Syracuse City School District News from the Schools

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.
December 2014 & January 2015
Dear Parents and Families,
A belated Happy New Year to all our
families in the Syracuse City School District.
I hope that 2015 is filled with many great
things for our students and families. As
you will see throughout this newsletter our
students and staff have been extremely busy.
During the holiday season there was a great
deal of generosity and holiday spirit shown
by our students and staff and by those in
the community who care deeply about
our students and families. Our students
and teachers organized coat drives for the
neediest residents in Syracuse, they led
food drives to feed the hungry, cooked
for families staying at the local Ronald
McDonald House and helped to man the
Salvation Army Red Kettles.
Our students at Delaware and Seymour
were treated to some really wonderful gifts
through the generosity of the staffs at Build
A Bear and Carrier Corporation. Our
wonderful partners at Wladis Companies
provided students with more than 11,000
free hats and gloves. These examples are
heartwarming and provide just a glimpse
of the compassion that exists in our
community.
Also highlighted in this newsletter are some wonderful accomplishments by our staff. They have won
awards, received fellowships and earned the “gold
standard” in their profession. Our students have
brought home awards in STEM competitions and
were once again champions in the CNY Chess
competition. Not a day passes where our students
and staff are not recognized for their tremendous
achievements.
Last but certainly not least, I want to congratulate
everyone in the district for the recent improvements
in our graduation rates. While these numbers are not
where we ultimately want them to be, we are showing
progress. This takes a collective effort and I am
encouraged and proud that we are working together
and moving this district forward.
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
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SCSD Students Volunteer at
STA First Book Giveaway
Students from SCSD high schools volunteered at the
Oncenter for the Syracuse Teachers Association
First Book giveaway. The students helped to unpack
and sort the books in anticipation of the event.
More than 40,000 free books were given away on a
first come, first served basis to Syracuse area students
and families. Sincere thanks to the entire Syracuse
community for contributing to the success of the
inaugural First Book Campaign. It is exciting to see
the community come together to promote literacy!
December 2014 & January 2015
Syracuse Boys Hockey Team Participates in Fall Cleanup
The Syracuse boys hockey team participated
in the annual fall cleanup of the Corcoran
school grounds. Team members raked leaves
and hauled recently cut trees and brush
prior to winter setting in. This group is
involved in community service work each
year at Corcoran. In addition, students from
the International Baccalaureate program
at Corcoran High School also participated.
Great job, everyone!
Syracuse City School District
Celebrates National Food Day
News from the Schools
The SCSD celebrated National Food Day with a mini farmers’
market and guest chef. Students and staff at Delaware took part in
food and nutritional activities throughout the week in preparation
for Food Day. Students had their picture taken through a cutout
of fresh fruits and vegetables and received a recipe for ratatouille,
the featured vegetable of the day, along with their photos.
Students learned how to make healthy snacks using celery sticks,
soy butter and raisins to make “Ants on a Log”. They also received
a slider bracelet containing five charms: “F” for fruit and “V” for
vegetable. As students eat all of their fruits and vegetables they can
move the charm from one side of the bracelet to the other.
Food Day is a nationwide celebration of healthy, affordable and
sustainable food. The menu items chosen for Food Day across the
district highlighted locally grown vegetables and produce.
The ratatouille recipe is available on the Food and Nutrition page
at www.syracusecityschools.com.
Henninger Black Knights Capture Section III Class AA Football Championship
2
The Henninger
High School
Black Knights
were Section III
champions,
finishing their
season with an
11-1 record!
Congratulations
on an outstanding
football season.
ELMS Teacher Named “Teacher of Year”
for Urban STEM Education
Toner began environmental education at age 17 in Allegany State Park as a
naturalist and joined Cornell University in 1996. In 2007, he began teaching
Environmental Science at Nottingham High School before transitioning
to middle school science education to prepare students with a strong
background in science in order to succeed in high school, college and
beyond. Toner is a scientist who loves to teach science in an urban setting.
Not only is he devoted to the excellence of teaching, Toner also catches every
learning opportunity he sees that is valuable for students to grow. He has
completed more than 50 research projects with students in the past four years
and led a wide range of creative expedition events held at his school, the Syracuse
War Memorial, the Syracuse Center of Excellence and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
These events received enormous approval from students, parents, district
administrators and community members.
