Liberty Central School District recently welcomed Randy Kleingardner as the district’s director of facilities.

Kleingardner, who began in his role in late August, has been involved in the building construction and building maintenance industries for more than 45 years. He has worked in all positions of project management and building renovations; being responsible from start to finish and budgets from small to large scale. He owned and operated a successful maintenance and excavating company.

He  was born and raised in Liberty and has lived here for most of his life.  He and his wife own a successful local restaurant and bar.

He said he is looking forward to making the Liberty schools a great place to attend and to work.

Liberty families are invited to attend a free event, ALIVE AGAIN, for veterans, service members, first responders and their families, on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Hurleyville Performing Arts Center.

The event is a collaboration between STEAM Fund (Siegel Trust Enriching Arts & Music), ATI (Action Toward Independence) and HPAC. It’s goal is to help bring attention to the well-being and growth of those who serve.

The featured presentation will be by singer-songwriter and trauma survivor Theresa Sareo. There will also be a healthy habits session by Beth and Scott Bierko, singer-songwriters and teaching artists who have presented several programs at Liberty schools.

The day will begin with registration and a continental breakfast at 9:30 a.m, followed by the Bierkos’ and Sareo’s presentations. There will be a Q&A session, with lunch served before the event ends at 2 p.m. Throughout the event, local organizations will man informational booths. Goody bags will be provided and raffles will also take place.

Admission is free but registration is required at the HPAC website or by calling 846-985-4722

In the midst of the excitement of welcoming students back to school was the tragedy the previous day in Georgia, where four people lost their lives and several more were injured in a school shooting.

“Our hearts go out to the families and community impacted by this tragic event,” Liberty Central School Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.

At the same time, the district is reassuring families that the safety and security of students, staff and the school community remain LCSD’s top priority.

A combination of technology, training and planning is used in an effort to prevent a tragedy like what happened in Georgia and too often across the United States.

The district issued the following safety reminders:

• Entry to all buildings requires keycard access. Visitors are restricted to a single point of entry in each building. All visitors are required to show a valid ID at an automated kiosk before entering any of our school buildings, and visitors will be buzzed in. More information is available at https://www.libertyk12.org/visiting-procedures/
• All classrooms require keycard access as well, and doors are expected to remain closed and locked when occupied.
• Through the district’s updated door lock system, school officials are able to immediately lock all doors if there is an emergency. As part of the lockdown system, digital signs throughout common areas will help inform students and staff of what is happening. There are also strobe lights inside and outside the building, which will help alert of emergencies and advise those outside the building not to enter. If an emergency occurs, the Liberty Police Department is able to monitor school cameras if a lockdown takes place.
• The district has continued its partnership with LPD, placing a school resource officer in each building. They regularly patrol and check for vulnerabilities and are a valuable resource to students and staff.
• The district safety plan, which is updated yearly, can be seen at https://www.libertyk12.org/district-wide-safety-plan/. Faculty and staff are trained in what to do in the event of an emergency, and the schools have emergency drills several times a year.
• All statements or actions that suggest a threat to the safety and security of school populations are taken seriously.  Any such statement comes with significant consequences, even if they are made jokingly and/or are deemed as not credible. The district’s Code of Conduct will be followed in all instances.
  • Families are encouraged to speak to their students about their actions on social media. A post that may seem funny may lead to significant school discipline and/or criminal charges.
  • Talk to students about reporting any concerning post to a trusted adult, the school administration, or the police department immediately. Every concerning post or statement must be fully investigated.
  • Non-immediate concerns can also be reported via the district’s Anonymous Alerts reporting system.

Those with questions may email questions@libertyk12.org.

Liberty Public Library will host a series events open to students in the Liberty Central School District in the coming weeks.

Students in prek through first grade are invited to Saturday Stories at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14. The students may attend with a caregiver and make a craft afterward.

Clay making will be offered for first through fourth graders from 2:45 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18. The program will offer students a chance to use their imagination and express themselves with developing fine motor skills. Space is limited in this session. Registration is required at https://libertypubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/12593204.

The Liberty Public Library Bookwork Club will also begin new sessions in October, with registration beginning Sept. 23. First and second graders will have the option of meeting Mondays, Oct. 28-Dec. 2, with no meeting Nov. 11, or Tuesdays, Oct. 29- Dec. 3. Third and fourth graders will meet Wednesdays, Oct. 30-Dec. 4, with no meeting Nov. 27. or Thursdays, Oct. 31-Dec. 5, with no meeting Nov. 28. During the club, students will have snacks, read books, play games and complete crafts. The clubs will meet afterschool until 4 p.m., with students escorted to the library by library staff. Students can be picked up at the library at 4 p.m., brought to the LES Boys & Girls Club if they already part of the program, or take the late bus home. Registration must be done by calling 845-292-6070. Any requests for registration before Sept. 23 will be asked to call back. Once registered, a permission form will be sent home that must be returned to the child’s teacher indicating pickup preference and other information.

Students in sixth through eighth grade will have the opportunity to learn how to crochet during three sessions, which will build upon the previous week. They will learn beginner stitches and crochet a small decoration or keychain. The lessons will be at 3:15 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 25, Oct. 2 and Oct. 9. Space is limited and registration is required at https://libertypubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/12786856.

Middle and high school students are also invited to a teen game day after school until 4:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30. Students will have the opportunity to play games such as Uno, spoons, mancala, Monopoly and more.

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.

Liberty Central School District Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan will be among the speakers at the Voices of Survivors multi-media exhibit at the Sullivan County Museum at 265 Main St. in Hurleyville.

The exhibit will feature presentations, live music, speakers, a 7-foot tall “Poetree,” interactive art and a time to meet the artists.

Sullivan will speak at noon Thursday, sept. 19, on his family’s interactions with people fleeing the Holocaust.

The exhibit, which includes poetry, prose, photography and paintings that convey hope, sanctuary, compassion and community, will be open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 1-4:30 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 12 through Sept. 29. A full schedule of speakers and events is available on the Hope’s Compass website.