Category: Middle School News
No changes in ESSA designations for 2024-25
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, or ESSA. There are no changes in the 2024-25 designations.
The Middle School remains a Targeted Support and Improvement School, because four student subgroups — Black, Hispanic, English Language Learners and Economically Disadvantaged — did not meet expectations.
Liberty Elementary School remains designated as a Potential Target School, due to the achievement scores of our students with disabilities.
The District remains a Targeted District, because of the Middle School designation.
Last year Liberty High School was classified a Local Support and Improvement school, formerly known as a “School in Good Standing.” LHS had been on the Targeted Support and Improvement school list for several years, including the two years designations were not changed because of the pause in testing during the COVID pandemic.
For more information about the district’s accountability designations, visit the district’s ESSA webpage, or contact Interim Assistant Superintendent Marianne Serratore at 845-292-5400, ext. 2063, or mserratore@libertyk12.org.
A video message from the superintendent on winter accomplishments
Please watch the following video message from Dr. Patrick Sullivan,
Message in text below:
Hello Liberty,
Spring is just around the corner, at least that’s what we are told. But before the warmer weather hits, I want to take a moment to look back at all the great things our Redhawks have accomplished this winter.
Our athletes have shown growth across all sports, with several student-athletes seeing post-season play. Seven wrestlers competed in sectionals, four of our indoor track and field athletes took part in state qualifiers, and a Liberty skier, Hudson Danzilo, participated in states.
On the arts side, our photographers and writers earned dozens of awards in the Mid-Hudson Regional Scholastic Art and Writing competition. Liberty Performing Arts presented a wonderful production of “Clue,” and LES had its first Drama Club production, “Seussical Kids.” I look forward to the Middle School’s “Shrek Jr.” in April.
I also want to thank everyone who attended our All Things Liberty Winter Festival last month. It was great seeing so many of our Redhawk families have fun while learning more about our school community.
I visit classrooms across our buildings regularly and am impressed with all the hard work our faculty and staff are putting in to make Liberty a great place to learn. We couldn’t do what we do without them.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to email questions@libertyk12.org.
Thank you.
Hanofee Summer Camp registration to open
The Town of Liberty Parks and Recreation will host the Hanofee Summer Camp for students ages 5 and older.
There will be a variety of fun and creative outdoor activities, including storytelling, painting, arts and crafts, games, music and dance and daily swimming.
Registration for town of Liberty residents, at $700, will open March 1.
Nonresident registration, at $800, will open April 1.
To register or for more information, call Parks and Rec at 845-292-7690.
All Things Liberty Winter Festival offers fun, sense of community
All Things Liberty Winter Festival offers fun, sense of community
On Saturday, Feb. 22, Liberty Central School District hosted its All Things Liberty Winter Festival drawing more than 275 people to the Liberty High School gymnasium.
The event featured numerous activities, including sledding, carnival games provided by the Rotary Club.
“The sledding event brought smiles and laughter to students and parents, and created memories we will cherish,” said Community Schools Coordinator Stacy Feasel, who coordinated the event.
A selection of crafts were available from more than 15 local vendors, but community involvement was at the heart of the festival, with more than 20 organizations lending their support. Catskill Animal Rescue, a local dog kennel, even facilitated two successful dog adoptions.
Numerous student clubs and school organizations offered activities and displays — robotics, a blender bike, a Lego table, a spaghetti bridge building activity and more — showing what makes Liberty a great place to learn. The Liberty Faculty Association gave out more than 100 books to students and the Booster Club provided concessions.
In addition, the festival raised $440 for the Snack Pack Program, which helps provide food for local students in need.
“This event truly shows what we can accomplish when we come together,” Mrs. Feasel said. “It’s amazing to see so many people give their time and energy to make this such a special day for our community.”
She offered a huge thank you to the staff, volunteers and custodial team who worked tirelessly to make this event possible
“This festival is more than just a fun day — it’s about supporting each other and making a real difference,” Mrs. Feasel added. “From the volunteers to the organizations, everyone played a part in making it a success.”
See more photos on our Instagram page and Facebook page.
LMS honors leaders, accomplishments
Liberty Middle School recently celebrated leaders who ended 2024 and started 2025 displaying the Leader in Me Seven Habits, with Leaders of the Month, Good News Notes, attendance, academic improvement and academic performance awards.
