Syracuse City School District News from the Schools February & March 2015

Syracuse City School District
News from the Schools
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Michelle Mignano
President
Patricia Body
David Cecile
Derrick Dorsey
Mark D. Muhammad
Maxwell Ruckdeschel
Stephen Swift
Sharon L. Contreras
Superintendent of Schools
Jaime Alicea
Chief Operations Officer
Kim Bradley
Chief of Staff
Jeremy Grant-Skinner
Executive Director
of Talent Management
Brandan Keaveny, Ed.D.
Chief Accountability Officer
Paula Shannon
Chief Academic Officer
Suzanne Slack
Chief Financial Officer
MISSION
To build, support and sustain
school communities that
provide all students with a
high-quality education that
prepares them to graduate as
responsible, active citizens
ready for success in college
and careers and prepared to
compete in a global economy.
VISION
To become the most
improved urban school
district in America.
ULTIMATE GOAL
An educational community
that graduates every student
as a responsible, active
citizen prepared for success
in college, careers and the
global economy.
Mailing Address:
1025 Erie Boulevard West
Syracuse, NY 13204
Physical Address:
725 Harrison Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
Stay Connected
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February & March 2015
Dear Parents & Families,
As a winter of record-setting cold hopefully comes
to a close, it is heartwarming to see the many great
things happening in schools across the Syracuse
City School District. Our students, staff and school
communities continue to impress with their hard
work, talent and accomplishments.
I want to ensure that all families are aware that
the proposed 2015-2016 budget has now been
introduced. We created a district budget with
several important priorities in mind. We constantly
aim to make certain that the Syracuse City School
District is effectively supporting our students and
their families, developing college, career and civic
readiness programming, investing in our teachers
and leaders and fostering a culture of excellence.
Your feedback and involvement is crucial in the
budget process, and I encourage you to view our
complete Budget Book online at
www.syracusecityschools.com.
I’m excited for you to read about all of the ways our
students, faculty, staff and volunteers are working
to improve themselves and our district as a whole.
Whether they achieve personal or academic
feats, we feel such pride to see all members of our
community reach new heights. For instance, a
Nottingham High School Senior was named the
2015 Racial Justice Award Winner by InterFaith
Works for the work she is doing to bridge the gaps
between city and suburban schools. A McKinleyBrighton Physical Education teacher received an
American Heart Association award for saving
a student’s life. Close to 700 volunteers were
recognized for their service to our district, and
students at the Syracuse Latin School and Hughes
Elementary School participated in Read Across
America Day thanks to a visit from some special
guests from The Links, Inc.
Community partnerships continue to play an
influential role in the development of SCSD
students, and this newsletter highlights several of
these collaborations. SRC, Inc. recently donated
science equipment to our Engineering Ambassadors
Program, and mentors from a dozen local
businesses worked with students in the Institute of
Technology’s P-TECH program, providing feedback
on a research project students are working on.
A career fair at Roberts Pre-K-8 School exposed
even our younger students to the many career
possibilities that await them.
There truly are countless ways our students,
faculty, staff and school volunteers are spreading
warmth and joy not only in our schools, but also
in the community at large. The ongoing triumphs
occurring throughout the Syracuse City Schools
show that greatness is blooming all around us, and
we will make every effort to ensure that this growth
continues.
SAVE THE DATE!
Parent University
Family ConferencE
with Byron V. Garrett
Saturday, April 25, 2015
11:00-3:00 PM
“
Free copy of his book, The ABCs of Life, for first 125 registered attendees!
”
Exceptional... meticulously written, this book is filled with simple principles that will stimulate
and activate you to achieve your purpose and goals. The ABCs will definitely empower you!
—Tichina Arnold, Mother, Actress, and Singer
February & March 2015
Now Showing:
High School Theater Performances
Theater season is now in session in the Syracuse
City School District! High school productions
of Footloose were performed on March 13-14 at
Corcoran High School and Rent was performed on
March 13-15 at Nottingham High School. Henninger
students performed Cinderella on March 20-21.
Missed these performances? Catch Fowler High
School’s on April 30th or May 1-2 to see students
perform Once on this Island.
Once on this Island
Fowler High School
April 30th or May 1-2
6:30 p.m.
News from the Schools
2015-2016 Proposed Budget
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The proposed 2015-16 budget has a continued focus on improving student
achievement by aligning resources with the district’s strategic plan, Great
Expectations. In particular, the budget is predicated on five priorities:
1 Ensure college, career and civic readiness
2 Investing in our teachers and leaders
3 Fostering vibrant school cultures and climates,
and serving all students
4 Creating a culture of excellence
5 Engaging, informing and listening
These priorities encompass the
following initiatives: ongoing
curriculum development and revision;
additional intervention support for
struggling learners; continued support
for the APPR process; ongoing support
for compliance with the Assurance of
Discontinuance; and the expansion
of security supports at schools. In
addition, the district will continue to
expand classrooms and instructional
resources at Delaware Primary,
Syracuse Latin, and the Public Service
Leadership Academy at Fowler, as
these schools enter their second year.
If you have any questions about the
proposed budget, please send them
directly to us at [email protected].
