Category: Middle School News
LMS students get small-scale hands-on experience building greenhouses
Students in Mrs. Mazzucca’s Agricultural Technology classes recently completed a Model Greenhouse Project, showcasing their creativity, problem-solving, and understanding of one avenue of the horticultural industry.
Through this hands-on engineering challenge, students learned how to design and blueprint a functioning greenhouse that supports plant growth. They applied real-world agricultural technology concepts—such as ventilation, irrigation, light exposure, and material selection—to create scaled, labeled blueprints that demonstrate their grasp of how structure and environment impact plant success. Students used these detailed blueprints to construct their own model greenhouses, experiencing the challenges of designing and bringing their model to life.
This project integrated STEM principles, environmental awareness, and agricultural innovation, allowing students to experience the design process from concept to presentation.
Nearly 200 middle schoolers named to honor rolls
The following students were named to the first marking period honor rolls at Liberty Middle School. Honor Roll students have an overall average of 90-96. The Principal’s Honor Roll requires an average of 97-100.
Eighth grade
Principal’s Honor Roll: Madison Allen, Hailey Conkling, Mya Davis, Claire Ferguson, Antoni Klys, Corinne Lake, Noel Leonardo Valerio, Angelick Rivera, Brycen Smith and Ethan Zheng.
Honor Roll: Keily Dominguez-Chabla, Makayla Fuentes Serapio, Michael Garzon Valle, Chase Golzak, Gavin Grant, Jacob Grossman, Wyatt Herschel, Luna Pixie Hulse, Thomas Jandik Jr., Lilly Kehrley, Oakley Kelder, Sidra Koen James, Matthew Kolarik, Madison LaMantia, Harper Matuszak, Americus Newhall, Luke Poley, Valeria Ponce Vazquez, Myla Rielly, Aiden Satz, Namarpreet Singh, Angel Terraza Raymundo, Erick Torres Garcia and Nakai Toscano-Gardner.
Seventh grade
Principal’s Honor Roll: Muhammad Awais, Elisa Barragan, Owen Brust, Farrah Conklin-Degraw, Dia D’Agata, Delilah Flores-Serapio, Mia Grant, Isabella Intranuovo, Tyler Kavleski, Aubrie Keating, Karen Mosso, Milsi Ramirez Martinez, Scarlett Ratner, Aaliyssa Rodriguez, Caleb Rusin, Katherine Valdez Calle, Sophie Zayas and Subhan Zeeshan.
Honor Roll: Guiliana Birkett, Genesis Caiza Viracocha, Katarina Card, Riley Church-Bradley, Avery Decker, Ely Garcia Garcia, Astrid Guardado Diaz, Genesis Harrison, Dylan Joya Reyes, Mateusz Klys, Torion Lindsay, Keidy Llano Luciano, Alexandria Lyden, Samuel Negroni, Paul Odior 2nd, Denali Owens, Randy Panchana, Makaela Parsons, Lily Paynter, Joseph Portillo Larios, Kailani Rivera, Sherlene Romero, William Schauerhamer, Reinier Stanton, Sarah Steingart, Marjorie Tejada Servellon, Sophie Toledo, Raegan Wagner, Delanie Yupanqui and Zahra Zia.
Sixth grade
Principal’s Honor Roll: Annabella Buryiak, Parker Gissentaner, Nayeli Hernandez Soperanez, Anastasia Kelly, Josslynn Letohic, Caleb McNett and Henry Vogler.
Honor Roll: Chase Blume, Amaya Burton, Jerin Burton, Gisselle Colon, Darius Dawkins, Blake Dennison, Alannis Flores, Willis Gamble, Erik Garzon, Joseph Geoghan, Marlo Gonzales Chevez, Savannah Gonzalez, Dean Harte, Bryson Hendrickson, Ana Hernandez, Laurel Hook, Damaris Jadan Pangolo, Helen Lucero Bonilla, Elvis Lucero Guzman, Lilith Lynker, Axel Malaga Lopez, Ivanna Malaga Ventura, Jace Martin, Nicholas McPhillips, Tierney Meddaugh, Daniel Mikalonis, Logan Moore, Arysta Murphy, Anthony Philippe, Levi Poley, Isabella Puente, Yarixa Reyes Cardenas, Camila Reyes Cortez, Isabel Thomas, Jackson Tramontano, Karter Velde, Joseph Wilson Jr., Audrey Yaun, Linnise Young and Ivan Zheng.
