SyrAcUSE cITy SchOOL DISTrIcT Baseball coach Southworth Dedicates half a century to ScSD

Syracuse City
School District
News from the schools
June & July 2015
Baseball Coach Southworth
Dedicates Half a Century to SCSD
P. 15
Parent University
provides greater
opportunity
for family
involvement
Food and
Nutrition
Program Starts
fresh with new
offerings
P.4
p.6
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.
ELMS Students host
day of peace
p.7
SCSD Health
Program
provides holistic
approach to
student wellness
AND
MORE!
p.8
ULTIMATE GOAL
An educational community that
graduates every student as a
responsible, active citizen prepared
for success in college, careers and
the global economy.
syracusecityschools.com
Stay Connected
Stay Involved
News from the schools
er
h
Teac
June & July 2015
Derrick Dorsey
Vice President
Patricia Body
David Cecile
Mark D. Muhammad
Maxwell Ruckdeschel
Stephen Swift
Administrative Staff
Sharon L. Contreras, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Jaime Alicea
Chief Operations Officer
Cheryl Atkinson, Ed.D.
Chief Ombuds Officer
Kim Bradley
Chief of Staff
Brandan Keaveny, Ed.D.
Chief Accountability
Officer
Paula Shannon
Chief Academic Officer
Suzanne Slack
Chief Financial Officer
Mailing Address:
1025 Erie Boulevard West
Syracuse, NY 13204
Physical Address:
725 Harrison Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
ent
Stud
SPOTLIGHT
2
Dear Parents & Families,
As we settle into summer vacation, it
is important to reflect on our students’
successes—both in and out of the
classroom. I am exceptionally proud of
the way our students and staff finished the
2014-2015 school year.
As the 14-15 school year came to a
close, our students were hard at work
making a positive impact on our
school community—and our Syracuse
community at large. Our elementary
school students performed in concerts
and plays, our middle school students
competed in a science fair at the Carrier
Dome, and an abundance of our schools
hosted fundraisers to benefit those
impacted by the devastating earthquakes
in Nepal. When our students act as
involved, concerned citizens—and are
recognized as such—we all benefit.
Even during the summer vacation, SCSD
faculty and staff are working diligently to
prepare—and improve—our operations for
the upcoming school year. For instance,
students will notice new meal options in
the coming year due to changes in our
Food and Nutrition program. Parents will
see new opportunities to get involved in
their children’s education because of the
ever expanding Parent University course
offerings. And enrollment continues in our
School-Based Health Centers, which have
been created to make healthcare more
accessible to SCSD students.
Our educators have continued learning
over the summer months as well, with staff
traveling to summer camps to learn about
innovative new ways to instruct students
and attending an abundance of summer
professional development opportunities.
In fact, even our students are learning over
summer vacation, as some of our high
school students are working as ZooGuides
at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo!
We look forward to welcoming our
students back in September for a new and
exciting year of learning. In the meantime,
I hope you will continue to voice your
feedback about what the district is doing
well and how we can continue to improve,
by visiting the Let’s Talk! communication
tool at
www.syracusecityschools.com.
Congratulations, SCSD Students!
Al Hallaq received the CFAC
Director Award.
The Links, Inc. Awards
Congratulations to Corcoran’s
Community Folk Art Exhibition
Deonna Jones on receiving The
Students from Corcoran,
Links, Inc. annual Parthenia
Henninger and Nottingham took Harper Scholarship. Recipients
part in the 43rd annual Teenage
of The Links, Inc. book awards
Competitive Art Exhibition at the include ITC’s Nhrie BaalamCommunity Folk Art Center.
McGriff and Nottingham
students Audria Payne and Alec
In the Mixed Media Category,
Harris.
Nottingham’s Truong Ho was
recognized with 1st place and
Rocket Team Challenge
Corcoran’s Marcos Fuentes
Students from 11 SCSD schools
Osorio placing second.
took part in the 12th annual CNY
For 3D work, Nottingham
Rocket Team Challenge. Two of
student December Aung’s piece
our teams took home awards: The
received first place and classmate Ed Smith “Starbusters” team (5th
Mirela Kasumovic’s won second. graders Tyler Broschart, Sadie
Wildrick, Clalum Meisner and
Nottingham student Sydney
Cardarelli received the award for Robin Auwaerter) won 4th place
Most Eclectic and classmate Hala in the Junior Division, while the
Ed Smith “Galaxy” team (Emma
Baker, Sinead O’Connor,
Molly Scott and Will SchofieldBroadbent) won the special
award for Furthest Landing from
Launch Site!
Youth Peace Awards
Nottingham senior John Medina
and ITC junior Jaydia Perry
have received the Syracuse Peace
Council’s “Youth Peace Award”
for 2015, recognizing them as
local peace activists.
Essay Contest Winner
Roberts School sixth grader
Mahella Soavelo has been
declared the winner of the
Syracuse Teacher Center’s ‘Bet
You Didn’t Know Contest.’ The
contest encouraged students to
submit a 200 word essay on an
interesting species, as well as a
comic that illustrates the species’
unusual facts and features.
Track & Field Championship
Congratulations to our SCSD
student athletes, several of whom
qualified for the State Track &
Field Championship! Corcoran’s
Patrice Williams qualified in
the 200 and 400, ITC’s Soloman
Lawrence qualified in the 800
and Nottingham’s Shayna
Shantarelli-Hansen qualified in
the Shot-Put and Discus.
Section III Scholar Athletes
Congratulations to Corcoran’s
Alec Smith and Adriana Kocack,
Fowler’s Carlos McArthur and
Cimone Jordan, Henninger’s
Robert Tedd and Hope Bartlett,
ITC’s Tyler Carbonaro and
Nyhrie Balaam-McGriff and
Nottingham’s Mykolaj Suchy
and Aliyah Wade on this honor!
Henninger Students
Recognized at Boston
Heritage Music Festival
Forty-four Henninger High School students
traveled to Boston to participate in the Boston
Heritage Music Festival, one of a series of
music festivals hosted around the world to
provide students with the chance to perform in
a formal music competition.
The high school’s
chorus and concert
band ensembles were
recognized with silver
and bronze awards,
respectively, while
other students were
recognized individually
for their music.
