NorthStar Lights

Hello North Syracuse Central School District Students, Families and Staff,

This past Monday, I began my journey as Superintendent of Schools for NSCSD and I want to thank you for the incredibly warm welcome! It has been quite a week! One of my first tasks was recording snow day messages—a job I didn’t expect to have to use so quickly—but yesterday’s weather had other plans. Calling my first snow day so early in my tenure was unexpected, but it served as a vital reminder to prioritize the safety of our students and staff while maintaining clear communication with all of you.

This first week has been a whirlwind of back-to-back meetings with directors and principals, attending events, and getting to know the many facets of the district and our schools. I’ve been struck by the tremendous pride everyone has in NSCSD, and I am thrilled to join this incredible community.

One highlight of the week was attending several athletic events, including the first basketball game in the newly renovated gymnasium at CNS. During halftime, last year’s girls’ lacrosse team was celebrated for their success and New York State Championship win. The energy and pride in that space were truly inspiring, underscoring how important our facilities are—not just for education, but for the connections and memories they create.

Maintaining and enhancing our schools is a shared responsibility, and I am excited to partner with all of you in this vital work.

Our district’s logo, the Northstar, symbolizes guidance, focus and direction. As Superintendent, my goal is to work collaboratively with you to find our “true North”—a shared vision that will guide us toward becoming the most desirable school district in Central New York.

Thank you again for your kindness and support as we begin this exciting journey. I look forward to meeting more of you in the days and weeks ahead.

Warm regards,

Dr. Terry Ward, Superintendent of Schools
North Syracuse Central School District

The North Syracuse Central School District is holding a job fair on Saturday, Jan. 11. The event will take place at the transportation department (5520 East Taft Road) in North Syracuse from 9 AM to 12 PM

Interested persons can get an application online and should bring the application and a resume with them to the job fair. For more information about the job fair, contact the North Syracuse Central School District Transportation Department Office at (315) 218-2107.

Click here for a job application.

The Optimist Club of Cicero-North Syracuse is sponsoring an Essay Contest with a top award of a $2,500 college scholarship. Students in grades 9-12, under the age of 19 who live within the boundaries of the North Syracuse Central School District are eligible to participate. Entries for this year’s contest, “How Optimism has Paved my Road to Success,” are due by Jan. 17, 2025.

Click here to read the complete article online.

When there is inclement or forecasted inclement weather, the decision to close school, delay opening or dismiss early is based on travel conditions and weather predictions to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

When schools are closed because of weather conditions or other emergencies, announcements are sent on ParentSquare and posted on the district website. Other emergency conditions, such as impending storms, may require students to be dismissed before regular school closing time. Early closing/dismissal announcements are also sent through ParentSquare and posted on the district website.

While emergency closings are also shared with local media, district communications are the first and best source of information.

PREPARE NOW

• Update your contact information: Contact your student’s school to request changes to your email address or phone number in SchoolTool. These changes can take up to 24 hours to process and update.
• Transportation: Ensure arrangements are in place for early dismissal situations. Please inform your student’s school.
• Community Alerts: Grandparents and others can sign up for emergency alerts on ParentSquare.
• YMCA Childcare: YMCA childcare programs located within NSCSD elementary schools may have permission to remain open in some instances. If school is closed for an emergency, all buildings in the NSCSD must be closed and YMCA programs are also canceled. Parents with children in a YMCA program located in a school should check directly with the organization regarding program closures.

The North Syracuse Central School District provides a free Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program to children who live in the North Syracuse Central School District and are four years old on or before December 1.

2025-2026 UPK Registration Packet - Click here for more information

Due to capacity constraints, we utilize a random lottery system for all applicants. Acceptance into the program is not on a first-come, first-served basis. We will begin accepting applications for UPK on January 6, 2025 and will continue accepting applications until February 7. To register for the UPK program, please complete all components of the UPK registration packet. Registrations will continue to be accepted after February 7 but will not be included in the lottery. Registrations received after February 7 will be added to a waitlist and parents will be notified if/when an opening occurs.

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, thirty students from Roxboro Road Middle School, Gillette Road Middle and North Syracuse Junior High School gathered at the North Syracuse Central School District Office to compete in a districtwide spelling bee.

The talented youth from grades five through eight were challenged with a variety of words ranging from simple spellings such as “gothic” and “phantom” to more difficult spellings such as “perpetuate” and “immunization.” All students came to this competition after completing written and oral exams within their schools.