For more information visit
www.syracusecityschools.com
Nottingham
Senior Named
2015 Racial
Justice Award
Winner by
InterFaith Works
Congratulations to Nottingham
senior Ranya Shannon, honored
by InterFaith Works with its
2015 Racial Justice Award (youth
category). Ranya has attended
the Seeds of Peace summer camp
twice and continues to build on
the leadership and negotiation
skills she developed while at
Seeds in Maine. Through Seeds,
Ranya has also had the privilege
of attending a three-day Harvard
Negotiation and Mediation
Seminar as well as speaking at the
United Nations on International
Peace Day about the work she is
doing in Syracuse.
She has also been a part of
Community Wide Dialogue for
two years, an intense dialogue
program that bridges the gaps
between Syracuse’s inner city and
suburban schools.
Stay Connected
Stay Involved
Adult Education Student Named
Student of the Year for 2015
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syracusecityschools.com
After dropping out of school as
a youngster and struggling with
homelessness and drug addiction,
Jayne enrolled in evening classes at the
Syracuse City School District’s (SCSD)
Adult Education program where she
began on her path to complete a High
School Equivalency (HSE) class and
pursue a high school diploma.
She subsequently applied for New York
State certification as a Certified Nursing
Assistant and went back to work at a
local nursing home in Syracuse. This
past September, Jayne enrolled in the
Licensed Practical Nursing program at
The culmination of her hard work and
determination was realized this past June
when she received her HSE diploma.
the SCSD and is now studying to earn
credentials to become an LPN as she
continues to work part time. In addition
to her schooling, Jayne is also giving
back to her community. She attends
group sessions at a local hospital detox
program where she mentors others who
are struggling with addiction.
The Syracuse City School District’s Adult
Education program is designed to assist
adults in the development of skills and
knowledge needed for today’s workforce.
We are pleased to see Jayne recognized
as an example of what can be achieved
with hard work and commitment to the
program!
Graduation Dates Announced
The 2014-15 SCSD June High School Commencement Schedule is set for the
five high schools and our Adult Education and LPN Programs. If you have any
questions concerning the graduation ceremonies, please contact your child’s school.
Adult GED Program
Thursday, June 11 – 6:00 pm
Fowler High School Auditorium
Corcoran
Saturday, June 27 – 10:00 am
SRC Arena, Onondaga Community College
Adult LPN Program
Monday, June 22 – 6:00 pm
Fowler High School Auditorium
Fowler
Saturday, June 27 – 1:00 pm
SRC Arena, Onondaga Community College
Institute of Technology
Friday, June 26 – 6:00 pm
Moon Patio – SUNY @ ESF
Henninger
Saturday, June 27 – 4:00 pm
SRC Arena, Onondaga Community College
(Inclement Weather Location:
ITC Gymnasium)
Nottingham
Saturday, June 27 – 7:00 pm
SRC Arena, Onondaga Community College
February & March 2015
2015
News from the Schools
Adult Education student Jayne Helyer
has been recognized as one of the New
York Association for Continuing and
Community Education Students of the
Year for 2015.
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February & March 2015
News from the Schools
4
Students
Celebrate
‘Read Across
America’ Day
Students at The Syracuse Latin School and
Hughes Elementary School celebrated “Read
Across America” day with a little help from
the community. Volunteers from the local
chapter of The Links, Inc. and Superintendent
Contreras read some of the students’ favorite
Dr. Seuss titles.
The Links, Inc. is an international, nonprofit
corporation that consists of nearly 14,000
professional women of color in 280 chapters
across 41 states. On “Read Across America”
day, students, educators and communities are
reminded of the importance of education.
Together, students at The Syracuse Latin School
and Hughes ES, The Links, Inc. volunteers and
Superintendent Contreras celebrated the power
of reading and imagination.
S.W.A.G.: The new S.W.A.G. (Study. Work. Achieve.
Graduate.) initiative is helping the students learn how to
study and stay more organized, with a goal of achieving
higher GPA success. The initiative includes an initial
training session and on-going one-on-one support.
Big Dreams + Big Impact =
Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection
H
Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, an evidence
based model, has a number of initiatives that empower
youth to graduate from high school and realize their
dreams of college and career. These include:
Beyond the Bell: Since much of what determines a
child’s success happens outside of school time, HWSC works with students afternoons, weekends, over
school breaks and during the summer. The program
offers academic support and tutoring, employment
assistance, post-secondary guidance and enrichments.
Since September, the youth have attended almost 14,000
Beyond the Bell program hours.
employed in part-time positions through the program’s
Employment Partners.
Special Enrichments: Beginning in the summer of
2014, Hillside partnered with Syracuse University’s
Whitman School of Management to offer students a
week-long Entrepreneurial Summer Camp that focused
on topics such as
introduction to
entrepreneurialism,
market research,
and budget
fundamentals,
and included
visits to the SU
Whitman School,
the Tech Garden
and the South
Side Innovation
Center. The
summer program
was enhanced by
a pilot “hatchery”
program during the
school year which
is allowing the
students the opportunity to explore their own business
idea from concept to implementation. Students are
also involved in classes related to cooking, drawing,
gardening, photography, engineering, writing,
physical fitness, music recording and community
volunteering.
