Category: Elementary News
LES puts healthy eating at forefront
Liberty Elementary has put nutrition high on its list of priorities this year.
The Empowering a Healthier Generation Wellness Committee at LES is working hard to make the cafeteria and classrooms spaces where students will enjoy eating healthy foods.
On Sept. 26, LES students learned about nutrition and health choices thanks to Nutrition Mission Assemblies with Beth & Scott. The Bierkos taught students the importance of drinking water instead of sugary beverages to quench thirst, the importance of getting adequate rest, 60 minutes of daily exercise, and the importance of putting healthy foods into their bodies.
LES encourages students to use the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable snack carts (provided free, much like breakfast and lunch here at LES) instead of eating items such as cookies and chips for snacks. Students are also encouraged to use the salad bar at lunch time and to sign out the blender bike for healthier birthday celebrations.
All of these messages connect with Leader in Me Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw – Balance is Best.
This year, LES is setting a goal to eat 1,000 servings of fruits and vegetables a month. This will be tracked on a new bulletin board in the cafeteria. There are also brand new light up menu boards in the cafeteria where the daily lunch menu is posted and new signage to encourage healthy eating.
Students will be acting as leaders as they work together to track servings of fruits and vegetables consumed at lunch time.
Strategic plan centered on district’s mission, vision, beliefs
Liberty Central School District is now in the third year of its five-year strategic plan. The district is consistently evaluating its work and is making progress. The district’s mission, vision and beliefs are at the heart of the plan.
To review:
- The mission of the Liberty Central School District is to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential.
- The district’s vision is “cultivating trust and courage to be innovative and to persevere.”
- LCSD believes the mission and vision represent our core values and dedication to remain innovative, forward thinking and focused on all students. To that end, it believes in:
- Committing to fiscal responsibility.
- Providing physical and emotional safety for all.
- Partnering with educators, families and community for all students’ success.
- Delivering a robust educational program PreK-12.
- Fostering a sense of belonging.
- Ensuring all students have the necessary resources to be successful.
What does all this mean?
It means the district recognizes the important role it has in preparing its students for the world beyond the LCSD’s walls. The district must do all it can to give them the tools, knowledge and confidence to be their own person and make a difference in a world that is growing and diversifying while at the same time getting smaller through technology.
The board, administration, faculty and staff strive to give their students a safe place to learn and be innovative, while not being afraid to fail forward (learning from their mistakes and continuing to make progress).
The district does this while keeping in mind and embracing the realities of our community’s financial, social and cultural differences.
“We work to ensure every child who enters the halls of each of Liberty’s schools has the opportunity to not just get by but to thrive within our walls and beyond, making Liberty a great place to learn,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.
For more information, email questions@libertyk12.org.
This is the first in a series of messages going out this year that will focus on different aspects of the strategic plan and what it means for LCSD students, staff, families and community.
Attendance notifications are changing
Starting Monday, Sept. 16, parents and guardians will begin receiving notifications via ParentSquare if their child is absent from school.
They will receive a text or an email notification in regards to their child’s absence. If the text or email cannot be delivered, the parent will automatically receive a phone call.
An advantage of signing up for ParentSquare is that notes can be submitted through the ParentSquare App or website. The absence notification can be found on the alerts button at the bottom of the app or on the left hand side of the webpage. For more details on how to access the notifications, visit ParentSquare’s help page here.
Submitting the note is as easy as 1, 2, 3. (images are only for reference)
- Click Send Note to School.
- Enter the reason for the absence and click Submit.
- The note will be sent immediately to the school’s attendance office.
If the parent or guardian hasn’t yet registered for ParentSquare, they must send the reason for the absence via email to centralregistration@libertyk12.org or send in a physical note with their child to be turned into the school’s main office or with the child’s teacher or homeroom teacher.
For more information and instructions on how to sign up for ParentSquare, visit the ParentSquare page on our website.
LHS student earns Soapbox Derby title
LES student competes, finishes eighth
When asked what they did over summer break, two Liberty students are able to say they competed in the 2024 All-American Soapbox Derby. One of those students can add that he is a world champion.
Hudson Danzilo, a 10th grader, earned the 2024 masters division championship and received a $1,000 scholarship. Fourth-grader Ava Diehl finished in eighth place in the stock division.
The two pursued their potential by competing with racers from around the world in Akron, Ohio, in July.
Racers qualify by competing in local Soapbox Derby or via earning enough rally points to qualify. Ava and Hudson won their divisions in the Sullivan County Soapbox Derby, held annually, the first Saturday after Memorial Day in Liberty. Ava competed in the stock division (ages 7-13) and Hudson competed in the Masters division (ages 12-21). Competitors race against each other in gravity-driven vehicles built within specifications determined by the organization in a single elimination bracket style race to determine a champion.
