
Community Update
February 16, 2024

Dear Syosset Community:
Over the years, I’ve heard all kinds of superstitions and talismans designed to increase the odds of a snow day – pajamas inside out, a snowball from last year Ziplocked in the freezer. I thought I had heard them all, but about two weeks ago, the Pick family sent me something new – a necktie with a snowy design and high hopes that it would do the trick. After two years without a significant snowfall, I had my doubts, but in just two weeks we went from balmy to frosty! Syosset’s students (and all the kids in the Tri-State area) have the Picks to thank for Tuesday’s day of wintry play!
It wasn’t a day off for our grounds crews who remained hard at work to ensure our elementary schools were safe to open polls for the special election. Thanks all!
I’m so proud of our Syosset High School students for launching our first ever Lunar New Year Arts Festival. Newsday even stopped by to check it out. The event, organized by student leaders from seven different clubs, highlighted the Year of the Dragon and featured art and performances by students from Kindergarten all the way up to our Seniors. For an inaugural event, the turnout was extraordinary – nearly 500 members of our community who came out to see our students’ art and performances. Seniors Scout Chen and Riley Leavitt, members of our High School photo club, snapped some pics of the festival. Thank you both for capturing this remarkable event.
Photo by Scout Chen
Photo by Riley Leavitt
Board Meeting Recap
Ahead of our Budget Information and Monthly Board of Education Meeting, the PTA hosted its annual Reflections ceremony. Students from across the district submitted art projects inspired by the theme “I am hopeful because…” We had hundreds of submissions, everything from dance choreography, music compositions, paintings, photos, and more. We’re so proud of our students, and amazed by their talent. They are truly what makes me hopeful.
At the Board meeting immediately following, almost 100 athletes received certificates for their remarkable accomplishments during the Fall season. An initial presentation on the budget (available at this link) was given by our administration, as well as a detailed curriculum presentation about all of the special education services we offer in Syosset.
During the budget discussion, we noted that the ongoing State budget battle in Albany has the potential to result in less financial support from the State – just as we are experiencing enrollment growth, record inflation, and post-pandemic student mental health needs. The Board is fighting these proposed changes and asking our elected representatives to ensure the State does its fair share to support our students and not pass these costs along to local property taxpayers.
During my remarks, I noted that we received a number of questions about our draft Facilities Improvement proposal. To help educate the community about our facilities needs and the maintenance process, we prepared answers to Frequently Asked Questions that we’ve posted on our website. As more questions come in, we will continue to update this document.
Spotlight on Instruction 🔦
In recognition of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Syosset High School held its annual day of programming for Sophomores in partnership with the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC). Each year, the Center helps us plan an impactful day for our students. Keynote speaker and Holocaust survivor Rosalie Simon joined us for the second year in a row to share her heartbreaking experiences as a pre-teen living through the Holocaust. She lost her mother, father, brother, and so many other family members, only narrowly escaping herself. Our High school Orchestra, and Treble and Chamber Choir performed, setting the tone for the somber yet informative assembly. Our Art students also created multi-media pieces for students and classes to reflect and discuss. Later in the day, students were afforded an additional, more intimate, opportunity to hear from a second-generation survivor.
This important day has been an annual event for three decades, and our students’ opportunity to hear a survivor’s first hand account becomes more precious with each passing year. While sobering, the stories underscore the importance of fighting hate and bias, encouraging our students to be upstanders. A very special thank you to the HMTC, the faculty, staff, and students who put together this memorable day each year.
#SyoSports
There’s a lot of sports news because our Winter athletes are experiencing extraordinary success! There’ll be more to come as the playoffs unfold, but already we can report…
For the first time in Syosset’s history, the Girls Winter Track and Field Team brought home the Nassau County championship title! Eight of our runners head to States next month. Congratulations, girls!
Our Girls Gymnastics team also brought home its fifth Nassau County Championship title in seven years! In the individual competition, Junior Leah Chin finished second, and Senior Cami Platt finished third. Leah and Cami will head to the state finals alongside teammates Vanessa Frullo and Arlene Oseo next month.
Boys Swimming and Diving also took home the Nassau County title – and our 400 freestyle medley relay team (Reid O’Connell, Ethan Chinea, Allan Chu, Ethan Chan) broke the Nassau County record! Freshman Reid O’Connell also was Nassau County champion in two events: 200m medley and 100m backstroke. Eight members of the team head to compete at states next month.
