Category: District News
Conference days kick off the new year for faculty, staff
Faculty, staff and administration spent the past two days gearing up to welcome students back to school.
The first of two conference days opened with keynote speaker Erica Orange, executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Future Hunters, one of the world-leading futurist consulting firms. Her presentation, “Failing Forward: The Future of Learning” focused on looking to the future of education, identifying trends and how to strategize how to most effectively support students and LCSD’s vision of cultivating trust and courage to be innovative and to persevere. She discussed how Gen Z is different from past generations and how that generation and future ones are developing biliterate brains — those that can think in the physical and digital realms. The increased use of automation and augmented and artificial intelligence is changing the way educators must think about teaching and learning, she said.
After a welcome and introduction by Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan, BOE President Matt DeWitt and various school union leaders, new members of the Liberty Central School District were introduced and staff members who have years of service milestones were recognized. The superintendent then reviewed the five-year strategic plan, outlined what has been accomplished and offered an overview of what the next steps will be.
There were also presentations on mental health as well as a technology overview. Following meetings and lunch, the afternoon offered time for faculty and staff to work on their classrooms and buildings and complete training.
The second day of conference days included building-specific training, information and meetings as well as overviews of district-wide programs and policies.
We are excited to welcome back our students today, Sept. 7.
New teachers learn more about LCSD at orientation
New teachers were welcomed to Liberty Central School District on Wednesday, Aug. 30, with a full day of introductions, instruction and icebreaker activities.
The 16 newest Redhawk faculty members met in the High School Media Center where they signed in, got their Chromebooks and were treated to breakfast.
The day began with opening remarks by Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan, who also introduced the administrative team. He then outlined the philosophy of having permission to “fail forward,” meaning it is OK to fail at something as long as the failure is accepted and used as a stepping stone for future success.
The teachers learned about the district’s Five-Year Strategic Plan, as well as the annual District Comprehensive Improvement Plan and building level plans, and discussed why they were important. They also received an overview of the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) process, SchoolTool, the DESSA social/emotional learning screener and other educational digital platforms, Leader in Me, Special Education, English as a New Language and Students in Temporary Housing, as well as technology information such as passwords, security and help desk information. The mentor-mentee program, required for all first-year teachers, offered at Liberty was highlighted during the orientation.
As a way to get to know each other early in the day, teachers paired up and were given 10 minutes to learn more about each other and then introduced their partners to the rest of the group.
The interaction continued throughout the day, especially during the program led by Betsy Conners, a PLC consultant. She addressed issues such as culturally sustaining education, professional learning communities, learning standards, learning targets and essential questions, and offered several group activities to help bring home her messages.
The day concluded with a look at “Overview of The First Days of School” by Harry Wong, which explains why some practices stand the test of time and offers suggestions on how to use them.
The teachers then wrote a letter to themselves, asking them what is their “Why” and where they expect to be at winter break, in respect to their strengths, accomplishments, instructional strategies and more. These letters will be returned to them at the end of the school year, offering them a chance to reflect on their first year at Liberty.
The goal of the new teacher orientation was to increase understanding of the processes and procedures at Liberty, inline with the coherence pillar of the strategic plan.
Forum outlines updates, changes for the 2023-24 school year
The Liberty Central School District’s Community Forum on Wednesday, Aug. 30, offered the chance for the public to hear updates on the five-year strategic plan and related plans, learn more about new programs in the district and more.
Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan welcomed about two dozen community members, offering updates on the plans created to help facilitate Liberty’s improvement and commitment to its mission and vision.
Strategic Plan
Sullivan highlighted the videos created to promote the four pillars of the strategic plan, Coherence, Curriculum, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and Culture, and explained what each pillar means and how they impact the Liberty school community.
Coherence helps ensure all three buildings are moving in the same direction on procedures and instruction. Curriculum alignment across grades and subject matters helps ensure students have a consistent and cohesive learning experience. A strong MTSS model allows each student to get the level of support they need, where they need it. Culture’s pillar is two-fold—it focuses on the culture of Liberty, found in its mission “to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential,” and the cultures of those who make up the Liberty community. More on the strategic plan can be found on the strategic plan page of the website.
