Month: November 2025
Elks to host annual holiday party for children
Liberty Elks Lodge 1545 will host its annual Children’s Holiday Party on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the lodge on Darbee Lane in Liberty.
The free event will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and all kids up to age 10 will receive a gift. Lunch will be provided, as will photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Liberty BOE to meet Nov. 25
The next Liberty CSD Board of Education meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, in the HS Media Center at 125 Buckley St. in Liberty. The agenda will be available on Monday, Nov. 24, at Board Docs.
Breakfast raises funds for book vending machine at LMS
On Nov. 16, student leaders, Interact Club members, Liberty Rotarians, the Liberty Middle School Building Leadership Team, the LMS Lighthouse Team, and community volunteers partnered to host a community pancake breakfast fundraiser at the Liberty Firehouse. The event raised funds for a new book vending machine that will promote literacy, reward positive behavior and inspire a love of reading among Liberty Middle School students.
Adults—including Liberty Rotarians, LMS staff, and parent volunteers—worked closely with students throughout the event. Adults prepared the food and worked in the kitchen, while students served food and drinks, greeted guests and cleared tables. LMS students also performed during the breakfast, creating a warm and welcoming ambience for guests. This collaboration provided students with meaningful leadership and performance opportunities while contributing to a successful community event. The LMS BLT and Lighthouse Team also played a key role in planning, organizing communications, and coordinating schoolwide support for the project.
Local business partnerships and donations
Local businesses and community members generously supported the event through sponsorships and donations. Donors included:
- ShopRite of Liberty
- Stewart’s of Fallsburg
- Newburg Egg Processing
- Muthig Farm
- McDonald’s of Liberty
- Star Bar & Grill
- Liberty Rotarians
In return, sponsors received public recognition through school communications and at the future vending machine location. The community response was outstanding:
- 16 Literacy Leader Sponsors – $150
- 12 Chapter Champion Sponsors – $100
- 10 Page Turner Sponsors – $50
Event Participation
The breakfast saw strong community engagement:
- 252 community guests attended
- 35 student volunteers
- 34 adult volunteers
Thanks to the combined efforts of students, staff, Liberty Rotarians, community volunteers, the BLT, and the Lighthouse Team, the fundraiser was a tremendous success and moved us significantly closer to bringing a book vending machine to Liberty Middle School.
Leader in Me 7 Habits shine in LMS students
Each month, Liberty Middle School hosts Leadership Celebrations to highlight the ways students demonstrate leadership and live out the Leader in Me 7 Habits:
- Being Proactive
- Beginning With the End in Mind
- Putting First Things First
- Thinking Win Win
- Seeking First to Understand then to be Understood
- Synergy
- Sharpening the Saw
Leader of the Month is generally awarded to two students per grade level each month. Recipients consistently demonstrate the 7 Habits, work hard and be persistent to the best of their ability, be proactive and display initiative, honesty, respect, responsibility, compassion and optimism, set a positive example for their peers, maintain good attendance, and have no referrals. At the end of the year, Leaders of the Month are invited to a special dinner celebrating their leadership.
Good News Notes can be given to any student, at any time, and there is no limit to how many a student can receive. Good News Notes are a way to recognize both big and small acts of leadership—whether it’s holding the door, helping a classmate, or going above and beyond in class.
The honorees for September and October are as follows:
Leader of the Month
September
Eighth grade: Claire Ferguson and Lilly Kehrley
Seventh grade: Elisa Barragan and Caleb Rusin
Sixth grade: Darius Dawkins and Blake Dennison
Fifth grade: Indigo Love and Aarit Patel.
October
Eighth grade: Mya Davis and Aaron Quiroz Gomez
Fifth grade: Cristofer Concepcion and Viviana Frasier
Sixth grade: Savannah Gonzalez and Nicholas McPhillips
Seventh grade: Owen Brust, Dia D’Agata and Delanie Yupanqui
Good News Notes
September
Eighth grade: Marelyn Ardon Lopez, Jostin Bustillo Sierra, Jeremy Correa, Amy Cortes Cruz, Juan De La Cruz De La Cruz, Gael Estrada Ruiz, Analina Garcia, Araceliss Gomez, Thomas Jandik Jr., Brody Kelly, Denis Leon Aldana, Gabriel Lotz, Santiago Moguel, Rebecca Norris, Fabian Reyes Benegas, Erick Torres Garcia, Joseph Travis-Sanchez, Francisco Vicente Gonzalez and Arria Whipple.
