April 2024 Newsletter
EDGE Project Updates
by Bella Vansell
For our current project, EDGE students are engaging in thoughtful discussions about this resolution: The belief in the supernatural is incompatible with the belief in science. Some students are debating an alternative topic: The European Union should join the Belt and Road Initiative. This project is unique in the sense that it is in conjunction with the Speech and Debate Program at LHS. We are learning about effective case writing, using our research skills to build strong arguments, and being intentional with our critical thinking and problem-solving. The growth for EDGE students in this project comes with understanding different perspectives and considering what we’ve debated to form a well-rounded view of various ideas and concepts. We will be starting to debate at the beginning of May!
Senior Capstone Highlights
Leia Zimmerman's Capstone
EDGE seniors went to Ridgeview Elementary on Monday, April 15th to begin this project. Ridgeview students will continue to work on the project throughout the week. Then, the Ridgeview students will be visiting EDGE on Friday morning to wrap up the project.

"For my senior capstone, I decided to do a field trip with the EDGE seniors as well as the students I’m currently student teaching, Mrs. Callahan's 3rd grade class at Ridgeview Elementary. What I do for my students is help them during their writing and reading time by encouraging their creativity. Currently, they’re in a non-fiction unit, so I decided to take advantage of this unit to combine the kind of work we do within EDGE with their learning as well. EDGE is often based in research, and producing something that will be educational to outsiders, so I had my students collaborate with the seniors on learning about sustainability and the importance of the environment. I chose to do this because Earth Day is a great holiday for research, and in the past EDGE has done Earth day related projects, and introducing kids to the concept of helping the environment can never be negative. They read books with their seniors and came up with a topic to make a poster about, as well as write a poem about, they will research this topic throughout the week. On Friday they will return to make their project, and when complete, they will print and plaster their final projects on the EDGE welcome wall to celebrate Earth Day. Not only are they learning, but anyone who enters and sees the wall might learn or be reminded about how important helping our environment really is!"
-Leia Zimmerman - Senior-

EDGE Senior, Sloane Jurgens was honored at the April School Board meeting for her Capstone, The Period Project.
Senior Celebration Day - May 2nd
SAVE THE DATE


You're invited to Senior Celebration Day. It's a day for honoring Senior achievements and they'll be presenting their Capstone Projects. Watch your email for the schedule of events.
EDGE Testing Dates
End of Course & AP Exams
Tuesday, May 7th
AP Seminar Exam

Thursday, May 9th
AP Environmental Science Exam

Monday, May 13th
Comm Arts 2 (ELA 2 & PreAP English 2) & Government

Tuesday, May 14th
Biology

Tuesday May 14th
AP Lang Exam

Thursday, May 16th
Algebra 2
Field Trip & Event Recaps
EDGE at Pharis Farms
by Addison Riemann
This past fall, APES (AP Environmental Science) worked on planning gardens as a way to help us understand soil composition and agricultural practices. We worked on this project during our responsible production and consumption unit. For my project, I worked on planning the four vegetable beds at Pharis Farms to utilize crop rotation strategies and companion planting to help create a sustainable garden that would need none to very little fertilizers and pesticides.  
Just before spring break, during our interim week, a group of EDGE students moved the beds at Pharis Farms to utilize their space where a geothermal system lies below ground. Meanwhile, I started plants including nasturtiums and strawberries in EDGE’s indoor garden, to prepare for planting.  
A group of 8 students and 2 teachers returned about week ago to move new soil into the garden beds and to plant the seeds and transplant the plants we had started in the garden. We planted an array of edible plants including sugar snap peas, nasturtiums, and strawberries, preparing Pharis Farms for a bountiful spring harvest.  


Truman Library
The American History Class participated in a White House Decision Center simulation. This is the second year EDGE students have visited the Truman Library for this program. Over the past two weeks in class students have discussed the various roles and responsibilities of the president. We have also specifically looked at the historical context of Berlin in the years immediately following World War II and the tensions that existed between the United States and Soviet Union. Students were assigned roles prior to attending today - ranging from President Truman to CIA Director Hilenkoetter to Secretary of State Marshall. Once we arrived at the Library today students were briefed about the simulation and then divided into groups that analyzed and processed primary sources related to the crisis in Berlin and ultimately the Berlin Air Lift in 1948-1949. During a working lunch students role played their position and provided advice to President Truman about how he should respond to the Soviet Union in this crisis. After lunch our students who portrayed Truman gave a press conference in which they outlined how they decided to move forward in regards to the Berlin crisis. The remaining students portrayed members of the press and asked Truman a variety of questions about his decision. Students then completed the day with a quick tour of the recently renovated Truman Library and Museum exhibits. Our students did a great job representing EDGE and did an excellent job in participating in the simulation. Great example of a leaving to learn opportunity.



The Eclipse Experience
EDGE students viewed the eclipse in multiple locations. Students here in Liberty enjoyed the eclipse at the LHS athletic complex while students participating in the TSA state competition in Warrensburg enjoyed it there. After the eclipse EDGE students helped to gather up eclipse glasses so they can be recycled and sent to students in Latin America who will use them to view an upcoming eclipse in August.
Thrive Institute & Youth Diplomats
Interested? Register Now!
Upcoming Events

Saturday, May 4th - Prom
Tuesday, May 7th - Senior's Last Day
Sunday, May 12th - Commencement
Wednesday, May 22nd - Last Day of School