February & March 2015
illside Work-Scholarship Connection (HW-SC),
a non-profit program that has been part of the
Syracuse City School District for over two decades,
is more than 1,000 students strong for the 2014/2015
academic year. HW-SC, an affiliate of Hillside Family
of Agencies, is a nationally recognized leader in
delivering solutions to the graduation crisis, delivering
consistent, measurable results for school districts and
their students in the areas of high school graduation,
college and career readiness, and employment. During
the 2013/2014 school year, 98% of the students enrolled
in the HW-SC program in the Syracuse City School
District, who stayed with the program, graduated on
time and 66% of those students went on to college.
News from the Schools
YETA / Employment Program: HW-SC’s Jobs Institute
helps young people acquire the skills they need to
be successful on the job, providing them with a solid
foundation upon which they can build their future
careers. Currently, the program has 200 students
certified through YETA, and 148 of those students are
These are just a few of the programs that make
Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection in
Syracuse a smart investment for our youth, their
families, the school and the community. For more
information on the Hillside Work-Scholarship
Connection, call 315/558-6100.
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February & March 2015
News from the Schools
CNY SCHOLASTIC
ART AWARDS
6
E
very year junior and senior high school students
from the Central New York area enter the
annual CNY Scholastic Art Award competition. The
competition was founded by Scholastic Inc. and is
sponsored by M&T Bank.
Last year alone the Central
New York region produced 16
national award winners. The
pieces are judged for entry
in the national competition,
local cash prizes and special
recognition. Area art teachers
who volunteer with the CNY
Scholastic Art Advisory
Council coordinate the
program.
This year, the annual art
competition had several
winners representing the
Syracuse City School District
high schools including
three Gold Key winners, the
highest honor. December
Aung (Nottingham), sculpture, Sydney Cardarelli
(Nottingham), fashion and Ema Furuya (Nottingham),
comic art all won Gold Keys. Henninger’s William
Latour won a Silver Key in the portfolio category
and Ema Furuya also took home a
Silver Key for sculpture. Student
submissions from Fowler, Corcoran,
Henninger and Nottingham High
Schools also received honorable
mentions.
GOLD KEY
AWARD WINNER
“Summer Breeze”
by December Aung
2015
Scholastic
Art Award
Winners
GOLD KEY
AWARD WINNER
Award
School/ Teacher
Dah Ler
Art Portfolio
Honorable Mention
Fowler/ Kristen “Izzy” Dugger
December Aung
“Tea and Crumpets”
Ceramics & Glass
Honorable Mention
Nottingham/ Christina Ferlenda
December Aung
“Summer Breeze”
Sculpture
Gold Key
Nottingham/ Christina Ferlenda
Sydney Cardarelli Gold Key
“Syria: The Deluge of War”
Fashion
Nottingham/ Christina Ferlenda
Ema Furuya
“The Dream Eaters”
Comic Art
Gold Key
Nottingham/ Christina Ferlenda
Ema Furuya
“Lapinly”
Sculpture
Silver Key
Nottingham/ Christina Ferlenda
Gretchen Horst
“Sunflowers in Spain”
Mixed Media
Honorable Mention
Nottingham/ Christina Ferlenda
Mirela Kasumovic
“zmaj”
Ceramics & Glass
Honorable Mention
Nottingham/ Christina Ferlenda
William Latour
Art Portfolio
Silver Key
Henninger/ Mike Field
Marcos Fuentes
“Contemplation”
Mixed Media
Honorable Mention
Corcoran/ Christina Sikorski
Marcos Fuentes
“Marcos Self-Portrait”
Mixed Media
Honorable Mention
Corcoran/ Christina Sikorski
Jerri Wilhite
“Chantelle Winnie”
Painting
Honorable Mention
Corcoran/ Christina Sikorski
February & March 2015
Student
News from the Schools
“The Dream Eaters”
by Ema Furuya
GOLD KEY
AWARD WINNER
“Syria: The Deluge of War”
by Sydney Cardarelli
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News from the Schools
February & March 2015
Superintendent Contreras
8
Honors District Volunteers
SCSD Superintendent Sharon Contreras and Board
of Education President Michelle Mignano hosted
a Volunteer Recognition Luncheon to honor the
close to 700 individuals who gave their time to the
Syracuse City School District in the last year.
The luncheon featured remarks from Nottingham
High School Principal David Maynard, Ms. Mignano
and Superintendent Contreras— as well as a
performance by the Dr. King Elementary School
Choir and musical entertainment by the Henninger
High School Jazz Ensemble.
On behalf of all past, present and future Syracuse
City School District students, Superintendent
Contreras thanked the more than 250 attendees for
their service to the district. Each volunteer makes a
valuable contribution to our school community. If
you have volunteered your time, thank you!
News from the Schools
February & March 2015
9
February & March 2015
P-TECH Mentoring
Students within the P-TECH program located at the Institute of Technology met
with participating mentors from local businesses in order to receive feedback on
a research project in which the students are currently engaged. The end result will
be a Prezi (online 21st century version of a slide show) that outlines the history,
goals, products, and careers, of the businesses participating in the mentoring
program. Mentors filled out a feedback sheet, students took notes, and many
questions were answered. Both the P-TECH students and participating local
companies are looking forward to the final presentations.
News from the Schools
A big thank you to participating companies and volunteers:
United Radio
Darco Manufacturing, Inc.
