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Lessons connect LMS students with others across the globe

At Liberty Middle School, students in fifth and sixth grades are partners in learning with students from across the globe, thanks to Level Up Village.

The mission of Level Up Village is to “globalize the classroom by facilitating cultural collaboration between students from around the world.”

To do that, each class is divided up into groups of about four students. Level Up Village provides a basic lesson outline and an online platform where the interactions take place. Each course is divided into tasks, with each 10-week course consisting of five tasks. Each group is given question prompts, which they use to write a response and record a video of themselves discussing the prompts. Videos, of no more than two minutes per group, are posted weekly on the platform. The groups will then watch the videos from the partner groups in the other country, after which the students create a response to their partners’ video and they do the same.

Liberty began using Level Up Village last year.

It is offered as an enrichment activity within the High Achiever MTSS pillar of the LCSD strategic plan. “It works perfectly for fifth and sixth grade MTSS enrichment groups,” LMS School Media Specialist Jill Parks said.

The first course, taught by Parks, was STEM-based. Sixth grade students worked with a class in Zimbabwe, where each group researched current public health issues in their area.

Sixth grade ELA teacher Samantha Abplanalp led a course on education, leadership and community service using the book “I am Malala” and working with a group of students in Columbia.

Earlier this year, Parks worked with a group of fifth grade students on a course called “Kenya and New York: Connecting with Communities Around the World,” which focused on environmental concerns.

Most recently, Parks has been working with fifth graders focusing on human rights using the book “Esperanza Rising.” In this course, students are working with a group in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Students said they have learned a lot about other cultures and how other people live by taking part in the Level Up Village courses.

“I have learned that my life is easier than many others,” fifth-grader Brycen Smith said. It taught Hayden Smith, “to appreciate what I have.”

They found out there are similarities between the groups of students, too. “Students in Ukraine like the same sports as we do,” Antoni Klys said. And “they have the same holidays as us,” Zalaina Nash added.

The course also gave students a chance to read a book they may not otherwise have been exposed to, Claire Ferguson said.

Many students also enjoyed the technological aspects of the projects, with many students citing the video-making as their favorite part.

Four students sit around a table discussing their next video Not only did they gain an understanding about other cultures and technology, the students also learned cooperation and collaboration by working in groups, they said.

Participants in the latest project also recognized how current events were impacting the students halfway around the world.

“(In Ukraine), they have lots of students that left,” Lilly Kehrley said.

“They still have hope and made videos for us even though they were in a tough condition with the war between them and Russia,” Meily Valencia added.

Learning directly from students in other countries helped change some LMS students’ thinking, they said. “These programs made me think differently because I know more about people around the world and how our decisions could affect them,” Aiden Herandez Mejia said.

“This program is very student-centered. They take ownership of their work,” Parks said. “They like learning about other cultures straight from global peers their own age.”

Students will continue to have a chance for that global interaction, Parks said.

“I have already agreed to do at least two more courses next year,” she said. “My goal is to incorporate more technology on our end with programs like WeVideo, and Canva, so our students can create even better video presentations.”

Consistent, innovative curriculum at the core of effective learning

We’re halfway through our stories highlighting each pillar in our strategic plan. In this article, we’ll be looking at the curriculum.

The first thing that comes to mind when “school” is mentioned, is what children are going to learn and why. Curriculum is what we teach. Ensuring our curriculum is aligned with state and federal standards as well as providing students with what is needed for success in today’s and tomorrow’s world is a priority in Liberty Central School District.

The first strategic intent under our curriculum pillar is: “By June 2027, 100% of PreK-12 curriculum will be vertically and horizontally aligned to meet all New York State standards for all content areas as evidenced by improved student outcomes (in all subgroups) on NYS and local assessments and an increased graduation rate.”

The second is: “By June 2027, 100% of the administrators and teachers will use identified data protocols to analyze content area assessment results, identify student gaps and strengths in order to grow students (in all subgroups) to a new level of performance.”

