Category: Elementary News
Liberty Middle School recognized by Woz ED
Liberty Elementary to earn honor in 2025-26
Liberty Middle School has been officially recognized as a Woz ED Career Pathway School. At the recent Woz ED Pathway Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, Technical Education Teacher Mike Diehl accepted this prestigious award on behalf of the school.
To earn this recognition, a school must demonstrate a strong commitment to providing career-focused pathways for students, including the integration of at least five distinct Career Pathways, offering STEM education to all learners, and maintaining a 1:3 or higher student-to-device ratio. Liberty Middle School is working to implement dynamic STEM curricula in robotics, engineering and design, coding, drones and cybersecurity, helping students develop skills that will prepare them for the future.
In addition, Liberty Elementary School will also be recognized as a Woz ED Pathway School during the 2025-26 school year. The elementary school is moving forward with the implementation of the Woz ED STEM curriculum, setting the stage for even more STEM opportunities for Liberty’s youngest learners.
These curricula are designed to provide students with specialized pathways in the rapidly evolving STEM fields, offering a structured learning environment that emphasizes hands-on exploration, critical thinking, and creativity.
“At Liberty, we are dedicated to equipping our students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in today’s technology-driven world,” said Assistant Superintendent Marianne Serratore. “We look forward to seeing how these programs will continue to shape and inspire the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.”
LPD beats LCSD again in annual basketball game; scholarship fund wins
The Liberty Central School District team was looking for its first victory over the Liberty Police Department team in the third annual LPD vs LCSD basketball game on Wednesday, Nov. 14. But it was not meant to be, as LPD kept its winning streak alive. The real winner, though, was the Senior Athlete Scholarship, which earned more than $900 through the event.
Organizer Erin Alvord, a LHS physical education teacher, offered the following thanks:
- Officer/Coach Lake for organizing the officers and for his continued support of this event.
- The LPD for their generous donation to scholarships as they have for the last three years.
- Our LCSD team: Joe Franke, Beth Quatrale, Rich Feeney, Felix Colon, Jenna Genco, Andrew Philips, Jamie Black, Peter Owens, Sonia Lemus, Roothland Medina, Kate Rusin, Jermaine Ferguson, Derek Adams and Dr. Sullivan for showing up and working hard despite the loss.
- LCSD Coach Dave Philips!
- The LPD team. Congrats on the win!
- Ralph Bressler for announcing, singing the National Anthem and keeping the clock.
- All of our chaperones for helping to keep the event safe.
- Sarah Davis, Ashley Bury and Paul Voigtland for taking entry fees.
- The Booster Club for their bake sale and 50/50.
- Mrs. Bull for taking pics and gathering the Junior class to sell concessions.
- The officials for coming out long before their season starts.
- LMS students Montgomery Allen and Grace Fitzgerald for keeping the book.
- Everyday Apparel for making the staff t-shirts.
- The community, staff and all the students who came out for the event; and
- A huge, huge, THANK YOU to our custodial staff for setting up before and cleaning up after.
“As you can see, although I organize this, it takes a village, and I truly appreciate everyone who shows up to play or help in any way they can,” Alvord said.
Three honored for Excellence in Service
An elementary speech teacher, a middle school counselor and a member of the grounds crew were recognized by the Liberty Central School District Board of Education with Excellence in Service Awards on Nov. 12.
Jena Schwartz
Schwartz was recognized for meeting the high level of need for speech services in the elementary school. Her nominator highlighted her supplying resources for teachers, as well as guiding and directing two new speech pathologists in the building.
“She juggles all of this with meeting the demands of her own schedule, and always goes above and beyond to advocate for the importance of and need for speech services,” her nominator wrote.
Michelle Behrman
Behrman was described as an asset to the middle school. Her nominator spotlighted her willingness to help teachers and students at any time, and her knowledge of SchoolTool.
“She puts on more than a school counselor hat for Liberty Middle School and should get the award for excellence,” her nomination read. “It is well deserved!”
Joe Davis
Davis’ willingness to lend a hand, with a smile on his face, even when he is busy was featured in his nomination. His diligence during a recent drill was also recognized.
“When our school community was being tested by law enforcement trying to gain access to our buildings, Joe recognized the scam and refused to let the person in,” the nomination read. “Kudos to Joe!”
Each month, faculty and staff members nominate others they believe are going above and beyond, be it a single act of excellence or kindness or a continuous work ethic.
We congratulate these employees on their awards.
LAN offers update on capital project, introduction
On Oct. 22, LAN Associates provided an update on the capital project to the Board of Education at Liberty Central School District. In July 2024, LAN Associates was hired by LCSD to design and manage the capital project approved by voters in January 2024.