The December and January honorees are as follows
Leaders of the month
- Eighth grade: Aryiah Cottman, Sara Liddle and Xavier Martin.
- Seventh grade: Namarpreet Singh and Jacob Grossman.
- Sixth grade: Lilliana Garzon Ferrufino and Keidy Luciano.
- Fifth grade: Annabella Ramos and Ana Hernandez.
Good News Notes
- Eighth grade: Alyessia Avellino, Phillip Burrous, Gilani Dudley, Jasmine Garcia-Reyes, Yoscari Gomez Mejia, Ayelene Ines Leon, Damien Keating, Xavier Martin and Scarlett Saltos Zapatanga..
- Seventh grade: Faith Boyles, Ethan Bubois, Curajo DiLauro, Khloe Erceg, Gael Estrada Ruiz, Santiago Moguel, Jazmia Padilla, Luna Pixie Hulse, Krina Prajaapati, Greyson Torres, Aleigha Travis, Nahum Vallejo Sandoval and Claire Ferguson.
- Sixth grade: Kendriel Aliers Amparo, Raymond Cottman, Avery Decker, Tyrone Harris, Anabel Hernandez Fuentes, Mason Hopkins, Isabella Intranuovo, Savannah Kandic, Jayden Lopez Olivares, Denali Owens, Caleb Rusin, Illiany Sanabria, Jacob Shaffer, MaKynlie Smith, Stephani Smith and Katherine Valdez Calle.
- Fifth grade: Amaya Burton, Joseph Casco Baquenado, Willis Gamble Jr., Nayeli Hernandez Soperanez, Lillian Keating, Aaliyah McClain, Anthony Myers, Virginia Nivelo Cruz, Cailynn Pate, Alieska Perez Perez, Isabel Thomas and Darick Winfrey III.
Quarter 2 Redhawk Perfect Attendance Award
- Eighth grade: Amelia Cole, Adele Gulley, Alex Luna Diaz, Thomas McKay III and Jacob Pennell.
- Seventh grade: Maria Cinfuentes, Jeremy Correa, Michael Garzon Valle, Brenda Lucero Andrad, Zalaina Nash, Luke Poley, Namarpreet Singh, Erick Torres Garcia, Avery Wilson and Ethan Zheng.
- Sixth grade: Kendriel Aliers Amparo, Katarina Card, Jonathan Contreras Martinez, Raymond Cottman Jr., Gregory Dasraj, Ellis Dilworth, Ronal Dubon Duque, Gian Garcia-Melgar, Mia Grant, Madison Hernandez, Mason Hopkins, Isabella Intravuovo, Allison Juarez Perez, Tyler Kavleski, Aubrey Keating, Mackenzie Knack, Johan Llangoma Lema, Joseph Llangoma Lema, Jayden Lopez Olivares, Alexander Lynden, Ximena Malaga Gonzalez, Ayanelson Mazariegos Cruz, Trevor McCoy, Randy Panchana, Dylan Reyes Garcia, Jordanno Rivera, Abigail Romero, Makynlie Smith, Stephani Smith, Marjorie Tejada Servellon, Sophie Toledo, Ralph Urgiles Montero, Jermiah Wilson, Sophie Zayas and Subhan Zeeshan.
- Fifth grade: Finley Blume, Neviya Cash, Alanis Flores, Elvis Lucero Guzman, Ivanna Malaga Ventura, Logan Moore, Levi Poley, Izek Resto and Masharib Uddin.
Quarter 2 Redhawk Spirit Attendance Award (95% Attendance Rate/Two or Fewer Excused Absences)
- Eighth grade: Nathan Alvord, Alyessia Avellino, Luca Burgio, Phillip Burrous, Jordi Bustillo Martinez, Alexander Caiza Chango, Santiago Cando, Joel Cuji Angamarca, Matthew Decker, Casity DiBartolo, Joshua DiBartolo, Laudy D’Oleo, Thomas Etess, Mason Fingers, Alexandra Galeas Osorio, Jasmine Garcia-Reyes, Yoscari Gomez Mejia, Aubreigh Green, Fiona Gulley, Miles Harman, Nazarah Heglar, Zaniah Hernandez, Ayelene Ines-Leon, Caleb Kreiter, Sara Liddle, Edwin Maldonado Gomez, Wilton Mata, Censear McDonald, Gwendolyn Meddaugh, Bristol Misner, Gabriela Mosso, Alex Olivares-Reyes, Javier Ortiz Paz, Arturo Perez Reyes, Rhory Philippe, Rudis Reyes Lazo, Matthew Romero, Sulenny Romero, Scarlett Saltos Zapatanga, Quinn Santiago, Anthony Segovia Ramon, Makaidyn Smith, Tyler Smith, Jace Snowden, Emma Tacti, Alena Tarabichi, Wayne Toscano-Gardner, Sophia Vasko and Amaiya Williamson.
