A G r e at P l a c e t o L e a r n
Central School District
Summer 2010
Table of Contents
Salute to the Class of 2010
2
Perseverance, respect and a sense of community guide Liberty graduates
Scholarship winners
Liberty’s top grads
3
School tax community forum
Jeni Stolow & Guadalupe Perez:
SC BOCES Co-Valedictorians
Booster Club Golf Tournament
4
LMS & LES moving up ceremonies
Author’s Café
5
Building project update
MS Art Club mural
6
Boys & Girls Club celebration
Video distribution system debut
7
2010 Retirees
Thank you, Class of ‘58 & ‘59
8
Track & Field season finale
Central Registration moves
The mission of the
Liberty Central School
District is to inspire
all students to pursue
their dreams and
to contribute and
thrive in a diverse
community.
Families, friends and staff
gathered at the Robert Van Slyke
gymnasium on Saturday, June 26,
to recognize and congratulate 103
members of the Class of 2010.
As each student took the stage
to accept a diploma, smiles and
tears mingled with a sense of
accomplishment at reaching this
personal and academic milestone.
This class, according to Principal
Jack Strassman, is one of the most
well-grounded classes he has seen.
“During their high school years they
have experienced one of the toughest
economic times in our nation,” he
explains. “They have a very strong
sense of reality.”
Liberty graduates celebrate after the 113th-annual
commencement exercises on Saturday, June 26, 2010.
Their four years have been set against a
backdrop of recession, war and other hardships.
However, by experiencing these challenges,
Strassman said, they will persevere. “Coming of
age at this time has given this class a sense of
pragmatism and sensibility that I haven’t seen
before. They are hard-working and level-headed
about their goals,” he added.
The future plans of the class illustrate
Strassman’s thoughts. Of the 103 graduates,
nearly half will attend two-year colleges close to
home. Many have chosen to major in disciplines
such as nursing, human services, criminal justice
and auto mechanics that will put them in the
workforce in two years.
Maureen Crescitelli, senior class faculty advisor,
agreed that the class of 2010 is acutely aware of
the world around them and has sought ways to
improve their community. “These students were
very active in the recycling program that was
implemented this past year throughout the district
and have played a significant part in all community
fundraisers and drives,” Crescitelli said.
In his commencement speech, Valedictorian
Nikolas Beimler echoed Crescitelli’s observation
by reminding graduates that “it’s our turn to
enter the world and share in the responsibility of
making it a better place for future generations.
Every one of us can make a difference in the
world if we continue to work to our full potential
in college and throughout the rest of our lives.”
Strassman, in turn, reminded the graduates
not to forget those who love and support them
while blazing their own trail in the world. He
made one final request of the graduates: “Most
importantly, I hope you will, in turn, be the kind
of person who will make your parents proud.
Make us all proud.”
w w w . l i b e r t y k 1 2 . o r g
A G r e at P l a c e t o L e a r n
2
Summer 2010
Central School District
Scholarship Winners
George Beimler Brotherhood Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Malcolm Strother
Worden Family Memorial Scholarship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jessica Lambert
Ben Klein Memorial Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Campbell
Sheryl Kalter Memorial Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ariana Burd
John LaPolt Community Service Award. . . . . . . Calvin Henry, Taylir Lorino
Beaverkill Foundation Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jessica Russo
Arthur Tursi Memorial Scholarship. . . . . . . Calvin Henry, Guadalupe Perez,
Jeni Stolow, Zakary Walizadeh
Louis Soracco Excellence in Chemistry Award. . . . . . . . Guadalupe Perez
Jennifer Orseck Memorial Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jill Lieberman
Bonnie Stang Memorial Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calvin Henry
Liberty Masonic Lodge #521 Senior Award. . . . . . . . . . . . Jordan Merklin
Liberty Rotary Club Scholarship In Memory of
Carmela Staropoli Education Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calvin Henry
Liberty Rotary . . . . . Ariana Burd, Nigel Cronk, Calvin Henry, Jill Lieberman
Liberty Lions Club Scholarship . . . . . . Landen Finkel, Evangelia Fitzpatrick
JC Young Hose Company John S. Nichols
Memorial Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cheryl Hernandez
Liberty Fire Fighters’ Scholarship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Heisler
Liberty Fire Department Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kirsten Sauer
Liberty Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship . . . . . . Jill Lieberman
White Sulphur Springs Fire Department &
Ladies’ Auxiliary Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Barber
Keep Your Dreams Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cherice Wallace-Hill
HSBC Business Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nelson Saravia
Marjorie Siegel Music Achievement Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shaina DiVita,
Cherice Wallace-Hill
