NorthStar Lights

Hello North Syracuse Central School District Parents, Guardians, Teachers and Staff,

Tonight, our Cicero-North Syracuse High School Class of 2022 will cross the stage at the New York State Fairgrounds Expo Center. As I've been reflecting on the year considering what I'll say to our students and families tonight, one thing that stands out is how much we have to be proud of. Hundreds of our graduates are receiving scholarships and honors this year and even more students of all ages have been recognized with various accolades and awards. Our staff have been working together for over a year now to develop a Strategic Plan to guide our District over the next five years. The work they've accomplished together is incredible and I am so proud of it.

The pride I feel for our students and staff is intensified when I think about the great things our District has to look forward to. We are on a journey together and it is an exciting one. So tonight, when I address the Class of 2022 and their friends and family, I will ask them to consider their personal journeys. I will ask them, "What is your why?" and I will encourage them, and all of us, to find their why...their passion.

In life, if we consistently work toward our "why," we will always be going in the right direction. Graduation is a milestone. The end of one thing and the beginning of another. Of course it can be scary to take on something new...but do it. Move forward knowing that the goal, the passion, is worth the steps in the journey to get there.

As we say goodbye to another Class of graduates, who I know will go on to do great things, I want to let these young people know that I believe in them. I have appreciated the connections that I've had with these students and I hope that some of our interactions have inspired them to find their passions...whatever they may be. I truly hope that their journeys through the NSCSD have brought them joy and fulfillment.

As for those of us staying behind to nurture the next years of graduates, I encourage you to reach out and make a connection with just one student. There are hidden passions inside all of our young people that just need to be brought out by a caring adult. You never know...one interaction can literally change a life.

Please stay safe and enjoy your summer.

Sincerely,

Daniel D. Bowles, Superintendent of Schools

The Cicero-North Syracuse High School Class of 2022 will cross the stage tonight at the New York State Fairgrounds Expo Center. The ceremony will take place at 6:00 p.m. and the livestream will begin at 5:55 p.m. Click here to view the livestream event. Congratulations Class of 2022!

For the first time in more than three decades, Erin Horner, a 1986 graduate of Cicero High School, was able to slide her high school class ring onto her finger, thanks to the dedicated detective work of a soon-to-be NSCSD retiree. Erin, who was a part of the school’s marching band and colorguard, had ordered the class ring as a memento of her beloved high school activities. At some point after school, Erin lost the ring but could never pinpoint where it could have gone.

When Marilyn Nandin, the secretary to Superintendent of Schools Dan Bowles, came to work for the District Office in February of 2011, she happened to come across a class ring that had haphazardly been shoved into the back of a credenza in her office. Unsure where the ring had come from, Marilyn initially asked around the office to find its owner but after several dead-ends, she placed the ring into a desk drawer and forgot about it. From time to time, Marilyn would see the ring and think about renewing her efforts to track down its owner but as typically happens, she would then get busy with work and the ring would get left in the drawer.

Click here to read the complete article online.

Third grade students at Allen Road Elementary School recently took part in a collaborative project for their art and music classes. During their art classes, the students made usable rainsticks and during their music classes, they learned how do perform a raindance. Once the students in-class lessons were complete, the classes got together and performed in front of other grades. Music teacher Kristina Vernyi says, "We also explained what the Rainsticks and the Raindance were used for by tribes. Students also had an opportunity to create their own tribal dance in groups and display it for each other. It was a really great learning experience and a lot of fun!"

Click here to see a slideshow of pictures online.

Congratulations to Cicero-North Syracuse High School Senior Jacob Garofalo who won a $500 North Syracuse Education Foundation (NSEF) Student Volunteerism Scholarship awarded at the NSEF June board meeting. Jacob will be attending McGill University in the Fall and studying French.

Jacob has been a student rep with the NSEF for 3 years and participated in many events such as the following:

• Selling certificates for Paladino’s pizza where he raised $270
• NSEF golf tournament in sophomore year
• Open House at CNS in sophomore year
• Can and bottle drive junior year

We wish Jacob the best of luck as he moves on to college - he will be missed at the NSEF!

Click here to read the complete article online.

On Saturday, June 4, family and friends of the North Syracuse Early Education Program gathered together at the school's Family Fun Festival. The event was put on by the PTO and had something fun for everyone. PTO member Stacey Tracy shared event pictures and told that there were food and ice cream trucks, the Book Van Go was there and there were lots of water activities to keep cool on the warm day. The event had face painting and balloon characters too. North Syracuse police and fire department personnel came and the kids were able to be finger printed for their families. Stacey said, "It was a great event and was well attended by many students and families and we had many teachers volunteer!"

A big "thank you" to everyone who made the event possible!

Click here to see more event pictures online.

The North Syracuse Central School District, through the auspices of the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison (OCM) BOCES, offers secondary summer school programs to students in grades 7-8 and 9-12. Students must meet the summer school eligibility requirements to enroll in these Regional Summer School Programs.