- Seventh grade: Madison Allen, Conner Baum, Luis Brizuela Moreno, Jayden Claude, Jahaira Correa Guzman, Gabriella Fields, Makayla Fuentes Serapio, Araceliss Gomez, Gavin Grant, Jacob Grossman, Randall Guncay Encalada, Lilly Kehrley, Sidra Koen James, Matthew Kolarik, Madison LaMantia, Denis Leon Aldana, Jessica Loftus, Josiah Lopez, Ixchel Marin Gonzalez, Harper Matuszak, Pricilla Matute, Ava McNett, Adner Mejia Aguilar,Edwin Moreno Reyes, Americus Mott, Liriel Mueses Valdez,Maryory Munoz Monzon, Sofia Navarrete, Jazmia Padilla,Erika Panama, Krina Prajapati, Michelle Ramirez Medina,Isabella Rodriguez, Vincent Sackett, Alyson Smith, Brycen Smith, Jayden Stoddard, Aleigha Travis and Eric Vargas Martin.
- Sixth grade: Kendriel Aliers Amparo, Elisa Barragan, Guiliana Birkett, Emma Boyles, Genesis Caiza Virachocha, Riley Church-Bradley, Dia D’Agata, Gregory Dasraj, Avery Decker, Ely Garcia Garcia, Tyrone Harris, Mason Hopkins, Isabella Intranuovo, Aubrie Keating, Mateusz Klys, Leandro Leon, Rachel Lopez-Luna, Alexandria Lyden, Ximena Malaga Gonzalez, Daisuke Mapes, Lorelai McCarthy, Hunter Miranda, Alisha Morales, Karen Mosso, Helen Munoz Barragan, Samuel Negroni, Paul Odior, Denali Owens, Daniela Ramirez-Alvarez, Kailani Rivera, Genesis Robles Burgos, Alan Romero, Sherlene Romero, Caleb Rusin, Jasper Sackett, Jacob Shaffer, MaKynlie Smith, Reinier Stanton, Sarah Steingart, Ralph Urgiles Montero, Cecia Vallejo Cruz, Raegan Wagner and Sophie Zayas.
- Fifth grade: Ariana Alvarez Leiva, Riley Baum, Paul Cando, Ailani Chavis, Joel Cruz Lopez, Darius Dawkins, Crisnelly D’Oleo Garcia, Alec Feliciano, Estiven Flores Baquedano, Avrianna Frasier, Willis Gamble Jr., Erik Garzon, Parker Gissentaner, Carlos Hernandez Aldana, Melanie Hernandez Santiago, Nayeli Hernandez Soperanez, Ana Hernandez, Damaris Jadan Pangolo, Lillian Keating, Ryleigh LaMantia, Josslynn Letohic, Keylin Lopez Nunez, Helen Lucero Bonilla, Lilith Lynker, Jace Martin, Derek Mateo Cruz, Caleb McNett, Nicholas McPhillips, Tierney Meddaugh, Daniel Mikalonis, Nyjha Miranda, Lisbeth Molina Rivera, Arysta Murphy, Mason Neves, Virginia Nivelo Cruz, Nevaeh Poole, Josemiguel Ramirez-Alvarez, Anabella Ramos, Dylenne Reyes Garcia, Brian Rivas, Altair Stanton and Karter Velde.
STAR Top 5 SGP Fall to Winter Reading
- Eighth grade: Isabella Beach, Fiona Gulley, Sadriana Han, Victoria Henry, Gavin Lisacchi, Elizabeth Macnamara, Jason Nolasco Monroy, Chris Rivas, Alfredo Rivera and Jace Snowden.
- Seventh grade: Damier Harrington, Matthew Kolarik, Santiago Moguel, Isabella Pujols, Angel Terraza Raymundo and Evan Vidalis.
