Category: High School News
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
Two LHS wrestlers earn girls sectional titles
Liberty Central School District has two 2024 Section 9 Girls Wrestling Champions — Cheynne Graham and Zoe Kip.
Cheynne defended her title from 2023 with a headlock for the pin in the 185 class. She finished her season with a record of 12-6. She also earned a third place medal in the 2024 Girls Eastern States tournament and has a career record so far of 17-6.
In her third Section 9 championship finals appearance Zoe pinned her opponent for the 152 class title. She closed out her senior season with a record of 19-9. She was also a two time New York State Girls Invitational Placewinner finishing fourth and six, a two-time Girls Eastern States Medalist, with third place finishes both times and has a career record of 31-16 record against girls.
The Section IX Division II Boys and Girls Wrestling championships were held Sunday, Feb. 11, at F.D. Roosevelt High School.
Asbestos abatement underway at LES
Asbestos abatement is underway for a damaged vinyl asbestos tile found under a rug on an uneven floor in a Liberty Elementary School classroom on Jan. 24.
The work is being done after school hours and other days when school is not in session. Because of the remediation, no activities will take place in the building after school hours. School is closed for students Friday, Feb. 16, for a Conference Day, as well as Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 19-20, for Presidents’ Day break. The project is expected to be completed by Feb. 20
The work presents no danger to the staff or students in the elementary school. To remove the asbestos, the district is following New York State regulations that require us to seal the room off from the rest of the building. The district will conduct air monitoring throughout the project.
Safety of the staff and students is of the utmost importance to the district.
If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Superintendent for Business Laurene McKenna at lmmckenna@libertyk12.org.
Three earn Excellence in Service Awards
Three Liberty Central School District staff members were honored by the Board of Education during the Feb. 13 meeting. Earning Excellence in Service awards were Liberty Elementary School Psychologist Mary Bayer, Middle School head custodian Anthony Lesczynski and High School Teacher Assistant Paul Minton.
Mary Bayer
Bayer was recognized for her advocacy for students and teachers at the school.
“Mary is admired and loved by every teacher and student at Liberty Elementary,” the nomination read. “She is always available to speak with colleagues, give them advice, and help them through situations with students.”
Her efforts to do what is best for students and staff sets her apart.
“Mary works hard every day in her role as school psychologist and chairs the Elementary 504 meetings,” the nomination read. “Mary is an invaluable resource for her department and works tirelessly to make sure all the needs of students are met.”
Anthony Lesczynski
Lesczynski was honored for going “above and beyond for all staff in the Middle School.”
“Anything that is asked of him and his team, gets done efficiently and with professionalism,” the nomination read. “He is a true leader and builds relationships with his colleagues and co-workers. He is one of the biggest assets to our building.”
Paul Minton
Minton’s willingness to assist in any capacity at the school earned him the honor.
“We rely on Paul to help us with kids, faculty, and any other needs we may have,” the nomination read. “He is and has been a huge part of LHS for years.”
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 three staff members on their awards.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of Feb. 12-18, 2024
Our athletes will be in action in basketball and indoor track and field this week.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
Monday, Feb. 12
4:15 p.m.: Boys JV Basketball vs. Beacon City at Liberty High School
5:45 p.m.: Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Beacon City at Liberty High School
Tuesday, Feb. 13
5 p.m.: Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Beacon City at Beacon High School
Wednesday, Feb. 14
4 p.m.: Girls Modified Basketball vs. Monticello at Liberty Middle School
5:30 p.m.: Boys Modified Basketball vs. Monticello at Liberty High School
Thursday, Feb. 15
All afterschool activities canceled.
Friday, Feb. 16
4 p.m.: Boys JV Basketball vs. Livingston Manor at Livingston Manor High School
5:30 p.m.: Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Saugerties at Saugerties High School High School Gym.
Saturday, Feb. 17
Noon: Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Livingston Manor, Audra Sipple Spath Memorial Scholarship Tournament consolation game at Livingston Manor High School
4 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Indoor Track and Field State Qualifier at Armory Track.
Sunday, Feb. 18
No events scheduled
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section 9 website for the latest.
Liberty student photographers earn honors at regional event
Liberty High School student photographers were honored Friday, Feb. 2, for their award-winning work at the Mid Hudson Region Scholastic Art & Writing Awards ceremony at SUNY New Paltz.
Liberty photo students and Liberty Photo Club members earned eight Gold Keys,14 Silver Keys and 18 Honorable Mentions. The ceremony was followed by the opening of the show containing all Key winners’ work. Seven of Liberty’s Key winners were able to attend the ceremony.
Gold Key winners, the top 5% of all photographs, were Kaitlyn Bodolosky, who won two, and Endya Alvarez, Maria Quintanilla Bonilla, Joaquin Isler Diaz, Allison Vasko, Leonel Malaga Ventura and Rachel Yaun, who each won one.
Silver Key winners, the top 10%, were Leonel Malaga Ventura with four, Jill Baumander, Kaitlyn Bodolosky, Allison Vasko and Rachel Yaun, each with two, and Endya Alvarez and Giovanni Flores Leon each with one.
Honorable mentions, top 11% and 12%, were awarded to Leonel Malaga Ventura with four, Joaquin Isler Diaz, Madelline Kelly and Rachel Yaun, each with three, Allison Vasko with two, and Endya Alvarez, Kaitlyn Bodolosky and Maria Quintanilla Bonilla, each with one.