NorthStar Lights
North Syracuse Central School District's Electronic News
Hello North Syracuse CSD Community,
Spring is a season of renewal, and in the North Syracuse Central School District (NSCSD), it’s a time to reimagine how we support our students, amplify their voices, and ensure their success. We remain dedicated to strengthening our schools and community through student-centered decision-making.
One of our key initiatives for the 2025-26 school year is the revitalization of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC). This council serves as a vital bridge between students and district leadership, ensuring their perspectives help shape the decisions that impact their education. I am eager to collaborate with our middle and high school principals to create a diverse and representative group of student leaders. Their voices are essential to our district’s success, and the SSAC will play an important role in shaping the future of our schools.
As we navigate this year’s budget process, we remain steadfast in our commitment to thoughtful financial planning that prioritizes student achievement while maintaining fiscal responsibility. At the March 24 Board of Education meeting, Associate Superintendent for Business Services Donald Keegan outlined the district’s financial outlook, noting a $6 million budget gap due to rising costs, the expiration of federal pandemic-related funds, and limited increases in state aid.
Despite these challenges, we are working diligently to align staffing and resources with student needs while ensuring financial stability. Rather than widespread layoffs, we are focusing on cost savings through retirements and attrition. Our investments will continue to prioritize student support services, academic programs, and professional development, reinforcing our Strategic Plan’s key focus areas: improving graduation rates, increasing reading proficiency, and fostering emotional competence.
We encourage our community to stay informed and engaged in the budget process. Several budget meetings are scheduled in the coming weeks, leading up to the Budget Vote & Election on May 20. Meeting dates and details are available at www.nscsd.org.
Our students continue to inspire us with their talent and dedication. In March, four of our schools delivered outstanding musical productions, highlighting the creativity and hard work of both students and staff. Tomorrow, the Festival of the Arts at North Syracuse Junior High School will showcase incredible student artwork and performances. Having had the opportunity to preview some of the pieces, I can confidently say that our students' creativity is truly remarkable. Events like these remind us how vital it is to provide students with opportunities to express themselves and pursue their passions.
Additionally, we recently completed our first ThoughtExchange, and the initial feedback has been both insightful and valuable. Key themes that emerged include a focus on improving academic performance and transparency, enhancing special education programs, and increasing support for student mental health and well-being. We look forward to analyzing these results further and utilizing this tool to enhance our district’s initiatives moving forward.
As we approach the final months of the school year, I encourage our families, students, and staff to stay engaged. Whether through budget discussions, student-led initiatives, or celebrating the outstanding work happening in our schools, your voice matters. When we work together as a community, we truly are Brighter Together.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in making NSCSD the best it can be.
Dr. Terry L. Ward
Superintendent of Schools
NHS recognition is reserved for students who meet high academic standards while also serving their school and community with integrity. To earn NHS membership, students must maintain a strong GPA, exhibit leadership qualities, contribute through volunteer service and uphold exemplary character. Being inducted into the NHS is a significant achievement, reflecting both individual dedication and a commitment to making a positive impact.
In honor of the month of April being Child Abuse Prevention Month, students at Cicero-North Syracuse High School are helping support the cause through the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center’s “Go Blue 4 Kids” campaign. Last week, students from the Productive Actions for Change (PAC) group showed their support by ‘planting' blue pinwheels outside the school. Derrick Brill, the Lead Outreach & Education Specialist for McMahon Ryan, talked to the group about the campaign and the cause before the students went outside.
The pinwheel is a national symbol of child abuse and neglect prevention. Derrick said, “The pinwheel stands as an uplifting reminder that all children deserve a happy childhood and future and is a reminder that we want to ‘blow away’ abuse and neglect.” Many thanks to the Brill family for donating the pinwheels to CNS and bringing them to the school for the students to participate in the important campaign.
The school's PAC group is led by Lyra Couillard and the students are dedicated to reshaping our culture into one of inclusivity, kindness and support. PAC members work to educate and support their peers as well as younger students in the NSCSD.
Many thanks to the student PAC leaders at Cicero-North Syracuse High School:
Co presidents Sophia Gabrielli and Mya Patti
Vice President - Tyler Graham
Treasurer- Jacob Wicks
Secretary - Bailie Corp
The North Syracuse Central School District (NSCSD) is reaffirming its commitment to student voice and leadership by reinvigorating the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC) for the 2025-26 school year. The SSAC serves as a direct line of communication between students and district leadership, ensuring that student perspectives are considered in key decision-making processes.
Dr. Ward, who took over as superintendent in January, is eager to strengthen the SSAC’s role and enhance student engagement. He is working with principals at Gillette Road Middle School, Roxboro Road Middle School, North Syracuse Junior High School and Cicero-North Syracuse High School to ensure a broad representation of student voices.
On Tuesday, April 1, North Syracuse Junior High School proudly celebrated academic excellence, leadership and service at the 2025 National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Induction Ceremony. The event honored 80 eighth and ninth grade students for their exemplary scholarship, character, citizenship and dedication to their community.
