Category: Middle School News
A back to school message from the superintendent
Dear Liberty families,
I look forward to seeing our students for the first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4. For details on school building schedules, please visit the school websites: Liberty High School, Liberty Middle School and Liberty Elementary School. For general information, visit the district website.
A few reminders and updates before the school year begins:
The athletic field (football field/track area) is off limits to the public as construction continues.
There is also a portion of the ballfield on the elementary school that is still closed to the public as well. Please respect the barriers in place.
I am also happy to inform you that the culvert replacement at the elementary school is complete with access from North Main Street available. For specific pickup and drop off information, visit the elementary school website.
If you have any questions about the upcoming school year, please visit our website, review information provided at our community forum, contact your children’s school buildings or email questions@libertyk12.org.
Working together, I am sure we can make this school year the best one yet.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Sullivan
Superintendent
Redhawks faculty and staff return to gear up for 2025-26 school year
Cars filled the parking lots at the Liberty Middle/High School on Tuesday morning, Sept. 2, as faculty and staff were welcomed back to their first day of school.
After catching up with colleagues and meeting new ones, the Liberty Redhawks gathered in the auditorium for the opening day program.
Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan welcomed everyone with a theme of “impact.”
“I encourage everyone to think about the person who impacted you,” he said, “that person might be why you are here today. Impact creates hope, and hope inspires greatness.”
The goals of the opening conference days are to help ensure that impact aligns with the district’s five-year strategic plan and to ensure all are on the same page to make Liberty a great place to learn.
After speeches by Board of Education President Pamela Teed Fisk and union presidents, Dr. Sullivan and the school principals presented years of service pins to several staff members, with special recognition to three who have served LCSD for 32 years.
The strategic plan, District Comprehensive Improvement Plan and related plans were next on the agenda. Dr. Sullivan and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Derek Adams reviewed the plans and specific programs, policies and procedures with faculty and staff.
The important issues of mental health and technology safety were also addressed Tuesday morning.
Following union meetings and lunch, faculty and staff returned to their classrooms and buildings to complete required courses and trainings.
The learning will continue on Wednesday, Sept. 3, with building- and department-based meetings and activities throughout the day in preparation for the first day of school for students on Thursday, Sept. 4.
District issues reminders on safety
Safety is a top priority for the Liberty Central School District. As school begins, the district wanted to remind its families of some of the safety procedures and terms. Families are asked to review the information available at https://www.libertyk12.org/about-us/liberty-central-school-district-emergency-information-guide/.
Those with questions, may email questions@libertyk12.org.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of Sept. 1-7, 2025
Our student-athletes kick off the season this week (really this time) with soccer and football. The girls varsity game originally scheduled for Friday, Aug. 29, was canceled.
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, Sept. 1
No events scheduled.
Tuesday, Sept. 2
2 p.m.: Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Sidney, Jane Flannery Soccer Tournament, Downsville Central School
2 p.m.: Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Sidney, James Campbell Soccer Tournament, Downsville Central School
Results: Liberty 5, Sidney 0. Ryan Romero Bello earned Man of the Game with 1 goal and 1 assist. Shout out to Justin Simon as well with the clean sheet.
Wednesday, Sept. 3
4:30 or 7 p.m.: Girls Varsity Soccer, Jane Flannery Soccer Tournament, Downsville Central School (4:30 p.m. if Liberty loses game 1, 7 p.m. if wins)
Thursday, Sept. 4
7 p.m.: Boys Varsity Soccer, James Campbell Soccer Tournament, Downsville Central School
4:30 p.m.: Boys JV Soccer vs. Chapel Field Christian Schools at Liberty High School
Friday, Sept. 5
4 p.m.: Girls JV Soccer vs. Monticello at Monticello High School
4:30 p.m.: Boys JV Soccer vs. James I. O’Neill at Liberty High School
4:30 or 7 p.m.: Girls Varsity Soccer, Jane Flannery Soccer Tournament, Downsville Central School (4:30 p.m. if Liberty loses game 1-fifth or seventh place game, 7 p.m. if wins-consolation or final)
Saturday, Sept. 6
Noon: Varsity football vs. Walton at Walton High School
noon, 2, 4:30 or 7: Boys Varsity Soccer, James Campbell Soccer Tournament, Downsville Central School (noon if Liberty loses both games-seventh place game; 2 p.m. if loses game 1 and wins game 2-fifth place game; 4:30 if wins game 1 and loses game 2-consolation; 7 p.m. if wins both games-championship)
Sunday, Sept. 7
No events scheduled.
