Month: April 2023
Liberty earns national honor for music education
Liberty Central School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. Now in its 24th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Liberty Central School District answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
“Music education goes far beyond learning notes, beats and rhythms. It has been shown to help improve a students’ educational experience across the board — socially, emotionally and academically,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “I am so proud of our Music Department for earning this honor again this year and continuing its excellent work on providing our students this part of the educational experience.”
The Liberty Music Department’s hard work and dedication can be seen in a series of upcoming events.
The High School Spring Concert will be May 9, followed by the seventh and eighth grade Spring Concert on May 11. May 16 will feature the fifth and sixth grade ensembles for their spring concert, and the High School Honors Spring Concert will be May 18. The concerts all begin at 7 p.m. and are held in the High School auditorium. The Elementary Spring Concert will be held at 6:30 p.m. June 1 at the High School auditorium. Music students will also perform in the Memorial Day parade on May 29 and at the Liberty Music and Community Festival at Lapolt Park, which will be held 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 9.
Since the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015 and a stated emphasis on a well-rounded education, many school districts have re-committed to music and arts education programs. During the pandemic, music and arts programs were a vital component to keeping students engaged in school. ESSA provides designated funding for well-rounded educational opportunities through Title IV Part A Student Academic Success and Achievement grants. NAMM Foundation research has revealed that these grants are being widely used by school districts to address instructional gaps in access to music and arts education.
Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music: After two years of music education, researchers found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers and that students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school but also to attend college as well. In addition, everyday listening skills are stronger in musically trained children than in those without music training. Significantly, listening skills are closely tied to the ability to: perceive speech in a noisy background, pay attention, and keep sounds in memory. Later in life, individuals who took music lessons as children show stronger neural processing of sound: young adults and even older adults who have not played an instrument for up to 50 years show enhanced neural processing compared to their peers. Not to mention, social benefits include conflict resolution, teamwork skills, and how to give and receive constructive criticism.
About The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 15,000 member companies and individual professionals. The foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.
Incident on bus being investigated
On Monday, April 24, a student was reported to have made a threatening statement toward others while on an afternoon bus. Liberty administration investigated and no immediate threat was found. The Liberty Police Department will continue to investigate. The district is addressing these matters in accordance with the LCSD Code of Conduct.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of April 24-30, 2023
Our athletes will be in action in baseball, softball, golf, tennis and track and field this week.
Here is the schedule and results, if available:
Monday, April 24
3 p.m.: Girls varsity golf divisional vs. multiple schools at Villa Roma Country Club;
Results: Monticello 164, Liberty 183, Sullivan West 192, Tri-Valley 210, Fallsburg 210: Liberty scores: Alli Dworetsky 53, Summer Schmidt 61, Sandra Hanofee 69
4:15 p.m.: Varsity baseball vs. Livingston Manor at Sullivan County Community College
4:30 p.m.: JV baseball vs. Highland at Liberty High School
4:30 p.m.: Modified softball vs. Livingston Manor at Liberty Elementary School
Tuesday, April 25
3:15 p.m.: Boys and girls varsity golf vs. Sullivan West Central at Villa Roma Country Club
Girls results: Liberty 174 Sullivan West 182; Liberty results: Alli Dworetsky 52 Summer Schmidt 59 Addison Makky 63
4 p.m.: Varsity baseball vs. Livingston Manor at Liberty
4:30 p.m.: Boys varsity tennis (with Monticello) vs. Beacon City at Beacon High School.
Wednesday, April 26
4 p.m.: Varsity softball vs. Highland at Liberty High School
Result: Highland 12, Liberty 0 (5 innings). Alexa Pavese hurled the shutout while striking out 11 as Highland defeated Liberty 12-0 in 5 innings in the rain. Angelica Rothberg had our only hit and finished 1-2 on the day. Arianna Wilson, Julia Juron, Nevaeh Davis and Charlyanna Johnson also reached base for Liberty.
4:30 p.m.: Boys and girls varsity track and field vs. multiple schools at Liberty High School
Girls results: Win 77-22 over Eldred, Homestead; S. Foster 1st place (100m hurdles, 400m hurdles, 400m), A. Krum 1st place (1,500m), Z. Kip 1st place (discus), A. Houser 1st place (200m), 1st place in 4x800m relay, 4x100m relay, and 4x400m relay
Thursday, April 27
3 p.m.: Boys varsity golf vs. multiple schools at Lochmor Golf Course
4:15 p.m.: Boys varsity tennis (with Monticello) vs. Port Jervis at Liberty High school
4:15 p.m.: Boys and girls modified track and field vs. multiple schools at Tri-Valley at Tri-Valley Central School TV -Iatauro Sports Complex
4:45 p.m.: Modified softball vs. Roscoe at Roscoe Central School
Friday, April 28
3 p.m.: Boys varsity golf vs. multiple schools at Lochmor Golf Course.