This year’s eighth grade inductees are Lucy Auyer, Ben Ballagh, Carter Bambino, Collin Barrett, Ella Besemer, Adriana Birbiglia, Madeline Canastra, Quentin Canastra, Olivia Cargill, Logan Christopher, Nicholas Cimino, Delaney DelPriore, Liam Devennie, Colson Frezza, Angelo Gates, Joshua Goncalves, Logan Graber, Dominick Henderson, Payton Jobson, Mae Kelly, Felicity Lane, Liam Lobdell, Carter MacNaught, Amina Mann, Addison Maroney, Francesca Marzullo, Mason Miller, Jaxon Oliver, Charlotte Osterhaus, Sloane Raymond, Mason Schnobrich, Hannon Shutts, Brooklyn Sommers, Ayden Stevens, Jackson Vivacqua, Briggs Welsh, Katherine Wicks, Cecilia Wike, Sophia Zheng and Tyler Zinter.
This year’s ninth grade inductees are Malak Alattas, Lola Baez, Viviana Beardsley, Abigail Capsello, Jacob Carver, Wesley Coyle, Mallory Coyle, Samantha D'Amico, Demyana Dawoud, Caleb Foote, Olivia Garrisi, Aleks Atakan Gulay, Tanner Gwilt, Tessa Hysick, Lucas Klein, Riley Kulikowski, Ava Lawrence, Anthony Lisi, Benjamin Miles, Mark Morris, Gianna Muller, Cayden Pallotta, Cooper Pallotta, Haylee Pangaro, Reese Reppard, Joanleisha Rodriguez, Ayham Salahaldin, Jaxon Santoro, Dylan Scammell, Grace Scoville, Julia Scoville, Allison Snell, Avery Snyder, Kayleigh Stevens, Allison Tanton, Histori Telfair, Emily Wang, Luca Wang, Grace Zawadzki and Luke Zuercher Jr.
The evening featured performances by the NSCSD Jazz Band and Vocal Jazz Ensemble, with Principal Naomi Trivison and Superintendent Dr. Terry Ward delivering remarks. A highlight of the ceremony was the traditional candle lighting, led by NJHS officers, symbolizing the organization’s core values. Guest speaker County Executive J. Ryan McMahon II inspired students with words of encouragement before inductees recited the NJHS pledge and received their pins.
Congratulations to all the new members of the National Junior Honor Society and thank you to NJHS Advisor Mrs. Mary Beebe.
Several CNS athletes were recently pictured in Syracuse.com during the All-CNY winter photo shoot.
Elijah Ehret, an 8th grade student at North Syracuse Junior High School was mentioned in Syracuse.com for placing in the oral round of the March 22 Syracuse.com | Post-Standard Spelling Bee.
CNS junior athlete Emma VanBeveren was selected by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) to represent Section 3 at the annual NYS Student Leadership Conference in Albany this past week. This opportunity brought together student-athletes from across New York to engage in workshops and skill-building exercises designed to cultivate leadership qualities among young athletes. Throughout the conference, Emma and her peers participated in a variety of activities aimed at enhancing their leadership abilities both on and off the field. The conference was not only an excellent learning experience but also a fantastic opportunity for networking with peers, coaches, and mentors.
Gillette Road Middle School and CNY Communities come together in memory of fellow student
Gillette Road Middle School and the NSCSD and CNY communities experienced a terrible tragedy last with the death of Jeremiah Huff, a GRMS student, on March 17. The district is devastated for Jeremiah's family and friends. GRMS Principal Jones shared pictures of their students and staff coming together in their grief last week and honoring Jeremiah by wearing green. Our Director of Mathematics Nick Scholz was visiting GRMS last week and one of Jeremiah's teacher's (Mr. Haas) shared a picture of a Geoboard activity the students created. Onondaga County Executive J. Ryan McMahon also issued a proclamation announcing county buildings would be lit in the color green, Jeremiah's favorite color, in his memory.
Future Northstars shine BRIGHT!
This year, the North Syracuse Central School District held its first-ever Kick-Off to Kindergarten in-person registration events at the district office. We had a great turnout and eagerly welcomed the CNS Class of 2038. Incoming kindergarteners received "Future Northstar" stickers and were able to participate in fun activities, meet their principals and even take home some free books from the Book VanGo. Many thanks to all the staff who made the event possible and to the families who attended to register their students. Welcome to the NSCSD!
Roxboro Road Elementary School cooks!
On Thursday, March 27, Roxboro Road Elementary School families learned to Cook with Conrad. Family Engagement Specialist Traci Buffa coordinated a fun, family friendly event to help families learn to make easy meals on a budget.
Every family received recipes, ingredients and made two different wraps. The families got to eat what they created plus bring home all the extra ingredients. Families were also given an additional bag of groceries with fresh frozen chicken.
Maryanne Nash shared pictures and said it was the first time the school did an event of this type, but that they are looking to hosting additional events in the future. Very cool!
Recognition program for music students started at Roxboro Road Middle School
District Reminders!
APRIL 4: School Library Media Specialist Appreciation Day
APRIL 5: Festival of the Arts at North Syracuse Junior High School (5353 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse from 11 AM to 2 PM
APRIL 7: Board of Education meeting at 6 PM at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse
APRIL 9: NSJH Small Ensembles concert at 7 PM at Gillette Road Middle School (6150 South Bay Rd.) in Cicero
APRIL 18: Good Friday - No School/Buildings Closed
APRIL 21: Board of Education meeting at 6 PM at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse
APRIL 23: Office Personnel Appreciation Day
APRIL 29: School Budget Meeting at 5 PM Roxboro Road Middle School (300 Bernard St.) in Mattydale
North Syracuse Central School District
Website: www.nscsd.org
Location: 5355 West Taft Road, Syracuse, NY, USA
Phone: (315) 218-2100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NSyracuseCSD/