NorthStar Lights

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

As I knew they would, the past two weeks have gone by in a flash. They've been filled with concerts, competitions, student recognition ceremonies and other celebrations. I recently thought about some of the events that have taken place in the past couple weeks. I want to list them out here and then point out an observation:

1. We recently honored our top scoring 4th graders for MathCON, a national mathematics competition we participated in for the first time.
2. Last Saturday, we held our Festival of the Arts at C-NS, celebrating the artistic and musical accomplishments of hundreds of students.
3. Last Friday, I was at Onondaga Community College to hear presentations for about 20 of our bilingual, trilingual and even quadrilingual students as they worked to earn a Seal of Biliteracy on their high school diplomas.
4. This week, students involved with our Northstar Network had the opportunity hear C-NS Alum Beth Mowins speak about careers in sports broadcasting.
5. Also this week, we had about 20 junior high students attend a mini Micron event, Girls Going Tech, specifically for girls interested in science.
6. Yesterday, I went to the SkillsUSA competition at the New York State Fairgrounds where we had a number of high school students participating in contests in different Career and Technical Education (CTE) fields.
7. As pictured this week, I took part in a "Royal" reading event at Smith Road Elementary School.
8. The top 10% of graduating seniors (senior scholars) were recognized at a breakfast earlier this week.

The thing I want to point out is how diverse the areas of celebration/recognition are. Our NSCSD students have opportunities in so many areas and they are excelling in all of them. As you will read in this newsletter, we were again named one of the "Best Communities for Music Education" by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). It is important for us, as a district that must compete, to preserve those diverse opportunities.

To that end, I ask you to learn more about this year's school budget proposal, which you will soon have the opportunity to vote on. The proposed budget of $203,270,342 preserves all programs, provides additional supports for students, and honors our strategic plan.

Preparing this year’s budget was extremely challenging. Although we will receive an increase in state aid due to full funding of foundation aid, it will not be enough to offset the impact of record high inflation and the loss of federal stimulus funding (CRRSA). To address the remaining deficit, the district eliminated 19 positions (due to retirements) and reduced non-instructional expenditures. Additionally, we are proposing a tax levy increase at the tax cap (3.22%) and will use $5.6 million of fund balance.

This year we've been hosting a series of public meetings, both in-person and online, to make sure our community members have multiple opportunities to learn about the budget. You are invited to attend any of those meetings along with our public budget hearing, which is taking place next Tuesday, May 2, at 6 p.m. at the Jerome F. Melvin District Office Building. More information about the budget is available online and in the print newsletter, which will be mailed to district residents next week. If you'd like to view the publication electronically, it is already available online by clicking here.

Sincerely,

Daniel D. Bowles, Superintendent of Schools

Congratulations to 15 Cicero-North Syracuse High School students who received awards from the Plank Road Chamber of Commerce earlier this month. The awards are sponsored by various Chamber members, who provide certificates and cash awards for students.

The following students were recognized:

• Bhavi Patel - Academic award sponsored by AmeriCU Credit Union
• Thomas Newton - Business Career Pathway award sponsored by Holiday Inn
• Eva Farone - Art award sponsored by Ardent Homes
• Dylan Midlar - BOCES award sponsored by European Motor Club of CNY
• Mia Huynh - Diversity award sponsored by Kruger Funeral Home, Inc.
• Annalisa Emmi - Community Service award sponsored by NAVAC
• Kenton Cochran - Family and Consumer Science award sponsored by Seneca Savings
• Natalie Miles - Performing Arts award sponsored by North Syracuse Education Association
• Brayden Shannon - Leadership award sponsored by Coast Guard Auxiliary
• Johnny Lisi - School Spirit award sponsored by Kirnan Real Estate
• Carter King - Boys Physical Education award sponsored by NBT Bank
• Kat McRobbie-Taru - Girls Physical Education award sponsored by Vision FCU
• Thomas Wills - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) award sponsored by Kishmish, Inc.
• Joseph Kawola Jr. - Technology award sponsored by Pathfinder Bank
• Austin Ryder - Outstanding Personal Achievement award sponsored by State Farm

Click here to see student photos and read the online article.

The North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education approved a revised 2022-2023 academic calendar at their April 24 meeting. The revised calendar is available online by clicking here or on the calendar graphic.

The top 10% of students in the Cicero-North Syracuse Class of 2023 were recognized during a special ceremony this week. The students were treated to a celebratory breakfast in the school’s library and were presented with certificates by Executive Principal Jamie Sullivan. Congratulations to these outstanding scholars!

Students making up the Class of 2023 Top 10% are: Liam Adams, Rocco Albanese, Hannah Boyle, Emily Bradley, Kathryn Byrnes, Courtney Calkins, Kaitlyn Carroll, Gabriella Casanova, Mason Ciciarelli, Angelina Cifaratta, Carlo Clerigo, Angelina Cosentino, Erinn Cosgrove, Haley Cummings, Anabel Donovan, Wyatt Dupell, Golden Duru, Peyton Empey, Grace Engle, Jenna Fournier, Anthony Gabrielli, Madison Gessini, Peter Gill, Elaina Haberek, Elizabeth Harbold, Andrew Hillman, Hannah Hussein, Korrina Karst, Mackenzie Leone, Timothy Mai, Alanna Manning , Haley Maury, Conner McGraw, Nicole Mirra, Marissa Navarra, Kaley Otis, Bhavi Patel, Kate Putman, Isabella Rabice, Jessica Ricciardi, Molly Ricciardi, Avery Richardson, Samuel Richardson, Madeleine Rodoski, Brayden Shannon, Alexander Smith, Alaina Sokolowski, Regan Spangenberg, Colin Stanton, Grace Sugrue, Declan Sullivan, Angelina Sustache, Allyson Tomkos, Christina Wagner, Kyle Williams, Reilly Williams-Gardner, Matthew Woodworth, Brooke Wright, Madilyn Wright and Sydney Wright.