4:15 p.m.: JV softball vs. Tri-Valley at Liberty High School
4:30 p.m.: Modified baseball vs. Eldred at Liberty Elementary
4:30 p.m.: Modified softball vs. Fallsburg at Liberty Elementary
Results: Liberty 13, Fallsburg 12 Kylee Curry scored the winning run.
4:30 p.m.: Boys varsity tennis (with Monticello) vs. Valley Central at Liberty High School
Saturday, April 22
10 a.m.: Boys and Girls varsity invitational vs. multiple schools at Monticello high school.
Sunday, April 30
No events scheduled.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section 9 website for the latest.
LPD investigates statement; no credible threat found
On Friday, April 21, a middle school student was reported to have made a menacing statement toward another student. Liberty Police Department investigated, and no credible threat was found. The district is addressing these matters in accordance with the LCSD Code of Conduct.
BOE OKs $66.M budget proposal with 5.33% decrease in tax levy
On Tuesday, April 18, Liberty Central School District Board of Education approved a nearly $66.3 million budget proposal for the 2023-24 school year that enhances curriculum and improves programs while decreasing the tax levy by $1 million, or 5.33%.
This is the fifth consecutive year there is no proposed tax levy increase. Voters will also elect three Board of Education candidates. Three people submitted petitions: Erin Abplanalp, Maureen Stabak and Eugene S. Thalmann.
The proposed $66,296,362 budget would fund all current student programs and services, while decreasing the tax levy by $1 million, or 5.3%. It would enhance the nationally recognized social emotional learning program Leader in Me and expand Science 21 and the HMH ELA and mathematics programs, to help provide a consistent curriculum across grades. The budget also proposes to establish an in-house newcomer program for English language learners, add two permanent substitute positions to each school building, an LPN position to be shared across two buildings, bring the IT director position in-house and add vape detectors to the middle and high school bathrooms. The proposal also includes funds to enhance safety and security.
The proposal calls for a $8,753,105 million increase in spending, or 15.21%. A significant state aid increase would enable the district to cover the growth in contractual and transportation costs, as well as begin to address the state-required mascot change, without any further increase to the proposed tax levy amount. A portion of the increased state aid would also be used to address K-8 learning loss that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With this budget, we aim to provide our students a consistent curriculum, needed supports and continued opportunities to empower themselves so that they can contribute and thrive in a diverse community, in alignment with our five-year strategic plan” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.
The budget will be presented at the May 1 Liberty Town Board meeting, and there will be a public forum on the budget at Liberty Fire Department at time and date to be determined. The annual public hearing on the budget will be at 6:30 p.m. May 2 in the high school auditorium.
More information on the budget will be available on the school’s budget page in the coming days, and in a brochure being mailed to all residents in May.
LPA to present ‘It Happened on Route 66’
Liberty Performing Arts will present “It Happened on Route 66” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 21 and 22, in the high school auditorium.
The play, written by Todd Wallinger, takes place in 1955 and tells the story of how a young starlet, Lovey Lamour, played by Shelby Clack, runs away on her wedding day and ends up in Cookie’s Diner after her car breaks down. She is befriended by the waitress, Sally, played by Rachel Yaun. Lovey works at the diner for the day and experiences a different side of life. Sally is in the midst of trying to get a marriage proposal from her long time beau, Roscoe, played by Josh Kratz. Roscoe has plans of becoming an architect in Chicago and does not understand why Sally is a bit resistant to leave Winona, Arizona, Lots of confusion ensues while Otis, played by Nathan Desrochers, observes it all from the counter while taking advantage of the all you can eat special.
Famous crooner Johnny Jerome, played by Jacob Kelly, comes to claim his bride with quite interesting results! Even a young Elvis, played by Chris DiBartolo, makes an appearance and discovers his very favorite sandwich.
The cast also includes Rayanna Cottman, Lianna Gissentaner, Eli Desrochers, Yamilet Lopez Cortez, Madeline Kelly and Joaquin Isler Diaz.
Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults and are available at the door.
A Message from the Superintendent: Mascot change process moving forward
Dear Liberty,
The quest for a new mascot is continuing at Liberty Central School District.
Following a state Supreme Court ruling, the state Education Department in November determined that Liberty and the dozens of schools across the state who use Indian mascots and imagery are in violation of The Dignity for All Students Act. Schools must make a change by the end of the 2024-25 school year or risk losing state funding. After a 60-day comment period on a rule instituting the change and a public hearing, the state Board of Regents, which supervises school districts, adopted the rule by unanimous vote on Tuesday.
We will remain the Indians until the end of this school year. A new mascot will be in effect for the 2023-24 school year, with full implementation of the change by the end of the following year.
We have already taken several steps to comply with the rule, including a community forum, a survey, meetings with students and staff and the formation of a committee to address the issue.
The rule offered general guidance, but SED has offered further clarification regarding our current logos and legacy items.
According to SED, we will no longer be able to use the Block L with feathers or our shield logos with feathers, because they reference the Indian mascot. SED said the old logos would carry that connection even if a feathered mascot were chosen by Liberty.
However, legacy items that contain the “Indians” name or logo, such as athletic banners in the gymnasium, can remain, but we are encouraged to display them differently. District officials, employees and students must refrain from wearing legacy spirit wear that contains the old mascot or logos, or any clothing that promotes the use of a Native American team name, logo or mascot.
The Mascot Committee is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 24, at the High School Media Center. At that meeting, the committee — using the survey results, input from students, staff and the community, information provided by the state and discussion during the meetings — is expected to establish how we will narrow down the mascot choices and discuss how the new mascot will be chosen.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Sullivan
Superintendent of Schools
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of April 17-23, 2023
Our athletes will be in action in baseball, softball, golf, tennis and track and field this week.
Here is the schedule and results, if available:
Monday, April 17
3 p.m.: Boys varsity golf vs. Pine Bush at Wallkill Golf Club
4:30 p.m.: Boys varsity tennis (with Monticello) vs. Middletown at Liberty High School
Tuesday, April 18
3:15 p.m.: Girls varsity golf vs. multiple schools at Wallkill Golf Club
Results: Port Jervis 125, Middletown 138, Liberty 145; Liberty scores: Summer Schmidt 46, Addison Makky 47, Sandra Hanofee 52
3:30 p.m.: Boys varsity golf vs. Port Jervis at Lynx at Riverhead
4:30 p.m.: Varsity baseball vs. Tri-Valley at Tri-Valley Central School
4:30 p.m.: JV baseball vs. Tri-Valley at Liberty High School
5 p.m.: Boys varsity tennis (with Monticello) vs. Warwick Valley School District at Warwick Valley Middle School
Result: Warwick 7, Liberty/Monticello 0 Varsity. Tennis Team played hard in tough conditions. Ryan Lin and Matthew Chigbundu Obiokoye played a complete doubles match followed by Josue Nunura playing a good match in his singles set .
Wednesday, April 19
4:30 p.m.: Modified baseball vs. Roscoe Central School at Liberty Middle School
4:30 p.m.: Boys and girls track and field vs. multiple schools at Liberty High School
Girls results: Chester (L 57-56), Livingston Manor/Roscoe (W 94-15)
S. Foster 1st place (100m hurdles, 200m, 400m hurdles) R. Cottman 1st place (Long jump), A. Krum 1st place (High jump), 4x800m relay team 1st place
5:15 p.m.: Varsity softball vs. S.S. Seward Institute at Liberty High School.
Results: Seward 13, Liberty 0 (6 innings). Senior Seward pitcher Kailey Stolowski, who led her team to the state semifinals last year, threw a perfect game while striking out 14 in the victory. Liberty falls to 1-4 on the year with the loss.
Thursday, April 20
4:15 p.m.: JV baseball vs. Onteora at Onteora High School
4:15 p.m.: Boys and girls modified track and field vs. multiple schools at Liberty High School
4:30 p.m.: Modified softball vs. Monticello at Monticello at Monticello High School
4:30 p.m.: Varsity softball vs. Tri-Valley at Tri-Valley Central School TV-Iatouro Sports Complex
Results: Tri-Valley 14, Liberty 0 (5 innings) Liberty struggled to overcome a dominant Tri-Valley offensive attack that saw the Bears rap out 10 hits and steal 6 bases. Liberty was led by Grace Wormuth who finished 1-2. Aaliyah Williams and Quinn Allen also reached base for Liberty.