Freshman Sabrina
Duncan earned the
Maestro Awards for displaying ‘exceptional
skill and mastery’ of her instrument (voice).
Junior Curbbie Beauge received the Ovation
Award for going above and beyond and
showing great strength in times of challenge.
Henninger music teacher Rory Edwards said
the students’ participation in the festival was
due entirely to their hard work throughout the
year. “The students
fundraised all school
year to make this
event possible,” he
explained. “They
all worked very
diligently knowing
that Boston was the
goal. The students
represented the
Syracuse City School
District in top-notch
fashion, and we could not be more proud of
what they have achieved.”
Neither could the festival judges—the
Henninger Music Department received the
“Spirit of Boston Award” for their superior
level of respect, personal conduct and
professionalism. Congratulations to all who
attended!
Want more photos?
Check out SCSD’s Flickr page
Access by visiting www.syracusecityschools.com
Hughes
Elementary
School Physical
Education
teacher and
Building Men
Program Coach
Joe Horan has been recognized
with the Vera House “Sr. Mary Vera
Award” for his contributions to
the fields of domestic and sexual
violence prevention.
Lincoln
Middle School
Science teacher
Kathleen
Boyce recently
received the
opportunity of
a lifetime: a scholarship to attend
the Honeywell Educators @ Space
Academy program at the U.S. Space
and Rocket Center in Huntsville,
Alabama!
Mr. Horan has been a constant
champion of preventing sexual
assault and domestic abuse both
inside and outside the classroom.
He has played an active role in Vera
House’s 12 Men Model program,
the Train-the-Trainer program
and the Coaching Boys into Men
program. Thank you for your
dedicated service to our youth!
The program is designed for middle
school math and science teachers
to help provide them with unique
and innovative teaching techniques
that correlate with U.S. national
science and math standards.
Congratulations, Ms. Boyce!
Syracuse Latin
first grade
teacher Sophia
Burden has
been named a
member of the
Honor Roll for
the Fishman Prize for superlative
classroom practice.
The Fishman Prize is named after
DC Public School teacher and
former engineer Shira Fishman,
to recognize the outstanding
teaching of a select group of
educators working in high-need
schools. As a member of the honor
roll, Ms. Burden is recognized
for her passion for teaching and
motivating students.
Hughes
Elementary
School fifth
grade teacher
Tyler Eustace
was selected
as one of
three teachers in New York State
to attend the all-expenses-paid
Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers
Academy in New Jersey!
The Mickelson ExxonMobil
Teachers Academy was created
by pro golfer Phil Mickelson and
his wife. Featuring experts from
the National Science Teachers
Association and Math Solutions,
attendees learn about fun ways to
teach math and science.
June & July 2015
News from the Schools
Michelle Mignano
President
News from the Schools
June & July 2015
BOARD OF EDUCATION
SPOTLIGHT
Honoring
teachers who
go above and
beyond
Save the date!
Monday, August 17th
The Pompey Club
Lunch at 11:30 AM
Shotgun tee off at 12:30 PM
The tournament will be played Captain and Crew
style. To learn more, including how to sponsor or
register for the event, please visit
www.scsdfoundation.org.
3
Parent University
Do you want to help prepare
your child for standardized
tests? Perhaps you would like
to ensure your child’s college
and career readiness? Attend
a Naviance Parent Workshop
hosted by Parent University.
Parent University
can open the door
to all this and more.
n initiative introduced by
Superintendent Contreras, Parent
University aims to help parents become
full partners in their children’s education,
offering a wide range of workshops
and information sessions throughout
the school year and summer. And it
has helped—already, more than 2,100
participants have taken part in the
program!
In the 2014-2015 school year alone, more
than 75 individual courses were offered,
from Code of Conduct, Character and
Support information sessions to more
specialized workshops such as brain
4
While course
offerings and
workshops are
varied in subject
matter, each
is intended to
focus on social
Are you interested in learning
about health and safety
issues, helping your child
with schoolwork, stress
management or other life
skills? Are you trying to learn
English? Do you have a legal
issue that you would like
assistance with?
A
To learn more about Parent University
and upcoming programs, visit www.
scsdparentuniversity.com or contact
Monique Wright-Williams, Executive
Director of Parent and Family
Engagement, at (315) 435-6275.
health (concussions), car seat and bicycle children’s academic success and wellsafety, couponing, disaster preparedness, being.
healthy cooking and relationships, Say Yes
The program is designed to inform,
to Education and more.
involve and empower families, offering
In fact, parent training sessions on
a variety of meaningful classes and
the Code of Conduct,
Character and Support
were held in most
...the most successful
Syracuse city schools to
students are those whose
seek feedback and inform
parents are involved
parents of procedures
outlined in the Code. If you
missed these sessions, you
may still submit feedback through the
workshops that will add to their existing
district’s ‘Let’s Talk!’ communication tool, skills and give them opportunities for
available at www.syracusecityschools.
continued growth and development.
com.
In fact, a majority of workshops are
determined by parent suggestion and
Studies show that
feedback.
the most successful
students are those
Open to parents and caregivers of
whose parents
students enrolled in any of the Syracuse
are involved, and
City Schools, workshops and events are
Parent University
free to attend—and many even include
was created with
free transportation and childcare.
this in mind, to
Parent University Family Conferences,
help families learn
held twice each year, are a cornerstone
what they can do
of the effort. Topics of discussion at a
to support their
“
”
Keep an Eye Out for
Parent Leadership
Academy!
The Parent University Parent Leadership
Academy was created to provide parents
with an opportunity to identify their
family’s strengths so that they can build
on them in helping their child succeed
in school. A focus is placed on the
development of a healthy, happy and
whole parent. Parents will create vision
boards for themselves and their family
and then work on the skills needed to
bring some of those things to fruition.
At a minimum, parents will leave the
Academy able to understand how to
begin moving in the direction of their
dreams. They will also be in the school
in their child’s class once a week for six
weeks to encourage their child along and
to develop an understanding of school
operations.
SCSD Students Work to Aid Those
Impacted by Nepal Earthquake
Students from several SCSD schools
have taken up collections and organized
fundraisers in support of those impacted
by the earthquake that devastated Nepal
in late April.
for additional product.
