Year: 2024
A reminder of emergency closure notifications
Some snow is in the forecast for later this week. Whether it has the potential to interrupt the school day is not yet known. We are taking this opportunity to remind parents, guardians and the community how they will receive notice if school will be operating under a delay, will be dismissed early or will be closed due to inclement weather.
The district will contact parents and guardians directly by phone, email and text if there are any changes in the daily school schedule. Those who wish to verify their contact information is correct should reach out to the main office of their child’s school, as well sign up for ParentSquare and download the app. Closing, delay and early dismissal information will also be posted on the district website and shared with local media outlets. Calls may also be made to the district at 845-292-5400. Any schedule changes will follow the initial greeting.
When there is early dismissal, all after-school activities are canceled.
The district has scheduled seven snow days. If all snow days are used by Feb. 13, Feb. 14 will become a student day. Any additional days needed will be virtual learning days. Please refer to our Districtwide Safety Plan regarding remote learning.
LCSD stories earn recognition from state school PR group
Two stories featured on the Liberty Central School District website and shared with local media during the 2023-24 school year earned an “Excellence” rating in the New York School Public Relations Association’s contest.
The two stories, written by public information specialist Denielle Cazzolla, were used to highlight the district’s five-year strategic plan in action. They each earned an “Excellence” rating by the National School Public Relations Association this summer, as well..
The first story, “LHS senior uses NASA opportunities to help further her goals beyond the rainbow,” focused on Jayla Edwards. The 2024 graduate was selected for a very competitive program hosted by NASA between her junior and senior years at Liberty High School. She then was among a select few in the program to have an additional learning experience. The story also highlighted her interests in theater, as she played Dorothy in the Liberty Performing Arts fall production, “The Wizard of Oz” her senior year.
The second story, “New technology brings history to life,” showed the sixth grade social studies classes of Samantha Abplanalp using AI to “interview” Egyptian pharaohs. Not only did students learn about the leaders from centuries ago, they also were required to assess the accuracy of the information provided by ChatGPT, bringing 21st century skills into the classroom.
“These two stories highlight just two of the many ways our district is working to embrace and enact our strategic plan. They show the dedication Liberty Central School District, as a whole, has to our mission to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “The recognition shows how effectively we communicate to our community what makes Liberty a great place to learn.”
Liberty Middle School recognized by Woz ED
Liberty Elementary to earn honor in 2025-26
Liberty Middle School has been officially recognized as a Woz ED Career Pathway School. At the recent Woz ED Pathway Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, Technical Education Teacher Mike Diehl accepted this prestigious award on behalf of the school.
To earn this recognition, a school must demonstrate a strong commitment to providing career-focused pathways for students, including the integration of at least five distinct Career Pathways, offering STEM education to all learners, and maintaining a 1:3 or higher student-to-device ratio. Liberty Middle School is working to implement dynamic STEM curricula in robotics, engineering and design, coding, drones and cybersecurity, helping students develop skills that will prepare them for the future.
In addition, Liberty Elementary School will also be recognized as a Woz ED Pathway School during the 2025-26 school year. The elementary school is moving forward with the implementation of the Woz ED STEM curriculum, setting the stage for even more STEM opportunities for Liberty’s youngest learners.
These curricula are designed to provide students with specialized pathways in the rapidly evolving STEM fields, offering a structured learning environment that emphasizes hands-on exploration, critical thinking, and creativity.
“At Liberty, we are dedicated to equipping our students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in today’s technology-driven world,” said Assistant Superintendent Marianne Serratore. “We look forward to seeing how these programs will continue to shape and inspire the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.”
LMS to recognize honor roll students
Liberty Middle School will recognize the students who were named to the first quarter honor rolls on starting at 8:05 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20. The event will be livestreamed.
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: Luca Burgio, Amelia Cole, Matthew Decker, Joshua DiBartolo, Grace Fitzgerald, Anthony Gavidia Reyes, Yoscari Gomez Mejia, Mariana Joya-Reyes, Noel Leonardo Valerio, Sara Liddle, Elizabeth MacNamara, Olivia Matuszak, Gabriel Mosso, Jacob Pennell, Arturo Perez Reyes, Sulenny Romero, Jace Snowden, Alena Tarabichi and Sophia Vasko.
