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Community Update

June 7, 2024

Community Update June 7, 2024

Dear Syosset Community:

Today was Senior Day at Syosset High School. Our traditions include: picking up caps and gowns, signing yearbooks, eating Italian ice. And this year, for the first time, our seniors went back in time – boarding school buses in their Senior shirts or caps and gowns, heading to their elementary schools for a final “clap out” from our District’s youngest learners. I snuck over to Willits to watch the fun as our seniors revisited their younger days, hugging their former teachers, and strutting down the hallways while the younger students clapped and chanted: “Let’s go Seniors!” (Clap, clap, clap-clap, CLAP). What a wonderful way to bring their time in Syosset full circle and what great role models for the youngsters who will follow in their footsteps.

There was almost as much clapping earlier in the week as we congratulated and thanked treasured Syosset faculty and staff. Some were celebrating 25 years of service to our District – their Silver anniversary – and others were retiring after careers of dedicated service to the families and students of this wonderful community. Our reception was made extra special by performances by our middle school Chamber Orchestra ensembles (who recently won the opportunity to perform at Lincoln Center), and the Adelettes.


In my remarks, I reminded the group what the world looked like 25 years ago: the Nokia 3210 was the cell phone to beat, JLo’s “If You Had My Love” topped the charts, the iPod wasn’t yet a “thing,” and only 1% of households had broadband internet access. In the time since then, over 12,000 kids have graduated from Syosset, and these members of our beloved faculty and staff contributed deeply to their success. To all of our retirees and Silver anniversary honorees, thank you for your dedicated service, and for making Syo so special.

To ease another big life transition, our current sixth, seventh, and eighth grade peer leaders eagerly welcomed the fifth-grade students to both of our middle schools for a day of orientation. Incoming fifth graders had the opportunity to hear from their peers the secrets to a smooth transition to middle school, including joining clubs, sports, being open to making new friends, and trying new things! They also took tours of their schools and saw all the new opportunities that await them in the fall. Many thanks to the peer leaders for their help!

Reminder 📆

A reminder there is a monthly Board of Education meeting this coming Monday, June 10th, at 8pm at South Woods Middle School. To see the meeting’s agenda, livestream link, and sign up to speak during the Audience to the Public, follow this link to our website.

Event Information

Board of Education Meeting

When?

Monday, Jun 10, 2024, 08:00 PM

Where?

South Woods Middle School, Pell Lane, Syosset, NY, USA

NCPD Alert 🚨

Today, we received a letter from Nassau County Police Commissioner Ryder asking us to share information about a recent disinformation campaign circulating in the region. Click this link to review the letter for additional details.

#SyoStateChamps! 🎾

This just in!! Our Boys Tennis Team just won its second (!!) consecutive New York State Championship this afternoon! They came out ahead in a tight matchup against Mamoroneck. We are so proud of this team. Congratulations, boys! Go Syo!

#SyoStars⭐

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Our students are taking advantage of the District’s partnership with Northwell Health to grow their skillsets! A group of our students, advised by one of our social workers, participated in the Cohen Strong Mental Health Program teen mental health first aid training. Students and advisors from schools across Long Island presented projects at the Northwell Health Teaching Center in New Hyde Park. Syosset’s presentation focused on destigmatizing mental health across diverse cultures by creating a culturally and linguistically diverse mental health Public Service Announcement. Great work, students on growing your advocacy, research and leadership skills.
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Congrats to Lily Blum, Yafa Alishayev, and Kseniya Khodjakhanova who brought home gold from the American Council of Teachers of Russian (ACTR) Olympiada of Spoken Russian. The Olympiada requires students to appear before a panel of judges to speak on a prepared topic, recite a poem, and respond to questions. Our students were the only three from Long Island who participated in this contest. Way to go!
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Our #SyoScioly Science Olympiad team just returned from its second consecutive trip to the Nationals, facing off against 60 other teams from 45 states. The competition consisted of 23 events encompassing various scientific fields including biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics. Syosset took 6th place overall – six spots closer to gold than their trip to Nationals last year. Congratulations, team! You’re on an amazing upward trajectory!

Bright Spot

My double bright spots today are a reminder of how altruism runs deep in our community.


Our High School Art Enrichment Club teamed up with the Syosset Public Library to create a special corner at a State park. The club recently designed and painted an Alice-in-Wonderland-themed Little Free Library (LFL) stocked with books by the Syosset Library. It’s now permanently placed at the Education Center located in the Historic Laundry Building at Planting Fields Arboretum State Park. Visitors to the park are invited to stop by and take a book during their stroll through the park—no return necessary and no late fees! This special LFL builds a network of book lovers, and passes along our students’ love of reading to others.


Our Interact Club, in partnership with community health students, attended the annual Sunrise Day Camp Walk in Wheatley Heights. Sunrise Day Camp is the only day camp where children with cancer and their siblings can attend free of charge. The club held various fundraisers throughout the school year – and in total raised more than $7,000 for the camp! Wow! Not only that, but many students from the high school volunteer their summers working at the camp.


This time of year I interview lots of teaching candidates who often ask what I appreciate about Syosset. There are so many things, but I keep returning to acts of kindness like these that really define who we are as a community. Thank you students for being the next generation of difference-makers!

Enjoy the weekend!


#Light&Love

Tom Rogers

Syosset Central School District