Author: Denielle.Cazzolla
LES puts healthy eating at forefront
Liberty Elementary has put nutrition high on its list of priorities this year.
The Empowering a Healthier Generation Wellness Committee at LES is working hard to make the cafeteria and classrooms spaces where students will enjoy eating healthy foods.
On Sept. 26, LES students learned about nutrition and health choices thanks to Nutrition Mission Assemblies with Beth & Scott. The Bierkos taught students the importance of drinking water instead of sugary beverages to quench thirst, the importance of getting adequate rest, 60 minutes of daily exercise, and the importance of putting healthy foods into their bodies.
LES encourages students to use the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable snack carts (provided free, much like breakfast and lunch here at LES) instead of eating items such as cookies and chips for snacks. Students are also encouraged to use the salad bar at lunch time and to sign out the blender bike for healthier birthday celebrations.
All of these messages connect with Leader in Me Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw – Balance is Best.
This year, LES is setting a goal to eat 1,000 servings of fruits and vegetables a month. This will be tracked on a new bulletin board in the cafeteria. There are also brand new light up menu boards in the cafeteria where the daily lunch menu is posted and new signage to encourage healthy eating.
Students will be acting as leaders as they work together to track servings of fruits and vegetables consumed at lunch time.
Girls Varsity Soccer players mentor younger team
The Girls Varsity Soccer team took the Girls Modified Soccer Team under their wing on Tuesday, Sept. 24, and mentored them on controlling the ball, turning with the ball, and learning a few new tricks to beat their opponents.
“The Varsity Girls Soccer team understands the importance of helping the future generations of girls who will make Liberty even greater,” Varsity Coach Roothland Medina said. “Nothing more powerful than having student to student learning. “
He added the varsity players also got a chance to fine tune their skills to deliver clear and explicit instruction, something he called a “win-win situation.”
LMS students featured at EverGreen event
Five Liberty Middle School students were featured earlier this week at “An Evening With EverGreen.”
The students are part of the LMS Girls Empowerment Group, led by Adrienne Jensen and Carmen Martinez of EverGreen Meadow Services.
The students—Helen Munoz Barragan, Asia Hurley, Tahjleyah Miller, Jazmia Padilla and Isabella Pujols—performed a song they co-wrote based on thoughts, feelings and expressions after their group sessions. The song was created with the help of Beth and Scott Bierko through the STEAM Fund.
“I really liked being in the empowerment group with really kind people like Ms. Adrienne and Ms. Carmen,” Helen said. “Creating a song that other people enjoyed hearing made me feel really good.”
The partnership between LMS and EverGreen was spotlighted at the event, held Sept. 23 at Arnold House in Livingston Manor.
“It was such an inspirational evening to hear Stacey (Millman, EverGreen founder and president), and other speakers share their personal stories and meaning behind the work,” said LMS Principal Heather Cheh, who attended the event along with Assistant Principal Katlyn Rusin. “We are so proud of Helen, Asia, Tahjleyah, Jazmia and Isabella for all the growth they’ve made over the past few years, and the collaboration with Adrienne and Carmen.”
EverGreen has become an important partner of LMS over the past two years LMS School Counselor. Michelle Behrman has done a “tremendous job” collaborating with EverGreen on attending the LMS Back to School Nights and Open Houses to share information with families, Cheh said. In alignment with the district’s MTSS pillar of the five-year strategic plan, EverGreen is continuing its Girls Empowerment Groups and the organization has met with students during lunches and hosted activities for all students.
“Intervening with girls in their middle school years offers the best opportunity to change their lives,” Cheh said. “By addressing social and emotional concerns early and providing necessary support, EverGreen Meadow plays a crucial role in nurturing a healthy and resilient community.”
Strategic plan centered on district’s mission, vision, beliefs
Liberty Central School District is now in the third year of its five-year strategic plan. The district is consistently evaluating its work and is making progress. The district’s mission, vision and beliefs are at the heart of the plan.
To review:
- 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.
- The district’s vision is “cultivating trust and courage to be innovative and to persevere.”
