Culture pillar ensures LCSD’s focus is on mission, vision

As Liberty Central School District approaches the midway point of its five-year strategic plan, the district is taking time to evaluate what has been accomplished so far and what still needs to be done. Earlier this school year, the district reviewed its mission, vision and beliefs, the Curriculum pillar and the Multi-Tier System of Supports pillar. Now it is time to take a look at the Culture pillar.

To review the strategic intent of the Culture pillar:

  • By 2027, all policies, procedures and communication will encompass the key elements of the district’s mission and vision as evidenced by perception survey data.

What does this mean?

While this pillar may be the shortest, in terms of words in its strategic intent, it perhaps holds the largest overall impact. This pillar’s goal is to ensure that the district keeps its mission and vision at the center of what it does, in words and in actions, as well as clearly communicate to all its staff, families and community that commitment.

What is LCSD doing?

The district reinforces its mission, vision and beliefs internally at staff meetings and conference days. Community forums are used to provide information to and seek feedback from families. Administrators also present the district’s efforts at community and governmental organization meetings.

The district has also taken the steps to bring the community together through community-school based activities such as All Things Liberty Winter Festival.

It is also important to see if the efforts are working, so the district administers culture and climate surveys and focus groups to allow the school community to evaluate the district’s progress.

For more information on the Culture pillar or the strategic plan, email questions@libertyk12.org.

This is the fourth 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.

New temporary traffic pattern at LES to begin Dec. 16

Beginning Monday, Dec. 16, there will be a temporary closure of a portion of the main driveway over the box culvert that runs under the “Kiss and Drop” lawn.

Arrival and dismissal traffic will be permitted to enter the rear School Street driveway to drop off at the Main Entrance starting at 7:15 a.m. through 7:33 a.m. No drop off traffic will be permitted while buses are on campus. Traffic may resume after the buses exit at 7:55 a.m.

The North Main Street entrance is open for student drop off through the “kiss and drop” loop. NO vehicles will be permitted to park in the “Kiss and Drop” loop. Vehicles will exit onto Main Street and will be required to make a right turn into the flow of traffic.

There will be staff outside to help direct traffic.

The district is working to resume regular traffic patterns as soon as possible.

Three earn Excellence in Service awards

A high school special education teacher, a fifth-grade ELA/Social Studies teacher and a kindergarten teacher  were recognized by the Liberty Central School District Board of Education with Excellence in Service Awards on Dec. 10.

Carol Gillespie

A woman holds a certificate standing next to a man holding a piece of paper.Ms. Gillespie was recognized for her connection to students.

“If students were able to nominate a staff member, I am confident Carol would have already been honored multiple times,” her nominator said.

Her connection to students goes beyond those who are in her classes.

“On days that Carol is absent, I have multiple students sadly asking me ‘she’s not here today?!’ as their day will no longer be as great without her here to give a hug, smile, or just say hello,” the nomination read.

In her special education classroom, Ms. Gillespie gets to know her students and chooses novels and other texts based on the students interests.

“Carol goes above and beyond to ensure her students are engaged in their content and guides the students to take ownership of their learning,” the nomination read.

Natalie Guido

A woman holds two certificates while standing between two men.Mrs. Guido was honored for her innovation in her fifth-grade classroom and her collaboration and support of colleagues.

“Natalie is an extraordinary educator whose innovative use of technology transforms her classroom into an engaging and dynamic learning environment,” her nominator wrote. “ By staying at the forefront of educational trends, she integrates the newest technology tools to captivate her students and tailor lessons to their interests.”

Mrs. Guido was also recognized as a role model to new teachers and being a teacher who fosters a positive and forward-thinking school culture.

“Her dedication, creativity and impact make her an exceptional candidate for this honor,” her nomination read.

Amanda Ritz

A woman holds two certificates while standing between two men.Mrs. Ritz’s work as a grade-level facilitator, a leader and a mentor was highlighted in her nomination.

“Amanda goes above and beyond in every role that she fills in the Elementary School,” her nominator wrote.

Her preparation for the grade-level meetings,helpfulness, knowledge and ability to ensure the teachers have what they need set her apart, the nomination said

She also works with student teachers and observers.

“She gives them the tools they need to become the next best generation of teachers,” the nomination read. “I am proud to nominate someone who goes above and beyond every day for both our students and our staff.”

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.

LCSD School Counseling Department addresses variety of needs for all students

Liberty Central School District provides a comprehensive school counseling program for all students. Our school counselors, school social workers, behavioral specialists and school psychologists are certified educators trained to provide a range of assistance.

The traditional role of what was once known as a guidance counselor was primarily academic and future planning. But that role today encompasses so much more, including focusing on the social and emotional, as well as academic, well-being of students now and into the future.. Because they now offer much more than academic guidance, they are now known as school counselors.

Our school social workers are the link between the school, home and community, providing support to address students’ social, emotional and behavioral needs that may impact learning, as well as connecting students to resources in the community that can assist them.