- Sixth grade: Owen Brust, Riley Church Bradley, Abraham Garcia Martinez Genesis Robles Burgos and Amiyah Travis.
- Fifth grade: Izleya Alvarado, Ellenora Carroll, Christopher Castro Mato,Madeliz Cubero-Vargas, Joseph Geoghan, Ivanna Malaga Ventura, Cailynn Pate, Abigail Perez Reyes, Alonso Sierra Nunez, Henry Vogler and Ivan Zheng.
STAR Top 5 SGP Fall to Winter Math
- Eighth grade: Branden Edwards, Adrianna Gadsden, Selkir Molina Gonzalez, Jason Nolasco Monroy, Javier Ortiz Paz, Arturo Perez Reyes and Anthony Valdez Calle.
- Seventh grade: Curajo Dilauro, Alan Hernandez Lopez, Antoni Klys, Rebecca Norris, Luke Poley, Krina Prajapati and Erick Torres Garcia.
- Sixth grade: Marcel Davis, Justin Dowe, Lorelai McCarthy, Samuel Negroni, Jorge Tacuri Llano Marjorie Tejada Servellon and Kevin Vicente Lucas.
- Fifth grade: Finley Blume, Bryan Garcia Romualdo, Elvis Lucero Guzman, Hernan Munoz Aldana, Arysta Murphy and Brian Rivas.
STAR Top 5 Percentile Fall to Winter Reading
- Eighth grade: Matt Decker, Adele Gulley, Fiona Gulley, Victoria Henry, Adam King, Caleb Kreiter, Elizabeth MacNamara, Tristan Maloney,Jason Nolasco Monroy, and Alena Tarabichi.
- Seventh grade: Claire Ferguson, Michael Garzon Valle, Antoni Klys, Luke Poley, Angel Terraza Raymund and Evan Vidalis.
- Sixth grade: Owen Brust, Riley Church Bradley, Dia D’Agata, Ellis Dilworth, Delilah Flores Serapio, Aubrie Keating, Samuel Negroni and Lily Paynter.
- Fifth grade: Riley Baum, Darius Dawkins, Joseph Geoghan, Josslynn Leothic, Lilith Lynker, Caleb McNett, Tierney Meddaugh, Levi Poley, Henry Vogler and Ivan Zheng.
STAR Top 5 Percentile Fall to Winter Math
- Eighth grade: Caleb Kreiter,Tristan Maloney, Elizabeth MacNamara, Jacob Pennell, Arturo Perez Reyes and Anthony Valdez Calle.
- Seventh grade: Conner Baum, Claire Ferguson, Chase Golzak, Antoni Klys, Vincent Sackett,Brycen Smith and Angel Terraza Raymundo.
- Sixth grade: Muhammad Awais, Owen Brust, Farrah Conklin-Degraw, Dia D’Agata, Ellis Dilworth, Delilah Flores-Serapio, Samuel Negroni,Lily Paynter and Subhan Zeeshan.
- Fifth grade: Darius Dawkins, Dean Harte, Joseph Geoghan, Elvis Lucero Guzman, Caleb McNett, Masharib Uddin and Henry Vogler.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of Feb. 24-March 2, 2025
Our student athletes are in action this week in indoor track and field.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
Monday, Feb. 24
3:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Indoor Track & Field Championship vs. Multiple Schools at SUNY Sullivan.
Result: Sydania Foster placed 7th overall in the 300m and 9th overall in the 55m. Brooke Bull placed 6th overall in the pole vault. Chris Rogers placed 11th in the 55m and 10th overall in the long jump. Starr Harris placed 15th in the 55m hurdles. The boys SMR team placed 12th and the girls SMR team placed 7th.
Tuesday, Feb. 25
No events scheduled.
Wednesday, Feb. 26
No events scheduled.
Thursday, Feb. 27
No events scheduled.
Friday, Feb. 28
No events scheduled
Saturday, March 1
9 a.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Indoor Track and Field State Qualifier vs. Multiple Schools at Armory Track.
Sunday, March 2
No events scheduled.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
LMS students display their math skills at competition
On Feb. 1, Liberty Middle School’s MATHCOUNTS team competed in the MATHCOUNTS Chapter Competition at Dutchess Community College. The team, coached by Mr. Joe Franke, included Claire Ferguson, Yoscari Gomez Mejia, Elizabeth MacNamara, Alena Tarabich and Sophie Zayas. They demonstrated impressive problem-solving skills and teamwork throughout the event, Mr. Franke said.