Our Varsity Kickline team became regional champions for the third year in a row! The team now begins preparing for the National tournament next month.
Our Boys and Girls Fencing teams finished second in the County. Senior Anika Nayak became County champ in the Sabre discipline for the second year in a row. What a way to finish off her high school fencing career. Congrats, Anika!
Boys Winter Track and Field finished second in the County – and Junior Matt Robotham is heading to States to compete in the long jump.
Our wrestling team finished its regular season, and eleven of our Varsity wrestlers headed to Counties at Hofstra University. One of our 8th graders, Louis Kennedy, who is already on the Varsity team, placed fifth at Counties in the 108-pound category. Way to go, Louis!
Still to come – Girls basketball finished second place in their conference and are competing in the Nassau County championship next week. Boys basketball were undefeated conference champions – and will play Massapequa in the County quarterfinals here in Syosset tomorrow at 1:00pm.
I’ll have a full season wrap-up in the coming weeks. Until then, our athletes remain #SyoStrong!!
#SyoScience🔬
There are so many Science successes to share, we created a #SyoScience section for this week!
Fourteen of our High School students who completed research in the areas of science, math, or social science presented their work at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF) last month. This research competition brings together over 500 top research students from across Long Island. At the conclusion of the first round, projects in the top 25% move on to compete for the opportunity to be one of 20 students to represent Long Island at the International Science and Engineering Fair. This year, seven of our students were selected to move on to the second round. Wow! Congratulations!
Eight of our High School students were selected as semifinalists for the Long Island Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS). These students were selected following evaluation of their research papers by college faculty. As authors of the top projects on Long Island, each student gave a 12-minute presentation to a panel of judges to advance to the regional finals and the national competition. Malk El-Abtah placed 3rd in her category of Medicine and Health. Congrats to Malk, and all of these brilliant students on this accomplishment – Blessen Kuriakose, Ben Floman, Aryan Shah, Marium Sheikh, Aradhya Goswami, Lisul Elvitigala, and Diya Sheth!
Our Science Olympiad Team is also on the move! Earlier this month, the team hosted the Nassau East Regional Tournament. Thirty-nine teams from across the country attended – and on our home turf, Syosset’s Varsity team placed first, breaking the record for the best score in the history of the Regional Tournament (#WaitWhat?)! Their victory secured a place for Syosset at the New York State Tournament next month. All three of Syosset High School’s teams ranked within the top ten, an unprecedented victory that demonstrates the commitment, hard work, and depth of our amazing team. Keep up the good work, #SyoSciOly!
#SyoStars🌟
Junior Derek Chen is being hailed as a Hometown Hero in Newsday for his creation of a non-profit organization that works to increase health literacy by sharing information about the prevention and treatment of various ailments. He started the foundation in 2022, and since then, has organized more than 2,000 volunteers across the globe to work on this important initiative. Thank you, Derek, for working to make our world a healthier place.
(photo by Newsday)
Answer: Dan Wohl
Question: Who is our hometown JEOPARDY hero?
Last year, I told you all about Social Studies teacher Dan Wohl appearing (and then winning!!) as a contestant on JEOPARDY! Well, Mr. Wohl was back on our screens this week on a special winners circle episode. His appearance last season made him famous in the hallways as “the Jeopardy Guy,” and has positively impacted his relationship with students, specifically as it relates to pushing their inquiry in class. Congratulations, Mr. Wohl, on your return to the show
Bright Spot
One of our talented students, Emma Ming, has written and illustrated a children’s story book that is now published on Amazon!
Emma is a passionate artist who, in her spare time and over several years, painted more than 60 images. Her parents encouraged her to combine them all into a story book. She titled the book MAGIC. Once it was complete, the family decided to share these whimsical, animal fantasy stories with a larger audience, so they self-published the book.
Did I mention that Emma is only in the seventh grade at HBT? Congratulations Emma on your debut – we can’t wait to see what you dream and draw next.
A reminder that our schools will be closed for winter break next week. We look forward to seeing you all back at school on February 26th. Meanwhile, I need to hide that magic necktie, before Indiana Jones comes looking for it.
Until next time, I wish you all…
#Light&Love
Tom Rogers