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ITC Students Celebrate
Red Ribbon Day
Students at the Institute of Technology at Syracuse
Central participated in Red Ribbon Week, having dedicated October 28
as Red Ribbon Day at the school. Students spent that week becoming
educated about drug awareness and prevention.
The Red Ribbon Campaign was started when drug traffickers in Mexico
City murdered DEA agent Kiki Camarena in 1985. This began the
continuing tradition of displaying red ribbons as a symbol of intolerance
toward the use of drugs. Students in Ann Furcinito’s forensics class used
this case to study how forensics were used to track down the drug cartel
responsible for the
DEA agent’s murder.
The class also took part in making red ribbon pins, encouraging
students to sign drug-free commitments and playing interactive
games to educate their peers about drug abuse.
December 2014 & January 2015
Toner believes the Scientific Method and Experimental Design are extremely
important to foster high level thinking and logical reasoning. He leads students in
science experiments and competes at the Environmental Challenge at SUNY ESF
each year. In line with “A Quest for Change” expedition, the science fair project
addresses contributions of scientists in different areas and how their discoveries
have changed our understanding of the natural world.
News from the Schools
Jason Toner, science teacher for grades 7 and 8 at the Expeditionary Learning
Middle School in Syracuse, was awarded Terra Urban Educator of the Year at
the 2014 Terra Transforming Urban Education Conference held in Syracuse.
In addition, ten members of Teen Institute played an integral
role in making Red Ribbon Day a success at ITC. They were
instrumental in helping with the preparation for the day and
carrying out the Red Ribbon message. In total, more than 200
students and staff signed pledges to stay drug free and wore red
ribbons in support of drug free schools and communities.
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December 2014 & January 2015
News from the Schools
W
hen you ask Ken Baxter why
the SCSD NSBE Jr. Chapter
was named Chapter of the
Year for 2013–14, he doesn’t skip a beat.
“Because we have many challenges,” says
Baxter, the group’s administrator. “We’re
a district-wide chapter and can only
meet on Saturdays and during school
breaks. Belonging to our chapter takes
dedication and commitment. We have to
work together. We have to be focused.”
“We’re a combination of all the city
high schools and middle schools,” says
Brandi Fowler, chapter vice president.
“We all go to different schools, so when
we come and meet on Saturdays, we
meet with people throughout the district
who have a similar interest. I’m really
close to the kids in NSBE. We’re like a
family.”
“The students in our chapter do
significantly better on state assessment
tests than other students in our district,”
says Baxter, who is the vice principal of
Nottingham High.
“NSBE is one of the most rewarding
programs I’ve been involved with,” says
Fowler, 17, who
joined the Society
when she was in 8th
grade. “NSBE allows
me to interact with
kids who want to do
better. Everyone has
a positive attitude
about life, about
achieving goals.”
In the past year,
the chapter has
won first place in
the FIRST LEGO
League competition,
third place in
MATHCOUNTS and second place in the
Try-Math-A-Lon competition for 9th and
10th graders. Members of the chapter have
gone on to attend Harvard University,
Rochester Institute of Technology,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Cornell
University and Columbia University. One
chapter member, recipient of a Gates
Millennium Scholarship, is studying
engineering at Syracuse University.
Commitment to Excellence
4
On Saturdays, the chapter meets at
Nottingham High School for three to
four hours. In addition, for the past five
years, the chapter has held a week-long
residential summer camp at Syracuse
University, where students learn science,
math, literacy and engineering. The
SCSD chapter has 110 members, who
consistently attain grade-point averages
of 3.2 to 3.4.
Ilean Curry, 17, was introduced to
NSBE through her technology teacher
at Corcoran High School. She’s been
involved with NSBE since 8th grade and
is now chapter secretary.
“Being in NSBE helps me in school,
because you can bring your work in and
get help,” says the aspiring actress, who
plans to study acting and engineering in
college. “If I have trouble with precalc
homework, I can go to NSBE and an
advisor will help me.”
Fowler credits her chapter’s award
to the chapter members’ dedication to
NSBE’s mission, inside and outside of the
classroom. In addition to participating
in chapter meetings and NSBE
competitions, chapter members mentor
elementary school students, distribute
holiday gifts at local hospitals, participate
in “A Walk for Education” and spend
part of their Saturdays tutoring fellow
chapter members and being tutored
by members of the chapter’s collegiate
partner, NSBE’s Syracuse University
chapter.
