NorthStar Lights
North Syracuse Central School District's weekly e-news
Hello North Syracuse Central School District Parents, Guardians, Teachers and Staff,
If I were to describe my week in terms of driving a car, this week has felt like a tremendous shifting of gears. As we enter the month of May, I am attending more and more celebrations and culminating events. Last weekend was our Festival of the Arts celebrating the artistic and musical accomplishments of all students...where one of our moms snapped this week's picture of me and her Gillette Road Middle School musicians. Yesterday I went to a celebration for our nurses and this morning I was at an honor roll ceremony. Also this week, many of our buildings honored their teachers, school nurses, speech therapists and transportation staff with special appreciation events.
At all of the events I attended, there was a common sentiment expressed to me - gratitude. People are just so grateful to be together again. I feel like after having been separated for so long, we are so much more aware that we are meant to be together. We are very much in the home stretch of the school year, so I'm going to keep this in mind and try to savor the fleeting moments of togetherness while I can. I hope you do the same.
To all our moms, mothers-in-law, stepmoms, foster moms, grandmas, Godmothers, aunts, sisters and mother- figures, Happy Mother's Day. I hope you all enjoy your day!
Sincerely,
Daniel D. Bowles, Superintendent of Schools
Strategic Action Team’s Work Critical to Budget Proposal
On Monday, April 4, the Board of Education adopted a $188.4 million budget for the 2022-2023 school year. District voters will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed budget, along with several other propositions on May 17.
We are committed to providing the necessary resources to close the academic gaps that developed during the pandemic. This budget also addresses the social and emotional needs of our students as a May 2022 May 2022 priority. The Budget proposal maximizes the District’s financial resources to meet the increasing needs of our students by using fund balance and federal stimulus funds to supplement the budget. The proposed tax levy increase is 3.37%, which does not exceed the tax cap and is well below the rate of inflation (7.9 %).
North Syracuse Early Education Program PTO Presents Generous Donation for Playground Shade Project
Last summer, the North Syracuse Early Education Program launched its re-envisioned and renovated playground serving the school’s 240 students, as well as the larger community in Onondaga County. This inclusive, fully accessible playground was carefully designed around the needs of children with a myriad of developmental disabilities and those of typically developing children.
The school’s students have spent many happy hours at the playground during the school day and many children and their families have enjoyed it at other times, as it is open to the public after school hours.
Roxboro Road Middle School Students Have “Out of World” Experience
This past week, 5th grade students at Roxboro Road Middle School had a unique opportunity to take part in an “out of this world” experience as part of their school day. On May 2 and 3, RRMS students spent their regular science class period in a planetarium right at school. Many thanks to the following teachers for having their students participate: Nicole Finger, Danielle DiGiavanni (McChrohan), Trisha Nelson, and Mike Thompson.
As part of OCM BOCES STEM Services, a Planetarium Program is offered to participating districts, such as the North Syracuse School District. John Rice, the NSCSD’s director who oversees science curriculum in the District, worked with OCM BOCES to bring the planetarium (Starlab) to RRMS students.
Cicero Elementary Students and Families Hike Bald Mountain
Cicero Elementary School third grade students have participated in an annual tradition of hiking Bald Mountain each year since 1994, when Mr. Bigford and Mr. Stimson started this outdoor adventure. Since then, over 1,400 students have trekked up to the Rondaxe fire tower to enjoy nature and the beautiful views of the Adirondack park. On the last weekend in April, more than 130 3rd and 4th grade students and family members made it to the summit over the course of 2 gorgeous days. Mr. Bailey and Mr. Cupoli are looking forward to taking our next group of students in the Fall!
Marching Band Alumni Sought for 40th Anniversary Celebration
Calling all former Northstars, Northmen, and Golden Eagles!!!
It may still be spring, but it’s time to think ahead to the fall – specifically, to Saturday, September 17! That’s the date for Starburst and the 40th anniversary of the first CNS Northstars Marching Band.
Let’s celebrate this milestone with an alumni performance – the biggest and best yet!
Board of Education Approves Revised 2021-2022 Calendar For Last Week of School Year
The North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education approved a revised 2021-2022 academic calendar at their May 2 meeting. Changes have been made impacting the last week of school. Those changes are as follows:
- June 21 - Last day of school for students in grades K-7
- June 22 – Half-Day for Pre-K Students Only
- June 22 – No school for students in grades K-12 except for Regents
- June 23 – No school for students in grades Pre-K–12 except for Regents
There are additional changes to the published wall calendar that were approved at prior board meetings. Those changes include the following dates in May:
- May 13 is a regular school day for all students
- May 20 is a half-day of school for students in grades Pre-K-12
- May 27 is a Non-School Day for all Students in the NSCSD
NSEF Celebrates 20 Years of Giving - Grant Focus: Books for Counseling
As the North Syracuse Education Foundation (NSEF) celebrates 20 years of giving this year, the NSCSD is helping highlight some of the outstanding programs that have been made available because of their grants. The NSEF serves a simple, but comprehensive purpose: to ensure that North Syracuse Central School District students benefit from a quality education to maintain and enhance the level of excellence in North Syracuse schools. With the unfortunate reality of diminishing local and federal funding, the NSEF has filled the desperate need of stretching budgets by funding projects and materials to enhance students’ education.
In its 20 years of existence, the NSEF has funded more than $200,000 worth of programs that have directly benefited all students from grades pre-k through 12. The group’s mission is to sponsor activities and projects intended to enhance the education and cultural enrichment of students of the NSCSD. Programs and materials provided through the NSEF supplement those typically funded by the regular school budget.
UPK Registration Has Begun
The North Syracuse Central School District is now accepting applications for its Universal Pre-Kindergarten program and will continue accepting applications through Thursday, May 26, 2022. You may submit your application and required documents by email at: UPK@nscsd.org, by mail to NSCSD, Attn: UPK, 5355 West Taft Rd., North Syracuse, NY 13212 or completed applications may be dropped off at the District Office.
To ensure all families have an equal opportunity for our UPK program, there will be a lottery drawing for acceptance. Enrollment in the UPK program is NOT on a first-come, first-served basis. If the UPK program fills up before all names are pulled from the lottery, the remaining students will be placed on a waitlist and parents will be notified if a spot becomes available. Additionally, registrations will be accepted after May 27 but those students will not be included in the lottery. Registrations taken after the lottery period will be placed on a waitlist and parents will be notified if a spot becomes available.
Send Us Your Photos and Videos!
Roxboro Road Elementary Art Students Show-Off Their Creations
We LOVE getting glimpses into classrooms because our teachers are doing amazing things! We're sharing some great hands-on pictures from Mrs. Jennifer Skiff's Art Class at Roxboro Road Elementary School. Here, her kindergarten students are creating colorful caterpillars with model magic and magic markers!
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