Category: Middle School News
Liberty Middle School students complete Sweethearts & Heroes BRAVE program
Nineteen seventh and eighth grade students recently completed the six-week Sweethearts & Heroes BRAVE Program, an initiative focused on developing leadership skills, mentoring younger students, and leading by example.
Throughout the program, the middle school students worked closely with fifth grade students, building meaningful connections while reinforcing positive character traits, empathy, and leadership. Through lessons, discussions, and activities, students learned the importance of courage, kindness, accountability, and creating a positive school culture.
Eighth-grader Zalaina Nash reflected on the experience, noting the unique impact of peer mentorship. “It was fun to see how students related better to us than if it was teachers sharing the information,” she said.
Fellow eighth-grader Luna Hulse emphasized the lasting impact of the program. “The BRAVE Program is the start of a new experience that can go on a long time, even after us,” she said..
The program also left a positive impression on staff members. Fifth-grade teacher Levar Hamilton praised the student leaders, saying, “It’s really cool to see students going in and working with other students.”
The impact of the program will continue beyond the middle school. On June 12, several of the student leaders will visit Liberty Elementary School, witnessing founders Tom Murphy and Rick Yarosh present to the students, and then will work with younger students in their classrooms, helping to expand the Sweethearts & Heroes initiative across the district and strengthen connections between students of all grade levels.
The BRAVE Program aligns closely with the Liberty Central School District’s mission, vision and beliefs. By empowering students to serve as mentors and role models, the program helps fulfill the district’s mission of empowering each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community while pursuing their potential. Through opportunities to lead, collaborate, and support others, students cultivate the trust and courage highlighted in the district’s vision. The initiative also reflects the district’s commitment to innovation, forward-thinking practices, and a steadfast focus on the success and well-being of all students.
As Sweethearts & Heroes continues to grow throughout the district, students are helping to create a culture where empathy, connection, and leadership are not simply taught but actively lived each day. The BRAVE Program demonstrates that when students are given opportunities to lead and support one another, they can have a lasting and meaningful impact on their school community.
Meeting offers info on Title1, ESSA at LMS
Liberty Middle School held a community meeting at 5:30 p.m. June 9 in the Middle School cafeteria to go over details of Title I and the ESSA designation of LMS as an Additional Target Support and Improvement/Potential TSI school for the 2025-26 school year.
Principal Heather Cheh led the presentation that explained what the designations mean, and how they have changed since last year.
She also explained how LMS uses Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) and reviewed the Middle School Program of Study.
Ms. Cheh offered an overview of the curriculum and programs used:.
- ELA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) curriculum Into Reading is used in fifth grade, and Into Literature for sixth through eighth grades.
- Math: HMH Into Math is used for fifth though seventh grades, and EMath Instruction is used for eighth graders’ Algebra 1 classes.
- Science: Science 21 is used for fifth grade, and the Kesler Science program is used for sixth through eighth grades. The state has also implemented science investigations for third through eighth grades, with four specific investigations required before each state science test, in fifth and eighth grades
- Social Studies: Resources and technology used includes PNW BOCES Integrated SS/ELA Curriculum, Stanford History Education Group, Library of Congress , National Archives, BrainPOP, SMART Learning Suite, Google Suite (docs, forms, slides, jamboard, etc.) and Newsela. The Western Hemisphere is covered in fifth grade, with the Eastern hemisphere the topic in sixth grade. The history of the United States and New York is taught across seventh and eighth grades.
Ms. Cheh also highlighted the Seal of Civic Readiness program, which provides a distinction on the transcripts and diplomas of the students who complete the program. Students can begin the program in Middle School.
The Innovation Lab, in collaboration with Inventionland, has also had an impact on classes, allowing hands-on STEM based learning.
Social Emotional Learning is also very important at LMS. Leader in Me, Sweethearts and Heroes and DESSA (Devereux Student Strengths Assessment) are central to ensuring students receive the skills and knowledge they need to contribute and thrive in a diverse community while pursuing their potential. To help build leadership skills, student-led parent-teacher conferences were instituted this year. The school also celebrates leaders and accomplishments through various events through the year. Through Multi-Tiered System of Supports, LMS works to ensure every student gets the support they need, academically and socially, for the best education possible.
For more information, contact Ms. Cheh at hcheh@libertyk12.org, or call 845-292-2302.