DCIP
Sullivan then updated the audience on last year’s District Comprehensive Improvement Plan, which along with building level plans, support the initiatives in the strategic plan.
All three buildings saw progress toward their goals last year, with Liberty Elementary surpassing its goal of having 58.58% of the students being at watch, at level or above level as reported by STAR Reading and Early Literacy testing.
He also unveiled the three priorities for this year’s DCIP:
- Provide an accessible, culturally responsive, relevant, engaging, vertically and horizontally aligned PK-12 curriculum, that makes connections to our students and community.
- Provide a MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports) for behavior and attendance that cultivates wellness and safety for students, staff and families.
- The district will create a positive, welcoming student centered environment that celebrates diversity and inclusivity to empower students, staff and families.
Curriculum
Curriculum was also a large portion of the presentation. Sullivan outlined several of the programs used, including IntoReading and IntoMath for kindergarten through eighth grades,, Math180 and Reading 180 intervention curriculum, Frogstreet for pre-kindergarten, STEM-focused Woz ED, and the Level Up Village program, which connects students with others across the globe.
The Business Incubator class, a high school elective which began last year, will be put on hold because of staffing changes, but the district’s goal is to bring the class back once a full time business teacher is hired.
Liberty has also been certified to offer the Seal of Civic Readiness at the high school to provide “civic education that empowers all students to make informed decisions for the public good as members of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.”
The district is also offering Mandarin as a world language class for eighth graders, and as an exploratory class for high school. This was done, in part, because of difficulty in finding Spanish language teachers, Sullivan said.
LEADS
The Liberty Police Department and Liberty High School’ Liberty Law Enforcement and Discovering Success Program, or LEADS, will also continue this year, giving students who have an interest in entering law enforcement fields after graduation a chance to get an inside look at the career.
ENL Newcomer Program
To help meet the needs of the growing English as a New Language learners, the district has also created an in-house ENL Newcomer Program, where high school students who have limited or no English language skills are given extra support to develop their language skills before moving to mainstream, English-language based classes.
DESSA
Social and emotional wellness is also a priority for the district. That is why the district will introduce the DESSA Screener by Aperture, a way to check the social and emotional wellness of students to ensure they get the support they need. Gaggle, a tool that monitors the district’s computer network and notifies the administration if and when a child is in emotional distress.
Safety
Safety procedures and systems were reviewed, and initiatives such as increased supplies to support the school resource officers and reviewing and changing traffic patterns to make pickup and drop off safer were outlined.
Projects in progress
Two projects in progress were also reviewed — an upcoming capital project proposal and a new logo for the recently renamed Liberty Redhawks. Progress on both have been made over the summer with the goal of each being revealed in the coming weeks and months. Both take time, Sullivan said. The district wants to make sure all financial, safety and curricular needs are met before finalizing the capital project plans, and the mascot committee is “working diligently to create a logo that we all can support and be proud of,” Sullivan said.
The forum was translated by high school TESOL teacher Susana Alvarado.
The first day of school for students is Sept. 7. For the most up-to-date information, visit www.libertyk12.org. Feedback and questions can be directed to questions@libertyk12.org.
The forum’s goal is to inform and update the public about what is happening at the district, inline with the culture and coherence pillars of the strategic plan.
Retreat helps school leaders plan, improve for the new year
Liberty Central School District administrators and teacher facilitators were hard at work this week preparing for the upcoming school year.
The annual summer professional development and planning retreat was held Monday through Thursday, using LCSD’s five-year Strategic Plan and the District Comprehensive Improvement Plan as a focus and guide for sessions.
Administrators heard from speakers, participated in activities, took part in professional development sessions and worked on plans for the upcoming school year.
Teacher facilitators joined sessions on Wednesday to learn about best practices in curriculum and instruction. They also briefly reviewed student data to analyze how they can support students.
