Category: High School News
A reminder of emergency closure notifications
Some snow is in the forecast for later this week. Whether it has the potential to interrupt the school day is not yet known. We are taking this opportunity to remind parents, guardians and the community how they will receive notice if school will be operating under a delay, will be dismissed early or will be closed due to inclement weather.
The district will contact parents and guardians directly by phone, email and text if there are any changes in the daily school schedule. Those who wish to verify their contact information is correct should reach out to the main office of their child’s school, as well sign up for ParentSquare and download the app. Closing, delay and early dismissal information will also be posted on the district website and shared with local media outlets. Calls may also be made to the district at 845-292-5400. Any schedule changes will follow the initial greeting.
When there is early dismissal, all after-school activities are canceled.
The district has scheduled seven snow days. If all snow days are used by Feb. 13, Feb. 14 will become a student day. Any additional days needed will be virtual learning days. Please refer to our Districtwide Safety Plan regarding remote learning.
LCSD stories earn recognition from state school PR group
Two stories featured on the Liberty Central School District website and shared with local media during the 2023-24 school year earned an “Excellence” rating in the New York School Public Relations Association’s contest.
The two stories, written by public information specialist Denielle Cazzolla, were used to highlight the district’s five-year strategic plan in action. They each earned an “Excellence” rating by the National School Public Relations Association this summer, as well..
The first story, “LHS senior uses NASA opportunities to help further her goals beyond the rainbow,” focused on Jayla Edwards. The 2024 graduate was selected for a very competitive program hosted by NASA between her junior and senior years at Liberty High School. She then was among a select few in the program to have an additional learning experience. The story also highlighted her interests in theater, as she played Dorothy in the Liberty Performing Arts fall production, “The Wizard of Oz” her senior year.
The second story, “New technology brings history to life,” showed the sixth grade social studies classes of Samantha Abplanalp using AI to “interview” Egyptian pharaohs. Not only did students learn about the leaders from centuries ago, they also were required to assess the accuracy of the information provided by ChatGPT, bringing 21st century skills into the classroom.
“These two stories highlight just two of the many ways our district is working to embrace and enact our strategic plan. They show the dedication Liberty Central School District, as a whole, has to our mission to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “The recognition shows how effectively we communicate to our community what makes Liberty a great place to learn.”
LPD beats LCSD again in annual basketball game; scholarship fund wins
The Liberty Central School District team was looking for its first victory over the Liberty Police Department team in the third annual LPD vs LCSD basketball game on Wednesday, Nov. 14. But it was not meant to be, as LPD kept its winning streak alive. The real winner, though, was the Senior Athlete Scholarship, which earned more than $900 through the event.
Organizer Erin Alvord, a LHS physical education teacher, offered the following thanks:
- Officer/Coach Lake for organizing the officers and for his continued support of this event.
- The LPD for their generous donation to scholarships as they have for the last three years.
- Our LCSD team: Joe Franke, Beth Quatrale, Rich Feeney, Felix Colon, Jenna Genco, Andrew Philips, Jamie Black, Peter Owens, Sonia Lemus, Roothland Medina, Kate Rusin, Jermaine Ferguson, Derek Adams and Dr. Sullivan for showing up and working hard despite the loss.
- LCSD Coach Dave Philips!
- The LPD team. Congrats on the win!
- Ralph Bressler for announcing, singing the National Anthem and keeping the clock.
- All of our chaperones for helping to keep the event safe.
- Sarah Davis, Ashley Bury and Paul Voigtland for taking entry fees.
- The Booster Club for their bake sale and 50/50.
- Mrs. Bull for taking pics and gathering the Junior class to sell concessions.
- The officials for coming out long before their season starts.
- LMS students Montgomery Allen and Grace Fitzgerald for keeping the book.
- Everyday Apparel for making the staff t-shirts.
- The community, staff and all the students who came out for the event; and
- A huge, huge, THANK YOU to our custodial staff for setting up before and cleaning up after.
“As you can see, although I organize this, it takes a village, and I truly appreciate everyone who shows up to play or help in any way they can,” Alvord said.