“I love math,” says Fowler, who plans
to major in engineering in college. “I
love the challenge of trying to figure
something out on my own. I love the fact
that there’s more than one way to get to a
solution.”
Curry, who loves chemistry, says her
favorite NSBE experience came when
she was in the 9th grade, when her team
placed first in the regional robotics
competition. “We are a very caring
chapter, and we’re always trying to help
each other,” she says. “NSBE has helped
me become the person I am. It helped
get me involved in math and science and
taught me about engineering.”
“I’m proud of my kids and my staff,”
says Baxter. He credits a commitment to
excellence — by the chapter’s students,
teachers, parents and advisors — with
bringing about the chapter’s ongoing
success. “The kids are awesome. They
take things to the next level. They teach
us. It’s definitely a two-way relationship.”
Excerpted from NSBE Bridge
Fall 2014 Back To School Issue
article by Siobhan Leftwich
Students Take
the
Theater Stage
CAST (Corcoran Association of
Nottingham High School: “You Can’t Take it With You”
Student Theatre) presented “Almost,
Maine” about a town so far north
Nottingham’s Meadowbrook
it’s almost not in the United States. One cold, clear Friday
Harlequins performed
night in the middle of winter, Almost’s residents find
“You Can’t Take It With
themselves falling in and out of love in the strangest ways.
You,” a classic comedy
at the center of which is
the Vanderhof family,
a collection of cheerful
and erratic (yet lovable)
incompetents.
Fowler Drama Club’s fall musical was “Into the Woods,
Jr.” where characters such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding
Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk) and the Witch meet and
interact in this wildly captivating story.
Henninger High School: “The Laramie Project”
Fowler High School: “Into the Woods, Jr.”
December 2014 & January 2015
Corcoran High School: “Almost, Maine”
News from the Schools
Our students took to the stage
this fall, performing drama
productions, musicals and
comedies at their high schools.
Henninger students took on the
challenge of staging The Laramie
Project, a documentary-styled
play that analyzes the death of
Matthew Shepard, an openly
gay college student who was
brutally murdered because of
his sexual identity. The dialogue
and monologues that comprise
The Laramie Project are taken
from interviews, news reports,
courtroom transcripts and journal
entries.
5
the
MOST Hosts
December 2014 & January 2015
Annual
Build’em & Bust’em
Competition 2014
More than 30 SCSD teams participated in the 2014 Build ’em
and Bust ’em Bridge Building Competition held at the MOST.
The Unstables from Van Duyn and Twin Builders from
Huntington both finished in the top 10 out of 118 teams in
category 1. Team 0% Pleasant, 100% Bridge Builders from
Ed Smith finished in the Top 10 in category II while I.M.B.
(Fowler), LC Construction (Henninger) and Smash Hemanos
(ITC) finished in the Top 10 in category III. Great job by all of
our bridge builders this year! Participants included:
H.W. Smith: Safia Dahir, Asiya Abdulkadir, Aliyev Ramilan,
Mark Lissovenko, Gabriel Fernandez-Lamar, Jason Howard,
Nariah West, Ramo Ademovic, Olivier Poirier, Deassia Harris,
Matthew Schley, Michael Floyd
Delaware: Clinteese Hill, Maya Torres, David Rodriguez, Karina
Claudio, Jubeny Batista Sanchez, Denzel Garcia-Ilisastigui, Ryah
Baker, Joel Casanova, Giovaneiska Pinet.
Fowler: Ronald Rodriguez, Jessie Chen, Abshiro Abubeker, Dada
Tippos, Hamza Mohamed, Bhanu Chimariya, Wendy Phan,
Danny Budhu.
