NorthStar Lights
North Syracuse Central School District's Electronic News
Hello North Syracuse Central School District Parents, Guardians, Teachers and Staff,
You may have been watching Monday Night Football on January 2, 2023 when Buffalo Bills’ Safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field after suffering cardiac arrest. First responders immediately jumped in and began critical life-saving measures that included cardiopulmonary resuscitation, better known as CPR. Damar’s 24 year-old life was indeed saved and the tremendous folks involved in doing so have since been publicly recognized as the heroes they truly are.
This past October, a gentleman by the name of Don Landers was making a purchase in a CNY convenience store and he also collapsed after suffering cardiac arrest. The world wasn’t watching the moment as was the case with Damar Hamlin, but fortunately, C-NS Health Educator Joanne Thornton was. Joanne, who has been teaching CPR in her classes at school for several years, saw the man drop and immediately began the actions she has been instructing her students to do but never thought she would have to use. After administering CPR for several minutes, emergency responders relieved Joanne and she walked away from the encounter not knowing what happened to the man.
Months later, C-NS High School Executive Principal Jamie Sullivan received an email with the subject line, “One of your teachers is a Hero.” The email was from Don Landers best friend who was with him at the store back in October and witnessed Joanne’s heroic and life-saving actions. Our Board of Education recognized Joanne for her actions at a meeting back in December, where Mr. Landers surprised her by showing up to thank her personally.
In February, when Joanne’s Health Education Course curriculum got to the lesson on CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) use, she knew that her instruction would be different from previous years because she now (literally) had hands-on experience. She is also now using Damar Hamlin’s #3forHeart CPR Challenge with her students. The challenge asks people to learn CPR, donate to the American Heart Association to fund CPR education and training and to share their support by posting a picture with their heart hands up.
I took time recently to stop by Joanne’s classroom and get a picture with her and our heart hands because I also am committing to the CPR challenge. Later this spring, our administrative team and district office staff here at the NSCSD will be getting together to get trained in CPR. An email invitation from our Associate Superintendent for Business Services, Don Keegan, recently went out and it wasn’t too long before I got an email from one of our team members thanking us for putting the training together and sharing their personal experience with a family member whose life was saved by CPR. I’m thankful that I will soon have the opportunity to learn a skill that could potentially save another person’s life. If you’re interested in learning CPR, there are a number of local organizations that offer classes. I invite you to learn more because as Joanne says, “You never know when you’ll be needed.”
Sincerely,
Daniel D. Bowles, Superintendent of Schools
Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Registration During the Month of March
The North Syracuse Central School District's online Universal Pre-Kindergarten application system is now open. Once the system closes on March 31, all completed registrations will be placed into a lottery drawing and applicants will be chosen at random.
If the UPK program fills up before all names are pulled from the lottery, the remaining students will be placed on a waitlist and parents will be notified if a spot becomes available. Additionally, registrations will be accepted after March 31, but those students will not be included in the lottery.
March 8 Community Information Session About NSCSD Initial Budget Presentation
The North Syracuse Central School District will hold a community information session on Wednesday, March 8. The purpose of the meeting will be to share information about the District’s initial budget presentation from the February 27 Board of Education meeting. The meeting will take place at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 W. Taft Rd., N. Syracuse, NY) at 6:00 p.m. If you have questions about the community information session, contact the North Syracuse Central School District Superintendent’s Office at 315/218-2150.
C-NS Educator Recognized for Life Saving Action Teaches CPR to Students
Back in October, Cicero-North Syracuse High School Health Education Teacher Joanne Thornton found herself in a life or death situation. When she came across a man who had collapsed from a medical issue at a local gas station she sprung into action. She performed CPR with some help from a gas station employee until paramedics arrived.
On December 19 at the NSCSD Board of Education meeting, Joanne was recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation for her actions. Don Landers, the man whose life she saved, was in attendance.
Now Thornton’s students are now learning those life saving skills. They also plan to participate in Damar Hamlin’s #3 for Heart CPR Challenge. The Buffalo Bills player suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed during an NFL game on January 2.
The challenge includes three steps:
- Learn CPR;
- Donate to the American Heart Association; and
- Share your support by posting a picture with your heart hands up and tag three friends with #3forHeart.
The Challenge has a goal of raising $3 Million. Click here to visit the Challenge website.
