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.

Students seated at a curved table look at pamphlets as an adult stands at the front of the room“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 work on posters using markersStudents 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.”

An anti-vaping poster
A poster created by Ely Garcia Garcia.

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.”

Sports schedule, and results, for the week of April 29-May 5, 2024

Our athletes will be in action in baseball, softball, tennis, golf and track and field this week. 

Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.

Monday, April 29

10 a.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Livingston Manor at Cooperstown Doubleday Field

1 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Multiple Schools at Villa Roma Country Club

4:15 p.m.: JV Softball vs. Eldred at Liberty High School

4:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs Minisink Valley at Monticello High School

5:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track & Field: Girls Varsity League  vs. Beacon City at Liberty High School.

Tuesday, April 30

3:15 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Ellenville at Shawangunk Country Club

4 p.m.: Boys Varsity Golf vs. Sullivan West Central at Villa Roma Country Club

4:15 p.m.: Modified Baseball vs. Livingston Manor at Liberty Middle School

4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Livingston Manor at Liberty Elementary School

4:30 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. vs. Tri-Valley at Tri-Valley Central School

4:30 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Highland at Highland High School

4:30 p.m.: JV Softball vs. Onteora at Onteora High School

5:15 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Beacon City at Monticello High School

Wednesday, May 1

3:30 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Tri-Valley at Sullivan County Golf and Country Club

4:30 p.m.: JV League Baseball vs. Port Jervis  at Liberty High School

Thursday, May 2

3:30 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Multiple Schools at Green Ridge Golf Club

4 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Fallsburg at Benjamin Cosor Elementary School

4 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Minisink Valley at Minisink Valley High School.

4:15 p.m.: Modified Baseball vs. Monticello at Monticello High School

4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Monticello at Monticello High School

4:15 p.m.: Girls and Boys Modified vs. Livingston Manor/Roscoe at Liberty High School.

4:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Fallsburg at Fallsburg Junior/Senior High School.

4:30 p.m.: JV Softball vs. Chester Academy  @  Liberty High School

Friday, May 3

2:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. James I. O’Neill at Liberty High School

3:30 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Multiple Schools at The Monster at Resort World Catskill.

4 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Cornwall Central at Cornwall High School

4:30pm: Varsity Baseball vs. James I. O’Neill at Liberty High School.

4:30 p.m.: Varsity Softball  vs. James I. O’Neill at James I. O’Neill High School

4:30 p.m.: JV Softball vs. Tri-Valley at Tri-Valley Central School TV – Iatauro Sports Complex

5:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Cornwall Central  at Cornwall High School

Saturday, May 4

No events scheduled

Sunday, May 5

No events scheduled.

The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section 9 website for the latest. 

BOE to have special meeting April 30

There will be a Special Meeting of the Board of Education on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. in the District Office at 115 Buckley St. in Liberty.  The Board anticipates entering into executive session immediately for the purpose of discussing the employment of a particular person.  There will be no other business, and the meeting will be adjourned at the end of the executive session.  The meeting is not open to the public. The agenda will be available at Board Docs on April 29, 2024.

The next regular Board of Education meeting will be on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in the High School Media Center following the 6:30 p.m. Annual Budget Hearing in the High School Auditorium.

LMS to honor third-quarter honor roll students; ceremonies to be livestreamed

Liberty Middle School third-quarter honor roll ceremonies will be livestreamed Friday, May 3, at https://events.locallive.tv/events/133089. Fifth grade awards will be presented from 8:15 to 8:25 a.m., with sixth grade from 8:25 to 8:35 a.m., seventh grade 8:35-8:45 a.m. and eighth grade from 8:45 to 8:55 a.m.

Honor Roll students have an overall average of 90-96. The Principal’s Honor Roll requires an average of 97-100.

The following students will be honored:

Eighth Grade

Principal’s Honor: Colten Jay Allen, Belle Gandulla, Leah Herbek, Shea-Leigh Kristiansen and Adriana Ponce Agredano.