Fowler ESL teacher Chelsey MacDougall
praised students for their activism. “It’s
not just our Nepali students selling the
bracelets—all students have been asking
With more than 440 SCSD students
to get involved. It’s really brought us
identifying as Nepali or Bhutanese-Nepali, together as a community.”
many themselves born and raised in
That support extends throughout the
Nepal, the earthquake struck a personal
district. At Dr. King, students conducted
note.
a ‘Nickels for Nepal’ effort, raising over
At Fowler, students decided to sell
$215. That money was used to purchase
phone cards for the Nepali families at Dr.
rubber bracelets imprinted with the
words ‘Fowler for Nepal.’ In just two days, King so they could contact family and
students had sold the first shipment of 600 friends still living in the region. Roberts
bracelets and teachers placed a new order students held a raffle to benefit relief
efforts, raising $346.
At Ed Smith, the Student Council hosted
a car wash with all $1,100 in proceeds
benefiting relief efforts in Nepal. School
Social Worker Lauren Angelone was
amazed at the students’ passion to help.
“I have been simply blown away at their
desire to help others and make a lasting
contribution to their community, locally
and globally,” she said.
Nottingham students raised more than
$200 for Nepal relief efforts thanks to the
commitment of the school’s ESL students.
At Corcoran, each class competed to
collect the most money in a “Pennies for
Nepal” drive, which raised more than
$1,200. Henninger students raised more
than $600 for the earthquake relief, which
they donated to a UNICEF “Earthquake
in Nepal” fund. At ITC, students hosted
a bottle and can drive to assist those in
Nepal.
June & July 2015
News from the Schools
June & July 2015
Provides Greater Opportunity
for Family Involvement
emotional learning, technology, academic
intervention and support, growth and
personal development or education for
everyday living.
News from the Schools
recent event included helpful hints to
make reading fun for children, yoga,
Common Core math, legal consultations
and more. These conferences also
feature nationally acclaimed keynote
speakers, such as Byron V. Garrett, who
recently spoke on the importance of
parents in the education of young males
and the challenges facing young black
males in education. Past speakers have
included renowned educator Principal
Baruti Kafele,
Innovation
Zone Executive
Director Dr.
Zheadric Barbra
and more.
At Huntington and LeMoyne schools,
students contributed to a Nepal fund in
exchange for the opportunity to wear
a hat to school. LeMoyne even went a
step further, raffling off a free lunch to
teachers, with proceeds benefitting the
Red Cross, leading to a $545 donation.
ESL teacher Michaela Clark said the
common cause made for a great lesson in
teamwork. “Our ESL team is very proud
that the school could rally together and
learn about the importance of coming
together as a community,” she said.
5
Seventh graders at Expeditionary
Learning Middle School hosted a
community “Day of Peace” as part
of their yearlong Quest for Change
curriculum.
Food & Nutrition Program
ne of the most important
ways we can help our children
perform better academically
is to provide them with the
nutrition necessary for the healthy
growth of their minds and bodies.
Since 2000-2001, the SCSD has been
offering free breakfast; in 2012-2013,
lunch and an after school snack were
added as an offering to all students,
free of charge. The challenge? Finding
nutritious foods that students actually
want to eat!
Today, participation is strong and rising,
with 10,500 breakfasts, 14,600 lunches
and 6,700 snacks distributed each day
through these nutrition programs.
participate.
Next school year, students will enjoy
several new menu items, each meeting
USDA dietary guidelines. New selections
will include a cinnamon swirl roll and
French toast for breakfast, sloppy joe,
cheesy chicken bake with broccoli and
rice and Chicken Jambalaya for lunch.
“This also continues our mission to serve
more from-scratch food,” Mr. Warner
explained.
New carousel vending machines will also
be installed for the new year, offering
a wider variety of foods. At Danforth
Middle School, students will notice a
new service line, and high schools will
receive mobile service lines that will add
another point of service for the students,
reducing the time necessary to get a
meal.
The key to success? Student input. From
hosting taste tests of potential new menu
items to making the process of getting
a meal easier, Ken
Warner, Director of
1 0 , 5 0 0 B r ea k fasts
Food and Nutrition,
said his staff is
1 4 , 6 0 0 L un c h es
always looking for
ways to encourage
6 , 7 0 0 S na c k s
more students to
Even with summer
in full swing, the
SCSD Food and
Nutrition program
is still at work,
offering breakfast
and lunch not only
at summer school
locations but also at select parks and
churches in the city limits.
For the latest on the SCSD Food and
Nutrition program, including menus,
recipes and more, please visit www.
syracusecityschools.com.
6
Starting the Day Off Right:
A New Model for Breakfast
A healthy breakfast is key to a
student’s academic performance.
The SCSD was ahead of the
game nationally in creating an
effective breakfast program,
which includes several models:
breakfast in the classroom, grab
and go breakfast, vended breakfast
and cafeteria service. Initiated
by Superintendent Contreras
in 2011, the variety of breakfast
programs significantly increased
the number of students eating
free breakfast each day. In fact,
the SCSD was acknowledged by
the Food Research and Action
Council (FRAC) as one of the
country’s most successful large
city school districts in its service
of breakfast to students! Daily, our
service of 10,500-11,000 breakfasts
places Syracuse above the national
average. Instead of requiring
students to go to a cafeteria to eat
breakfast before school, students
are now offered other options to
provide them with the convenience
of an accessible and healthy
breakfast!
Students tackled tasks such as researching
peacemakers in the Syracuse community,
designing robots that could improve our
city, developing slogans and billboards
to spread a message of peace and more.
“The students
were truly
empowered by this
experience through
the process
Thank you to all ELMS
students and staff who made
this event a success!
Want more photos?
Check out SCSD’s Flickr page
Access by visiting www.syracusecityschools.com
2015-2016
IMMUNIZATION
REQUIREMENTS
Changes in Immunization
Requirements for 2015-2016
The New York State
Department of Health has
issued new immunization
regulations for the 20152016 school year.
Parents, please note that
all students must have
proper immunizations
to begin the school
year. If your child
has not received the
immunizations or
required doses listed
below, please call your
child’s doctor to make an
appointment as soon as
possible.
If you do not have
insurance or you have
Medicaid, the Onondaga
County Immunization
Clinic will continue to
be available from 9:00
am to 12 noon every
Wednesday morning to
give immunizations. It
is located in the John
H. Mulroy Civic Center
(421 Montgomery Street,
basement level, Room
30). Please bring your
child’s immunization
record with you.
