Category: Elementary News
LES students complete winter reading challenge at Liberty Library
Ten Liberty Elementary Students completed the Winter Reading Challenge at the Liberty Library and earned their tickets to make a “Build a Buddy,” a stuffed polar bear, on Feb. 3.
To complete the challenge, students had to read 20 picture books by themselves or with a grown-up’s help, or read four chapter books by themselves between Dec. 18 and Jan. 31.
Congratulations to Athena Dailey, Parker Gissentaner, Kyra Magie, Anastasia Honcharenko, Sevyn Straker, Nova Keating, Lillian Keating, Emily Marques, Jayden Thomas and James Crandall.
Asbestos remediation work planned at LES
After school hours on Wednesday, Jan. 24, staff discovered a damaged vinyl asbestos tile under a rug on an uneven floor in a Liberty Elementary School classroom. The class was relocated the next morning to another space in the building to allow for inspection and remediation of the flooring.
Asbestos remediation work is expected to begin Feb. 15. The work will present no danger to the staff or students in the elementary school. To remove the asbestos, the district will follow New York State regulations that require the district to seal the room off from the rest of the building. The district will conduct air monitoring throughout the project. The asbestos work will be done after school hours and other days when the building will not be occupied and should be completed by Feb. 20.
Additional work may be required following the abatement. After the project is complete and the room is deemed safe for occupation, the displaced class will return to its classroom.
Safety of district staff and students is of the utmost importance.
Those who have questions may contact Assistant Superintendent for Business Laurene McKenna at lmmckenna@libertyk12.org.
A message from the superintendent (Video)
Please watch the following video message from Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan:
Text of the video:
Hello Liberty,
First, I want to thank everyone who came out to vote on our capital project last month. With your support, Liberty will be even better equipped to continue our mission to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential.
It’s hard to believe the year is already half over. We’ve already accomplished and celebrated so much.
Hundreds of our students are honored by earning placement on our Middle and High School honor rolls each quarter, and scores of elementary students are recognized each month for embodying one of the Leader in Me principles during the Character Counts awards.
Recently, 10 of our student photographers received nearly 40 honors in the Mid-Hudson Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.
We’ve enjoyed the musical talents of our students during our winter concerts and are happy to again host the annual Liberty Jazz Festival this weekend, which will bring student musicians from across the county to learn from an expert and perform together.
Also this weekend, our High School Science Olympiad team will be showcasing their knowledge during the Mid-Hudson regional contest.
Our athletes have continued to work hard across all sports, and I am especially proud of Zoe Kip, who, for the second year, achieved a podium finish in the state girls’ wrestling invitational.
Our Liberty Pride is strong and continues to grow, thanks to the efforts of our Liberty students, staff and families.
District asks families to review remote learning plan
On Tuesday, Jan. 30, Liberty Central School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Sullivan sent the following message to students’ families.
Dear Liberty families,
With more than a month left of winter weather, I wanted to remind you of our district’s plan for remote learning should we exceed our seven allotted emergency closure days, which are used for inclement weather or another situation that requires the closing of school, such as a power failure. As of today, Jan. 30, we have used four of our seven emergency closure days.
Because the state Education Department requires school districts to remain in session for at least 180 days, using a remote learning day in the event that we exceed our allotted emergency days would reduce the need for the district to meet that requirement by extending the regular school year or taking away already planned days off, such as Memorial Day.
While we still have emergency days left to use, we are asking all parents and guardians to please review the Emergency Closing Remote Learning Plan now so you are familiar with the expectations of your student on a remote learning day so you and they are prepared if there is a need for one. If you have questions or concerns about the activities on a remote learning day, please contact the main office of your student’s school. If you have technology concerns, contact Director of Technology Patrick Killian at 845-292-5400, ext. 2068 or pkillian@libertyk12.org.
I understand that a remote learning day may pose challenges for some families, and I appreciate your flexibility as we work together to fulfill our district’s mission of empowering each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Sullivan
Superintendent of Schools
All Things Liberty Winter Festival seeks vendors
Local organizations and community members are invited to take part in the All Things Liberty Winter Festival, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Middle and High School.
“The collaboration between schools and the community is essential for the overall development and success of our students,” Community Schools Coordinator Stacy Feasel said.
Partners are invited to set up informational tables, create games for children to play, or become a sponsor. Craft vendors are also welcome for a $35 fee.
Planned activities include games, karaoke, a mini maker faire, and sled riding. Food will also be available.
For more information or to register an organization, contact Stacy Feasel at sfeasel@libertyk12.org or 845-292-5400, ext. 2332, by Feb. 15.
Snack Pack program gets donation from church
Susan Hamlin of the First Presbyterian Church in Liberty recently presented a check for $445 to Liberty Central School District Community School Coordinator Stacy Feasel to benefit the Snack Pack Food Program. The program provides meals over weekends and long breaks to students who are experiencing food insecurity.
“Our church members have chosen this as an important community need, and we will continue to support it as part of our local outreach missions,” Hamlin said.
