Category: Middle School News
Library to host marshmallow building challenge
The Liberty Public Library will host a marshmallow building challenge for middle and high school students on Wednesday, April 30.
From 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. students in fifth through 12th grades are invited to the library at 189 N. Main St. in front of Liberty Elementary School to complete to build the tallest and strongest structure using marshmallows and toothpicks.
Snacks will be available and candy prizes will be awarded. Students may compete in teams.
For more information, call 845-292-6070 or visit www.libertypubliclibrary.org.
LMS hears anti-bullying message from Sweethearts & Heroes
A mixed martial arts professional and a retired Army sergeant severely injured in Iraq recently presented a message of hope, empathy, compassion and action at Liberty Middle School.
Sweethearts & Heroes Director and Co-Founder Tom Murphy and Rick Yarosh, a Purple Heart recipient and motivational speaker, used role playing, facts, small-group exercises and real-life experiences to help teach students they can be heroes by helping stop bullying and offering hope.
“Many communities in this region grapple with socioeconomic hardships, further complicating the educational landscape,” Murphy said. “The struggles these students endure are heartbreaking, yet Liberty Middle School has paved the way for resilience and success.”
Sweethearts and Heroes’ message and approach aligns with the LMS Comprehensive Education Plan and the District Comprehensive Improvement Plan, said Behavioral Specialist Sheila Wormuth, who brought the program to LMS.
“Their unique approach focuses on actionable steps, rather than just awareness, making a real impact,” she said.
For more than 16 years, Sweethearts & Heroes has presented what Murphy calls “the ‘stop, drop and roll’ of bullying” to more than 2.5 million students across the Northeast and Canada.
The target for the lessons isn’t the bullies or their targets, he said, but those who see it happening and can step in and help.
Over two days, Murphy and Yarosh presented two assemblies—tailored to fifth and sixth grade students in the first and seventh and eighth in the second—visited classes and led small group activities, called circles.
“It was real, it was honest, it was relatable and it will help me see ways to be a better person in school,” seventh-grader Greyson Torres said.
While the message was primarily geared toward students, it also heavily involved staff, who were directly addressed in the presentation and participated in the circles, Wormuth said.
“These were two of the most positive and productive days toward our SEL (social emotional learning) effort,” sixth-grade teacher Justin Golden said.
That is something Murphy said is needed.
“While their environment may not be perfect, in just two days, we witnessed not only students thriving but also a dedicated staff that genuinely loves and cares for the children in their community,” Murphy said. “Bravo, Liberty—bravo!”
A recording of the assemblies can be found at https://events.locallive.tv/events/172824
BOE to meet April 22, April 30
The next Liberty Central School District Board of Education meeting will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, in the HS Media Center. The board anticipates to enter into executive session (not open to the public) immediately. The regular portion of the meeting, open to the public, is expected to resume at 6 p.m.. The agenda will be available on Monday, April 22, at Board Docs.
There will be a special meeting of the Board of Education at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, in the District Office at 115 Buckley St. in Liberty. The board anticipates entering into executive session immediately. There will be no other business and the meeting will be adjourned at the end of the executive session. The meeting is not open to the public. The agenda will be available at Board Docs on Tuesday, April 29.
Students named to third-quarter honor rolls at LMS
The following students were named to the third-quarter honor rolls at Liberty Middle School. Honor Roll students have an overall average of 90-96. The Principal’s Honor Roll requires an average of 97-100.
Third quarter
Eighth grade
Principal’s Honor: Phillip Burrous Jr, Amelia Cole, Grace Fitzgerald, Anthony Gavidia Reyes, Victoria Henry, Mariana Joya-Reyes, Sara Liddle, Olivia Matuszak, Jacob Pennell, Alena Tarabichi and Sophia Vasko.
