Category: Middle School News
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.
Community Easter events planned
There are several Easter events taking place in the area for Liberty families in the coming weeks.
On Saturday, March 21, the Town of Liberty Parks and Recreation will host its Liberty Community Easter Celebration, with an Easter egg hunt and activities starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 21, at the Liberty Elementary School Field. The Egg hunt will be done by age groups: 0-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7 and older. That will be followed by the Liberty Elks Lodge 1545 annual Easter Event from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lunch and photos will be available at the lodge on Darbee Lane. All kids up to age 10 will receive an Easter Basketwhile supplies last. For more information, call 845-292-3434.
The following weekend, the Hurleyville Performing Arts Center will host Breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 9 to 11 a.m. March 28. The cost will be $15 per person or $5 for children 3 and younger for the breakfast buffet. An Easter egg hunt will follow. HPAC is at 219 Main St. in Hurleyville. Tickets are available for purchase online. For more information, visit hpacny.org
Grant to help Liberty students facing housing insecurity featured in radio interview
Liberty Central School District recently received a $525,000 three-year grant to help our students who are experiencing housing insecurity.
The grant is part of the New York State Education Department’s distribution of $8 million in federal funding to educational institutions through the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act.
For more information about the program, visit the McKinney-Vento page on the district website.
Construction work on maintenance building begins
The district was just notified that the initial construction work for the maintenance building will begin today, March 12. As stated the Feb. 2 communication, the walkway behind the district office from Winthrop Avenue to the high school will be closed.
The softball field will not be impacted by the work. However, the Winthrop Avenue parking lot will also be closed during construction. Spectators should park in the parking lot between the high school and district office.
Movie night to benefit Liberty HS Choir
Liberty HS Choir will host a movie night fundraiser Friday, March 20, in the high school auditorium.
Liberty Central School District families are invited to watch the live action version of “How to Train Your Dragon” (PG) at 5 p.m., followed by “Hamilton” (PG-13) at 8 p.m.
The cost is $5 per person for one movie or $8 for the doubleheader.Concessions will be available for purchase.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the LHS Choral Program.
For more information, email Vocal Music Teacher Emily McConnell at emcconnell@libertyk12.org.
Teacher brings childhood Winter Olympics learning tradition to LMS
History, mathematics and global learning were brought to life for fifth and sixth grade students at Liberty Middle School by continuing a meaningful classroom tradition introduced nearly three decades ago during the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
When LMS math teacher Miss Danielle Cummins was a fifth-grade student at Duggan Elementary School in the Monticello Central School District, her teacher, Mr. Michael Cordisco, created an engaging, project-based learning experience centered on the Winter Olympics. Each day, students predicted which countries would medal in upcoming events by placing a clip labeled with their chosen country onto a coffee can. The following day, the class tracked actual medal counts on a large bar graph and analyzed the results together.
The project not only strengthened students’ understanding of data, graphing and probability, but also deepened their knowledge of countries around the world — a key component of the social studies curriculum. The combination of real-world events, friendly competition, and hands-on learning left a lasting impression on LMS math teacher Miss Cummins.
This year, Miss Cummins and social studies teacher Ms. Nicole Gabay re-created that same excitement in their classrooms during the 2026 Winter Olympic games in Italy.
“This project was incredibly meaningful to me because it allowed me to share a lesson I loved as a fifth-grader with my own fifth- and sixth-grade students,” Miss Cummins said.
During social studies, students researched participating countries and learned about Olympic events before making their medal predictions. In math, students independently tracked medal counts on their own bar graphs, applying grade-level skills in data collection, representation, and analysis.
“I enjoyed our Olympic project because I liked graphing the medal count,” fifth-grader Avianna Gibbs said.
The highlight of the experience was the opportunity for students to earn authentic Olympic pins for correct predictions, the students said.
Mr. Cordisco mailed a package containing more than 100 pins he had collected over many Winter Olympic years. Students selected pins, celebrated their successes, and even traded pins with classmates — fostering collaboration, sportsmanship, and a strong sense of classroom community.
“It was cool that we got to learn the history of the Olympics in a fun way,” fifth-grader Brantley Olivo said. “Thank you, Mr. Cordisco!”
The cross-curricular project exemplifies the power of project-based learning. Ms. Gabay and Miss Cummins, with their teacher assistants Mrs. Lorraine Kelder and Mrs. Jaqueline Gieger, respectively, said they are proud to continue a tradition that not only enhances academic learning but also connects generations of students through shared experiences.
“It’s a reminder of the lasting impact a great teacher can have—not just on academic growth, but on the future paths of their students,” Miss Cummins said. “I offer a heartfelt thank you to Mr. Cordisco for instilling a love of learning in his students and for continuing to share his generosity and passion with future generations.”
Liberty to host All County Music Festival
The Liberty Central School District Music Department will host the Sullivan County All County Music Festival on Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7.
Students will rehearse with their ensembles on Friday evening as well as Saturday morning in preparation for their concerts Saturday afternoon.
Concerts will be held in the Liberty High School Auditorium as follows:
- 1:30 p.m.: Elementary Chorus and Middle School Band
- 3:30 p.m.: Senior High Orchestra, Treble Chorus, Junior High Jazz Band
- 5:30 p.m.: Junior High Chorus and Senior High Band.
The public is invited to attend. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door at $8 a ticket on a first-come, first-served basis.
The snow date for the concerts is March 8 at the same times and location.
Two events to benefit LMS students
Two dine-and-giveback events this month will benefit students at Liberty Middle School.
The Liberty Central School Class of 2030 will be the beneficiary of Brew Rock Hill’s Community Give Back Mondays on March 9. Brew Rock Hill, at 280 Rock Hill Drive in Rock Hill, will donate 15% of the check total when customers mention they are there to support the Liberty Class of 2030. The offer is valid for eat-in or to-go orders.
On March 20, 10% of all sales of the Spirit Night at the Tango Cafe at the Hurleyville Performing Arts Center will be donated to support the Liberty Middle School FFA. Students will be on hand helping serve and welcome guests to the cafe at HPAC, which is at 219 Main St. in Hurleyville.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of March 2-8, 2026
The final event of the winter athletics season will be this weekend with the indoor indoor track and field state championships.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
Monday-Thursday, March 2-5
No events scheduled.
Friday and Saturday, March 6-7
State Championship Meet at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island. Liberty Athletes competing are Brooke Bull in pole vault and the girls 4×200 relay team of Victoria Henry, Starriah Harris, Brooke Bull, Sydania Foster with alternates of Quinn Santiago and Audrey Krum. The full schedule is available by clicking here.
Sunday, March 8
No events scheduled.
Pre-K registration underway at Liberty
Pre-K registration for the 2026-27 school year began March 2 at Liberty Central School District.
Eligible pre-kindergarten students must be residents of the district and turn 4 years old before Dec. 1, 2026.
All eligible applications received by March 31 will be included in a lottery, to be held April 10, if needed. Any applications filed after March 31, and those not selected in the lottery, will be added to a waitlist. All slots will be full day.
Pre-K registration is held at Liberty School District’s Registration Office, 115 Buckley St., Liberty. To make an appointment call Heather Austin at 845-292-5400, ext. 2331.
Families are asked to bring the following to their appointment, along with a completed pre-k registration packet:
- A copy of the parent/guardian’s photo ID
- The child’s birth certificate
- Proof of residency (such as a utility bill or rental lease)
- Immunization records, including proof of lead screen
- Copy of a recent physical exam (must include all school physical exam requirements; please check with doctor)
- The child’s health insurance card
- Custody papers, if applicable