Category: Middle School News
More than 200 named to LMS second-quarter honor roll
The following Liberty Middle School students were named to the honor rolls for the second quarter.
Honor Roll students have an overall average of 90-96. The Principal’s Honor Roll requires an average of 97-100.
Eighth grade
Principal’s honor: Colten Jay Allen, Sophia Duarte, Belle Gandulla, Tyler A Juron, Shea-Leigh Kristiansen and Adriana Ponce Agredano.
Honor: Angeliz Arriaga Munoz, Irwin Barragan Rojas, Zachariah Bickham, Gabriel Bossert, Alyssia Boyles, Jared Briggs, Ted Caycho Jr, Hope Corbett, Keven Cordero Lima, Ezra Dilworth, Michael Feijo, McKayla Figueroa, Brooke Golzak, Starriah Harris, Leah Herbek, Hunter Kavleski, Lena LaGattuta, Peter Miralle Jr, Jessey Miranda, Anai Perez Sanchez, Kourtney Perry, Jayla Ramon, Peyton Rivera, Baileigh Steinberg, Samantha Vidalis, Mason Williams, Jackson Wilson and Alonso Yupanqui.
Seventh grade
Principal’s honor: Samantha Bull, Luca Burgio, Phillip Burrous Jr, Amelia Cole, Joshua DiBartolo, Grace Fitzgerald, Sara Liddle, Elizabeth MacNamara, Olivia Matuszak, Sariah Ocasio, Jacob Pennell, Everett Schwartz, Alena Tarabichi, Anthony Valdez Calle and Sophia Vasko.
Honor: Nathan Alvord, Evelin Castillo Hernandez, Matthew Decker, Casity DiBartolo, Laudy D’Oleo, Alexandra Galeas Osorio, Jasmine Garcia-Reyes, Anthony Gavidia Reyes, Yoscari Gomez Mejia, Miles Harman, Victoria Henry, Mariana Joya-Reyes, Damien Keating, Alexandra Kelly, Selkir Molina Gonzalez, Alex Olivares-Reyes, Javier Ortiz Paz, Aaron Ponce Flores, Rudis Reyes Lazo, Kimberly Rodriguez, Quinn Santiago, MaKaidyn Smith, Emma Tacti and Wayne Toscano-Gardner.
Sixth grade
Principal’s honor: Madison Montgomery Allen, Genesis Caiza Viracocha, Amy Cortes Cruz, Mya Davis, Claire Ferguson, Gavin Grant, Antoni Klys, Matthew Kolarik, Harper Matuszak,Angelick Rivera and Brycen Smith.
Honor: Alexander Alvarado, Conner Baum, Faith Boyles, Cinfuentesm Maria, Jeremy Correa, Jonathan DiDonne, Ethan DuBois, Makayla Fuentes Serapio, Analina Garcia, Michael Garzon Valle, Chase Golzak, Danahia Gonzalez Gonzalez, Vina Graham, Liam Greaves, Jacob Grossman, Damier Harrington, Aiden Hernandez Mejia, Jolisa Hernandez, Luna Pixie Hulse, Lilly Kehrley, Brody Kelly, Sidra Koen James, Liam LaGattuta, Corinne Lake, Madison LaMantia, Denis Leon Aldana, Briana Lojano Inga, Gabriel Joseph Lotz, Ixchel Marin Gonzalez, Pricilla Matute, Riot Thomas McCoy, Atticus McNamara, Ava McNett, Adner Mejia Aguilar, Americus Mott, Pearl Mott, Zalaina Nash, Erika Panama, Ruben Paz Lopez, Luke Poley, Valeria Ponce Vazquez, Fabian Reyes Banegas, Myla Rielly, Aiden Satz,Namarpreet Singh, Hayden Smith, Ana Sosa, Angel Terraza Raymundo, Erick Torres Garcia, Nakai Toscano-Gardner, Meily Valencia Bamac, Nahum Vallejo Sandoval, Eric Vargas Martin, Evan Vidalis, Markel Woeckener and Ethan Zheng,
Fifth grade
Principal’s honor: Elisa Barragan, Owen Brust, Farrah Conklin-Degraw, Dia D’Agata, Avery Decker, Tristian Degroat, Delilah Flores-Serapio, Mia Grant, Tyler Kavleski, Aubrie Keating, Megan Martinez Gomez, Karen Mosso, Randy Panchana, Scarlett Ratner, Raegan Wagner and Sophie Zayas.