4:30 p.m.: JV Softball vs. Tri-Valley at Liberty High School
5 p.m.: Boys varsity tennis (with Monticello) vs. Goshen at Liberty High school
5:15 p.m.: Varsity baseball vs. S.S. Seward Institute at Liberty High School
Friday, April 21
4:30 p.m.: Modified baseball vs. Monticello at Somerville Athletic Field
4:30 p.m.: JV baseball vs. Tri-Valley at Tri-Valley Central School
5 p.m.: JV softball vs. James I. O’Neill at Liberty High School
Saturday, April 22
Wildcat varsity baseball and softball tournaments
9 a.m.: Livingston Manor vs. Liberty softball and baseball
Softball results: Livingston Manor 12, Liberty 0 (5 innings) Livingston Manor standout Mackenzie Carlson had two homeruns and a double to lead her team to a 12-0 victory over Liberty. Angie Wheeler had the lone Liberty hit, while Charlyanna Johnson reached base twice with two walks.
11 a.m.: Tri-Valley vs. Margaretville baseball; Monticello vs. Eldred softball
1 p.m.: Consolation games
Softball results: Monticello 16, Liberty 13. Monticello held on to defeat Liberty after an ferocious rally saw Liberty score eight runs in the top of the seventh inning. With two outs in the inning, and trailing 16-5, Megan Schmidt laced a single up the middle that scored Charlyanna Johnson. Aubrey Botsford followed with a sharp ground ball to shortstop which scored Brooke Hessinger and Schmidt. Botsford scored when Quinn Allen blooped a single to right. Singles by Aaliyah Williams and Arianna Wilson loaded the bases. Julia Juron then cleared the bases after tripling to center field on a hard ground ball and bringing Liberty within four runs. Juron scored when Elaina Ramirez singled to the SS. Monticello was then finally able to end the rally on a strikeout. Julia Juron finished 1-3, with a triple, BB, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored. Aaliyah Williams 2-3, with a RBI, and 2 runs scored. Angelica Rothberg finished 1-3, with a BB, 2 RBI and a run scored. Senior Angelica “Gelly” Rothberg was named to the All-Tournament team for her performance. Liberty’s record fell to 1-7 with the loss.
3 p.m.: Championship games.
Sunday, April 23
No events scheduled.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section 9 website for the latest.
Liberty students earn 18 awards at county art show
Liberty students brought home 18 awards from the Sullivan County PK-12 Art Show on Thursday, April 13, at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.
In the Ceramics and Glass category Cara DiBartolo and Alejandra Zemora earned artist choice awards. Cara DiBartolo also earned two artists choice awards for her gargoyle and gnome in the Sculpture category.
In the Design category, Christian Diaz and Guillermo Arauz Gonzalez earned artist choice awards, and Summer Schmidt and Zandy Valencia Bamac each also earned student choice nods.
Olivia Dworetsky and Sandra Hanofee earned artist choice honors in the Black and White Drawing category.
Shelby Clark earned two artist choice awards in Mixed Media, and Summer Schmidt earned an artist choice award in the Black and White Photo category.
Three students earned artist choice awards in the Color Photo category: Summer Schmidt, Grace Wormuth and Hailey Gomez.
During the student opening, students visited the art show, attended the awards ceremony and toured the museum at 200 Hurd Road in Bethel.
The public opening reception will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 14, and the show will be open between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 15 and 16.
LCSD identifies cyber incident
As we communicated on Friday, April 7, 2023, Liberty was made aware of a potential cyber incident on our school network systems. Our network has numerous security measures already in place, but upon hearing of the potential threat, we took further actions to bolster that security. Our initial investigation discovered no breaches.
Upon further investigation this week, we did discover one confirmed cyber incident, and several attempts to access our system. The compromised server included network logins and passwords.
Working with Sullivan County BOCES, we are continuing to investigate network usage and will be performing any remediation deemed necessary. Immediate actions are:
- Disabling the Guest Wi-Fi network
- Constructing a new password-protected Wi-Fi system for guests. Administrators will provide passwords upon request, and passwords will be changed regularly.
- Instituting a forced password change for students and staff
- Adjusting Wi-Fi networks to ensure personal devices do not have access without permission
- Re-evaluating and updating our procedures and long-term security planning.
We will advise as more information is obtained throughout this investigation