If you have any questions
or concerns about
immunizations, please
contact the SCSD
Department of Health
Services at 435-4145.
Kindergarten and Grade 1 Students
DTP, DTaP
5 doses or 4 with the 4th dose
at 4 years of age or older; or 3 if
starting the series at 7 years of age
or older
Polio
4 doses or 3 with the 3rd dose at 4
years of age or older
MMR
(Measles-Mumps-Rubella)
2 doses
Varicella
2 doses
June & July 2015
News from the Schools
O
S ta r t s F r e s h W i t h N e w O ff e r i n g s
Throughout the year, students studied
guiding questions, including: why do
people seek change? Why are people
willing to make sacrifices for change?
How do variables influence the quest for
change? Why do some people lead and
others follow?
They even examined Syracuse crime data. of interviewing and learning about
peacemakers to becoming peacemakers
The culminating “Day of Peace” event
themselves,” she explained. “Through
was intended to share this research
creating their Peacemakers of Syracuse
and these ideas with the community at
Book, their work lives on beyond
large. But ELA
our classroom walls and
teacher Elizabeth
has a lasting impact on
Buecher says it
our community. It was
is the students
an amazing experience
themselves who
watching their confidence in
have been changed
themselves and their passion
most by the
about our subject matter
experience.
develop.”
News from the Schools
June & July 2015
ELMS Students
Host ‘Day of Peace’
Grade 2-5 Students
DTP, DTaP
5 doses or 4 with the 4th dose
at 4 years of age or older; or 3 if
starting the series at 7 years of age
or older
Grade 6 and 7 Students
Polio
4 doses; 3 with 3rd dose at 4 years
of age or older
Grade 8-12 Students
Students in grades 8 through 12 in the 2015-2016 school year
deemed in compliance through graduation if they met the
immunization requirements in effect prior to June 30, 2014.
Intervals do not need to be assessed.
7
SCSD Health Program
Provides Holistic Approach
8
rom kindergarten through high school, students
experience a variety of health and developmental
issues requiring medical care. At several Syracuse
City schools, however, that care is more accessible
than ever.
In New York State, there are just 231
School Based Health Centers (SBHC).
Eight are located within SCSD schools,
with locations in Grant, Franklin, Dr.
Weeks, Dr. King, Delaware, Westside
Academy at Blodgett, Fowler and H.W.
Smith.
Thanks to a partnership with the Syracuse
Community Health Center, students in the district
can receive medical services—from physical exams
to mental health appointments to dental cleanings—
free of charge and on their school grounds.
Ms. Ashby said while a primary care
doctor overlooked an issue plaguing
her daughter, the School Based Health
Center was able to use their allinclusive approach to make an accurate
diagnosis—and work to correct the
issue.
That personal approach to healthcare is
one of the biggest assets of the SBHC.
Fowler’s Registered Nurse, Kathy
Griffin, is in her second year as the high
school’s nurse. She said the advantage of
the School Based Health Center is that
it allows for school staff to get a more
Johanna Shuster serves as a
“This is their safe place and they know they can talk to me about
social worker and mental health
anything. It’s so important for the kids to learn to express their feelings.”
professional at Dr. King’s School
Based Health Center. She handles
holistic view of a student’s health, noting
a caseload of 33 kids facing issues
that she meets with the school’s SBHC
ranging from anxiety and depression
practitioner each morning to exchange
to a death in the family to behavioral
updates. “The care given at the School
issues, goal setting and preparation for
Based Health Center is more thorough,”
middle school. “I’m usually greeted with
she explained. “It opens up the doors
hugs,” she said. “This is their safe place
of communication from us to the
and they know they can talk to me about
provider and helps us learn more about
anything. It’s so important for the kids to
the student. It allows us to establish a
learn to express their feelings.”
baseline for a student. Plus,” she added,
Crystal Ashby has two children who
attend Dr. King School. “I’m grateful
there is a health center in the school,”
she said. “If I have any questions or
concerns, I can bring my children here
and they help me. They take that extra
step and take the time to care for them.”
Students can also have trouble
concentrating due to mental stressors,
Grant Middle School Pediatric Nurse
Practitioner Elizabeth Murchie said.
She has worked at the School Based
Health Center since its opening three
years ago.
“Our mental health services are
staggering,” she explained. “The middle
school age, going through puberty—
coupled with poverty and violence rates
in the area—it’s an intense time for these
kids.” About 40 percent of cases in the
Center are mental-health related, she
said.
“We don’t interrupt the educational day
here. Imagine how accessible this is for
primary care—they can go back to class
better and ready to learn.”
“There are limited mental health services
in the area, and they put pressure
on families—especially for chronic
appointments,” she noted. “We can work
with families on-site. I can prescribe
medications and make sure that things
are communicated between the Center,
parents and teachers.”
In fact, the SBHC arrangement helps
prepare students to learn in numerous
ways. Julian Austin is the Dental Co-
Because of the frequent need for
additional student support, the district
also operates a Crisis Response Team,
Stefanie Rothenberg, currently a School
Psychologist at ITC, has been involved
with the Crisis Response Team since
1996. She said it is the job of the Crisis
Response Team to work with staff and
students in times of trauma to help
them understand what has happened,
provide factual information, help them
deal with their grief, plan memorials and
more. “The team does an amazing job of
supporting the students in our district,”
Ms. Rothenberg said. “It gives them
a safe situation to express themselves
and to ask questions about how they
are feeling and what they might expect
next. It also gives them information
and reassurance that whatever they
are experiencing related to a crisis is a
normal response and that they are not
alone. They see how many people care
about them and are willing to support
them in times of need.”
Family Nurse Practitioner Zarina
Smith has worked at the Fowler School
Based Health Center for almost four
years. High school students are old
enough to seek their own care, she said,
so it is important to remove the barriers
that would prevent them from receiving
healthcare. “We’re trying to teach
students to seek their own health care—
that it’s not scary,” she said. “We work
with kids on prevention of diseases and
screening, and anything that helps them
grow and develop and be successful at
school.”
