NorthStar Lights

Hello North Syracuse Central School District Students, Families and Staff,

I am honored and excited to introduce myself as the new Superintendent of Schools for the North Syracuse Central School District. It is a privilege to join such a dynamic and dedicated community, and I look forward to working collaboratively with students, families, educators, and staff to build upon the district’s strong foundation of excellence.

Education is a powerful force for shaping the future, and I am deeply committed to fostering an environment where every student is supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. As we embark on this journey together, my focus will be on maintaining high academic standards, promoting student well-being, and ensuring that our schools remain a welcoming and inclusive place for all.

I believe that open communication and strong partnerships between schools, families, and the broader community are essential to student success. Over the coming weeks and months, I look forward to meeting many of you, listening to your thoughts and aspirations for our schools, and working collaboratively to advance our shared vision for the district.

I invite you to connect with me at upcoming school events, meetings, and community gatherings. Your insights and feedback will be invaluable in shaping the future of our district. Together, we can continue to provide exceptional educational experiences that empower our students to thrive.

Over the past month, I want to thank you for your warm welcome. I am excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to serving the North Syracuse Central School District with dedication and enthusiasm.

With gratitude,

Dr. Terry L. Ward II

Superintendent of Schools

North Syracuse Central School District

The North Syracuse Central School District Technology Department has been informed by the New York State Education Department that we are required to make changes to student access for certain Google Additional Services. This directive comes from the Chief Privacy Officer at NYSED to ensure compliance with Ed Law 2-d, as Google is not able to sign a Data Privacy Agreement (DPA) for these additional services.

What’s Changing?

• Google Core Services (Gmail, Classroom, Drive, Docs, Slides, Forms, Calendar, Sheets, etc.) are NOT affected. Students and teachers can continue using these services as they currently do.
• Google Additional Services (YouTube, Translate, Earth, Photos, etc.) will be disabled for student accounts at the end of the day on February 14, 2025, just before the mid-winter break.

How Will This Affect Students?

• Students will no longer be able to directly access or use YouTube, Google Translate, Google Earth, Google Photos and other Additional Services while logged into their district accounts.
• Teachers will still be able to use YouTube for instructional purposes. They can embed YouTube videos in Google Classroom, Slides and other approved educational tools such as EdPuzzle for students to view.
• The district’s ENL staff has prepared alternative solutions for translation needs, including built-in translation tools within some Google Core Apps.

What About Staff Accounts?

• This change only applies to student accounts. Staff members will retain access to Google Additional Services.

These changes are part of a statewide effort to ensure compliance with Ed Law 2-d and reinforce the district’s commitment to student data privacy and security. While we understand this may impact some aspects of classroom technology use, we are confident that these adjustments will have minimal disruption to student learning.

For more details, visit the RIC One Google Resource Hub: https://googleresourcehub.ricone.org/

The North Syracuse Central School District’s Special Education Department is hosting another Family Engagement Night on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Gym.

This session, "What to Expect at CSE," will provide valuable information for families navigating the Committee on Special Education (CSE) process. Whether you are new to the process or looking for more clarity, this event will help answer important questions, including:

• What is a CSE?
• Who will be there?
• What happens at the meeting?
• What are your rights as parents?

A question-and-answer session will follow the discussion, allowing families to ask specific questions and gain a better understanding of their child’s support services.

We encourage all families to attend and take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the special education process in our district.

The North Syracuse Central School District’s Fine Arts Department is thrilled to announce that esteemed composer Larry Clark has written an exclusive piece for the district’s 7-12 District-Wide Band Concert. The composition, Northstar Fanfare, will make its world premiere during the concert on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 7 PM at North Syracuse Junior High School.

This extraordinary collaboration provides NSCSD students with the unique opportunity to perform a piece created specifically for them by one of the most respected composers in the band community. The concert will showcase the talent, hard work, and dedication of student musicians and their teachers, offering an unforgettable evening of music for the entire community.

“This is a truly special moment for our students and our district,” said Daryle Redmond, NSCSD Director of Fine Arts and Co-Curricular. “Having a distinguished composer like Larry Clark create a piece just for us is an honor, and I know our students will rise to the occasion. We invite our families, friends, and the community to be part of this exciting premiere and celebrate the power of music education.”

The NSCSD Fine Arts Department welcomes all music enthusiasts to attend this remarkable event. Admission is free, and no tickets are required.

Applications must be filed prior to April 1, 2025

As required by New York State Law, applications for bus transportation to and/or from charter, private or parochial schools during the 2025-26 school year, must be filed prior to April 1, 2025.

Applications may be picked up and returned to the North Syracuse Central School District Transportation Department, 5520 East Taft Road, North Syracuse, NY 13212. Applications can also be downloaded by clicking here. Please contact the Transportation Department at (315) 218-2107 for additional information.

When there is inclement or forecasted inclement weather, the decision to close school, delay opening or dismiss early is based on travel conditions and weather predictions to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

When schools are closed because of weather conditions or other emergencies, announcements are sent on ParentSquare and posted on the district website. Other emergency conditions, such as impending storms, may require students to be dismissed before regular school closing time. Early closing/dismissal announcements are also sent through ParentSquare and posted on the district website.

While emergency closings are also shared with local media, district communications are the first and best source of information.