CNS High School’s Production of ’MEAN GIRLS: High School Version’ – Tickets On Sale Now
Cicero-North Syracuse High School is pleased to announce their spring musical, ‘MEAN GIRLS: High School Version’. The production takes place on Thursday, March 16 and Friday, March 17 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, March 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
RRMS student council shows NSEEP a little love
The North Syracuse Early Education Program had a sweet Valentine’s Day thanks to the Roxbury Road Middle School Student Council.
Advisor Melissa Potratz worked with student council members to create a Valentine-themed spirit week. As part of the initiative, students created and delivered 225 Valentines to staff and students at NSEEP. They also raised nearly $250 to help purchase items for the program.
NSEEP includes 12 classrooms and serves more than 350 preschool children and their families.
Gillette Road Middle School Students Take Part in Lesson Lab
Fifth graders in Ms. Guidetti’s classroom at Gillette Road Middle School had some special guests visit from the University of Rochester in February. The Warner School of Education Center held a Lesson Lab for the middle schoolers.
Click here to read the complete article and see more pictures online.
Racing to Make a Difference
The C-NS Positivity Project is at it again! Student teams participating in the Winterfest Human Dog Sled Race earned not only First and Third place - but also Best Team Spirit!
The race took place at Syracuse’s Inner Harbor on February 19. The course was about 100 feet. Proceeds benefited Helping Hounds Dog Rescue.
Getting Comfy for a Good Cause
The North Syracuse Central School District was recognized as the top fundraiser for Paige’s Pajamarama in 2022. Members of the C-NS Principal’s Cabinet were presented with a plaque this month. The district raised –.
Paige’s Butterfly Run has hosted Pajamarama for a number of years. The organization helps raise awareness about childhood cancer and funds to support children and their families receiving treatment at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse.
Way to make a difference Northstars!
Notice Regarding Non-Public School Transportation for the 2023-24 School Year
Applications must be filed prior to April 1, 2023
To parents/guardians/caregivers of students residing in the North Syracuse Central School District,
As required by New York State Law, applications for transportation to and/or from Charter, private or parochial schools during the 2023-2024 school year, must be filed prior to April 1, 2023.
Applications may be picked up and returned to the North Syracuse Central School District Transportation Department (5520 East Taft Road, North Syracuse) or can be downloaded by clicking the following link: www.nscsd.org/transapp.
Families who need additional information should call the Transportation Department at 315/218-2107.
Subscribe to Budget News
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.
FREE Family Roundtable Discussion Webinar - March 22
The North Syracuse Central School District is sharing information about a FREE webinar for families hosted by the School Mental Health Resource Training Center. Learn more about "Family Roundtable Discussion" later this month. The event takes place 3/22/23 at 7:30p.m. Click here to learn more and to register for the event.
Allison Kadick, the mom of Roxboro Road Elementary School kindergarten student Alex Kadick, shared this photo of Alex participating in Physical Therapy (learning to steer) at school. Allison shares that Alex gets several services at school, including Adaptive Physical Education and she is assisted with a 1:1 nurse. Allison is grateful for the services and thankful to everyone who works so hard to help keep Alex safe.
Roxboro Road Elementary School Restorative Practices Specialist Natalie Walters shared this photo and caption of Mrs. Roach and Mrs. Nuzzo. She said they set up the question of the day: “do you like green eggs and ham?” Such lessons allow students to have voice in a meaningful extension of their lessons and making sure everyone has a say! #wearerestorative #nsbrighterrogether
Jennifer Fetterman, mother to Sydney Fetterman, a student at Smith Road Elementary School, shared a picture of Sydney at her school's Literacy Night Celebration on Thursday, March 2. Sydney helped Jenn create a "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" themed cake for the event. Jenn also works for the NSCSD as a physical therapist at the North Syracuse Early Education Program, where her younger daughter Evelyn goes to school.
District Reminders!
MARCH 6: Board of Education meeting at 6 PM 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.
MARCH 8: Parent Conferences - Half Day of School for Pre-K-Grade 4 Students.
MARCH 8: Community Information Session at 6PM at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse.
MARCH 9: Festival of Nations 2023 at C-NS High School from 5-7 PM.
MARCH 16-18: C-NS High School Musical "Mean Girls" High School Edition at 7 PM each evening.
MARCH 18: C-NS High School Musical "Mean Girls" High School Edition Matinee at 2 PM.
MARCH 20: Board of Education meeting at 6 PM 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.
North Syracuse Central School District
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