Honor: Brandon Amador, Stephanie Amaya Bonilla, Angeliz Arriaga Munoz, Irwin Barragan Rojas, Zachariah Bickham, Gabriel Bossert, Alyssia Boyles, Jared Briggs, Emily Cardenas Reyes, Ted Caycho Jr., Hope Corbett, Keven Cordero Lima, Nysaiah Davis, Sophia Duarte, Timothy Eronimous, Michael Feijo, McKayla Figueroa, Brooke Golzak, Stephanie Gomez Nivelo, Jade Guaillazaca Lopez, Starriah Harris, Tyler Juron, Hunter Kavleski, Alice King, Lena LaGattuta, Emmanuel Leon-Leon, Patrick McNamara, Peter Miralle Jr., Jessey Miranda, Giselle Payton, Anai Perez Sanchez, Gimena Quiroz Ramirez, Jayla Ramon, Raul Rios, Peyton Rivera, Michael Segovia Ramon, Gabriella Sheridan, Baileigh Steinberg, Michael Tocco, William A Vargas-Martin, Samantha Vidalis, Mason Williams, Aaden Woolard and Alonso Yupanqui.

Seventh Grade

Principal’s Honor: Luca Burgio, Amelia Cole, Joshua DiBartolo, Grace Fitzgerald, Alexandra Galeas Osorio, Jasmine Garcia-Reyes, Sara Liddle, Xavier Martin, Olivia Matuszak, Jacob Pennell, Aaron Ponce Flores, Alena Tarabichi, Anthony Valdez Calle and Sophia Vasko.

Honor: Nathan Alvord, Samantha Bull, Phillip Burrous Jr, Evelin Castillo Hernandez, Matthew Decker, Casity DiBartolo, Laudy D’Oleo, Anthony Gavidia Reyes, Yoscari Gomez Mejia, Miles Harman, Victoria Henry, Mariana Joya-Reyes, Damien Keating, Alexandra Kelly, Elizabeth MacNamara, Selkir Molina Gonzalez, Sariah Ocasio, Alex Olivares-Reyes, Javier Ortiz Paz, Arturo Perez Reyes, Arianna Rodriguez, Sulenny Romero, Quinn Santiago, Everett Schwartz, MaKaidyn Smith, Jace Snowden, Emma Tacti and Wayne Toscano-Gardner.

Sixth Grade

Principal’s Honor: Madison Montgomery Allen, Mya Davis, Claire Ferguson, Antoni Klys, Corinne Lake, Harper Matuszak, Angelick Rivera and Brycen Smith.

Honor: Conner Baum, Faith Boyles, Maria Cinfuentes, Makayla Fuentes Serapio, Michael Garzon Valle, Gavin Grant, Damier Harrington, Alan Hernandez Lopez, Aiden Hernandez Mejia, Jolisa Hernandez, Luna Pixie Hulse, Lilly Kehrley, Sidra Koen James, Matthew Kolarik, Liam LaGattuta, Madison LaMantia, Denis Leon Aldana, Ixchel Marin Gonzalez, Pricilla Matute, Ava McNett, Adner Mejia Aguilar, Americus Mott, Pearl Mott, Liriel Mueses Valdez, Zalaina Nash, Erika Panama, Genesis Paz, Luke Poley, Valeria Ponce Vazquez, Myla Rielly, Kameren Samuel, Aiden Satz, Namarpreet Singh, Hayden Smith, Angel Terraza Raymundo, Erick Torres Garcia, Nahum Vallejo Sandoval, Evan Vidalis, Markel Woeckener and Ethan Zheng.

Fifth Grade

Principal’s Honor: Elisa Barragan, Owen Brust, Farrah Conklin-Degraw, Dia D’Agata, Tristian Degroat, Delilah Flores-Serapio, Lilliana Garzon Ferrufino, Mia Grant, Isabella Intranuovo, Tyler Kavleski, Aubrie Keating, Randy Panchana, Joseph Portillo Larios, Scarlett Ratner, Caleb Rusin and Belinda VanGordon.

