NorthStar Lights
North Syracuse Central School District's weekly e-news
Hello North Syracuse Central School District Parents, Guardians, Teachers and Staff,
I'm now in my 4th year serving this community as Superintendent of Schools for the NSCSD. Each fall since I've been here, I've noticed North Syracuse Junior High School students in Brad Raineri's 9th grade Physics classes engaged is a lesson outside the building. Last Friday happened to be a particularly sunny day so when I noticed Mr. Raineri and his students I went outside to say hello and learn more about this annual activity.
Mr. Raineri greeted me warmly and took the time to explain that his students were working together in groups to calculate the speed of cars on Taft Rd. The lesson required students to measure a stretch of distance and then use different communication tools to determine a specific vehicle's speed.
For years, I have been watching Mr. Raineri's students in their outdoor classroom. NSCSD students have the option to learn Physics in 9th grade - something that isn't the case in all schools. Our students are solving real world problems, and because of what they are learning, they are ahead of the game. I think about this in relation to the recent news that Micron will be coming to our community and I'm excited about the connection. There will be opportunities for high level STEM jobs right here in our area and I know that because of the lessons taking place inside (and out of) our classrooms, our students will be ready to fill those jobs. Once again, I want to thank our teachers for their hard work, creative teaching and dedication to learning.
#NSBrighterTogether
Sincerely,
Daniel D. Bowles, Superintendent of Schools
Kevin Toms "Can Crush Cancer" Event is this Weekend, October 22 & 23
Kevin Toms is a typical sophomore at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. He loves sneakers, snowboarding and soccer and spends time with family and friends when he isn’t in school. What may not be quite so typical is the lofty goal Kevin has set for himself by the time he graduates. For years, Kevin has been working hard to raise money in memory of his best friend from childhood, Griffin Engle. Griffin died of cancer when he was just seven years old and he and Kevin were schoolmates at Cicero Elementary School.
Kevin’s mom, Lori Lake Toms, shares that the two best friends had a special relationship. She said, “The boys were friends since they were in UPK together. The loss of Griffin and Griffin’s journey changed him forever.”
This weekend’s “Can Crush Cancer” bottle and can drive will take place both Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 22 and 23) at Griffin’s Guardians (8116 Brewerton Rd.) in Cicero. Families are welcome to drop off their bottles and cans either day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The month of October is Anti-Bullying/Bullying Awareness month and the North Syracuse Central School District is "branching out" to spread the news. All schools in the District have constructed Unity Trees in their buildings and the students are involved in activities to create colorful leaves with inspiring messages. As schools send in their tree and leaf pictures, we will share them in this newsletter.
Roxboro Road Middle School Unity Tree
Many thanks to Roxboro Road Middle School's Timarie Schipani for extending a special invitation to their school to see 6th grade students in Nicole Romano's WIN Class work on their leaves. They will be added to that school's tree, which you can check out in the foyer of the building. Some of Roxboro Road Middle School's leaves are used as the background picture for this week's newsletter.
Cicero Elementary School kindergarten students in Mrs. Jennifer Rosen's Class had a fun field trip to Behling's Orchard on Tuesday, October 18. Stephanie Blackmon, mom of Lincoln Blackmon, one of the students in Mrs. Rosen's class, shared a few pictures of the event and said, "The teachers and staff did a great job organizing this fun event!" Mrs. Rosen also took pictures and we're sharing hers as well. Thank you both for the photos...it certainly looks like everyone had a great day!
On Friday, October 21, kindergarten students at Karl W. Saile Bear Road Elementary School attended a special fire safety presentation as part of their school day. With October being National Fire Prevention Month, School Principal Oliva Cambs used the opportunity to connect with local firefighters in the North Syracuse Fire Department and bring their experience to students.
The firefighters arrived at the school in their firetrucks and spent time with the students talking about the importance of smoke detectors and having exit drills in the home. Students also heard many other fire safety tips and even had a chance to sit on the firetrucks. Many thanks to our community partners in the North Syracuse Fire Department and to KWS Bear Road Elementary School Teaching Assistant Ashley Adams for sharing the great pictures!
#NSBrighterTogether
The North Syracuse Education Foundation has been celebrating 20 years of giving in 2022 and wants to use the final months of the year to get the word out about the importance of programs that have been made available to NSCSD students because of their grants. The NSEF serves a simple, but comprehensive purpose: to ensure that North Syracuse Central School District students benefit from a quality education to maintain and enhance the level of excellence in North Syracuse schools. With the unfortunate reality of diminishing local and federal funding, the NSEF has filled the desperate need of stretching budgets by funding projects and materials to enhance students’ education.
In its 20 years of existence, the NSEF has funded more than $200,000 worth of programs that have directly benefited all students from grades pre-k through 12. The group’s mission is to sponsor activities and projects intended to enhance the education and cultural enrichment of students of the NSCSD. Programs and materials provided through the NSEF supplement those typically funded by the regular school budget.
Scan the QR code above to make a donation to the NSEF 20K for 20 Years fundraiser.
North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education Member Robert Crabtree shared this photo of two Cicero-North Syracuse High School athletes, Kate Putman (right) and Gabby Putman, after learning that the Girls Cross County team had won this year's Sectional Championship and the two girls placed second and first respectively. Congratulations ladies! Click here to read more about the win on the Cicero-North Syracuse High School Athletics website.
District Reminders!
OCTOBER 31: There is a half-day of school for all NSCSD students on Monday, October 31 due to staff workshops. Check you child's school building website for half-day dismissal times.
NOVEMBER 7: Board of Education meeting at 6 PM at North Syracuse Junior High School. If you'd like to attend the meeting in-person, you must pre-register by Friday, November 4. Please email jherrera@nscsd.org to attend.
NOVEMBER 8: Election Day/Superintendent's Conference Day - No School for Students.
NOVEMBER 11: Veteran's Day - No School for Students or Staff.
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