G.A. Braun, Inc.
Hayner Hoyt Corporation
Liftech Equipment Co., Inc.
Lockheed Martin
Marquardt Switches Inc.
Midstate Spring, Inc.
National Grid
Rock Tenn - Solvay Mill
Tech Bridge International, Inc.
James Yu
Board Member Receives
Mastery Award
The Syracuse City School District is proud to announce that one of
our board members, Patricia Body, has earned the Level 3 Board
Mastery Award of the NYS School Boards Association’s School Board
U Recognition Program.
The School Board U Program is designed
to recognize extensive time and effort
given by school board members who strive
to continually expand their governance
knowledge and skills.
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Please join us in congratulating Commissioner
Body for her tireless efforts on behalf of the
staff and students of the Syracuse City School
District!
SCSD Students
Dominate VEX IQ
Robotics Challenge at
The MOST
A group of Syracuse City School
District students were big winners this
past Saturday at the Museum of Science
& Technology (MOST), taking home
numerous awards at the 2015 Central
New York Regional VEX IQ Robotics
Challenge. The VEX IQ Challenge
included a total of 12 participating
teams, each competing on a 4-foot by
8-foot platform with 36 colored cubes
scattered throughout. Teams had to use
robots they created to move as many
cubes as possible from their starting
positions to the scoring zone on the
opposite end of the platform.
The Danforth A Team from Danforth
Middle School took home the
Excellence Award, thanks to team
members Terrance Henry (7th grade)
and Rakim Gunn (8th grade) and
teacher Justin Abbott. In addition to
earning the Excellence Award, the
Danforth A Team also worked with
the Techtonics Team from Lincoln
Middle School to receive the Teamwork
Champion Awards. The Techtonics
team, Matthew McCauliffe and Donnie
Fuller (both in 7th grade) was led by
teacher Thomas Butler.
Grant Middle School’s Team Cheetahs,
sixth-graders Montana Goodnow and
Paige Sutton and teacher Rob Woolery,
also earned a prize: the Robot Skills
Champion Award. Meanwhile, Frazer
Middle School seventh-grader Jade Cox
(with teachers Sam Spalding and John
Jaworski) impressed the judges with
her commitment and perseverance,
competing as a team of one.
Also demonstrating collaboration was
the Westside Academy at Blodgett H
team. Eighth-graders Miguel Acosta,
Jazmine Hollowman and Anibal Padilla
and teacher Fahad Rahmat earned the
Sportmanship Award when Acosta
teamed up with Frazer’s Jade Cox to
help her compete.
Congratulations to all teams on
their impressive performances!
McKinley-Brighton Teacher
Receives Heartsaver Hero Award
Straub performed CPR on one of his
players when she went into cardiac arrest
during practice earlier this school year.
After Straub accepted the Heartsaver
Hero Award, Kindergarteners at
McKinley-Brighton Elementary School
took part in some heart healthy play to
help them learn about the importance of
physical fitness.
SRC,Inc.
Donates Science Equipment
to Engineering Ambassadors Program
News from the Schools
The American Heart
Association recently
presented McKinley-Brighton
PE teacher Ted Straub with
a Heartsaver Hero Award, in
recognition of the lifesaving
actions he took to save a
student’s life. Also, serving as
the Nottingham High School
modified girls soccer coach,
three sites explore the STEM
fields.
Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public &
Community Service (Shaw Center),
the Syracuse University College of
Engineering and Computer Science
(E&CS), and the Syracuse City School
District (SCSD).
Students at Westside Academy at
Blodgett, Edward Smith K-8 School and
Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection
will benefit from the newly donated
science equipment thanks to SRC Inc.
February & March 2015
SRC Inc. President & Chief Executive
Officer Paul Tremont presented $7,800
worth of science equipment to the
three sites involved in the Engineering
Ambassadors Program at Ed Smith
School. SRC Inc., a not-for-profit research
and development leader in science,
technology, and information fields,
provided the science equipment through
its Engineering Ambassadors Program
that helps 6th – 8th grade students at all
In its 9th year, the
Engineering Ambassadors
Program was developed to
increase students’ interest in
the science and technology
fields. The program helps
transition students from
middle school into high
school, supporting them to
persist to graduation, and in
their pursuit of career goals
through post-secondary training or
higher education. Syracuse University
College of Engineering and Computer
Science students serve as role models,
leaders and friends to the SCSD students
enrolled in the after-school mentoring
program while facilitating handson science lessons. The Engineering
Ambassadors Program is a collaboration
between SRC Inc., Syracuse University’s
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Ed Smith School Hosts
News from the Schools
February & March 2015
12th Annual African American
Professional Panel Discussion
12
Students, staff and community
members came together to
take part in the Syracuse City
School District’s 12th Annual
African American Professional
Panel Discussion, hosted by
Edward Smith K-8 School.
Principal Samuel Barber, Vice
Principals Uzo Unobagha
and Lydia Rosero and Board
of Education Commissioner
Mark D. Muhammad all took
part in the festivities.
In addition, those attending
learned about First Lady
Michelle Obama’s “Let’s
Move!” initiative and enjoyed
a dance performance by
Ed Smith students. Panel
members participating in the day’s discussion included
Paula Johnson (Professor of Law and Co-Director of
the Cold Case Justice Initiative at Syracuse University),
Councilor Khalid Bey (Syracuse Common Councilor,
author and business owner) and SCSD Board of Education
Commissioner Muhammad.
