Month: April 2024
Anti-vaping message spreads at LMS
Fifth-graders in Jill Parks’ WINN (What I Need Now) class at Liberty Middle School learned more than to just say “no” to vaping, they also learned the reasons behind why they should say no.
“Vaping is bad because it can change the way your brain works if you start at a young age,” student Alisha Morales said. “It can also cause lung cancer.”
Nicole Blais, a Sullivan 180 prevention coordinator, recently visited Parks’ class for one period a day for five weeks to lead the CATCH My Breath program. CATCH My Breath is a peer-reviewed, evidence-based youth vaping prevention program developed by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health.
According to its website, the program provides up-to-date information to teachers, parents and health professionals to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about the use of e-cigarettes, including JUUL and disposable devices.
“(CATCH My Breath) changed how I think about vaping because I used to think that vaping wasn’t that bad for you until they told us how bad it was,” student Madison Hernandez said.
Students in the enrichment class learned about the addictiveness of vaping, what chemicals can be found in the product, how inhaling those chemicals can affect the body and how some companies market the product to younger people. Blais encouraged students to spread the word about the dangers of vaping. During her first visit, students created posters highlighting what they had learned so far.
“It is essential for students to be exposed to explicit direct instruction about how bad these products are for their health at an early age,” said Parks, who is one of LMS’ Wellness Advisors. “It is much harder to change a habit than start one.”
This is the second year the program has been available for LMS fifth graders. Last year, it was held in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club after school.
The program is new for Sullivan County and fits in well with the district’s Sullivan 180 Empowering a Healthier Generation Program, Parks said. The goal is to eventually have every LMS student go through the program.
“Overall, an anti-vaping program not only addresses a critical health issue among students but also reinforces the values, goals and strategic priorities of the Liberty Central School District,” she said. “It reflects a holistic approach to student well-being and success within a diverse and supportive educational community.”
The program also touches on several pillars of the district’s strategic plan. It can be integrated into the existing health education curriculum, ensuring all students receive comprehensive education about the risks of vaping. Collaborating with parents, teachers, health care professionals and community organizations can strengthen the impact of the anti-vaping program and provide ongoing support to students. And developing and implementing an anti-vaping policy and related procedures aligns with the district’s commitment to integrating its mission and vision into all aspects of its operations.
It appears students are hearing the message of the dangers of vaping.
“People use celebrities to get kids’ attention to e-cigarettes,” student Ely Garcia Garcia said, “but vaping is so, so bad and I will never, ever vape.”
Two from Liberty to be honored by MHSSC
Liberty High School English Teacher Michele Clark and Liberty Central School District Board of Education member John Nichols will be honored by the Mid-Hudson School Study Council later this spring.
Michele Clark
Clark will receive a Teaching Excellence Award, which is “designed to recognize those teachers who have demonstrated excellence in achieving the educational mission at their BOCES, district, or campus level,” according to the MHSSC.
Clark, who has taught English for 30 years, 25 of them at Liberty, will be honored for her commitment to her students and the school community.
“Clark is more than just a teacher; she is a dynamic educator who continuously innovates and enhances her craft,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan wrote in nominating her for the award. “Her dedication to professional development and her willingness to explore new teaching methodologies have resulted in engaging and effective lessons that resonate with her students.”
High School Principal Derek Adams agreed, writing in his nomination letter: “In the classroom, Michele exhibits exceptional educational talent, employing effective instructional practices that not only engage students but also yield tangible results in terms of academic growth and achievement.”
Her excellence goes beyond the lessons, Sullivan wrote, calling her “a caring individual who prioritizes building meaningful relationships with her students and colleagues alike.”
“She creates a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed,” he added. “Her genuine care and concern for her students extend beyond the classroom, as she actively participates in extracurricular activities and mentorship programs to further enrich their educational experience.”
Adams’ noted Clark’s work as Allusions co-advisor, where creative writing, poetry and artistic work come together in the annual Allusions publication.
She is also a leader for her peers, Adams wrote. She is a department facilitator and hosts weekly professional learning community groups to improve her department. “She exemplifies leadership qualities that inspire others and contribute to the professional development of the entire faculty,” he wrote. “She embodies the highest ideals of teaching excellence and is truly deserving of this prestigious honor.”
John Nichols
Nichols, who has served on Liberty’s school board for more than a decade, including time as board vice president and five years as president, will receive a School Board Service Award. The award is “designed to recognize those individuals who through their selfless efforts have helped guide, support, promote and serve the school districts and communities they represent,” according to the MHSSC.
“The mission of the Liberty Central School District is to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential,” Sullivan wrote in his nomination letter for Nichols. “After reading our mission, I am honored to state that Mr. John Nichols has exemplified our mission throughout his work as a Liberty Central School District Board of Education member.”
Nichols’ goals, Sullivan wrote, “are to provide students with the opportunities and resources to help our students achieve, uphold fiscal responsibility, and represent the entire Liberty Community.”
And that is something Nichols has done well, Sullivan wrote.
