Category: District News
Liberty Middle School student arrested after investigation of false social media post
On Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, the Village of Liberty Police Department arrested a 13-year-old juvenile following an investigation into a false social media post made on Friday afternoon.
Earlier in the day of Oct. 25, 2024, the Liberty Middle and High Schools briefly went into a lockdown due to an accidental activation of the school’s automated warning system during maintenance. There was no threat to either building, and Liberty Police Department officers, in coordination with school officials, quickly searched both buildings, lifted the lockdown, and returned the schools to normal operations.
Approximately two hours after the lockdown was lifted, a falsified image purporting to be an actual communication from the Liberty Central School District began circulating on social media. The fraudulent image falsely claimed that the prior lockdown had been prompted by an actual incident resulting in harm to students and teachers.
The police investigation identified the originator of the fake post as a 13-year-old Liberty Middle School student. The student was subsequently charged with Falsely Reporting an Incident in the Third Degree, a misdemeanor, and was petitioned to Sullivan County Family Court. Additionally, the district is taking appropriate action in accordance with the LCSD Code of Conduct.
Chief of Police Steven D’Agata stated, “This malicious, fraudulent post was made with the clear intent of frightening, alarming, and disrupting the lives of students, teachers, parents, and the entire school community. For someone to falsely claim that harm came to students and staff in a potential tragedy is deeply disturbing. It is absolutely essential that parents talk to their children about the very real consequences reckless behavior on social media can have for both individuals and the community. Our department, along with Liberty Central School District staff, remains deeply committed to the safety and security of all students and staff.”
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of Oct. 28 – Nov. 3, 2024
Our athletes will be in action in football, soccer and volleyball this week.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
Monday, Oct. 28
4:15 p.m.: Girls Modified Soccer vs. Sullivan West Central at Sullivan West – Lake Huntington.
Tuesday, Oct. 29
2 p.m.: Boys Varsity Soccer Sectional Pre-lims vs. Beacon City at Beacon High School.
4:15 p.m.: Boys Modified Soccer vs. Tri-Valley at Liberty Elementary School
4:15 p.m.: Girls Modified Volleyball vs. Fallsburg at Fallsburg Junior/Senior High School
Wednesday, Oct. 30
4:30 p.m.: Modified A 11 Man Football vs. Valley Central at Valley Central High School
Thursday, Oct. 31
No events scheduled.
Friday, Nov. 1
No events scheduled.
Saturday, Nov. 2
1 p.m.: Varsity Football vs. Red Hook Central at Liberty High School.
Sunday, Nov. 3
No events scheduled.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
Sign-up for modified winter sports open; coaches needed
Sign-ups for Modified Winter Sports is open and can be completed at the Arbiter Sports page for modified sports registration. Modified sports are for students in Grades 7 and 8.
The Arbiter Sports portal will close when the season starts on Nov. 25.
The following sports will be available for Modified Winter Sports: Girls and Boys Basketball, Boys and Girls Indoor Track and Field and Wrestling. At this point there is no coach for boys basketball, boys indoor track and field, and wrestling. If a coach cannot be found, those sports will be canceled for the season.
For more information about registration or becoming a coach, reach out to Athletic Director Kim Craft at kcraft@libertyk12.org or via phone at 845-292-5400, ext. 2012.
Fake screenshot circulating about lockdown
A fake screenshot of a ParentSquare alert is circulating stating that there was a lockdown following a threat at the Middle and High School and that students and a teacher were harmed. A lockdown was accidentally triggered at the Middle and High School earlier today during maintenance work. There was never any threat at the buildings, and there were no injuries. The district is investigating the fake message and will take appropriate action in accordance with the Code of Conduct and law enforcement if necessary.
Accidental lockdown at LHS/LMS
Liberty High School and Middle School were briefly in a lockdown earlier today (Oct. 25) triggered by maintenance of the system. There was no threat to our buildings. Apologies for any issues this may have caused.
SED issues warning on scam calls targeting SAT, PSAT takers
The state Education Department recently issued a warning about scam calls targeting parents and guardians of students who have recently taken an SAT or PSAT.
