Category: District News
Liberty esports team offers students camaraderie, competition
The latest sport at Liberty High School doesn’t involve bats, balls or seeing who can run the fastest or jump the highest, but it does require concentration, quick reflexes and a competitive spirit.
Liberty’s inaugural sports team formed this winter, with the Redhawk’s first competition held Feb. 24. The seeds of the team were planted during interest meetings last school year. Led by advisers/coaches Ms. Amanda Jackson and Ms. Keysy Mendez, the team began practices in January to compete in the Empire State Scholastic Esports Federation..
The ESSEF includes more than 100 schools across the state in various games. Liberty competes in Marvel Rivals team play, Smash Ultimate solo matches and Rocket League 3v3. The Federation also offers Smash Ultimate 3v3 and Mario Kart 8. Liberty has only two Nintendo Switches at this point, but the goal is to get more equipment to be able to compete in all divisions, Ms. Jackson said.
The team includes about a dozen students in ninth through 12th grades and meets daily. Like traditional sports, they work on a schedule. Monday is Rivals practice, with the match the following day. Wednesday is Smash match day, and Rocket League matches are on Thursdays. Fridays are reserved for makeup days, practice and free play. The teams also review after each of their matches.
Students are assigned to teams, but they all have a chance to compete, Ms. Jackson said. A gamer herself, she said she sees the team as a place for students of all backgrounds to find a place to excel.
“Who doesn’t play video games?” she said. “This is something they can do that they are good at.”
Many players also participate in traditional sports, creating a mix of athletes and gamers
Besides playing on each of the esports teams, sophomore Mason Williams competes in track, basketball and football for Liberty.
“There are some people who aren’t able to do physical sports and they are better at video games than physical sports,” he said.
And while competition is the common denominator, he said the esports team has a different vibe.
“In other sports you do one thing wrong and get criticized,” he said. “It’s just a game, but we (esports) have better communication as a team than other sports.”
It’s more than a team, he said, “It’s a family, almost,” adding he’s learned a lot more about his teammates.
He said playing on the esports team has widened his worldview. “I feel like I shouldn’t limit myself to the people around me,” he said.
But while it is “only games,” it still is something to take seriously.
Ms. Jackson said esports is a growing industry. It draws hundreds of millions of views on professional matches each year, and some top prizes go beyond $20 million.
“They are just like professional sports athletes,” she said. “Starting at the high school level opens more doors for these students.”
What does the future hold for the team? Individual growth is certain, as Ms. Jackson said they are learning every day. They hope to win enough match points to compete in ESSEF championships in April. And unlike other sports, there are two seasons per year at the high school level. Ms. Jackson said she hopes interest in the team grows and more opportunities are available for students to play in the fall.
The team may be new, but it’s already giving Liberty students a chance to compete, to belong, and to grow in a fast‑evolving sport.
LES kindergarten registration to open April 1
Registration for kindergarten at Liberty Elementary School will open April 1.
To qualify, children must be 5 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2026, and a resident of the Liberty Central School District. Students that are in the Liberty Central School District universal pre-k program at LES do not need to register.
To register, parents or guardians must fill out a registration packet and provide a copy of parent/guardian’s photo ID; custody papers, if applicable; proof of residency, such as a utility bill or rental lease; and the child’s birth certificate, immunization records and a copy of recent physical exam, which must include all school physical exam requirements. Parents and guardians are encouraged to check with their child’s doctor for details. The child’s healthcare insurance card is also requested.
To register, email haustin@libertyk12.org or call 845-292-5400, ext. 2331.
Message from the superintendent (video)
Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan reviews the winter season, offers updates on the capital project and looks ahead to the budget and the spring season.
Please watch the video below:
Two events to benefit LMS students
Two dine-and-giveback events this month will benefit students at Liberty Middle School.
The Liberty Central School Class of 2030 will be the beneficiary of Brew Rock Hill’s Community Give Back Mondays on March 9. Brew Rock Hill, at 280 Rock Hill Drive in Rock Hill, will donate 15% of the check total when customers mention they are there to support the Liberty Class of 2030. The offer is valid for eat-in or to-go orders.
On March 20, 10% of all sales of the Spirit Night at the Tango Cafe at the Hurleyville Performing Arts Center will be donated to support the Liberty Middle School FFA. Students will be on hand helping serve and welcome guests to the cafe at HPAC, which is at 219 Main St. in Hurleyville.
Sullivan County PK-12 Art Show to be at Bethel
The Sullivan County PK-12 Art Show will present the work of students from the county’s seven school districts and Sullivan BOCES at the Event’s Gallery at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts from April 10 to April 12.
There will be an opening for high school student from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9.
The public opening and reception will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday April 10, with the show continuing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 11 and 12.
During the show, student artwork from the 10 media categories of Ceramics and Glass, Digital Art Design, Black and White Drawing, Color Drawing,
Mixed Media, Painting, Black and White Photography, Color Photography, Film and Animation, and Sculpture.
The Bethel Woods Center for the Arts will also provide free museum admission to students attending the Art Show throughout the weekend.
The Sullivan County PK-12 Art Show is one of the many programs offered through the Arts In Education Program at Sullivan BOCES. Dedicated to raising visual and aesthetic literacy standards and levels while strengthening and supporting learning in all curriculum areas, the Arts In Education Program supports the Arts and arts-integrated learning experiences for K-12 students and teachers.
For more information about the Arts In Education Program at Sullivan BOCES, visit scboces.org.
Bethel Woods is at 200 Hurd Road in Bethel.
Requests for transportation to non-public schools deadline nears
Requests for transportation to non-public schools for the 2026-27 school must be submitted by parents/guardians in writing by April 1.