News from the Schools
Henninger: Brittany Larouche, Andrew Cambridge
Huntington: Spencer Wiess, Alyssa Long, Anthony Taylor, Jadiel
Melendez, Jariel Melendez, Keyara Cox, Willie Farnsworth, Julie
Porter, Izabella D’Andrea, Emma Mitchell, James Tredo, Declan
Shaughnessy, Toryanna Jackson, Cyrus Etheridge, Eric Sparkman
Jr., Sean Payne, Anthony Scott, Carolina Moynihan, Larissa
Flint, Brooke Matthews, Alexandra Caruana, Simone Campbell,
Timeon Frye, Miles Owens, Rachell Flynn, Jasmine Gallipeau,
Eden LaRonde, Kayla Jackson, Cody Klein, Meghan Owens,
Priscila Carbonel, Alisia Martins, Rylee Smith, Sean Betsey, Isaiah
Ifoezeh, Quamere Hawkins, Tiarra Dailey, Katrina Flynn, Awwale
Yousef, Nancy Tran, Giantonia, Vigilotti-Martinez, Cristina
Vigilotti-Martinez, Zonaria Hill, Ehlanna Brinley, Chuck Dexter,
Aaliyah Reaves, Alissa Synder, Jermaine Mitchell
ITC: The Ngo,
Tran Ngo, Yasin
Whitted
Lincoln:
Julia Nash,
Faith Eberst,
Matthew
Michaud
McCarthy:
Kamaren Parkhurst, Kiarra White, Adrian Duncan, Shamar
Wilkinson, Reniel Rosario-Santana, John Darby, Roger Green
6
Ed Smith: Tyler Broschart, Sadie Wildrick, Max Milstein, Trevor
Giardine, Zachary Thompson, Benjamin Ashby, Yier Jin, Jada
Goodwin, Gabriella Bellamy, Chukwudi Okereke, Sanaa Ellis
Van Duyn: Mikah Reeder, Raquelle Isaac, Angelo Rivera, Akyia
Odom, Rakaiya Thompson, Queen Faircloth, Nazier Weaver,
Imara Davis, Trea’zur Hardy, Janaya Dixon, Janesha Harris,
Destiny Pitts, Jaylin Jenkins, Sonia Gelzer, Nevaeh McCormick,
Cadence O’Selmo, Kaydee Quinones, Brittney Girvin, Seth
Faircloth, Kaden Conley, Mishael Hammons, Nykeim Works,
Naquise Williams, Crystal Chesson, Leon Griffin, Nigel Trice,
Tyquan Binder, Shameer Floyd, Mark Ciereck, Hezeki Baddal
Dr. Weeks: Maria Martins, Alexandria Howard, Kylie Cahalan,
Nana Winwah, Kheyra Adan, Lenora Brown-Muhammad, Aiti Ghising, Abdirahman Abdi, Jahmal Washington, Adnan
Budovic, Yasliel Perez, James DeVaul, Jaedyn Holland, Sierrah
Burton, Jahsenda Tull, Shane Lobdell, Say Tee Moo Jazz, Lynne
Hunter, Xavier Scheel, Diontazia Albert, Francis Carmona,
Tynaesha Fielder, Naziya Martin, Natalyana Bobenhausen,
LynAzia Baker, Tylor Monaghan, Brendin Butler, Cardell Shields,
Azaria Word, Reneisha Broome, Jamy Thompson, Breonna Cox,
Matthew Goodrich, Thomas Trathen, Ismahan Omar, Khadija
Yusuf, Julia Nash, Faith Eberst, Matthew Michaud, Kevin
Pontello, Rahmel McCarthy, Zy’liyah Morales, KeYonie Blue,
Sierrah Burton, Jaedyn Holland, Jahsenda Tull
SCSD VEX Skyrise Robotics Challenge
News from the Schools
Students at the middle and high school level competed in the
VEX Robotics Challenge held at Corcoran High School.
With guidance from their teachers and mentors, students built
innovative robots designed to score the most points possible in
qualification matches, elimination matches and skill challenges.
In addition to having a great time and building amazing robots,
students learn many academic and life skills. This year’s challenge
was VEX Skyrise, an exciting and fast-paced game.
The United States Army was also on hand to showcase challenges,
activities and events related to STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics).
Pro
gram
Spe
c
sh
ip
Me
di a
December 2014 & January 2015
Libr
ary
Each year a group of Fellows from districts across the country
engage in an 18-month program focused on developing
leadership skills in integrating information literacy
instruction, technology use and advocacy for
library programs. This year Manami Tezuka,
Supervisor of Library Media Specialists,
was selected to take part in the nationally
recognized Lilead Fellows Program.