The following is the message:
Dear parent or guardian please let this serve as a reminder that you should not share personal or financial information over the phone with unsolicited callers. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately. We are sending this reminder because parents and/or guardians of children who have recently taken an SAT or PSAT exam have been receiving scam calls requesting personal information, including a credit card number, to mail the test results.
Additional tips about how to protect yourself from SAT test-related scams can be found on the Better Business Bureau website and below:
- Always be wary of unsolicited callers: If you receive a random call from someone asking for payment, research their organization before sharing any personal information.
- Double check with your child: If someone claims they’re calling because of a service your child requested, hang up and check with your child first.
- Understand the College Board’s practices: The College Board will never ask you for your bank or credit card information over the phone or through email.
- Don’t give your financial information to strangers: Never agree to pay a stranger with any form of payment for a purchase you didn’t initiate.
All Things Liberty Winter Festival date set; vendors wanted
The All Things Liberty Winter Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in the Liberty Middle and High School gyms.
The district is inviting all Liberty organizations and craft vendors to join in the festival. Those interested in attending or getting involved are asked to reach out to Stacy Feasel at sfeasel@libertyk12.org or 845-292-5400, ext. 2332.
“Let’s make this year’s festival bigger and better together,” Feasel said. “Don’t miss out.”
Craft vendor tables will cost $40 with all proceeds going to the Liberty Snack Pack Program. Payment must be made by money order or bank checks payable to the LSEA Snack Pack Program and sent to Stacy Feasel, LCSD District Office, 115 Buckley St, Liberty, NY 12754.
The snow date will be Saturday, March 1.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of Oct. 21-27, 2024
Our athletes will be in action in cross country, football, soccer and volleyball this week.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
Monday, Oct. 21
4 p.m.: Girls JV Soccer vs. Middletown at Middletown High School Upper Field.
Result: Liberty 2, Middletown 2. For the second time this season the girls JV team took Middletown to overtime. The result was different this time though. The Redhawks took an early lead following a clean drive off the left foot of Yarel Diaz Lopez. She was assisted by a beautiful pass through the defense from Genna DeFrank who earned an assist. Later Middletown tied it up in the second half and took the lead off a pair of goals. The Redhawks were determined and continued to press with excellent passing through the midfield led by captains Genna DeFrank and Juanita Garcia Lopez. Their efforts paid off when the Middletown keeper was unable to secure a blast from Gimena Quiroz Ramirez. The loose ball was corralled and expertly tucked into the net by Olivia Corrigan. Cassandra Porter stood strong in the net for Liberty refusing to allow another goal in the contest. The defense of Gwen Medaugh, Brooke Porter and Olivia Tyler turned away any more attempts by Middletown to get close to goal. The game ended in a tie following the overtime.
4 p.m.: Boys JV Soccer vs. Monticello at Monticello High School
4:15 p.m.: Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Chapel Field Christian Schools at Liberty High School
Result: Liberty 4, Chapel Field 2 (Senior Game). Brayan Hernandez, Jehu Abisair, Jackson Bustillo and James Dworetsky all scored. Brayan and Rene Bernal each contributed an assist. Bryan Jimbo had two saves in goal.
4:30 p.m.: Girls JV Volleyball vs. Sullivan West Central at Sullivan West – Lake Huntington.
5 p.m.: Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Middletown at Middletown High School Faller Field Complex.
6 p.m.: Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Sullivan West Central at Sullivan West – Lake Huntington
Tuesday, Oct. 22
4:15 p.m.: Girls Modified Soccer vs. Eldred at Liberty Elementary School.
5:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Port Jervis at Port Jervis High School Chase Field
Result: Liberty 3, Port Jervis 0. The team played a strong game with goals scored by Jehu Abisair and Brayan Hernandez. James Dworetsky had an assist. Justin Simon recorded three saves in the contest. The team finishes the regular season with a 9-4-1 overall record. The team qualified for sectional play beginning next Tuesday and will find out who the opponent will be on Thursday night.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
4:15 p.m.: Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Fallsburg at Liberty High School
4:15 p.m.: Boys Modified Soccer vs. S.S. Seward Institute at Liberty Elementary School.