A parent or guardian of a child not living in the district on that date must submit a written request within 30 days after establishing residency in the district. Requests must be submitted on an annual basis.
A request may be denied for lack of a reasonable explanation, as determined by the Liberty Board of Education.
Forms are available at nonpublic schools in the Liberty Central School District and are submitted to the LCSD Assistant Superintendent for Business’ office. Forms are also available on our website.
Liberty hosts All-County Music Fest
Dozens of Redhawks participate
About 500 student musicians traveled to Liberty High School earlier this month to take part in the annual Sullivan County All County Music Festival.
The students musicians, representing all seven school districts in Sullivan County, spent the afternoon of Friday, March 6, and the morning of Saturday, March 7, preparing for Saturday’s concerts, which were broken up into three groups:
- Elementary Choir and Middle School Band
- Senior High Orchestra, Treble Choir, Junior High Jazz Band
- Junior High Mixed Choir and Senior High Band
Among the talented students participating were dozens from the host district:
Elementary Choir
Mackenzie Beatty, Blake Beseth, Graciela Birkett,Chase Blume, Elisa Brust, Michael Davis, Ava Diehl, Kate Dworetsky, Viviana Frasier, Joseph Geoghan, Parker Gissentaner, Indigo Love, Cora McConnell, Nicholas McPhillips, Logan Moore, Arysta Murphy, Jordana Ratner, Shaleigh Santiago, Jayden Thomas, Katelyn Vasko, Henry Vogler, Darick Winfrey and Ivan Zheng.
Middle School Band
Owen Brust, Raymond Cottman Jr., Dia D’Agata, Avery Decker, Genesis Harrison, Ana Hernandez, Dylan Joya Reyes, Tyler Kavleski, Aubrie Keating, Josslynn Letohic, Derek Mateo Cruz, Josemiguel Ramirez-Alvarez, Scarlett Ratner, Sherlene Romero, Caleb Rusin and Sophie Zayas.
Junior High Jazz Band
Claire Ferguson, Michael Garzon Valle, Lilly Kehrley and Bentley Moore.
Junior High Mixed Choir
Alyessia Avellino, Justin Dowe, Liam Greaves,Aubreigh Green,Tyrone Harris, Alexandra Kelly, Sara Liddle, Nevaeh Jones, Ryan Perry and Ethan Zheng.
Treble Choir
Mya Davis, Isabella Intranuovo, Makenzie Knack, Corinne Lake, Harper Matuszak, Lorelai McCarthy, Zalaina Nash, Denali Owens, Luna Pixie Hulse, Myla Rielly and Raegan Wagner.
Senior High Band
Zachariah Bickham, Carmela Burgio, Joseph DiBartolo, Tyler Juron, Gustavo Leon, Jeremiah McLeod, Selkir Molina Gonzalez, Cassandra Porter and Phillo Romero.
Senior High Orchestra
Zach Alvord, Sheyla Anguisaca-Llanos, Alyessia Avellino, Jill Baumander, Genna DeFrank, Sophia Duarte, Belle Gandulla, Aubreigh Green, Sydania Foster, Colten Jay Allen, Nevaeh Jones, Alexandra Kelly, Sara Liddle, Roger Lynker, Olivia Matuzak, Mariely Medina Orellana, Mckinzie Paterson, Will Pennell, Giselle Perez Sanchez, Adriana Ponce Agredano, Brooke Porter and Sophia Vasko.
Few changes in ESSA designations for Liberty
The New York State Education Department recently released accountability designations for all public school districts as required under the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
A few changes were noted.
According to the New York State Education Department:
- The Middle School is now an Additional Targeted Support and Improvement School. The Hispanic student subgroup was a previously identified group listed for Target Support and Improvement and is performing at or below the criteria for the lowest 5% of Title I schools.
- The Middle School was also designated as a Potential TSI school, due to the achievement of our students with disabilities. Potential TSI designation means that the subgroup has not met expectations for a single year.
- The Elementary School also remains designated as a Potential TSI School, based on the achievement scores of our Hispanic student subgroup.
- Liberty High School remains a Local Support and Improvement school, formerly known as a “School in Good Standing.”
- The District continues to be a Targeted Support and Improvement District, because of the Middle School designation.
The designations are in effect for the 2025-26 school year based on 2024-25 data.
For more information about the district’s accountability designations, visit the district’s ESSA webpage, or contact Assistant Superintendent Dr. Derek Adams at 845-292-5400, ext. 2052, or dadams@libertyk12.org.
Community Easter events planned
There are several Easter events taking place in the area for Liberty families in the coming weeks.
On Saturday, March 21, the Town of Liberty Parks and Recreation will host its Liberty Community Easter Celebration, with an Easter egg hunt and activities starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 21, at the Liberty Elementary School Field. The Egg hunt will be done by age groups: 0-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7 and older. That will be followed by the Liberty Elks Lodge 1545 annual Easter Event from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lunch and photos will be available at the lodge on Darbee Lane. All kids up to age 10 will receive an Easter Basketwhile supplies last. For more information, call 845-292-3434.
The following weekend, the Hurleyville Performing Arts Center will host Breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 9 to 11 a.m. March 28. The cost will be $15 per person or $5 for children 3 and younger for the breakfast buffet. An Easter egg hunt will follow. HPAC is at 219 Main St. in Hurleyville. Tickets are available for purchase online. For more information, visit hpacny.org
Grant to help Liberty students facing housing insecurity featured in radio interview
Liberty Central School District recently received a $525,000 three-year grant to help our students who are experiencing housing insecurity.
The grant is part of the New York State Education Department’s distribution of $8 million in federal funding to educational institutions through the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act.
For more information about the program, visit the McKinney-Vento page on the district website.