Community Update

September 5, 2024

Dear Syosset Community:

It has been quite an opening to the school year. The energy of our new and returning teachers was palpable, and as I’ve been going around the district to greet our students during arrival, there’s been a spring in our kids’ fall steps (the super comfortable weather undoubtedly helped)! Our seniors held their annual sunrise event in the senior parking lot – with some epic celebratory decorations on their cars – followed by the annual ritual of the senior class picture on a perfect fall day in the stadium bleachers. In each of the buildings I visited, I savored the contrast with my late-August walkthroughs when the buildings were so quiet, awaiting our students’ return.

The beginning of every year can be a little bumpy, especially in the busing department. I want to say a special thank you to our families for being patient as we continue to work out the kinks of our daily busing, and to our transportation department, for working tirelessly to get our kids home safely.

Facilities Improvement Bond

Speaking of busing, one project included in Proposition One of the facilities improvement referendum would create a second bus loop at Syosset High School. In order to load our 70+ buses in such a limited space, they are organized into 3 waves, and each wave of buses must load all its students and depart before the next wave can take its place at the curb in front of the high school and begin loading more students. Every single bus must use the same exit to get onto South Woods road.

After completing the high school routes, the buses return to run the middle school routes before finishing their afternoons at the elementary schools. Any hiccups at the high school impact timeliness at the middle school; middle school delays impact timeliness at the elementary schools.

So ironically, to improve on-time performance at the elementary schools we proposed improving the busing situation at the high school. Proposition One would create an additional bus loading area at the high school that should significantly improve loading and departure times.

You can learn more about it in this video:

This video is one of a series intended to raise awareness of the October 1, 2024 vote on the facilities propositions. Likewise, the Board of Education went to each of the elementary PTA meetings last night to welcome back our families, share information and answer questions about the facilities vote. Stay tuned for more PTA visits and more short explanatory videos delivered by social media and archived on our Bond website (bond.syossetschools.org). If you have any additional questions at any point, please send a note to facilities@syossetschools.org and check out the FAQ on our website.

⚽ 🎾 #SyoSports 🏈 🥍

It’s that time of year when my favorite sports teams (i.e. #TeamSyo) get back to work – and per usual, the media notices.

Newsday just released some of its top 100 players lists. Here’s a round up:

Girls Soccer:

Senior forward Alexa Baek scored 10 goals for Syosset last season, including one in the final four games. Plus, she’s a double threat, already committed to play Lacrosse next year at Iona.
Senior defender and midfielder Jess Alessi is vital to the success of Syosset’s defense, and has committed to play Soccer at Cornell next Fall.

Boys Soccer:

Senior midfielder Jack Pendrick has been starting for his entire high school career, and is known for working confidently under pressure.

Football:

Senior linebacker and offensive lineman Conrad Zheng is a difference-maker on both sides of the ball as a key part of Syosset’s offense and defense.

Girls Tennis:

Junior Stephanie Marcheret helped lead the girl Syosset’s tennis team to a Nassau County Championship and is among Nassau’s most elite singles players.
Doubles team Senior Zia Mukherjee and Freshman Diya Varma also helped lead Syosset to its county victory last year. The duo is set to serve up even more excitement this season.

But wait, there’s more! Two of our star lacrosse players were featured in “Inside Lacrosse” – a highly regarded publication in the Lacrosse world. Girls’ Lacrosse player, Junior Julie Shaughnessy, was recently ranked as the 9th girls' lacrosse player in the U.S. for the class of 2026. Boys Lacrosse player, Junior Brody Waxer, was recently ranked 60th among boys lacrosse players in the United States for the class of 2026. Wow! Way to go Syo!

I can’t wait to settle into my spot on the sidelines this season.

#SyoStars ⭐

I always say that there’s no more powerful tool for helping students succeed than a Syosset teacher – and it turns out I’m not alone! Two of our teachers are being recognized…

Syosset High School business teacher, Diane Malley, has been honored as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). The NSHSS celebrates educators who play a crucial role in shaping the future of young scholars through their passion and dedication. Ms. Malley was nominated by Senior James Blossom for being an exceptional teacher. This prestigious award highlights her ability to inspire and impact her students' academic and personal growth. Congrats, Ms. Malley, on this achievement!

Science Research teacher Dr. Mary Hendrickson has been honored with the 2024 Yale Educator Award. This award is given to educators who inspire excellence and support their students' ambitions. Dr. Hendrickson was nominated by one of our former Seniors Vincent Huang, for her mentorship on his research project that ultimately led him to become a finalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Scholar competition. Vincent is now a student at Yale. Thank you, Dr. Hendrickson, for your dedication to our students, and Vincent, for your kind regards!

Bright Spot

Three of our talented high school chamber musicians—violinist Daniel Chen (Jr.), flutist Angela Zhang (Jr.), and pianist Leon Zhang (So.)—are sharing their passion for music with the Syosset community. The trio has been practicing together ever since they attended the Manhattan School of Music pre-college program two years ago. They have entered small competitions, but this summer, decided to put on an independent show. The trio performed a one-hour concert at the Syosset Library for an audience of about 50 enthusiastic music lovers. Take a listen for yourself in the video below – you can hear the applause! These students’ dedication to both their craft and their community is just #SoSyo. Keep up the fantastic work in sharing the joy of music with others!

Enjoy the weekend. See you all Monday!

#SyoSchoolsOpen
Tom Rogers