SUMMER 2011 - Liberty Christian School

cover storyThe right stuffFor board member DonLovelace, one of the mostexciting things in his life isworking in the family businesswith this son, Dillon, a 2003graduate. Lovelace said that hisson has shown confidence andknow-how, and he gives thecredit to Liberty.“I am so proud that Dillon willtalk with any person at anycompany at any level,” he said.“I think this confidence camefrom his attending Liberty. Heis very comfortable with who heis, as well as in his beliefs andvalue system. He learned to stepup and be a leader from his rolemodels at Liberty, including hiscoaches and those who taughthim Bible every day.”When Lovelace’s family came to the school in 1995, heremembers at orientation hearing founder and president,Dr. Rodney Haire, say, “One thing you will find here is that whenyou send your child to Liberty, it will support your value systemand your Christian beliefs.”Lovelace said, “I was so excitedwhen I heard that. Liberty hasenriched our value systemthrough its teachers and coacheswho supported our son. Dillonlearned at Liberty the real valueof discipline and how to overcomeadversity.”Haire asked Lovelace to be on theBoard of Trustees in 1996, andLovelace has stayed on pastDillon’s graduation.“The board is active, engaged, andeffective,” Lovelace said. “As aboard, we always ask, ‘Is it goodfor the students? Does it enhancetheir educational experience andhelp them become better people?Does it help them grow in theirChristian education?’ Thestudents are always the focalpoint.”The board wants to ensure Liberty is prepared for growthnow and in the coming years. “We have always asked for wisdomfrom the Lord, asking Him to direct and guide us,” he said.Lovelace believes people are always looking for great causes tobe a part of, and he said Liberty is one of the greatest.ConsonantcompanionsEvery August, pre-kindergartenteachers provide the foundationof reading for their students,teaching them songs aboutvowels and consonants,and interactive games thatincorporate sounds. In January,students start blending soundstogether and are introducedto their first reading books asthey eagerly write their nameon the front. All of the weeksand months of practicing lettersounds and blending havecome together, and studentsare overjoyed and want to startright away as their confidencecontinues to grow. As timeprogresses, parents and teachersnotice the children trying tosound out words on signs, wordsin the classroom, and even wordsin storybooks!State of excitement8 LIBERTY LIFEFourth graders loved learning about theirgreat state of Texas in a real, hands-onway. They “traveled” along the dusty roadslearning its history, from Six Flags to theAlamo to present day. Fourth gradersalso discovered the many differentregions in this magnificent state, aswell as Texas facts, from the mockingbirdto the bluebonnet. They “met” famousTexans from long ago and today, discoveringthe impact these Texans made. Studentscompleted a Texas notebook that was an artisticrepresentation of their two-month journey. Theyhad Texas-sized fun forming the regions of Texasout of dough, and created a salt dough map. Theyenjoyed a special visitor from the Denton CountyMuseum who shared relics depicting the historyof Denton. Students also participated ina mock cattle drive, assuming thedifferent positions that cowboyswould have occupied. The Texasunit culminated with studentspresenting information ontheir own famous Texan. Theyenjoyed the opportunity todress up and talk to theirclassmates as if they weretheir Texan.LIBERTY LIFE 9