Honor: Muhammad Awais, Guiliana Birkett, Emma Boyles, Andry Caal Chub, Katarina Card, Riley Church-Bradley, Raymond Cottman Jr, Gregory Dasraj, Marcel Davis, Conor Deis, Ellis Dilworth, Ronal Dubon Duque, Royce Fingers, Madelyn Garcia Cuellar, Ely Garcia Garcia, Lilliana Garzon Ferrufino, Dariana Gonzalez Suarez, Astrid Guardado Diaz, Anabel Hernandez Fuentes, Madison Hernandez, Isabella Intranuovo, Hudson Jardon, Dylan Joya Reyes, Mateusz Klys, Makenzie Knack, Kaleb Laidley, Leandro Leon, Keidy Llano Luciano, Alexandria Lyden, Daisuke Mapes, Ayanelson Mazariegos Cuz, Abel McClain, Bentley Moore, Alisha Morales, Samuel Negroni, Paul Odior 2nd, Denali Owens, Makaela Parsons, Lily Paynter, Joseph Portillo Larios, Milsi Ramirez Martinez, Jordanno Rivera, Kailani Rivera, Aaliyssa Rodriguez, Sherlene Romero, Caleb Rusin, MaKynlie Smith, Reinier Staton, Marjorie Tejada Servellon, Sophie Grace Toledo, Katherine Valdez Calle, Belinda VanGordon, Carolina Vera Rivera and Subhan Zeeshan.
Faculty, staff learn on students’ day off
Liberty Central School students didn’t have to answer the morning bell Friday, Feb. 16, but that was not the case for the faculty and staff.
It was a conference day full of learning and working to improve faculty and staff skills and knowledge to enhance their students’ classroom experience.
“It is important to offer time for our teachers to become students by offering vital professional development opportunities,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.
The day started in the high school cafeteria with breakfast for all district staff.
Faculty and staff then broke into professional development sessions based on school or job description.
Elementary and middle school teachers started by working on their curriculum maps, which outlines the expectations and standards for each subject and grade level.
At that time, high school staff took part in a workshop with education consultant MaryAnn Brittingham, who focused on working with students who have an “I don’t care” attitude, explaining what is behind it and providing strategies to approach these students with a different mindset
Middle school staff was next for Brittingham, who addressed problems with students whose difficult home lives may impact their behavior in school. She explained methods to de-escalate situations and discussed: “What is under anger?” “Window of tolerance” and “The 3 R’s to assist in de-escalation.”
After lunch, Brittingham then spoke to elementary staff on understanding and handling attention-seeking and manipulative behaviors among students. “Utilizing and Documenting Tier 2 Behavior Interventions in the Classroom; Put the Game on the Table” aimed to help staff decipher the underlying needs behind such behavior and find ways to address them.
Brittingham finished the day working with middle school administration and student services staff on implementation of strategies and accountability measures.
Other professional development opportunities included training for new substitutes, teacher assistants and aides, strategies for English Language Learners classrooms, using the DESSA/Aperture social and emotional screener, working with education consultants PLC Associates on Explicit Direct Instruction methods for giving transparent learning targets, breaking down complex concepts and setting up clear instructions for learning and more.
LCSD holds regular conference days to offer faculty and staff professional development in support of the five-year strategic plan. The sessions cover all pillars of the plan — curriculum, coherence, culture and MTSS, or Multi-Tier System of Supports.
LCSD seeks input on use of ARP-ESSER funds
Liberty Central School District is gathering input from the community regarding the district’s use of the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP-ESSER) funding. To review how LCSD allocated the funds, visit the LCSD ARP-ESSER plan webpage.
LCSD residents and staff are asked to take this quick, anonymous survey to offer their feedback.
Asbestos abatement underway at LES
Asbestos abatement is underway for a damaged vinyl asbestos tile found under a rug on an uneven floor in a Liberty Elementary School classroom on Jan. 24.
The work is being done after school hours and other days when school is not in session. Because of the remediation, no activities will take place in the building after school hours. School is closed for students Friday, Feb. 16, for a Conference Day, as well as Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 19-20, for Presidents’ Day break. The project is expected to be completed by Feb. 20
The work presents no danger to the staff or students in the elementary school. To remove the asbestos, the district is following New York State regulations that require us to seal the room off from the rest of the building. The district will conduct air monitoring throughout the project.
Safety of the staff and students is of the utmost importance to the district.
If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Superintendent for Business Laurene McKenna at lmmckenna@libertyk12.org.
LMS band to join Pennsylvania bands in exhibition concert
The Liberty Middle School Band will travel to Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Feb. 6, to join with the Western Wayne Middle School and Western Wayne High School for a one-of-a-kind clinic and exhibition concert sponsored by the KHS America Academic Alliance.
After working on the festival music in their own schools, band students from the two districts will meet for the first time as a band early in the morning and spend the day getting to know one another through music. Under the baton of clinician Dr. Peter L. Boonshaft, the students will have the opportunity to collaborate and learn festival rehearsal techniques to take back to their schools.
Boonshaft, director of education for KHS America, is the author of “Teaching Music with Passion, Teaching Music with Purpose, and Teaching Music with Promise.” He was honored
by the National Association for Music Education and Music For All as the first recipient of the “George M. Parks Award for Leadership in Music Education,” and was selected for the Center for Scholarly Research and Academic Excellence at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, where is professor emeritus of music.
The culminating exhibition concert is free and open to the public. The concert will begin at 4 p.m. at Western Wayne High School Veterans Memorial Auditorium, at 1970 Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m.
For more information on KHS America and the Academic Alliance, visit https://academicalliance.com/
District asks families to review remote learning plan
On Tuesday, Jan. 30, Liberty Central School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Sullivan sent the following message to students’ families.