What do these intents mean?

These mean that our curriculum, across all subjects and grade levels, will be designed to meet state and federal learning standards with a goal of improving student achievement on assessments and overall graduation rates. We will also be able to analyze results and use that date to see where students’ gaps and strengths are and adjust lessons accordingly.

Why is this important?

What we teach is the center of what we do. Having consistent curriculum and grading systems across grade levels and as a student progresses throughout school gives our learners a chance to build upon each lesson without falling behind. Aligning these lessons with New York State Next Generation Standards ensures we are setting the playing field at the same level for our students.

How are we doing this?

  • We are reviewing our curriculum and are working to design a guaranteed and viable curriculum at all grade levels. To provide a consistent curriculum, we have begun implementing the HMH ELA “Into Reading” and “Into Literature” program for grades K-8 as well as. HMH “Into Math” curriculum and  Science 21 programs in kindergarten through sixth grades. We are also working to ensure our curriculum helps students learn what they need to know for future careers, including the innovative Business INCubator program and Level Up Village, which allows our students to build a sense of cross-cultural empathy while learning skills for the future. 21st Century technology skills, such as coding, programming and internet technology are also becoming a focus across curriculum disciplines.
  • We are also creating entry and exit criteria for each grade level, identifying the master standards and determining what content must be taught and understood at each level.
  • We are aligning our report cards with New York’s Next Generation Learning Standards, and identifying best grading practices
  • As we implement the curriculum plan, we are focusing on consistent use of research-based instructional strategies for all. Teachers are engaged in professional development that provides effective methods for meeting the needs of all learning including English language learners and students with special needs..
  • Our curriculum audit is in process.  Curriculum maps provide the overarching standards and components of content at each grade level.  From these maps, teachers have all the resources, links and strategies they need to create effective and powerful weekly and daily lessons.

By creating and delivering a consistent, aligned curriculum taught with researched-based methods, hand-on activities and active student engagement PreK-12,  we are working to make Liberty a great place to learn for all.

Liberty seeking Request for Proposals for UPK partners

Liberty Central School District is looking to expand its pre-kindergarten program to a Universal Pre-Kindergarten program by partnering with organizations in the community. Below and at this link are the request for proposals, outlining details of the program:

Request for Proposal of Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program

1.  Introduction

A. General

The District is requesting proposals from eligible agencies interested in contracting with the District for the provision of Universal Pre-Kindergarten Programs.

There is no expressed or implied obligation for the District to reimburse responding firm or individual for any expenses incurred in preparing proposals in response to this request.

To be considered, three copies of a proposal must be received by 2 p.m. April 28, 2023.  These copies should be sent to Liberty Central School, Attention: Ms. Tania DeFrank, District Clerk, 115 Buckley St., Liberty, New York 12574.

The Liberty Central School District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals submitted.

During the evaluation process, the District reserves the right, where it may serve the School District’s best interest, to request additional information and clarification from proposers, or to allow correction of errors or omissions.  At the discretion of the Liberty Central School District, eligible agencies submitting proposals may be requested to make oral presentations as part of the valuation process at a time determined by the District.  The District anticipates that the selection of an eligible agency will be completed by lend of May 2023.

B. TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT

A one-year contract is contemplated with one or more eligible agencies, subject to annual review and recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education. The District anticipates that provision of UPK services will commence on or about Sept. 7, 2023. The District shall conduct at a minimum one site visit to settings where the universal prekindergarten program will be located prior to contracting for services.