For more information on the Soapbox Derby, visit https://www.soapboxderby.org/
LCSD welcomes new director of facilities
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.
LCSD issues safety reminders
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 teacher, police chief to be honored by SCSBA
A longtime Liberty Elementary School teacher and the Village of Liberty police chief will be among those honored by the Sullivan County School Boards Association Annual Dinner and Meeting next month.
Jennifer Eisenberg will be honored as an Outstanding Educator, and Police Chief Steven D’Agata will be honored as an Outstanding Friend to Education.
LES teacher Jennifer Eisenberg
A teacher at LES for 25 years, Eisenberg has educated a range of learners, from students with a variety of learning needs to the highest performing students.
“There is no student Jen Eisenberg cannot reach and teach,” Principal Robert England said in his nominating letter.
“I never entered the teaching profession looking for accolades or recognition, but, when I opened the letter I was immediately humbled and felt an immense sense of pride,” Eisenberg said.
Eisenberg accepts all challenges. She adapts her methods as needed and holds high expectations for her students, ensuring they exceed their expectations, the nomination read.
For the past 10 years, Eisenberg has been the math department facilitator, an instructional coach and a leader in the school and districtwide. She has helped the district work toward its strategic plan goal of ensuring curriculum, instruction and assessments are aligned vertically and horizontally.
It was a childhood dream to become an educator, Eisenberg said. She credited the mentors and support team in her earlier years of teaching for her success and she looks forward to sharing her knowledge and expertise with the next generation of teachers, including her daughter, who is now a teacher at LES
“(Eisenberg’s) legacy to her family and community as an educator and a human being is imprinted on her students, her colleagues and anyone who has the good fortune to work with her,” England said in the nomination.
LPD Chief Steven D’Agata
D’Agata’s dedication, innovation and community spirit were among the qualities highlighted by Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan in the nomination letter.
“I’m deeply honored and humbled to receive this award, but any recognition truly belongs to the men and women of the Liberty Police Department,” D’Agata said. “Their tireless work and dedication are the foundation of everything we achieve.”
D’Agata’s forward-thinking approach and proactive measures have enhanced the safety and well-being of students, staff and the broader community. They have become benchmarks for other districts, Sullivan wrote.
D’Agata has helped build relationships between the community, the district and the police department, by visiting schools, participating in community events and having open dialogue with students and families. This aligns with the culture pillar of the district’s strategic plan,
“Together, we’ve built something special for this community, and I’m proud to be a part of it,” D’Agata said.
Sullivan also praised D’Agata’s leadership in ensuring seamless collaboration and communication, crucial in times of crisis and for the ongoing safety.
“He has fostered a culture of mutual respect and understanding, creating a supportive environment where students feel safe and valued,” Sullivan wrote. “Chief D’Agata has established a presence that is both reassuring and inspiring.”
Each year, the SCSBA presents Outstanding Educator Awards and Outstanding Friend to Education Awards based on nominations from districts across the county during the organization’s annual meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, at The Villa Roma in Callicoon.
LCSD faculty, staff return to school
It may still be two days until students return, but Liberty Central School District faculty and staff had their first day of the 2024-25 school year on Tuesday. The year kicked off with the traditional Opening Day assembly, this year held in the high school gymnasium rather than the auditorium because of work underway on the stage.
“These first two days of school for our faculty and staff are a vital time to ensure we are all on the same page and working together to make Liberty a great place to learn,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.
These two conference days help Liberty administration introduce or reintroduce and reinforce the mission, vision and beliefs of the district, inline with the district’s five-year strategic plan. It also allows time for faculty and staff to complete required trainings and to make final preparations before students return.
Following a brief welcome and remarks by Sullivan and various school union leaders, new administrators, faculty and staff were introduced.
Sullivan and building leaders also recognized staff who were celebrating milestone years of service, with special recognition given to two Liberty staff members who each have been with LCSD for 33 years — custodian Marilyn Doland and ICT first-grade teacher Karen Gorr.
The strategic plan was next on the agenda. Sullivan reviewed the plan, progress that has been made in the first two years, and where the district is heading in year three. He also briefly reviewed the annual District Comprehensive Improvement Plan.
The important topic of student mental health was next on the agenda, with behavioral specialist Sheila Wormuth presenting. She highlighted the importance of making a difference in students’ lives, from a small thing such as offering a smile to the big ones, such as truly listening and understanding when they are speaking.
Liberty administration offers updates for 2024-25 school year at community forum
About two dozen people gathered outside the main entrance to Liberty High School on Thursday, Aug. 29, to hear an overview of updates and changes for the 2024-25 school year at Liberty Central School District.
District administration has held these forums annually as a way to better communicate and interact with the LCSD community, in accordance with the district’s five-year strategic plan.