Syracuse adds acceptance, scholarship benefit for eligible SUPA participants
This year, Liberty Central School District began a partnership with Syracuse University to offer Syracuse University Project Advance to Liberty High School Students. SUPA offers advanced courses for college credit. Biology 1 and 2 is being offered at Liberty this year, with Chemistry to be added for the 2025-26 school year.
An added benefit recently announced by Syracuse University is “Guaranteed Orange,” the opportunity to have guaranteed acceptance into Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Science with a $20,000 per year tuition scholarship for eligible students.
“We were excited to partner with Syracuse University on SUPA,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “This additional benefit can have a huge positive impact on the college and career choices of our students who chose to participate.”
To be eligible for “Guaranteed Orange,” students must have completed or plan to complete at least six credit hours through SUPA, Syracuse University Summer College or Accelerated Semester Online by the end of their high school senior spring semester, have a 3.0 grade-point average in the courses completed, have an overall high school GPA of 3.7 or higher and apply to Syracuse University by the deadline of Nov. 15 for Early Decision or Jan. 5 for regular decision or Early Decision II.
For more information, visit the Guaranteed Orange page on the Syracuse University website.
A message from the principal on Parent Teacher Student conferences
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:
I welcome you to attend our LHS Fall Parent Teacher Student conferences on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. With input from our parents and teachers, our Building Leadership Team (consisting of teachers, support staff, parents and students) has helped us update our conference structure. The feedback we received prioritized appointment based and open format conference options. These changes have been made to encourage more participation and parent involvement. Below are the details you will need to know.
- Appointment format: Conferences from 6 to 7 p.m. are for appointments in teacher’s classrooms. Appointments should be made via Parent Square.
- Open format: Conferences from 7 to 8 p.m. are for the open format in the gymnasium. No appointments are necessary.
- Both conference formats may be used by parents on the same evening. We encourage you to make appointments and attend the open format in the gym.
- All participants must enter through the high school gym entrance.
- Child care will be provided by our National Honor Society and LHS senior class members in the high school library for the duration of the conferences and will begin at 5:45 p.m. and conclude at 8:05 p.m.
- Students are invited and encouraged to attend to support student responsibility and personal agency (control of one’s own actions and reactions toward achieving goals).
- Community organizations will be positioned in the high school gym lobby.
- Science Olympiad will be selling plants during the conferences.
We hope to see you and your child(ren) on Thursday, Nov. 21, 6-8 p.m!
All the best,
Derek Adams
Principal
Three honored for Excellence in Service
An elementary speech teacher, a middle school counselor and a member of the grounds crew were recognized by the Liberty Central School District Board of Education with Excellence in Service Awards on Nov. 12.
Jena Schwartz
Schwartz was recognized for meeting the high level of need for speech services in the elementary school. Her nominator highlighted her supplying resources for teachers, as well as guiding and directing two new speech pathologists in the building.
“She juggles all of this with meeting the demands of her own schedule, and always goes above and beyond to advocate for the importance of and need for speech services,” her nominator wrote.
Michelle Behrman
Behrman was described as an asset to the middle school. Her nominator spotlighted her willingness to help teachers and students at any time, and her knowledge of SchoolTool.
“She puts on more than a school counselor hat for Liberty Middle School and should get the award for excellence,” her nomination read. “It is well deserved!”
Joe Davis
Davis’ willingness to lend a hand, with a smile on his face, even when he is busy was featured in his nomination. His diligence during a recent drill was also recognized.
“When our school community was being tested by law enforcement trying to gain access to our buildings, Joe recognized the scam and refused to let the person in,” the nomination read. “Kudos to Joe!”
Each month, faculty and staff members nominate others they believe are going above and beyond, be it a single act of excellence or kindness or a continuous work ethic.
We congratulate these employees on their awards.
New Hope Community to provide free drive-thru holiday family dinner
New Hope Community will host its seventh annual Holiday Family Drive-Thru Dinner from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Community members are welcome to pickup a free family dinner to go on a first-come, first-served basis, at the New Hope Community at 5 New Hope Community Drive in Loch Sheldrake. One family dinner per car will be provided
The meals are being provided through the generosity of Texas Roadhouse, Adams Fairacre Farms, Chili’s, Hannaford, Sam’s Club, Buffalo Wild Wings and Shop Rite. The NHC Foundation has also provided a limited quantity of ShopRite gift cards, that will also be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For more information, call 845-434-8300.
