Month: April 2026
A message from the superintendent regarding lead-based paint discovered at LES
Dear Redhawk family,
The New York State Department of Health’s Middletown District Office (DOH) conducted an assessment for lead in classrooms at the Liberty Elementary School on March 26 and March 31. DOH identified the presence of lead-based paint in several classrooms. We want to reassure families that the presence of lead-based paint alone does not pose a health risk. Lead-based paint becomes hazardous when it is damaged, chipping or peeling. The School District is working closely with DOH to ensure that all appropriate steps are taken to address any areas where lead-based paint remediation is required, and to confirm that learning environments remain safe for students and staff.
As a reminder, water from all outlets that are used or could potentially be used for drinking or cooking were tested in the Liberty Elementary School in April 2025. All water outlets with levels of lead at or above the lead action level of 5 parts per billion (ppb) were immediately removed from service. The school retested all replaced outlets in May 2025 and the test results were below the action level.
If you have questions or concerns about lead exposure and your child’s health, we encourage you to contact your pediatrician. For additional information, we are sharing a resource from the New York State Department of Health: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/lead/. We will provide updates as they become available.
If you have any questions, email Questions@libertyk12.org.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Sullivan
Superintendent
LMS students take the lead in spring conferences
Spring conferences looked quite a bit different at Liberty Middle School last week.
Rather than parents and guardians meeting with their child’s teachers, the students took the lead in reviewing their year so far.
During the meetings on March 26 students shared their Leadership Portfolio, a curated collection of their work, goals and reflections; talked about specific learning successes; discussed their academic strengths and growth areas and set personal goals for the remainder of the school year.
“Our data from the last three years shows that when students are responsible for explaining their own progress, they become more engaged and motivated,” LMS administrators said in a letter home to families. “This shift is a key part of our commitment to a culturally responsive and inclusive environment. It moves the conversation from a report of grades to a meaningful dialogue about growth, character, and leadership.”
The student-led conferences align with the Middle School’s Comprehensive Education Plan as well as the district’s Comprehensive Improvement Plan and Strategic Plan.
The student-led conferences have helped lead to more family involvement during the spring meetings. The number of families attending more than doubled from the 2023-24 school year, with more than 260 attending the most recent conferences.