Elizabeth MacNamara earned third place out of 19 students in the Countdown Round, a head-to-head competition that tests students’ speed and accuracy in solving complex math problems under pressure. “Her outstanding performance was a testament to her hard work and dedication,” Mr. Franke said.
MATHCOUNTS is a nationwide program that challenges middle school students with engaging and rigorous math problems, helping them build critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The competition consists of individual and team rounds, testing students’ speed, accuracy and strategic thinking.
Budget work underway at Liberty Central School District
Although there is still more than three months until the public will vote on the Liberty Central School District budget, district officials have been hard at work for months to begin crafting a budget that will maintain programs and balance fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers.
The process began in October when Assistant Superintendent for Business Laurene McKenna requested 2025-26 proposals from administrators.
In December, Ms. McKenna presented the rollover budget information to the Board of Education. Those items include expenses that are carried over from year-to-year such as salaries, health care costs and other contractual obligations.
Preliminary state aid proposals were released last month. Under this proposal, Liberty CSD would see a 3.02% — or more than $1 million — increase in Foundation Aid, the main source of funding from the state. The district did see a loss in reimbursements from capital projects, but that is because a gap in capital project outlays during the current fiscal year.
The first presentation of the budget proposal, which will provide a conceptual framework for the final budget, will go before the Board of Education on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
“Our goal is to maintain the programs put in place during COVID, which used funds from the American Rescue Plan and Every Student Succeeds acts, even though that funding has dropped,” Ms. McKenna said.
The budget will hold true to the district’s strategic plan and continue investments in our students’ education following the District Comprehensive Improvement and building-level plans, Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.
Once the budget is finalized, the district will plan a series of informational sessions in the community that will be communicated as they are set.
The budget vote will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, in the high school Media Center. For more budget information, visit the district’s budget page.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of Feb. 17-23, 2025
Our student athletes are in action this week in basketball, indoor track and field, and wrestling.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
Monday, Feb. 17
10 a.m.: Girls Varsity Wrestling Sectionals vs. Multiple Schools at Mount Saint Mary College. For tickets: https://gofan.co/event/3164564?schoolId=NYSPHSAA9
Tuesday, Feb. 18
No events scheduled
Wednesday, Feb. 19
3:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Indoor Track & Field Exhibition vs. Multiple Schools at SUNY Sullivan
4:15 p.m.: Boys Modified Basketball vs. Tri-Valley at Liberty High School.
4:30 p.m.: Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Beacon City at Beacon High School.
5:45 p.m.: Girls Modified Basketball vs. Tri-Valley at Liberty High School.
Thursday, Feb. 20
No events scheduled.
Friday, Feb. 21
4 p.m.: Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Sullivan West Central at Liberty High School.
4:15 p.m.: Girls Modified Basketball vs. Sullivan West Central at Sullivan West – Jeffersonville.
5:45 p.m.: Boys Modified Basketball vs. Sullivan West Central at Sullivan West – Jeffersonville
Saturday, Feb. 22
No events scheduled.
Sunday, Feb. 23
No events scheduled.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
Professional development day gives LCSD admins, faculty, staff an opportunity for growth
Following a snow day and on the eve of a four-day weekend, the Liberty Central School District administration, faculty, and staff dedicated themselves to enhancing their skills and expanding their knowledge.
The Friday, Feb. 14, professional development day was broken into sessions geared for small and large group learning and collaboration.
Educational consultant Eric Sheninger, founder and chief executive officer of Aspire Change EDU, returned to Liberty to lead sessions with administrators and teachers on the use of AI to increase engagement.
Faculty and staff took time early in the day to complete the DESSA social-emotional screening for students as well as worked on curriculum mapping and participated in required training throughout the day.
Faculty and staff were also assigned to specific sessions related to their roles and responsibilities. This included learning new programs, continuing education on others and finding new strategies to help educate students.
“It’s important for educators to keep learning and growing their skills,” Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “Our professional development days are vital to helping us meet the goals of our strategic plan and ensuring Liberty is a great place to learn.”
Some of the trainings were on Light Desk (first picture above) EduPlanet (center) and Project Adventure Rock Wall (at right)