NorthStar Lights
North Syracuse Central School District's Electronic News
Hello North Syracuse Central School District parents, guardians, teachers and staff,
First off, I'd like to remind you of the upcoming budget vote and board member election next Tuesday, May 16. In addition to the budget, there are several other propositions on the ballot:
- Vehicle Bonding proposition for $2,252,201
- Salina Free Library proposition ($500,558 - for Town of Salina residents only)
- Three seats on the board of education
- A change of polling locations from Cicero Elementary to C-NS High School
- A student board of education representative
Your vote is important, and I encourage you to exercise your right to have a say in how our school district operates.
The background image of this newsletter was taken last week at KWS Bear Road Elementary School when Senator Mannion and Assemblyman Stirpe came to the school to give updates about state funding for school meals. I am pictured with School Nurse Kim Nasby, who took time to speak at the event about the importance of nutrition for students. Kim spoke from her experience working with students every day and did an excellent job conveying the importance of the school meal program. To that end, I want to mention that during the month of May, our district has appreciation days for school nurses, teachers, teaching assistants, teacher aides, transportation staff and speech therapists. Please use these occasions as an opportunity to thank these folks for the amazing work they do every day.
As we approach the end of the school year, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the constant hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, and staff. We have had some beautiful weather recently, which has only added to the positive energy in our schools. I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day weekend and is looking forward to upcoming celebrations.
I would also like to remind everyone that next Thursday, May 18th, is our Special Olympic Games at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. This is always a highlight of our school year, and I encourage everyone to come out and support our athletes as they compete.
Thank you for your continued support of our schools and community. Let's work together to ensure that our students receive the best education possible.
Sincerely,
Daniel D. Bowles, Superintendent of Schools
It's Okay Friday
On Friday, May 5, NSCSD students, staff and families came together around the theme "It's Okay Friday" as a day to take time to pause a bit and be mindful of our mental health. It is a day to extend kindness and grace to ourselves, and each other. It is also a day to realize that when we need to reach out and ask for help. People were asked to wear shirts with positive messages and to share their pictures on social media using the hashtag #ITSOKNSCSD.
Some pictures are posted below and more are available on the district's Facebook page. Thank you to all who participated.
17 NSCSD educators receive grants through Education Foundation
17 North Syracuse Central School District educators were recently recognized for receiving grants from the North Syracuse Education Foundation (NSEF) in their 2023 Grant Award’s Program. NSEF resources support quality education through creative opportunities, and innovative/imaginative approaches.
This year, NSEF presented 12 grants, totaling more than $14,000. Click here to see how it's being distributed.
OCM BOCES Innovation Tech students inducted to National Honor Society
Congratulations to our OCM BOCES Innovation Tech students Chloe Campbell, Tristan Sugrue and Bee Vadala, who were inducted into the National Honor Society at a ceremony on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. That means they have demonstrated high academic achievement and the NHS attributes of knowledge, scholarship, service, leadership, and character. They are pictured with Superintendent Daniel Bowles and North Syracuse Board Member Robert Crabtree, who is also on the Board of Education for OCM BOCES.
Making history at Gillette Road Middle School
For the first time, students at Gillette Road Middle School took part in a History Fair. They were tasked with showcasing any historical event, time period, person, or place.
On Thursday, April 27 more than 80 students from all three grade levels filled the cafeteria ready to show off their projects. They wore costumes, created display boards, built dioramas, and showed off interactive displays.
A wide variety of topics were covered ranging from the Titanic to Women’s Rights. A few students even made connections to their family history. For example, a Bosnian student researched and shared information about the Srebrenica Genocide.
The fair was a success thanks to a group of social studies teachers who formed a committee to organize it. They hope to continue and possibly even expand the event in the future.
Great job to all who participated!
C-NS musicians participate in All-County Jazz Festival
Over the weekend of April 29 and 30, Cicero-North Syracuse High School musicians were proud to be a part of the All-County Jazz Festival. Each year, students prepare and audition to be a part of this renowned Festival. Vocal Jazz selects 24 students in the county and the Jazz Ensemble selects 19 students from the county.
State representatives make free school meals announcement at NSCSD
Senator John Mannion and Assemblymember Al Stirpe visited the North Syracuse Central School District on Thursday, May 4 to make an important announcement regarding the funding of school meals. They say $134 million is being set aside in the state budget to continue funding free school meals for students.
“Free school meals may be the most consequential achievement in the state budget because it helps kids learn and succeed, covers the costs for school districts and local taxpayers, and it will have an immediate impact” said Senator John Mannion.
The federal government funded free breakfast and lunch for all students regardless of household income since the early days of the pandemic, but it expired last June. Approximately 700,000 students in New York then lost access to free meals.
Family Engagement initiative makes a difference at Roxboro Road Elementary
The Family Engagement initiative has been busy at Roxboro Road Elementary this Spring. Back in March, the school hosted the KIND Campaign from California and last month they helped deliver Easter basket donations.
The KIND Campaign was featured during an assembly for fourth grade girls. The focus was girl-on-girl bullying. Click here to read the complete article online.
Thank you to Mrs. Sciarrino and Mrs. Dolbear for sharing pictures from Roxboro Road Elementary School's Muffins with Moms event. The event took place this past Monday and that they had a total of 26 adults from home attend in addition to the school's support staff. Mrs. Sciarrino shares that all 23 students who attended had special people to have breakfast with them! Students created videos with their favorite things about their moms and also recited the poem, "If You Give a Mom a Muffin".
She said, "It was a beautiful morning celebrating our people!"
Celebrating Mother's Day with technology
Students in Ms. Carozza's class at North Syracuse Junior High School demonstrated technology skills by creating Mother's Day video messages on Canva with the guidance of technology coach Danielle Barrett. A QR code was generated and placed into a handmade card. Moms will be able to scan the code and see the video message from their child. Ms. Carozza said, "Thank you, Ms. Barrett for increasing our digital literacy!" We want to say THANK YOU to Ms. Carozza too for sharing this great photo, which is also used as our newsletter background this week. Happy Mother's Day!
District Reminders!
MAY 16: SCHOOL BUDGET VOTE AND BOE ELECTION from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
MAY 18: SPECIAL OLYMPICS at Cicero-North Syracuse High School
MAY 22: Board of Education meeting at 6 PM at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse. If you'd like to attend the meeting in-person, you must pre-register by the Friday prior to the meeting. Please email jherrera@nscsd.org to attend.
MAY 26: NO SCHOOL due to unused snow days
MAY 29: Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL for students or staff
JUNE 2: Staff Workshops - Half day of school for Pre-K-Grade 12 students
JUNE 5: Board of Education meeting at 6 PM at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse. If you'd like to attend the meeting in-person, you must pre-register by the Friday prior to the meeting. Please email jherrera@nscsd.org to attend.
North Syracuse Central School District
Email: webmaster@nscsd.org
Website: www.nscsd.org
Location: 5355 West Taft Road, Syracuse, NY, USA
Phone: (315) 218-2100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NSyracuseCSD/
Twitter: @NSyracuseCSD