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

I'm writing this week feeling like the school year is just going too quickly. As I consider the accomplishments brought to my attention this week (some of which are showcased in this newsletter) I can't help but feel as though the projects highlighted mean that the year is slipping away. This week we learned that several of our talented musicians will compete in the upcoming All-State Music Festival and that some artists are being recognized in the CNY Scholastic Art Awards. You'll notice that one of those beautiful photographs is being used as this week's newsletter background. The photograph is entitled "Snowball Fight" and was taken by C-NS junior Hannah Boyle. Hannah's photo won a Silver Key award. I continue to be amazed and impressed by the high-level work our students are consistently producing. Congratulations to the young men and women and to the incredible teachers who guide them.

As we continue to navigate a world of COVID and its devastating impacts, please remember our teachers. These men and women have a passion for what they do. I know their desire is to pass a love of math, art, music, science, English, sports, history...you name it...on to their students. When I look at the works of art such as the one used in this newsletter, I know that one of our teachers inspired this creation. Despite everything that is going on in the world today, our teachers come to school every day and share their passions for learning. Please join me in thanking a teacher this week.

Sincerely,

Daniel D. Bowles, Superintendent of Schools

The NJSHS Drama Club production of “Godspell”, originally scheduled for Friday 1/14 and Saturday 1/15 has been POSTPONED FOR A SECOND TIME

New dates/times for our performances are listed below:

• Friday, January 28 at 7:00 PM
• Saturday, January 29 at 7 PM
• THERE WILL BE NO MATINEE ON SATURDAY, 1/29

Performances held in the NJSHS Auditorium, doors open at 6:30

Click here for additional information.

On Tuesday, January 18, more than 100 Cicero-North Syracuse High School students were recognized with NorthStar PRIDE awards. Students are selected for recognition by teachers when they model the school’s five core values: Personal Responsibility, Respect, Integrity, Discipline and Engagement. Students can be recognized in more than one category and many of the January students were selected in multiple areas.

Click here to read the complete article online.

For the past 70+ years, high school students from across Central New York have been recognized in the Central New York Scholastic Art Awards. While the process for the 2022 awards was different than in the past due to COVID, students from Cicero-North Syracuse High School still participated and have been recognized. The artwork is currently on display in an exhibit at Onondaga Community College. The exhibit is at the Whitney Applied Technology Building and is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through March 4. Masks must be worn at all times while on campus.
A virtual awards celebration is planned for an upcoming date but details have not yet been announced.

Click here to read the complete article online and see pictures of Gold and Silver Key award-winning artwork.

Pictured above are the photographs in C-NS senior Sophia Calcagino's Gold Key award winning portfolio entitled "Urban Abandon"

Willow Wenham, a kindergarten student in Kathy Conese's class at Allen Road Elementary School, turned 5 years-old this school year and her birthday wish was a unique one - to get the COVID vaccine. Willow and her family recently talked with Ashley Casey, editor for Eagle News Online and the Star Review, about Willow's experience getting the vaccine. Click here to read Willow's story online.

Allen Road Elementary School teacher Kathy Conese shared the above photo of her students wearing animal masks given to them by Assemblyman Al Stirpe after the class took time to write to him about Willow Wenham's experience getting vaccinated for COVID.

Students in Heidi Hobbs' 8th grade Family and Consumer Science classes at North Syracuse Junior High School recently completed a unit on Life Management skills. Students have worked with Mrs. Ciarico in the school's Career Center. To end the Life Management skills unit, the students participated in mock interviews in the Career Center.

Each year, the New York State School Music Association (known informally as NYSSMA) hosts an Area All-State festival for high school band, orchestra, and choral students. The festivals afford students the opportunity to participate in advanced ensembles outside of their high schools. This year’s festival will take place on February 4 and 5 at Ithaca College and C-NS is honored to have several students selected for participation.

Click here to read the complete article online.

Did you know that the North Syracuse Central School District's Athletics Department has a weekly email newsletter? If you'd like to subscribe to the newsletter, click here to fill out the necessary form.

The North Syracuse Central School District produces a weekly digital newsletter, "NorthStar Lights," to share important information and good news with NSCSD families and staff. Parents and staff members automatically receive the newsletter through SchoolMessenger.

Grandparents, community members and all friends of the NSCSD are welcome to subscribe by providing an email address by clicking here. Newsletters are emailed each Friday when school is in session. Help us share the good news and the great things happening in 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.

We love to share photos and videos 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.

Lakeshore Road Elementary School music teacher Maureen Alvaro shared videos of their school's 4th grade students' chorus concert which took place in school on January 18. The videos are posted on the school website at https://www.nscsd.org/districtpage.cfm?pageid=3398.

Jessica Nabewaniec, a Family Engagement Specialist at Roxboro Road Elementary School shared the above picture of donations made to the school by ProAct medical partners. The picture was sent to her by teacher Traci Buffa, who said that ProAct graciously donated FOUR carloads of food to RRE families prior to the holiday break. Additionally, Jessica shared the photo to the left, showing members of the "Fabulous Renovation Church" who adopted six RRE families and gifted them with holiday presents for each child. Jessica says that the school is "blessed" to have such a kind and generous community.

Roxboro Road Elementary School teacher Sandi Thorne shared the photo to the right of kindergarten students at the school caroling in the hallways the day before the holiday break.

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

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.

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