The Lilead Fellows Program encourages
advanced and intensive professional
development designed to empower,
enable and equip school district
library supervisors to think differently
low about their library programs and to be
l
e
F
ad
effective and inspirational leaders for change
e
l
i
6L
1
0
in
their districts.
2
15
i a l is
t Sup
ervisor
Sel
ected for 20
The Fellows Program will enable library supervisors to:
•
•
•
Look toward the future — Why do school libraries exist, and how can they make a difference in learning communities?
Explore new ways to solve challenging problems — Work collaboratively with others and try new approaches.
Strengthen the profession — Document strategies, both successful and unsuccessful, in changing mindsets about the
role school libraries can play in changing lives.
The Fellowship is conducted in part with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
7
December 2014 & January 2015
SCSD Students Attend Four
Day Leadership Training
Fifteen high school students from Fowler, ITC and
Nottingham joined 75 students from other CNY
high schools for four days of Leadership Training.
The program was held at Camp Long Point on
Seneca Lake and was hosted by Teen Institute (TI).
TI is a national youth leadership program with a local
chapter through Prevention Network dedicated to providing
young people with the leadership skills to promote healthy living
and substance use prevention strategies for themselves and their peers.
Through dynamic presentations, experiential workshops, small discussion groups and school/community planning sessions
the students learned ways to cope with stress as well as healthy lifestyle strategies, leadership skills and drug/alcohol prevention
activities. They also worked with their School Team Advisor to develop Prevention Action Plans for their respective schools.
Activities included listening to presenters who have gone through or had family members who have addictions; creating and
performing a drug prevention skit; working with their school team on a treasure hunt using clues about teamwork to solve the
puzzle on a giant Monopoly Board; meeting twice a day in small ‘Family Groups’ for in-depth discussions about thoughts and
feelings that come up as they learn; and being able to just be young people, having fun in healthy, active ways!
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News from the Schools
syracusecityschools.com
Foster Grandparent
Program
The Foster Grandparent Program provides
senior citizens the opportunity to share their
lifetime of skills, talents and abilities with
students in the Syracuse City School District.
Serving as positive role models, foster grandparents provide extra attention and care to
children needing assistance and nurturing.
The presence of foster grandparents ensures
that students are receiving additional support,
guidance and encouragement. By providing
a stable, loving presence in a young person’s
life, foster grandparents are building bridges
between the generations and helping to shape
the future.
We are adding a foster grandparent to every first
and second grade classroom across the district.
This expansion means that we will eventually
have more than 130 caring adults working with
our students. If you are interested in becoming
8
a foster grandparent, please call P.E.A.C.E., Inc.
at (315) 295-0719.
The SCSD is eagerly seeking individuals
who would like to make a difference
in the lives of our students.
If interested, please complete our Online
Volunteer Application. For questions
regarding the process, please call
435-6455.
To Volunteer
with the SCSD:
Go to syracusecityschools.com
UNDER QUICK LINKS AT THE TOP
SEE VOLUNTEERS
DISMISSAL TIMES FOR HALF DAYS
Student
Dismissal Time
HALF DAYS
Bellevue
8:30 AM
4:00 PM
12:30 PM
Delaware Academy
8:00 AM
2:00 PM
11:00 AM
Delaware Primary
8:00 AM
2:00 PM
11:00 AM
Dr. King
8:30 AM
4:10 PM
12:30 PM
Dr. Weeks
8:30 AM
4:10 PM
12:30 PM
Franklin
8:30 AM
4:10 PM
12:30 PM
Hughes
9:00 AM
3:00 PM
12:00 PM
LeMoyne
9:00 AM
3:00 PM
12:00 PM