LCSD faculty and staff start November with a day of learning
A day off? Not for Liberty Central School District faculty and staff. Friday, Nov. 1, was a day of learning and professional development.
The day started with the presentation of “Disrupt and Adapt:Teaching and Learning in the Age of AI” by keynote speaker Eric Sheninger, founder and chief executive officer of Aspire Change EDU. Sheninger offered thoughts on how faculty and staff can make artificial intelligence work for them by helping them plan, save time, make learning personal, and rethink and adjust the classroom experience to embrace emerging technology.
After the keynote, faculty and staff had breakout sessions and time for professional development, focusing on specific responsibilities, curriculum, teaching methods and trainings. Specially Designed Instruction and Integrated Co-Teaching sessions were offered to address the needs of LCSD’s special education teachers. Sheninger also led breakout sessions for each school.
A highlight of the day was welcoming media specialists and librarians from across the county to see the Middle School’s InventionLand Innovation Lab.
“Learning is a lifelong process,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “It is important to provide opportunities for our faculty and staff to develop new methods and skills to give our students the best education possible.”
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of Nov. 3-10, 2024
Our athletes will be in action in football this week, the final week of the fall season.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
Monday, Nov. 4
No events scheduled
Tuesday, Nov. 5
No events scheduled.
Wednesday, Nov. 6
4 p.m.: Modified A 11 Man Football vs. Monticello at Liberty High School
Thursday, Nov. 7
No events scheduled.
Friday, Nov. 8
No events scheduled.
Saturday, Nov. 9
No events scheduled.
Sunday, Nov. 10
No events scheduled.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
LAN offers update on capital project, introduction
On Oct. 22, LAN Associates provided an update on the capital project to the Board of Education at Liberty Central School District. In July 2024, LAN Associates was hired by LCSD to design and manage the capital project approved by voters in January 2024.
LAN reported that a geotechnical investigation was recently completed. The geotechnical investigation included soil borings at the athletics fields, and near the softball field, where the new maintenance building will be constructed. This due diligence enabled LAN to advance the first phase of the project, which includes construction of a new maintenance building; athletic facility improvements, including the installation of a new synthetic turf field, track and field improvements, installation of a grandstand and press box, and installation of new athletic field lighting; upgrades to the HVAC controls upgrades at the middle and high school; upgraders to the carbon monoxide alarm system and replacement of exterior stairs at the high school; and replacements of some interior doors at the middle school.
Plans for the first part of the project are expected to be submitted to the New York State Education Department at the end of November, with construction beginning in late spring-to-early summer 2025. LCSD hopes to complete the first phase of work by late spring 2026.
The second phase of the project includes renovations to the high school at the 300 wing, cafeteria and Innovation Lab, a generator replacement, as well as finishing the interior door replacement in the middle school, site drainage improvements, electrical distribution panel replacement, installation of an emergency generator and upgrading the carbon monoxide alarm system at the middle school. Construction is expected to begin on this phase in spring 2026, with completion expected in early 2027.
The final phase of the project includes work at the Liberty Elementary School and District Office. At the elementary school, the work consists of roofing repairs and upgrades, asbestos flooring abatement and replacement, wood flooring replacement, new railings on the elevated bleachers in the gym, upgrades to the classroom and gymnasium ventilation, a boiler conversion, as well as upgrades to the HVAC controls and the carbon monoxide alarm system. At the District Office, a new emergency generator will be installed, and the carbon monoxide alarm system will be upgraded. This phase of work is expected to begin in late spring 2026 with completion before school begins for the 2026-27 school year.
During their presentation, LAN mentioned a bill passed in June by the state Legislature, but not yet signed by the governor, that would require public schools to take action to relieve heat-related discomfort when an occupied instructional space’s temperatures reach 82 degrees, and if temperatures reach 88 degrees, students must leave those areas. This potential regulatory change is being considered by the design team and may influence the design of the HVAC upgrades.
LAN also referenced other potential projects that could benefit the Liberty Central School District in the future.
For nearly 60 years, LAN has provided architecture, engineering and surveying services in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. LAN is an industry leader in the design of K12 educational facilities in New Jersey and the Hudson Valley.
For more information on LAN Associates, visit lanassociates.com.