Leonard Martello Music Scholarship. . . Alexandria Hercules, Taylir Lorino, Zanada Reynolds, Cherice Wallace-Hill
Briker Family Music Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cherice Wallace-Hill
Liberty Performing Arts Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ariana Burd
Joseph Scarvalone Memorial Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Bayer
Bethany Lodge #101 Prince Hall Free and
Accepted Masons Scholarship Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alexis DeFrank
Arnold Miller Perseverance Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calvin Henry
Liberty Elks Lodge Citizenship Awards. . . Michael Bayer, Morgan Kortright
The Mid-Hudson Chapter of NYSASBO Student
Education Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calvin Henry
Samuel Launer Memorial Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ariana Burd
Daniel Reed Memorial Scholarship
(Anonymous Donation). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kristopher Merklin
Sullivan County Probation Officers Association. . . . . . . . . . Jordan Merklin
Sullivan County Association of Town Highway
Superintendents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kristopher Merklin
HVSLA Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taylir Lorino
The National Society of the Daughters of the
American Revolution Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Moriah Proyect
The New York Blood Center Scholarship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jill Lieberman
Anonymous Engineering Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sam Miller
Continued on page 4
Liberty’s Top Ten
Valedictorian
Nikolas Beimler, with a 99.6% average, ranks
first in the class of 2010. Vice President of his
class for the past four years and a member of
the National Honor Society, Nikolas has been
an active participant in numerous fund raising
and community projects. Nikolas has attended
Liberty Central School since kindergarten, and
in his high school years was a member of the
baseball, soccer and golf teams. He has worked
at the Catskill Harvest Market for the past two
years and will do so until he leaves Liberty to
Valedictorian Nikolas Beimler (right)
study English Journalism at the University of
and Salutatorian Michael Bayer.
New Hampshire.
Salutatorian
Michael Bayer, with a 98.6% average, ranks second in the class. A member of the
baseball, football and basketball teams, Michael also participated in band and the
National Honor Society. A Liberty student since kindergarten, he will study at Marist
University in Poughkeepsie and possibly major in physical therapy. Looking back on
his time at Liberty he says, “It has been unforgettable. If I could go back, I would do
everything the same.”
The following students also ranked among the top ten in the class of 2010:
Jessica Russo, who ranks third, has
been an integral member of the
Liberty Performing Arts and the choral
program. She will study sociology at
Binghamton University. Nigel Cronk, who ranks seventh, is active
in athletic and creative pursuits at LHS
and was a founding member of Team
Skate. He will attend Fordham University
and major in communications.
Calvin Henry, who ranks fourth,
will attend Castleton State College
in Vermont where he will major in
physical education and play tennis
for the school’s team. Calvin has
been a member of numerous athletic
programs including varsity basketball
and baseball. Jeni Stolow, who ranks eighth, has
been an active member of the varsity
soccer team, orchestra, and the yearbook
committee. She also participated in the
Health Academy New Visions program
and will continue her pre-med studies at
the University of Rochester.
Molly Olsen, who ranks fifth, has
been an active member of the Liberty
Performing Arts, high school band and
was a member of the girl’s soccer team. She will attend George Washington
University and major in engineering.
Guadelupe Perez, who ranks sixth, is
an artist and athlete who contributed
much to the LHS community. She also
participated in the Health Academy New
Visions program and will continue her
studies in nursing at Nazareth College. Jill Lieberman, who ranks ninth, served
as student council moderator, and
was a member of the varsity tennis
team and the Future Leaders Network.
She is planning to attend Binghamton
University, where she will study speech
pathology. Alexandria Hercules, who ranks tenth,
was chosen as the LHS Sullivan Scholar
for the 2010 school year. A member of
the music program and captain of the
volleyball team, Alex will study early
childhood education at Sullivan County
Community College.
A G r e at P l a c e t o L e a r n
Summer 2010
3
Central School District
Liberty hosts community
forum to discuss school taxes
in Sullivan County
Jeni Stolow and Guadalupe Perez
named Sullivan County BOCES
co-valedictorians for Career & Tech Program
When Bethel Town Supervisor Daniel Sturm approached
the Liberty Board of Education in April to ask why school tax
rates varied so much from town to town, district officials
welcomed the opportunity to foster a community discussion
about school tax rates and how they are determined. As a
result, Liberty hosted a panel discussion on June 14 with New
York State Regional Office of Real Property Services (ORPS)
Representative John Wolham and Sullivan County ORPS
Representative Lynda Levine. Superintendent Michael B.
