinson, who recently presented at the MAEA Conference in Columbia! Art educators from across Missouri came together for workshops, best practices, and professional learning opportunities—and Susan was right in the middle of it all.
She led a hands-on studio workshop titled “Nature Sculptures,” sharing her expertise and creativity with fellow art teachers. Susan also participated in a variety of professional development sessions, continuing to grow as both an educator and artist.
Way to go, Mrs. Thomlinson! Thank you for representing our school and inspiring others through your leadership and passion for the arts!
#TheLMSWay
Our Lifetime Sports class took their learning to the lake today! Students traveled to Sims Valley Lake to put their fishing skills to the test, then made a stop at Buck Hollow to try their luck at another fishing hole. While there were no big catches to brag about—and definitely no feast—it was still a day full of fun, fresh air, and great memories.
Sometimes it’s not about the fish, but the experience!
Breaking News from Liberty Middle School!
Good afternoon Liberty Eagles! We interrupt your regularly scheduled day with a GOAT—Greatest of All Time—alert!
This just in. Mrs. Janiece Wilbanks has been spotted soaring above the math department, cape flying, calculator in hand. That’s right—Mrs. Moore has officially passed the GOAT trophy to the one and only Mrs. Wilbanks, and for good reason!
Her classroom is a hub of creativity and innovation where every student finds their groove, whether through independent practice, collaborative group work, book work, or solving problems on the board. She has something for everyone. But it doesn’t stop there. Her classroom superpowers include patience, kindness, and a deep understanding of her students’ needs.
Janiece doesn’t just teach math—she teaches with heart. She shows up for her students in and out of the classroom, and her dedication doesn’t go unnoticed.
Congratulations Mrs. Wilbanks! You are officially the GOAT!
We will be hosting our annual Title I Spring Meeting on Tuesday, April 30, and we’d love for our staff, teachers, and parents to join us! To make it as convenient as possible, we are offering two meeting times – please feel free to attend the one that best fits your schedule.
Starting April 28, we’ll finish the year with 5-day weeks, Liberty Eagles! Let’s hang in there—there’s so much happening, and you won’t want to miss a thing!
BTE's Math STEM Night was a huge success! Students and their families enjoyed hands-on activities, interactive games, and fun challenges that made learning math and science exciting and fun!! Congratulations to our raffle winners!!
WhooHoo!!! Way to go!!!
These amazing students and their families attended all four of BTE’s STEM Nights this year! We’re so proud of your commitment to learning and fun—enjoy your well-earned STEM shirts!
Liberty's Educators Rising group put on a Mother/Son fun night with games and a movie tonight. There was a great turnout and the families seemed to have a great time! It was fun to watch and interact with families we didn't know as well as families who have older siblings in high school. Any time spent with family is time well spent. Thank you mothers for joining us tonight and making this night a success!
Here’s a polished post you can use for social media or your website:
Since 1985, MSU-West Plains has hosted an academic competition showcasing the best and brightest students from across south-central Missouri and north-central Arkansas. Nearly 500 students from more than 20 high schools gather each year to compete in 18 academic subjects.
Today, following the Interscholastic competition, we’re proud to announce that our Liberty Eagles are bringing home several awards! Congratulations to each student who competed and represented our school with excellence.
Trigonometry:
2nd Place – Trenton Perkins
Human Anatomy & Physiology:
1st Place – Lillie McAdams (also 3rd Place Overall)
Agriculture:
1st Place – Lillie McAdams (also 3rd Place Overall)
2nd Place – Grace Conner
Biological Science:
2nd Place – Taylor Manley
European History:
2nd Place – Jae Goodwin
American Government:
1st Place – Trenton Perkins
Computer Technology:
1st Place – Hayden Goodchild
We are incredibly proud of all our students who participated. Your hard work and academic dedication continue to shine!
GOAT Award Alert!
Nurse Thompson has passed the G.O.A.T. Award to Mrs. Peggy Moore!
Mrs. Moore goes above and beyond for her students every single day, and it does not go unnoticed. She is kind, caring, and compassionate—not only to her students but also to her coworkers. Her dedication, efficiency, and willingness to give 110% daily make her an incredible asset to our team.
Liberty Middle School is lucky to have you, Mrs. Moore! Thank you for everything you do!
#TheLMSWay
Students competed in our annual March Madness Eagle Time Competition throughout the month of March! Each week, groups worked hard to keep their accuracy high—and the competition was fierce!
In the end, our 7th Grade Eagle Group came out on top! They celebrated with donuts and had their names engraved on the March Madness Trophy!
Great job to all our students who gave it their best!
