NorthStar Lights

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

Tonight we will celebrate the Cicero-North Syracuse High School Class of 2024 as they cross the stage and mark their journey into the next stage of life. Graduation is an incredibly monumental occasion and this year's ceremony will hold special significance for me as I also begin a new journey. This past Monday, our Board of Education accepted my letter of retirement. So along with the Class of 2024, tonight is a commencement for me.

I began my role as Superintendent of Schools for the North Syracuse Central School District on July 1, 2019 and the past five years have been some of the best of my life. They have also been some of the most challenging as we worked together to navigate a global pandemic and the lasting repercussions we never could have anticipated. Despite the challenges though, we came together as a district and community and created a Strategic Plan that I truly believe moves the school community forward.

The North Syracuse Central School District has been my home and you all have been my family for nearly three decades and the decision to end my career here is not one I’ve made lightly. Not only have I seen our students grow from kindergarteners to graduating seniors, I now have had the opportunity to see some of the same young people I helped educate step into new roles as teachers. Life truly comes full circle.

I will work through the summer and our Board of Education will be meeting to discuss the steps toward filling the position of Superintendent of Schools. I am confident that the Board will appoint the right successor for the district and the community.

I can’t thank you all enough for being a part of my journey. I am proud of this district and the work we have done together. I know there is still much to be done but I believe we are in a better place than we were five years ago. I have faith that the North Syracuse Central School District will continue to shine brightly with all of you. Always remember that you are the light that makes the Northstar so incredible.

Warm regards,

Daniel D. Bowles, Superintendent of Schools

Congratulations to the Cicero-North Syracuse High School (CNS) Class of 2024! This year's ceremony will take place on Friday, June 21 at the New York State Fairgrounds Expo Center beginning at 5 p.m. and is being livestreamed for those unable to attend.

Due to the Lainey Wilson concert also taking place at the Amphitheater that evening, graduates and their families should plan to encounter traffic in the area and factor this into travel time.

On Friday, June 14, a beautiful, sunny Central New York Day, Roxboro Elementary School held its third annual Bike Tour for Third Graders. The goal of the event is to ensure that every child at RRE has the opportunity to learn how to ride a bike and create lasting memories.

The success of the Bike Tour is made possible each year by the incredible support of individuals and organizations within our community. More than 100 people responded to donation requests, and local businesses, parents, teachers, and even members of the military came together to repair and prepare the bikes for the event. Additionally, organizations like CNY Family Bike Giveaway and Move Along Inc. provided invaluable resources and support.

So many thanks are due to everyone who helped put the smiles on these students’ faces. The event is one of the best days of the year! A big special shout out is also given to CNS Grad and Photographer Extraordinaire, Jacob Lax, for taking such amazing pictures.

Congratulations to the Cicero-North Syracuse High School girls lacrosse team for earning the New York State championship for 2024!

June 18, 2024: North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education President Paul Farfaglia announced today that Superintendent of Schools Daniel D. Bowles will be retiring effective August 27, 2024. The Board of Education accepted the superintendent’s retirement letter at its June 17 meeting.

Superintendent Bowles announced his plans to district staff in an email saying “The past five years have been some of the best of my life. They have also been some of the most challenging as we worked together to navigate a global pandemic and the lasting repercussions we never could have anticipated. Despite the challenges though, we came together as a district and community and created a Strategic Plan that I truly believe moves the school community forward.”

The Board of Education will meet in the next few weeks to discuss the search for a new superintendent. Board President Farfaglia said, “It is with tremendous gratitude and sadness that we announce we have received the resignation of Superintendent Bowles. He has been an incredible champion for our students and this entire community. He and his leadership will be sorely missed. The Board will be meeting soon to discuss our next steps in finding the right replacement for our district.”

Click here to read the complete article online.

In our interconnected world, knowing more than one language is a big plus. The New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) recognizes high school students who are proficient in multiple languages, celebrating their skills and preparing them for a globalized future.

What is the Seal of Biliteracy?
The NYSSB is an award for students who are proficient in English and at least one other language by the time they graduate. Started in 2012, it encourages language learning, values linguistic diversity, and helps colleges and employers spot individuals with strong language skills.