- LCSD believes the mission and vision represent our core values and dedication to remain innovative, forward thinking and focused on all students. To that end, it believes in:
- Committing to fiscal responsibility.
- Providing physical and emotional safety for all.
- Partnering with educators, families and community for all students’ success.
- Delivering a robust educational program PreK-12.
- Fostering a sense of belonging.
- Ensuring all students have the necessary resources to be successful.
What does all this mean?
It means the district recognizes the important role it has in preparing its students for the world beyond the LCSD’s walls. The district must do all it can to give them the tools, knowledge and confidence to be their own person and make a difference in a world that is growing and diversifying while at the same time getting smaller through technology.
The board, administration, faculty and staff strive to give their students a safe place to learn and be innovative, while not being afraid to fail forward (learning from their mistakes and continuing to make progress).
The district does this while keeping in mind and embracing the realities of our community’s financial, social and cultural differences.
“We work to ensure every child who enters the halls of each of Liberty’s schools has the opportunity to not just get by but to thrive within our walls and beyond, making Liberty a great place to learn,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.
For more information, email questions@libertyk12.org.
This is the first in a series of messages going out this year that will focus on different aspects of the strategic plan and what it means for LCSD students, staff, families and community.
MHSSC to honor LMS aide/safety duty staffer
Liberty Middle School Aide/Safety Duty staff member Cindy Mercado will be honored later this fall as one the recipients of the Mid-Hudson School Study Council’s Support Staff Award for Excellence in Education.
Mercado was recognized for her positive attitude, professionalism and dedication to making Liberty Middle School a safe and welcoming place to learn.
“What sets Cindy apart is her genuine connection with the students,” LMS Principal Heather Cheh said in her nomination letter. “She has a unique ability to engage with them in a way that is both nurturing and authoritative, earning their respect and trust.”
She has been named a LMS Staff Standout several times. She often goes above and beyond her duties, helping special events and assisting colleagues, her nominators said.
“Her collaborative spirit and proactive approach make her an exceptional team player,” Cheh said, “and her contributions significantly enhance our school’s operations.”
Her ability to de-escalate was noted by LMS Assistant Principal Kaitlyn Rusin, as was her assistance in translation for non-English speaking families.
She also embodies what it means to be a Liberty Redhawk, in line with the culture pillar of the district’s strategic plan.
“I’m proud to be a parent in the Liberty community, but also an employee of the district. I take pride in coming to work every morning and greeting the students with a smile,” Mercado said. “I genuinely show up to work to make a difference in the lives of the students and also keep them safe when they walk through the Middle School doors. I will continue to nurture the school culture and am proud to say I definitely have Liberty Pride.”
The MHSSC awards for administration, pupil personnel services and support staff services will be presented Oct. 16 at The Barn at Villa Venezia in Middletown. The school board service and community service awards will be presented in the spring
Liberty teacher, police chief to be honored by SCSBA
A longtime Liberty Elementary School teacher and the Village of Liberty police chief will be among those honored by the Sullivan County School Boards Association Annual Dinner and Meeting next month.
Jennifer Eisenberg will be honored as an Outstanding Educator, and Police Chief Steven D’Agata will be honored as an Outstanding Friend to Education.
LES teacher Jennifer Eisenberg
A teacher at LES for 25 years, Eisenberg has educated a range of learners, from students with a variety of learning needs to the highest performing students.
“There is no student Jen Eisenberg cannot reach and teach,” Principal Robert England said in his nominating letter.
“I never entered the teaching profession looking for accolades or recognition, but, when I opened the letter I was immediately humbled and felt an immense sense of pride,” Eisenberg said.
Eisenberg accepts all challenges. She adapts her methods as needed and holds high expectations for her students, ensuring they exceed their expectations, the nomination read.
For the past 10 years, Eisenberg has been the math department facilitator, an instructional coach and a leader in the school and districtwide. She has helped the district work toward its strategic plan goal of ensuring curriculum, instruction and assessments are aligned vertically and horizontally.
