NorthStar Lights

North Syracuse Central School District's weekly e-news

Issue #39 | October 29, 2021

Hello North Syracuse Central School District Parents, Guardians, Teachers and Staff!

Earlier this week I sent a letter to families about social media threats of violence that have been making their way across the country and into our community. Ironically, the week prior, we had included some messaging about Digital Citizenship in this newsletter. Because of the timeliness and importance about the issue, I wanted to again offer resources to our families.

With students online more than ever before, it is important to teach thoughtful and responsible technology use as part of social and emotional development and academic success. We need to work together to educate students about technology and its impact on their lives.

Parents looking for information to start a conversation with their children can use these packets to help your kids talk about their digital lives:

K–2 Packet: English | Spanish
3–5 Packet: English | Spanish
6–8 Packet: English | Spanish
9–12 Packet: English | Spanish

Thank you for taking time to review these important materials. Enjoy your final weekend of October as we prepare to slide into the holiday season!

Sincerely,

Daniel D. Bowles, Superintendent of Schools

Military Honor Roll Ceremony at C-NS - Friday, November 5

On Friday, November 5, the North Syracuse Central School District will honor the 2021 Military Honor Roll inductees during a ceremony at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m.

The District established the Military Honor Roll in 2012 to recognize and honor former students that have gone on to military service. New inductees are recognized at public ceremonies held every three years. Prior to the ceremony, inductees have their names engraved on special plaques by branch of service. The plaques are placed prominently at Cicero-North Syracuse High School in an encased display known honorably as the Military Honor Roll. We are proud to honor this year’s inductees and to recognize the sacrifices these men and women have made for our country.

The 2021 Honorees are listed below by branch of service:

Air Force - James L. Brown, Karen Marple Everman, George H. Hartzell, Jr., Douglas M. Kilmer, Angelique Immer Kinney, Carina Elizabeth Lawless and Alissa N. Milano

Air National Guard - Robert Hugh Hillick and Curtis J. Irwin

Army - Debra June Black, Carlos Bonilla, Christopher Campilango, Joshua Patrick Catlin, Raymond L. Dillon, Gerald L. Fralick, Nicholas Paul Gazzillo, Clyde Gregory, Jacob Tanner Hall, Thomas F. Laughlin, Peter F. Misco, William C. Moore III, Eric W. Rudy, Raymond Scarlata, Wendy Shacer-Laborte, Edward C. Shaffer, Ryan P. Shannon, Jack Edward Thomas, Michael Wentling-Raymie and Christopher M Zajac

Army National Guard - Joseph B. Bishop

Marine Corps - Robert W. Freeden, Ryan Owen Gunther, Brian McDonald, Andrew Morabito, Jacob Snell, Derek Webber and Matthew Wentling-Raymie

Navy - Michael Baluta, Jeffrey M. Chapman, Jr., Courtney Paige Evers, Erich Gressel, Travis Montminy, Todd Tatham, Carlton Allen Thomas and Daniel Luce Thomas

Thank You for Your Service to our Country!

Gillette Road Middle School's PTG Raises Funds With Color Run

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The Gillette Road Middle School Parent Teacher Group (PTG) hosted the school's Color Run on Saturday, October 23. The colorful event helped raise about $3,000 for the school...great job Gillette Road!

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C-NS Career Center Helps Students Explore Options for College and Career

On Friday, October 22, Erin Deaver, the Career Education Coordinator for Cicero-North Syracuse High School’s Career Center brought 27 C-NS seniors to a special open house at Onondaga Community College. As part of her work in the Career Center, Deaver regularly works with students to help them develop their plans for their future after high school. The Career Center is designed to allow students to explore career interests and consider options including military and trades in addition to college and career. Students can spend time building their resumes and learning workforce preparation skills as well as getting financial aid and scholarship assistance.

Click here to read the full article online.

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Nationwide Service Disruptions Impacting School Meals

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we are seeing nationwide disruptions to manufacturing, supply and distribution channels. You may have experienced this yourself when you’ve tried to order something online or buy something in the store and what you’re looking for isn’t available right now.

What does the shortage mean for school meals? In short, it means that we’re having trouble getting certain foods and supplies. Your student(s) may notice that we’re serving different items than we’ve served in the past or different items than were listed on the menu.

School districts across the country are experiencing these shortages and unfortunately, we cannot control the problem. We are doing our best every day to come up with solutions to these challenges.

Click here to read the full article online.

Students in Grades 6-9 Invited to Learn About Junior Winterguard

Aidan Blaylock and Karen Seamans, Co-Directors of the Northstars Junior Winterguard, are inviting students in grades 6-9 to learn more about Winterguard and auditionfor the program.