Participants also got to take part in the unveiling of the
African-American postal stamp, led by Darlene Dow of
the U.S. Postal Service. Thank you to all who attended this
spirited discussion!
Helps Students Become
Environmentally Aware
Launched in 2011 by the Central New York Regional
Planning and Development Board, the Energy
Challenge was initially created for adults to work with
friends and neighbors to reduce energy consumption.
This school year, the Classroom Energy Challenge
began, to help make these
energy efficiency lessons
accessible to students.
Offices Relocating/
New Hours of Operation
Please note that the following offices have recently
relocated to:
Rockwest Building
1005 W. Fayette Street, 4th Floor
(corner of W. Fayette and S. Geddes Street)
Student Registration Center
8:30 – 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday
435-4545
Student Records
8:30 – 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday
435-4103
Pre-Kindergarten
8:30 – 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday
435-4276
Parent Partnership Network and
Parent University
8:30 – 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday
435-4545
Courtesy of an EPA
Environmental Education Grant, students at Hughes,
McKinley-Brighton and ELMS can also take part in the
Waste Reduction Leadership Project, a partnership with
the Syracuse Center of Excellence and the Onondaga
County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA). This
project educates students on how to take steps to reduce
waste, reuse and recycle, as well as how to encourage
their peers to join in.
The Syracuse City School District is committed to
reducing the amount of energy consumed and waste
produced within the district and ensuring that students
of all grade levels at all schools are aware of the
important role they can play in this process. Thanks to
a partnership with Energy Training Solutions, Green
SCSD is able to continue educating students about how
to be environmentally aware citizens!
SPELLING BEE
In February, Edward Smith 8th grader Natalie Feikes
and H.W. Smith 7th grader Olivier Poirer competed
on the televised oral competition of the Post Standard/
WCNY Spelling Bee. This annual event is aired on
WCNY (PBS), and the winner of the oral competition
gets to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in
May near Washington, D.C.
February & March 2015
As part of the program,
students have the
opportunity to participate
on a KiloWatch Team,
where they measure
energy usage in school
and then come up with
a plan to help conserve
and reduce energy use
school wide. Students at
Danforth Middle
School, ELMS and
Frazer K-8 School
are also monitoring
energy usage in
their school through
KiloWatch.
News from the Schools
Students at Ed Smith and HW Smith Pre-K-8 Schools
have been learning how to be more environmentally
aware, taking part in the Green SCSD ‘Classroom
Energy Challenge,’ a pilot program funded by the
CNY Community Foundation and NY State Pollution
Prevention Institute.
Congratulations to both students on their
achievement!
Dr. Weeks Students
Are the FUTURE!
Dr. Weeks Elementary
School Wildcats received
“I am the Future T-shirts!”
Thank you to all the Go
Fund Me Donors who
helped raise money to
purchase the T-shirts.
We are so proud of the
students showing their
Wildcat Pride.
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February & March 2015
Corcoran Sophomore
Signe Golash
Takes Fencing World by Storm
Corcoran High Schol student Signe Golash holds a
personal record: she can now solve a Rubik’s Cube in
just 47 seconds. “It’s based on algorithms,” she explains,
adding that she taught herself this impressive feat in
three days by watching a YouTube video.
News from the Schools
Signe, a sophomore, has a mind for such
challenges—in fact, she is currently taking an extra
math class this year because she modestly asserts,
“None of the other electives interest me.”
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A two-time award winner at the Museum of Science
and Technology (MOST) Science Fair, Signe hopes
to one day become a mathematician or study
theoretical computer science. Her current MOST
science fair project is preparing her well: she is
studying a computer science problem known as ‘P
versus NP.’
Signe’s talents are not limited just to academics,
though. At age nine, Signe and her father attended
an Introduction to Fencing course at the Fayetteville
YMCA. Signe was quickly enamored with the sport
and soon joined the Syracuse Musketeers, a local
fencing club, where she began practicing fencing
epee.
Now, several years and countless hours of practice
later, her skills have advanced and Signe has moved
from epee to fencing saber. She recently achieved an
A2014 rating in fencing saber—a rarity for someone
her age—and she has even participated in the Junior
Olympics!
Signe’s saber coach of four years, Austin Dunyk, is a
former Penn State All-American fencer. She praises
Signe’s dedication to the sport, saying that while
others’ interests have waned through the years, Signe
is the one who has
continued despite
frustrations.
“She has her eyes on
the prize. For her,
there is absolutely
no deviating from
being excellent and
being the best she
can be. She can
compete with the
best of the best and
bring home medals,
and she couldn’t
do that without her
inherent discipline,
passion and desire.”
Thanks to her
fencing skills, Signe
has now traveled
to most of the
Northeastern United
States. She’s also been to California, Oregon, Virginia
and Tennessee. In Memphis, she recalls a time she saw
acrobats doing flips down Beale Street.
To prepare for the competitions that guide her travels,
Signe spends an hour and a half each day practicing
her skills—including a twice-a-week trip to Rochester
where she can practice her fencing saber. Both Signe
and her coach cite her parents’ support for making
her success possible, with Austin calling them,
“unbelievable cheerleaders.” That support has clearly
paid off.
