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

Happy Snow Day! I hope this message finds you safe and warm at home. This week, I once again had the pleasure of visiting several of our school buildings – something that I’m not always able to do but that I consider the best part of my job. Within our schools, there is a definite buzz, which is common during the heart of winter. As you might expect with media reports calling for “significant” snowfall, the big question I was asked by students and staff was, “What are the chances for a snow day?” I stopped by a fifth-grade classroom where those particular students were working hard on a writing assignment. As I expected, the students did in fact ask me if I thought we would have a snow day – this while they held their hands folded as if they were praying. Not my first sign, but certainly a very clear one, that people are ready for a break. Superintendents in the area have been very clear with the media that when we call a snow day that we will not provide remote instruction on that day. As I continued to stop into classrooms, the conversations, aside from the weather, centered around the constant discoveries our teachers are making about what students need. The counselors reported that the needs seem to be endless. I can’t know what goes on in classrooms every day but I do understand that it can be overwhelming. I will continue to visit classrooms in order to hear from staff about what the needs are for classroom teachers and staff. I will continue to do everything in my power to help us all get through these trying times.

Below, please see some important information about contact tracing updates:

The New York State Department of Health has provided updated guidance for schools regarding contact tracing. Given new NYSDOH guidance indicating that schools are no longer required to contact trace, the North Syracuse Central School District is adjusting its process. The District is now focusing on positive cases, monitoring schools, and screening symptomatic students. We will continue to take the following steps to manage COVID-19 and monitor our daily positivity rate:

• Notify Parents/Staff of a school exposure
• Ensure students who have tested positive complete their mandatory isolation prior to returning to school
• Require symptomatic students to be sent home and tested with a lab-based test prior to returning to school
• Closely monitor positive cases within each school and pause classes when appropriate
• Provide daily updates to NYSDOH COVID 19 Report Card
• Meet weekly with Medical Director for guidance and direction

Sincerely,

Daniel D. Bowles, Superintendent of Schools

Students in Rachel Green’s third grade class at Roxboro Road Elementary School recently completed a hands-on, two-part lesson about electromagnetic energy. In the first part, students worked in teams to design a magnetic trash-sorting tool. The tool is a model of a device that could be used to separate steel from classroom trash. Students were provided with a set of specific criteria for success and design constrains.

Click here to read the complete article online.

The North Syracuse Central School District has scheduled a revised date for its 2022 Wall of Distinction Induction ceremony. The ceremony will now take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 13 at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. This year’s inductees will be announced after March 1. For additional information about the Wall of Distinction, please contact Christopher R. Leahey, Ed.D., Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, North Syracuse Central School District at 315/218-2148.

Congratulations to Cicero-North Syracuse High School Boys' Varsity Basketball Coach Kyle Martin for being recognized with the NYS Senate Commendation Award. The New York State Senate Commendation Award recognizes people throughout the state who have made lasting contributions to their community. Coach Martin was presented with the award on Tuesday, February 1 by Nodesia Hernandez from NYS Senator Rachel May's office. Coach Martin was recognized by Syracuse.com late last year for his generosity gifting new sneakers for an entire team. Click here to read that article online.

Roxboro Road Middle School teacher Melissa Potratzis working with the school's Student Council to spread some Valentine's Day joy. Students at the school are asked to create Valentines that will be delivered to pediatric cancer patients, cancer patients and their families and caregivers. RRMS students and families wanting to participate should send their Valentines to Ms. Potratz in Room 32 by Wednesday, February 9. Click here to learn more.

Congratulations to Cicero-North Syracuse High School Alum, Morgan Nandin, who is taking over as the head coach of the C-NS Girls' Varsity Softball Program. Morgan is being joined by two of her former NorthStar teammates, Lucia Meola, who will work as an assistant and Nicole (Lindley) Cummings, who will help C-NS’ pitchers. The new coaches come to the program as Coach Mary Beebe steps down to focus on family. Click here to read the article on Syracuse.com.

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.

We love to share photos and videos from our students, families and teachers. If you're willing to share, please send your high quality images using the link below. 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.

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!

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

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.

Click here to read the full article online.

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