Category: District News
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
Board of Education to meet, have board retreat
The next Board of Education meeting will be on Tuesday, Nov. 18, in the HS Media Center, at 125 Buckley St. in Liberty at 5 p.m. The board anticipates to enter into executive session (not open to the public) immediately. The regular portion of the meeting, open to the public, is expected to resume at 6 p.m. The agenda will be available on Monday, Nov. 17, at Board Docs.
In addition, the Board of Education will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the District Office at 115 Buckley St. in Liberty. The board will enter immediately into executive session for the purpose of a board retreat only. There will be no regular business or action taken. This meeting is not open to the public.
Liberty Museum & Arts Center to host mini art workshop
Liberty Museum & Arts Center at 46 S. Main St. in Liberty will host mini art workshops from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16. All are welcome to the free event to help fill up the creation station.
For more information, visit libertymuseumandartscenter.org.
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.
Seventh-graders get lessons on healthy eating, local foods
A Single Bite and Foster Supply continued their tradition of teaching Liberty Middle School seventh graders about healthy eating and the farm-to-table philosophy.
They provided two in class lessons to educate students about real vs. processed foods, discuss our county’s overall health status, and offer a few healthy snacks prepared with local, fresh ingredients.
This year students were able to have a more immersive classroom experience through the brand new “A Single Bite App” (Real foods rewards) where they took surveys and competed trivia throughout the program for a chance to win rewards/prizes.
The in-class lessons bookended two field trips, one to Thanksgiving Farm in Harris (The Center for Discovery), and the other a lunch at the Arnold House.
At the farm they were able to see multiple greenhouses, toured the farm, learned about the day-to-day processes, and were treated with some freshly baked bread and a goat cheese spread. Students went home with fresh tea packets as well.
At the Arnold House, students and staff enjoyed a family-style, sit-down, three-course meal. The chef interacted with everyone between courses and explained how everything was prepared. At the end the chef told students how and why she became a chef. The students and staff enjoyed themselves during the experience and it truly is one of a kind.
The impact was certainly shown, as one student said during the meal: “Wow this is better than Takis!”
Breakfast to raise funds for LMS book vending machine
The Liberty Rotary and Interact Clubs, in cooperation with Liberty Middle School, will host “Rise & Shine: Pancakes, Huevos & Heart Fundraiser” from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Nov. 16, at the Liberty Firehouse at 256 Sprague Ave.
Proceeds from the breakfast, which will include pancakes, sausage patties, scrambled eggs and breakfast burritos, will help fund a book vending machine to promote reading for all LMS students.
Tickets will be $12 for adults, $8 for children age 5 to 11 or seniors 62 or older and free for children younger than 5. To purchase tickets, contact Mrs. Thalmann or Venmo @libertynyrotary and include your name and number of tickets.
LMS FFA leads Worldwide Daffodil Project plantings
In a show of unity, community and remembrance, the Liberty Middle School FFA hosted two days of daffodil plantings as part of the Worldwide Daffodil Project, a living Holocaust memorial that aspires to plant 1.5 million daffodils in memory of the 1.5 million children who died in the Holocaust and for children who suffer in humanitarian crises around the world today.
Students and members of the community planted daffodil bulbs at the front of the school and around the LMS sign to brighten and beautify the school this spring and years to come.
The event, led by members of the FFA, also featured crafts and coloring for families who attended.
Winter athletics parent/guardian info meeting set; sports physicals available
The Liberty CSD Athletics Department will host a virtual winter athletics parent/guardian info meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13.
Topics to be discussed include sports offerings and contact information, schedule and communication and the parent/student athlete Code of Conduct and Spectator Code of Conduct.
All can join the Google Meet at https://meet.google.com/zkj-agac-cme.
Also please note that athletes must have an up-to-date physical on file with the school. Sports physicals will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 12 with Dr. Gill in the nurse’s office. Students must sign up with Nurse Keesler in the High School or Nurse Melissa in the Middle School. Students need to provide a form of parental consent. This can be in the form of a phone call, email or written note.