Seventh grade: Kendriel Aliers Amparo, Andry Caal Chub, Katarina Card, Marcel Davis, Royce Fingers, Madelyn Garcia Cuellar, Anabel Hernandez Fuentes, Syndy Ixchalchal Lagos, Dylan Joya Reyes, Savannah Kandic, Torion Lindsay, Megan Martinez Gomez, Bentley Moore, Helen Munoz Barragan, Karen Musso, Paul Odior 2nd and Caleb Rusin.
Sixth grade: Riley Baum, Jerin Burton, Ellenora Carroll, Christopher Castro Mota, Joseph Geoghan, Parker Gissentaner, Bryson Hendrickson, Nayeli Hernandez Soperanez, Mason Neves, Izek Resto, Esmeralda Santiago Sharpe, Isabella Santiago Sharpe, Karter Velde, Mariah Williamson, Joseph Wilson, Darick Winfrey III and Audrey Yaun.
Fifth grade: Yandriel Aliers Amparo, Christiana Allen, Zaynab Benadim, Blake Beseth, Ethan D. Reyes Banegas, Michael Davis Jr., Colin Duncan, Rylin Henry, Leah Kelly, Henry Krum, Camden Lake, Katherine Munoz Garcia, Joseph Skinner and Jenisis VanAken.
October
Eighth grade: Amy Cortes Cruz, Jordan Guardiola, Maryory Munoz Monzon, Aaron Quiroz Gomez, Alyson Smith, Jayden Stoddard, Joseph Travis Sanchez, Meily Valencia Bamac and Aaliyah Walker.
Seventh grade: Genesis Caiza Viracocha, Selena Feliciano, Dariana Gonzalez Suarez, Allyson Juarez, Torion Lindsay, Ayanelson Mazariegos Cuz, Awais Muhammad, Genesis Robles Burgos, Sherlene Romero and Jerimiah Wilson.
Sixth grade: Zachariah Adams, Willis Gamble, Avianna Gonzalez, Dean Harte, Ryleigh LaMantia, Jose Maradiaga, Anthony Myers, Prince Patterson and Anthony Phillipe.
Fifth grade: Armend Ala, Iker Amador, Caleb Blume, Emeli Bonilla Izaguirre, Elisa Brust, Alexander Castillo Ramiro, Jewelacie Castro, Jessica Contreras Paz, Yahir Cortes, Daniel Crespo Jr., Hunter DeGraw, Viviana Frasier, Amelia Greeno, Leah Kelly, Camden Lake, Indigo Love, Lennox Lyons, Romina Morales Romero, Carilyce Perez, Heidi Robles Burgos, Jenisis VanAken, Lisa Vanwagner, Mattisyn Walker, Jordan White, Jasmine Williamson and Yeral Zelaya Gonzalez.
LMS students get small-scale hands-on experience building greenhouses
Students in Mrs. Mazzucca’s Agricultural Technology classes recently completed a Model Greenhouse Project, showcasing their creativity, problem-solving, and understanding of one avenue of the horticultural industry.
Through this hands-on engineering challenge, students learned how to design and blueprint a functioning greenhouse that supports plant growth. They applied real-world agricultural technology concepts—such as ventilation, irrigation, light exposure, and material selection—to create scaled, labeled blueprints that demonstrate their grasp of how structure and environment impact plant success. Students used these detailed blueprints to construct their own model greenhouses, experiencing the challenges of designing and bringing their model to life.
This project integrated STEM principles, environmental awareness, and agricultural innovation, allowing students to experience the design process from concept to presentation.
Nearly 200 middle schoolers named to honor rolls
The following students were named to the first marking period honor rolls at Liberty Middle School. Honor Roll students have an overall average of 90-96. The Principal’s Honor Roll requires an average of 97-100.