McCarthy @ Beard
8:00 AM
2:00 PM
11:00 AM
McKinley-Brighton
8:00 AM
2:00 PM
11:00 AM
Meachem
9:00 AM
3:00 PM
12:00 PM
Porter
8:30 AM
4:00 PM
12:30 PM
Salem Hyde
9:00 AM
3:00 PM
12:00 PM
Seymour
8:30 AM
4:00 PM
12:30 PM
Syracuse Latin
9:00 AM
3:00 PM
12:00 PM
Van Duyn
8:30 AM
4:00 PM
12:30 PM
Webster
9:00 AM
3:00 PM
12:00 PM
Student
Start Time
Student
Dismissal Time
FULL DAYS
Student
Dismissal Time
HALF DAYS
Clary
7:50 AM
2:26 PM
11:00 AM
Danforth
8:00 AM
3:36 PM
12:00 PM
ELMS
7:50 AM
2:26 PM
11:00 AM
Ed Smith ES
9:00 AM
3:00 PM
11:30 AM
Ed Smith MS
8:00 AM
2:50 PM
11:30 AM
Frazer
8:00 AM
3:30 PM
11:30 AM
Grant
7:50 AM
2:26 PM
11:00 AM
Huntington ES
9:00 AM
3:00 PM
11:30 AM
Huntington MS
8:00 AM
2:50 PM
11:30 AM
HW Smith
7:45 AM
3:25 PM
11:30 AM
Lincoln
8:00 AM
3:45 PM
12:00 PM
MSAP @ Phoenix
7:40 AM
2:00 PM
11:00 AM
Roberts ES
9:00 AM
3:00 PM
11:30 AM
Roberts MS
8:00 AM
2:50 PM
11:30 AM
Westside Academy
8:00 AM
3:36 PM
12:00 PM
Student
Start Time
Student
Dismissal Time
FULL DAYS
Student
Dismissal Time
HALF DAYS
Corcoran
7:50 AM
2:26 PM
11:14 AM
Fowler
7:50 AM
2:26 PM
11:14 AM
Henninger
7:50 AM
2:26 PM
11:14 AM
ITC & P-Tech
7:50 AM
2:26 PM
11:14 AM
Johnson Center
7:50 AM
2:26 PM
11:14 AM
Nottingham
7:50 AM
2:26 PM
11:14 AM
PSLA @ Fowler
8:20 AM
3:20 PM
11:44 AM
Pre-K – 8
and Middle
Schools
High
Schools
For the 24th year,
kindergarteners from
Seymour Dual Language
Academy celebrated
the holiday season with
Carrier employees. The
students were treated
to entertainment and each had a special visit
with “Santa” who presented a gift to each child,
donated by employees of Carrier.
Dave Francisco,
site facilities
manager at
Carrier, helps
Kezhare Huddleston
with his balance on
the bike he received
at the event.
December 2014 & January 2015
Student
Dismissal Time
FULL DAYS
News from the Schools
Student
Start Time
Elementary
Schools
Carrier Gives
Gifts to Seymour
Kindergarteners
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News from the Schools
December 2014 & January 2015
STAYING WARM THIS WINTER with a little help from friends
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Huntington
7th Grader
Organizes
Coat Drive
Ruell Branch, a 7th grade
student at Huntington
Pre-K – 8 organized
a coat drive for the
Syracuse Area Rescue
Mission. He collected
more than 150 coats at
Huntington and
delivered them,
with the help of
his family, to the
Rescue Mission.
The coats were
distributed to
those in need
through the
Rescue Mission’s
Outreach
Services
division.
Wladis Hat & Glove
Giveaway
The Wladis Law Firm and Wladis
Companies Inc. gave away more
than 11,000 hats and gloves to
students in grades Pre-K – 8
as part of their annual hat and
glove giveaway. This is the
18th year that the companies
have been providing hats
and gloves to students in the
district. The drive was started
by George Wladis in 1997 at
Seymour Elementary School.
Special thanks to Mark and Steven Wladis for
continuing the tradition their father so generously started.
Board President Michelle Mignano and Superintendent Sharon Contreras
lead the children in thanking Mark Wladis for the hat and glove donations.
School Delays
and Closings
With the winter season upon us, it is important that all
families are aware of the school district’s policies and
procedures for inclement weather. The district can either
delay the opening of school for up to two hours when weather
dictates the need for a delay or close school.
The district, in conjunction with the City of Syracuse
Department of Public Works and the National Weather
Service, works collaboratively to assess the local weather
forecast and the passability of City streets. In instances when
the SCSD is forced to delay, close or dismiss early (or when
afterschool activities are cancelled) school announcements
will be broadcast on local news outlets as well as on the
district’s website at www.syracusecityschools.com and
through our social media accounts. We will also utilize our
SchoolMessenger parent notification system to alert you of
the delay or closing.