Vanyo moderated the discussion.
“When Supervisor Sturm came to us, we were certain that Bethel
wasn’t the only town whose citizens had questions about how
school taxes are determined,” explained Business Manager Lorine
Lamerand. “The forum was geared toward making this complicated
topic a little easier for everyone to understand.”
Some of the key issues discussed included:
• equalization rates and how they affect school taxes;
• why school tax rates vary from district to district;
• why tax rates within one school district can vary from
town to town;
• what “assessed value” means and how it is determined
for a piece of property; and
• how the STAR Program impacts school taxes.
“I really appreciated the Liberty Central School District, their
Board of Education and especially Superintendent Vanyo for taking
the time to address this issue,” said Supervisor Sturm. “It’s nice to
know that our concerns were addressed quickly, and it has opened
up a new dialogue about what we need to do moving forward as a
town to better serve our constituents.”
Graduating Seniors Guadalupe Perez (left) and Jeni Stolow (right)
were honored as the 2010 Sullivan County BOCES
co-valedictorians for the Career and Technology Program.
Seniors Jeni Stolow and Guadalupe Perez were selected as
Sullivan County BOCES Career and Tech co-valedictorians for the
class of 2010. Both Stolow and Perez had a 94 percent average in
the New Visions Health Program, a two-year program designed for
students who are interested in the health care field.
In addition, both girls received the BOCES Board Award, honoring
them for the highest academic average in the Career and Technology
program as well as the President’s Education Award. Perez also
received the Rose and Kiernan Inc. scholarship, a $250 scholarship
for a student entering the field of health care.
Both Stolow and Perez will continue their heath care studies in
college—Stolow will major in pre-med and biology at the University
of Rochester and Perez will study nursing at Nazareth College.
Congratulations to both graduates on this prestigious honor!
Liberty High School Student Megahn Burke attends leadership conference in Ireland
Liberty High School student Megahn Burke traveled to Ireland June 28 to take part in the 2nd Albert
Schweitzer’s Leadership for Life Program Annual International Youth Leadership Conference in Dublin, Ireland.
Burke was one of 250 students from Ireland, Nigeria, Korea, England and the United States who participated
in the five-day program. Students had the opportunity to take part in workshops about becoming effective
leaders, listen to world leaders talk about their experiences, and learn about and share each other’s cultures.
Megahn spent the last three days of the trip traveling to Dublin, Dun Laoghaire and the Wicklow Mountains
with nine other HOBY students. “It was a great opportunity to meet new people and learn about different
cultures and societies,” she said of the experience.
The conference was presented by the organization Foróige in Ireland and sponsored by HOBY (Hugh
O’Brian Youth Leadership) in the United States as well as Foróige. Both organizations share a similar mission: to inspire and develop a global
community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation.
