NorthStar Lights

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

As you might imagine, this week was a very busy one now that we are so close to the end of the school year. On Tuesday I had the opportunity to attend a Flag Day celebration at KWS Bear Road Elementary School and was happily reminded that patriotism is alive and well in our schools. Our American Flag is the strongest symbol of democracy and freedom and it was very heartening to see our students and staff honoring the icon.

After I led the students in saying The Pledge of Allegiance, a group of second-grade students stood in front of the assembly and individually provided facts about the flag and its history. Having worked in schools for as many years as I have, I have to say that the information the students gave was not new to me. With that said though, I think it is important to always want to learn more about our country and our history.

The American Flag represents our nation and is a reminder of those who died protecting it. The beautiful symbol is also a reminder of our unity. We are one nation...one people...bonded with one land and one flag. Unity was a word that came to me in another context that day as I observed the enthusiastic gathering of students, teachers and some parents. It is wonderful to be able to be together again...it is truly how we are meant to be.

Enjoy your weekend and please remember that there is no school on Monday in recognition of the Juneteenth Holiday.

Sincerely,

Daniel D. Bowles, Superintendent of Schools

On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, making Juneteenth a federal holiday in the United States. Juneteenth—June 19, 1865—was the day Union soldiers enforced President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freeing all remaining slaves in Texas. Originating in Galveston, Texas, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and it is observed as a celebration of African-American culture.

Juneteenth has been celebrated annually on June 19 in various parts of the United States. The North Syracuse Central School District is proud to join in this celebration of US History.

We invite you to learn more about Juneteenth by visiting the following:

• The Heritage Foundation: What is Juneteenth, and Why Should Every American Want To Celebrate It?
• History: What is Juneteenth?
• National Museum of African American History & Culture: The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth

On Monday, June 13, the Cicero-North Syracuse High School Class of 2022 had the chance to go back to their elementary schools for one last time as students in the NSCSD. The high school seniors boarded buses at C-NS and made their final bus trips to their elementary schools. The older students exited the buses at each elementary school and had the opportunity to walk through the hallways as Pomp and Circumstance was played and their former teachers and younger students cheered them on. Some schools' parent-teacher groups hosted celebrations or provided small gifts for the grads and group photos were taken at each building. C-NS seniors began the tradition of going back to their elementary schools in the 2016-2017 school year and the event continually grows. Click here to view a video slideshow of pictures submitted from each elementary school.

On Monday, June 13, Assemblymember Pamela J. Hunter held her annual Exceptional Women of Central New York Awards Ceremony. Our own Lisa Goldberg was bestowed with the honor as children's educator!

Throughout her educational career, Lisa has been committed to fostering a culture of belonging, curiosity, inclusion and community for students, families and staff at North Syracuse Central School District. As a high school social studies teacher, Lisa was named Teacher of the Year for the 1999-2000 school year. She is also the co-founder and co-facilitator of the STAR Leadership Camp, a summer leadership program for students held annually in the Adirondacks.

In 2011, Lisa became the district's first consultant teacher, where she developed programming and resources to support new and non-tenured teachers. She currently serves as the North Syracuse Central School District's director of social and emotional learning and social studies, a position that allows her to focus on emotional education, mental health and wellness, suicide prevention and social studies.

CONGRATULATIONS Lisa Goldberg and thank you for all you do for NSCSD students and staff!

North Syracuse Central School District families are invited to attend a special, free webinar on supporting LGBTQ+Youth. The webinar, provided through the School Mental Health Resource and Training Center, will take place on Wednesday, June 29 from 7 to 8 p.m.

June is Pride Month where we celebrate the beautiful diversity, struggle for justice and importance of inclusion and representation for the rainbow that is the LGBTQ+ community. But beyond the parades, rainbows, flags and celebrations there are young people who struggle every day as a result of beliefs, actions and words that deny their very existence

The webinar will explore ways parents and caregivers can create affirming and supportive family environments for youth.