This year’s competition was exceptionally strong, with all participants showcasing stellar spelling skills. In the end, it came down to an intense 16-round showdown between contestant #22 Isaac Butterfield and contestant #9 Benjamin Ehret, both from Gillette Road Middle School. The pair matched each other word for word, correctly spelling terms such as “artificial,” “detainees,” “endowed,” “alighted,” “rancid,” “suffocate,” and “euphoria.”

Ultimately, the winning word was “noncommittal,” correctly spelled by Isaac Butterfield, who then secured his victory with the correct spelling of “infrastructure.” Gillette Road Middle School 5th grader Benjamin Ehret placed second, followed by Matthew Conner (6th grade), who is also from Gillette Road Middle School, in third place.

Click here to read the complete article online.

The Banff Film Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious mountain festivals in the world! Hot on the heels of the Festival that is held every year in Banff, Alberta, the Banff tour hits the road with stops planned in roughly 550 communities and more than 40 countries across the globe. The Banff World Tour celebrates amazing achievements in outdoor storytelling and filmmaking worldwide!

Join the Friends of the Can Teen when Banff Film Festival World Tour brings the spirit of outdoor adventure to the Syracuse area at North Syracuse Junior High School on Monday, Feb. 3rd at 6:30PM. Doors open at 6:00 pm.

Discounted tickets can be purchased here.
Tickets at the door:
Students: $15.00
General Admission: $25.00

The North Syracuse Junior High School Drama Club proudly presents the SpongeBob Musical on Friday, Jan. 17 and Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. Performances will take place at North Syracuse Junior High School (5353 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse on:

• Friday, Jan. 17 at 7 PM
• Saturday, Jan. 18 at 1 PM
• Saturday, Jan. 18 at 7 PM

Tickets are on sale now! Ticket prices are as follows:

• $8 for students and seniors
• $10 for general admission
• $12 for reserved seats

CNS High School esports teams dominate NYS esports league championship

Two Cicero-North Syracuse (CNS) High School esports teams recently emerged victorious at the New York State esports League Championships on Sunday, Dec. 15. CNS High School Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe teams brought home championship trophies, marking a memorable achievement for the district’s e-sports program.

The Super Smash Bros. Ultimate team, comprised of Zach Strait, Landon DiGregorio and Dante Bennett, pulled off an incredible upset against Syracuse City Schools to advance to the finals. In a thrilling championship match, they faced and ultimately triumphed over our own North Syracuse Junior High School team and earned the title.

Meanwhile, the CNS Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Team 2, featuring Aidan Fox, Aaron Doyle, Matthew Cummings and Robert Gressel, capped off an undefeated season with a stellar performance. They secured a semi-final win against Christian Brothers Academy and clinched the championship in an exciting final match against CNS Team 1.

CNS Mario Kart Team 1 Roster: Matthew Rose, Zach Strait, Anthony Incassati and Ian Cosgrove

Congratulations to all the high school players on their outstanding accomplishments!

North Syracuse Junior High School esports teams shine

The North Syracuse Junior High School esports teams also showcased their talent during the Fall Season Playoffs, held at Elite Gaming in downtown Syracuse. Four junior high teams qualified for the playoffs, each delivering impressive performances:

• The Rocket League team secured a 6th-place finish.
• Mario Kart Team 2 earned 5th place.
• Mario Kart Team 1 achieved 3rd place.
• The Super Smash Bros. team reached the championship match but narrowly fell to the CNS High School team.

Junior High School team rosters:
Rocket League Team #1: Jonathan Saloski, Cole Marino, Brandon Golden and Jordyn Golden
Mario Kart Team #1: Evan Garcia, Nate Gelewski, Jordyn Golden and Cole Marino
Mario Kart Team #2: Michael Hjort, Ian Diaz, Jamie Oswald, Jovani Starkey and Nick Harders
Super Smash Bros. Team #1: Cole Marino, Jordyn Golden and Brandon Golden

The district’s esports program continues to grow under the dedicated guidance of its coaches. The CNS High School teams are led by Kathryn Leo and Michael Brisson, while Aaron Gross coaches the North Syracuse Junior High School teams. Their hard work and leadership have been instrumental in fostering the students’ skills and competitive spirit.

Congratulations to all players and coaches on an extraordinary season, and here’s to continued success in future competitions!

The Optimist Club of Cicero-North Syracuse is sponsoring an Oratorical Contest with a top award of a $2,500 college scholarship. Students under the age of 19 who live within the boundaries of the North Syracuse Central School District are eligible to participate. This year’s contest theme is “How Optimism Has Guided me Through Trying Times,” and will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd., N. Syracuse, NY).