II. NATURE OF THE SERVICE REQUIRED

A. SCOPE OF THE WORK TO BE PERFORMED.

  1. Provision of a developmentally appropriate Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program (UPK).  The chosen UPK provider will provide UPK services that meet uniform quality standards established by and in accordance with New York State Education Law and Commissioner’s regulations. These include but are not limited to the following:
    • UPK Programs must be in session for a minimum of 2.5 hours per day, five days per week for a minimum of 180 days per school year.
      UPK Programs will serve children eligible to enter Kindergarten in September 2024.
    • UPK Programs must implement curricula that are aligned with the State learning standards that ensure continuity with instruction in the early elementary grades and is integrated with the district’s instructional program in kindergarten through grade 12.
    • UPK Programs will provide an early literacy and emergent reading instruction based on effective, evidence-based practices.
    • UPK Programs will meet the social, cognitive, linguistic, emotional, cultural, and physical needs of the children.
    • UPK Programs will include and integrate preschool children with disabilities.
    • UPK Programs will provide support services.
    • UPK Programs will utilize student learning centers.
    • UPK Programs will ensure parental involvement.
    • UPK Programs will provide meals and snacks.
    • UPK Programs will ensure that students with limited English proficiency are provided equal access to the program and opportunities to achieve the same program goals and standards as other participating children.
    • UPK Programs will establish and use an assessment process approved by the District that will allow the District to annually monitor and track the UPK Programs.

 B. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Teachers must be certified according to Part 80 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education for early elementary grades and be Highly Qualified under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
  2. Teacher assistants must meet the requirements of Part 80.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education and be Highly Qualified under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
    Teacher aides must meet requirements of Part 80.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education and be Highly Qualified under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
  3. Professional staff must be evaluated at least annually.
  4. Staff development must be provided.

C. FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS:

All buildings, premises, equipment and furnishings used for Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program must be safe and suitable for the comfort and care of children, comply with all applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and be provided and maintained in a state of good repair and sanitation.

Facilities used for UPK classes must meet the requirements set forth in Section 151-1.10 of the Regulations of the Commissioner (8NYCRR).

D. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LIBERTY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

  • Actively supervise all sites
  • Monitor compliance with all fiscal and program requirements
  • Control enrollment; and
  • Define staff development, methodologies, and assessments.

III. PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Proposals should include the following:

  1. A description of the services to be provided by the eligible agency;
  2. A detailed narrative which describes how the eligible agency proposes to meet the goals and objectives of the District’s Pre-Kindergarten Program;
  3. A description of the eligible agency’s staff qualifications, staffing patterns, child-staff ratio, and administrative structure;
  4. The number of students that will be served;
  5. A budget of proposed expenditures for services rendered;
  6. Signed Non-Collusive Bidding Certification and Certificate of Compliance with Iran Divestment Act of 2012; and 
  7. Completed Parents’ Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security, Parents’ Bill of Rights – Supplemental Information Addendum, and Data Security and Privacy Plan.  

Upon review of the proposals submitted the district will evaluate each of the proposals using a rubric to determine the successful proposal.  The eligible agency or agencies shall be selected to collaborate with the district, based on criteria, including but not limited to:

  1. The eligible agency’s capacity to effectively, efficiently and immediately provide needed services;
  2. The ease of utilization and accessibility of the program to parents and/or guardians;
  3. Capacity to provide ongoing staff development;
  4. Staffing patterns and qualifications;
  5. Documentation that all applicable health and safety codes and licensure or registration requirements are met;
  6. Anticipated fiscal share and other resources will be contributed to the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program;
  7. Current program design and experience in providing developmentally-appropriate programs;
  8. Fiscal solvency;
  9. Stability of staff, rate of turnover and ability to fill vacancies in a timely manner;
  10. Articulated mission/philosophy statements;
  11. Record management and documentation procedures followed by the agency;
  12. Administrative structure;
  13. Capacity and experience in serving children with disabilities;
  14. Capacity and experience in serving children and their parents and/or guardians when they are limited English proficient;
  15. Children’s progress as demonstrated by assessments; and
  16. Demonstrated effectiveness of the eligible agency’s program.