The plan, now in its third year, is the district’s roadmap for improvement across the district.
LCSD Dr. Patrick Sullivan led the presentation, with assistance from Assistant Superintendent Marianne Serratore and translation by ENL teacher Susana Alvarado.
The school year begins for students on Thursday, Sept. 5, and the district is eager to welcome them back.
“Our teachers and staff generally care about and want what’s best for our students,” Sullivan said at the start of the presentation.
After reviewing the strategic plan, Sullivan and Serratore highlighted the progress the district has made in each pillar — Coherence, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Curriculum and Culture — and what the district is doing to move forward this year.
The full update can be found here.
The plan informed changes for the 2024-25 school year that were highlighted in the forum.
Serratore reviewed current curricular program and highlighted, changes include expanding HMH math curriculum to seventh grade, offering algebra to all eighth graders, the introduction of Syracuse University Project Advance college credit courses (and the updated high school grade weighting system), as well as a full-day, expanded Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program, and a new partnership with Inventionland to expand opportunities for STEM learning in the Middle School Innovation Lab.
The Seal of Civic Readiness program, introduced last year with one graduate, expands curricular opportunities and empowers each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential, tying back to the curriculum and culture pillars.
Other improvements were geared toward the culture pillar, which includes better communicating the mission and vision of the district. Those included the change to ParentSquare, which is streamlining two-way communication between Liberty families and the district and schools, and the re-introduction of Anonymous Alerts, which assists the district in its commitment to the Dignity for All Students Act and safety.
“We take the Dignity for All Students Act seriously to ensure that each child who sets foot into our schools and our classrooms feel they are safe, welcome and comfortable,” Sullivan said.
Some of the district’s programs, including Gaggle, the DESSA social-emotional screener, the Global Learners Newcomer Program, are being reviewed and adjusted to better inform our MTSS procedures in accordance with that pillar.
As part of the coherence pillars, Liberty Elementary has better aligned report cards with key standards to enhance students’ learning opportunities.
The safety initiatives, visitor procedures, chain of command calling guide and District Comprehensive Improvement Plan priorities were reviewed at the forum, hitting both the coherence and culture pillars.
Sullivan offered an update on the capital project, approved in January, now led by the architecture firm LAN Associates. The focus now is on the first portion of the project, reviewing the schematics of the athletic field, maintenance storage building, and the building updates. A few projects not directly related to the capital project were completed or underway this summer, including updating the high school stage, resurfacing the gymnasium floor to include the district’s new logo, and resurfacing the tennis courts.
No questions were asked publicly at the end of the forum. But administrators did meet with those in attendance to answer questions one-on-one and to assist in signing up for ParentSquare. Sullivan also reminded those in attendance and watching the livestream that any questions could be emailed to questions@libertyk12.org.
The livestream of the forum can be found at https://events.locallive.tv/events/154258.
A message from the superintendent regarding LifeWise
Dear Liberty,
As you may have seen, a religious education organization, LifeWise, has been advertising for a program director for its services within the geographic boundaries of the Liberty Central School District (the “District”). The advertising may imply that LifeWise is offering a bible education program in affiliation or partnership with the District. We want to make it clear that Liberty CSD is not affiliated with, and does not offer any religious education programs in partnership with, LifeWise or any other religious entity.
We understand and respect that religious education is important to many families in the District. Parents may choose to submit a written request to release their children from school for religious instruction by any religious organization of their choice. The District will honor those requests to the extent required by law. However, the District is not involved in scheduling, programming, or transportation for the religious instruction.
We have sent the following message to LifeWise asking it to remove the District from any of its advertising:
The Liberty Central School District has received inquiries from our community regarding the District’s affiliation with LifeWise. In particular, we are concerned about a social media posting which states, in pertinent part, that LifeWise is “Now Hiring a Program Director for Liberty New York Central School District. Bible Education Coming Soon.” This posting may be creating the misleading and inaccurate impression that Liberty CSD is affiliated with LifeWise, or is partnering with LifeWise to offer religious instruction to Liberty students, or is jointly employing a “program director,” none of which is true.
We respectfully request that LifeWise remove any and all references to Liberty CSD in the above-mentioned posting and in any other promotional materials which may suggest that Liberty CSD has any connection with LifeWise. Liberty CSD does not endorse or support any particular religious organization, including but not limited to LifeWise.
As mentioned in our correspondence dated July 24, 2024, “The Liberty Central School District will honor its obligation to excuse a student from school for off-site religious instruction upon written request from their parent, consistent with applicable law. Any arrangements for transportation and/or scheduling should be addressed with the parents of each student.” This applies equally to religious instruction offered by LifeWise and any other religious organization of parent choice.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email questions@libertyk12.org.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Sullivan
Superintendent