Our behavior specialists assess student behaviors, develop intervention plans, work with teachers and staff to implement those plans, and monitor progress to adjust the plan as needed, helping students with behavioral obstacles succeed.

Our school psychologists help identify academic, social and emotional obstacles that may prevent students from reaching their full potential, and they work with the school counseling team to provide interventions to address those obstacles. These obstacles could be long-term issues or crisis situations.

The members of our School Counseling Department work together, and with teachers, staff and administration, to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential.

We encourage our students to reach out to the School Counseling Department, not only for academic and career advice, but also for the social and emotional support and guidance they need.

Learn more about our school counseling program at https://www.libertyk12.org/department-services/guidance-departments/

Notes needed for bus pick up changes

Parents or guardians of students who wish to be picked up from a different location than their normal bus pickup location in the morning must provide a note requesting the change stating the dates and new location in advance. Notes should be sent to the student’s school’s main office by the end of the previous school day. Requests will be approved if space allows. If the request cannot be granted the family will be notified. For safety reasons, the bus drivers are only able to pick up the students on the bus roster.

MTSS growing at Liberty, giving students the support they need to succeed

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.  Earlier this year, the district reviewed its mission, vision and beliefs. Last month, the Curriculum pillar was the focus, with Multi-Tier System of Supports, or MTSS, up now.

To review the strategic intents of the MTSS pillar:

  • By 2027, Liberty Central School District will have a comprehensive MTSS model that equitably supports ALL students, including those at-risk academically, students needing language acquisition, and students needing enrichment, based upon serving a community of diverse cultural and socio-economic needs.
  • By 2027, Liberty Central School District will have a comprehensive MTSS model that equitably supports ALL students, including those at-risk socially, emotionally and behaviorally, based upon serving a community of diverse cultural and socio-economic needs.
  • The District will implement post benchmark data analysis meetings that require at least three data points (Academic/SEL Screener and two additional data points) to identify or refer students to Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions through vertically articulated Student Support/MTSS meetings that are regularly scheduled and attended.

What does this mean?

Many factors impact how a student learns. These factors include academic skills, cultural barriers, socio-economic struggles, as well as social, emotional or behavioral challenges. An effective MTSS model will allow schools to provide ALL students the tools they need to succeed, as well as assess if those tools are working.

What is LCSD doing?

The Leader in Me (LIM) framework has been implemented in all schools to provide all students the leadership and life skills they need. But to determine what supports students may require, screenings are needed. The DESSA SEL (social-emotional learning) screener has been implemented at all schools to help identify students who may need interventions. At the Elementary and Middle schools, Renaissance STAR and HMH assessments are provided three times a year to assess students progress in reading and math. The schools also use interventions from HMH, and other SEL interventions, aligned with LIM. At Liberty High School, Academic Intervention Service (AIS) classes help prepare students for Regents. There are also language acquisition supports, such as the Newcomer Global Learner program, for multilingual learners at LHS..

These have helped the schools set up small-group support as well as more intense behavior interventions for SEL support.

Implementation of MTSS model is underway at the elementary and middle schools by providing a referral form, creating meeting structures and post-benchmark analysis meetings as well as using common intervention programs for Grades K-8, such as student-centered Wildly Important Goals, enrichment for grades K-8, and cross-cultural based events.

The goal is to set aside more time for analysis, continue the meet between buildings to align approach, implementation and results, while enhancing academic intervention systems for the High School.

“Our MTSS model is getting stronger and we are committed to ensuring all of our students are given the support they need,” Superintendent Dr. Sullivan said. “It is critical to our mission to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential.”

For more information, email questions@libertyk12.org.

This is the third 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.

Traffic pattern temporarily changing at LES

Because of a sinkhole in the Liberty Elementary School lawn near the “Kiss and Drop” area next to the Liberty Public Library, the “Kiss and Drop” area will be closed until further notice. The doorway at that school entrance has been closed off and the area around the sinkhole has been cordoned off.

Starting Monday, Dec.2, all traffic for Liberty Elementary will enter the main driveway. Through traffic will proceed as usual to School Street while buses are not on campus.

The main entrance will be two-way traffic while buses are on campus.

Students may be dropped off for early arrival at the Main Entrance starting at 7:15 a.m.

Buses will enter the driveway at 7:35 a.m. and assemble in the rear driveway. No vehicles will exit through the rear driveway until the buses release and exit.

From 7:35 to about 7:50 a.m., vehicles may enter the driveway to drop off students on the main entrance curb, and then will proceed to follow traffic through the first tier parking area and exit through the main entrance. There will be staff members outside to help direct traffic

This traffic pattern will remain in effect until the situation with the sinkhole is resolved.

A reminder of emergency closure notifications

Some snow is in the forecast for later this week. Whether it has the potential to interrupt the school day is not yet known. 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 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 seven snow days. If all snow days are used by Feb. 13, Feb. 14 will become a student day. Any additional days needed will be virtual learning days. Please refer to our Districtwide Safety Plan regarding remote learning.

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.

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