In the final day of the end of the retreat, the building teams met to create their yearly building plans to help achieve the yearly district goals, to ultimately accomplish the strategic plan’s strategic intents.
LHS junior to intern at NASA-funded SEES program
A junior at Liberty High School is looking to do big things in Texas this summer.
Jayla Edwards, who plans to be an aerospace engineer, was selected for the Student Enhancement in Earth and Space science summer internship.
Only 95 of the nearly 2,000 applicants from across the nation were selected for the competitive program, which will run July 8-22 at the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Space Research.
SEES is a collaborative effort of UT/CSR and NASA. The internships are organized around an aerospace or space science theme drawn from NASA’s diverse engineering and scientific research programs. The program combines the strengths of collaborators to enrich teaching and learning of STEM.
“The NASA SEES internship stood out to me because it allows high school students to work on issues prominent in actual NASA missions and gain valuable experience and knowledge that will be useful in college and in a career,” Edwards said.
The program pays for housing at the University of Texas for onsite teams, all meals, local transportation and has travel scholarships for those who can not afford the flight to Texas, Edwards said.
“We are all proud of Jayla’s accomplishment,” LHS Principal Derek Adams said. “We encourage our students to explore all options to further their knowledge, and this internship is a perfect example of that.”
Students will work with scientists and engineers to conduct authentic research from data received from NASA’s Earth-observing satellites as well as designing Mars habitats, lunar exploration and analysis of images from the International Space Station.
Students work remotely with their project scientist before the on-site internship, complete an Earth and Space Science course, and complete a Python coding course. During the two weeks the students will work at UT/CSR, they will conduct hands-on activities, field investigations, collaborate with NASA-funded scientists and engineers, and work on various NASA missions.
“I hope the program will provide me with the opportunity to gain the skills I will need in the future and give me a chance to see what kinds of things I will be doing in the future,” Edwards said. As part of the Mars Rover Resource Utilization Team, “I am very excited to be working on a project that is so similar to NASA missions that I desire to be a part of.”
It won’t be all work. The student will also listen to talks from scientists and engineers, visit the NASA Johnson Space Center, and go to an escape room, Edwards said.
“Our mission at Liberty is ‘to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential,’” LCSD Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “With this internship, Jayla embodies our mission and our Liberty Pride.”
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
B. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS:
- 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).
- 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). - Professional staff must be evaluated at least annually.
- 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:
- A description of the services to be provided by the eligible agency;
- A detailed narrative which describes how the eligible agency proposes to meet the goals and objectives of the District’s Pre-Kindergarten Program;
- A description of the eligible agency’s staff qualifications, staffing patterns, child-staff ratio, and administrative structure;
- The number of students that will be served;
- A budget of proposed expenditures for services rendered;
- Signed Non-Collusive Bidding Certification and Certificate of Compliance with Iran Divestment Act of 2012; and
- 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:
- The eligible agency’s capacity to effectively, efficiently and immediately provide needed services;
- The ease of utilization and accessibility of the program to parents and/or guardians;
- Capacity to provide ongoing staff development;
- Staffing patterns and qualifications;
- Documentation that all applicable health and safety codes and licensure or registration requirements are met;
- Anticipated fiscal share and other resources will be contributed to the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program;
- Current program design and experience in providing developmentally-appropriate programs;
- Fiscal solvency;
- Stability of staff, rate of turnover and ability to fill vacancies in a timely manner;
- Articulated mission/philosophy statements;
- Record management and documentation procedures followed by the agency;
- Administrative structure;
- Capacity and experience in serving children with disabilities;
- Capacity and experience in serving children and their parents and/or guardians when they are limited English proficient;
- Children’s progress as demonstrated by assessments; and
- Demonstrated effectiveness of the eligible agency’s program.
IV. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL AND CONTRACT INFORMATION
- 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
- It is the policy of the Liberty Central School District to provide Equal Employment Opportunity.
- 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:
- 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.
- Each certificate shall include Owner Liberty Central School District as “Additional Insured”.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
“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.
The 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.
The 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.
Goldstein 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.
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.
A
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.