If weather reports indicate that we need to delay school, the
following procedures have been instituted for students:
• School buses will pick up students two hours after their
regularly scheduled pick up time
• Walkers are to report for the start of school two hours
after the regularly scheduled opening of school
• There will be no morning Pre-K for students
participating in half day morning Pre-K
• Dismissal for students will occur at the regularly
scheduled dismissal time even if the opening of school is
delayed
It is imperative that you have an emergency plan in place
and that your child clearly understands the plan if and
when any of these circumstances arise. It is also important
that your child is always dressed appropriately for the cold,
whether walking or riding the bus to school. If you have any
questions, please contact your child’s school.
National Board Certified Teachers
News from the Schools
At the January 2015 meeting of the Board of Education, four
Syracuse City School District teachers who voluntarily strived for
and achieved the “gold standard” of the teaching profession —
certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards — were recognized. Pictured here are Superintendent
Sharon L. Contreras; Scott Daley, Technology Teacher (Frazer);
Kathleen Kurgan, Elementary Teacher (Roberts); STA President
Kevin Ahern; Laurie Holtsbery, Elementary Teacher (Salem
Hyde); and Jeanette Capria-Lazzaro, Art Teacher (Corcoran).
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Educational
Foundation
Breakfast
On Saturday, March 28, 2015 the
SCSD Educational Foundation will
host the 12th Annual Recognition
Breakfast at the OnCenter. Awards
will be presented to those who
have gone above and beyond in
supporting the education of children
in the SCSD and the 2015 funded
grants projects will be introduced.
Text
Y
to 68453
DECA COOKBOOK
Henninger High School DECA students recently completed a
community service project for the Ronald McDonald House
here in Syracuse. The students created a cookbook for families
to use while staying at the Ronald McDonald House. In
addition they prepared and served dinner to approximately
25 families prior to the holiday break.
December 2014 & January 2015
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11
NEWS FROM HEALTH SERVICES
December 2014 & January 2015
Who Can Administer Epinephrine?
School nurses have always provided care for students
who have had severe, life-threatening allergic reactions
in school. In addition, willing non-nursing staff have
been able to be trained by the school nurse to give
Epinephrine to students with a known life-threatening
allergy.
What Has Changed?
Governor Cuomo recently signed a law that allows
non-nursing school staff to administer an EpiPen to
a student who has never been previously diagnosed
with an allergy but is showing signs of a serious allergic
reaction. Non-nursing school staff who want to be
able to administer an EpiPen must pass a detailed
course covering the signs and symptoms of a lifethreatening allergic reaction and the proper technique in
administering the medication.
The Department of Statewide School Health Services
will be releasing guidelines to determine how this new
program will be implemented and we will share them
once they are published.
News from the Schools
Can Students Carry Medication in School?
Governor Cuomo has also signed a law that enables
students to carry medications in school with
parental permission and a doctor’s order. This was a
recommendation that Health Services had implemented
for several years but is now a requirement of all schools
throughout New York State.
ITC in CNY Chess Championships
The ITC Chess Club took first place overall in the 2014 CNY
Scholastic Chess Championship. The students played great
chess, working well as a team, and had a great time at the
competition. Team members are:
• Keegan Foster • The Ngo
• Tran Ngo
• Rubenel Serrano
• Phuong Nguyen
• Aadrien Thayaparan (individual
12
honors with a third place finish)
Important Dates: February 2015
6 Elementary & Middle School Report Card
Distribution
7 All-City Instrumental Festival Concert – 2:00 pm –
Corcoran
7 NYS VEX Robotics Championship – SRC Arena at
OCC, 4585 W. Seneca Turnpike
9 High School Report Card Distribution
11 Half Day for all Schools – Professional Development
11 Board of Education Meeting – 5:30 pm
16 Presidents’ Day (no school)
16-20
23
23
23 & 24
MIDWINTER RECESS (no school)
School Reopens