Click here to read the complete article online

On Tuesday, June 18, New York State Assemblyman Al Stirpe came to Cicero, accompanied by New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for the purpose of making a special announcement. Outside of the newly opened Splash Pad at Williams Beach in the Town of Cicero, the lawmakers shared the news that a $3 million grant for the ongoing CNS High School pool project would be coming to the North Syracuse Central School District. The pool project was approved by district voters as part of the December, 2021 Structured for Success Capital Project Referendum. Click here to see a news segment from LocalSyr.com.

On Tuesday, June 11, more than 100 Dollars for Scholars scholarship awards were presented to graduating Cicero-North Syracuse High School students. The awards, many of which are given in memory of loved ones, were presented during a ceremony at North Syracuse Junior High School. A listing of this year’s recipients is provided below. Congratulations to all of this year’s scholarship recipients and many thanks to NS Dollars for Scholars for providing assistance for our students.

Click here to see the list of awards and recipients.

The North Syracuse Central School District has posted the Smart Schools Spending Plan presentation reviewed by the Board of Education at the June 17, 2024 for community review. A public hearing for community comments will take place on Monday, July 22 at 5:30 p.m. at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Road) in North Syracuse.

You may also provide comments to Don Keegan, Associate Superintendent for Business Services at 315-218-2119 or at dkeegan@nscsd.org.

The Cicero-North Syracuse High School Girls Lacrosse Team was recently recognized by LocalSyr.com News Channel 9 as their Student-Athletes of the Week. Click here to see the segment online. Junior Gabby Putman, a player on the Girls Lacrosse Team, was named the Student-Athlete of the Week for June 6. That segment is available by clicking here.

Congratulations to Cicero-North Syracuse High School senior Mia Sotoperez for being named to the 2024 All-CNY flag football team. Hailey Dupra was named to Second Team and Brynn Scott received an honorable mention in the article. Click here to read the article on Syracuse.com

Congratulations to the Cicero-North Syracuse athletes recognized in the 2024 All-CNY sports awards: Senior Kamdin Bembry was named Boys Wrestling Player of the Year, Senior Jacob Calabria was named Boys Bowling Player of the Year, Junior Gabby Putman was named Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year. Also honored as Coach of the Year was Girls Lacrosse Coach Stephanie Prentice. Click here to read the article on Syracuse.com.

CNY Central shared video of the Mattydale Fire Department helping Roxboro Road Middle School students stay cool during the area's recent heat wave.

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.

Many thanks to Lakeshore Road Elementary School Art Teacher Tara McClung and the school's principal, Ms. Chmielewski, for sharing pictures of their talented artist, Ava Burks. Ava recently had her artwork selected for part of a display at Syracuse's Everson Museum. Ava is a first grader at Lakeshore Road Elementary School. Congratulations Ava!

Our schools proudly celebrated Flag Day on Friday, June 14 and we wanted to share a few pictures. Thank you to Lakeshore Road Elementary School (pictured to the right) for an invitation to attend the school's celebration and to Smith Road Elementary School (pictured below) for sharing your beautiful pictures! #nsbrightertogether

On Friday, June 14, staff from the North Syracuse Early Education Program (NSEEP) took time to appreciate a local group for giving their school some shade. Cheri Rotelli wanted to invite representatives from the local NS/Liverpool Lions Club to the school to see what their generous donation made possible. Cheri said, "NSEEP staff and students are very grateful for the community support from our local NS/Liverpool Lions Club for their generous donation of $10,000 towards our new shade structures on our playground. We were excited to gather together to give them a resounding cheer of thanks!"

They even had a celebratory toast with sparkling grape juice! #NSBrighterTogether

JUNE 21: CNS CLASS OF 2024 GRADUATION!

JUNE 24: Shortened school day for students in grades Pre-K-7 Click here for details

JUNE 25: Shortened school day for students in grades Pre-K-7 Click here for details

JUNE 26: Last Day of School! Shortened school day for students in grades Pre-K-7 Click here for details

JULY 1: Share the Music Instrument Donation Drive at Johnson Park in Liverpool at 7 PM

JULY 4: Independence Day Holiday - Buildings Closed

JULY 8: Summer Meal Program begins

JULY 8: Board of Education meeting at 6 PM at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Rd.) in North Syracuse

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/