IV. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL AND CONTRACT INFORMATION

  1. Questions regarding this Request for Proposals must be submitted in writing no later than April 14, 2023 , to: Lynnette Brunger, Assistant Superintendent, at lbrunger@libertyk12.org
  2. It is the policy of the Liberty Central School District to provide Equal Employment Opportunity.
  3. The contract will not necessarily be awarded to the lowest cost proposal, but to the proposal that best meets the needs and interests of the District and its students.  All proposals will be reviewed for a recommendation to the Board of Education.

Respectfully submitted,

Name of Firm

By:

Authorized Signature

Printed/Typed Name

Title

Dated

Sworn to before me this _____________________ day of ___________________ 2023

_______________________________

Notary Public

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Prior to any cancellation of, or material change in the policies certified to on this certificate, 30 days written notice, by certified mail, return receipt requested, shall be sent to the Business Office, prior to the effective date of such change or cancellation.
  2. Each certificate shall include Owner Liberty Central School District as “Additional Insured”.
  3. Workmen’s Compensation and Employers Liability Insurance – Statutory Workmen’s Compensation and Employers Liability insurance coverage as required by the State Law in which the project site is located, and in the state in which the contractor is domicile, and licensed to do business, and for all of his employees to be engaged in work on the project under this contract, and in case such work is sublet, the Contractor shall require the subcontractor similarly to provide Workmen’s Compensation and Employer’s Liability insurance for all of the latter employees to be engaged in such work.  The policy shall contain the New York Amendatory Endorsement for Part II.
  4. Commercial General Liability Insurance including Premise/Operations, Independent Contractors, Products and completed Operations, Broad Form Property Damage, Broad From Liability endorsement and blanket coverage for the underground hazards; X (explosion) C (collapse) U (underground). Minimum limit: $1,000,000.00
  5. Umbrella Liability. Limit $1,000,000.00 per occurrence and $1,000,000.00 aggregate coverage excess over Underlying Commercial General Liability, Automobile Liability, and Employers’ Liability Policies.

END OF FORM

Seventh graders get tasty lessons on healthy eating

Liberty Middle School seventh grade students recently learned about the health benefits of consuming local foods and the farm-to-table philosophy thanks to Foster Hospitality and its nonprofit, A Single Bite.

This is the second year LMS and A Single Bite have partnered in this program, which is coordinated by Sara Hazlenis, a LCS alumna. 

A chef prepares a meal as students sit at tables“This program is a great way for students to see different foods that are produced locally, and get them out of their comfort zone by trying new foods that are prepared fresh,” said seventh grade health and PE teacher Rich Feeney.

In January, Kyle Goldstein, A Single Bite presenter and LCS alumnus, visited classes and discussed health and nutrition related statistics for New York state and Sullivan County. Chef Peter Yurasits prepared three “bites” for students to taste and then discuss characteristics of each with their classmates. All ingredients came from different areas of the county, and each student was encouraged to try “A Single Bite” of each snack. 

A person talks to students in a greenhouseThe bites included cheddar cheese on a Granny Smith apple, smoked trout on cucumber, and a potato pancake with applesauce.

Students then took a field trip to Sprouting Dreams Farms in February where they were given the opportunity to explore the grounds with farmer Eugene Thalmann. He discussed goal setting and using resources, as well as conducted a tour of his vegetable farm, which includes three greenhouses that he discussed the purpose for each during the tour. Students sampled a few greens fresh from the garden and enjoyed the company of the farm dog, Loki.

Students eat a meal at a long tableThe following week, students were treated to a farm-to-table, family-style lunch at The Arnold House. The meal included fresh salad, roasted chicken, carrots, fingerling potatoes and a lemon honey tart. All ingredients were locally produced and freshly prepared. Students discussed the tastes, smells and textures of the food while enjoying the meal. After each course, the chef shared with the students where the food came from and how it was prepared. 

A person talks to students sitting at tablesGoldstein returned to the Liberty classrooms mid-February to recap the field trips as well as discuss the difference between real versus processed foods, as well as health benefits. Yurasits prepared three more snacks for the class, and they were asked to once again try “A Single Bite” while describing the food. The bites included parsnip soup, venison summer sausage on a sweet potato chip, and a garlic scape on a roasted carrot.

