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State DOH issues new guidance on respiratory illnesses

Following the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, the state Department of Health has revised its guidance on when to stay home and when to return to normal activities following respiratory illnesses. Guidance for COVID-19 had been different from guidance for other common respiratory illnesses such as influenza and RSV.

The new guidance is now the same for all three illnesses. They recommend people stay home if they have respiratory virus symptoms, including fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose and headache, not explained by another cause, such as allergies.

Normal activities can be resumed when symptoms are getting better and there is no fever without use of medication for at least 24 hours.

The guidance also recommends that when going back to normal activities, individuals should take added precautions over the next five days, including taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing and testing when they will be around other people, especially older adults, young children and those with weakened immune systems.

People may still be able to spread the virus that made them sick, even if they are feeling better, so it is important to take extra precautions after resuming normal activities, the DOH guidance says.

If a fever develops or symptoms return or worsen, it is recommended people stay home and away from others again. They should use the same criteria for returning to normal activities as when they first had symptoms and take added precautions over the next five days.

The guidance also says children younger than 2 should never wear a mask. Health care providers should discuss with their patients about how long a child younger than 2 should stay home.

These recommendations are only for non-healthcare settings and applicable for the school environment.

Student-led farm-to-school initiative grants available

Sullivan 180 has released the Farm to School Initiative Grant application. The grant provides funding support to initiatives proposed by youths to enhance cafeteria experiences and promote healthy food to farm-to-school.

Through a USDA Grant, and in partnership with several organizations, student proposed Farm to School initiative grants are available to every school district in Sullivan County. The purpose of this grant is to engage students in visioning and proposing projects or programs that would enhance their in-school eating experience.

Farm to School partners are available to offer technical assistance in a variety of areas. Students might also explore, incorporate or build on existing efforts such as the Catskill Edible Garden Project or resources such as Farm to School Month, NYS Harvest of the Month, the Big Apple Crunch, New York Thursdays etc.

Students are invited to apply in collaboration with their school leadership. Successful projects will have an opportunity to be presented at a regional Farm to School conference in 2025.

This youth initiatives project is part of the School Nutrition Action Coalition (SNAC) which has been working together over the past year to advance farm to school in Sullivan County. The Coalition includes partners from the Center for Discovery, Cornell Cooperative Sullivan County, Gael Roots Farm, Harvest NY, A Single Bite + the Catskills Food Hub, and the Sullivan County Youth Bureau; along with Liberty, Livingston Manor, Roscoe and Sullivan West School Districts.

Applications are available at www.sullivan180.org/grants. The application deadline is May 1, 2024.

For more information, contact Denise Frangipane at 845-295-2443 or denise@sullivan180.org.

Annual tournament raises $200 for scholarship 

Liberty High School Physical Education Department held its annual Ron Francisco Ping Pong and Badminton Tournament on Thursday, Feb. 29, in the high school gymnasium.

TStudents and staff sit in the stands in a gymnasiumhere were more than 100 participants and almost 200 students and staff who watched, the largest since at least before COVID, Athletic Director Erin Alvord said.

“In the end, this was probably one of our best tournaments of all time. The students were organized, followed direction and were supportive of one another,” she said.

The champions were:

  • Girls Ping Pong: Julia Juron
  • Boys Ping Pong: Enrique Mercado
  • Staff Ping Pong: Gene Doyle (two years in a row, and was also champ when he was a student.)
  • Student Badminton: David Philips and Ben Visconti
  • Staff Badminton: Beth Quatrale and LIz Hannold.

The event, named in honor of a former PE teacher Ron Francisco, raised $200 for the memorial scholarship in his name. Two scholarships are awarded annual to seniors who have demonstrated positive character in PE classes and in their athletics.

More photos will be posted to the district’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Liberty ninth-grader competes in state ski championships

A skier poses for a photo.Liberty High School ninth-grader Hudson Danzilo traveled to Lake Placid to compete in the state Alpine Ski Championships, held Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 26 and 27.

Coaches Anne and Carpio Ramos traveled to Whiteface Mountain along with Hudson and his family. He practiced the Saturday and Sunday before the competition, and competed in the giant slalom on Monday and the slalom on Tuesday. Each skier got two runs and had to complete each run to place. Hudson completed all four runs to place 33rd out of 66 racers in the giant slalom and 23rd out of 66 racers in the slalom.

He started skiing when he was 15 months old, with help from his family, and could ski on his own at 2 years old, Liberty Athletic Director Erin Alvord said.

“We could not be more proud of Hudson and his hard work. Not only does he practice with the team, but he can often be found on the mountain in his personal time,” she said. “Hudson, your future is bright and we cannot wait to see what you bring to Alpine Ski in the next three years. Thank you for representing Liberty so well.”