Winterguard is the sport of indoor color guard. Modern color guard is a combination of the use of flags, sabers, mock rifles, and other equipment, as well as dance and other interpretive movement. The Northstars Junior Winterguard is the first level in the competitive winterguard program. It is open to beginners or those with basic knowledge of colorguard. Students must be in grades 6-9 to audition. Click here to learn more about auditions.

C-NS Marching Band Prepares for Championships at Dome this Sunday

Karen Calkins, President of the C-NS Marching Band Booster and the parent of Courtney Calkins, a junior at Cicero-North Syracuse High School and member of the band, shared photos of the group's October 23 performance in Central Square. The band took 2nd place in the competiion with a score of 91.75.

Karen shared that the group performed their "Pandora's Box" show extremely well despite the pouring rain and that the members are looking forward to their final performance this Sunday, Oct. 31 at the Carrier Dome. Tickets for the Sunday show, which starts at 8 a.m., are available online ($19 for the day). The C-NS performance takes place as part of the National Class at 7:45 p.m. Ticket information is available at https://am.ticketmaster.com/syracuse/fbchampionships.

Live-streaming is also available for $25 by going to https://box5tv.com/box5_events/?fbclid=IwAR3rejCKV62TWt4xdLnNu5Kxncysf8BE_FaZ4wd1mh1w0zfzh4iJxS7Kiv0.

Courtney Calkins is finishing up her 5th year in the field band color guard & is getting ready to start next week her 6th year of Winterguard. Congratulations and good luck this weekend!

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Save the Date for C-NS High School's Fall Play, "12 Angry Jurors"

Save the date for Cicero-North Syracuse High School's Fall Play, 12 Angry Jurors. The production, which is being sponsored this year by Driver's Village in Cicero, will take place in the auditorium of C-NS on November 18, 19 and 20. Ticket information will be available in next week's newsletter but be sure to put the dates on your calendar now!

Grade 7-12 Students Invited to Participated in North Syracuse Dollars for Scholars Bowl-a-Thon on November 11

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North Syracuse Dollars for Scholars will be hosting the Bowl-a-thon on Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11, 2021. The event will take place at Strike N' Spare Lanes in Mattydale from 11a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Masks will be required for all participants. Students in grades 7-12 are welcome to come participate in this FUNdraiser! We are asking for a minimum of $25.00. Prizes will be awarded to the top three fundraisers!

The money raised at this event goes to award scholarships to seniors who live in the North Syracuse School District and plan on attending college after graduation in 2022. Participation in this event also qualifies for community service for students needing those hours! Collection forms are available from the Career Center at C-NS as well as the Career Center at North Syracuse Junior High School. Seventh graders can get one from Mrs. Millias (Roxboro Middle School) and from Mrs. Gleason (Gillette).

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NYSED Digital Equity Survey Opens November 1

Beginning November 1, parents and guardians in the North Syracuse Central School District will be asked to fill out a student digital equity survey when logging into SchoolTool. Parents/guardians will be asked to complete one survey for each child prior to Nov. 19.

The survey is mandated by the New York State Education Department (NYSED), who will use the information collected to promote educational equality concerning digital access.

Click here to learn more.

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Staying Home When Sick and Getting Tested

In accordance with CDC guidance, students, teachers and staff who have symptoms of infectious illness (influenza or COVID-19), should stay home and be referred to their healthcare provider for evaluation care and testing. Individuals who are absent from school will need to provide either a medical note or proof of a negative COVID test (PCR test).

Students or staff members who develop symptoms during the school day will be sent home immediately. Parents of students will be contacted immediately to come and pick up their child.

Please remember the symptoms of COVID 19 include:

● Fever or chills

● Cough

● Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

● Fatigue

● Muscle or body aches

● Headache

● New loss of taste or smell

● Sore throat

● Congestion or runny nose

● Nausea or vomiting

● Diarrhea

Employment Opportunities Available with the NSCSD

Did you know that the North Syracuse Central School District is hiring? There are a variety of positions available, both full and part-time. Learn more about employment with the District online by clicking here. Applications can also be submitted online.

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Send Us Your Photos!

We love to share photos from our students, families and teachers. If you're willing to share, please send your high quality images using the link below. We'll be using your photos in this newsletter and other publications throughout the school year. Additionally, high resolution, horizontal photos will be considered for the District website. If you'd like to share pictures, please email them to our Communications Officer, Laurie Cook at lcook@nscsd.org or click here to upload them.