“It was a great experience,” student Tyler Juron said, “because we learned about local foods and got to eat an amazing lunch.”

Goals are more powerful than wishes

How Liberty schools use goal-setting for improvement

A wish is something we hope happens. A goal is something we make happen. The main difference between wishes and goals are: clear purpose, effort and priority.

Goal-setting is an integral part of the Leader in Me program, which Liberty has instituted in all of its buildings.

This year, elementary and middle school students have begun setting Wildly Important Goals, or WIGs. SMART goals have been a feature at the high school level for several years. In each case, these goals are those determined to be more important than all others. They are specific, measurable and realistic and can be personal or academic.

But setting the goal is only the first step.

Once a goal is identified, action steps are planned to help reach that goal.

For example, an elementary student’s WIG may be to read a chapter book each month. The student decides that goal can be achieved by reading 20 minutes each night. That task, known as a lead measure, can be used to track progress each day. This is habit building.

At the elementary school, goals can be academic, behavioral or social, and generally focus on the individual student. Although the goal may be personalized, the progress is shared with a partner, group, class or building. At LES, there are school-wide, classroom and individual student goals.

A wall display to encourage goal setting

Sharing your progress toward a goal is important, according to LES Principal Robert England. “Letting your accountability partners know how you are doing is key. When students know that other people are invested in their daily progress, students are more likely to change their behaviors to achieve their goals. Eventually, these healthy behaviors turn into self-sustaining habits for long term wellness.”

At the middle school, the WIG starts at the building level: ”By May 2023, 80% of grade 5-8 students’ current Student Growth Percentile will be at or above proficiency level (25+) as evidenced by the Spring 2023 STAR Assessment in Reading.”

Each student’s goal is set using the STAR assessment given at the beginning of the year. The assessment breaks down each student’s progress and offers areas on which a student can improve. The students set their WIGs and list at least two things (lead measures) that can be used to help them reach that goal, such as taking notes during daily reading or effectively logging their reading time. Students will be reviewing their new STAR Assessment data from this winter to update their WIGs and Lead Measures.

APapers used to help track wigs in a display case.t LMS, time is set aside during classes to focus on the individual WIGs, and the teachers track the time spent. The time spent is compiled by grade on a google form. The tracking also makes it more fun for students, there is a schoolwide scoreboard displayed in the lobby and grade levels are celebrated at the monthly LIM DEAL (Leader in Me Drop Everything and Lead) Assemblies, said LMS Principal Heather Cheh.

At the high school level, goal-setting is done slightly differently, using  Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Relevant, Time Bound goals, which encompass the same dynamics of WIGs.

The high school has been using SMART goals since the Professional Learning Community model was introduced a few years ago. Each Content Teacher Team, those who teach the same course, has a SMART goal. Tracking progress is specific to each goal, but is accomplished through common assessments and data analysis.

Each level of goal-setting builds on the others.

When students do better, classrooms do better, then grade-levels do better, and the building does better, and eventually the district, as a whole, will see improvement.

These improvements could be academic, behavioral or social. Improvement in all three helps make for a better community schoolwide.

Student photographers earn 17 keys, 20 honorable mentions at awards

The Mid Hudson Region of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards were held at SUNY New Paltz on Feb. 3, with all Liberty student photographers participating earning honors.

Gold keys are award to the top 5% of all works adjudicated in the category in the Mid Hudson Region; Silver Keys are the top 6% to 10%.

Every Liberty student photographer earned at least one key, with six Gold Keys and 11 Silver Keys awarded. The students also earned 20 honorable mentions. The ceremony awarding the keys was followed by the opening of the exhibition of more 600 works selected as Gold and Silver Key recipients.