It was a childhood dream to become an educator, Eisenberg said. She credited the mentors and support team in her earlier years of teaching for her success and she looks forward to sharing her knowledge and expertise with the next generation of teachers, including her daughter, who is now a teacher at LES
“(Eisenberg’s) legacy to her family and community as an educator and a human being is imprinted on her students, her colleagues and anyone who has the good fortune to work with her,” England said in the nomination.
LPD Chief Steven D’Agata
D’Agata’s dedication, innovation and community spirit were among the qualities highlighted by Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan in the nomination letter.
“I’m deeply honored and humbled to receive this award, but any recognition truly belongs to the men and women of the Liberty Police Department,” D’Agata said. “Their tireless work and dedication are the foundation of everything we achieve.”
D’Agata’s forward-thinking approach and proactive measures have enhanced the safety and well-being of students, staff and the broader community. They have become benchmarks for other districts, Sullivan wrote.
D’Agata has helped build relationships between the community, the district and the police department, by visiting schools, participating in community events and having open dialogue with students and families. This aligns with the culture pillar of the district’s strategic plan,
“Together, we’ve built something special for this community, and I’m proud to be a part of it,” D’Agata said.
Sullivan also praised D’Agata’s leadership in ensuring seamless collaboration and communication, crucial in times of crisis and for the ongoing safety.
“He has fostered a culture of mutual respect and understanding, creating a supportive environment where students feel safe and valued,” Sullivan wrote. “Chief D’Agata has established a presence that is both reassuring and inspiring.”
Each year, the SCSBA presents Outstanding Educator Awards and Outstanding Friend to Education Awards based on nominations from districts across the county during the organization’s annual meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, at The Villa Roma in Callicoon.
LCSD faculty, staff return to school
It may still be two days until students return, but Liberty Central School District faculty and staff had their first day of the 2024-25 school year on Tuesday. The year kicked off with the traditional Opening Day assembly, this year held in the high school gymnasium rather than the auditorium because of work underway on the stage.
“These first two days of school for our faculty and staff are a vital time to ensure we are all on the same page and working together to make Liberty a great place to learn,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.
These two conference days help Liberty administration introduce or reintroduce and reinforce the mission, vision and beliefs of the district, inline with the district’s five-year strategic plan. It also allows time for faculty and staff to complete required trainings and to make final preparations before students return.
Following a brief welcome and remarks by Sullivan and various school union leaders, new administrators, faculty and staff were introduced.
Sullivan and building leaders also recognized staff who were celebrating milestone years of service, with special recognition given to two Liberty staff members who each have been with LCSD for 33 years — custodian Marilyn Doland and ICT first-grade teacher Karen Gorr.
The strategic plan was next on the agenda. Sullivan reviewed the plan, progress that has been made in the first two years, and where the district is heading in year three. He also briefly reviewed the annual District Comprehensive Improvement Plan.
The important topic of student mental health was next on the agenda, with behavioral specialist Sheila Wormuth presenting. She highlighted the importance of making a difference in students’ lives, from a small thing such as offering a smile to the big ones, such as truly listening and understanding when they are speaking.
Liberty administration offers updates for 2024-25 school year at community forum
About two dozen people gathered outside the main entrance to Liberty High School on Thursday, Aug. 29, to hear an overview of updates and changes for the 2024-25 school year at Liberty Central School District.
District administration has held these forums annually as a way to better communicate and interact with the LCSD community, in accordance with the district’s five-year strategic plan.
The plan, now in its third year, is the district’s roadmap for improvement across the district.
LCSD Dr. Patrick Sullivan led the presentation, with assistance from Assistant Superintendent Marianne Serratore and translation by ENL teacher Susana Alvarado.
The school year begins for students on Thursday, Sept. 5, and the district is eager to welcome them back.
“Our teachers and staff generally care about and want what’s best for our students,” Sullivan said at the start of the presentation.
After reviewing the strategic plan, Sullivan and Serratore highlighted the progress the district has made in each pillar — Coherence, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Curriculum and Culture — and what the district is doing to move forward this year.
The full update can be found here.
The plan informed changes for the 2024-25 school year that were highlighted in the forum.
