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Hello North Syracuse Central School District parents, guardians, teachers, and staff,

There is an event coming up next week that I'd like to share with you to encourage you to attend. On March 7, all our schools come together for the annual Festival of Nations at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. I'm sharing a few pictures from last year's event. Over the course of the past two decades, our population of English Language Learners has grown from just 25 students to now more than 300. Our students and their families have more than 25 different primary languages.

The Festival of Nations gives us the opportunity to celebrate our diversity and it gives our students a chance to share their cultural traditions. This year's event will open at 5 PM with a special flag raising ceremony. The Human Rights Club at CNS has been working hard to obtain flags representing all countries of origin for students at the school. In addition to this new feature, attendees will be treated to things like Native American dance troupe performing a traditional smoke dance, African drumming performances, food sampling and poetry readings.

I hope you will take time next Thursday to come to the Festival and be part of our culturally rich population. As always, thank you for your continued support.

Daniel D. Bowles, Superintendent of Schools

The North Syracuse Central School District will proudly celebrate the unique cultures, customs and backgrounds of its diverse student and staff population at their 2024 Festival of Nations on March 7. The event will take place at Cicero-North Syracuse (CNS) High School from 5 to 7 PM and will kick off with a special flag raising ceremony. The school’s Human Rights Committee has been working to obtain flags representing all countries of origin for the entire student population. All eleven of the district’s schools will be represented at the annual multicultural celebration.

David Lunden is the director in charge of the district’s English as a New Language (ENL) program and has been working with CNS Principal Kim Rice to organize the event. Over the course of the past two decades, the district’s population of English Language Learners (ELLs) has grown from just 25 students to now more than 300. Additionally, more than 25 different primary languages are represented in NSCSD families.

More than 25 countries will be represented at the March 7 event. Students from all grade levels will provide displays representing various countries and cultural traditions. A Native American Dance Troupe will perform a traditional smoke dance and facilitate hands-on instrument demonstrations. Additional dancers and musicians will perform and showcase the different music and dance traditions represented in the NSCSD population. Food from all over the world will be featured for sampling and there will be poetry readings.

David Lunden commented on the festival saying, “This event gives our students the chance to highlight their cultural uniqueness and the district the chance to explore the diversity that makes up our population. We are fortunate that we have the ability for others to learn about the various cultures and backgrounds that make us one of the most culturally diverse populations in the area.”

Cicero-North Syracuse High School is excited to be turning the auditorium of North Syracuse Junior High School into a DISCO on March 15 and 16 with their presentation of Mamma Mia! The production stars Ava Tyler as Donna, Val Lants as Tanya, Isabella Borte as Rosie, Connor Boyle as Sam, Liam Chung as Bill, Joey Cox as Harry Bright, Lucy Barrera as Sophie and Zach Heilig as Sky. Also featured are Via Wiechmann, Gabby Pinoargotte, Andrew Dolson, Ethan Mieves, Evan Brozteck, Halia Dice, Noah Seitz, Aiden Ketchum, Clarissa Fake, Clarice McCulloch, Lily Bero, Abby Goncalves, CeCe Bielac, Taylor Buffa, Emma Wall, Natalie Brushell, Brooke Todd and Annalisa Emmi.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS PERFORMANCE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE NORTHSTAR THEATER AT THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL!

Click here to purchase tickets.

Students in the North Syracuse Central School District have an opportunity this year to take part in a new extracurricular activity - Unified Bowling. The team held their first match this past week at Strike-N-Spare lanes in Mattydale. You're invited to come out and support our athletes. The next home matches will take place on March 5 and 7 at Strike-N-Spare lanes at 3:30 PM.

North Syracuse Dollars for Scholars is now accepting applications for scholarships. CNS seniors are invited to create an account and apply for scholarships by going to the NS Dollars for Scholars website.

If you have any questions please contact April Winters at aprilwinters24@gmail.com or call me at 315-415-9298. Dollars for Scholars uses email to communicate so please make sure you use an email address that is correct. Please use an email other than you North Syracuse CSD account so that you can be contacted over the summer. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK YOUR EMAIL AND SPAM FOLDERS FOR Dollars for Scholars communications.

For the second consecutive year, the North Syracuse Central School District has been named the top supporter for Paige's Pajamarama, The event is a charity allowing students to wear their pajamas to school when making a donation to Paige's Butterfly Run, Inc., an organization which supports children with pediatric cancer at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital.

