Month: November 2022
LES students earn “Character Counts” awards
Liberty Elementary School honored dozens of students on Tuesday, Nov. 22, with a breakfast and ceremony. It was the first time in nearly three years parents, guardians and other loved ones were invited to the Character Counts ceremony. The presentation was also live-streamed and can be viewed here..
The awards, given to one student in each classroom and chosen by the teacher, recognized students who embodied one of the seven habits promoted by Leader in Me. November winners received the “Proactive Pro” and “First Place Focus” awards.
The winners of the “First Place Focus” Awards were Ashton Martin, Mateo Lebron, Gregory Tavormina, Ta’Kyrie Staten, Emily Marquez Mejia, Tegan Price, Stanella Jennings, Ashton Ackerley, Makayla Kolarik, Cecilia Soule, Ian Marquez, Mia Harrison, Mackenzie Smith, Stella Drake, Carilyce Perez, Katherine Munoz Garcia, Riley Edwards, Shaleigh Santiago, Alex Ines Leon, Mateo Escorcia Vasquez, Caleb McNett, Dean Harte, Anthony Philippe, Nayeli Hernandez Soperanez, Blake Dennison, Logan Moore, Helen Munoz Barragan, Mia Grant, Delilah Flores-Serapio, Sophie Zayas, Ayanelson Mazariegos Cuz, Aaliyssa Rodriguez and Abel McClain.
The “Proactive Pro” winners were Alexa Gonzaga Serapio, Aubree Kavleski, Olivia Muthig, Jatziry Contreras-Leon, Anastasia Gray, Julian Miranda, Diego Luna Diaz, Caroline Lopez, Brianna Campos Reyes, Olivia Beck, Rony Gomez Franco, Kensi Farrand, Anthony Owens, Katelyn Vasko, Christiana Allen, Henry Krum, Kiara Tavormina, Yaa’Alayah Ashley, Yandriel Aliers Amparo, Keily Martinez Zelaya, Tierney Meddaugh, Brian Rivas, Ivanna Malaga Ventura, Jacy Ramos Lopez, Henry Vogler, Isabella Puente, Delanie Yupanqui, Allyson Juarez, Dia D’Agata, Caleb Rusin, Karen Mosso, Sophie Toledo and Lilliana Garzon-Ferrufino.
More photos can be found on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Well done, students!
LPD edges LCSD in first benefit basketball game
On Thursday, Nov. 10, Liberty Central School District hosted its first LCSD vs Liberty Police Department benefit basketball game, with the LPD earning a close victory.
The LCSD staff started off with a 15-0 lead but the LPD hung in there and began to chip away. The end result was a win for the LPD, 57-52.
Playing for LPD were Chief D’Agata (#330), Sgt. Morse (#134), Sgt. Sauer (#115), Officer Persell (#72), Officer Jones (#66), Officer Burgio (#62), SRO Lake (#60), Detective Lowe (#58), Detective Cross (#57), Officer Ventura (#43) and Officer Williams (#14). The team was coached by Elementary SRO Sgt. Poppo (#146), with Team Managers/Cheerleaders Dispatcher Herbert (#26) and Dispatcher Kinne (#24).
On the LCSD roster were Gina Castelonia, Chris Dedonato, Beth Quatrale, Richard Feeney, Dennis James, Joe Franke, Roothland Medina, David Philips, Andrew Philips, Peter Owens, Jamie Black, Jose Bayron, Matt Robinson, Matt Stoddard, Brad Molusky, Elizabeth Hannold, Katie Chakar, Felix Colon, Derek Adams and Dr. Patrick Sullivan. The team was coached by
Stephen Matuszak and Erin Alvord.
Liberty’s own High School School Resource Officer, LPD officer and Head Football Coach Adam Lake had a great part in helping Athletic Director Erin Alvord organize the event.
The game, held in the high school gym, raised more than $1,000 for the Ron Francisco Memorial Scholarship fund through the door fee, donations from the community and a donation from the LPD. The Liberty Physical Education staff awards a scholarship through the fund to seniors at the end of each school year.
The Liberty PE staff thanks Officer/Coach Lake and the LPD for a fun evening and for their generous donation. Staff also thanks Ralph Bressler for singing the national anthem, announcing and running the score board; Mike Bernstein and Edwin Rodriguez, two league officials for officiating the game; Yovanni Fields for taking pictures, Mrs. Bull, Poala Ponce and Tatiana Robelledo of our yearbook class for taking pictures; our chaperones; the Junior Class for selling refreshments; and most of all to the students and community for coming out and supporting this event.
LCSD is ready for a rematch and hopes to make the game an annual event.
Galleries of photos and videos , courtesy of Yovanni Fields, are available online
LES students honor veterans at assemblies
Decked in red, white and blue, waving American flags, Liberty Elementary School students honored veterans on Wednesday, Nov. 9, in advance of Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11.
During two ceremonies, students sang songs, read poems and thanked veterans for their service.