Ms. Smith added that schools with
School Based Health Centers have
higher graduation rates than schools
without. SBHCs are especially valuable
in areas like Syracuse, where a large
refugee population resides. Centers are
able to help provide comprehensive care
for those who have newly arrived in the
country, working with ESL teachers,
nationality workers and more to ensure
that students’ immunizations and dental
and medical records are up to date.
Cheryl Vitaletti, Supervisor of
Health Services, said even students
are passionate about the services their
School Based Health Centers provide.
“The care and support SCSD health programs provide for students
and families are invaluable to many in the school community.”
The care and support SCSD health
programs provide for students and
families are invaluable to many in
the school community. Families have
expressed, for example, that without
the School Based Health Centers, they
wouldn’t be able to keep their kids
healthy. That’s why enrolling students in
the SBHC is crucial. At Fowler, close to
800 students are already enrolled. But
about 200 more are desired, with the
state seeking a goal of 75% enrollment.
Leola Rodgers, President and CEO
of the Syracuse Community Health
Center, said the organization’s School
Based Health Centers provide more than
just health services. “Our School Based
Health Centers are a learning ground for
socialization,” she explained. “Preventive
healthcare, wellness, how to speak up for
themselves—these are all things children
need to learn at a young age. School
Based Health Centers teach them how
to do things right. They are a safe place
for children where they know they can
count on adult support.”
Each year, students accompany school
staff to the School Based Health Center
Advocacy Day, occurring in Albany.
There, they meet with lawmakers and
speak about the impact of visiting a
healthcare professional in their own
school. “They really made a difference
and show the real need for support
for these health centers,” Ms. Vitaletti
explained.
June & July 2015
News from the Schools
F
“Parents say it’s a huge help,” he said. “All
kids need to go to the dentist. Usually,
a kid misses a whole day of school and
a parent misses a whole day from work
to make it happen. This solves both
problems—a student has a 30 minute
dental exam and goes back to class. It
also helps kids do better in class. We
see a lot of dental decay issues. When
students are in pain, they have trouble
concentrating.”
comprised of school psychologists, social
workers and guidance counselors from
across the district. These individuals
have volunteered to be available to
respond to any type of crisis across the
district, including staff or student deaths,
suicides, accidents and violence and
more.
News from the Schools
June & July 2015
to Student Wellness
Director for Syracuse Community
Health Center. He devotes half of his
working hours to the School Based
Health Centers, seeing about 40 students
each week for preventative dental care,
as well as treatments like fillings and
extractions. He spends a day each week
in schools, with a hygienist visiting twice
each week.
9
Project SEARCH enrolls high school
seniors who have committed to
making the experience their last
year of high school. The students
then maintain enrollment in high
school but are assigned to report to
Upstate, where they spend two hours
in academic and daily living skills
lessons and four hours participating
in a mentored internship. All work is
hands-on, and tasks focus on building
skills that are transferable to the
local job market. This year’s students
are currently interning in sterile
supply, operating room materials,
food service, environmental services,
shipping, central
distribution and
more. Each intern
participates in
three 10-week
internships,
resulting
in a Career
Development and
Occupational
Studies (CDOS)
credential.
In fact, a CDOS
credential in
New York State
requires 216 hours of internship
participation. In Project SEARCH,
students complete their internship
experience with over 500 hours!
Community partners are: Upstate
Medical University, Arc of
Onondaga, Adult Career and
Continuing Education Services –
Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCESVR) and the Office for People
The Project SEARCH program
includes students from all high schools
in the Syracuse City School District. At
least 70 percent of last year’s students
have already gained community
employment, and the first student of
the 2014-2015 school year has just
recently been hired, continuing the
program’s record of success.
Danforth Students Recognized in
Underwater Robotics Competition
Three teams of Danforth Middle
School students attended an underwater
robotics competition at the University of
Massachusetts at Dartmouth College
in Boston recently—and all three teams
returned with awards!
Team Destinee (comprised of eighth
graders Aliz Samuels, Chy-La Peacock
and Tysheonna Carter Leach) received
the Perseverance Award, Team Future
Class of 2015!
Corcoran High School
Fowler High School
Henninger High School
Institute of Technology at Central
In Danforth’s first year participating
in the Marine Advanced Technology
Education (MATE) competition, students
successfully placed at the regionals,
opening up the opportunity for their
robot to win the Young Minds Award, to
be announced in Las Vegas in November.
The STEM program’s challenge: to design,
build and drive a remote operate vehicle
(ROV). This year’s theme was “under the
ice,” so students had to build a ROV that
could perform tasks that would generally
be done in the arctic, underwater, in
cold temperatures. Why? One of these
vehicles could be used in place of a person
to complete dangerous missions that are
necessary to our planet.
10
A final notable aspect of the program:
all students are trained over the
summer to learn how to take public
transportation. These students have
generally been provided with door-todoor or curb-to-curb transportation
by the school district, so this training
not only opens up a huge window
of independence for students; it also
serves as a cost saving measure for
the district. Many students have
discovered that the world opens up to
them upon learning to independently
take public transportation, with the
ability to attend courses or social
events in areas they otherwise would
not have been able to visit.
Congratulations
(seventh graders Dynasty Donerlson
and Devine Hansen and sixth grader
Jasmine Whitaker) were recognized
with the Women in Engineering Award
and Team Infinity (seventh graders
Coryaana Edwards, Kiamesha Cotton
and Lanaisha Ruffs and sixth grader
Keyessence Hester) were awarded for the
Most Improved Robot.
Congratulations to all teams for
representing the Syracuse City School
District and the State of New York so well!
June & July 2015
News from the Schools
The Syracuse City School District is
proud to partner with Upstate Medical
University for the seventh year of
Project SEARCH, a program designed
with the ultimate goal of readiness for
community employment for students
with a wide range of
disabilities. Project
SEARCH is an
international program
model, started by
Erin Riehle and
Susie Rutkowski at
Cincinatti Children’s
Hospital Medical
Center. In 1996,
Project SEARCH
at Upstate Medical
University was the
first Project SEARCH
site in New York State.
with Developmental Disabilities
(OPWDD). They have worked
together to form a cooperative effort
that provides braided funding for a
smooth transition to adult services.
Since the program’s ultimate goal is
employment within the community,
close relationships are also maintained
with local employers.