Students wishing to participate in the Feb. 25 contest should email Mr. Crabtree by Feb. 18 with their intent to participate and the entry form. Contestants will be asked to speak on the official topic for four to five minutes with timing beginning at the first spoken word.

Contest applications are available by clicking here and should be emailed to Mr. Robert Crabtree by Feb. 18.

Click here to read the complete article online.

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.

This holiday season, Ms. Carozza’s class at North Syracuse Junior High School teamed up with Positivity Project, Leadworthy and Community Builders Club students for a letter writing campaign during lunches to uplift and encourage sick children in our area. Ms. Carozza said that the Make-A-Wish Foundation asked if students would write letters of encouragement and support directly to the more than 100 Wish Kids being served locally. The students at North Syracuse Junior High did not disappoint! Great job NSJH and thank you to Ms. Carozza for sharing! Make-A-Wish Central New York

This holiday season, the Allen Road community came together to support Golisano Children's Hospital through the Gator Giving for Golisano drive. With heartfelt generosity, Allen Road students and staff collected a variety of gifts to brighten the spirits of children and their families who are spending the holidays in the hospital.

The drive aimed to provide comfort and joy to those facing challenging times, ensuring that they experienced the warmth and kindness of the season despite being away from home.

Through this collective effort, the Allen Road community made a meaningful impact, spreading hope and holiday cheer to those in need at Golisano Children's Hospital. The wonderful Deputy Brisson is also pictured delivering the donations to the hospital. Thank you Allen Road Elementary School Community for your generous efforts!

On December 18, representatives from the North Syracuse, Liverpool, Baldwinsville, West Genesee, East Syracuse Minoa and Skaneateles Central School Districts gathered at Liverpool High School to present donations to Paige’s Butterfly Run Inc. as part of the annual Central New York School District’s “Battle” for Paige’s Pajamarama event. Thanks to the generosity of our students, staff and community, the NSCSD presented the TOP donation to Paige’s Butterfly Run Board President Chris Arnold. The Liverpool and NSCSD checks were both more than $10,000 each! Check out the additional amounts from all the participating districts…AMAZING! All of this will support children with pediatric cancer at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital. Thank you to our amazing community for your generosity! #NSBrighterTogether

Lakeshore Road Elementary School Principal Chmielewski shared these pictures with a special shout out to the school’s aides for transforming the cafeteria into a Whoville, complete with Grinch-y attire and festive holiday bowling!

The students were all smiles as they joined in the fun and holiday cheer.

These moments make Lakeshore a special place to learn and grow. Thank you to everyone who made the festive day possible!

Thank you to our ENL Coordinator Ariana Rosario for sharing a couple pictures from last night's ENL college night. She said that our own Teacher of the Year Lydia Roldan organized the event at the district office. Lydia invited representatives from OCC to talk to families about their child's different college options. There were interpreters there to explain the presentation to families. Families were able to ask questions about FASFA, and what classes their children should be taking. It was a great event!

The North Syracuse Central School District and our schools utilize ParentSquare for school to home and district to home communications.

Parent/guardian information is pulled from SchoolTool, the district's student data management system. All parents that have an email or cell phone in SchoolTool automatically have an account created in ParentSquare. ParentSquare training is available online for parents/guardians looking for additional information or online help and resources.

JAN 11: Transportation Job Fair from 9 AM to 12 Noon at the NSCSD Transportation Center (5520A East Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse

JAN 13: Board of Education meeting at 6 PM at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse

JAN 17: Applications due for Optimist Club Essay Contest

JAN 17: North Syracuse Junior High School Musical "Sponge Bob" at 7 PM at the North Syracuse Junior High School (5353 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse

JAN 18: North Syracuse Junior High School Musical "Sponge Bob" at 1 PM at the North Syracuse Junior High School (5353 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse

JAN 18: North Syracuse Junior High School Musical "Sponge Bob" at 7 PM at the North Syracuse Junior High School (5353 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse

JAN 20: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School for students or staff

JAN 27: Board of Education meeting at 6 PM at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse

JAN 28: Staff Workshops - Shortened school day for students in grades PreK-12

JAN 29: Lunar New Year - No School for students or 10-month staff

Website: www.nscsd.org
Location: 5355 West Taft Road, Syracuse, NY, USA
Phone: (315) 218-2100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NSyracuseCSD/