Veterans in attendance were Army veterans Richard Begeal, Chris DaSilva, John Foster, Thomas Harris Lewis, James Kelly, Keith Krauss, Dennis James, Scott Ricco, James Richardson and Joseph Tabacco; Madison Johnstone, from the Army National Guard: Navy veterans Arthur Flynn and Shane Weed; Clarence Kratz from the Navel Air Force; Marines Solomon Conner, Carrado Grant, Kyle Muthig and James O’Connor; and Air Force veteran William Lazarus.
Assistant Principal Brittney Cunningham delivered the opening remarks, in the absence of Principal Robert England who was unable to attend.
“Our students at Liberty Elementary school have been preparing for this day for weeks,” she said. ”Through patriotic songs, we learn about what is important. It is important that they feel they are part of the American family that accepts them and appreciates their value to our community and the nation.”
She also explained what it means to be a veteran, and how important service is to our community and our country.
During the two assemblies, veterans were treated to “See the Veteran” by the pre-kindergarten students, “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” by the kindergartners, and “This Land is Your Land,” by the first graders. All students sang “Grand Ole Flag” to close the ceremony.
Second, third and fourth graders honored veterans in the second assembly with poems, songs and a presentation of donations.
Mrs. Countryman and Mrs. Rubik’s class read a poem that they wrote in honor of the veterans, as did Mr. Conner’s students. Second-graders sang “Thank You Soldier,” followed by the third-graders singing “God Bless America,” and the fourth-graders, who sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The second grade class of Ms. Kristine Kratz presented the collected donations to the veterans that will go to local VA needs.
At the end of both assemblies, veterans lined the doorways as students exited with high fives, hand shakes and thumbs up as a way to thank them for their service.
This annual Veterans Day assembly is made possible by the collective planning and hard work of the LES Building Leadership Team, the Maintenance Department, everyone in the LES main office and every teacher. Finally, a very special thank you to Ms. Kristine Kratz, the teacher who puts her heart, soul and love for our country into every Veterans Day assembly. Thank you, Ms. Kratz for all of your dedicated work to teach our students about honor, service and patriotism.
LCSD hosts All Things Liberty
Liberty Central School District’s fourth annual All Things Liberty drew scores of people to the school Thursday to connect families with local organizations in an effort to promote their overall well-being.
“There are great things happening in the Liberty school and community to help improve student success,” said Liberty High School Assistant Principal Devin Lamar, who organized the event.
As attendees entered, they were greeted by the Liberty Strings Quintet who serenaded guests as they arrived. From there, families had an opportunity to connect with local agencies, as well as see representatives from school based clubs and organizations who shared all of the wonderful events happening within the Liberty Central School District.
Outside agencies that were present provided families with important information on health, safety and education. Student volunteers also offered fun activities such as arts and crafts, face painting and a photo booth for all to enjoy. Many of the students walked away from All Things Liberty with a stack of free books to help support their journey toward becoming lifelong readers.
Community vendors that were present included Sullivan County Public Health, Cornerstone Healthcare, National Alliance of Mental Illness, Independent Living, Sullivan BOCES, Liberty Partnership Program and Brighter Futures, SUNY Sullivan, the Town of Liberty Supervisor Frank DeMayo, the Liberty Police Department, Liberty Moo Duk Kwan Academy, Migrant Education, The Child Care Council, The Children’s Home, Boys & Girls Club, Sullivan County 4-H, SALT, Wayne Bank and Bethel Woods.
“Liberty Central School is thrilled to have such supportive partners, and looks forward to working together in the future,” Lamar said.
School programs, clubs and organizations that were present included the High School and Middle Student Councils, Elementary, Middle and High School administrators, Snack Pack Collection, Maker Space, the Wellness Committee, Business Incubator, Future Business Leaders of America, Middle School Ski Club, Middle School Garden Club, Science Olympiad, Liberty PTA, Leader in Me and Allusions Club.
The event was capped off with “A Taste of Liberty,” a sampling of a food from local restaurants: Yiasou, Red Diamond, Paesano’s, Sweet Basil, Liberty Diner, New Munson Diner, Panchos, Garden Zheng, Chick E Ribs, Don Gabriel’s and Star Bar.
“I appreciate everyone who took time out of the evening to help showcase all Liberty has to offer,” Lamar said, “and I thank all of the parents, guardians and community members who attended so we could highlight ‘All Things Liberty.’”
See more photos on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Learn more about our Strategic Plan
Liberty Central School District recently unveiled its five-year strategic plan. The plan helps the district establish its long-term priorities and establish overarching goals.
The plan, along with yearly improvement plans from each building in the district, will help district leaders stay focused on the LCSD mission: to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential.
In the following video, Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan explains more about the strategic plan.
The district will continue to highlight what is being done to reach its goals outlined in the strategic plan using stories, photos and social media posts. Read the strategic plan and look for updates on the strategic plan’s webpage, and look for #LeadingLiberty on the district’s Facebook and Instagram pages.