Category: District News
Library to host marshmallow building challenge
The Liberty Public Library will host a marshmallow building challenge for middle and high school students on Wednesday, April 30.
From 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. students in fifth through 12th grades are invited to the library at 189 N. Main St. in front of Liberty Elementary School to complete to build the tallest and strongest structure using marshmallows and toothpicks.
Snacks will be available and candy prizes will be awarded. Students may compete in teams.
For more information, call 845-292-6070 or visit www.libertypubliclibrary.org.
LMS hears anti-bullying message from Sweethearts & Heroes
A mixed martial arts professional and a retired Army sergeant severely injured in Iraq recently presented a message of hope, empathy, compassion and action at Liberty Middle School.
Sweethearts & Heroes Director and Co-Founder Tom Murphy and Rick Yarosh, a Purple Heart recipient and motivational speaker, used role playing, facts, small-group exercises and real-life experiences to help teach students they can be heroes by helping stop bullying and offering hope.
“Many communities in this region grapple with socioeconomic hardships, further complicating the educational landscape,” Murphy said. “The struggles these students endure are heartbreaking, yet Liberty Middle School has paved the way for resilience and success.”
Sweethearts and Heroes’ message and approach aligns with the LMS Comprehensive Education Plan and the District Comprehensive Improvement Plan, said Behavioral Specialist Sheila Wormuth, who brought the program to LMS.
“Their unique approach focuses on actionable steps, rather than just awareness, making a real impact,” she said.
For more than 16 years, Sweethearts & Heroes has presented what Murphy calls “the ‘stop, drop and roll’ of bullying” to more than 2.5 million students across the Northeast and Canada.
The target for the lessons isn’t the bullies or their targets, he said, but those who see it happening and can step in and help.
Over two days, Murphy and Yarosh presented two assemblies—tailored to fifth and sixth grade students in the first and seventh and eighth in the second—visited classes and led small group activities, called circles.
“It was real, it was honest, it was relatable and it will help me see ways to be a better person in school,” seventh-grader Greyson Torres said.
While the message was primarily geared toward students, it also heavily involved staff, who were directly addressed in the presentation and participated in the circles, Wormuth said.
“These were two of the most positive and productive days toward our SEL (social emotional learning) effort,” sixth-grade teacher Justin Golden said.
That is something Murphy said is needed.
“While their environment may not be perfect, in just two days, we witnessed not only students thriving but also a dedicated staff that genuinely loves and cares for the children in their community,” Murphy said. “Bravo, Liberty—bravo!”
A recording of the assemblies can be found at https://events.locallive.tv/events/172824
BOE to meet April 22, April 30
The next Liberty Central School District Board of Education meeting will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, in the HS Media Center. The board anticipates to enter into executive session (not open to the public) immediately. The regular portion of the meeting, open to the public, is expected to resume at 6 p.m.. The agenda will be available on Monday, April 22, at Board Docs.
There will be a special meeting of the Board of Education at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, in the District Office at 115 Buckley St. in Liberty. The board anticipates entering into executive session immediately. There will be no other business and the meeting will be adjourned at the end of the executive session. The meeting is not open to the public. The agenda will be available at Board Docs on Tuesday, April 29.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of April 14-20, 2025
With spring break this week, the sports docket is light. But our track and field student-athletes do have one event scheduled.
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, April 14
No events scheduled.
Tuesday, April 15
10 a.m.: Boy and Girls Varsity Track and Field vs. Multiple Schools at Roundout Valley Central School.
Wednesday, April 16
No events scheduled.
Thursday, April 17
No events scheduled.
Friday, April 18
No events scheduled
Saturday, April 19
No events scheduled
Sunday, April 20
No events scheduled.
Redhawk football player to become Hartwick Hawk
A second Liberty Redhawk has signed to play football with a DIII Empire 8 team next year.
Andrew McPhillips will become a Hartwick College Hawk this fall.
At a signing ceremony on Wednesday, April 9, Andrew, sitting alongside his parents, Mike and Karen, and brother Nick, made his official commitment to the Oneonta college. Andrew will likely face off on the gridiron against Redhawk teammate Mathew Lutz, who will be playing for Alfred University.
Andrew has been playing football his entire life. He was a member of many non-school-based and invite-only offense/defense all-star championship teams that played in various NFL stadiums. He was a four-year member of the Liberty varsity football team, three of those as a two-way starter on the offense and defensive line.
His sophomore year was cut short when he broke his femur in the opening game that season, but he rehabbed and bounced back to finish his last two years strong as center on offense and defensive tackle on defense. Andrew also played on special teams units and represented Liberty in the exceptional senior all-star game this year.
“The Liberty Redhawk Football family is proud of Andrew and wish him the best of luck at Hartwick,” head coach Adam Lake said.
Soap Box Derby info, sign-up meeting set for April 23
There will be an informational and sign-up meeting for the Sullivan County Soap Box Derby at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, at Liberty Firehouse. The event is open to children and teens ages 7-18.
For more information, call Mike at 845-807-2894 or send a message via the Sullivan County Soapbox Derby’s homepage.
A message regarding high school graduation dress code
Dear Liberty families,
On Feb. 27, the district held a forum to discuss the current dress code for our high school graduation ceremony. The dress code is in place to maintain the formality of the event while keeping the focus on our students’ academic and civic achievements.