Little Free Library available at LHS
There is now a Little Free Library at Liberty High School.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Liberty High School Interact Club, the Little Free Library is now available for students, staff, and community members to enjoy.
All are invited to borrow a book, donate a gently used book, exchange books with others and discover new stories and authors
The Little Free Library is part of a worldwide movement that promotes literacy, kindness and community connections through the simple act of sharing books.
Whether looking for their next favorite novel, a biography, a mystery, or a children’s book to share with a younger reader, residents can stop by and see what treasures they can find.
Liberty Interact Club members worked hard to create a space where books, ideas and opportunities can be shared with everyone.
Video: Superintendent’s end-of-year message
Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan talks about the end of the school year and offers updates on projects. Watch his video message below:
AYSO seeks players, coaches, refs; in-person registration session set for June 17
Registration for AYSO Region 1514 Soccer is underway through June 30, with an in-person session available from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, at the Liberty Library.
Organizers will provide support with the online registration process, including completing and submitting registrations. AYSO will not collect any money or paper applications in person, as the entire registration process is completed online.
Co-ed programs are available for kickstart (3-6-year-olds) 6U, 8U, 10U and 12U. To register, visit www.ayso1514.org/region1514.
Coaches, referees and board members are also wanted. Those 14 and older can become a referee or coach’s assistant. Training is available.
For more information, email libertyAYSO1514@gmail.com
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of June 8-14, 2026
This is the final week of the 2025-26 athletics season. We will close with the outdoor track and field state championships this weekend.
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-Friday, June 8-12
No events scheduled..
Saturday, June 13
10 a.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field State championships vs. Multiple Schools at Webster Schroeder High School in Webster. (Brooke Bull is competing in Pole Vault)
Sunday, June 14
No events scheduled.
Liberty Music Festival set for June 10 at Lapolt Park
The Liberty Central School Music Department will host the annual Liberty Music Festival at Lapolt Park at 122 N. Main St. in Liberty on Wednesday, June 10.
The concert will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m., featuring the Middle School Jazz and Select bands and the High School Chorus and Honors Band and Orchestra.
The rain date is June 12.
Liberty BOE to meet June 9
The next Liberty Central School District Board of Education meeting will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, in the HS Media Center at 125 Buckley St. in Liberty.
The Board anticipates to enter into executive session (not open to the public) immediately. The regular portion of the meeting, open to the public, is expected to resume at 6 p.m.
The agenda will be available on Monday, June 8, at Board Docs.
Students help preserve local history at Walnut Mountain
Throughout the spring, students at Liberty Middle School have been learning about the rich history of Walnut Mountain during Flex Period. As part of this educational experience, students explored the story of the historic Walnut Mountain House, a five-story mountain hotel built in 1887 at the summit of Walnut Mountain. The hotel welcomed visitors from near and far, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding Catskill region. Although the hotel no longer stands, its foundation remains as an important reminder of Liberty’s past.
Taking their learning beyond the classroom, Liberty Middle School hosted a community service project on Sunday, May 31. Students, staff, families, and community members came together to help clear and improve the trail surrounding the original Walnut Mountain House foundation.
The project was a success, with 34 volunteers participating in the cleanup effort. Volunteers worked to remove brush, clear debris, and create a safe, walkable path around the historic site. Their hard work will allow visitors to better experience and appreciate this important piece of local history.
The project is part of the ongoing Walnut Mountain House History Trail initiative, which will officially celebrate its grand opening on June 6. The self-guided trail features six interpretive panels that share the history of Walnut Mountain, the Walnut Mountain House, and the people who helped shape Liberty’s heritage.
Liberty Middle School students have also played an important role in the project through the Interact Club. Club members designed and built benches that will be placed along the trail, providing visitors with opportunities to rest and enjoy the scenic views that have attracted visitors to Walnut Mountain for generations.
This project highlights the power of community partnerships and hands-on learning. By helping preserve a local landmark, students gained a deeper appreciation for Liberty’s history while making a lasting contribution that will benefit residents and visitors for years to come.
LHS students create video about LES Leader in Me program
Leader in Me is a program used throughout the district to help teach life skills and empower students to thrive.
Liberty High School students Jose Rivera, Kamoren Connell and Teodulo Banegas, who are in the Media Program at Sullivan BOCES, partnered with Liberty Elementary to create a video highlighting the eight habits of Leader in Me and how they are used at LES and in real life. Watch the video below: