Month: March 2025
Liberty issues reminder of communication policies, safety procedures
With spring approaching, Liberty Central School District is reminding families of some communication policies and safety procedures.
The district encourages the community to come out to support the students in their academic, athletic and fine art endeavors, while ensuring the campuses remain safe.
Parents or guardians are reminded of the Chain of Command Calling Guide for details on whom to contact with any concerns. Concerns regarding bullying and safety may also be reported through the Anonymous Alerts system.
The district adheres to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association guidelines, which encourage positivity, support and sportsmanship, and reminds spectators to follow the policy. Tobacco, alcohol, marijuana or other drug use is prohibited on school grounds, as are pets. Staff members are onsite during all contests and they will ask those who violate the policies to comply or leave.
The district also issued reminders of the steps in place to make Liberty a safe place in which to learn. Entry to all buildings requires keycard access for staff, and LCSD has a strict visiting procedure. Visitors are restricted to a single point of entry in each building. All visitors must show a valid ID at an automated kiosk before entering any of our school buildings, and will be buzzed in. All classrooms require keycard access as well, and doors are expected to remain closed and locked when occupied.
Through the district’s door lock system, school officials are able to immediately lock all doors if there is an emergency. 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.
LPD is an important partner, as a school resource officer from LPD is placed in each building. They regularly patrol and check for vulnerabilities and are a valuable resource to students and staff.
Faculty and staff are trained in what to do, in line with the districtwide safety plan, if an emergency occurs, and our schools have emergency drills several times a year.
“Safety for our students and staff is always one of the top priorities for Liberty Central School District, and we appreciate your support,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.
‘Magic of Reading’ closes Read Across America, kicks off Readathon
The Great and Powerful Dave mesmerized the students at Liberty Elementary with his “Magic of Reading” show on Friday, March 7. He helped LES close out Read Across America Week and kick off the annual Readathon fundraiser to benefit the PTA. For the Readathon, students will seek pledges according to how much they read over the next 12 days. They will compete for prizes, including credits at the book fair, a popcorn party and, for the student who reads the most, a gift basket. For more information or to donate, call the LES main office at 845-292-5400, ext. 2030.
LMS principal issues reminder of testing policies and procedures
Liberty Middle School Principal Heather Cheh resent the following letter, originally sent in January, to LMS families as a reminder of testing policies and procedures:
Hello LMS Families,
We hope you are doing well and managing the cold winter weather. This letter will be highlighting some of the assessment information for Liberty Middle School.
STAR Renaissance
Students have just completed their Winter STAR ELA and Math assessments. We look forward to reviewing the data once make-up testing is complete. The goal is to see growth from the Fall STAR testing, and then again from Winter to Spring.
Our school’s Wildly Important Goals (WIGs):
- By Winter 2025, each grade level’s STAR Assessment state proficiency rate will increase 4.5% in ELA & Math
- By May 2025, each grade level’s STAR Assessment state proficiency rate will increase 7% in ELA & Math
Each year students also review their Instructional Planning Student Report after each assessment reviewing their STAR scores and setting their own WIGs and lead measures to show growth. Students keep this information in their Leadership Portfolios.
Reminder of information shared during Fall 2024
STAR Renaissance Access Letter
STAR testing is important information that helps teachers collaborate under the MTSS/PLC frameworks and determine placement in their (What I Need Now) WINN Periods. Liberty Middle School students will be taking the STAR Renaissance Fall, Winter and Spring Assessments in both ELA and Math. These assessments are tools used to drive instructional practice. Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is not a separate program, class or intervention, but rather a way to organize to meet students’ needs. MTSS includes both enrichments and interventions, depending upon student need. This framework helps educators identify students who need additional support both academically and behaviorally.