Alvord also thanked the Ramoses and the members of the Fallsburg/Liberty/Tri-Valley ski team for their work with Hudson.

LHS honors Stellar Students for second quarter

The Stellar Student Awards were revived by Liberty High School Building Leadership Team to recognize students who for the quarter were referral-free, had no unexcused late entries, and had a 75 or above quarter average with no failures or incompletes. Students celebrated their accomplishments with ice cream parties, compliments of donations from Stewart’s Shops, on Feb. 21 and 22.

The following students were honored:

12th grade

Alejandra Barquero Lopez, Mia Barragan, Brayden Conklin, Christopher Garzon Valle, Claudia Herzog, Adam Houser,Liliana Leon, Joaquin Isler Diaz, Zoe Kip, Aylin Leon Martinez, Perla Macias, Samuel Olivares-Reyes, David Philips, Elaina-Louise Ramirez, Riley Rivera, Jacob Ross, Jeremy Simon, Erin Skinner, Jaime Smith, G’niiyah Taylor, Cristian Vargas Martin, Maylluri Vinocunga Llano and Aiden Yaun.

11th grade

Kaitlyn Bodolosky, Noah Call, Abdi Coy Pop, Eugene Davis-Andino, James Dworetsky, James Fancher, Lianna Gissentaner, Wyatt Green, Anjay Harripersad, Camila Hernandez, Joshua Kratz, Carla Lara Fernandez, Kenisha Ledoux, Nora Liddle, Destiny Loyce, Kimberlin Malaga Gonzalez, Andrew McPhillips, Joseph Metz, Sierra Norris, Iris Ogden, Jose Perez Sanchez, Joshuaj Reyes Escobedo, Megan Schmidt, Brianna Smith, Mason Smith, Austin T Werlau, Kyra Wingert, Hannah Wormuth and Rita Zheng.

10th grade

Sheyla Anguisaca-Llanos, Cristian Argenal, Brooke Bull, Carmela Burgio, Alexis Buschmann, Giada DeFrank, Eli Desrochers, Allisson Diaz Lopez, Joseph DiBartolo, Abigail Fitzgerald, Sydania Foster, Yoselin Franco Herrarte, Amilcar Hernandez, Lia Guillerme, Jacob Kelly, Zane Kip, Kaley Klein, Belen Leon Martinez, Gianna Lewis, Joselyn Lojano Inga, DaShaun Loyce, Arwyn Lucero-Bonilla, Angelina Magie, Leonel Malaga Ventura, Tania Malaga-Lopez, Angel Maldonado Quelin, Molina Gavilan, Genesis Munoz Valladares, Phillo Romero, Joseph Sarney, Jaidon Simmons, Justin Simon, Leysli Vinocunga Llano, Elijah Warren, Tatianna Warren, Angela Wheeler, Pheobe Wilson and Isaiah Young.

Ninth grade

Zackary Alvord, Jehu Baldes Lara, Jill Baumander, Kent Clarke, Olivia Corrigan, Riley Cox, Alan Cruz, Colin Dasraj, Colin Dole, Dung Duong, Rahel Garrod, Jhosmery Jadan Pangolo, Misael Juarez Perez, Kevin Leon Gavilan, Roger Lynker III, Bridgette Mateo Cruz, Jeremiah McLeod, Mariely Medina Orellana, Elizabeth Navarrete, Katherine Panama Guaillazaca, Giselle Perez Sanchez, Daniela Ponce Flores, Lucio Ponce Vazquez, Jensen Rivera, Dylan Romero, Riley Santiago, Ruth Sellers, Jordan Smith, Allison Vasko and Lige Young.

Hundreds see All Things Liberty has to offer at winter festival

The Liberty High School gymnasium lobby and surrounding hallways were packed Saturday, Feb. 24, with vendors, informational booths and games to bring the community together for the inaugural All Things Liberty Winter Festival.

A police officer shows a young student how to dust for fingerprints on a glass.Hundreds of students, parents and guardians, as well as community members, flocked to the event, where they could play carnival-type games, sing karaoke, learn about programs and activities in the district and get information about 15 local programs and organizations. Attendees also were able to purchase wares from nearly a dozen craft vendors

“I am bursting with pride to be a part of such an extraordinary community,” said Community Schools Coordinator Stacy Feasel, who organized the event. “Our exceptional teachers and staff demonstrated unwavering dedication, with many devoting not only their time on Saturday but also months of meticulous planning and organization.”

Dozens of student volunteers took part as well.

A student reads a book to an audience seated in chairs as another student holds a microphone for her“Our student volunteers were simply outstanding, taking ownership of their roles and offering assistance wherever needed,” Feasel added.

More than $400 in monetary and food contributions benefited the Snack Pack Program, which provides meals to families in need over weekends and breaks.

