News and notes from schools in and around Douglas County:

• New York and Schwegler elementary schools have earned statewide recognition for outstanding student achievement on the 2012 state assessments. Both schools earned certificates of merit as part of the 10th annual Challenge Awards presented by the Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force. The certificates recognize performance on state assessments in reading and math that exceeds normal expectations based on the socioeconomic status and sample size of those taking the test. New York School was cited for high scores in fourth-grade reading and math and fifth-grade math. Schwegler School was commended for its fifth-grade students’ math performance. Statewide, the task force awarded 124 certificates to 60 schools in 47 districts. The awards will be formally presented during a recognition dinner in Junction City Nov. 14. The task force is made up of eight statewide organizations: the American Association of University Women, Kansas Congress of Parents and Teachers, the Kansas Association of School Boards, the Kansas National Education Association, the Kansas School Public Relations Association, the Kansas State Board of Education, the Kansas State High School Activities Association and United School Administrators of Kansas.

• Teachers at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School are holding a yard sale and bake sale Saturday. The event will raise money to benefit the family of Mrs. Lisa Clipsham, a longtime teacher and administrator at the school. The sale runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the school cafeteria, 1400 Massachusetts.

• Have any school news and notes you’d like to share with the community? Send news tips, comments or questions to phancock@ljworld.com or call 832-7259.