“In the last four years, Signe has grown up in a lot of
ways. She’s gained maturity, and she is taking more
responsibility for her successes. She keeps training and
does not settle for what she is already succeeding in. If
she continues on the path she’s on, she will definitely
be looking at opportunities to fence in college,” Austin
insists.
While Signe has already earned some impressive
fencing achievements, she says she has no plans to
make the sport her main focus.
That said, Signe says she has learned countless
Time management is something Signe has now
mastered. Between her schoolwork, fencing schedule
and other hobbies, Signe shrugs off any notion that she
has too much on her plate.
“I just do what needs to get done and try not to let it
stress me out,” she says.
Leading up to the competition at which she earned
her A2014 rating in fencing, Signe details the pressure
she faced. There was a lot of footwork to do, she says,
and it was an exhausting day.
“I had to have the mindset of, ‘I can do that!’” Signe
said. “My stomach was hurting, my legs were tired, but
I just kept going.”
News from the Schools
“I’m hoping to fence competitively in college—maybe
at Cornell University,” Signe said. “But it would take
about five hours a day to compete professionally, and I
want to keep my focus on academics.”
lessons from her fencing experiences. Among them,
sportsmanship (“There’s a lot of screaming in fencing,”
she explains), patience, communication skills and time
management.
And keep going she will—into the bright future that
awaits.
Congratulations to the Henninger High School Black
Knights on winning the Section III Class AA Boys
Basketball Championship! Led by Coach Erik Saroney,
the team advanced to the State Regionals with a 59 – 51
win over Bishop Ludden.
Congratulations
Coach JIM Marsh
493 Wins!
Most wins by a
Section III Girls
Basketball Coach
Congratulations are also in order for Corcoran High
School Girls Basketball Coach Jim Marsh, who this
year scored his 493rd coaching win, giving him the
most wins by a Section III girls basketball coach!
The Lady Cougars’ 41 – 38 win over Liverpool High
School helped Marsh, in his 31st year of coaching,
unseat former Nottingham coach Willetta Spease
with her 492 career wins.
February & March 2015
SCSD
Basketball Team
wins section iii title
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15
February & March 2015
Huntington seventh grader Max Connolly explained, “It’s
really interesting. I like going to booths to learn about
things I might like to do, like study electricity. It’s really
cool that these people come to our school to help us learn
about what we can do in the future.”
Career Fairs
Expose Students
to Future Job
Opportunities
At the Roberts Pre-K-8 School Career Fair, professionals
from an assortment of careers set up displays in the
school cafeteria and students had a chance to interview
career representatives.
News from the Schools
The Career Fair representatives were extremely impressed
with our students this year. Presenters mentioned that
the students they met were polite and professional, wellspoken and prepared, noting that students made eye
contact and asked relevant questions.
Employers said they were
impressed with the
professionalism and
interest shown by
students. Steve
Spaeth, Veterans
and Disabled
Outreach Specialist
for National Grid,
mentioned that
his industry has the
potential to lose 40%
of its workforce in the
coming years.
“
When I grow up, I most
likely want to be a technician
or work in the medical
field, so I liked looking at
all the technology… like
photography, plumbing and
radios. I also learned about
the technology police use to
arrest people!
”
“We came to the career fair to show students their
possibilities now, so when they are career ready, they
will already be exposed. The kids have been asking my
inspiration for joining National Grid, what skills they
would need and other really impressive questions,” he
said.
Elton Garvin, a Radiation Therapy Education Instructor
at Upstate Hospital, drew students to his booth with
actual thermo-plastic molds that he uses in his lab to treat
cancer patients on a day-to-day basis, as well as a video
showing what happens in a radiation lab. “I met one of
my current lab students when I had an exhibit at a high
school career fair,” he says, emphasizing that it’s never too
early to spark a student’s interest in a given field.
Huntington Pre-K-8 School also hosted its 8th annual
Career Fair to allow students in grades 6 to 8 to learn
about potential career possibilities.
Sixth grade ELA teacher Danielle
Alampi said students are prepared
ahead of time on interview
preparation and manners. They were
given a worksheet to complete and a
selection of questions to ask as they
explore the exhibits. “The best part,”
she said, “is when they come back
into the classroom and reflect on their
experience.”
16
Other students learned about programs within the
community. Sixth grader Imani Murphy said, “I liked the
CNY Works exhibit because I learned that they give jobs
to people under age 14.”
This year, students raved about
the opportunity to learn about
career options from the two dozen
employers represented at the fair.
Thank you to all participating organizations, and to our
SCSD students, for their participation in the career fairs!
Sudan Lost Boy John Dau
Visits Danforth
Written by:
Nhy’ere Scanes and Adir Lawrence (Danforth 7th Grade Students)
News from the Schools
February & March 2015
glaze. After that, we put them back
Carter, China Hosea, Ramadan
On Thursday, December 18, 2014,
into kiln and fired it up!!! Then we
Aden,
Kiamesha
Cotton
and
John Dau came to our school to
were ready for the auction.
Rukia
Mkoma.