Honor: Nathan Alvord, Jahir Brown, Samantha Bull, Luca Burgio, Evelin Castillo Hernandez, Matthew Decker, Casity DiBartolo, Joshua DiBartolo, Alexandra Galeas Osorio, Jasmine Garcia-Reyes, Yoscari Gomez Mejia, Nazarah Heglar, Dana Jimbo Montero, Savannah Johnson, Damien Keating, Paola Lopez Perez, Elizabeth MacNamara, Tristan Maloney, Xavier Martin, Wilton Mata, Justin Molina Munoz, Gabriela Mosso, Sariah Ocasio, Javier Ortiz Paz, Aaron Ponce Flores, Arianna Rodriguez, Kimberly Rodriguez, Sulenny Romero, Scarlett Saltos Zapatanga, Everett Schwartz, Jace Snowden, Emma Tacti and Amaiya Williamson.
Seventh grade
Principal’s Honor: Madison Allen, Mya Davis, Claire Ferguson, Gavin Grant, Antoni Klys, Corinne Lake, Harper Matuszak, Americus Newhall, Angelick Rivera, Brycen Smith and Avery Wilson.
Honor: Conner Baum, Makayla Fuentes Serapio, Michael Garzon Valle, Chase Golzak, Jacob Grossman, Alan Hernandez Lopez, Luna Hulse, Lilly Kehrley, Sidra Koen James, Matthew Kolarik, Jessica Laura Loftus, Adner Mejia Aguilar, Luke Poley, Valeria Ponce Vazquez, Myla Rielly, Vincent Sackett, Aiden Satz, Namarpreet Singh, Hayden Smith, Angel Terraza Raymundo, Erick Torres Garcia, Evan Vidalis and Ethan Zheng.
Sixth grade
Principal’s Honor: Elisa Barragan, Owen Brust, Farrah Conklin-Degraw, Dia Marie D’Agata, Avery Decker, Ellis Dilworth, Delilah Flores-Serapio, Tyler Kavleski, Karen Mosso, Scarlett Ratner and Katherine Valdez Calle.
Honor: Kendriel Aliers Amparo, Muhammad Awais, Guiliana Birkett, Emma Boyles, Genesis Caiza Viracocha, Katarina Card, Riley Church-Bradley, Ronal Dubon Duque, Ely Garcia Garcia, Mia Grant, Astrid Guardado Diaz, Genesis Harrison, Madison Hernandez, Isabella Intranuovo, Dylan Joya Reyes, Aubrie Keating, Mateusz Klys, Makenzie Knack, Torion Lindsay, Keidy Llano Luciano, Jayden Lopez Olivares, Alexandria Lyden, Megan Martinez Gomez, Lorelai McCarthy, Abel McClain, Bentley Moore, Denali Owens, Randy Panchana, Lily Paynter, Milsi Ramirez Martinez, Daniela Ramirez-Alvarez, Jonathan Reyes Escobedo, Kailani Rivera, Aaliyssa Rodriguez, Jordyn Roebuck, Sherlene Romero, Caleb Rusin, Illiany Sanabria, MaKynlie Smith, Stephani Smith, Reinier Stanton, Sarah Steingart, Marjorie Tejada Servellon, Sophie Toledo, Cecia Vallejo Cruz, Belinda VanGordon, Raegan Wagner, Delanie Yupanqui, Sophie Zayas and Subhan Zeeshan.
Fifth grade
Principal’s Honor: Joseph Geoghan, Dean Harte, Anastasia Kelly, Josslynn Letohic, Caleb McNett, Tierney Meddaugh, Henry Vogler and Ivan Zheng.
Honor: Riley Baum, Chase Blume, Amaya Burton, Jerin Burton, Annabella Buryiak, Arabella Chaney, Gisselle Colon, Darius Dawkins, Blake Dennison, Alec Feliciano, Estiven Flores Baquedano, Willis Gamble Jr, Parker Gissentaner, Savannah Gonzalez, Bryson Hendrickson, Nayeli Hernandez Soperanez, Ana Hernandez, Laurel Hook, Damaris Jadan Pangolo, Lillian Keating, Ryleigh LaMantia, Helen Lucero Bonilla, Elvis Lucero Guzman, Lilith Lynker, Axel Malaga Lopez, Ivanna Malaga Ventura, Aaliyah McClain, Nicholas McPhillips, Juritzi Molina Reyes, Logan Moore, Anthony Philippe, Levi Poley, Isabella Puente, Yarixa Reyes Cardenas, Camila Reyes Cortez, Esmeralda Santiago Sharpe, Alonso Sierra Nunez and Audrey Yaun.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of April 14-20, 2025
With spring break this week, the sports docket is light. But our track and field student-athletes do have one event scheduled.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
Monday, April 14
No events scheduled.