- ENG STAR/MTSS Letter from Sept 2024
- ESP STAR/MTSS Letter from Sept 2024
- STAR Renaissance Family Resources
HMH Growth Measures
Students also take their HMH Growth Measure, Fall, Winter and Spring during their ELA and Math classes. The HMH Growth Measure is a computer-based test that evaluates a student’s reading comprehension/language arts skills and math skills. It’s a research-based benchmark assessment that helps teachers understand how students are performing against grade-level expectations.
What does the HMH Reading Growth Measure do?
- Helps teachers identify students’ strengths and weaknesses
- Helps teachers inform instruction and intervention
- Helps teachers set goals for students
- Helps teachers track student progress over time
New York State Computer Based Testing NYS CBT
Students begin the NYS CBT Simulations next week for Math, ELA and Science 5 & 8. The Statewide CBT Simulations provide the opportunity for school staff to evaluate the readiness of their school’s internal systems, hardware, and school testing procedures for CBT.
Simulation tests are beneficial for students because they provide a realistic practice environment, allowing them to identify their strengths and weaknesses in a low-stakes setting, improve test-taking strategies, manage anxiety, and gain confidence before facing a real exam, all while getting familiar with the format and types of questions, and online tools they might encounter.
The actual NYS CBT dates begin in April. All of the 8th grade students will be taking the Algebra Regents this year, instead of the NYS CBT Math assessment.
Please Note for the NYS CBT in the Spring:
If you so choose, parents can write and submit a refusal letter for their child from taking the NYS CBT Math, Science, or ELA tests, 3 days prior to the test date, you must send that in writing with your signature, via paper or email to mkristiansen@libertyk12.org.
- Letters/notes will not be accepted on the day of the test.
- Students will not be allowed to refuse testing on the day of the test.
- Students will not be allowed to take a partial test one day, then refuse another day.
- We do not encourage, nor promote refusals.
- There is no opting out or refusing the 8th Grade Math Regents.
We know that no single test provides a complete picture of a child’s ability, and any type of placement at LMS, or future LHS placement is based on multiple data points. We combine multiple measures, including classroom performance, classroom assessments and district assessments, along with the NYS assessments to make informed instructional decisions for all students.
The New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT)
ENL students will also be taking the NYSESLAT starting in May. The New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT) is designed to annually assess the English language proficiency of all English Language Learners (ELLs) enrolled in Grades K–12 in New York State schools. The test provides the State and schools with important information about the English language development of ELLs and is part of the State’s compliance with federal laws that mandate the annual assessment and monitoring of the English language proficiency of all ELLs. The results of the NYSESLAT will determine the levels of service ELLs will receive in Bilingual Education and English as a New Language programs for the school year as prescribed in Commissioner’s Regulations Part 154-2 and 154-3.
We thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher or counselor.
Heather Cheh
Instagram: libertyms_ny
Liberty musicians to take part in All-County Music Festival
Nearly 100 students from Liberty Central School District will take part in the 70th annual Sullivan County Music Educators’ Association All-County Music Festival in Monticello.
Students will work with notable guest conductors from throughout the United States on Friday, March 7, and during the day on Saturday, March 8.
The event will culminate with three concerts on Saturday at the Monticello High School Arnold Packer Hughs Auditorium at 39 Breakey Ave. Elementary Chorus and Middle School Band will perform at 1 p.m., followed by Senior High Mixed Chorus, Junior High Band and Senior High Treble Chorus at 3 p.m., with the final concert, featuring Senior High Jazz Band and Junior High String Orchestra at 5 p.m.
Liberty students scheduled to participate in the festival are:
Elementary Chorus
Katarina Card, Riley Church-Bradley, Avery Decker, Viviana Fraiser, Joseph Geoghan, Tyler Kavleski, Sydney Kehrer, Makenzie Knack, Ryleigh LaMantia, Josslyn Letohic, Daisuke Mapes, Cora McConnell, Nicholas McPhillips, Logan Moore, Denali Owens, Shaleigh Santiago, MaKynlie Smith, Henry Vogler, Raegan Wagner and Sophie Zayas.