A G r e at P l a c e t o L e a r n
4
Summer 2010
Central School District
Continued from page 2
Sullivan County Cares Coalition Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandon Tompkins
The Brian Ingber Memorial Foundation,
Inc. Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ariana Burd, Jill Lieberman
George A. Sinacore Memorial Scholarship. . . . . . . . . Evangelia Fitzpatrick,
Andrew Stewart
American Legion Auxiliary Post #109 Scholarship. . . . . . . Allison Maltese
Swan Lake Hose Company #1, Inc. Scholarship . . . . . . Kristopher Merklin
Swan Lake Hose Company #1 Ladies’
Auxiliary Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jordan Merklin
Sullivan County Community College Scholars Award. . Alexandria Hercules
Catskill Shopper Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ariana Burd
Benjamin and Sylvia Heller Memorial Scholarship. . . . Alexandrea Wallgren
Barbara Sims Memorial Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taylir Lorino
Lorraine Carrington Memorial Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kirsten Sauer
Ron Francisco Memorial Scholarship Sponsored by the Liberty Central . . . School Phys. Ed. Department. . . . . . . . . . . Timothy Burgio, Kirsten Sauer
Sochinski Family Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amanda Johnson
Visual Arts Award - Daniel Agapito, Johnathan Casanova, Nigel Cronk,
Michael Crowley, Megan Eisenberg, Scott Franke, Melanie Green, Scott
Kaplan, Morgan Kortright, Jessica Lambert, Samantha Light, Sarah March,
Jordan Merklin, Ashley Negron, Guadalupe Perez
Liberty Indian Booster Club Scholarships - Calvin Henry, Morgan Kortright,
Jill Lieberman, Jordan Merklin, Kristopher Merklin, Guadalupe Perez, Jeni
Stolow, Hector Torres
Dr. Irvin M. Borish Scholarship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeni Stolow
The Rose & Kiernan, Inc Scholarship Fund. . . Cynthia Jaquez, Jeni Stolow
The Honorable Louis B. Scheinman
Memorial Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guadalupe Perez
NYSCOPBA Statewide Scholarship Program. . . . . . . . . . Morgan Kortright,
Garett Noecker
Robert Langer Humanitarian Award. . . . . . . . . . . Yazmin Romero Garzon,
Cristian Serapio
NYS Legislative Recognition by Senator Bonacic . . . . . . . . Michael Bayer,
Nikolas Beimler, Ariana Burd
PBIS Recognition of Seniors - Ryan Barber, Michael Bayer, Nikolas
Beimler, Ariana Burd, Timothy Burgio, Johnathan Casanova, Logan Finley,
Tricia Gerwer, Calvin Henry, Keith Herbert, Alexandria Hercules, Amanda
Johnson, Samantha Kelleher, Morgan Kortright, Allison Maltese, Sam
Miller, Molly Olsen, Guadalupe Perez, Yazmin Romero Garzon, Jessica
Russo, Kirsten Sauer, Cristian Serapio, Matthew Shortall, Jeni Stolow,
Alexandrea Wallgren
Liberty Faculty Association Scholarships - Nikolas Beimler, Ariana Burd,
Nigel Cronk, Megan Eisenberg, Calvin Henry, Cynthia Jaquez, Jessica
Lambert, Jason Levine, Jill Lieberman, Taylir Lorino, Molly Olsen,
Guadalupe Perez, Yazmin Romero Garzon, Cristian Serapio, Matthew
Shortall, Jeni Stolow, Zakary Walizadeh, Cherice Wallace-Hill
Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence (Recognition) - Michael Bayer,
Nikolas Beimler, Ariana Burd, Nigel Cronk, Megan Eisenberg, Evangelia
Fitzpatrick, Scott Franke, Tricia Gerwer, Calvin Henry, Keith Herbert,
Alexandria Hercules, Jessica Lambert, Jill Lieberman, Taylir Lorino, Molly
Olsen, Guadalupe Perez, Zanada Reynolds, Jessica Russo, Kirsten Sauer,
Matthew Shortall, Jeni Stolow, Zakary Walizadeh
Anonymous English Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jessica Lambert
Liberty fourth and eighth-graders
celebrate at moving-up ceremonies
The Liberty Elementary
and Middle School
communities said goodbye
to their fourth-grade and
eighth-grade students at the
schools’ annual moving-up
ceremonies on Wednesday,
June 23. The occasions were
also celebrated with a pizza
party for fourth-graders
and a barbeque for the
eighth-graders.
Teachers, administrators
and families cheered as
the graduates receive their
official certificates and other
awards. Liberty High School
Principal Jack Strassman and
Middle School Principal Mary
Greynolds were on hand to
welcome the students to their
new schools.
(Top): Science teacher Kyle McGinn congratulates
eighth-grader Melissa Symanski on her
achievement of highest average in the Living
Environments class.
(Bottom) Fourth-graders Wilson Rodriguez, Chance
Ross, Jordan Russo, Brianna Sanchez, Austin
Schrader and Richard Smith III take a pledge to
graduate at the annual moving-up ceremony.
In addition, several students
received awards recognizing
their achievements, including
the President’s Award for
Educational Achievement
and President’s Award for
Educational Excellence,
signed by President Barak
Obama. Both ceremonies
featured photo presentations
celebrating the students’
educational journeys at Liberty.
Second graders share their
writing at Author’s Cafe
Students in Mrs. Heinle’s second grade class
held an Author’s Café this spring, complete
with refreshments and a visit from Principal
Finnegan. The classmates shared stories they
had written based on the book “Charlotte’s Web,”
in which they told of the adventures that Wilbur
the pig, a main character in the story, might take if he broke free from his pen.
