Month: May 2025
Real Food Rules for LMS sixth-graders
Students create songs, posters during healthy eating program
The Liberty Middle School Wellness Committee once again hosted the STEAM FUND for The Real Food Rules Program—an innovative initiative designed to educate students about the origins and importance of food, and to inspire healthy, informed choices.
This year, sixth-grade students participated in dynamic sessions with musicians and educators Scott and Beth Bierko. Through engaging discussions and interactive songwriting activities, students explored the concept of “real food,” where it comes from, and how it impacts their health and well-being.
These creative workshops encouraged students to reflect on their eating habits and think critically about nutrition. The program culminated in a unique musical collaboration, with students composing original songs focused on wellness, healthy eating and nutrition. These student-created songs will be proudly featured during the school’s morning announcements, as well as in radio spots and on the STEAM Fund’s YouTube Page.
The following songs, with their links, were produced:
- Find Balance – Mrs. Klein’s Class
- Eat More Real Food – Mrs. Clifford’s Class
- My Heart Is Important (Mi Corazón es Importante) – Ms. Murphy’s Class
- Know Your Facts – Mr. Jones’ Class
- Sharpen The Saw – Ms. Abplanalp’s Class
- Junk Food – Ms. Cummins’ Class
- Sodium Blues – Mr. Golden’s Class
The classes also took part in a poster contest with four students earning top honors for their awards. The winning posters were created by Dia D’Agata, Genesis Harrison, Raegan Wagner and Stephani Smith.
The LMS Wellness Committee is grateful for the continued support of the STEAM FUND and look forward to inspiring more students to make smart, healthy choices through the power of music and education.
Liberty Public Library to host summer events
The Liberty Public Library will offer series of activities for students of all ages throughout the summer.
For younger students, the library will host Color Our World programming throughout the summer.
A summer reading challenge will start June 30 and end Aug. 8. Those who participate will receive weekly prizes for reading. Reading logs are available at the front desk and those who bring it back each week to show what they have read will receive prizes. Young students can be read to and those who are starting to read should read on their own.
Fun for the whole family will be offered at three interactive family shows: “Color Our World’ Mime Show at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10; Repco Wildlife Reptile Show at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24; and Owls and Falcons, at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 4.
There will also be weekly craft days for students entering kindergarten though fourth grade at 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, July 1-Aug. 5, as well as STEM Stations at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays, July 3-31, where students will be able to code robots, build circuit paths and use Lego blocks.
For infants and preschool children, there will be Summer Storytimes at 11 a.m. Wednesdays, June 25-Aug.6, featuring stories, songs, crafts and games, as well as Movement & Music at 11 a.m. Mondays, June 23-July 28, except July 7, where young children can make music, learn new songs, dance and make a musical craft.
The Teen Zone, for students entering fifth through 12th grade will be activated from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays with different events each week.
Scratch Art will be offered June 23, with sticker design on June 30. Ink art, using alcohol inks, will be offered July 7. There will be a game day July 14, and an opportunity to make a “FrankenToy” or art using old toys, glue and spray paint. The final event will by July 28, where old CDs will be upcycled into art using stencils or paint.
The older students can also take part in a reading challenge by recording what books they read this summer. Sign up will be done at the front desk. Each book entered into the reading log will earn an entry to win an Amazon Gift Card. All participants will receive a prize when completed logs are turned in.
The Liberty Public Library is at 189 N. Main St. in front of the Elementary School. For more information, call 845-292-6070 or visit www.libertypublicibrary.org.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of May 26-June 1, 2025
Our student-athletes are in action this week in baseball, softball and track and field.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
Monday, May 26
No events scheduled.
Tuesday, May 27
10 a.m.: Boys Varsity Golf Section Finals, vs. Multiple Schools at McCann Memorial Golf Course.
11 a.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Multiple Schools at Apple Greens Golf Course
4:15 p.m.: Modified Baseball vs. Livingston Manor/Roscoe at Roscoe Central School
4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Livingston Manor/Roscoe at Roscoe Central School
Wednesday, May 28
4:15 p.m.: Modified Baseball vs. Monticello at Liberty High School.
4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Monticello at Liberty High School.
Thursday, May 29
2 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field Championship vs. Multiple Schools at Rondout Valley Central School.
Results: Congratulations to the following members of the Varsity track team for their top performances at Sectionals:
- Chris Rogers – third place 100m, fourth place 200m, fourth place long jump
- Sydania Foster – fourth place 400m, fifth place 400m hurdles
- Brooke Bull – third place pole vault
- Girls 4x100m relay team of Eyanna C, Starr H, Brooke B and Sydania F – fifth place
- Boys 4x400m relay team of Colten A, Mason S, Colin D and Samuel B -sixth place
4:15 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Tri-Valley at Liberty High School
Friday, May 30
No events scheduled.
Saturday, May 31
No events scheduled.
Sunday, June 1
No events scheduled.