The All Things Liberty Winter Festival supports the district’s five-year strategic plan pillar of culture.

“We are proud to be able to showcase what makes Liberty — the school and community — a great place in which to learn and live,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.

More photos from the event can be found on the LCSD Facebook page and LCSD Instagram page.

Sports schedule, and results, for the week of Feb. 19-25, 2024

As the season winds down, there are few games on the schedule. This week we have basketball in action.

Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.

Monday, Feb. 19

No events scheduled.

Tuesday, Feb. 20

No events scheduled

Wednesday, Feb. 21

5 p.m.: Girls Varsity Basketball vs. S. S. Seward Institute at Liberty High School

Thursday, Feb. 22

No events scheduled

Friday, Feb. 23

No events scheduled.

Saturday, Feb. 24

No events scheduled

Sunday, Feb. 25

No events scheduled

The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section 9 website for the latest. 

Faculty, staff learn on students’ day off

Liberty Central School students didn’t have to answer the morning bell Friday, Feb. 16, but that was not the case for the faculty and staff.

It was a conference day full of learning and working to improve faculty and staff skills and knowledge to enhance their students’ classroom experience.

“It is important to offer time for our teachers to become students by offering vital professional development opportunities,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.

The day started in the high school cafeteria with breakfast for all district staff.

Faculty and staff then broke into professional development sessions based on school or job description.

Elementary and middle school teachers started by working on their curriculum maps, which outlines the expectations and standards for each subject and grade level.

A woman stands to the right of screen with a display about educational superheroes as a teacher sits in the foreground
MaryAnn Brittingham presented “Strategies for Working with ‘I Don’t Care’ students, to high school teachers during the Feb. 16 conference day.

At that time, high school staff took part in a workshop with education consultant MaryAnn Brittingham, who focused on working with students who have an “I don’t care” attitude, explaining what is behind it and providing strategies to approach these students with a different mindset

Middle school staff was next for Brittingham, who addressed problems with students whose difficult home lives may impact their behavior in school. She explained methods to de-escalate situations and discussed: “What is under anger?” “Window of tolerance” and “The 3 R’s to assist in de-escalation.”

After lunch, Brittingham then spoke to elementary staff on understanding and handling attention-seeking and manipulative behaviors among students. “Utilizing and Documenting Tier 2 Behavior Interventions in the Classroom; Put the Game on the Table” aimed to help staff decipher the underlying needs behind such behavior and find ways to address them.

Brittingham finished the day working with middle school administration and student services staff on  implementation of strategies and accountability measures.

A group of teachers sit at a circular table working on Chromebooks
Elementary teachers worked collaboratively on curriculum maps during the Feb. 16 Conference Day

Other professional development opportunities included training for new substitutes, teacher assistants and aides, strategies for English Language Learners classrooms, using the DESSA/Aperture social and emotional screener, working with education consultants PLC Associates on Explicit Direct Instruction methods for giving transparent learning targets, breaking down complex concepts and setting up clear instructions for learning and more.

LCSD holds regular conference days to offer faculty and staff professional development in support of the five-year strategic plan. The sessions cover all pillars of the plan — curriculum, coherence, culture and MTSS, or Multi-Tier System of Supports.

LCSD seeks input on use of ARP-ESSER funds

Liberty Central School District is gathering input from the community regarding the district’s use of the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP-ESSER) funding. To review how LCSD allocated the funds, visit the LCSD ARP-ESSER plan webpage.

LCSD residents and staff are asked to take this quick, anonymous survey to offer their feedback.

Liberty High School students earn second marking period honors

The following students were named to the honor rolls at Liberty High School for the second marking period. High Honor Roll students must have attained a marking period average of 89.5 or better and have no failing or incomplete grades. Honor Roll students must have attained a marking period average of 84.5 or better and have no failing or incomplete grades.

12th grade

High Honor Roll: Jumana Abu Al Ghanam, Mia Barragan, Kevin Cando, Shannon Ciardo, Noellia Cruz Cruz, Nevaeh Davis, Morgan DeGraw, Lorna DeWitt, Cara DiBartolo, Jayla Edwards, Alli Etess, Christopher Garzon Valle, Hannah Gill, Claudia Herzog, Liliana Ines Leon, Joaquin Isler Diaz, Julia Juron, Madeline Kelly, Zoe Kip, Aylin Leon Martinez, Perla Macias, Melany Manzanares Orellana, Josue Nunura Galan, Samuel Olivares-Reyes, Jake Parks, David Philips, Elaina-Louise Ramirez, Alesandra Rivera, Alexandra Rivera, Jacob Ross, Rozlyn Schauerhamer, Jeremy Simon, Erin Skinner, Irvin Valente Guzman, Cristian Vargas Martin, Maylluri Vinocunga Llano, Benjamin Visconti, Sincere Warren and Aiden Yaun.