Honor: Nathan Alvord, Jahir Brown, Samantha Bull, Phillip Burrous Jr, Lya Camille, Evelin Castillo Hernandez, Aryiah Cottman, Selene Crespo, Yorleny DeJesus Padilla, Casity DiBartolo, Laudy D’Oleo, Abraham Fuentes, Alexandra Galeas Osorio, Jasmine Garcia-Reyes, Miles Harman, Nazarah Heglar, Victoria Henry, Zaniah Hernandez, Dana Jimbo Montero, Damien Keating, Alexandra Kelly, Balmore Lopez Argueta, Paola Lopez Perez, Alex Luna Diaz, Tristan Maloney, Wilton Mata, Selkir Molina Gonzalez, Justin Molina Munoz, Sariah Ocasio, Alex Olivares-Reyes, Javier Ortiz Paz, Christopher Patton, Christian Perez Lorenzana, Aaron Ponce Flores, Kimberly Rodriguez, Scarlett Saltos Zapatanga, Quinn Santiago, Everett Schwartz and Anthony Valdez Calle.
Seventh Grade
Principal’s Honor: Madison Montgomery Allen, Mya Davis, Claire Ferguson, Michael Garzon Valle, Gavin Grant, Lilly Kehrley, Antoni Klys, Sidra Koen James, Corinne Lake, Harper Matuszak, Americus Newhall, Myla Rielly, Angelick Rivera, Namarpreet Singh, Brycen Smith and Avery Wilson.
Honor: Alexander Alvarado, Conner J Baum, Cristian Castillo Pineda, Amy Cortes Cruz, Jose Cruz Lopez, Juan De La Cruz De La Cruz, Keily Dominguez-Chabla, Daniel Doty, Makayla Fuentes Serapio, Analina Garcia, Chase Golzak, Litzy Gonzalez Chevez, Jacob Grossman, Damier Harrington, Alan Hernandez Lopez, Jolisa Hernandez, Wyatt Herschel, Luna Pixie Hulse, Matthew Kolarik, Liam LaGattuta, Madison LaMantia, Denis Leon Aldana, Gabriel Lotz, Ixchel Marin Gonzalez, Pricilla Matute, Ava McNett, Adner Mejia Aguilar, Americus Mott, Liriel Mueses Valdez, Zalaina Nash, Sofia Navarrete, Erika Panama, Luke Poley, Valeria Ponce Vazquez, Aaron Quiroz Gomez, Michelle Ramirez Medina, Aiden Satz, Hayden Smith, Ana Sosa, Angel E Terraza Raymundo, Erick Torres Garcia, Nakai Toscano-Gardner, Nahum Vallejo Sandoval, Evan Vidalis and Ethan Zheng.
Sixth Grade
Principal’s Honor: Owen Brust, Farrah Conklin-Degraw, Dia D’Agata, Delilah Flores-Serapio, Mia Grant, Tyler Kavleski, Aubrie Keating, Karen Mosso, Denali Owens, Milsi Ramirez Martinez, Scarlett Ratner and Katherine Valdez Calle.
Honor: Muhammad Awais, Elisa Barragan, Guiliana Birkett, Emma Boyles, Andry Caal Chub, Genesis Caiza Viracocha, Katarina Card, Riley Church-Bradley, Raymond Cottman Jr, Marcel Davis, Avery Decker, Ellis Dilworth, Ronal Dubon Duque, Madelyn Garcia Cuellar, Ely Garcia Garcia, Lilliana Garzon Ferrufino, Dariana Gonzalez Suarez, Astrid Guardado Diaz, Andrew Gutierrez Canales, Genesis E Harrison, Madison Hernandez, Isabella Intranuovo, Dylan Joya Reyes, Allison Juarez Perez, Mateusz P Klys, Makenzie Angelica Knack, Leandro Leon, Torion Marquis Lindsay, Keidy Llano Luciano, Jayden Lopez Olivares, Alexandria Noelle Lyden, Megan Martinez Gomez, Ayanelson Mazariegos Cuz, Abel McClain, Bentley Alexander Moore, Samuel Negroni, Paul Odior 2nd, Randy Panchana, Lily Paynter, Christopher Perez Lorenzana, Uriel Rios, Jordanno Rivera, Kailani Jaclyn Rivera, Aaliyssa Rodriguez, Jordyn Roebuck, Abigail Romero, Alan Romero, Sherlene Romero, Caleb Rusin, Reinier Stanton, Sarah Steingart, Marjorie Tejada Servellon, Sophie Toledo, Amiyah Travis, Belinda VanGordon, Raegan Wagner, Sophie Zayas and Subhan Zeeshan.