While
all
10
wrote
talk to us about perseverance. John
outstanding
perseverance
essays,
Dau is the director of the South
The auction was held the night of
only 3 won the prize: Kiamesha,
Sudan Foundation, which builds
the Winter Talent Showcase which
Rukia, and Ramadan. The prize was
medical clinics in his home country.
was attended by many parents,
recognition at the Winter Talent
Mr. Dau told us the story of his
teachers and community members.
Showcase, a gift card, and a surprise
life. He had to walk for a very long
Many people wanted to buy the clay
pizza lunch with Dr. Reeves!
period of time. In one of his horrific
pieces and people were trying to
adventures, he had to cross a river
outbid each other for the clay pieces.
The visit from John Dau was paid for
full of crocodiles. Also, on the side
The teachers did the same for their
by a grant from SCSD Educational
the river there were rebels shooting at
students’ clay pieces to show them
Foundation Grants Program. The
John Dau and his group! I bet it was
in their class. The art auction was
seventh grade teachers wrote the
a very terrifying moment
very successful;
for him! But John and his
we sold exactly
“I
was
very
grateful
for
him
to
come
and
talk
to
group were still walking
$200 dollars. We
us about perseverance and he has given me the
and pushing through the
gave that money to
inspiration to feel like I could get through anything”
difficult obstacles. And did
John Dau for his
I mention he was the tallest
Foundation.
in his group? So that caused
grant to give the kids in our grade an
him to be made the leader of a group
The way that I felt, personally, about
opportunity to hear from someone
of other boys even though he was
making clay pieces and putting them
who has experienced real struggle.
only 9 years old. I was very grateful
in an Art Auction for charity is that
As part of the grant, we also got clay
for him to come and talk to us about
I felt like I did something for the
and other supplies to create artwork
perseverance and he has given me
people of Sudan even if it’s a small
to auction and raise money for John
the inspiration to feel like I could get
Dau’s foundation. We had a lot of fun contribution. Other people most
through anything and feel invincible.
likely felt that way too about doing
doing cool art, but we almost had a
this. Also making the clay pieces
disaster! Ms.Burke, the art teacher,
In connection with the John Dau
was exciting, just from rolling it into
bought the wrong type of glaze and
visit, there was an essay contest on
a ball, to glazing which is a type of
the pots came out chalky instead of
the theme “Perseverance”. There
painting but with a more dry colorful
glossy! So Carlissia Ford and I, Adir
were 10 finalists and 3 winners. The
paint. If I could, I would want to
Lawrence, had to save the day. We
10 finalists were: Lania Whatley,
make another batch of clay pieces,
had to go to the kiln room and paint
Luis Rivera, Nhy’ere Scanes, Jarrod
this time for my family and me.
over the clay pieces with the right
Gables, Jean Hautingimana, Terrel
IMportant dates
APRIL
3
6-10
Good Friday/ Recess (NO SCHOOL)
23
NYS Math Assessment (Gr. 3-8)
Spring Recess (NO SCHOOL)
24
NYS Math Assessment (Gr. 3-8)
Middle School Report Card Distribution
11
SECME Mousetrap Competition
14
NYS ELA Assessment (Gr. 3-8)
27
15
NYS ELA Assessment (Gr. 3-8)
Board of Education Meeting 5:30 p.m.
Elementary School Report Card Distribution
BOE Operations Work Session 4:30 p.m.
28
16
NYS ELA Assessment (Gr. 3-8)
Superintendent’s Parent Council Meeting
6:30-8:00 p.m.
18
ACT Test
22
NYS Math Assessment (Gr. 3-8)
BOE Education Work Session 4:30 p.m.
H.S. Report Card Distribution
*APRIL 14 - MAY 15
New York State English as a Second Language
Achievement Tests (NYSESLATs)- Speaking will
be administered
17
February & March 2015
Ed Smith Students Inspire
with Musical Talents
Ed Smith seventh grader Zoe Curewitz took a unique path
into the world of music. “When I was seven, I saw a guy
playing the piano and I got jealous. I wanted to play better
than he could,” she explains.
Now, five years later, Zoe has finished in second place in
the CNY Association of Music Teachers’ Advance Piano
Competition and has earned a spot performing in the Piano
Competition Winners Recital at the Everson Museum of Art.
The competition featured about a dozen students aged 11 to
13. Nominated by her parents and music teacher, Zoe was
caught off guard by her achievement. “I was surprised, because
I’ve never won an award!” she exclaimed.
Despite her once a week lessons and hour per day of practice,
Zoe calls her piano talent just one of many hobbies. “People
try pressuring me to make piano my future and I say no. If I
end up working in the music industry, I would want to be a
music producer, doing something with electrical dance music,”
she says.
News from the Schools
Seventh grade classmate Yier Jin took an entirely different
road to accomplish similar musical acclaim. Having started
private violin lessons in second grade and joining the school
orchestra in third, music has always been of interest to Yier.
“My mom and dad both play instruments,” she explains.
“Music allows me to express myself in ways I can’t with words.”
In addition to being a talented violinist, Yier has also taken to
composition work. An original composition she wrote with
the help of her father was recently performed by the Syracuse
Youth String Orchestra, of which she is a member.
“My dad is a composer, and he taught me the chords and
harmonics. I thought I would give it a try, and it worked! It
was nerve wracking but exciting,” Yier says of composing
“Four Moments in a Year.”