4:30 p.m.: Modified A 11 Man Football vs. Ellenville at Liberty High School
4:30 p.m.: Boys JV Soccer vs. James I. O’Neill at James I. O’Neill High School
4:30 p.m.: Girls Modified Volleyball vs. West Point Middle at Liberty Middle School
4:30 p.m.: Girls JV Volleyball vs. S.S. Seward Institute at S.S. Seward Institute
5:30 p.m.: Girls JV Soccer vs. Port Jervis at Port Jervis High School Chase Field.
Thursday, Oct. 24
4:15 p.m.: Girls Modified Soccer vs. Livingston Manor/Roscoe at Liberty Elementary School.
4:15 p.m.: Girls JV Soccer vs. Monticello at Monticello High School Monticello High School – Upper Field
4:30 p.m.: Girls Modified Volleyball vs. James I. O’Neill at Liberty Middle School.
4:30 p.m.: Girls JV Volleyball vs. Chester Academy at Chester Academy
6: p.m.: Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Chester Academy at Chester Academy
Friday, Oct. 25
4:15 p.m.: Boys Modified Soccer vs. Ellenville at Ellenville Little League
Saturday, Oct. 26
1 p.m.: Varsity Football vs. Dover at Liberty High School
2 p.m.: Boys and Girls Cross Country Championship vs. Multiple Schools at Sanfordville Elementary School.
Sunday, Oct. 27
No events scheduled.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section 9 website for the latest.
Curriculum alignment, improvement, review progressing under strategic plan
As Liberty Central School District approaches the midway point of its five-year strategic plan, officials are taking time to evaluate what has been accomplished so far and what still needs to be done. Last month, the district reviewed its mission, vision and beliefs. Now focus turns to the Curriculum pillar.
To review the strategic intents of the Curriculum pillar:
- 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.
- 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 does this mean?
Curriculum is the core of the education system. Without a strong, consistent curriculum, Liberty cannot give its students the tools they need to succeed.
That is why ensuring curriculum is aligned with New York State standards and that that curriculum is consistent across classes and grade levels is so important. District officials also must regularly review and analyze the plans and adjust if needed.
What is LCSD doing?
Over the past few years, the district has instituted and/or expanded several curricular programs that offer consistency through the elementary and middle school years, including the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt math and reading curriculum and the Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES Social Studies and Science 21 programs.
The Woz ED curriculum has been expanded to help Liberty students enhance the 21st-century skills they will need now and in the future. That curriculum will also expand into the high school once the Innovation Lab is completed.
At the high school level, Liberty has expanded college-level course offerings to include Syracuse University Project Advance classes. These are the same courses offered at Syracuse University, taught by our teachers, that will offer transferable college credit.
The district is working diligently on making sure curriculum maps are being updated, completed, filed and followed. Mastery standards per grade level and course are also being established. These steps allow educators to clearly set expectations for students, and students will know what they must accomplish. Administrators also use all available resources, including Star Renaissance testing and state assessments, to analyze the effectiveness of the curriculum and make adjustments as needed.
“An effective, consistent, responsive curriculum that meets the needs of all of our students is vital to the success of our district,” LCSD Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “We are moving in the right direction, with student performance improving, and I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish in the future.”
For more information, email questions@libertyk12.org.
This is the second in a series of stories that focus on different aspects of LCSD’s strategic plan and what it means for the Redhawk students, staff, families and community.
Noncredible threat circulates again on social media
A social media post of a potential threat of violence against several schools on a list, including a Liberty Middle School, that was disseminated in mid-September has begun circulating again. The report was investigated and found to be noncredible. The list originated from an out-of-state department of education list of schools that were targeted for educational improvement and spread via social media.
The district reminds students that if they see a threat they should report as soon as they see it via Anonymous Alerts or to a trusted adult, and they should never share it via social networks or text messages.
“Liberty puts safety at the top of our priority list, and we investigate every threat,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “We thank the community for their vigilance and concern for the safety of our school community.”