Along with their caps and gowns, the district has, in the past, allowed students to wear regalia from certain outside organizations/entities. Students will continue to be permitted to wear regalia from those previously approved organizations/entities, which are listed below. The district will not permit students to wear regalia provided by any other outside organization, entity, group or otherwise that are not included on the list below. Students are also permitted to decorate the tops of their graduation caps to reflect their heritage, families, personalities and journeys, provided that such decorations comply with the district’s Code of Conduct and Student Dress Code policy.
During the forum, about 15 attendees requested a change to the existing dress code. They noted that some surrounding districts have implemented changes; however, upon further review, we found that the districts in Sullivan County follow a graduation dress code similar to ours.
We appreciate our students, alumni and families for sharing their perspectives.
After careful consideration, the current graduation dress code will be as follows:
- School-issued: Valedictorian sash; salutatorian sash; LHS Class Officer cord.
- Other approved regalia: National Honor Society stole; United States Armed Forces stole or sash; New York State Public High School Athletic Association medal; New York State Seal of Biliteracy medal; National Art Honor Society cord; National Technical Honor Society cord; HOBY Youth Leadership cord; NY Blood Center Donor cord; New York State Seal of Civic Readiness medal; and Sullivan County BOCES SkillsUSA.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Sullivan, Superintendent
Dr. Derek Adams, High School Principal
Liberty announces 2025 Wall of Fame honorees
The Liberty Central School District Wall of Fame Committee is pleased to announce its two honorees for the 2024 Wall of Fame: Samuel Sanders Jr. and Albert Van Dyke.
Samuel Sanders Jr.
Sanders, a graduate of Liberty High School’s Class of 1979, has dedicated his life to uplifting his community through mentorship, athletics and service. As a standout multi-sport athlete, he was a four-year varsity basketball player, team captain and two-time recipient of the Ivan Richards MVP Award. His athletic talents led him to play at Mansfield College, earn all-star status in a semi-pro league, and receive a tryout with the New Jersey Nets. However, his greatest legacy extends beyond the basketball court.
Choosing service over a professional career in Australia, Sanders returned to Liberty to invest in the next generation. As the founder of Rising Stars Basketball, he has mentored and coached countless young athletes, organizing free clinics and tournaments to unite and inspire the community. His work as a coach at LHS, as well as with the Hudson Valley Hawks and Hudson Valley Rivermen, has shaped the lives of many aspiring athletes.
Sanders has also been a steadfast role model as a deacon at Friendship Baptist Church. His commitment to youth development extends to his career as a recreation director at Delaware Job Corps and St. Christopher’s Inc., where he creates enrichment programs for young people with diverse needs.
Sanders’ leadership has also been evident in organizing community events such as the “Pursuing Your Dreams” workshop and the “Fathers and Men’s Unity Event.
Through decades of selfless dedication, he has left an enduring mark on Liberty, mentoring youth, strengthening community ties and serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration.
Albert Van Dyke
Albert Van Dyke was a trailblazer in special education, a devoted community leader, and a champion for students with special needs. A 1948 graduate of Liberty High School, Van Dyke dedicated his life to ensuring all children had access to quality education. He began as a social studies teacher at Liberty, but soon recognized the need for specialized programs to support students who struggled in traditional academic settings. He established the district’s first special education class, which later expanded into a countywide program under Sullivan County BOCES. The organization’s first director of special education, Van Dyke created and expanded programs at a time when special education was often overlooked.
Van Dyke was also an Eagle Scout, a member and Sunday School superintendent of the Liberty United Methodist Church, and a participant in civic organizations such as the Liberty Lions Club and the Sullivan County Mental Health Board. A historian and collector of local artifacts, he donated more than 2,000 cataloged postcards to the Sullivan County Museum.
Whether helping a Liberty graduate become a police officer by arranging for a civil service test to be read aloud or even rescuing two small children from a burning building, Van Dyke’s selflessness knew no bounds.
Van Dyke continued to serve his community after his 20-year career at BOCES by designing and implementing the county’s preschool special education program.
Van Dyke, who died on April 30, 2012, was a man of integrity, vision and boundless dedication to the Liberty community and has left an indelible mark on Sullivan County.
The Wall of Fame
The Wall of Fame was established in 2011 by the Board of Education to honor extraordinary alumni. Nominees are judged on exceptional accomplishments and significant contributions within their career, community or personal life. The two honorees will be inducted during the Liberty Central School District Wall of Fame ceremony in June. Planning for the invitation-only event is underway. Former inductees’ information can be found on the district’s Wall of Fame webpage.
LES ballfield to be closed for repairs
Starting Monday, April 14, the ballfield at Liberty Elementary School will be closed for use to allow for the Liberty Central School District maintenance crew to make repairs.
The field will be filled, raked and reseeded. The dugout closest to the cafeteria, which is used for storage, will also be removed.
The entire field will be shut down and blocked off during the closure. The length of the closure will depend on how long it takes the grass to grow and the field to recoup from the wear and tear.
For more information, please email Director of Facilities Randy Kleingardner at rkleingardner@libertyk12.org.
LES kindergarten registration continues
Registration for kindergarten at Liberty Elementary School opened April 1.
To qualify, children must be 5 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2025, and a resident of the Liberty Central School District. Students that are in the Liberty Central School District universal pre-k program at LES or G&D do not need to register.
To register, parents or guardians must fill out a registration packet and provide a copy of parent/guardian’s photo ID; custody papers, if applicable; proof of residency, such as a utility bill or rental lease; and the child’s birth certificate, immunization records and a copy of recent physical exam, which must include all school physical exam requirements. Parents and guardians are encouraged to check with their child’s doctor for details.
To register, email haustin@libertyk12.org or call 845-292-5400, ext. 2331.