Fifth Grade
Principal’s Honor: Annabella Buryiak, Darius Dawkins, Blake Dennison, Joseph Geoghan, Dean Ryan Harte, Nayeli Hernandez Soperanez, Ana Hernandez, Laurel Hook, Damaris Jadan Pangolo, Ryleigh LaMantia, Josslynn Letohic, Lilith Lynker, Caleb McNett, Tierney Meddaugh, Levi Poley, Isabella Puente and Henry Vogler.
Honor: Riley Baum, Chase Blume, Amaya Burton, Paul Cando, Simaj Clark, Gisselle Colon, Maciah Costello-Acevedo, Crisnelly D’Oleo Garcia, Alannis Flores, Willis Gamble Jr, Erik Garzon, Parker Gissentaner, Marlo Gonzales Chevez, Savannah Gonzalez, Bryson Hendrickson, Lillian Keating, Elvis Lucero Guzman, Ivanna Malaga Ventura, Derek Mateo Cruz, John Matute, Aaliyah McClain, Nicholas McPhillips, Juritzi Molina Reyes, Anthony Philippe, Nevaeh Poole, Anabella Ramos, Yarixa Reyes Cardenas, Camila Reyes Cortez, Dylenne Reyes Garcia, Brian Nicholas Rivas, Isabel Thomas, Masharib Uddin, Karter Velde, Edgreanna Waldron-Martinez, Darick Winfrey III, Linnise Courtney Young and Ivan Zheng.
District reaches agreement on lawsuit
The Liberty Central School District (the “District”) has entered into a Consent Decree in the matter of John Chewens v. Liberty Central School District, No. 24 Civ. 5754 (PMH) to resolve claims brought against the District by John Chewens, a former teacher in the District. Mr. Chewens alleged that he was entitled to a salary step increase for the 2018-2019 school year, based on his leave of absence for U.S. National Guard Service.
In an effort to resolve this matter without litigation, on or around September 15, 2022, the District offered Mr. Chewens and the Liberty Faculty Association a proposed memorandum of agreement which would have resulted in payment to Mr. Chewens of the salary step increase that he sought, but the proposed memorandum of agreement was not accepted.
The subsequent federal court case was brought on behalf of Mr. Chewens by the United States Attorney’s Office, United States Department of Justice. Following Mr. Chewens’ voluntary resignation from his teaching position in August, 2024, the Board of Education made a business judgment to enter into the Consent Decree to avoid the cost and local taxpayer burden of defending federal litigation.
The District respects and honors its veterans and active military service members, including any District employees who may be engaged in active military service. The District is firmly committed to fulfilling the terms of the Consent Decree.
Library to host events for elementary students
Liberty Public Library will host two events for elementary students, with a caregiver, next month.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, there will be a dinosaur-themed Saturday Storytime for pre-k through first-graders at 11 a.m. After the stories, children will get to dig for fossils.
On Tuesday, Dec. 10, Cocoa and Coloring will be offered for all elementary-age students, with an adult, starting at 2:45 p.m. Refreshments will be served as long as they last.
The library is at 189 N. Main St. in front of Liberty Elementary School. For more information, call 845-292-6070 or visit www.libertypubliclibrary.org.
LPD beats LCSD again in annual basketball game; scholarship fund wins
The Liberty Central School District team was looking for its first victory over the Liberty Police Department team in the third annual LPD vs LCSD basketball game on Wednesday, Nov. 14. But it was not meant to be, as LPD kept its winning streak alive. The real winner, though, was the Senior Athlete Scholarship, which earned more than $900 through the event.