Eighth grade
Principal’s Honor Roll: Madison Allen, Hailey Conkling, Mya Davis, Claire Ferguson, Antoni Klys, Corinne Lake, Noel Leonardo Valerio, Angelick Rivera, Brycen Smith and Ethan Zheng.
Honor Roll: Keily Dominguez-Chabla, Makayla Fuentes Serapio, Michael Garzon Valle, Chase Golzak, Gavin Grant, Jacob Grossman, Wyatt Herschel, Luna Pixie Hulse, Thomas Jandik Jr., Lilly Kehrley, Oakley Kelder, Sidra Koen James, Matthew Kolarik, Madison LaMantia, Harper Matuszak, Americus Newhall, Luke Poley, Valeria Ponce Vazquez, Myla Rielly, Aiden Satz, Namarpreet Singh, Angel Terraza Raymundo, Erick Torres Garcia and Nakai Toscano-Gardner.
Seventh grade
Principal’s Honor Roll: Muhammad Awais, Elisa Barragan, Owen Brust, Farrah Conklin-Degraw, Dia D’Agata, Delilah Flores-Serapio, Mia Grant, Isabella Intranuovo, Tyler Kavleski, Aubrie Keating, Karen Mosso, Milsi Ramirez Martinez, Scarlett Ratner, Aaliyssa Rodriguez, Caleb Rusin, Katherine Valdez Calle, Sophie Zayas and Subhan Zeeshan.
Honor Roll: Guiliana Birkett, Genesis Caiza Viracocha, Katarina Card, Riley Church-Bradley, Avery Decker, Ely Garcia Garcia, Astrid Guardado Diaz, Genesis Harrison, Dylan Joya Reyes, Mateusz Klys, Torion Lindsay, Keidy Llano Luciano, Alexandria Lyden, Samuel Negroni, Paul Odior 2nd, Denali Owens, Randy Panchana, Makaela Parsons, Lily Paynter, Joseph Portillo Larios, Kailani Rivera, Sherlene Romero, William Schauerhamer, Reinier Stanton, Sarah Steingart, Marjorie Tejada Servellon, Sophie Toledo, Raegan Wagner, Delanie Yupanqui and Zahra Zia.
Sixth grade
Principal’s Honor Roll: Annabella Buryiak, Parker Gissentaner, Nayeli Hernandez Soperanez, Anastasia Kelly, Josslynn Letohic, Caleb McNett and Henry Vogler.
Honor Roll: Chase Blume, Amaya Burton, Jerin Burton, Gisselle Colon, Darius Dawkins, Blake Dennison, Alannis Flores, Willis Gamble, Erik Garzon, Joseph Geoghan, Marlo Gonzales Chevez, Savannah Gonzalez, Dean Harte, Bryson Hendrickson, Ana Hernandez, Laurel Hook, Damaris Jadan Pangolo, Helen Lucero Bonilla, Elvis Lucero Guzman, Lilith Lynker, Axel Malaga Lopez, Ivanna Malaga Ventura, Jace Martin, Nicholas McPhillips, Tierney Meddaugh, Daniel Mikalonis, Logan Moore, Arysta Murphy, Anthony Philippe, Levi Poley, Isabella Puente, Yarixa Reyes Cardenas, Camila Reyes Cortez, Isabel Thomas, Jackson Tramontano, Karter Velde, Joseph Wilson Jr., Audrey Yaun, Linnise Young and Ivan Zheng.
Fifth grade
Principal’s Honor Roll: Christiana Allen, Iker Amador, Brody Beach, Blake Beseth, Ava Diehl, Kate Dworetsky, Riley Edwards, Viviana Frasier, Wil’akai Gamble, Amelia Gerwer, Norlan Gomez Arauz, Rylin Henry, Elizabeth Klein, Henry Krum, Indigo Love, Alicia Maldonado Paz, Aarohi Patel, Jordana Ratner, Shaleigh Santiago, Jackson Schwartz and Katelyn Vasko.