Fifth grade
Principal’s Honor Roll: Christiana Allen, Iker Amador, Brody Beach, Blake Beseth, Ava Diehl, Kate Dworetsky, Riley Edwards, Viviana Frasier, Wil’akai Gamble, Amelia Gerwer, Norlan Gomez Arauz, Rylin Henry, Elizabeth Klein, Henry Krum, Indigo Love, Alicia Maldonado Paz, Aarohi Patel, Jordana Ratner, Shaleigh Santiago, Jackson Schwartz and Katelyn Vasko.
Honor Roll: Yandriel Aliers Amparo, Marc Alvarez, Adriana Ayala Ochoa, Zaynab Benadim, Graciela Birkett, Caleb Blume, Emeli Bonilla Izaguirre, Elisa Brust, Avi Bustillo Garcia, Greydis Bustillo Martinez, Jewelacie Castro, Daniel Crespo Jr., Braeden Danzilo, Michael Davis Jr., Elias Elao Sojos, Emmy Galeas Aguilar, Jozalin Garcia, Ashton Golzak, Jayden Green, Alex Ines Leon, Camden Lake, Scarlett Manamon, Cora McConnell, Romina Morales Romero, Mahally Orantes Hernandez, Aarit Patel, Carilyce Perez, James Pineda Monzon, Juan Rodriguez, Joseph Skinner, Joshua Tejada Servellon, Jayden Thomas, Eliab Torres Garcia, Laura Velez, Mattisyn Walker, Liam Warren and Jordan White.
LMS students work together on award-winning Halloween parade float
Students in the LMS Production and Student Lighthouse Team demonstrated leadership and ownership in planning and creating the Liberty Middle School Halloween Parade Float. Their efforts earned them a first-place award.
Students in grades 5 through 8 synergized to vote on the float’s theme during school, choosing “Liberty Middle School Spooky Movie Marathon.” This collaboration showcased how students across all grade levels can use their voices and work together toward a shared vision.
Students showed initiative by preparing the banner during class time, and on the morning of the parade, they gathered to decorate the float. Sixteen students took responsibility for creating the banners, while three parent volunteers supported the process. Mrs. Parks and Christine Kelly modeled generosity by donating candy for the event. A total of 19 students proudly represented Liberty Middle School by riding on the float.
The float design reflected creativity and teamwork — a ticket booth was featured in the bed of the truck, a large inflatable movie screen stood at the center, and students added details such as popcorn containers, crepe paper, and stage curtains to bring the “movie marathon” theme to life. Throughout the project, students from grades 5–8 showed leadership, collaboration and school pride as they took ownership of the process from idea to final presentation.
Seventh-graders get lessons on healthy eating, local foods
A Single Bite and Foster Supply continued their tradition of teaching Liberty Middle School seventh graders about healthy eating and the farm-to-table philosophy.
They provided two in class lessons to educate students about real vs. processed foods, discuss our county’s overall health status, and offer a few healthy snacks prepared with local, fresh ingredients.
This year students were able to have a more immersive classroom experience through the brand new “A Single Bite App” (Real foods rewards) where they took surveys and competed trivia throughout the program for a chance to win rewards/prizes.
The in-class lessons bookended two field trips, one to Thanksgiving Farm in Harris (The Center for Discovery), and the other a lunch at the Arnold House.
At the farm they were able to see multiple greenhouses, toured the farm, learned about the day-to-day processes, and were treated with some freshly baked bread and a goat cheese spread. Students went home with fresh tea packets as well.
At the Arnold House, students and staff enjoyed a family-style, sit-down, three-course meal. The chef interacted with everyone between courses and explained how everything was prepared. At the end the chef told students how and why she became a chef. The students and staff enjoyed themselves during the experience and it truly is one of a kind.
The impact was certainly shown, as one student said during the meal: “Wow this is better than Takis!”
LMS FFA leads Worldwide Daffodil Project plantings
In a show of unity, community and remembrance, the Liberty Middle School FFA hosted two days of daffodil plantings as part of the Worldwide Daffodil Project, a living Holocaust memorial that aspires to plant 1.5 million daffodils in memory of the 1.5 million children who died in the Holocaust and for children who suffer in humanitarian crises around the world today.
Students and members of the community planted daffodil bulbs at the front of the school and around the LMS sign to brighten and beautify the school this spring and years to come.
The event, led by members of the FFA, also featured crafts and coloring for families who attended.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of Nov. 3-9, 2025
Our student-athletes will be close out the fall season this week with cross country, football and volleyball.
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, Nov. 3
4 p.m.: Girls Modified Volleyball vs. S.S. Seward Institute at Golden Hill Elementary School
Tuesday, Nov. 4
10 a.m.: Girls Varsity Cross Country Sectionals vs. Multiple Schools at Sanfordville Elementary School
Wednesday, Nov. 5
4:30 p.m.: Modified Football vs. Valley Central at Valley Central High School.