#TheLMSWay
Happy Librarian Day to Mrs. Gaines, who fills our library with knowledge, creativity, and a love for reading!
We also want to give a special shoutout to Mrs. Tripp, who helps make our library a warm and welcoming place each day. We celebrated her last week, but we’re grateful for her every day!
#TheLMSWay
It’s that time of year—state assessments are beginning! These tests are an important opportunity for our students to show what they know and how much they’ve grown throughout the school year.
To help your child do their very best, please make sure they get plenty of rest and eat a nutritious breakfast each morning. To support this, we will be providing free breakfast for all students on the days they are scheduled to test.
Our students are incredibly smart, and we are excited for them to showcase their knowledge and hard work on these assessments. Thank you for your support in helping them shine!
The LMS G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) has been passed from Mrs. McClellan to Nurse Thompson!
Mrs. McClellan shared that she chose Nurse Thompson to express her sincere gratitude for the care and dedication she shows every single day. Your compassion and commitment to the well-being of our students and staff make you a true hero.
Thank you for all you do, Nurse Thompson!
#TheLMSWay
MVBT March Teacher of the Month: Mrs. Jillian Ash! 🎉
We are proud to recognize Mrs. Jillian Ash, 3rd Grade teacher at Mountain View Elementary, as the MVBT March Teacher of the Month!
Mrs. Ash is a dedicated educator who brings heart, patience, and creativity into her classroom every day. Her colleagues describe her as:
“Incredibly kind and compassionate. She always goes the extra mile to make sure her students feel loved and supported.”
“A true team player. Jillian is always willing to share ideas and lend a hand to others.”
“Calm, steady, and committed. Her classroom is a warm, welcoming place where students thrive.”
We are thankful for the impact Mrs. Ash makes in the lives of her students and on our MVBT team. Congratulations, Mrs. Ash, and thank you for all you do!
MVBT March Support Staff Member of the Month: Mrs. Destiny Vandevort
It’s hard to imagine LMS without the cheerful smile and positive energy of Mrs. Destiny Vandevort—and we’re thrilled to recognize her as our March MVBT Support Staff Member of the Month!
As the first face many see each morning, Destiny sets the tone for the day with her upbeat attitude, warm greetings, and unwavering kindness. She’s not only the heart of the LMS front office, but she also goes above and beyond to create a welcoming and joyful environment for students and staff alike.
This year, Destiny took on a brand new role—a challenge she has faced with grace, calm, and creativity. From organizing book swaps and duck hunts to designing festive t-shirts and classroom activities, her thoughtful touches make LMS a better place to learn and work.
💬 Her colleagues describe her as: ✔️ “A rock star!”
✔️ “Friendly to all and always willing to help.”
✔️ “A bright spot in our building who never hesitates to lend a hand.”
✔️ “The heart of our front office.”
✔️ “Creative, dedicated, and full of contagious positivity!”
Whether she’s answering questions, planning fun student activities, or simply offering a kind word, Destiny does it all with a smile—and we are so grateful for her.
💙 Thank you, Mrs. Destiny, for everything you do to keep LMS running smoothly and spirits high. We appreciate you more than words can say!
#Teacher Proud Tuesday This month, we're celebrating someone very special to the Liberty Middle School family—Mrs. Thomlinson, our incredible Art teacher! Mrs. Thomlinson has been part of our district from the very beginning of her teaching career. She started out at Birch Tree Elementary, teaching 5th and 6th grade Math, Science, and Social Studies, and moved into her current role when LMS was built. Now in her 18th year, she's still pouring her heart into our kids every single day. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Thomlinson lives a life full of adventure. She and her family breed, raise, and train Missouri Fox Trotters, and when she’s not at school, you can find her exploring the country on horseback. Thank you, Mrs. Thomlinson, for the way you bring color, creativity, and heart to everything you do!
Today, our Liberty High School band, with the help of five dedicated LMS band students, made the trip to Ava to compete in the Missouri Small School Band Directors Association competition. After months of preparation, they confidently performed Declaration Overture and Waltz #2—and their efforts were rewarded with an "Outstanding" II (2) rating!
What made the day even more special were the comments from the judges, who recognized the talent behind each performance. These students have poured their time, energy, and passion into their music, and it showed.
We are incredibly proud of every student who took the stage today. Thank you for representing our district so well and for reminding us what hard work and dedication can accomplish.
This year, the band is under the direction of Mr. Mike McAfee, our Technology Director, who graciously stepped up to lead the program. We want to give a big thank you to Mr. McAfee for going above and beyond to support our students and keep the spirit of band alive in MV
