NorthStar Lights
North Syracuse Central School District's weekly e-news
Issue #44 | December 10, 2021
Hello North Syracuse Central School District Parents, Guardians, Teachers and Staff and Thank you! This week's Structured for Success! Capital Project vote passed with overwhelming support thanks to you. I want you to know that I am humbled by the level of support we received. The results demonstrate the community's trust in the District and I do not take that confidence lightly. I know there is tremendous emotion behind this project. We are committed to improving our facilities for our current students as well as generations of students to come. One thank you is not enough, so I’ll say it again…thank you!
As I've spent time in buildings this week, I have clearly noticed a theme. I know it is partially because of the time of year, but it has been wonderful to experience the resounding theme of KINDNESS permeating our schools. When you walk into our buildings, you will see bins and barrels overflowing with food and gift donations for families in need. Our high school students are busy working in the school's food pantry to pack donation bags and boxes for other students. The NSEA, our teacher's union office, looks like it could be a storage room for Wegmans. The generosity of our students, staff and families is incomparable. We are a truly giving school community.
While there is an overarching feeling of hope and optimism in the air this time of year, I also understand that the holiday season is not joyful for everyone. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. We have support systems in all our schools. There are counselors, therapists, nurses and other specialists available to help students and their families. This past week, our District’s School-Based Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator, Kristen Stanton, spent time with our administrators talking about how we can support staff working with students in crisis. The training was eye-opening. We are all a part of the system that is designed to help our students – the bus drivers, custodians, food service workers, teachers, counselors, coaches, aides and administrators. We truly are a school community and we must support one another.
As our weather roller coaster continues, I have one additional reminder. Please help us keep our schools healthy by having students stay home when they are sick with symptoms of COVID. We are working to set up an additional clinic for 5 to 11 year-old students of families who are interested in having their children vaccinated. We will send more information about that after the first of the year.
Thank you again and have a great week!
Sincerely,
Daniel D. Bowles, Superintendent of Schools
Spelling Bee Competition Winners Advance to Scripps Written Bee
On December 8, 2021, thirty-two students from Roxboro Road Middle School and Gillette Road Middle school gathered at North Syracuse Junior High School to compete in a District-wide spelling bee. The top 6 contestants from the District bee will advance to the January 21 and 22 Scripps written spelling bee.
The talented youth from grades five through seven were challenged with a variety of words ranging from simple spellings such as “poor” and “rapids” to more difficult spellings such as “embroidery.” All students came to this competition after completing written and oral exams within their schools.
Click here to learn who took top spelling honors and to read the complete article online.
C&S Companies Hosts C-NS Aviation and Aerospace Students
On Friday, December 3, the Cicero-North Syracuse High School Career Center and Technology Department teamed up to bring the school’s Aviation and Aerospace class to a local engineering firm to learn directly from experts in the field. The group of about 20 C-NS students traveled to C & S Companies, an engineering, architecture, planning, environmental, and construction services organization. While at C & S Companies, students had the opportunity to hear from speakers about aviation planning, aviation engineering and drone technology and were even paid a visit from the Federal Aviation Administration.
More Than Sad: Suicide Prevention for Parents on December 14
Optimist Club of Cicero-North Syracuse Seeking Entries for Oratorical Contest with $2,500 Scholarship as Top Award
After a multi-year hiatus, the Optimist Club of Cicero-North Syracuse is once again 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, the topic of which is “Staying Optimistic in Challenging Times,” will take place on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd., N. Syracuse, NY).
Contestants will be asked to speak on the official topic for four to five minutes with timing beginning at the first spoken word. Entries must be mailed by February 1.
Employment Opportunities Available with the NSCSD
Winter Weather Reminders
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Allen Road Elementary Students "Travel" Around the World for the Holidays
KWS Bear Road Elementary Teachers Thankful for School's PTO
Allen Road Elementary School Has the Gift of Giving
Henty said, "We used this opportunity as our December act of kindness and giving back to our community. Our students learned the importance of giving and how one small gesture can make someone else's day, month, year, or in this case Christmas. We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!"
The pictures above and below are of some of the students, teachers and staff involved in the giving campaign along with many of the items collected.
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
Nationwide Service Disruptions Impacting School Meals
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.
Connect with the NSCSD on Social Media!
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