News from the Schools
June & July 2015
Project SEARCH Helps Prepare
Special Education Students for Employment
Nottingham High School
11
ZooGuides Program
Brings SCSD Students for a
students completed the program, that
goal had already been realized.
Walk on the Wild Side
Syracuse City School District. It allows
students to serve as Zoo Ambassadors,
speaking to zoo visitors about the zoo’s
mission, the animals and more.
June & July 2015
No, this is not a documentary on Animal
Planet; nor is it a biology or ecology
class. Rather, Zebrien and more than a
dozen of his peers are taking part in a
one-of-a-kind internship program.
Currently in its sixth year, ZooGuides is
a partnership between the Rosamond
Gifford Zoo, CNY Works, Hillside
Work Scholarship Connection and the
When training is complete, students are
able to set up an ‘artifact station’ in the
zoo and interact with visitors, acting as
additional sources of information about
the zoo’s inhabitants.
Henninger senior Patty Capone is now
participating in her third year of the
ZooGuide program. “The coolest part
is getting to see the new biofacts—the
teeth, skulls, pelts and tusks that we use
as tools,” she says. “When we’re working,
we set up a cart and we get to choose
what we want to talk about. It’s helped
Since the program was created with
the intent of helping youth gain work
experience, ZooGuides typically work
four hours a week on weekends during
the school year and 20 hours a week
during the summer.
“ZooGuides learn what it is like to
maintain a job, and this is not always fun
or easy, but a key life skill. Youth have
[also] expressed a greater interest in
pursuing STEM careers as a result of this
program,” Nathan Keefe, Rosamond
Gifford Director of Education, added.
Thank you, ZooGuides, for your
commitment to and interest in the
program!
Henninger High School students in the
two-year Medical Assisting program
were recognized in a
White Coat Ceremony
as the first group
to earn their
Medical Assisting
certification.
Each school day,
the 11 seniors and
20 juniors meet for
two periods. In the
first year of the
program,
students
earn an
Senior Carly Perry says that exposure
to many medical fields is one of the
highlights of the program. “What we’re
learning now is a stepping stone for
whatever we want to do—none of us
want to be medical assistants. But we’re
learning a lot of things we’ll eventually
need to know once we’re out of high
school,” she said.
administrative medical assistant
certification. In the second year, they
go to the Syracuse Community Health
Center to do clinical work, such as
learning about body systems, EKGs, how
to draw blood and more.
“I really like the clinical work we’re
doing. It was really neat to be right there
and get that perspective of what it’s like
to be a doctor,” senior Khalil Aljoufi
explained.
For Henninger Medical Assistant teacher
Colleen Jackson, that was the goal in
creating the program: to expose students
to college and career possibilities in
the medical field. As the first round of
Young Minds at Work: Delaware
Hosts First Science Fair
It’s All
Elementary!
Word about the Medical Assisting
program has now spread, and Ms.
Jackson said she has 8th graders who
are already expressing interest in the
program that will allow them to earn
seven college credits. Demand is so high
that next year, she will begin teaching an
Intro to Medical Assisting class for 10th
graders.
Ms. Jackson said she could not be more
proud of her first group of students and
how they have shaped the program. “I
want the program to grow and continue,
of course,” she said. “This first group of
students was kind of like the trial drug—
we tested it out, saw what’s working and
what isn’t, and we’ll adjust for next year.
They are my pioneers!”
June & July 2015
News from the Schools
Nottingham High School junior
Zebrien Jamison holds out a six-foot
length of snake skin as he moves toward
an approaching family. “Would you
like to touch it?” he inquires. A small
boy nods and Zebrien kneels down to
interact with the child.
Each ZooGuide undergoes 35 hours
of training, which begins in the spring
and features on biological concepts,
animal behavior and conservation and
sustainability practices. They also meet
with staff and take a behind-the-scenes
tour to experience how the zoo operates.
me build an extensive knowledge on
so many types of animals. There are so
many facts I’ve learned—little things that
I don’t even realize I’m learning!”
Medical
Assisting Program
Recognizes
First Group of
Graduates
News from the Schools
This year, 15 Syracuse City School
District students have been selected
for the program, plus four returning
ZooGuides who are participating in a
ZooGuide Fellows program.
One student wants to be a registered
nurse—another, an EMT. One is set
on becoming a neonatal nurse, and
yet another shows an interest in sports
therapy or oncology.
Students at Delaware Academy participated in
the school’s Inaugural Science Fair! Students
in grades K-5 showed off a range of scientific
research— from examining the digestive
system and respiration to making their own
slime to determining what conditions best
help a flower to grow and more!
Student Musicians
12
Students at many of our SCSD
elementary schools showed off their
musical and theatrical talents at
spring concerts and plays. Salem
Hyde students performed Peter Pan,
Ed Smith first graders performed
in their musical “E I E I Oops”and
other schools hosted choral, band
and talent showcases. Great job!
13
“
News from the Schools
that students get when they
participate is what sets the
Environmental Challenge
apart from other events. “Part
of the spirit of it is that it’s a
more inclusive science fair,”
he said. “Our intention is to
provide students with the
experience of doing a research
project and presenting it to
outside people. We also try
to do campus tours while
students are here. It’s about the
whole experience—not just
winning an award.”
For students like Roberts
seventh grader Donovan
Collins, who examined the
glucose levels in various fruit
juices, the event was indeed
about more than an award.
“I chose my project because
some people in my family
are diabetic,” he explained.
This year, students from Clary, “This helped us learn what
Danforth, Ed Smith, ELMS,
to eat and what not to eat. I
Frazer, Grant, Huntington,
like science and I usually do
H.W. Smith, Lincoln, Roberts projects on food. Nutrition
and Westside Academy at
labels have information about
Blodgett participated. Turnout sugar and fat content, but
was so high that nearly 100
sometimes it’s not accurate. I
volunteers were needed to
like to measure on my own to
serve as judges!
check!”
Students were more than
happy to share the facts they
learned through their scientific
research. Eighth grade Grant
student Melisha Egerton grew
passionate about her project,
examining the impact of acid
rain on the earth. “My project
made me more interested
in the environment,” she
explained. “We want more
and more things today, like
cars and other items, but these
things could be ruining our
future,” she continued, noting
that acid rain is caused in part
by burning fossil fuels.