Middle School Band
Owen Brust, Raymond Cottman Jr., Dia D’Agata, Claire Ferguson, Michael Garzon, Chase Golzak, Gavin Grant, Mia Grant, Genesis Harrison, Dylan Joya Reyes, Aubrie Keating, Lilly Kehrley, Antoni Klys, Corinne Lake, Harper Matuszak, Bentley Moore, Scarlett Ratner, Sherlene Romero, Caleb Rusin and Brycen Smith.
Junior High Band
Phillip Burrous, Amelia Cole, Grace Fitzgerald, Jasmine Garcia Reyes, Mariana Joya Reyes, Jacob Pennell and Tyler Smith.
Junior High String Orchestra
Farrah Conklin Degraw, Joshua DiBartolo, Makayla Fuentes-Serapio, Belle Gandulla, Alan Hernandez Lopez, Ayelene Ines-Leon, Isabella Intranuovo, Olivia Matuszak, McKinzie Paterson, Aaliyssa Rodriguez, Sulenny Romero and Alena Tarabichi and Sophia Vasko.
Junior High Band
Zachariah Bickham, Hope Corbett and Timothy Eronimous.
Senior High Jazz Band
Kaitlyn Bodolosky, Brandon Buschmann, Sophia Ferguson, Luis Molina Gonzalez and Phillo Romero.
High School Treble Choir
Endya Alvarez, Liliana Crespo, Sydania Foster, Lianna Gissentaner, Audrey Krum, Lena Lagatutta, Angelina Magie, Katherine Maldonado, Elizabeth Navarette, Riley Santiago and Mykenzi Williams.
High School Mixed Choir
Sophia Avellino, Genna DeFrank, Eli Desrochers, , Allisson Diaz Lopez, Christopher DiBartolo, Lia Guillerme, Jordan Hewlett, Kelsey Hopkins,Tyler Juron, Jacob Kelly, Joshua Kratz, Shea-Leigh Kristiansen, James Letohic III, Gabriella Sheridan, Elijah Warren, Rachel Yaun, Sebastian Yupanqui and Rita Zheng.
Participating students have had a chance to pre-purchase tickets. Any remaining tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and are $8 each.
Please note that all concert audience members will go through a security checkpoint with metal detectors. Attendees are asked to leave unnecessary bags in the vehicle and personal knives are not permitted into the building.
For more information on the concert, call Andrew Verdino or Michael Mingo at 845-794-8840, ext. 10853.
No changes in ESSA designations for 2024-25
The New York State Education Department recently released accountability designations for all public school districts as required under the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA. There are no changes in the 2024-25 designations.
The Middle School remains a Targeted Support and Improvement School, because four student subgroups — Black, Hispanic, English Language Learners and Economically Disadvantaged — did not meet expectations.
Liberty Elementary School remains designated as a Potential Target School, due to the achievement scores of our students with disabilities.
The District remains a Targeted District, because of the Middle School designation.
Last year Liberty High School was classified a Local Support and Improvement school, formerly known as a “School in Good Standing.” LHS had been on the Targeted Support and Improvement school list for several years, including the two years designations were not changed because of the pause in testing during the COVID pandemic.
For more information about the district’s accountability designations, visit the district’s ESSA webpage, or contact Interim Assistant Superintendent Marianne Serratore at 845-292-5400, ext. 2063, or mserratore@libertyk12.org.
Liberty BOE recognizes Music in our Schools month
The Liberty Central School District Board of Education recognized March as Music in our Schools month, by adopting a resolution at the Feb. 25 board meeting.
Music is a vital part of the educational process and Liberty hosts a robust program, being named a Best Community for Music Education for several years running. From elementary music classes to the district’s honors ensembles, music touches the lives of all students at some point in their years at school. Liberty is also proud to host the Liberty Jazz Festival, which brings together student musicians from across the county together to learn from an expert in the field, among numerous other concerts and activities.