Capital project proposal passes, 178-47
Voters in the Liberty Central School District approved the district’s $42.7 million capital project proposal, 178-47, on Wednesday, Jan. 17.
The project will address safety, efficiency of building systems and educational spaces and meeting the needs of today’s learners. It also will fix issues identified in the latest building condition survey. The project will have no impact on taxes.
“I thank the community for its continued support of Liberty Central School District and its students,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “The work included in this project will improve the educational environment for our students, offering them more comfortable, healthier and safer spaces to learn now and explore their futures.”
The Liberty Central School District Board of Education and administration, working with CSArch, the construction management team from Schoolhouse Construction Services and Fiscal Advisors, crafted the plan using information gathered in a capacity study, a long-term demographic analysis and the building condition survey conducted during the 2021-22 school year.
The design process will continue through July 2024, with state Education Department review and approval expected by November 2024. The bid process is expected to be completed by February 2025 with the contract awarded the following month. Construction should begin in late spring 2025 with the project substantially completed by early fall 2027.
Link to livestream of final capital project forum available
On Jan. 10, Liberty Central School District hosted its final community forum on the proposed $42.7 million capital project.
Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan offered a presentation on the proposal, explaining what is proposed and how it will impact student learning.
Chris White from Chenango Contracting presented “Field Turf 101,” showing how turf fields are created and installed and providing details on the safety of turf vs. natural fields.
To view the recording of the forum, visit https://events.locallive.tv/events/136016.
The vote will take place from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, in the Liberty High School Gymnasium, with an inclement weather date of Jan. 17.
Those who have questions may email questions@libertyk12.org with “Capital Project” in the subject line.
For more information about the project, visit the district’s capital project page at www.libertyk12.org/about-us/capital-project-2023-24.
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 mbeyer@libertyk12.org or ahoughtaling@libertyk12.org
Proposed upgrades aim to provide safe, comfortable learning environment
Included in Liberty Central School District’s proposed $42.7 million capital project are vital upgrades to heating, plumbing and electrical systems, building repairs and safety enhancements that are vital to creating a comfortable and safe learning environment for the students and staff. Many of the items below were noted in Liberty’s latest state-required building condition survey, completed in 2022.
HVAC
In the three school buildings, heating, ventilation and air conditioning are controlled by outdated, inefficient pneumatic systems. A switch to direct digital control allows for more efficient heating and cooling of our buildings.
Proposed work at the elementary school would also replace the classroom unit ventilators and install a ventilation system in the gymnasium. The old steam boiler that provided heat to the entire building will be converted to hot water, a safer and more efficient system.
Electrical
Emergency generators will be replaced at the middle and high school, as well as in the district office. The middle and high school are deemed emergency shelters, and the district office houses the servers. New generators will help ensure power will be available to this vital systems if power is disrupted.
Electrical upgrades at the Middle School will help address continual electrical issues with the more than 30-year-old building. The 2000A main electrical distribution panel, damaged by water infiltration, has outlived its useful life and a replacement will allow electricity to be more effectively distributed. Site upgrades at the chiller and transformer feed locations at the middle school will mitigate issues with water infiltration into the building.
Hardwired carbon monoxide alarm systems will also be installed in all district buildings. A hardwired system allows for a more reliable system that doesn’t rely on replacing batteries on a regular basis.
Exterior repairs and upgrades
As part of the project, the elementary building facade near the roof will be repaired for preventative maintenance.
At the high school, exterior stairs to the 100/200 and 300 wings that are in disrepair will be replaced, allowing for a safer entry into the building.
The paths to the athletic fields will also be reconstructed to provide for an ADA compliant and safer route for the public to watch our student athletes perform. And when there, new complaint bleachers will allow all members of the community to display their Liberty pride on safe, accessible seating.
Interior upgrades
At the Elementary School, flooring repairs and replacement will address potential safety concerns. Vinyl asbestos tiles in one classroom are deteriorating. If left undisturbed, the tiles do not cause a hazard, but damaged tiles must be removed and properly mitigated. There are also sections of original wood flooring that are uneven and/or deteriorating that will be repaired or replaced and refinished.
Many people enjoy the view from above in the elementary auditorium. However, the railings are not compliant with ADA regulations. The proposed project would address these issues, making the bleachers above safer or more accessible for all who attend the concerts and programs at the elementary school
At the high school, cafeteria and senior lounge renovations are geared toward making the areas a more social and attractive place to gather. The changes also help make the area safer, offering more supervision in the lounge and creating a single point of entry to the dining area.
In the middle school, 41 interior doors will be replaced, and emergency lighting will be updated, creating a safer and more secure building.
Voting will take place from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, in the high school gymnasium, with a snow date of Jan. 17, at the same time and location.
For more information, visit the capital project page on Liberty’s website, https://www.libertyk12.org/about-us/capital-project-2023-24/, or ask questions at a community forum or via email at questions@libertyk12.org.