Liberty Public Library to celebrate Library Card Sign-Up month
This September, Liberty Public Library invites Liberty Central School District families to celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month and discover how a single card can open the door to endless opportunities.
With a library card, you can do more than check out books. From free programs, computers, streaming media, and cultural events, today’s libraries connect communities to information, inspiration, and each other.
This year’s theme, “One Card, Endless Possibilities,” is a reminder that libraries are for everyone—no matter your age, background, or goals. Whether you’re diving into a new hobby, searching for your next great read, borrowing a backpack, learning a new language, or helping your child succeed in school, it all starts with a library card.
At Liberty Public Library you’ll find:
- Ebooks, and e-audiobooks with our Libby app
- Streaming video with Kanopy, and Mango Languages for learning a new language.
- Prefer physical books and media? Try our convenient “RCLS Go app” to search for and request physical books, and dvds, as well as books on CD—Or ask us to help in person!
- Bethel Woods Museum passes for free admission for up to 4 people
- Programs and events for all ages—from storytimes and book clubs, movies, yoga, Senior Coffee Club speakers, afterschool teen clubs, and much more.
Getting a library card is free, easy, and empowering. For students, it’s a key to academic success. For adults, it’s a gateway to lifelong learning. For everyone, it’s a smart way to stay connected to your community.
The public invited to the library throughout September for the following activities:
- Library Card Challenge, Sept. 1 – Oct. 17: Pick up a special Library Card Challenge Activity sheet. Complete any four of the fun activities and win a small prize (all ages).
- Library App installation help: Need help setting up one of our apps, like Libby? Call 845-292-6070 or email lib@rcls.org to arrange an appointment for a one-hour help session.
- Elementary Game Day, 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6: Play classic board games at the library with your family and maybe make some new friends.
- Teen Games & Volunteer Sign-ups, 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17: Stop by afterschool to play games with your friends and learn about volunteer opportunities available at the library.
Stop by Liberty Public Library or visit http://www.libertypubliclibrary.org to sign up for a free card. Because with a Liberty Public Library card, the possibilities are truly endless.
Liberty administration offers updates for school year at community forum
Liberty administration offers updates for school year at community forum
About two dozen community members and several more faculty and staff gathered outside the main entrance to Liberty High School on Tuesday, Aug. 26, to hear an overview of updates and changes for the 2025-26 school year at Liberty Central School District.
“It’s important for our community to be informed before the start of the school year,” LCSD Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “We appreciate the families who attended and asked questions.”
District administration has held these forums annually as a way to better communicate and interact with the LCSD community, in accordance with the district’s five-year strategic plan.
The plan, now in its fourth year, is the district’s roadmap for improvement across the district.
Dr. Sullivan and Assistant Superintendent Derek Adams led the presentation, with translation by Ms. Vanessa Olivo.
The school year begins for students on Thursday, Sept. 4.
Besides the traditional updates on programming and reminders of procedures, district officials also reviewed the new state-mandated policy on student use of internet-enabled devices during the school day.
Plan updates
The forum began with a review of the strategic plan and each pillar — Coherence, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Curriculum and Culture — and an overview of what the district is doing to move forward this year. The plan, along with the District Comprehensive Improvement Plan and related building and program plans, informed changes for the 2025-26 school year.
Curricular changes and updates
Dr. Adams reviewed current curricular programs and highlighted changes, including the addition of the Siena College Computer Science course for high schoolers, agricultural courses at the middle school and a new Universal Pre-Kindergarten classroom at the elementary school. The district is also in the second year of Algebra for all eighth graders as well as Syracuse University Project Advance programming for high schoolers.
The district is also implementing Eduplanet, a curriculum management system to aid in curriculum mapping, and LinkIt, a data warehouse system designed to help more efficiently analyze and support students’ academic, social and emotional growth, which will also help inform MTSS procedures.