Tuesday, April 15
10 a.m.: Boy and Girls Varsity Track and Field vs. Multiple Schools at Roundout Valley Central School.
Wednesday, April 16
No events scheduled.
Thursday, April 17
No events scheduled.
Friday, April 18
No events scheduled
Saturday, April 19
No events scheduled
Sunday, April 20
No events scheduled.
Soap Box Derby info, sign-up meeting set for April 23
There will be an informational and sign-up meeting for the Sullivan County Soap Box Derby at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, at Liberty Firehouse. The event is open to children and teens ages 7-18.
For more information, call Mike at 845-807-2894 or send a message via the Sullivan County Soapbox Derby’s homepage.
LES kindergarten registration continues
Registration for kindergarten at Liberty Elementary School opened April 1.
To qualify, children must be 5 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2025, and a resident of the Liberty Central School District. Students that are in the Liberty Central School District universal pre-k program at LES or G&D do not need to register.
To register, parents or guardians must fill out a registration packet and provide a copy of parent/guardian’s photo ID; custody papers, if applicable; proof of residency, such as a utility bill or rental lease; and the child’s birth certificate, immunization records and a copy of recent physical exam, which must include all school physical exam requirements. Parents and guardians are encouraged to check with their child’s doctor for details.
To register, email haustin@libertyk12.org or call 845-292-5400, ext. 2331.
Village flushing water system, impacting water at school buildings
The village of Liberty is flushing its water distribution system, causing low water pressure and water throughout the village to become brown. The water is not contaminated. This impacts the Liberty Elementary, Middle and High Schools and the District Office. Flushing of the Parksville transmission line will take place through April 16 with the Village Water System being flushed the week of April 21. Flushing will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
If water begins to get brown in a building, water fountains will be temporarily shut down until the water clears. All staff and students are encouraged to limit water use at this time.
Updates will be available on the village website, www.libertyvillageny.org.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of April 7-13, 2025
Our student-athletes are in action this week in baseball, golf, softball, tennis and track and field.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
Monday, April 7
All events postponed or canceled.
Tuesday, April 8
All events postponed or canceled.
Wednesday, April 9
3 p.m.: Boys Varsity Golf vs. James I. O’Neill at Sullivan County Golf and Country Club
4:15 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. Sullivan West Central at Liberty High School
4:15 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field vs. Multiple Schools at Sullivan West – Jeffersonville
Result: The varsity girls and boys track and field teams traveled to Sullivan West and came out victorious against a tough opponent. Most athletes put together new season best performances and ran in events that they were not used to just to try to get some points for the team. One key performance was Brooke Bull who shattered her own school pole vault record of 9’6 with a 11’0 vault.
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Sullivan West Central at Sullivan West – Lake Huntington
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Port Jervis at Port Jervis High School
Result: Port Jervis 12, Liberty 0.
4:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Middletown at Liberty High School
Thursday, April 10
3:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Golf vs. Multiple Schools at Wallkill Golf Club
4 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Multiple Schools at The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge
4 p.m.: Boys and Girls Modified Track and Field vs. Sullivan West Central at Liberty High School
4:15 p.m.: Modified Baseball vs. Sullivan West Central at Sullivan West – Lions Field
4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Sullivan West Central at Sullivan West – Lake Huntington
Friday, April 11
4 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field Vs. Livingston Manor/Roscoe at Liberty High School
4:30 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. Beacon City at Memorial Park
Saturday, April 12
No events scheduled
Sunday, April 13
No events scheduled.
Parent/guardian feedback on DCIP wanted
Liberty Central School District is seeking feedback from district parents and guardians concerning the LCSD District Comprehensive Improvement Plan.
An online forum will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday, May 12. Those who are interested are asked to fill out this Google form by April 28. A link to attend the meeting will be emailed to the email address associated with the form.