Brandon Murphy,
Technology/Project
Coordinator at SUNY
ESF, said the experience
The students’ interest and
dedication paid off, with
many students receiving a
ribbon indicating that judges
considered their work to be
exceptional. Congratulations
to all students who
participated, and thank you to
SUNY ESF for hosting such a
great event!
Distance Learning Program
Brings Books to Life
for SCSD High Schools
In 2012, the Syracuse City
School District received a
three-year New York State
Learning Technology Grant to
encourage the effective use of
technology in instruction.
As a result, book club
members—and high school
students—throughout the
district have been enjoying a
unique learning experience,
thanks to the WeLearn@SCSD
program. The grant allowed
the district to purchase
distance learning equipment
and a learning management
system called Moodle.
“Moodle allows our students
to take courses that their
own school didn’t offer or
that schools couldn’t offer
because they didn’t have
enough students to fill the
course,” Manami Tezuka,
Supervisor of Library Media
Services, said. For instance,
at ITC, students were able to
take SUPA Entrepreneurship,
Nottingham students were
offered Digital Music, and
at Corcoran, students
could enroll in ESF Global
Environment. Staff also
benefitted, with 120 teachers
participating in professional
development on blended
learning and how to use
Moodle in instruction.
In addition to these digital
learning opportunities,
the WeLearn@SCSD
grant provided an exciting
opportunity to high school
book club participants.
Students at all five SCSD
high schools meet in their
respective schools weekly,
and thanks to the digital
learning system, they can also
collaborate once a month as a
digital book club. Nottingham
Sophomore Shukri Sharif
explained, “It’s so fun when we
do video conferences with the
other high schools. It’s cool to
learn their point of view.”
ITC junior Brittany McIntosh
agrees. “Last year, we had the
best argument with a girl from
Nottingham,” she recalled
with a laugh. “We really liked
a character and she didn’t! It’s
interesting connecting with
people from other schools.”
As the
final
activity
of the
year,
book
club
participants
attend the Teen Book Fest,
this year held at Nazareth
College in Rochester. Thanks
to the grant, the district is
able to purchase books for
students who take part in the
book club—and then students
have the opportunity at Teen
Book Fest to meet the authors
whose works they have been
reading throughout the year.
ITC freshman Andru Kinkle
was also excited to meet his
favorite authors. “If I can meet
Jessica Brody and A.S. King,
I’m set,” he said. “Reading
fuels the imagination. Instead
of watching a movie, you can
read where it started—the
books are written first!”
Baseball
Coach
”
Bob Weismore
Corcoran 1970 (Pitcher & First Base)
Current Westhill Baseball Coach
Southworth
Dedicates
Half a Century “
To SCSD
Syracuse City School District baseball coach Bob
Southworth is a record-holder in many respects.
Having just retired from his 50th season coaching
high school baseball, he has officially led his teams to
more than 700 wins. Not to mention, he is the only
baseball coach Corcoran High School has ever had,
serving in the role since the school building opened.
Starting as a coach at Corcoran in 1966,
Southworth has long been a fixture in
Syracuse baseball. Affectionately called
“Southy” by his players, Southworth
has been inducted into both the Greater
Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame and the
New York State High School Athletic
Association Hall of Fame.
Coaching here for 50 years, he’s had a little
bit more experience than any of us. Being
able to coach alongside him has been an
honor. He doesn’t say a whole lot, but
when he does, you can tell that the kids
respect what he’s saying and they take it to
heart. They are grasping the magnitude of
someone coaching for 50 years, 700 wins.
Mike Meola
Co-Head Coach
coaching history. In spite of all the
accolades, Southworth remains modest
about his accomplishments and steadfast
in his passion for the sport and the
opportunities his coaching position
With his 706-421 record as the head
coach, Southworth boasts a winning
percentage of .626 and only eight
losing seasons. Southworth has led
teams to ten league championships
and three sectional titles, and he is
now third in New York State baseball
“
It’s very cool to come back and coach with him. It’s an honor. I learned
everything from him. In 8th grade, when I was trying out for modified
baseball, there was a question mark by my name and he took a chance on me.
My baseball life wouldn’t be the same without him. I owe him everything.
Andrew “Chip” Matteson
Corcoran 2006 (Pitcher & Outfielder)
Current Assistant Coach
”
”
provided him.
“The district has treated me great. I’m
very grateful they let me hang on for so
long,” Coach Southworth said. “It’s been
a very good experience. What brought
me back all these years were the kids. The
kids have been great.” Southworth noted
that seven of his players have gone on to
play professional baseball.
June & July 2015
14
Seventh and eighth graders
from SCSD middle schools
ventured to the Carrier Dome
to take part in the 14th SUNY
ESF Environmental Challenge.
Initially started as an event
on the ESF campus with only
30 participants, the Challenge
has now grown to feature
anywhere from 300-500
students, all from the Syracuse
City School District.
All you have to do is mention the name
Southy, and you think of Corcoran baseball.
Everyone knows who he is. When he retires,
you’re losing years and years of connection.
There’s only one name tied to Corcoran
baseball—Southy. No matter who follows
him, it’ll be quite a job. There will never be
another Southy.
News from the Schools
June & July 2015
ESF Environmental Challenge
Exposes Students to College,
STEM Activities
Looking back at his 50-year legacy
with the Syracuse City School District,
Southworth reflected, “Hopefully people
remember that I loved every minute of
it. It was never a job—it was always fun.
Most of the time, I didn’t even know how
much I made—that was just something
extra. I never did it for the money. Like
most of the coaches in the city, I coached
for the love of the game.”
>> Read the full story on Coach
Southworth and his 50 seasons of
Corcoran High School baseball at
syracusecityschools.com
15
syracuse city school district
1025 Erie Boulevard West | Syracuse, NY 13204
Stay Connected
Stay Involved
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Syracuse, NY
Permit 2563
syracusecityschools.com
June & July 2015
News from the 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 is committed to providing equal access to all categories of employment,
programs and educational opportunities, including career and technical education opportunities, regardless of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, Native American
ancestry/ethnicity, creed or religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, disability or any other legally protected category under federal, state or
local law.
