Month: July 2020
Reopening with Liberty Pride: the LCSD Reopening Plan
Summer has just begun, but the LCSD Reopening Team – made up of administrators, teachers staff members, board of education members, school resource officers, parents and students – has been meeting regularly to prepare for the start of the 2020-21 school year.
The Reopening Team has met several times to discuss the various aspects of reopening Liberty’s schools, including possible scenarios, transportation, and, most importantly, how to best keep staff and students healthy and safe while providing the most complete educational program possible. The result is the Liberty Central School District 2020-21 Reopening Plan: Reopening with Liberty Pride.
The plan will continue to be updated throughout the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, many unknowns remain; the COVID-19 pandemic is not resolved and many mandated health and safety protocols, including masks, social distancing, and other measures, will very likely still be in place come September.
Board of Education will meet July 28 to discuss Reopening Plan; Community forum to follow
There will be a special meeting (via Zoom) of the Board of Education 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, to review and discuss the district’s 2020-21 Reopening Plan.
A virtual/remote Community Forum will follow at 7 p.m.
To Join the 6 p.m. BOE meeting
To join with Zoom
- Visit: https://zoom.us/j/96635225345
- Meeting ID: 966 3522 5345
- Passcode: Liberty
To join by phone
- Call 929-436-2866
- Meeting ID: 966 3522 5345
- Passcode: 0528201
To Join the 7 p.m. Community Forum
UPDATE: Tonight’s virtual Reopening Community Forum is filled to capacity and we apologize to those who could not attend. The forum is being recorded and will be posted on the this website. Thank you for your patience!
Join the forum via Zoom
- Join the Zoom meeting at https://zoom.us/j/91146294841
- Meeting ID: 911 4629 4841
- Passcode: Liberty
Join by phone
- Call 1-929-436-2866
- Meeting ID: 911 4629 4841
- Passcode: 4705506
Please complete the Liberty Central School District Reopening Survey before July 22
The Liberty Central School District is seeking input from parents, caregivers, students, staff and community members regarding the 2020-21 school year.
Please take a few minutes and complete The Liberty Central School District Reopening Survey before Wednesday, July 22.
NYS Pandemic-EBT program helps ensure children don’t miss meals
Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) is a new crisis response nutrition program created to help ease the financial strain that families are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program provides food benefits to approximately 2.1 million children across New York who lost access to free or reduced-price school meals due to school closures.
Benefits will be loaded on a new or existing EBT card. You can still receive “grab and go” meals during school closures and summer vacation.
Every eligible family, regardless of income or immigration status, will receive $420 in P-EBT food benefits per eligible child. There is no application required. P-EBT does not affect eligibility for other benefits or public charge status. Families will receive benefits between June and early August.
You can learn more about the P-EBT program on the New York State SNAP-COVID-19 Information website.
District mourns loss of former Liberty High School student
It is with great sadness that the district has learned that a former Liberty High School student passed away on Monday, July 13, at home. The student attended school in Liberty until February and had many friends in the district.
We join the family in mourning the loss of this young life.
If you or your child need someone to talk to, district counselors, social workers, and administrators are available. Please reach out; they are always there for you:
- Ms. Sheila Wormuth,Director of Guidance: 292-5400, ext. 2034
Liberty Elementary School
- Alanna Newman, Social Worker: 845-747-0781
- Mary Bayer, School Psychologist: 292-5400, ext. 2523
- Jim O’Connor, School Counselor: 292-5400, ext. 3251
Liberty Middle School
- Michelle Behrman, School Counselor 5/6: : 292-5400, ext. 2310
- Linda Krokus, School Counselor 7/8: 292-5400, ext. 2110
- Jill Buday, School Psychologist: 292-5400, ext. 2027
- Lynne Diener, Social Worker: 292-5400, ext. 2307
Liberty High School
- Kellie While, School Counselor A-F: 292-5400, ext. 2009
- Meaghan Hazen, School Counselor G-O: 292-5400, ext. 2007
- Markella Nikolis, School Counselor P-Z: 292-5400, ext. 2010
- Amy Dworetsky, School Psychologist: 292-5400, ext. 2321
24 Hour Mobile Mental Health
- 845-790-0911
- 800-710-7083
Children’s Crisis Outreach
- 845-701-3777
District explores scenarios for fall reopening of school buildings; community input sought
Summer has just begun, but the LCSD Reopening Team – made up of administrators, teachers staff members, board of education members, school resource officers, parents and students – has been meeting regularly to prepare for the start of the 2020-21 school year.
The Reopening Team has met three times to discuss the various aspects of reopening Liberty’s schools, including possible scenarios, transportation, and, most importantly, how to best keep staff and students healthy and safe while providing the most complete educational program possible. The committee will meet again July 23.
The decision-making process will include ample input from the Liberty community; the district will host a virtual community forum to discuss reopening options (tentatively set for 7 p.m. July 28), and a community survey will be conducted.
Meanwhile, many unknowns remain – the COVID-19 pandemic is not resolved and many mandated health and safety protocols, including masks, social distancing, and other measures, will very likely still be in place come September.
New York State Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has announced that a decision about the fall reopening of schools will be announced during the first week of August. State officials are currently consulting with stakeholders on guidance. All state school districts must submit their individual reopening plans to the state by July 31.
Congratulations Class of 2020! Watch the LHS Bethel Woods graduation here.
The end of senior year did not go as planned for the Class of 2020. The pandemic forced the closing of school which meant the class missed their prom and senior class trip.
Their graduation ceremony was initially recorded as a virtual ceremony in the Panebaker Auditorium. When the restrictions for outdoor graduations were relaxed, arrangements were made to hold an in-person ceremony at Bethel Woods. The video below is a recording of that ceremony.