Honor: Muhammad Awais, Guiliana Birkett, Emma Boyles, Katarina Card, Riley Church-Bradley, Gregory Dasraj, Marcel Davis, Avery Decker, Conor Deis, Ellis Dilworth, Ronal Dubon Duque, Royce Fingers, Madelyn Garcia Cuellar, Ely Garcia Garcia, Dariana Gonzalez Suarez, Astrid Guardado Diaz, Anabel Hernandez Fuentes, Hudson Jeffrey Jardon, Dylan Joya Reyes, Allison Juarez Perez, Mateusz Klys, Makenzie Knack, Kaleb Laidley, Leandro Leon, Daisuke Mapes, Megan Martinez Gomez, Ayanelson Mazariegos Cuz, Abel McClain, Bentley Moore, Alisha Morales, Karen Mosso, Samuel Negroni, Denali Owens, Makaela Parsons, Lily Paynter, Milsi Ramirez Martinez, Jordanno Rivera, Kailani Rivera, Aaliyssa Rodriguez, Sherlene Romero, Jorge Tacuri Llano, Marjorie Tejada Servellon, Sophie Toledo, Katherine Valdez Calle, Carolina Vera Rivera, Raegan Wagner, Delanie Yupanqui, Sophie Zayas and Subhan Zeeshan.

A message from the superintendent on safety

Dear Liberty,

Spring is here and our schools are brimming with activity.

We welcome and encourage our community to support our students in their athletic, academic and fine art endeavors. However, we are all responsible for making sure our campuses remain a safe place in which to learn.

I want to remind you of the steps that we take to help keep everyone safe on our school campuses.

We appreciate the support our athletes receive, but there are certain rules spectators must follow. We adhere to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association guidelines, which encourage positivity, support and sportsmanship. The full NYSPHSAA policy can be found here.

We also do not allow any tobacco, alcohol, marijuana or other drug use on school grounds.

And while we love our pets, they aren’t allowed on our campuses.

Staff members are onsite during all contests and they will ask those who violate our policies to be in compliance or they will be asked to leave.

Interior safety is also important. Entry to our buildings requires keycard access. Visitors are restricted to a single point of entry in each building. All visitors are required to show a valid ID at an automated kiosk before entering any of our school buildings, and visitors will be buzzed in. Read more at https://www.libertyk12.org/visiting-procedures/

All classrooms require keycard access as well, and doors are expected to remain closed and locked when occupied.

Through our updated door lock system, school officials are able to immediately lock all doors if there is an emergency. As part of the lockdown system, digital signs throughout common areas will help inform students and staff of what is happening. There are also strobe lights inside and outside the building, which will help alert of emergencies and advise those outside the building not to enter. If an emergency occurs, the Liberty Police Department is able to monitor school cameras if a lockdown takes place.

We have also continued our partnership with LPD, placing a school resource officer in each building. They regularly patrol and check for vulnerabilities and are a valuable resource to students and staff.

When it comes to safety, we do have a plan. Our district safety plan, which is updated yearly, can be seen at https://www.libertyk12.org/district-wide-safety-plan/. Our faculty and staff are trained in what to do in the event of an emergency, and our schools have emergency drills several times a year.

As always, we encourage our school community to be proactive in safety with the adage “see something, say something.” We have long had an anonymous alert system, where safety concerns could be reported, at https://asp.schoolmessenger.com/liberty/quicktip/.

Safety for our students and staff is always one of the top priorities for Liberty Central School District, and we appreciate our community’s support.

Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Sullivan
Superintendent

End-of-year sports awards ceremonies planned

All modified and JV athletes and their family at invited to the year-end sports award ceremony to be held on at 4 p.m. May 30 in the high school auditorium. Following the awards ceremony, there will be an informal barbecue in the high school cafeteria to celebrate the hard work of the modified and JV athletes.

The annual Block L Banquet will be held at 6 p.m. June 6 in the high school gymnasium. More information will be provided as the event gets closer

A message from the superintendent regarding ‘give back’ days

Dear Parents and Guardians,

In order to be prepared for winter weather and other circumstances, there were seven snow days built into the 2023-2024 school calendar. Since we have only used four snow days so far this year and April is underway, it appears that there is a good chance we will not use the remaining days for inclement weather. As a result, the built in ‘give back’ days in the school calendar will be used. These dates are designed to work around state assessments, Regents and exam preparation.

If we use no additional inclement weather days prior to April 25, there will be no school on the following days*:

  • Friday April 26, 2024
  • Thursday May 23, 2024
  • Friday May 24, 2024

*PLEASE NOTE that in the event additional days are needed for inclement weather at any time for the remainder of the school year, some of the dates listed above will remain as regular school days and your child will need to be in attendance at school. If any changes are made to the calendar, we will share the information through School Messenger and on our website at www.libertyk12.org.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick Sullivan
Superintendent of Schools

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

Michelle ClarkClark 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 MHSCC.