LAN reported that a geotechnical investigation was recently completed. The geotechnical investigation included soil borings at the athletics fields, and near the softball field, where the new maintenance building will be constructed. This due diligence enabled LAN to advance the first phase of the project, which includes construction of a new maintenance building; athletic facility improvements, including the installation of a new synthetic turf field, track and field improvements, installation of a grandstand and press box, and installation of new athletic field lighting; upgrades to the HVAC controls upgrades at the middle and high school; upgraders to the carbon monoxide alarm system and replacement of exterior stairs at the high school; and replacements of some interior doors at the middle school.
Plans for the first part of the project are expected to be submitted to the New York State Education Department at the end of November, with construction beginning in late spring-to-early summer 2025. LCSD hopes to complete the first phase of work by late spring 2026.
The second phase of the project includes renovations to the high school at the 300 wing, cafeteria and Innovation Lab, a generator replacement, as well as finishing the interior door replacement in the middle school, site drainage improvements, electrical distribution panel replacement, installation of an emergency generator and upgrading the carbon monoxide alarm system at the middle school. Construction is expected to begin on this phase in spring 2026, with completion expected in early 2027.
The final phase of the project includes work at the Liberty Elementary School and District Office. At the elementary school, the work consists of roofing repairs and upgrades, asbestos flooring abatement and replacement, wood flooring replacement, new railings on the elevated bleachers in the gym, upgrades to the classroom and gymnasium ventilation, a boiler conversion, as well as upgrades to the HVAC controls and the carbon monoxide alarm system. At the District Office, a new emergency generator will be installed, and the carbon monoxide alarm system will be upgraded. This phase of work is expected to begin in late spring 2026 with completion before school begins for the 2026-27 school year.
During their presentation, LAN mentioned a bill passed in June by the state Legislature, but not yet signed by the governor, that would require public schools to take action to relieve heat-related discomfort when an occupied instructional space’s temperatures reach 82 degrees, and if temperatures reach 88 degrees, students must leave those areas. This potential regulatory change is being considered by the design team and may influence the design of the HVAC upgrades.
LAN also referenced other potential projects that could benefit the Liberty Central School District in the future.
For nearly 60 years, LAN has provided architecture, engineering and surveying services in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. LAN is an industry leader in the design of K12 educational facilities in New Jersey and the Hudson Valley.
For more information on LAN Associates, visit lanassociates.com.
Liberty Middle School student arrested after investigation of false social media post
On Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, the Village of Liberty Police Department arrested a 13-year-old juvenile following an investigation into a false social media post made on Friday afternoon.
Earlier in the day of Oct. 25, 2024, the Liberty Middle and High Schools briefly went into a lockdown due to an accidental activation of the school’s automated warning system during maintenance. There was no threat to either building, and Liberty Police Department officers, in coordination with school officials, quickly searched both buildings, lifted the lockdown, and returned the schools to normal operations.
Approximately two hours after the lockdown was lifted, a falsified image purporting to be an actual communication from the Liberty Central School District began circulating on social media. The fraudulent image falsely claimed that the prior lockdown had been prompted by an actual incident resulting in harm to students and teachers.
The police investigation identified the originator of the fake post as a 13-year-old Liberty Middle School student. The student was subsequently charged with Falsely Reporting an Incident in the Third Degree, a misdemeanor, and was petitioned to Sullivan County Family Court. Additionally, the district is taking appropriate action in accordance with the LCSD Code of Conduct.
Chief of Police Steven D’Agata stated, “This malicious, fraudulent post was made with the clear intent of frightening, alarming, and disrupting the lives of students, teachers, parents, and the entire school community. For someone to falsely claim that harm came to students and staff in a potential tragedy is deeply disturbing. It is absolutely essential that parents talk to their children about the very real consequences reckless behavior on social media can have for both individuals and the community. Our department, along with Liberty Central School District staff, remains deeply committed to the safety and security of all students and staff.”
Fake screenshot circulating about lockdown
A fake screenshot of a ParentSquare alert is circulating stating that there was a lockdown following a threat at the Middle and High School and that students and a teacher were harmed. A lockdown was accidentally triggered at the Middle and High School earlier today during maintenance work. There was never any threat at the buildings, and there were no injuries. The district is investigating the fake message and will take appropriate action in accordance with the Code of Conduct and law enforcement if necessary.
LES offering blender bike usage for birthday celebrations
Liberty Elementary School is offering a new, healthier way for students to celebrate their birthdays in school.
Parents and guardians who would like to have an alternative to unhealthy and expensive cupcakes to help their children celebrate their special day in school may now request the use of a blender bike to make healthy smoothies.