PREPARE NOW

• Update your contact information: Contact your student’s school to request changes to your email address or phone number in SchoolTool. These changes can take up to 24 hours to process and update.
• Transportation: Ensure arrangements are in place for early dismissal situations. Please inform your student’s school.
• Community Alerts: Grandparents and others can sign up for emergency alerts on ParentSquare.
• YMCA Childcare: YMCA childcare programs located within NSCSD elementary schools may have permission to remain open in some instances. If school is closed for an emergency, all buildings in the NSCSD must be closed and YMCA programs are also canceled. Parents with children in a YMCA program located in a school should check directly with the organization regarding program closures.

ParentSquare messages are sent according to individual user's notification settings. When the NSCSD sends snow day or delay notifications, they are typically sent as ParentSquare Smart Alerts.

The North Syracuse Central School District is accepting registrations for its Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) program for the 2025-26 school year. The UPK program is free to children who live in the district and are four years old on or before Dec. 1. The deadline to submit registrations for entry into the lottery drawing has been extended to Feb. 12.

Read the complete article online.

The Optimist Club of Cicero-North Syracuse is sponsoring an Oratorical Contest with a top award of a $2,500 college scholarship. Students under the age of 19 who live within the boundaries of the North Syracuse Central School District are eligible to participate. This year’s contest theme is “How Optimism Has Guided me Through Trying Times,” and will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd., N. Syracuse, NY).

Students wishing to participate in the Feb. 25 contest should email Mr. Crabtree by Feb. 18 with their intent to participate and the entry form. Contestants will be asked to speak on the official topic for four to five minutes with timing beginning at the first spoken word.

Contest applications are available by clicking here and should be emailed to Mr. Robert Crabtree by Feb. 18.

Click here to read the complete article online.

We love to share photos and videos from our students, families and teachers. If you're willing to share, please do! 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.

North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education Member Robert Crabtree took and shared the above picture of the inspirational staircase at Roxboro Road Middle School.

Roxboro Road Elementary School 4th grade co-teachers Morgan Gale & Michelle Redmond kicked off their CKLA Geology unit on Jan. 31 with some fun extras to get students excited about learning!

Each student received a hard hat (because geologists face some pretty dangerous situations!), a pickaxe pencil to dig deep into their learning and a magnifying glass to close read. What a fun and clever way to “dig into” learning! We hope you enjoy these photos as much as we do!

Briggs Welsh is an 8th grade student at North Syracuse Junior High School. Briggs organized a team event before the boys’ modified CNS lacrosse practice. All the players did a great job making a Valentine's Day card for the veterans. Briggs then met and dropped off the cards to Al Stirpe and on behalf of the team. Great job Briggs and team!

Early in the month of January, a team of girls from Cicero Elementary School, earned the title of basketball shootout champions during a halftime contest at a basketball game at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. On the final day of the month of January, a team of boys from Cicero Elementary School, earned the second basketball shootout championship title! Congratulations to these super shooters!

Congratulations to the student-musicians from North Syracuse Junior High School and Roxboro Road Middle School who were selected to participate in the Onondaga County Junior High All-County Festival this past weekend on January 24 and 25.

The following students were selected for All-County Band: Joseph Cannella, Katlyn Chrisley, Mark Morris, Isabella O’Connor and Lydia Saxby.

The following students were selected for All-County Chorus: Joclyn Dallas, Cole Exner and Serenity Gaines.

Alexis Sturgeon was selected for All-County Orchestra.

Pictured above (left to right): Alexis Sturgeon, Lydia Saxby, Isabella O’Connor, Katlyn Chrisley, Cole Exner, Mark Morris, Joseph Cannella, Serenity Gaines, Joclyn Dallas

Congratulations to these talented musicians and many thanks to Jennifer Macderment for sharing this great news and photograph!

Thank you to the Marvelous Mary Beebe for sharing pictures of Honor Society Students at North Syracuse Junior High School making valentines for the Troops as part of New York State Assemblyman Al Stirpe’s Valentines for Veterans. Loving the love!

The North Syracuse Central School District and our schools utilize ParentSquare for school to home and district to home communications.

Parent/guardian information is pulled from SchoolTool, the district's student data management system. All parents that have an email or cell phone in SchoolTool automatically have an account created in ParentSquare. ParentSquare training is available online for parents/guardians looking for additional information or online help and resources.

FEB 7: School Counselor and ADA-PEP Counselor Appreciation Day

FEB 10: Board of Education meeting at 6 PM at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse

FEB 11: What to Expect at CSE Family Engagement Night from 5-6 PM at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse

FEB 12: District-Wide Grade 7-12 Concert at 7 PM at the North Syracuse Junior High School (5353 West Taft Rd., North Syracuse) Auditorium

FEB 7: School Resource Officer and Special Patrol Officer Appreciation Day

FEB 13: February Coffee Connection "CPSE to CSE Transition" from 5:45 - 7PM at the North Syracuse Early Education Program

FEB 14: Hearts and Hoops for Hunger fundraiser at CNS Basketball Games 5 and 6:30 PM at CNS High School

FEB 17: President's Day - No School for students or staff

FEB 18-21: Winter Recess - No School for students or 10-month staff

FEB 24: Board of Education meeting at 6 PM at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse

FEB 25: Optimist International/CNS Optimist Oratorical Contest at 6 PM at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse

FEB 26: Festival of Nations 5 - 7 PM at Cicero-North Syracuse High School (6002 Route 31) in Cicero

FEB 28: Athletic Trainer Appreciation Day

Website: www.nscsd.org
Location: 5355 West Taft Road, Syracuse, NY, USA
Phone: (315) 218-2100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NSyracuseCSD/