Honor Roll: Yandriel Aliers Amparo, Marc Alvarez, Adriana Ayala Ochoa, Zaynab Benadim, Graciela Birkett, Caleb Blume, Emeli Bonilla Izaguirre, Elisa Brust, Avi Bustillo Garcia, Greydis Bustillo Martinez, Jewelacie Castro, Daniel Crespo Jr., Braeden Danzilo, Michael Davis Jr., Elias Elao Sojos, Emmy Galeas Aguilar, Jozalin Garcia, Ashton Golzak, Jayden Green, Alex Ines Leon, Camden Lake, Scarlett Manamon, Cora McConnell, Romina Morales Romero, Mahally Orantes Hernandez, Aarit Patel, Carilyce Perez, James Pineda Monzon, Juan Rodriguez, Joseph Skinner, Joshua Tejada Servellon, Jayden Thomas, Eliab Torres Garcia, Laura Velez, Mattisyn Walker, Liam Warren and Jordan White.
District, LPD investigate potential threats in notebook; determined to be noncredible
Earlier today, Nov. 14, the district was made aware of a notebook containing concerning material that was discovered in the middle school.
The notebook included inappropriate drawings and threats against members of the Liberty school community. The owner of the notebook was identified, and it was determined that the student was not in school today.
Liberty administration and Liberty Police Department immediately began an investigation. It was determined that the threats were noncredible and that at no time was anyone in danger.
The district is addressing this matter in accordance with the LCSD Code of Conduct.
“The safety of our students and staff is our top priority,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “We take every report of a potential threat seriously and will investigate fully.”
Dr. Sullivan also emphasized the importance of vigilance, encouraging everyone to speak up if they see something concerning. Students should report any issues to a trusted adult immediately. Reports also can be made via Liberty’s Anonymous Alerts platform
Liberty holds entry drill
For the past several weeks, the District and the Liberty PD have been planning a drill that helps us evaluate our safety practices and protocols. Earlier today, Nov. 13, an individual (who is a police officer from another county) attempted to enter our buildings to help us identify any safety measures we need to address and/or enhance.
We will review the findings and will address and communicate any changes needed.
Please know that this type of drill is used throughout our neighboring counties, and our School Resources Officers were monitoring the drill the whole time.
A reminder of emergency closure notifications
We’ve already had our first weather delay of the 2025-26 school year. Now, we are taking this opportunity to remind parents, guardians and the community how they will receive notice if school will be operating under a delay, will be dismissed early or will be closed due to inclement weather.
The district will contact parents and guardians directly by phone, email and text if there are any changes in the daily school schedule. Those who wish to verify their contact information is correct should reach out to the main office of their child’s school, as well as sign up for ParentSquare and download the app. Closing, delay and early dismissal information will also be posted on the district website and shared with local media outlets. Calls may also be made to the district at 845-292-5400. Any schedule changes will follow the initial greeting.
When there is early dismissal, all after-school activities are canceled.
The district has scheduled eight snow days. If more than eight emergency closure days are used, any additional days needed will be virtual learning days. Please refer to our Districtwide Safety Plan regarding remote learning.
LMS students work together on award-winning Halloween parade float
Students in the LMS Production and Student Lighthouse Team demonstrated leadership and ownership in planning and creating the Liberty Middle School Halloween Parade Float. Their efforts earned them a first-place award.
Students in grades 5 through 8 synergized to vote on the float’s theme during school, choosing “Liberty Middle School Spooky Movie Marathon.” This collaboration showcased how students across all grade levels can use their voices and work together toward a shared vision.
Students showed initiative by preparing the banner during class time, and on the morning of the parade, they gathered to decorate the float. Sixteen students took responsibility for creating the banners, while three parent volunteers supported the process. Mrs. Parks and Christine Kelly modeled generosity by donating candy for the event. A total of 19 students proudly represented Liberty Middle School by riding on the float.
The float design reflected creativity and teamwork — a ticket booth was featured in the bed of the truck, a large inflatable movie screen stood at the center, and students added details such as popcorn containers, crepe paper, and stage curtains to bring the “movie marathon” theme to life. Throughout the project, students from grades 5–8 showed leadership, collaboration and school pride as they took ownership of the process from idea to final presentation.