Since 2018, the Cicero-North Syracuse High School Principal’s Cabinet has been building a strong community partnership with Paige's Butterfly Run, Inc. First supporting Paige’s annual Pajamarama event that year, the school has worked to increase support each year since. In 2021 the Principal's Cabinet received recognition for their outstanding philanthropy.

Paige's founder Chris Arnold came to the CNS High School on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 to present members of the school's Principals' Cabinet with the updated plaque.

On February 15th, the Cicero-North Syracuse High School Vocal Jazz and Jazz ensembles participated in the 21st annual Fonda-Fultonville Jazz Festival. The festival continues to deliver an all-day musical experience for attendees. This year, FFC School District invited 17 school district bands/vocal groups to participate in this annual event. Throughout the day, you can hear the sweet sounds of jazz, contemporary, and big-band musical styles for all to enjoy. The festival finished out with a Director’s Band Performing 5 pieces for the students and featuring the very distinguished judging panel. C-NS students said their favorite part was being able to watch the directors and the judges perform some really great music for them. Mrs. Rausa, the director of both CNS groups, played baritone sax as well as surprised her students by singing “Ain’t Got Nothin’ But the Blues” in the Director’s Band.

Click here to read the complete article online.

The Optimist Club of Cicero-North Syracuse has selected its winners for this year’s essay contest, the theme of which was, “Optimism: How it Connects Us.”

This year’s medalists are:
1st place: CNS senior Aria Van Dreason
2nd place: CNS junior Ethan Turner
3rd place: CNS sophomore Ivan Lin

As the first-place winner, Aria’s essay now moves forward to the New England / New York Optimist District for consideration in the larger contest where she has the opportunity to win a $2,500 scholarship.

Click here to read the complete article online.

As required by New York State Law, applications for bus transportation to and/or from charter, private or parochial schools during the 2024-2025 school year, must be filed prior to April 1, 2024.

Applications may be picked up and returned to the North Syracuse Central School District Transportation Department, 5520 East Taft Road, North Syracuse, NY 13212. Applications can also be downloaded by clicking here. Please contact the Transportation Department at (315) 218-2107 for additional information.

Click here to view the letter sent to principals.

The North Syracuse Central School District has announced its registration dates for 2024-2025 kindergarten students. Home schools are in the process of mailing letters to families that will be registering known new students. In order for your child to enter school next fall, he or she must be five (5) years old on or before Dec. 1, 2024.

Elementary schools are holding registration at individual schools on the following dates. Families will receive a letter from their child’s home school with instructions for completing registration. Families who will be registering a new kindergarten student and who have not received their letter by the first week in March should contact the school directly at the school’s main number.

Click here to read the complete article online.

Leading up to the annual school budget vote and board of education member election in May, the district will present important updates and information to the board of education. To receive copies of the presentations and other budget-related news, subscribe to ParentSquare to receive notifications in this category.

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.

This week, eight girls in 8th grade from North Syracuse Junior High School were selected to attend a workshop & tour of the SRC facility as part of a Girls in the STEM field opportunity. Ms. Kormanec shared pictures and said that students participated in a Tower Challenge, a Lockbox Challenge and went on a tour of the SRC Lab where they got to see some of the equipment the company produces for the US Military (such as radar & the boxes that are placed on vehicles to jam the signals of roadside explosives). The day ended with a panel discussion with 4 women who work for the company & what opportunities lie ahead for the students! Ms. Kormanec said that the students were very grateful to have had such a great opportunity.

Cicero-North Syracuse High School sophomore Ashley Morrice was recently featured in the Crouse Hospital "Your Care" publication for her volunteer service. Ashley's article can be found on page 8 of the publication by clicking here.

MARCH 4: Board of Education meeting at 6 PM at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse

MARCH 7: Festival of Nations from 5 to 7 PM at Cicero-North Syracuse High School

MARCH 14: Parent Conferences - Half-Day of School for Grades Pre-K through 4

MARCH 15: Superintendent's Conference Day - No School for Students

MARCH 15: Mamma Mia! at 7 PM at North Syracuse Junior High School

MARCH 16: Mamma Mia! at 2 PM at North Syracuse Junior High School

MARCH 16: Mamma Mia! at 7 PM at North Syracuse Junior High School

MARCH 18: Board of Education meeting at 6 PM at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse

MARCH 29: Good Friday - Schools Closed

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/