Students also shared their stories over the morning announcements. In the photo
above, Nicolas Ramirez Guzman reads his story to classmates.
A G r e at P l a c e t o L e a r n
Summer 2010
5
Central School District
Building Project Update:
It’s “full steam ahead” this summer
While students and teachers
kick back and enjoy the
summer, construction workers
are kicking into high gear as
Liberty’s building project nears
completion. Many elements
of the project will be finished
and ready for students when
they return in the fall. The new
media center and greeting lobby
at the elementary school will be The eight-classroom addition to the Liberty
completed in December 2010.
Elementary School nears completion in June 2010.
At the elementary school, the following work will be completed this summer:
Middle School Art
Club creates mural
Thanks to the efforts of the Middle
School Art Club, a magnificent mural
now decorates the main hallway of
the school. Students worked on the
project over the past eight months,
under the tutelage of Liberty art
teacher Ryan Cormier. The students
reproduced a sketch of the mural,
designed by Cormier, on 12-by-6foot paper– the same size as the
finished work. The large sketch was
then cut into pieces, traced onto the
wall, which the students then primed
and painted.
• the eight-classroom addition will be tiled, painted and all windows and doors
will be installed;
• bathroom renovations and window replacements in the rest of the building will
continue throughout the summer;
• kitchen equipment will be installed and tested in July;
• asbestos removal will be completed in July;
• a new drop-off loop at the front of the elementary school is nearing completion; and
• the new elementary administrative offices will be ready by September.
At the high school:
• the media center will be finished for the opening of the school year;
• the girls’ and boys’ locker room is being renovated;
• asbestos removal will be completed in July, which will allow for the renovation of
the new high school main office, auditorium vestibule and science laboratories.
If you have questions about the building project, please contact the district
administration office at 845-292-6990.
Rain Barrels on parade raises more
than $3,000 for student scholarships
Beautifully painted rain barrels made their parade debut at the Livingston Manor Trout
Parade on Saturday, June 12. By the end of the day, more than $3,000 was raised for student
scholarships when all 30 barrels were auctioned off to community members.
The collaboration, dubbed the “Rain Barrel Connection,” brought together nearly 100 students
from three schools to create the rain barrels, which are used to collect and redistribute rain water.
The project was supported by Sullivan Renaissance, Sullivan County Division of Planning and
Environmental Management and the Delaware Highlands Conservancy and brought together the
talents of students from the Tri-Valley Natural Resources program, BOCES Career & Tech Auto
Body program and art students from Liberty Central School.
Mural artists: (L to R) Jade Crowell,
Jessica Hewlett, Gustavo Romero Garzon,
Brett Campbell, Shiv Patel, Jeffrey Diggs,
Mr. Cormier, Brandi Jo Fornasari, Kevin
Crisostomo, Margaret Deis, Alexandria
Sammann, Brianna Doyon, Emily
Rodriguez, Courtney Goldsmith, Sydney
Goetz and Andrew Monteiro.
A G r e at P l a c e t o L e a r n
6
Summer 2010
Central School District
Liberty Boys and Girls Club
celebrates a successful first year
The Liberty Boys and Girls Club
participants and their families
celebrated the inaugural year of
the Club in true summer fashion
on June 16 – with a barbecue.
Since opening its doors on
February 1, the Club, located at the
Liberty Middle School, has offered
afterschool programs to 45 fifth and
sixth-graders. “I’m really going to
miss coming here,” remarked sixthgrader Esther Fitzgerald. “This year
was a lot of fun!”
A typical day at the Boys &
Girls Club began with a healthy
Boys and Girls Club staff member Tom Fetterman
snack followed by “Power Hour,” a
(far right) with Boys and Girls Club students (from
60-minute supervised homework
session. After that, students
left to right) Troy Houghtaling, John Mansfield, and
chose from five core program
Carlos Juarez.
areas: character and leadership
development, health and life skills, the arts (i.e., fine, performing, and crafts), education and
career development, and sports and fitness. The last hour of each day gave students the
opportunity to choose an activity to participate in.
In addition to enjoying activities at the club, members had the opportunity to learn about and
explore their community. Some of their adventures included:
• Club members traveled to the Sullivan County Adult Care Center each week to help out with
the Center’s Garden Club. On rainy days, the group spent time with residents playing games
and doing activities.