Thursday, Nov. 6
6:30 p.m.: Varsity football vs. Monticello at East Main Elementary in Port Jervis.
Friday-Sunday, Nov. 7-9
No events scheduled
A message from the superintendent regarding potential hardships facing our families
Dear Liberty families,
We know our students are at their best when they feel secure at home. We also know many of our families are suffering hardships from the government shutdown. And with the pending cut to SNAP benefits, the impact will be felt even more.
We do our best to work as partners with our families to ensure that our students can perform their best inside and outside the classroom.
To help ensure our students have enough to eat, we offer free breakfast and lunch to all students. We also operate our Snack Pack program, which provides healthy meals over breaks and weekends to students who face food insecurity. For more information on the program, or to donate, contact Community Schools Coordinator Katlyn Rusin.
Our families can also reach out to our Student Services and or their school’s counseling department for more information about what services may be available.
There are also several organizations in the community that can assist families in need.
Sullivan County Department of Health and Family services offers a list of local food pantries. Scroll down the page to find English and Spanish versions of their brochure.
The regional food bank is also offering a free Thanksgiving food distribution. Locally the distribution will be at 10 a.m. Nov. 22 on a first-come first-served basis at the Government Center in Monticello. Learn more at the regional food bank’s Thanksgiving food distribution page.
New York State has also created a list of resources available to families:
- FAQs regarding SNAP benefit cut
- Find Your Local Food Bank
- The Food Pantries Food Connect Map
- Resources for Working Families
- Find Services that Can Help
- Stay Connected With NY State of Health
- Social Services by County
I also encourage those who can to volunteer at or donate to our community organizations that are working to help our families in need.
We are proud of our Redhawk family and know that working together we can get through this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Sullivan
Superintendent
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of Oct. 27-Nov. 2, 2025
Our student-athletes will be in action this week with football, soccer and volleyball.
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, Oct. 27
2 p.m.: Boys Varsity Soccer vs. New Paltz, Section IX semifinals at New Paltz
Result: New Paltz 1, Liberty 0. The Redhawks’ best opportunity came shortly after New Paltz went up one goal but unfortunately the ball hit the post and bounced out. The rest of the game was back and forth but Liberty couldn’t break through. The boys played their hearts out and fought until the final whistle.
4 p.m.: Boys Modified Soccer vs. Fallsburg at Liberty Elementary Field
Tuesday, Oct. 28
4 p.m.: Girls Modified Volleyball vs Rockland at Rockland MS/HS New Gym.
Wednesday, Oct. 29
4 p.m.: Boys Modified Soccer vs. Sullivan West at Sullivan West Lake Huntington Campus Main Field
4:30 p.m.: Girls Modified Soccer vs. Beacon City at Rombout Middle School
4:30 p.m.: Modified Football vs. Valley Central at Valley Central High School Field
Thursday, Oct. 30
4 p.m.: Girls Modified Soccer vs. Sullivan West at Sullivan West Lake Huntington Campus.
Friday, Oct. 31
6 p.m.: Varsity Football vs. Spackenkill High School at Spackenkill High School Field.
Saturday, Nov. 1
No events scheduled
Sunday, Nov. 2
No events scheduled
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of Oct. 20-26, 2025
Our student-athletes will be in action this week with cross country, football, soccer and volleyball.
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 Arbiter website for the latest.
Monday, Oct. 20
4 p.m.: Girls Modified Soccer vs. Tri-Valley Secondary School at the Iatauro Sporks Complex, Main Field, Grahamsville
4:30 p.m.: Girls JV Volleyball vs. Sullivan West High School at Liberty High School
6 p.m.: Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Sullivan West High School at Liberty High School
Tuesday, Oct. 21
4 p.m.: Boys Modified Soccer vs. Tri-Valley Secondary School at the Iatauro Sporks Complex, Main Field, Grahamsville
4:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Modified Cross Country vs. Multiple Schools at Thomas Bull Memorial Park, 211 State Highway 416, Montgomery
4:30 p.m.: Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Beacon City at Beacon High School
4:30 p.m.: Girls Modified Volleyball vs. Fallsburg at Liberty Middle School
4:30 p.m.: Girls JV Soccer vs. Beacon City at Beacon High School Turf Field.
