Community Update

November 8, 2024

Dear Syosset Community:

Today, I traveled to 25 countries (+ one food allergy friendly territory) in just one hour! It was the Syosset High School Multicultural luncheon! As they do every year, an army of PTA parents put together a magical, delicious event to introduce students to the culture, food, and history of dozens of different places. Every year we move to larger spaces as the event keeps outgrowing its location – this year the high school main gym (and lobby, and dance room) were packed! I love to try new foods, and now in my 11th year, see if I can find some new undiscovered delicacies among all my old favorites. This year’s winner? Naturally purple sugar cookies from the Philippines made from Taro root (trust me, they’re better than poi). I practiced my Spanish at all of the tables from south of our border and I ate... and ate... and ate. Our kids love trying new things, and watching performances as diverse as bagpipes and mariachis! We are blessed to have families from around the globe represented here in Syosset--it contributes to the richness of our students’ experience. A special thank you to all of the parents who work so hard to put this special day together, and to our high school facilities team who help to keep everything running smoothly.

This coming Monday is Veterans Day. Across our District this week, our students celebrated and thanked our veterans through special assemblies. Members of our local VFW came by to talk to students about their service to our country, and in return, our students sang songs and made special cards as a small token of their appreciation. I made a pit stop at Village Elementary today as our students regaled our veterans with patriotic songs, and the veterans shared their insights. When asked what the key takeaway was from military service, one veteran said he learned to get along with everyone—no matter their background—and the importance of cooperation and teamwork. A huge thank you to our Veterans for their service - and for the remarkable example they provide for our young people. And, to our students, thank you for always making our special guests feel right at home.

Board of Education Recap

At Monday’s Board of Education meeting, the Board discussed the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Regionalization plans. I gave a presentation about those plans (watch at this link) – and tried my best to explain what these plans really mean for Syosset.

There has been concern that these efforts might diminish local control or negatively impact our students’ opportunities. NYSED has clarified in writing that any cooperative efforts are strictly voluntary, thus we will not be required to share our resources with other districts. I’ve been keeping you abreast of these developments.

Nevertheless, I want to reassure members of the community: the Syosset Central School District will oppose any threat to local control and any attempt to redirect our community’s resources.

Accordingly, the Board of Education sent a letter to NYSED yesterday outlining our position and politely, but firmly, outlining detailed recommendations for changes that must be incorporated before the Regents vote on any permanent regulations in January.

We are proud of the remarkable education we provide our students in this amazing school district. If NYSED’s amendments inadequately address our concerns, we will be prepared to follow up appropriately and vigorously.

As importantly, at the Board meeting I also gave a presentation on Foundation Aid – funds in the State budget that help pay for our local schools – and concerns that the State might redesign that funding stream in ways that might erode our support from the State. While Regionalization has gotten all of the attention of late, Foundation Aid changes could be far more impactful for Syosset and thus are more immediate and concerning. I’ll be sure to keep you updated on developments.

Spotlight on Instruction 🔦

This instructional highlight may make you hungry! South Woods 7th grade Family and Consumer Science students welcomed Iri Greco, co-owner of BrakeThrough Media, an award-winning digital content company, to learn the art and science behind capturing images in a hands-on food photography lesson. During the workshop, students evaluated the different aspects of seeing and defining what makes something “tasty” by looking at their conscious and subconscious processing of imagery. Learning to differentiate the tools of what makes a good food image and how to “read” these images provided students with the skills needed to design and capture images of their own. As a culminating activity, students organized into small groups and worked as a team to create their own tasty images using food items and props. Delicious! Special thanks to Ms. Greco for volunteering her time and talents with our South Woods students!

#SyoSports

While I was out raking leaves, our athletes were raking in championship wins! (Which of us was having more fun???)

In this past week – our girls cross country team became conference champions for the 13th consecutive year. YES, you read that correctly – the 13th consecutive year! Wow!

But, that’s not all… the girls tennis team defeated Half Hollow Hills East to be named Long Island Champions for the 2nd year in a row! And today, they finished second in the state (for the second year in a row!) in a matchup against Horace Greeley High School. Way to go, girls!

And finally, in an absolute nailbiter of a game, our boys soccer team took home the Nassau County championship title in a game against neighboring Plainview buoyed by a shutout performance by goalie Miles Nevins (with an unbelievable assist from Jack Pendrick)! The boys will take on Walt Whitman High School this Saturday in the Long Island Championship game at SUNY Farmingdale (6pm).

Still to come:

The girls swimming and diving team is at the county tournament competing right now… I’m holding my breath! They also compete tomorrow.
The Varsity football team is hosting a quarterfinal match against East Meadow right now under the lights (there’s still time to swing by).
Both cross country teams head to Bethpage State Park for the New York State qualifiers tomorrow.
Girls volleyball takes on Plainview tomorrow at Great Neck North High School (12:30pm) in the semifinals.

#SyoStars⭐

This week, Syosset was invited to Washington D.C. for the National Blue Ribbon Schools Recognition Ceremony. Representing us were South Grove’s Principal Mi Jung An and Enrichment Specialist Michele Webb, accompanied by Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Curriculum Dr. Jeanette Wojcik. It was an opportunity not only for celebration, but also for our team to have an opportunity to network and share ideas with other educators from across the nations, and representatives from the U.S. Department of Education. Plus, they will return to South Grove with some sweet swag – an official flag and plaque! We’ll be celebrating this Blue Ribbon win for a long time to come – #GoSyo!

We are so excited to share that the 2025 Cornell Cooperative Extension calendar will feature works by 17 of our students from across the district – including two who have already graduated. The student’s garden-themed art will be splashed throughout the calendar – and the pieces are impressive to say the least. We are so proud!

Congratulations to Devraj Pal Hafeez (Gr. 2), WeiYi Chen (Gr. 5), Hunter Hardman (Gr. 5), Lucas Rosenberg (Gr. 5), Maryam Yasir (Gr. 5), Lana Dou (Gr. 6), Caitlin Liu (Gr. 7), Kaitlin Melling (Gr. 11), Sara Perez (Gr. 11), Juliana Raigosa (Gr. 11), Penelope Smith (Gr. 11), Julia Rhee (Gr. 12), Halle Fishbein (Gr. 12), Molly Shi (Gr. 12), Emily Tang (Gr. 12), and graduates Yanfei Chen and Hyunmin Park!

Bright Spot

Sophomores Loui Peredo and Jake Steinberg, and eighth grader Anna Steinberg have spent the past five weeks encouraging their peers to love tennis as much as they do! The trio developed an idea they call “Unity Tennis” – a five-week tennis clinic that would allow Syosset students with learning differences, who may not have the opportunity to play tennis, to learn to play – and love – the game.

There were 14 kids ranging from 2nd to 8th grade who came to these free sessions – and Loui, Jake, and Anna were their coaches. The students, who are experienced players themselves, did research on how to best teach their skills to others. They researched which drills they should teach, and asked their private coaches for tips too.

They sent a survey to clinic attendees asking what they can do better in their next Unity Tennis clinic – and the only constructive “criticism” was to make the clinic 30 minutes longer because all participants had so much fun! The students’ ultimate goal is creating a district-level Challenger tennis team in the years to come. Thank you Loui, Jake, and Anna for starting us down yet another path of inclusion in Syosset!

Reminder our District is closed Monday. Enjoy the long weekend!

#SyoScores!
Tom Rogers