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

John NicholsNichols, 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 MHSCC split its awards into two ceremonies. LHS Teaching Assistant Nancy Katzenberger was honored this fall as one the recipients of the MHSCC’s Support Staff Award for Excellence in Education.

Liberty Partnerships Program to offer free summer program

Liberty Partnerships Program will host its free summer program for students at Liberty, Monticello and BOCES in grades through 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, July 8-Aug. 1, at SUNY Sullivan Community College.

Activities will include life skills, English language supports, team building, elective service learning reading project, sustainability, healthy relationships, career supports, culinary arts, farm to table and healthy culinary choices. Programs will be offered by SUNY Sullivan Community College, Cornell SNAP-Ed, PPGNY, Follow Us to Success, Hope Farm and SUNY Sullivan Student Activities.

There will be free transportation from Liberty High School daily.

To download an application, available in English and Spanish, visit https://www.facebook.com/SullivanLPP/. For more information, contact LLP at 845-434-5750, ext. 4264, or at LPP@sunysullivan.edu.

Sports schedule, and results, for the week of April 22-28, 2024

Our athletes will be in action in baseball, softball, tennis, golf and track and field this week. 

Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.

Monday, April 22

3:30 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Sullivan West Central at Villa Roma Country Club

4:30 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. Sullivan West Central at Liberty High School

4:30 p.m.: JV Softball  vs. Onteora at Liberty High School.

4:45 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Sullivan West Central at Sullivan West – Lake Huntington

4:45 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Ellenville at Berme Road Field
Result: Ellenville 13, Liberty 1. Ellenville’s Victoria Bonitz struck out 9 batters while allowing just three hits as the Blue Devils took down Liberty 13-1 Monday afternoon. The Redhawks’ Angie Wheeler, Aaliyah Williams and Elaina Ramirez each had singles. Liberty’s record falls to 3-3 with the loss.

Tuesday, April 23

3:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Golf vs. Port Jervis at Lynx at Riverbend at Sullivan County Golf and Country Club.

4:15 p.m.: Boys Modified Baseball vs. Tri-Valley at Liberty Middle School

Wednesday, April 24

4 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field vs. Monticello at Liberty High School.

4:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Beacon City at Liberty High School.

4:30 p.m.: Varsity Softball  vs. Beacon City at Liberty High School
Result: Beacon 7, Liberty 0. Beacon’s Bella White struck out eight and gave up just five hits to lead the Bulldogs to a 7-0 shutout victory over Liberty. Angie Wheeler threw very well in defeat pitching six innings giving up only 2 earned runs while striking out eight. Offensively, five Redhawks had singles: Quinn Allen, Angie Wheeler, Aaliyah Williams, Olivia Dworetsky and Brenna Mangan. Liberty’s record falls to 3-4 (0-1 League).

5:15 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. Port Jervis at Harriet Space Park.

Thursday, April 25

3:30 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Monticello at The Monster at Resort World Catskill.

4 p.m.: Boys Varsity Golf vs. Monticello at The Monster at Resort World Catskill.

4:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball  vs. Port Jervis at Liberty Middle School

4:30 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Port Jervis at Liberty High School
Result: Port Jervis 28, Liberty 4. The Raiders 22-hit attack helped overwhelm the Redhawks as Port Jervis went on to crush Liberty 28-4. Both Nevaeh Davis and Quinn Allen each had a single, RBI and run scored. Aubrey Botsford, Aaliyah Williams and Elaina Ramirez also had hits for the Redhawks. Liberty’s record falls to 3-5 (0-2 League).

4:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Modified Track and Field vs. Sullivan West Central at Sullivan West – Jeffersonville.

4:45 p.m.: Modified Baseball  vs. Eldred at Liberty High School.

4:45 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Eldred at Eldred High School

6 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Washingtonville at Monticello High.

Friday, April 26

4 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Warwick Valley School District at Warwick Valley Middle School.

Saturday, April 27

9 a.m.: Wildcat Tournament: Varsity Softball vs. Livingston Manor at Livingston Manor High School.

11 a.m.: Wildcat Tournament: Varsity Baseball vs. Hancock-Deposit at Livingston Manor High School.

1 p.m.: Wildcat Tournament consolation games

3 p.m.: Wildcat Tournament championship games

Sunday, April 28

No events scheduled.

The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section 9 website for the latest. 

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