5 p.m.: Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Sullivan West High School at Liberty High School
Result: Liberty 4, Sullivan West 0. Congratulations to the boys varsity soccer team for their 4-0 win on its pink out/senior night against Sullivan West. Goals were scored by Jose, Columbia, Ryan and Raul, with assists by Dylan and Michael Reyes. Great team effort all around as they did not allow a shot on goal either.
Wednesday, Oct. 22
4 p.m.: Girls Modified Soccer vs. Eldred at Liberty Elementary School
4:15 p.m.: Modified Football vs. Ellenville Central at Ellenville High School Field
4:30 p.m.: Girls JV Volleyball vs. Fallsburg at Fallsburg High School gym
4:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Monticello at Somerville Filed in Monticello
6 p.m.: Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Fallsburg at Fallsburg High School gym
Thursday, Oct. 23
4 p.m.: Girls Modified Volleyball vs. Fallsburg at Fallsburg High School gym.
4:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Cross Country vs. Sullivan West and Fallsburg at Sullivan West High School Lake Huntington Campus XC Track.
4:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Modified Cross Country vs. Sullivan West at Sullivan West High School Lake Huntington Campus XC Track.
Friday, Oct. 24
No events scheduled.
Saturday, Oct. 25
10 a.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Cross Country vs. Multiple Schools at Sanfordville Elementary School XC Cross in Warwick
1 p.m.: Varsity Football vs. Marlboro at Marlboro Central High School Field.
2 p.m.: Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Saugerties opening round of Section IX Class A sectional playoffs, 2 p.m., Liberty High School.
Results: Liberty 2, Saugerties, 1. The Redhawks their unbeaten streak to nine games now. Man of the match was Brayan Hernandez Ballen who scored both goals.
Sunday, Oct. 26
No events scheduled
Alum shares information on Science Research Program coming to LCSD
Liberty alumnus Michael Blueglass returned to his alma mater Thursday, Oct. 16, to share more information about the Science Research Program, which will be introduced to the district next school year.
The three-year program provides high school students the chance to conduct STEM research at a college or graduate level.
The course goes beyond core STEM classes, with significant work also conducted during the summer. Successful completion could earn students up to 12 college credits through SUNY Albany.
Mr. Blueglass, who is the founder of the Advancing STEM Research Teaching group, highlighted many benefits of the program, including improving academic and technical skills, growth in professional and personal skills as well as being a major advantage in college admissions.
The program will begin during a student’s sophomore year, but interested ninth-graders must complete a series of prerequisite steps to be accepted. Students are paired with mentors in the field in their area of research to give them direct field work and research opportunities Some students may also work as partners or in groups, as some fields such as environmental, engineering, and behavioral projects are often better suited for teams. However, many lab-based mentors in biological or medical fields are not willing to take on a team of students.
Students who participate don’t necessarily need to be planning to pursue a STEM-based career. “What matters is being 100% dedicated to the project,” Mr. Blueglass said.
First year
During the first year, sophomores will narrow down the focus of their project, with help from the teacher, often choosing a topic based on their interests, knowledge and opportunities.
Research areas include animal science, astronomy, behavioral and social sciences, biochemistry and cellular biology, chemistry, computer science and systems software, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, medicine and health, neuroscience and robotics and intelligent machines.
The initial year will focus on gaining knowledge, including how to use professional scientific databases and research tools, studying on their desired topic and presenting information to the class. Once students gain enough knowledge on their chosen topic, they will find a mentor in their field.
Second and third years
The second and third years of the program is when the work will kick into high gear, with most of the hands-on research taking place during the summers before the junior and senior years, in the mentor’s lab or at home or school with the mentor’s help. During the school year, the teacher will meet with the class daily and with each student to check progress and set goals.
Each student will present their work by creating a poster and slide presentation as well as writing a formal research paper.
That work will prepare the students to enter prestigious science competitions as a requirement of the program, such as the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Junior Science & Humanities Symposium, and the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. Some major senior-level competitions, like the Regeneron STS, do not allow team projects.
Time and travel
The program requires a significant commitment of time and work ethic, especially during the summer when most of the research is conducted. Depending on the project, it may also require extensive travel.
Medical or lab-based projects often require a five-day-a-week commitment for seven or eight weeks at locations throughout the region.
Environmental projects will typically require a five-day-a-week commitment for four or five weeks, followed by several more weeks of half-days, often at locations throughout the region.
Engineering, physics or psychology projects may offer more flexibility, allowing students to work from home and meet with a mentor one or two days per week.
Students who cannot travel can consider home-based projects (e.g., math, computer science or survey-based psychology), but these still require the same overall time investment.
For more information about the project, see Mr. Blueglass’ presentation, or call the high school office at 845-292-5400, ext. 2000.