• Students visited the Liberty Public Library. Those who didn’t already have a library card
received one, and all learned more about next year’s teen craft program.
• Members of the Liberty Elks Club gave a presentation to the students on Flag Day about
patriotism and the importance of the United States flag.
• Representatives from the Sullivan County Red Cross trained club members in basic first aid
and bike/playground safety.
• J.T., a retired police dog from the NYS Trooper K-9 Unit brought his master, Officer Matt
Johnstone, to the club to talk about training and working in the K-9 unit.
• Every Tuesday was cooking/baking day, giving students a hands-on opportunity to learn how
to make different treats, from cookies to taco salad.
• A trip to a New York Mets game gave club members a chance to cheer on their “home” team.
Several new events and programs are planned for next year’s session. “We are so grateful
for the continued support from the Liberty community,” says program leader Shannon
Harmon. “We are always looking for ways to expand and serve more Liberty youth, and we
are excited for the coming school year.”
Applications for the 2010-2011 season are still being accepted, and forms can be
downloaded at www.bgcorange.org. For more information, contact Shannon Harman at
[email protected] or 845-292-5400 ext. 2305.
Video distribution system
and digital signage to be
implemented in September
As a part of the Liberty Central School
District five year technology plan, a new
video distribution system will be installed
this summer at all three Liberty schools. The
system will permit users to view videos faster
and easier throughout district buildings. The
system will eventually replace DVD’s, video
tapes, and TV carts to give teachers easy
access to numerous forms of digital content.
The video distribution system uses
the existing computer network to stream
video content to classrooms equipped with
projectors. For example, if a teacher wanted
to view a show that was televised on the
National Geographic Channel, the show could
be recorded on the system and then accessed
and displayed instantly through the teacher’s
computer.
The system can also be used to view
real-time global or local happenings; watch
morning announcements; and view student/
teacher created video or recorded school
events. Additionally, any VHS/DVD based
content that is owned by the school can be
stored digitally, creating an archive that is easy
to use, store and access in all classrooms.
In addition to the video distribution system,
new digital signs will also enable the district to
provide more effective communication among
students, staff, and the community. The signs
will allow the district to broadcast content to
four locations within the school and will be
used to display announcements, upcoming
events, photos, video and text. The 42-inch
plasma screens will be located in the high
school in the auditorium lobby, gym lobby and
the high school cafeteria. One screen will be
placed in the main lobby of the middle school.
“The signs will be a great way to broadcast
almost anything that has been recorded­—from
morning announcements to major national
events, school concerts, sporting events and
much more,” says Director of Technology
Judy Brink. “We anticipate the new system
will allow the district to use, share and view
content and information in a fast, easy and
innovative manner.”
A G r e at P l a c e t o L e a r n
Summer 2010
7
Central School District
2010 Retirees Thanks for all that you’ve done at LCS!
The end of the school year is bittersweet for students, faculty and staff as they say farewell to
retiring teachers. The seven Liberty staff members retiring this year have served the district
for a combined 197 years. They will be missed by their peers and by the students who had the
opportunity to learn and grow under their guidance.
AIS math teacher Michael Abbott has
contributed to the Liberty school community
in many ways beyond his classroom. He has
been a valued member of the district’s crisis
team, professional development team and the
building planning team. He has also acted as
a building facilitator, math facilitator, NYSUT
representative and tutor. Abbott is retiring after
38 years at Liberty. “I have truly enjoyed my time
at Liberty, and am grateful for my colleague Pat – she has been a joy to
work with.”
Paul Logan has taught Pre-K through high
school in his 25 years in Liberty, but working
as a special education teacher in the middle
school has been his favorite part. He also
served as track coach in the late 1980’s. His
advice to his younger colleagues? “Enjoy
your time here and focus on the positive. It
goes too quickly, so enjoy it while you can!”
A Liberty High School graduate in 1964, Ellen
Noecker began her career in Liberty in 1983 as
a teacher aide. She earned her nursing degree
while she worked as a teacher assistant and
became the school nurse in 1991. While serving
the district for the past 28 years, Noecker
participated as a building-level team member
for shared decision making and has been a
certified Red Cross babysitting instructor for
many years. “I surely will miss the staff and students of Liberty Central
School,” said Noecker. “They are like another family to me.”