Serratore reviewed current curricular program and highlighted, changes include expanding HMH math curriculum to seventh grade, offering algebra to all eighth graders, the introduction of Syracuse University Project Advance college credit courses (and the updated high school grade weighting system), as well as a full-day, expanded Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program, and a new partnership with Inventionland to expand opportunities for STEM learning in the Middle School Innovation Lab.
The Seal of Civic Readiness program, introduced last year with one graduate, expands curricular opportunities and empowers each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential, tying back to the curriculum and culture pillars.
Other improvements were geared toward the culture pillar, which includes better communicating the mission and vision of the district. Those included the change to ParentSquare, which is streamlining two-way communication between Liberty families and the district and schools, and the re-introduction of Anonymous Alerts, which assists the district in its commitment to the Dignity for All Students Act and safety.
“We take the Dignity for All Students Act seriously to ensure that each child who sets foot into our schools and our classrooms feel they are safe, welcome and comfortable,” Sullivan said.
Some of the district’s programs, including Gaggle, the DESSA social-emotional screener, the Global Learners Newcomer Program, are being reviewed and adjusted to better inform our MTSS procedures in accordance with that pillar.
As part of the coherence pillars, Liberty Elementary has better aligned report cards with key standards to enhance students’ learning opportunities.
The safety initiatives, visitor procedures, chain of command calling guide and District Comprehensive Improvement Plan priorities were reviewed at the forum, hitting both the coherence and culture pillars.
Sullivan offered an update on the capital project, approved in January, now led by the architecture firm LAN Associates. The focus now is on the first portion of the project, reviewing the schematics of the athletic field, maintenance storage building, and the building updates. A few projects not directly related to the capital project were completed or underway this summer, including updating the high school stage, resurfacing the gymnasium floor to include the district’s new logo, and resurfacing the tennis courts.
No questions were asked publicly at the end of the forum. But administrators did meet with those in attendance to answer questions one-on-one and to assist in signing up for ParentSquare. Sullivan also reminded those in attendance and watching the livestream that any questions could be emailed to questions@libertyk12.org.
The livestream of the forum can be found at https://events.locallive.tv/events/154258.
CEP income forms requested
Dear Liberty,
Liberty is pleased that our participation in the Community Eligibility Provision, offering free breakfast and lunch to all students, will continue for the 2024-25 school year.
One benefit of this program is income forms are not required for students to receive free meals. However, we ask that you please fill out the CEP income forms, attached in English here and the CEP income forms in Spanish here (or those sent home to parents/guardians) as this information will help determine eligibility for additional state, federal and school program benefits for which students may qualify. Benefits may include covering fees for technology, athletics, band instruments, testing and college applications as well be a factor in some grant funding for the district. The data provided from these forms also factor into state aid, foundation aid and local funding.
Only one form needs to be filled out per household. If you have any questions, please the District Business Office at 845-292-6171.
Forms may be returned to your child’s school building or emailed to awoolard@libertyk12.org
Thank you for your continued support in making Liberty a great place to learn.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Sullivan
Superintendent
LCSD administrators, facilitators prepare for upcoming school year
Liberty Central School District administrators engaged in a weeklong professional development and planning workshop. They began by reviewing LCSD’s five-year Strategic Plan and the District Comprehensive Improvement Plan, focusing on strategies for effective implementation and support.
Training sessions covered various topics including the new ParentSquare communication system, recent changes in special education law, and updates on safety and incident command procedures, presented by Liberty Village Police Chief Steven D’Agata. Additionally, administrators explored restorative strategies introduced by MaryAnn Brittingham and discussed how these strategies could be implemented into their plans.
Teacher facilitators joined the retreat mid-week to participate in sessions dedicated to refining professional learning communities’ best practices. They also collaborated on finalizing and presenting the Middle School Comprehensive Education Plan, as well as the High School, Elementary School, and Student Services Priority Plans.
The retreat concluded with preparations for upcoming conference days on Sept. 3 and 4, as well as professional learning plans for the 2024-25 school year.