The request should be made at least two weeks in advance to the child’s teacher via a form sent home with students. The form includes the child’s name, classroom teacher and the requested date of the celebration. Ingredients may be sent in with the student or there are two flavor options, mixed berry or banana/pineapple, available through the school. Requests may be made to use the bike during breakfast, which is free, or at other times during the day, which will cost a dollar per student if ingredients will be provided by the school. Cash or checks made payable to Liberty Central School District should be sent in with the form. The English version of the form is available here. The Spanish version of the form is available here.
For more information, email LES Sullivan 180 Healthier Generations Advisors Mary Bayer or Alicia Houghtaling at mbayer@libertyk12.org or ahoughtaling@libertyk12.org
Curriculum alignment, improvement, review progressing under strategic plan
As Liberty Central School District approaches the midway point of its five-year strategic plan, officials are taking time to evaluate what has been accomplished so far and what still needs to be done. Last month, the district reviewed its mission, vision and beliefs. Now focus turns to the Curriculum pillar.
To review the strategic intents of the Curriculum pillar:
- By June 2027, 100% of PreK-12 curriculum will be vertically and horizontally aligned to meet all New York State standards for all content areas as evidenced by improved student outcomes (in all subgroups) on NYS and local assessments and an increased graduation rate.
- By June 2027, 100% of the administrators and teachers will use identified data protocols to analyze content area assessment results, identify student gaps and strengths in order to grow students (in all subgroups) to a new level of performance.
What does this mean?
Curriculum is the core of the education system. Without a strong, consistent curriculum, Liberty cannot give its students the tools they need to succeed.
That is why ensuring curriculum is aligned with New York State standards and that that curriculum is consistent across classes and grade levels is so important. District officials also must regularly review and analyze the plans and adjust if needed.
What is LCSD doing?
Over the past few years, the district has instituted and/or expanded several curricular programs that offer consistency through the elementary and middle school years, including the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt math and reading curriculum and the Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES Social Studies and Science 21 programs.
The Woz ED curriculum has been expanded to help Liberty students enhance the 21st-century skills they will need now and in the future. That curriculum will also expand into the high school once the Innovation Lab is completed.
At the high school level, Liberty has expanded college-level course offerings to include Syracuse University Project Advance classes. These are the same courses offered at Syracuse University, taught by our teachers, that will offer transferable college credit.
The district is working diligently on making sure curriculum maps are being updated, completed, filed and followed. Mastery standards per grade level and course are also being established. These steps allow educators to clearly set expectations for students, and students will know what they must accomplish. Administrators also use all available resources, including Star Renaissance testing and state assessments, to analyze the effectiveness of the curriculum and make adjustments as needed.
“An effective, consistent, responsive curriculum that meets the needs of all of our students is vital to the success of our district,” LCSD Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “We are moving in the right direction, with student performance improving, and I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish in the future.”
For more information, email questions@libertyk12.org.
This is the second in a series of stories that focus on different aspects of LCSD’s strategic plan and what it means for the Redhawk students, staff, families and community.
Noncredible threat circulates again on social media
A social media post of a potential threat of violence against several schools on a list, including a Liberty Middle School, that was disseminated in mid-September has begun circulating again. The report was investigated and found to be noncredible. The list originated from an out-of-state department of education list of schools that were targeted for educational improvement and spread via social media.
The district reminds students that if they see a threat they should report as soon as they see it via Anonymous Alerts or to a trusted adult, and they should never share it via social networks or text messages.
“Liberty puts safety at the top of our priority list, and we investigate every threat,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “We thank the community for their vigilance and concern for the safety of our school community.”
Three earn LCSD Excellence in Service Awards
Three more Liberty Redhawks were honored Oct. 8 by the Liberty Central School Board with Excellence in Service Awards.
Samantha Davis
Samantha Davis, a typist at Liberty Elementary School, was recognized for her willingness to help and that she is always smiling. “I could not do my job if it was not for her constant assistance,” her nominator said. “She is caring not only for staff but also all about the students!”
Ben Abrams
Ben Abrams, a special education teacher and facilitator at Liberty Middle School, was recognized for his leadership, knowledge and going beyond what is needed.
“He is a true asset to the Special Education Program at the Middle School and we are lucky to have him,” a nominator said. “Plus … he does magic tricks!”
Another nominator said he is able to keep students engaged, and “makes learning social studies interesting and fun.”
Kellie White
Kellie White, a guidance counselor and co-director of Guidance, “is a very knowledgeable and organized and compassionate counselor that takes pride in her work,” her nominator said.
Her ability to accommodate students’ needs, with a clear head and a smile on her face no matter the situation was also recognized.
“I respect her immensely,” the nominator said.
Each month, staff members nominate others they believe are going above and beyond, be it a single act of excellence or kindness or a continuous work ethic.
We congratulate these employees on their awards.