Math teacher Arthur (Art) Olsen has never
worn just one hat at Liberty High School. In
his 37 years at Liberty, he was a softball coach,
summer school teacher, instructor of extendedday math, Regents and SAT-prep programs,
tutor and peer mentor. “I’ll miss the great
students and staff at Liberty,” says Olsen.
Linda Rampe came to the district as a
stenographer and never imagined she would
still be here 26 years later. Rampe served as a
secretary under various elementary and middle
school administrators in her time at Liberty. “So
much has changed since I began here, and being
a part of that changing world has been a real
honor. I’ll truly miss my family here at LMS.”
Doris Relyea has been a teacher aide for 30
years – 12 years at Liberty Elementary School,
ten at BOCES and eight at the now-closed
Youngsville Elementary School. “Helping
children learn and watching their progress and
accomplishments meant everything to me,”
said Relyea. “It made everyday rewarding.”
Elizabeth (Betty) Torrens began her career at
Liberty Elementary School as a teacher aide
31 years ago and became a teacher assistant
in 2001. A summer school assistant for
many years, Betty will be visiting often as a
kindergarten substitute. “It has been a true joy
working with the children. I am proud to have
been a part of their lives,” said Torrens.
Thank You!!!
Classes of 1958 and 1959 give back to LCSD
At the May 4 Board of Education meeting, Liberty alumni
from the classes of 1958 and 1959 presented a check for $500
to the district, earmarked for the high school library.
Class of 1959 member Peggy Morgans presented the gift
to the Liberty School District Board of Education. “After our
reunion in October, we realized that we had money left over,
so we decided that the best use for the ‘surplus’ would be to
donate it to our alma mater,” said Morgans.
The classes held their reunion at the Liberty Elks Lodge on
Saturday, October 3. The reunion marked 50 and 51 years,
respectively, since the former Liberty students graduated from
what is now the elementary school building.
Liberty
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 173
ECRWSS
CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
115 Buckley Street
Liberty, NY 12754
Board of Education
David L. Burke, President
Michael F. McGuire, Vice President
Andrew Kavleski
John Milano
Philip Olsen
Dan Parkhurst
Cindy Prince
Christine Schiff
Joyce Teed
Michael B. Vanyo, Superintendent
Ariana Burd, Student Representative
Allison Mehr-Ruef, Editor
Produced in cooperation with the Capital
Region BOCES Communications Service.
ecrwss Postal Customer
w w w. l i b e r t y k 1 2 . o r g
A G r e at P l a c e t o L e a r n
8
Summer 2010
Central School District
Exciting season finale for Liberty Track and Field
Dedicated athletes bring home a State Championship
What began as a bid to qualify for
the New York State Outdoor Track
Championships ended in a gold medal
for Liberty, as the district garnered
its first-ever state championship in a
girls track and field event.
Junior Jessica Dunnigan beat a
talented field of runners to become
the state’s 200-meter champion, with
a winning time of 26 seconds. Earlier
in the day, she placed fourth in the
100-meter dash finals. Jessica is only
the second female track and field athlete
to win a state championship in Sullivan
County history.
In all, eight Liberty High School students
competed in a variety of events in the
championships, held June 11-12 at Vestal
High School. The 4x100-meter relay team
of Amanda Bertholf, Lara Gottschalk, Lara
Heslop, Jessica Dunnigan and alternate
Nikole Snyder finished seventh, despite
being seeded 15th in the meet. The
team won their heat and finished just
14-hundredths of a second out of sixth
place, barely missing a trip to the podium.
Lara Gottschalk, who was seeded 12th,
placed ninth in the long jump of 16 ft. 1 ¾
inches. In the boys events, Malcolm Strother
represented Liberty in the high jump,
Ryan Harnish competed in the 400-meter
intermediate hurdles and Ethan Meadow
competed in the pole vault.
“Track and field is both a team and
individual sport,” said Coach Ralph Bressler.
“These athletes worked particularly hard
to represent their team and their school.
The result of their efforts showed in their
accomplishments at the highest level of
competition in New York State. Coach
Simpson and I could not ask for a better
ending to the season!”
On the Move:
Central Registration has moved
from the middle school to the
district office, located behind the
high school. Summer hours are 8
a.m. - 2 p.m.
To register for the 2010-2011
school year, please make an
appointment by calling 845292-5400 ext. 2331 or emailing
centralregistration@libertyk12.
org. All applicants are required
to provide a birth certificate,
proof of residency and up-to-date
immunization records.
Liberty District Office