Zandy Valencia Bamac earned three Gold Keys, one Silver Key and three honorable mentions. Oliva Dworetsky earned two Gold Keys. Grace Wormuth earned one Gold Key, three Silver Keys and one honorable mentions. Ximena Garcia Gomez earned two Silver Keys and three honorable mentions. Haylee Gomez earned two Silver Keys and one honorable mention. Summer Schmidt earned one Silver Key and seven honorable mentions. Brian Gonzalez earned one Silver Key and four honorable mentions and Wyatt Green earned one Silver Key.

See the winning pieces below

On a black background two closeup depictions of flowers, one yellow at left and one pink at right, with Zandy Valencia Bamac three gold keys, one silver key written in the top left corner

On a black background a depiction of the inside of a pepper at left and a closeup of a deer lying in the grass at right with Zandy Valencia Bamac three gold keys, one silver key written above

On a black background, a depiction of buildings, one in the foreground in color the other black and white, at left, with a closeup of a person's face bathed in red light, with Oliva Dworetsky two gold keys above

On a black background, a depiction of a brick wall and a fence with barbed wire on top, at left, and a closeup of a lit match at right with Grace Wormuth one gold key three silver keys above.

On a black background, a left, light shining through a grate and at right a sideview of a girl with a soccer ball behind her. and Grace Wormuth one gold key three silver keys above.

On a black background, at left a black and white depiction of an empty swingset from the size, and at left a double exposure of a person, at right with Ximena Garcia Gomez silver keys written above

on a black background a close up of looking through red plastic x's at left and a cityscape at right with Haylee Gomez two silver keys written above.

On a black background a black and white depiction of a dog with Summer Schmidt 1 silver key written to above and to the left.

on a black background a depiction of light coming through white and gold holes. with Brian Gonzelez, 1 Silver Key to the right

A depiction of a cityscape with Wyatt Green 1 silver key above it in text

Strategic Plan: What coherence means to Liberty

Teachers sit at tables watching a presentation
The Special Education PLC meets in the High School Media Center in January 2023.

When we introduced our strategic plan at the beginning of the school year, we just scratched the surface of what the plan means for the district and how we will implement it.

As we mentioned in introducing the plan, the purpose of the plan is to help Liberty set its long-term priorities and establish overarching goals to ensure our students get a well-rounded and quality education.

As with any plan, we need a solid foundation on which to build. Our plan has four pillars, and every month or so, we’ll look closer at one pillar of the plan.

Here, we will focus on the first pillar: Coherence. Our first strategic intent in the strategic plan reads: “By June 2027, create and align 100% of applicable district procedures involving the fluid movement of information and expectations throughout all buildings evidenced by annual perception data.”

What does this mean?

It means that we are working to improve our communication across the buildings and the district to get everyone on the same page on how procedures inside and outside the classroom work and to keep everyone informed.

Why is this important?

Four teachers sit in a classroom having a discussion
An elementary PLC meets in January 2023

We are one district. It is important that students, faculty and staff have consistent measures on which to gauge their progress and success. A move from elementary to middle school or middle to high school shouldn’t mean a whole new set of expectations for a student, and staff members who work in multiple buildings should be able to use the same rules, methods and procedures, no matter which building they are in.

It is also important to have open and transparent exchanges of thoughts and ideas between all members of the school community, whether it be at the grade or subject matter level, building level or district wide. These collaborative actions help build a sense of belonging among our Liberty school family.

How are we doing this?