Nichols “always stresses the importance of leveraging our resources to expand our curriculum, supports each student that walks through our hallways and relays the voice of his constituents,” Sullivan wrote.
Sullivan also pointed out Nichols’ dedication to students and tradition. In his role as board president and a volunteer firefighter, Nichols, a 1985 LHS graduate, helped the district safely resume the homecoming bonfire during the 2021-22 school year.
Fiscal responsibility is also important to Nichols.
“Mr. Nichols has a strong understanding of our school budget, and he continuously balances fiscal responsibility and innovation,” Sullivan wrote. “(He) continuously supports our Strategic Plan from his Board of Education capacity and has advocated for a minimal tax increase for our school community for several years,” calling him “a true champion for our students, faculty, staff and taxpayers.”
“Liberty would not be on its trajectory if it wasn’t for Mr. Nichols’ leadership,” Sullivan wrote.
The awards will be presented at the MHSSC’s Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration on Wednesday, May 8, in the Fieldstone Auditorium in North Rockland School District
This year, the MHSSC split its awards into two ceremonies. LHS Teaching Assistant Nancy Katzenberger was honored this fall as one the recipients of the MHSSC’s Support Staff Award for Excellence in Education.
BOE approves $68M budget proposal; vote is May 21
On Tuesday, April 16, the Liberty Central School District Board of Education approved a $68 million budget proposal to put before the voters on Tuesday, May 21. The proposal for the 2024-25 school year enhances curriculum and improves programs without increasing the tax levy.
This is the sixth consecutive year there is no proposed tax levy increase.
“This budget proposal continues our commitment to fiscal responsibility while providing the increased programming and support our students need to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.
The proposed $68,034,294 budget increases spending 2.62%, or $1,737,992, and would fund all current student programs and services. The district’s allowable calculated tax levy limit increase is 5.24%; however, because the governor’s budget proposal allocates a 3.06%, or $1,686,000, increase in state aid to Liberty, the district is able to put forth a proposal with a tax levy of $17,760,162, the same as the current year’s budget.
The proposed spending increase is attributed to increases in such recurring expenses as insurance, energy costs and maintenance materials, as well as proposed expansions to curricular and extracurricular opportunities.
One of the pillars of the district’s five-year strategic plan is curriculum. Several program expansions proposed in the 2024-25 budget would support that pillar, including expanding the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) math curriculum to seventh grade, adding Syracuse University Project Advance college credit courses, as well as introducing more computer science and AI-related programs across grades.
The proposal also includes the addition of a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)-certified teacher, creating an administrative athletic director position, and converting two part-time teacher aide positions into one full time teacher aid. An update to the middle school library’s innovation lab is also in the proposal.
“This budget proposal keeps us focused on the elements of our strategic plan so that we can continue to prepare our students for a successful future,” Sullivan said.
Polls will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, in the High School Media Center. The time and location are changes from past years. More budget information will be available on the district’s budget page.
Liberty students take home 11 awards at county art show
Liberty Central School District students won several awards at last week’s Sullivan County PK-12 Art Show at the Events Gallery at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.
Liberty students took four of the five possible Artist Choice Awards in Photography. The Artist Choice Awards are selected by professionals. Leonel Malaga Ventura earned an award for black and white photography, and Jill Baumander, Kaitlyn Bodolosky and Maria Quintanilla Bonilla each won for color photography.
In Sculpture, Studio Art student Roz Schauerhamer took an Artist Choice award.
In Ceramics, Brittany Cardenas won two Artist Choice awards and Brook Bull took a Student Choice award.
In Painting, Studio Art student Madelynn Stewart received an Artist Choice award
In Mixed Media, Aulanie Garcia Velez took a Student Choice award.
In Drawing, Giovanni Flores Leon earned an Artist Choice Award.
The show kicked off with a high school student opening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 11, and opened to the public with a reception from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 12. The show continued from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14.
Student artwork from media categories of ceramics and Glass, Digital Art Design, Black and White Drawing, Color Drawing, Mixed Media, Painting, Black and White Photography, Color Photography, Film and Animation, and Sculpture were on display, with about 125 total pieces from Liberty students across the district.
LCSD earns national recognition for music education for fifth consecutive year
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 for the fifth year in a row.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Liberty 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 offers a multifaceted array of benefits, touching on cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development,” LCSD Director of Music Eric Aweh said. “Its impact is profound, laying the groundwork for well-rounded individuals who are capable of thinking creatively, expressing themselves, and contributing positively to society.”
The community will be able to see the Liberty music students in action several times before the end of the school year, with a series of spring concerts. High school mixed ensembles will be featured Thursday, May 9; seventh and eighth graders on Tuesday, May 14; high school honors students on Thursday, May 16; fifth and sixth graders on Tuesday, May 21, and the elementary students on Monday, June 3. All concerts will be held in the high school auditorium at 7 p.m., except the elementary concert which will begin at 6:30 p.m.
“Music is a vital part of the educational experience,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “We appreciate the NAMM Foundation’s continued recognition of our dedication to providing a quality music education for our students.”
Now in its 23rd 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. The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, visit www.nammfoundation.org.