The North Syracuse Central School District's budget newsletter is now available online and will be mailed to district residents next week. Click here to view an electronic copy.

As we near the end of the month, we want to remind our families of April’s Mental Health Awareness theme of Digital Citizenship. A major aspect of being a good citizen online is being kind online. Having a conversation with your student about this topic is just as important as having a conversation about alcohol and substance use.

Please take some time to look through this slide show, created by our tech team, that will offer you and your student some activities that will help facilitate a conversation about this very important topic.

The North Syracuse Central School District is excited to announce it was awarded a “Best Communities for Music Education” designation from The NAMM Foundation. This is the second consecutive year the district was recognized for its outstanding commitment to music education.

“It’s a key component of the NSCSD’s robust curriculum and we are fortunate to have opportunities for students to begin learning music at a young age. It’s exciting to receive this recognition especially in light of the tremendous work our staff did to keep the music program going during the pandemic. I am very proud of our dedicated and very talented teachers and students” said Daniel Bowles, NSCSD Superintendent of Schools.

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.

"Earlier this spring, Cicero Elementary School students had a “splashing” good time thanks to their school’s parent teacher group. The PTG hosted a pool themed party for families on March 22. It was one of the first ones they’ve had since the pandemic.

Families enjoyed pizza, crafts run by Mrs. Silfer, and dancing including the Cha Cha Slide and Cotton Eyed Joe lead by PE Teacher Mr. Bailey.

As you can see in the pictures, there was a great turnout and everyone had a great time! Many thanks to Stacey Peffley for sharing these photos.

Thanks to Allen Road Elementary School's Ms. Lafountain and Ms. Corwin for sharing pictures from Ms. Corwin's class's Earth Day Recycling Museum Walk. Mr. Stone, our director of ELA and Elementary Education happened to stop in to see the activity. Looks like a great time!

Syracuse woman helps design Barbie’s first doll with Down Syndrome by Geoff Herbert | gherbert@syracuse.com - Kayla McKeon, a spokesperson for the National Down Syndrome Society, and a Cicero-North Syracuse High School graduate, unveiled a new Barbie on “Good Morning America” this past Tuesday. Click here to read the article on Syracuse.com.

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.

Congratulations to North Syracuse Junior High School's Sierra Anderson! She will be performing with the CNY All-Star Percussion Ensemble at OCC on Saturday, April 29th. The CNY Day of Percussion is from 1:30-6:00 at the Marvin and Schuh Recital Hall at OCC. This is a free event. Sierra's teacher Jen Macderment shared this photo with her congratulations.

In case you missed the amazing Festival of the Arts last Saturday, we wanted to share a couple pictures we received from Cicero Elementary School Art Teacher Pat Syrocki.

She says "There was a wonderful turn out at this year’s Festival of the Arts at C-NS High School. It was nice to see the smiles on the faces of these talented artists in Mrs. Syrocki’s art classes at Cicero Elementary School. There were many proud parents, relatives and friends celebrating the arts along with these children. Congratulations to all of the students who had artwork on display!"

Smith Road Elementary School's Ms. Preville shared some pictures of her students doing a fun project as they finished up their CKLA domain about the human body. Very clever!

On April 26, Cicero-North Syracuse High School students involved with Northstar Network were able to see Beth Mowins at Onondaga Community College and then even got to meet her. Great opportunity for these fellow broadcasters.

Did you know that the North Syracuse Central School District's Athletics Department has an email newsletter? If you'd like to subscribe to the newsletter, click here to learn more.

The NSCSD produces a weekly digital newsletter, "NorthStar Lights," to share important information and good news with NSCSD families and staff. Parents and staff members automatically receive the newsletter through ParentSquare. Grandparents, community members and all friends of the NSCSD are also welcome to subscribe. Newsletters are emailed each Friday when school is in session. Help us share the good news and the great things happening in the NSCSD! Click here to learn more.

APRIL 28: North Syracuse Junior High School Talent Show at 7 p.m.

MAY 1: Board of Education meeting at 6 p.m. at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse. If you'd like to attend the meeting in-person, you must pre-register by the Friday prior to the meeting. Please email jherrera@nscsd.org to attend.

MAY 2: Public Budget Presentation at 3:30 p.m. at the North Syracuse Early Education Program (205 South Main St.)

MAY 2: Budget Public Hearing at 6 p.m. at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse.

MAY 3: Public Budget Presentation at 4 p.m. at Allen Road Elementary School (803 Allen Road) in N. Syracuse.

MAY 4: Public Budget Presentation at 3:10 p.m. at Gillette Road Middle School (6150 South Bay Road) in Cicero.

MAY 5: IT'S OKAY FRIDAY! Wear your -t-shirt with a positive themed message - let others know it is okay to ask for help!

MAY 9: Public Budget Presentation at 4 p.m. at Lakeshore Road Elementary School (7180 Lakeshore Road, Cicero)

MAY 16: SCHOOL BUDGET VOTE AND BOE ELECTION from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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