Dear Liberty families,
With more than a month left of winter weather, I wanted to remind you of our district’s plan for remote learning should we exceed our seven allotted emergency closure days, which are used for inclement weather or another situation that requires the closing of school, such as a power failure. As of today, Jan. 30, we have used four of our seven emergency closure days.
Because the state Education Department requires school districts to remain in session for at least 180 days, using a remote learning day in the event that we exceed our allotted emergency days would reduce the need for the district to meet that requirement by extending the regular school year or taking away already planned days off, such as Memorial Day.
While we still have emergency days left to use, we are asking all parents and guardians to please review the Emergency Closing Remote Learning Plan now so you are familiar with the expectations of your student on a remote learning day so you and they are prepared if there is a need for one. If you have questions or concerns about the activities on a remote learning day, please contact the main office of your student’s school. If you have technology concerns, contact Director of Technology Patrick Killian at 845-292-5400, ext. 2068 or pkillian@libertyk12.org.
I understand that a remote learning day may pose challenges for some families, and I appreciate your flexibility as we work together to fulfill our district’s mission of empowering each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Sullivan
Superintendent of Schools
Snack Pack program gets donation from church
Susan Hamlin of the First Presbyterian Church in Liberty recently presented a check for $445 to Liberty Central School District Community School Coordinator Stacy Feasel to benefit the Snack Pack Food Program. The program provides meals over weekends and long breaks to students who are experiencing food insecurity.
“Our church members have chosen this as an important community need, and we will continue to support it as part of our local outreach missions,” Hamlin said.
Middle schoolers learn “Real Food Rules”
Students in sixth grade at Liberty Middle School spent two Fridays in the fall learning — and singing — about food.
STEAM Fund (Siegel Trust Enriching Arts & Music) at CFOS (Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan) brought its Real Food Song Program to LMS on Oct.13 and 24.
There, the students learned about where food comes from and how it is delivered, with the goal of helping create a generational change in the choices they make.
“We were happy to welcome the Real Food Song Program to Liberty Middle School,” Principal Heather Cheh said. “With Sullivan County being near the bottom in statewide health rankings, we want to do our part to help change that statistic for the positive.”
Facilitated through the STEAM fund at CFOS, the program is supported educationally in collaboration with the not-for-profit, A Single Bite, whose mission is to feed — and educate — Sullivan County residents with real, local food.
“It was great to witness the excitement and enthusiasm the LMS students exhibited,” STEAM Founder Gary Siegel said.. “As part of STEAM’s Healthy Habits Initiative, the Real Food Song Program is one of many local programs designed to improve the health of the children, teens and adults in our schools and communities, providing them with tools to make healthier choices while having fun.”
The songwriting program presents the students with the opportunity to ponder questions such as “What does food mean to you? Where does it come from? What does it do? What are your favorites … are they real? How does food make you feel?”
“The experience was so cool. I was grateful to be able to do that,” student Madison Allen said. “I learned the importance of eating real food.”
In the interactive songwriting workshops, the singer-songwriter teaching artists, Scott Bierko and Beth Bierko, introduced the concepts of real vs. processed food to the students and taught about songwriting and musical concepts such as rhythm and form. Under the guidance of Bierkos, the students collectively wrote their own lyrics to the song “Real Food Rules” and then recorded their own version.
“I think that real food is good and healthy,” student Atticus Macnimara said. As for the song? “The best part is the chorus.”
A video was created with the participating students, shared in recent assemblies at LMS and can be seen below:
Capital project proposal passes, 178-47
Voters in the Liberty Central School District approved the district’s $42.7 million capital project proposal, 178-47, on Wednesday, Jan. 17.
The project will address safety, efficiency of building systems and educational spaces and meeting the needs of today’s learners. It also will fix issues identified in the latest building condition survey. The project will have no impact on taxes.
“I thank the community for its continued support of Liberty Central School District and its students,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “The work included in this project will improve the educational environment for our students, offering them more comfortable, healthier and safer spaces to learn now and explore their futures.”
The Liberty Central School District Board of Education and administration, working with CSArch, the construction management team from Schoolhouse Construction Services and Fiscal Advisors, crafted the plan using information gathered in a capacity study, a long-term demographic analysis and the building condition survey conducted during the 2021-22 school year.
The design process will continue through July 2024, with state Education Department review and approval expected by November 2024. The bid process is expected to be completed by February 2025 with the contract awarded the following month. Construction should begin in late spring 2025 with the project substantially completed by early fall 2027.
Link to livestream of final capital project forum available
On Jan. 10, Liberty Central School District hosted its final community forum on the proposed $42.7 million capital project.
Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan offered a presentation on the proposal, explaining what is proposed and how it will impact student learning.
Chris White from Chenango Contracting presented “Field Turf 101,” showing how turf fields are created and installed and providing details on the safety of turf vs. natural fields.
To view the recording of the forum, visit https://events.locallive.tv/events/136016.
The vote will take place from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, in the Liberty High School Gymnasium, with an inclement weather date of Jan. 17.
Those who have questions may email questions@libertyk12.org with “Capital Project” in the subject line.
For more information about the project, visit the district’s capital project page at www.libertyk12.org/about-us/capital-project-2023-24.