NorthStar Lights
North Syracuse Central School District's weekly e-news
Hello North Syracuse Central School District Parents, Guardians, Teachers and Staff,
Once again this week I had the opportunity to visit our schools. I was invited to Gillette Road Middle School on Tuesday to help with their morning announcements. Each day, in honor of February being Black History Month, the school is highlighting and influential black American on the announcements. I was able to teach students just a few points about doctor and surgeon Daniel Hale Williams, one of the first physicians to perform open-heart surgery in the United States and founded a hospital with an interracial staff.
I learned from Library Media Specialist Morgan Gaulrapp that students have also learned about Frederick Douglass, Wilma Rudolph, Maya Angelou, Gwendolyn Brooks, Ella Fitzgerald, Ruby Bridges, and more. I was impressed by their efforts and I invite you to click the links to each of these amazing role models and learn more.
Sincerely,
Daniel D. Bowles, Superintendent of Schools
Roxboro Road Elementary Builds Community with “International” Help
Students at Roxboro Road Elementary School have had a “international” visitor to their school this year as an “Aussie” has come to call. The guest, Sydney, is a 16 year-old Australian Shepard. Sydney’s human, Natalie Walters, is the school’s new Restorative Practices Specialist. Sydney has been joining Natalie at the school some Friday mornings.
Natalie Walters began her new career in the North Syracuse Central School District this year as one of two Restorative Practices Specialists (RPS) to join the District. Both RPS staff work out of the schools on the Roxboro Road Campus and are part of the District’s targeted efforts to address social emotional needs.
Lisa Goldberg, the NSCSD’s Director of Social Emotional Learning, explains the work of Restorative Practices. “All humans are hardwired to connect. Just as we need food, shelter and clothing, we also need strong and meaningful relationships,” Lisa said. “Our specialists are in place to help students and staff build and nurture those essential relationships.”
Winners chosen in C-NS Optimist Club’s Oratorical Contest
After a multi-year hiatus, the Optimist Club of Cicero-North Syracuse once again held an oratorical contest for NSCSD students. This year’s contest, “Staying Optimistic in Challenging Times,” took place on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building.
With a top award of a $2,500 college scholarship, all students under the age of 19 who live within the boundaries of the North Syracuse Central School District were eligible to participate. Contestants were asked to speak on the official topic for four to five minutes with timing beginning at the first spoken word.
This year’s winners are:
- Gold medal: C-NS Senior Francesca Tortora (pictured far right)
- Silver medal: C-NS Sophomore Johnny Lisi (pictured far left)
- Bronze medal: C-NS Sophomore Haneefa Wahab (pictured middle)
Gold Medal Winner
C-NS Senior Francesca Tortora
Silver Medal Winner
C-NS Sophomore Johnny Lisi
Bronze Medal Winner
C-NS Sophomore Haneefa Wahab
At-Home COVID-19 Test Kit Distribution
The North Syracuse Central School District will be distributing at-home COVID-19 test kits to students prior to the Mid-Winter Recess. The iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test kits, each containing two tests, will be given to all students on Thursday, February 17 and Friday, February 18.
Parents who do not want their child to receive a test kit can opt-out of the distribution by completing a brief form online by clicking here. Parents wanting to opt-out must complete one form for each student they do not want to get a test. The deadline to opt-out is midnight on Monday, February 14.
Transportation Department Job Fair on February 23
On Wednesday, February 23, the North Syracuse Central School District is hosting a transportation department job fair. The event will take place at the transportation department (5520 East Taft Road) in North Syracuse from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
North Syracuse Central School District Director of Transportation Matthew Conti encourages anyone interested to attend the fair and learn about transportation careers with the district. “We are looking for dependable, safety-minded individuals to become trained for some of the most important jobs in the district. CDL driving experience is preferred by not necessary, so anyone that is looking toward this as a career option is more than welcome to attend our job fair.”
Interested persons can fill out an application by clicking here for the necessary form. Applicants are asked to bring a the application and a resume with them to the job fair. For more information about the job fair, contact the North Syracuse Central School District Transportation Department Office at (315) 218-2107.
Students in Kathy Conese's kindergarten class at Allen Road Elementary School have spent time this February learning about current events. On Groundhog Day, Wednesday, February 2, the students learned about the traditions surrounding the day and spent time creating their own groundhog hats. With the Olympic Games in the news, students also learned about the winter events and took time during recess to build and use their own luge.
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
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