Category: High School News
Library to host story times, creation station
The Liberty Public Library will host several events for students in the coming weeks.
On April 4 and May 2, Bilingual Story Time with Xina will continue. The story times, from 11 a.m. to noon, aim to help children’s cognitive flexibility, memory and executive function, and will include stories, songs and crafts. Snacks and refreshments will be provided for the children. No registration is required. These events are held in partnership with Sullivan County Public Health and Liberty Public Library. For more information, call 845-292-5910, ext. 2207.
For kindergartners, the library will host a Junior Bookworm Club afterschool Mondays, April 27-May 18. It will take place from 2:30 to 4 p.m., and library staff will pick children from Liberty Elementary to escort them to the library.
Participating children will enjoy books, play games, have snacks, do crafts and more. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., Monday, April 6, by calling 845-292-6070. Those who call earlier will be asked to call back. Permission slips will be sent home with all children who are registered. Slips must be returned to the library or the child’s teacher indicating pickup preference. Children may be picked up at the library by 4 or they can be escorted to the LES Boys & Girls Club, if they are signed up.
On Tuesday, April 21, starting at 3:!5 p.m., teens are invited to stop by the library, at 189 N. Main St. in Liberty, to create a variety of small artwork to fill the Liberty Museum and Art Center’s Creation Station. Teens can earn an hour of volunteer service time for this activity.
For more information on the Bookwork Club or the Teen Creation Station, call 845-292-6070 or visit the library’s website, www.libertypubliclibrary.org.
Smoke alarm activation causes brief evacuation at high school
Today, March 23, at approximately 2:15 p.m., the smoke alarm system was activated near the high school cafeteria. The alarm was triggered by kitchen staff preparing items for an upcoming school function; there was no actual fire or danger to the building.
In accordance with the district’s safety protocols, all students and faculty evacuated the building quickly and efficiently. At approximately 2:25 p.m, the building was cleared for re-entry, and instructional activities resumed.
The district thanked the staff and students for their cooperation and for following evacuation procedures so effectively.
Town, village to host Joint Comprehensive Plan meeting
The town and village of Liberty are planning a Joint Comprehensive Plan meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at the Liberty Senior Center at 119 N. Main St.
The public is encourage to attend.
During the meeting, the committee and attendees will review community feedback and local strengths and challenges, discuss the current 2008 Comprehensive plan and share ideas and priorities for Liberty’s future. The discussion will help guide the development of a new Joint Comprehensive Plan.
For more information and plan documents, visit the documents and forms page on the town’s website and scroll to “Liberty Joint Comprehensive Plan.”
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:
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.