Speakers:

• Signy Furiya, LCSW, Director of Well Being Institute of the Hudson Valley Pride Center
• James Baptiste, Program Coordinator of the Hudson Valley Pride Center

Register at: https://www.mentalhealthednys.org/beyond_pride_supporiting_-lgbtq__-youth_mental_healththe-power-of-positive-self-talk/

Registration closes 24 hours prior to the webinar: Tuesday, June 28th at 7:00pm

Mrs. Tracy Liberman, an art teacher at North Syracuse Junior High School, recently took the time to create a video compilation to showcase the award-winning artwork of students at her school. In an effort to highlight the creativity and talent of students who received Gold-Key and Silver-Key recognition in this year's New York State Scholastic Art Awards, Mrs. Liberman created a slide-show of the artwork and set it to music.

Congratulations to the following student award winners and thank you to Mrs. Liberman for sharing the students' beautiful work!

Gold Key: Sean Aldrich for Photography; Mohammed Ashkar for Digital Art; Carson Burns for Photography; Nathan Francis for Photography; Kami Heath for Photography; Aiden Lippke for Photography; Carynna Lucia for Digital Art; Matthew Norton for Photography; Bella Petralia for Photography; Gabby Putman for Photography; Giavanna Salvatore for Photography; Cierra Taylor for Photography and Grace Villnave for Photography.

Silver Key: Skylar Claridad for Photography; Olivia Evans for Photography (2 awards); Katy Harbold for Photography; Kami Heath for Photography; Ryan Kenyon for Photography; Karolina Kulesza for Photography; Parker Laws for Photography; Carynna Lucia for Digital Art and Photography; Joey Lukasiewicz for Photography; Alyssa Marko for Digital Art; Emma Murnane for Photography; Gabby Putman for Photography; Kali Ranger for Photography (2 awards); Matthew Rose for Photography; Grace Villnave for Photography (2 awards); Marissa Wessels for Photography; Ryan Williams for Drawing & Illustration and Audrey Zellar for Photography.

Honorable Mention: Sean Aldrich, Kioni Amini, Tyree Berry, Addison Bosco (2), Deliana Cartagena, Landon Cook, Olivia Cook (2), Linsey Dietter, Averie Fefee, Nathan Francis, Ella Grotto, Katy Harbold, Kami Heath (2), Ryan Hill, Jillian Howell (2), Grady Kennedy, Karolina Kulesza (2), Krystal Le, Olivia liepke, Alyssa Marko, Edis Osmanovic, Gabby Putman, Matthew Rose, Giavanna Salvatore, Kevin Toms, Brenna Villnave, Ava Waterstraat and Marissa Wessels (2).

Click here to view the video online.

Throughout the pandemic, nutritious school meals have contributed to student achievement, supported America’s families and provided a critical safety net during economic hardships. Thanks to federal child nutrition waivers, all students, regardless of income, have had access to free meals during the pandemic. Unfortunately, the federal waivers expire on June 30, 2022 and Congress and the USDA have opted to not continue child nutrition waivers. This means that districts will no longer be able to provide free meals for all students for the 2022-2023 school year.

What this means for NSCSD Families:

• Families must fill out free and reduced meal price applications for the 2022-2023 school year and meet income qualifications in order to receive free meals.
• Families who do not qualify for free and reduced price meals for students will need to resume paying for school lunches.

Over the summer, the NSCSD will be setting meal prices for the 2022-2023 school year and will be sending out Free and Reduced Applications and guidelines. It is important to complete an application to ensure that your child’s benefits continue. Completing a form will affect any future PEBT payments and will help with tuition and test assistance. The Food Service Department does not receive money from the General Fund and relies on meal reimbursements for our program.

As in the past, meals must be purchased only with cash or funds available on student accounts, no charging will be allowed.

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.

Our Transportation Department is still accepting applications! Get yours in now to start the July training program. http://nscsd.org/jobs

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 or click here to upload them.

Our very own Deputy O’Neil, an Onondaga County Sheriff's Deputy and School Resource Officer at Gillette Road Middle School, received an award from the Onondaga Sheriff’s Department for his outstanding protection and service to the Gillette Road Middle School Community....something we know very well! Congratulations Deputy O'Neil and THANK YOU!

Pictured is Sgt. McKenna, Deputy O’Neil, Mr. Cordone, Principal and Mr. Akley, Associate Principal.

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!

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