Free showing of ‘Dog Man’ scheduled at library
The Liberty Public Library will host a free showing of the family movie, “Dog Man,” at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7.
Students and their parents/guardians are invited to enjoy this movie together at the library. There will be popcorn for all who attend.
An adult MUST stay with children younger than 12.
The library is at 189 N. Main St. in front of the Liberty Elementary School. For more information, call 845-292-6070 or visit www.libertypubliclibrary.org.
A message from the principal on end of year events and dates
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:
I hope everyone is enjoying our spring weather! Shared with you below are upcoming important dates and events to conclude our 2024-2025 school year. We look forward to seeing you as we celebrate our students, create memories, and reach milestones. More information will follow regarding specific information for senior based events including graduation, Regents exams, Chromebook collection, and Summer School.
- 5.22.25: K-12 District Art Show, 4-6 p.m.
- 5.26.25: Memorial Day Parade, Main Street, Liberty, Line up 10 a.m.
- 5.28.25: Academic Block “L”, David E. Panebaker (LHS) Auditorium, 6:00 p.m.
- 6.10.25: JV and Modified Sports “Redhawk Recognition,” 3:15 p.m. for students, 4:30 p.m. for families
- 6.11.25: Geometry Regents, 8 a.m. (Only students taking the exam attend school)
- 6.11.25: Liberty Music and Community Festival at Lapolt Park (Rain Date 6.13.25), 4:30 p.m.
- 6.12.25: Athletic Varsity Block “L” Banquet, David E. Panebaker (LHS) Auditorium, 6:00 p.m.
- 6.16.25: Senior Walk and Senior Class Picture (during the morning of the school day)
- 6.16.25: LHS Last Day of Classes
- 6.16.25: Senior Assembly, David E. Panebaker (LHS) Auditorium, 6:00 p.m.
- 6.17 – 6.27.25: Regents and Final Exams
- 6.27.25: Wall of Fame Reception, 5:00 p.m.
- 6.27.25: Graduation Rehearsal, 4:45 p.m. (Graduates arrive by 4:30 p.m.) and Graduation, 7 p.m. (Guests may arrive beginning at 6:00 p.m.)
Thank you for your continued support. Please contact us with any questions.
All the best,
Dr. Derek Adams
Principal
Liberty CSD voters approve $68.5M school budget proposal, $7.5M capital project
On Tuesday, May 20, voters in the Liberty Central School District approved, 658-131, the district’s $68.5 million budget proposal for the 2025-26 school year.
“We thank the residents of Liberty Central School District for their continued support so we can empower our students to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “We are also happy we could present a budget that, for the seventh year in a row, did not increase the tax levy.”
The $68,508,362 budget funds all current student programs and services as the district continues its vertical and horizontal alignment of curriculum, adding the curriculum management platform Eduplanet to aid in curriculum mapping. The district is also expanding partnerships with colleges and universities to offer additional credit-bearing classes for high school students.
Voters also approved a nearly $7.5 million capital project, 616-167. The project will add air conditioning to the elementary school to address recent state legislation that sets 88 degrees as the maximum temperature in educational and support services spaces. The project also includes related boiler and electrical upgrades. There is no expected tax levy impact, as fund balances will be used to offset the costs not covered by state reimbursements.
“We are glad that this project was approved so that we can help keep our students cool in a more cost-effective manner by working this into our ongoing project,” Dr. Sullivan said.
Three board of education members were elected to three-year terms on the board. John L. Nichols with 761 votes, Timothy Hamblin with 759 votes and Matthew DeWitt with 762 votes Also on the ballot were: Miriam Rivka Singer who received 28 votes, and Miriam Heimlich who received 27 votes. Six write-in votes were also cast: four for Richard Ienuso and one each for Mike Grosman and Pamela Hamlin.
Groundbreaking set for Phase 1 of capital project
Dirt will soon be moved for the Liberty Central School District capital project that was approved by voters in January 2024. Following final approval by the state Education Department earlier this month, Phase 1 of the project is set to begin on June 16.
A ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony will take place at the football field at 9 a.m. Friday, June 13, featuring officials from the district as well as project partners construction management firm Schoolhouse Construction, design and architecture firm LAN Associates, and construction firm Clark Companies, who is contracted to complete the work for the athletic field improvements..
Phase1 of the project includes construction of the maintenance building; athletic facility improvements, including the installation of a new synthetic turf field, track and field improvements, installation of a grandstand and press box, and installation of new athletic field lighting; upgrades to the HVAC controls at the middle and high school; upgrades to the carbon monoxide alarm system and replacement of exterior stairs at the high school; and replacements of some interior doors at the middle school.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of May 19-25, 2025
Our student-athletes are in action this week in baseball, golf, softball, tennis and track and field.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
Monday, May 19
Noon: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field Thrower’s Pentathlon vs. Multiple Schools at 12th Rock
4:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. James I. O’Neill at James I. O’Neill High School
Tuesday, May 20
9 a.m.: Boys Varsity Golf Sectionals vs. Multiple Schools at Wiltwyck Golf Club
Result: Owen Moore shot an 85, which qualifies him for the finals.
