NorthStar Lights
North Syracuse Central School District's Electronic News
Hello North Syracuse Central School District parents, guardians, teachers, and staff,
The district recently held our Festival of Nations at Cicero-North Syracuse High School and I wanted to take this opportunity to commend our student speaker from the event. Haneefa Wahab is a senior at CNS and she welcomed attendees to the event with a powerful and impactful message. Her words resonated deeply and reminded us of the importance of celebrating our differences and finding unity in our shared experiences. As the Superintendent of Schools, it is both an honor and a privilege to witness such remarkable leadership and advocacy within our student body.
As Haneefa shared her personal journey and the impact of her experiences as a child of immigrants, she underscored the importance of finding community and connections that transcend cultural boundaries. Her vision for our school as a place where every individual feels validated and embraced for their unique identity is one that we wholeheartedly support and strive to uphold.
Haneefa eloquently highlighted the accomplishments of our hardworking and diverse community, emphasizing the significance of initiatives such as volunteering and promoting diversity. Her dedication to creating a sense of belonging for all students, regardless of background, is truly inspiring.
I want to also thank everyone who contributed to the Festival of Nations. Kim Rice and Dave Lunden did an exceptional job organizing and our ENL teachers brought together so many families and students to share their cultures. To that end, I must also congratulate Lydia Roldan, an ENL teacher at CNS. Lydia was recently named as our Teacher of the Year. Please take time to read more about Lydia in the article below.
Thank you and let us continue to embrace our differences, celebrate our shared humanity, and work together to build a brighter future for generations to come.
Daniel D. Bowles, Superintendent of Schools
Tickets on sale NOW!
Cicero-North Syracuse High School is excited to be turning the auditorium of North Syracuse Junior High School into a DISCO on March 15 and 16 with their presentation of Mamma Mia! The production stars Ava Tyler as Donna, Val Lants as Tanya, Isabella Borte as Rosie, Connor Boyle as Sam, Liam Chung as Bill, Joey Cox as Harry Bright, Lucy Barrera as Sophie and Zach Heilig as Sky. Also featured are Via Wiechmann, Gabby Pinoargotte, Andrew Dolson, Ethan Mieves, Evan Brozteck, Halia Dice, Noah Seitz, Aiden Ketchum, Clarissa Fake, Clarice McCulloch, Lily Bero, Abby Goncalves, CeCe Bielac, Taylor Buffa, Emma Wall, Natalie Brushell, Brooke Todd and Annalisa Emmi.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS PERFORMANCE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE NORTHSTAR THEATER AT THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL!
North Syracuse Central School District Superintendent of Schools Daniel D. Bowles has announced that this year’s Teacher of the Year award will go to Cicero-North Syracuse High School teacher Lydia Roldan. Lydia now moves on to the statewide program for Teacher of the Year, sponsored by the New York State Education Department. Lydia was part of a group of five outstanding teachers of the North Syracuse Central School District, each of whom were nominated by at least 10 of their District peers.
Lydia has worked with the North Syracuse Central School District students as an English as a New Language (ENL) Teacher at both North Syracuse Junior High School and Cicero-North Syracuse High School since 2017. Lydia’s passion for teaching and her commitment to supporting English Language Learners (ELLs) have made a profound impact on our students and staff alike.
Did you know that your gently worn sneakers could help NS Dollars for Scholars? Well, they can and here’s how…Our team is participating in a fundraiser where there is nothing to buy or sell; All we need is your support and your gently worn, used, or new sneakers!
Here’s how you can help:
Start in your and your family’s closets and gather as many pairs of sneakers that you no longer want; maybe you’ve out-grown them, they’re out of style, or out of season. You can ask your neighbors, friends, co-workers, and anyone in your social networks to help out. Every pair counts! The sneakers that we all collect will help raise money to support our program AND will help our environment by keeping sneakers out of landfills. WIN- WIN!!
Can we count on you? Collection boxes are at the NSEA Office and at NSJH, CNS, Gillette and Roxboro through the end of March. Thanks!
Gillette Middle School proudly presents Lion King Junior, March 21, 22 and 23. Shows will take place at 7pm each night in the school's auditorium. More than 100 students and directors are involved in this classic tale. It is really a human tale told through animal characters- thus the Broadway costume that purposely showed the human actors within the animal costumes. The story deals with a prodigal son trying to find his place, an uncle thirsting for power and a kind tribe just wanting what is right and fair. The popular musical score was written by highly esteemed musical collaborators Elton John and Tim Rice and includes such classics as Circle of Life, I Just Can’t Wait to be King and Can You Feel the Love Tonight. It is one of the longest running shows on Broadway.
Click here for ticket information
Roxboro Road Middle School is proud to present The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition. Show dates: Friday, March 22 @ 7pm, and Saturday, March 23 @ 3pm. Tickets available via HomeTown Ticketing. $6.00 GENERAL ADMISSION seating; children under 2 are free. Tickets available online ONLY; including the day of the show. No cash sales.
The North Syracuse Central School District is proud to welcome Nadine Zesky as our new mental health and wellness educator. Nadine recently began working with the district and is currently introducing herself to our students and staff. During the month of March, Nadine is beginning an initiative to connect movement to mental wellness. The week of March 18-22 is designated as "Movement Matters" week and all schools are being encouraged to participate.
If you have any questions please contact April Winters at aprilwinters24@gmail.com or call me at 315-415-9298. Dollars for Scholars uses email to communicate so please make sure you use an email address that is correct. Please use an email other than you North Syracuse CSD account so that you can be contacted over the summer. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK YOUR EMAIL AND SPAM FOLDERS FOR Dollars for Scholars communications.
As required by New York State Law, applications for bus transportation to and/or from charter, private or parochial schools during the 2024-2025 school year, must be filed prior to April 1, 2024.
Applications may be picked up and returned to the North Syracuse Central School District Transportation Department, 5520 East Taft Road, North Syracuse, NY 13212. Applications can also be downloaded by clicking here. Please contact the Transportation Department at (315) 218-2107 for additional information.
Click here to view the letter sent to principals.
Lakeshore Road Elementary School Principal Chmielewski shared a picture of Denise Hoag, the driver of bus #626, on what happened to be her last day of work. A teacher and a student from Lakeshore had both nominated Denise for appreciation because of the connection the driver had made for the student. Principal Chmielewski presented a certificate to Denise and when she did, Denise told her that she happened to be retiring and that it was her last day. Principal Chmielewski shared the picture and said that they were grateful to be able to recognize Denise and thank her for helping the student. Great job Denise....enjoy your retirement. Thank you for going above and beyond.
District Reminders!
MARCH 15: Superintendent's Conference Day - No School for Students
MARCH 15: Mamma Mia! at 7 PM at North Syracuse Junior High School
MARCH 16: Mamma Mia! at 2 PM at North Syracuse Junior High School
MARCH 16: Mamma Mia! at 7 PM at North Syracuse Junior High School
MARCH 18: Board of Education meeting at 6 PM at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse
MARCH 29: Good Friday - Schools Closed
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/