Teachers sit in groups at tables as a person speaks.
A teacher mentoring session is held at the High School Media Center classroom in January 2023.
  • We are aligning our goals and setting procedures to be used across the entire district.
  • Our strategic plan, District Comprehensive Improvement Plan and building-level plans ensure we are measuring success with a consistent gauge.
  • Using Multi-Tier Systems of Supports and Professional Learning Communities, we are regularly assessing our data to gauge where we are succeeding and where we need improvement. This allows us to actively adapt our teaching methods and strategies.
  • We also use our PLCs to collectively problem solve and exchange ideas to improve our teaching methods.
  • Building- and district-level meetings are also held regularly. We will continue to seek input through community forums, focus groups and surveys for all sectors of our school community.
  • We are improving our staff training and are working on making our internal meetings more productive to better share ideas.
  • Professional development for all staff is important. Our Professional Development Plan serves as a guide to ensure our staff is getting the tools they need to succeed. We are also developing methods to annually review our procedure and policies with all staff.
  • New personnel procedures have been implemented and we are looking at ways to help improve the onboarding of new staff and substitutes to ensure every new employee understands our policies.
  • New teachers have extra support. They have mentors who they meet with at least once per week to address issues the new employees face. They also work together to set and achieve at least one SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time Bound) goal. Professional development begins with new teacher orientation and continues with mentor/mentee specific sessions available throughout the year. We do this to provide opportunities for teacher growth, support best practices, maintain the best classroom instruction, cultivate a positive school culture and promote teacher retention.

By ensuring coherence, Liberty Central School District will be able to better lead Liberty into the future with one voice.

Character Counts for dozens at LES

Four students hold certificates Six students hold certificatesDozens of Liberty Elementary School were honored during the monthly “Character Counts” awards ceremonies held Friday, Jan. 27, in the gymnasium. Both assemblies were livestreamed.  The third and fourth grade awards livestream can be seen here. The livestream for the ceremony for the kindergarten through second graders can be viewed here.

The awards, given to one student in each classroom and chosen by the teacher, recognized students who embodied one of the seven habits promoted by Leader in Me. January winners received the “First Place Focus” and “Task Tackler” awards. The awards, named by the students, are based on Habit 2 (Begin With the End in Mind) and Habit 3 (Put First Things First). The students focused on their Wildly Important Goals, or WIGs, in January, by setting their goals (Habit 2), and determining how they can reach them (Habit 3).

Students stand in a line holding certificates

The winners of the “First Place Focus” Awards, for setting realistic goals and working to achieve them, were Allison Martinez, David Pineda Monzón, Remaissae Benadim, Elenna Farias, Yasmim Macedo Melo, Jazmin Ramirez Gonzalez, Lucas Kern, Omar Garcia Martinez Jr., Michael Garcia-Vargas, Ana Barragan Velazquez, Emilia Warren, Adriana Colocho Argueta, Grace Wang, Blake Beseth, Mackenzie Beatty, Austin Cuellar Jeronimo, Sophia Lopez Luna, Jordan White, Camden Lake, Ana Hernandez, Cailynn Pate, Willis Gamble Jr., Jamel Smith, Nyjha Miranda, Neviya Cash, Katie Lopez, Dylan Joya Reyes, Farrah Conklin-Degraw, Emma Boyles, Brenda Lucero Andrade, Riley Church-Bradley and Lilliana Garzon Ferrufino.

Students stand in a line holding certificates

The “Task Tackler” winners, for working before playing and being organized and managing  their time according to their personal priorities, were Valentino Valencia Vasquez, Anastasiia Honcharenko, Rain Mott, Adah Smith Juarez, Emely Aguilera Bonilla, Juan Corona Jr., Sam Martin, Madelyn Gavidia Reyes, Jayden Reyes, Jean Valdiviesio Cajamarca, Ethan Hernandez Mejia, Mia Harrison, Leyvi Eli Banegas Cortes, Eliab Torres Garcia, Aizah Suleman, Emily Portillo, Karrah Atkins, Indigo Love, Jordana Ratner, Keily Martinez Zelaya, Joseph Wilson Jr., Lillian Keating, Nicholas McPhillips, Yarixa Reyes Cardenas, Joseph Geoghan, Savannah Gonzalez, Avery Decker, Kaydence Kalthoff, Denali Owens, Ellis Dilworth, Megan Martinez Gomez, Scarlett Ratner and Anabel Hernandez Fuentes.

Students stand in a line holding certificates

Well done, students!

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