Community Update

What a wonderful start to the week learning that South Grove Elementary was named a prestigious Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. This recognition is a HUGE accomplishment – and we are so very proud of the South Grove team.

The Blue Ribbon Schools program is a rigorous process that highlights schools for demonstrating excellence in academic achievement and creating safe and welcoming schools for all students to thrive. Only a few hundred schools in the nation
(out of 98,000) win the coveted award every year. I was at a statewide Superintendent’s conference when the news broke, and was stopped every few minutes by colleagues offering me congratulations – what a nice surprise!

This award is a tribute to the strong partnership among our teachers, parents, and students at Syosset. Everyone is committed to creating a nurturing, safe, and caring environment that cultivates strengths, embraces diversity and celebrates learning. South Grove’s motto underscores this partnership: “We can do anything together!”

You can… and you did! Congratulations, Principal An, to you and the whole South Grove community!

This coming Tuesday, October 1st, is the District’s facilities improvement referendum. Polls will be open from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. If you voted on the budget this past May, or are registered to vote in the general election in November, you are automatically registered to vote this Tuesday!

Quick notes:

• We’ve taken questions sent to facilities@syossetschools.org and updated our online FAQ with the answers (keep ‘em coming!);

• Information about absentee voting can be found here;

• Don’t forget to check out bond.syossetschools.org.

Proposition 1 is designed to address maintenance and safety items identified by our architects and engineers as well as create space to accommodate our enrollment growth. Projects include:

• New library, gym, mental wellness/guidance center, Robotics room and additional classrooms at Syosset High School (SHS);

• Bus circulation improvements at SHS and South Grove elementary;

• Remove and replace 17 temporary classrooms at 4 elementary campuses;

• New security vestibule at HBT and additional security upgrades district-wide;

• Air conditioning for gyms at every elementary and middle school;

• A new running track at HBT and 4 elementary playground upgrades.

• New roofing at 4 schools and exterior wall repairs at all schools.
  

Proposition 2 would build on Proposition 1 by taking advantage of the current favorable State reimbursement rates to create additional space at four elementary schools – in the form of gyms – to relieve crowding experienced in those schools. Building new gyms would serve several purposes:

• it would free up the old gym space to be repurposed as a multi-use space (for performing arts ensembles, larger cafeterias and kitchens, therapy spaces, indoor recess, etc.),

• It would create a more comfortable venue for concerts, theater productions, and moving up ceremonies,

• It would eliminate the current need to rent space to address athletics team overflow from SHS, and

• it would create additional space to accommodate community usage during evenings and weekends.

Proposition 2 would also add artificial turf infields to the new HBT track and the SHS Varsity Softball and Baseball fields.

Proposition 2 cannot pass on its own. Proposition 1 must also pass for Proposition 2 to be approved.

Also in our Theater Department, we are proud to announce that the program’s Director, Gene Connor, was awarded the Rod Marriott Award by the New York State Education Association. This award, named after prolific director, playwright, and educator B. Rodney Marriott, recognizes lifetime achievement in educational theater and reflects the outstanding reputation of our theater arts program across the state. The strength of our program is, in part, due to the hard work that Mr. Connor and our dedicated faculty and staff have put into this program. And, of course, our amazing students! Congratulations, Mr. Connor, on this recognition.

We are coming full circle with a very special bright spot from South Grove worthy of its own Blue Ribbon.

South Grove’s Principal Ms. An says it’s not unusual for a student to say they want to be a teacher when they grow up. But never has a student told her they want to be a principal someday. So, Ms. An was shocked (and delighted) when kindergarten student Jayden told her during his first week of school that he wanted to be just like her, and then continued to tell her this pretty much daily. Jayden’s parents told Ms. An that after school he “plays” principal, pretending to talk on a walkie talkie. Jayden is so committed to this career path that he made himself and Ms. An special badges to wear around school. Ms. An says on the busiest and craziest days, when she looks down at her badge, she smiles.

What a wonderful juxtaposition – between a badge illustrating the commendation of a nation and one expressing the admiration of a youngster – one prestigious, the other precious, both irreplaceable

Thank you, Ms. An, for sharing this special story. And, Jayden, we are so glad you’re loving school, dreaming big dreams, and making others feel special – that’s one of the most important jobs of being a principal and you’re a natural! Don’t think your dream is out of reach – we recently hired a Syosset graduate as an Assistant Principal at the high school – so you just never know!

A reminder school is closed next Thursday and Friday. Enjoy the weekend ahead of the upcoming short week!