Yier’s mother sings the praises of the Syracuse City School
District’s music program, citing the various and affordable
opportunities schools provide for students to experiment with
musical instruments. Yet even she recognizes that seventh
grade is young to set any career aspirations.
Yier agrees. “I don’t see myself being deep into music as a
career, but I will continue to play it along and maybe maintain
it as a hobby,” she says.
Congratulations to both students on their musical
achievements!
All-City Instrumental
Music Festival
The Syracuse City School District hosted the 30th Annual All-City
Instrumental Music Festival on Saturday, February 7, 2015 in the
Corcoran High School auditorium.
There were four performing
groups featured: orchestra,
elementary, junior high
and senior high bands.
Several hundred students
from across the district
participated.
This year’s guest conductors
were Karen Veverka,
Jonathan Rossi, Edward
O’Rourke, and John Flaver.
Ms. Veverka conducted
the All-City Orchestra, Mr.
O’Rourke conducted the
All- City Jr. High Band, Mr.
Flaver conducted the AllCity High School Band and
Mr. Rossi conducted the
All-City Elementary Band.
18
Congratulations to all of our students on a wonderful performance!
High School Choice Program
1. Request a Home School/Join Sibling Transfer – a transfer to their child’s home school (the school to which a
student is assigned based on the physical address listed in eSchool), where a sibling (brother or sister residing in
the same household) is enrolled and will remain for at least a year .
2. Request a Home School Only Transfer – a transfer to their child’s home school (the school to which a student is
assigned based on the physical address listed in eSchool).
3. Request a Join Sibling Only Transfer - a transfer to join a sibling (brother or sister residing in the same
household) who is enrolled in the school and will remain for at least one year.
4. Submit an application to a high school within the district that offers a career technical or specialized program of
interest to the student. Below are a list of the programs:
•
•
•
•
•
•
News from the Schools
The Syracuse City School District’s High School Choice online application period will be open April 1 through
April 30. Through the Syracuse City School District High School Choice Program, parents or guardians of students
transitioning from 8th to 9th grade are provided the opportunity to:
Henninger Health Careers Program
Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central
International Baccalaureate Program at Corcoran
Nottingham Natural Resources-STEM Program
Public Service Leadership Academy
Syracuse P-TECH
Does submitting an application guarantee a transfer?
If you have any questions please contact the Student Registration Center at 435-4545.
Be a Best Friend First
Girl Scouts Awarded Grant
The Central New York Community Foundation recently
awarded the Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways with
a $29,595 grant to expand its Be a Friend First (BFF)
program. The program delivers school-day sessions to
1,800 Syracuse City School District girls in grades 4-8.
Through activities at Westside Academy at Blodgett and
Huntington Pre-K-8 School, the Girl Scouts of NYPENN
Pathways program encourages girls to form healthy
relationships with each other and fosters an environment
in which girls can feel safe, secure and healthy.
According to studies conducted by the Girl Scout
Research Institute (GSRI), 56 percent of girls claim
that social networks help them feel closer and more
connected to their friends. The Be a Friend First
program aims to help girls develop their self confidence
and identity, gain leadership skills and form stronger
relationships with their peers. With a third of girls saying
February & March 2015
Submission of a transfer request or an application to a career technical or specialized program of interest does not
guarantee placement. All transfer placements are based on space availability and the criteria listed above (1, 2 and
3 in priority order). Requests to enroll in a career technical or specialized program of interest via application are
also based on space availability, and the student successfully meeting the specific requirements of the program.
they worry about being teased, the Be a Friend First
program works to help girls focus on working together
and treating others with kindness, helping to promote
positive self image, confidence and relationship building.
The Central New York Community Foundation awards
grants to charitable organizations in Onondaga and
Madison counties, including school and educational
programs such as Be a Friend First.
19
Syracuse City School District
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1025 Erie Blvd. West • Syracuse, New York 13204
February & March 2015
News from the Schools
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News from the Schools Staff
Michael Henesey
Coordinator of Communications
Karin Davenport
Communications Specialist
Christine Carnegie
Graphics Technician
The Syracuse City School District hereby advises students,
parents, employees, and the general public that it offers
employment and educational opportunities including career
and technical education opportunities, without regard to age,
gender, race, color, religion, marital status, sexual preference,
national origin or disability. Questions regarding this
policy may be referred to the building principal or Title IX
and Section 504 Compliance Officer at (315) 435-4212 or
1025 Erie Blvd. West, Syracuse NY 13204.
Great Futures
Start Early
Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration Opens April 1st
www.enrollinsyracusecityschools.com
The Syracuse City School District’s Pre-K and Kindergarten registration will open April 1st.
Registration will be online at www.enrollinsyracusecityschools.com
If you’re a city resident, and your child was born between December 2, 2010 and December
1, 2011, they may be eligible for Pre-K. If your child was born between December 2, 2009
and December 1, 2010, they are eligible to register for Kindergarten. If you are currently
enrolled in a SCSD pre-K class, you do not need to register for kindergarten.
For more information, please contact the Student Registration Center at 435-4545 or the
Office of Early Childhood Development at 435-4276.
20
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
Register
April 1-30
2015