Communications
The forum also offered the opportunity to review items related to the culture pillar, which includes better communicating the mission and vision of the district. Dr. Sullivan highlighted ParentSquare, introduced last year, which helps streamline two-way communication between Liberty families and the district and schools. He also reminded attendees about the district’s chain of command calling guide.
DASA and safety
Safety is always of utmost importance. Dr. Sullivan reviewed the district’s safety measures and visitor procedures, hitting both the coherence and culture pillars. He also reminded attendees about Anonymous Alerts, where students and families can report concerns about safety or bullying, and Gaggle, a program that monitors student usage of the internet and will alert officials of concern searches or messages. Both programs assist the district in its commitment to the Dignity for All Students Act and safety.
Construction projects
Dr. Sullivan reported that work is nearing completion on culvert replacement at the elementary school, and the district expects traffic patterns to return to normal in time for the start of the school year. Work is progressing on the athletic field, part of the capital project approved by voters in January 2024, with the hope that the field will be completed in time to play at least one game on the field this fall. Full completion of the track, bleachers and press box is expected by the spring.
Cellphone policy
Liberty Central School District has implemented a policy in accordance with Education Law §2803, also known as the bell-to-bell cellphone free policy. Dr. Sullivan reviewed the district’s cellphone free policy. A policy FAQ is available here.
Only one question was asked publicly at the end of the forum—regarding student storage of cellphones during sports practices. However, administrators answered several questions one-on-one with families after the forum.
“We are always happy to answer questions and offer support to our families and students,” Dr. Sullivan said at the end of the forum. He also reminded those in attendance that any questions could be emailed to questions@libertyk12.org.
Because of technical difficulties, the planned livestream of the event was unable to take place. A slideshow of the presentation can be found here.
Free haircuts to be offered to Liberty MS/HS students
The Town of Liberty Parks and Recreation will host free back-to-school haircuts for Liberty Central School Districts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, in Hanofee Park. Hair cuts will be offered on a first come, first served basis. Gratuities will be accepted by not necessary.
Liberty BOE to have special meeting Aug. 26
There will be a Special Meeting of the Board of Education at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, in the District Office at 115 Buckley St.
The board will vote on a brief agenda, which will be open to the public. There will be no other business. The agenda will be available at Board Docs on Monday, Aug. 25.
The next regular meeting of the board will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, in the HS Media Center.
Sullivan 180 to celebrate Healthier Generation schools
Sullivan 180 will host its Empowering a Healthier Generation Celebration at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, in the Event Gallery at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.
During the event, Sullivan 180 will present more than $145,000 in awards recognizing the success of local schools in making healthy, meaningful change.
There will also be a special tribute to Sullivan BOCES Superintendent and Sullivan 180 Board Member Dr. Robert Dufour. Music will be provided by John Zanger.
Empowering a Healthier Generation engages Sullivan County public school in creating a culture of health and wellness among students, staff, parents and their communities.
Schools are eligible for Sullivan 180 grants to support and implement initiatives that advance wellness goals. Healthier Generation advisors serve as liaisons and coordinators for the work in their school building. The Empowering a Healthier Generation Celebration will honor all of the schools that have participated.
The public is invited to attend the celebration to support and celebrate their school community.
Those who wish to attend are asked to RSVP online at bit.ly/2025EHGRSVP by Sept. 5.
Bethel Woods is at 200 Hurd Road in Bethel.
LCSD to host annual community forum Aug. 26
Liberty Central School District will host its annual back-to-school community forum starting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, outside near the high school lobby entrance.
The forum will offer the Redhawk community a chance to hear updates on the LCSD strategic plan, District Comprehensive Improvement Plan and related plans, as well as the capital project and other building projects.
Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Derek Adams will also review security and visitor procedures, the Dignity for All Students Act policies and communication tools and procedures.
Administrators will also highlight changes for the upcoming school year, including expanded universal pre-k at LES, new programs to assist in curriculum management and student assessments, additional curricular programs at the middle and high school and the state-mandated cellphone and internet-enabled device policy, also known as the bell-to-bell cellphone-free policy.
There will also be a chance for attendees to ask questions at the end of the forum.
The forum will also be livestreamed. Questions may be submitted to questions@libertyk12.org