11 a.m.: Girls Varsity Golf Semis vs. Multiple Schools at Apple Greens Golf Course.
4:15 p.m.: Modified Baseball vs. Tri-Valley at Tri-Valley Central School
4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Tri-Valley at Tri-Valley Secondary School
5:30 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Beacon City at Liberty High School
Result: Beacon 13, Liberty 0 (5 innings) Beacon’s bats never cooled and right-hander Kat Ruffy was in complete command as the Beacon Bulldogs rolled to a 13-0 mercy-rule victory over Liberty on Tuesday, crashing the Redhawks’ Senior Night celebration in emphatic fashion. Before the first pitch, Liberty honored its five graduating seniors—Aubrey Botsford, Brenna Mangan, co-captain Megan Schmidt, Ashley Szuba and co-captain Cameryn Will—with flowers, framed pictures and speeches by their underclassmen teammates. The quintet will trade their cleats for college textbooks next fall, with Botsford and Mangan headed to SUNY Sullivan, Schmidt to Palm Beach State, Szuba pursuing cosmetology, and Will bound for Hartwick College. Once the ceremony ended, Beacon (6-11) wasted no time quieting the home crowd. The Bulldogs struck for two runs in the opening frame and scored in every inning, piling up 15 hits overall. Ruffy led the charge on both sides of the ball. The senior went 3-for-4 at the plate—including a ringing triple—drove in five runs and crossed the plate twice. In the circle, she fired a two-hit shutout, fanning seven and walking three over five brisk innings. Liberty’s lone bright spots came courtesy of its seniors. Will had an infield single in the second, and Mangan lined a base hit to left field in the fourth. Junior Angie Wheeler battled through traffic and defense miscues in the circle, yielding just three earned runs while striking out five. “It wasn’t the result we wanted, but I’m proud of how our seniors carried themselves,” Liberty head coach Dave Philips said. “They’ve made their mark on the program and shown growth as players, and more importantly, as teammates. They have set a standard for the younger girls to follow, and will be missed.”
Wednesday, May 21
3:30 p.m.: Girls Modified Track and Field Invitational vs. Multiple Schools at Goshen.
3:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field Invitational vs. Multiple Schools at Sullivan West-Jeffersonville.
Results: The following members of the Varsity track team were top performers against nine other schools at the Donna Deppa Invitational at Sullivan West.
Sydania Foster won the girls Track MVP for the meet.
First place finishes were Brooke Bull in the pole vault, Sydania Foster in the 400m hurdles, Chris Rogers in the long jump, the girls 4×400 relay team (Eyanna, Starr, Brooke, Sydania), and the girls 4×800 relay team (Audrey, Adriana, Sandra, Casity)
Second place finishes were Chris in the 200m, Sydania in the 100m, Starr in the 100m hurdles, Mason W in the high jump, Mason S in triple jump, girls f/s SMR team (Eyanna, Starr, Adriana, Audrey) girls 4×100 relay team (Eyanna, Starr, Brooke, Sydania), boys f/s SMR team (Colin, Samuel, Peyton, Colten), boys 4×100 (Mason W, Anthony, Mason S, Chris) and boys 4×400 (Colin, Michael R, Colten, Samuel).
Third place finishes were Chris R in the 100m, Sandra H in the 400m hurdles, Adriana P in the 800m, Audrey K in the steeplechase and Ryan R in the 3,200m.
Thursday, May 22
All events postponed or canceled.
Friday, May 23
No events scheduled.
Saturday, May 24
No events scheduled.
Sunday, May 25
No events scheduled.
Retesting show lead levels in water below action level at Liberty schools
On May 2, Liberty Central School District completed follow up testing on 10 sinks that were found to have lead levels above action level during lead in water testing in April.
Following remediation, water from all 10 sinks was retested and all locations were found to have levels below the action level of 5 parts per billion.
More information and links to the full first and second round reports are available here.
Budget vote, BOE election, meetings set for May 20
The Annual Budget Vote and Election will be on Tuesday, May 20, with voting in the High School Media Center from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Information regarding the budget vote and election can be found at the Liberty CSD website.
The Board of Education will hold a Special Meeting at 6 p.m. May 20 in the District Office and they anticipate to enter into executive session immediately and to adjourn at its conclusion. There will be no other business and this meeting is not open to the public.
The Board of Education will convene a second Special Meeting after 8 p.m. in the HS Media Center at the conclusion of ballot counting in the High School Gymnasium to accept the results of the ballot. There will be no other business. This meeting and vote counting and tabulation is open to the public. The agendas will be available on Monday, May 19, at BoardDocs for both meetings.
The next regular Board of Education meeting will be on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.