Organizer Erin Alvord, a LHS physical education teacher, offered the following thanks:
- Officer/Coach Lake for organizing the officers and for his continued support of this event.
- The LPD for their generous donation to scholarships as they have for the last three years.
- Our LCSD team: Joe Franke, Beth Quatrale, Rich Feeney, Felix Colon, Jenna Genco, Andrew Philips, Jamie Black, Peter Owens, Sonia Lemus, Roothland Medina, Kate Rusin, Jermaine Ferguson, Derek Adams and Dr. Sullivan for showing up and working hard despite the loss.
- LCSD Coach Dave Philips!
- The LPD team. Congrats on the win!
- Ralph Bressler for announcing, singing the National Anthem and keeping the clock.
- All of our chaperones for helping to keep the event safe.
- Sarah Davis, Ashley Bury and Paul Voigtland for taking entry fees.
- The Booster Club for their bake sale and 50/50.
- Mrs. Bull for taking pics and gathering the Junior class to sell concessions.
- The officials for coming out long before their season starts.
- LMS students Montgomery Allen and Grace Fitzgerald for keeping the book.
- Everyday Apparel for making the staff t-shirts.
- The community, staff and all the students who came out for the event; and
- A huge, huge, THANK YOU to our custodial staff for setting up before and cleaning up after.
“As you can see, although I organize this, it takes a village, and I truly appreciate everyone who shows up to play or help in any way they can,” Alvord said.
Syracuse adds acceptance, scholarship benefit for eligible SUPA participants
This year, Liberty Central School District began a partnership with Syracuse University to offer Syracuse University Project Advance to Liberty High School Students. SUPA offers advanced courses for college credit. Biology 1 and 2 is being offered at Liberty this year, with Chemistry to be added for the 2025-26 school year.
An added benefit recently announced by Syracuse University is “Guaranteed Orange,” the opportunity to have guaranteed acceptance into Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Science with a $20,000 per year tuition scholarship for eligible students.
“We were excited to partner with Syracuse University on SUPA,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “This additional benefit can have a huge positive impact on the college and career choices of our students who chose to participate.”
To be eligible for “Guaranteed Orange,” students must have completed or plan to complete at least six credit hours through SUPA, Syracuse University Summer College or Accelerated Semester Online by the end of their high school senior spring semester, have a 3.0 grade-point average in the courses completed, have an overall high school GPA of 3.7 or higher and apply to Syracuse University by the deadline of Nov. 15 for Early Decision or Jan. 5 for regular decision or Early Decision II.
For more information, visit the Guaranteed Orange page on the Syracuse University website.
A message from the principal on Parent Teacher Student conferences
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:
I welcome you to attend our LHS Fall Parent Teacher Student conferences on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. With input from our parents and teachers, our Building Leadership Team (consisting of teachers, support staff, parents and students) has helped us update our conference structure. The feedback we received prioritized appointment based and open format conference options. These changes have been made to encourage more participation and parent involvement. Below are the details you will need to know.
- Appointment format: Conferences from 6 to 7 p.m. are for appointments in teacher’s classrooms. Appointments should be made via Parent Square.
- Open format: Conferences from 7 to 8 p.m. are for the open format in the gymnasium. No appointments are necessary.
- Both conference formats may be used by parents on the same evening. We encourage you to make appointments and attend the open format in the gym.
- All participants must enter through the high school gym entrance.
- Child care will be provided by our National Honor Society and LHS senior class members in the high school library for the duration of the conferences and will begin at 5:45 p.m. and conclude at 8:05 p.m.
- Students are invited and encouraged to attend to support student responsibility and personal agency (control of one’s own actions and reactions toward achieving goals).
- Community organizations will be positioned in the high school gym lobby.
- Science Olympiad will be selling plants during the conferences.
We hope to see you and your child(ren) on Thursday, Nov. 21, 6-8 p.m!
All the best,
Derek Adams
Principal
Rolling V to host pictures with Santa
Rolling V, which is Liberty Central School District’s transportation partner, will host pictures with Santa at its Liberty Terminal at 1784 State Route 52 in Liberty from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13.