Programs will take place at Ray Middle School (7650 Vanburen Road) in Baldwinsville for high school students and at North Syracuse Junior High School (5353 West Taft Road) in North Syracuse for middle school students.

Busing for students in the North Syracuse Central School District is provided at group stops. Click here to view summer school bus information.

Allen Road Elementary School's special area 4th grade teachers (Art- MeganPaye, Music-Kristina Vernyi, Library-Nicole Benson, Physical Education-Cody Casalletta and Stephen Mirizio) came together this spring to involve students in a unique collaboration. All four teachers taught individual lessons about the Olympic games and then created and acted out their own games.

Click here to read the complete article and see pictures online.

North Syracuse Central School District families are invited to attend a special, free webinar on supporting LGBTQ+Youth. The webinar, provided through the School Mental Health Resource and Training Center, will take place on Wednesday, June 29 from 7 to 8 p.m.

June is Pride Month where we celebrate the beautiful diversity, struggle for justice and importance of inclusion and representation for the rainbow that is the LGBTQ+ community. But beyond the parades, rainbows, flags and celebrations there are young people who struggle every day as a result of beliefs, actions and words that deny their very existence

The webinar will explore ways parents and caregivers can create affirming and supportive family environments for youth.

Speakers:

• Signy Furiya, LCSW, Director of Well Being Institute of the Hudson Valley Pride Center
• James Baptiste, Program Coordinator of the Hudson Valley Pride Center

Register at: https://www.mentalhealthednys.org/beyond_pride_supporiting_-lgbtq__-youth_mental_healththe-power-of-positive-self-talk/

Registration closes 24 hours prior to the webinar: Tuesday, June 28th at 7:00pm

Throughout the pandemic, nutritious school meals have contributed to student achievement, supported America’s families and provided a critical safety net during economic hardships. Thanks to federal child nutrition waivers, all students, regardless of income, have had access to free meals during the pandemic. Unfortunately, the federal waivers expire on June 30, 2022 and Congress and the USDA have opted to not continue child nutrition waivers. This means that districts will no longer be able to provide free meals for all students for the 2022-2023 school year.

What this means for NSCSD Families:

• Families must fill out free and reduced meal price applications for the 2022-2023 school year and meet income qualifications in order to receive free meals.
• Families who do not qualify for free and reduced price meals for students will need to resume paying for school lunches.

Over the summer, the NSCSD will be setting meal prices for the 2022-2023 school year and will be sending out Free and Reduced Applications and guidelines. It is important to complete an application to ensure that your child’s benefits continue. Completing a form will affect any future PEBT payments and will help with tuition and test assistance. The Food Service Department does not receive money from the General Fund and relies on meal reimbursements for our program.

As in the past, meals must be purchased only with cash or funds available on student accounts, no charging will be allowed.

Did you know that the North Syracuse Central School District is hiring? There are a variety of positions available, both full and part-time. Learn more about employment with the District online by clicking here. Applications can also be submitted online.

Our Transportation Department is still accepting applications! Get yours in now to start the July training program. http://nscsd.org/jobs

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 or click here to upload them.

Cicero-North Syracuse High School Art Teacher Kara Daviau recently shared photos from the school's senior ball. Kara's pictures of the event, which was held at the Syracuse Marriott on Friday, June 10, are available in a slideshow by clicking here. Jill Coleman, an NSCSD employee and parent in the District, also shared her photos (pictured to the right and below) by email.

Roxboro Road Elementary School's therapy dog, Sydney, made a special visit to the school on the last day of the 2021-2022 school year to wish students and staff a happy summer. Sydney, who belongs to the school's Restorative Practices Specialist, Natalie Walters, has been a regular visitor this year. Click here to read more about Sydney and Natalie.

Colleen Buxton, the mom of Gillette Road Middle School student Owen Buxton, shared photos of Owen receiving certificates at the school's award's ceremony on Thursday, June 9. Colleen shared several photos of Owen and Max Wike as they received honor roll and presidential academic excellence awards. Congratulations!

Earlier this week, we ­received the picture above from a retired ­teacher. The retiree saw it while she was out walking in her ­neighborhood and wanted to share it. What a great message of thanks from a child to their bus driver. This is a great reminder of what keeps the NSCSD going! Thank you for a great year! Enjoy your summer!

Did you know that the North Syracuse Central School District's Athletics Department has a weekly email newsletter? If you'd like to subscribe to the newsletter, click here to fill out the necessary form.

The North Syracuse Central School District produces a weekly digital newsletter, "NorthStar Lights," to share important information and good news with NSCSD families and staff. Parents and staff members automatically receive the newsletter through SchoolMessenger.

Grandparents, community members and all friends of the NSCSD are welcome to subscribe by providing an email address by clicking here. Newsletters are emailed each Friday when school is in session. Help us share the good news and the great things happening in the NSCSD!

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