Honor Roll: Maria Abreu, Carlos Campos-Castro, Lorena Chevalier, Yuridia Christino Lopez, Chase Fry, Briasia Gamble, Adam Houser, Cyah Jackson, Manuel Lopez, Dania Maradiaga, Elyanna Ocasio-Lombardi and Lesly Panama.

11th grade

High Honor Roll: Quinn Allen, Endya Alvarez, Kaitlyn Bodolosky, Noah Call, Abdi Coy Pop, Colin Doenich, James Dworetsky, Sara Fajardo Reyes, Sophia Ferguson, Irvin Garcia Garcia, Haley Gill, Camila Hernandez, Jordan Hewlett, Alex Kearney, Joshua Kratz, Carla Lara Fernandez, Kenisha Ledoux, Kimberlin Malaga, Colin Mangan, Cindy Maradiaga Garcia, Diego Marcia Lopez, Owen Moore, Sierra Norris, Liam Parks, Joshuaj Reyes Escobedo, Megan Schmidt, Austin Werlau, Hanah Wormuth and Rita Zheng.

Honor Roll: Guillermo Arauz Gonzalez, Andres Castillo Hernandez, Cathy Delgado-Flores, Olivia Dworetsky, Lianna Gissentaner, Sandra Hanofee, Mya Huebsch, Jack Krum, Destiny Loyce, Matthew Lutz, Addison Makky, Matthew McKoy, Andrew McPhillips, Joseph Metz, Luis Molina Gonzalez, Jose Perez Sanchez, Mason Smith, G’niiyah Taylor and Kyra Wingert.

10th grade

High Honor Roll: Sheyla Anguisaca-Llanos, Cristian Argenal, Shawn Bickham Jr., Carmela Burgio, Addison Bury, Runxian Chen, Jake Cross, Genna DeFrank, Giada DeFrank, Eli Desrochers, Allisson Diaz Lopez, Abigail Fitzgerald, Sydania Foster, Damaris Garcia, Amilcar Giron Hernandez, Lia Guillerme, Jacob Kelly, Zane Kip, Kaley Klein, Belen Leon Martinez, Gianna Lewis, Leonel Malaga Ventura, Serenity Moore, Genesis Munoz Valladares, Soleil Ocasio-Lombardi, William Pennell, Brooke Porter, Cassandra Porter, Philio Romero, Joseph Sarney, Justin Simon, Elijah Warren, Angela Wheeler, Cameryn Will and Isaiah Young.

Honor Roll: Maliea Agapito, Naiara Alvarado Piedy, Teodulo Banegas Jr., Adisyn Bell, Brooke Bull, Joseph DiBartolo, Nicolle Feijo, Yoselin Franco Herrate, Joselyn Lojano Inga, Arwyn Lucero-Bonilla, Angelina Magie, Brenna Mangan, Emely Maradiaga Martinez, Yuritzy Martinez Ramirez, Amber Peachey, Scarlet Perez, Tayler Schwartz, Jaidon Simmons, Andreas Stephens, Ashley Szuba, Isabella Wagner and Tatianna Warren.

Ninth grade

High Honor Roll: Zackary Alvord, Gianino Amendola, Jill Baumander, Olivia Corrigan, Adolfo Cos Cux, Abdi Coy Pop, Liliana Crespo, Alan Cruz, Colin Dasraj, Austin Frunzi, Kylie Fuller, Yamilet Garcia Gonzalez, Peyton Hadjstylianos, Jhosmery Jadam Pangolo, Misael Juarez Perez, Peyton Klein, Bartlomiej Klys, Roger Linker III, Jeremiah McLeod, Mariely Medina Orellana, Savannah Pagan Van Wagner, Katherine Panama Guaillazaca, Giselle Perez, Lucio Ponce Vazquez, Jordan Smith, Amy Szuba, Allison Vasko and Sebastian Yupanqui.

Honor Roll: Derick Aliers Amparo, Jehu Balsdes Lara, Eyanna Castro, Kent Clarke, Jeffery Cobbs Jr., Kyla Coker, Harrison Cruz Marin, Dung Duong, LeonJahnae Fountain, Juanita Garcia Lopez, Rahel Garrod, Carlos Garzon Cruz, Mayrelis Gonzalez Ramirez, Diana Gualipa, Nester Leon Aldana, Marvin Lucero Ramirez, Katherine Maldonado, Bridgette Mateo Cruz, Jose Moreno Reyes, Elizabeth Navarrete, Angele Osorio Ramirez, Riley Santiago, Madelynn Stewart, Kasey Turcios Mejia, Olivia Tyler, Jeronimo Velez Osorio and Giuliana Wagner.

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