NorthStar Lights
North Syracuse Central School District's Electronic News
Hello North Syracuse Central School District Parents, Guardians, Teachers and Staff,
It is hard to believe that the next time this newsletter comes out, we'll be into the month of June - the final month of the 2022-2023 school year. Once again, the school year has gone by too quickly.
As we approach the end of the academic year, we have so many events to look forward to. First and foremost, we will be celebrating the achievements of our graduating students as we bid farewell to the Class of 2023. It is a time of reflection and celebration, honoring the efforts and accomplishments of these young people who have grown and thrived under our guidance. We are immensely proud of each and every one of them, and we wish them success as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.
In recent weeks, our district has been abuzz with activity and events that have showcased the talent and spirit of our students. On May 18, the Special Olympics was held once again at CNS High School and the event was amazing. We have been privileged to witness some exceptional musical performances at various schools, as our talented students took center stage during concerts. These showcases not only highlighted their musical talent but also served as a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the guidance provided by our remarkable music teachers.
Moreover, we have recently held awards ceremonies, recognizing the outstanding achievements of our students in diverse areas. These events serve as a reminder of the remarkable talent and potential that exists within our school district. Whether it's academic excellence, artistic achievements, athletic prowess, or community service, our students continue to excel and make us proud.
As we embrace the final weeks of this school year, I would like to extend my gratitude to each member of our school community. The photo I share in this week's article was sent to me by Emily Lafountain, our principal at Allen Road Elementary School. I was at the school one day specifically to check in with a student I met and connected with last year. I heard how well the student was doing in class and I wanted to stop by and say hello. We had a conversation about careers and when the idea of becoming a pilot came up, we thought it would be a good idea to fly paper airplanes. As we were outside testing out different models of planes, the principal took a picture and thought it was worth sharing so she forwarded it to me. Also in my email that day I received a message with the subject line "Paper Airplanes Allen Rd." I opened the email from John McCarthy, a school bus driver in the district. He had noticed me interacting with the student that day and wanted to write to let me know that. It made me smile to think that one simple and brief interaction had an impact on multiple people.
As we head into Memorial Day weekend I hope we take time to remember the reason for the holiday: honoring our military men and women who lost their lives. I hope also that we have time to rest, relax and be with family and friends as we prepare for the last few weeks of the school year. Finally as I think of plans for the holiday weekend, I hope we all make opportunities to fly paper airplanes with the young people in our lives.
Sincerely,
Daniel D. Bowles, Superintendent of Schools
Celebrating the Spirit of Inclusion: Special Olympics Returns to North Syracuse
On Thursday, May 18, 2023, the North Syracuse Central School District had the honor of once again hosting this year's Special Olympics Track & Field Event. The event took place at the Cicero-North Syracuse (C-NS) High School Athletic Complex, bringing together hundreds of student athletes from various local school districts. It was a day filled with sunshine, excitement, camaraderie, and the celebration of the indomitable spirit of these extraordinary athletes.
The atmosphere was electric as students began arriving at the school, greeted by the cheers of hundreds of waiting volunteers. This year, Northstar Network, the school's student-run broadcast group, was on hand to provide live event coverage, adding an extra level of excitement and engagement.
C-NS students earn prestigious Seal of Biliteracy
20 Cicero-North Syracuse High School students recently received notification that they had met the requirements necessary to earn a Seal of Biliteracy on their diploma. The designation recognizes students who demonstrate mastery in more than one language.
Together these C-NS students have mastered eight different languages. One student can demonstrate quadliteracy (mastery of four languages) and two students can demonstrate triliteracy (mastery of three languages).
CNS String Orchestra takes the gold!
On Wednesday, May 17, the Cicero-North Syracuse String Orchestra travelled to Owego to participate in the NYSSMA Major Organization Evaluation Festival. Under the direction of John Harnois, the ensemble was given the NYSSMA Gold Award with Distinction! The Orchestra has not attended Majors since before the pandemic. Congratulations to our talented musicians in the high school Orchestra!
CNS Senior Collaborates with fourth graders to promote dog adoption and volunteering
In an interactive display of community involvement and cross-generational collaboration, Nicole Mirra, a senior at Cicero-North Syracuse High School, partnered with fourth-grade students from Allen Road Elementary School to help some animals find their forever homes.
Nicole Mirra is a volunteer at Helping Hounds, where she has given her time for several years, even adopting her own dog, Zoe, from the organization six years ago. Nicole was talking with one of her CNS teachers, Melissa Palmisano, about animals in need and together, the pair came up with a fun project idea.
Empowering and celebrating diversity through dinner!
The CNS UMOJA club recently hosted a Cultural Dinner to celebrate the diversity at C-NS. The menu included a wide range of foods from lumpia to Nigerian meat pies. People also enjoyed student performances and a fashion show. The dinner also served as a fundraiser for the club’s winter clothing drive.
Many thanks to Board of Education Member Robert Crabtree for sharing pictures of the event. It looks like it was a delicious success!
UMOJA is the multicultural club offered at CNS. The group stands for unity in the community and aspires to spread awareness by celebrating the school’s many cultures.
#NSBrighterTogether
District Reminders!
MAY 26: NO SCHOOL due to unused snow days
MAY 29: Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL for students or staff
JUNE 2: Staff Workshops - Half day of school for Pre-K-Grade 12 students
JUNE 5: Board of Education meeting at 7 PM (please note the time change) at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse. If you'd like to attend the meeting in-person, you must pre-register by the Friday prior to the meeting. Please email jherrera@nscsd.org to attend.
JUNE 19: Juneteenth - NO SCHOOL for students or staff
JUNE 26: Board of Education meeting at 6 PM at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse. If you'd like to attend the meeting in-person, you must pre-register by the Friday prior to the meeting. Please email jherrera@nscsd.org to attend.
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