Inquiries regarding the District’s non-discrimination policies should be directed to: Executive Director of Student Support Services, Civil Rights Compliance Officer/ Syracuse City
School District/ 725 Harrison Street • Syracuse, NY 13210/ (315) 435-4131/ Email: [email protected]
News from the Schools
2015 Summer
Food Service Program
The Food and Nutrition Service of the Syracuse City
School District is pleased to announce its participation
in the Summer Food Service Program 2015 (SFSP).
Meals will be provided to all children 18 years and
under without charge. Acceptance and participation
requirements for the program and all activities are the
same for all regardless of race, color, national origins,
age, or disability, and there will be no discrimination in
the course of meal service.
Meals are provided Mon.—Fri. at the sites listed. Please
feel free to call the Food and Nutrition Office at 4354207 for the specific times of a program near you.
Peyton Temple 7/13—8/21
(B) 9:00 AM—10:30 AM (L) 12:00 PM—1:00 PM
Sha Central Village Center 7/6—8/21
(B) 9:00 AM—10:00 AM (L) 12:00 PM—1:00 PM
Southwest Community Center 7/6—8/14
(B) 8:00 AM—9:00 AM (L) 10:45 AM—12:45 PM
Sunnycrest Complex 7/6—7/24
(L) 11:30 AM—12:30 PM
schools
community centers
boys and girls club 7/6—8/21
2100 E. Fayette st. (13224)
(B) 9:00 AM—10:00 AM (L) 11:30 AM—12:45 PM
boys and girls club 7/6—8/21
201 Hamilton St. (13204)
(B) 9:00 AM—10:00 AM (L) 12:00 PM—1:00 PM
Boys and Girls Club 7/6—8/21
201 Shonnard St. (13204)
(B) 10:00 AM—10:30 AM (L) 1:30 PM—2:30 PM
Dunbar Center 7/13—8/21
(L) 12:30 PM—1:30 PM
Enable 7/1—8/11
(B) 8:30 AM—10:00 AM (L) 12:00 PM—1:40 PM
Evangelical Outreach and
Hope Center 7/6—8/21
(L) 11:30 AM—12:30 PM
Mary Nelson Youth Center 7/1—8/21
(B) 9:00 AM—10:00 AM (L) 12:00 PM—1:00 PM
Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church 7/6—8/21
(B) 8:00 AM—9:00 AM (L) 11:30 AM—12:30 PM
Peace, Inc. Eastside Family
Resource Center 7/6—8/7
(B) 8:30 AM—9:30 AM (L) 11:30 AM—12:30 PM
16
Peace, Inc. Southside Family
Resource Center 7/6—8/7
(B) 8:00 AM—9:30 AM (L) 12:00 PM—1:00 PM
Bellevue Elementary School 7/1—7/31
(B) 9:00 AM—9:25 AM (L) 11:30 AM—12:30 PM
Blessed Sacrament School 7/6—8/21
(B) 8:30 AM—9:15 AM (L) 11:30 AM—12:30 PM
Clary Middle School 7/1—8/14
(B) 7:40 AM—9:00 AM (L)10:45 AM—12:30 PM
CorCoran High School 7/6—8/14
(B) 7:40 AM—8:00 AM
Danforth Middle School 7/6—8/7
(B) 7:55 AM—8:15 AM (L) 10:45 AM—12:30 PM
Dr. King Elementary School 7/1—8/14
(B) 9:00 AM—9:25 AM (L) 11:30 AM—12:45 PM
Dr. Weeks Elementary School 7/1—8/14
(B) 8:00 AM—8:25 AM (L) 11:30 AM—12:30 PM
ELMS 7/1—7/31
(B) 7:40 AM—8:00 AM (L) 10:45 AM—11:30 PM
Fowler High School 7/6—8/14
(B) 7:40 AM—8:00 AM
Franklin Elementary School 7/1—8/14
(L) 11:30 AM—12:30 PM
Frazer K-8 School 7/1—7/31
(B) 7:40 AM—9:00 AM (L) 10:45 AM—12:30 PM
Grant Middle School 7/6—8/7
(B) 7:25 AM—7:45 AM (L) 10:00 AM—12:00 PM
Henninger High School 7/6—8/14
(B) 7:40 AM—8:00 AM (L) 11:50 AM—12:20 PM
Hughes Elementary School 7/1—7/31
(B) 9:00 AM—9:25 AM (L) 11:30 AM—12:45 PM
Huntington Pre-K-8 School 7/1—7/31
(B) 7:40 AM—9:00 AM (L) 10:45 AM—12:30 PM
H.W. Smith K-8 School 7/1—8/14
(B) 7:40 AM—9:00 AM (L) 10:45 AM—12:30 PM
Lemoyne Elementary School 7/1—7/31
(B) 9:00 AM—9:25 AM (L) 11:30 AM—12:45 PM
Lincoln Middle School 7/1—8/14
(B) 7:40 AM—8:15 AM (L) 10:45 AM—12:15 PM
McKinley-Brighton
Elementary School 7/1—8/14
(B) 8:00 AM—8:25 AM (L) 11:00 AM—12:30 PM
Nottingham High School 7/1—8/14
(B) 7:40 AM—8:00 AM (L) 12:00 PM—1:00 PM
Seymour Dual Lanuage Academy 7/1—7/31
(B) 9:00 AM—9:25 AM (L) 11:00 AM—12:45 PM
Van Duyn Elementary School 7/1—7/31
(B) 9:00 AM—9:25 AM (L) 11:30 AM—12:45 PM
Libraries
beauchamp branch 7/6—8/14
(L) 11:40 AM—12:00 PM
Mundy Branch 7/6—8/14
(L) 12:20 PM—12:40 PM
Hazard Branch 7/6—8/14
(L) 1:00 PM—1:20 PM
Parks
burnet Park 7/27—8/4
(L) 11:45 AM—1:00 PM
Kirk Park (Seals Community Center)
7/1—8/21
(L) 11:30 AM—1:00 PM
Schiller Park 7/1—8/21
(L) 11:30 AM—1:00 PM
Wilson Park 7/6—8/21
(L) 11:00 AM—1:00 PM
Non-discrimination Statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly. The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color,
national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political belief, martial status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program,
or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities). If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of
discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Form, found online at http://www.aser.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request a form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at
[email protected]. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities, may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.