BOE Operations Work Session – 4:30 pm
NYS Boys & Girls Skiing Championship – Whiteface
Mountain
24 Superintendent’s Parent Council Meeting – 6:30 to
8:30 pm – Board Room
25 BOE Education Work Session – 4:30 pm
27 & 28 NYS Wrestling Championship – Times Union
Center, Albany
Important Dates: March 2015
2 National Education Association Read Across
America Day
2 – 27 Pre-K and Kindergarten Open Registration –
8:00 am – 4:00 pm – Student Registration Center,
1728 South Ave
7 NYS Boys and Girls Indoor Track Championship
7 & 8 NYS Bowling Tournament
8 Daylight Saving Time Begins
9 High School Interim Reports
10 Volunteer Recognition Luncheon – 11:30 am to
1:00 pm – Le Moyne College
11 Middle School Interim Reports
11 Board of Education Meeting – 5:30 pm
12 Half Day for all Schools – Professional Development
13 BOE Audit Committee Meeting – 12:00 pm
14 SAT Test
14 & 15 NYS Ice Hockey Championship
18 Special Education Parent Advisory and Sharing –
6:00 to 8:00 pm – Nottingham
18 Kick Butts Day (sponsored by Campaign for
Tobacco-Free Kids)
20 – 22 NYS Boys & Girls Basketball Championship
20 – 29 Vera House White Ribbon Campaign to End
Domestic Violence
23 BOE Operations Work Session – 4:30 pm
24 Superintendent's Parent Council Meeting –
6:30 to 8:00 pm – Board Room
25 BOE Education Work Session – 4:30 pm
28 12th Annual SCSD Educational Foundation Recognition Breakfast – 8:00 to 10:30 am – Oncenter
28 All-City Choral Festival Concert – 2:00 pm –
H.W. Smith, 1130 Salt Springs Road
30 CNY Science and Engineering Fair – SRC Arena,
OCC
Henninger Students Explore
the Field of Medicine
The students, all juniors, will gain their
national certification upon successful
completion of the program.
Robyn Ouderkirk instructs the group on how a
computed tomography machine is used. From left,
Jeremas Colon, Chardeysiah Paige, Creshawn Wright,
Selena Valario. Colleen Jackson, far right, is the
medical assistant instructor at Henninger High School.
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PREVENT THE FLU
This year’s flu season may be more severe because of the
predominance of flu A H3N2. Historically this strain has
been associated with more hospitalizations, illness and
death especially in the very young, those over 65 and
those with medical conditions.
This School is a
FLU-FREE
ZONE!
Please cough or
sneeze
into your upper sleeve
or tissue—throw the
• Practicegoodhandwashingwithsoapand
tissue into the trash can
waterforatleast20seconds.
• Everyonesixmonthsofageandolder
shouldgetaflushoteveryyear.
WASH YOUR
&HANDS!
• Covercoughsandsneezeswithatissueor
shirtsleeve.
December 2014 & January 2015
YOUR CHILD’S
News from the Schools
Students participating in the medical
assistant training program at Henninger
High School took part in their fourth clinical
rotation at Crouse Hospital. They spent the
last semester shadowing hospital staff and
gaining knowledge in areas such as hospital
administration, respiratory therapy, medical
billing, the lab and pharmacy. After their
rotation at Crouse, the students will continue
learning in the classroom and another local
hospital.
• Ifyouhavesymptomsoftheflu(bodyaches,
sorethroat,headache,orcough)stayhome!
Stop the
spread and
keep the flu out of our school!
STOP THE SPREAD!
English
Formoreinformationaskyourhealthcareproviderortheschoolnurse
Onondaga County Health Department
13
MEET ITC’S
NEW PASTRY CHEF,
happen, but it’s how you handle the
mistakes and what you learn from them
that makes all the difference. This is
something that I want my students to
learn because it’s not just a skill that they
will need to learn in the kitchen, this is a
skill that they will need to learn in life.
News from the Schools
December 2014 & January 2015
Yalonda Buie
14
Professionally trained in baking, pastry
and French cooking techniques, Yalonda
Buie enjoys engaging young people and
teaching them healthy and fun ways to
prepare food. We asked a few questions
to get to know Yalonda, and here are her
responses.
What or who inspired you to first
pursue becoming a professional pastry
chef? I’ve always had a love for sweets.
I grew up watching family members
make amazing traditional desserts, so
I was heavily influenced from a young
age.
What will be the easiest dessert for
students to learn to make; which will be
the most difficult? Pastry cream will be
the easiest dessert for students to learn
to make. It is a sweet creamy custard
that is used as a filling in several desserts
such as cream puffs, pies and fruit tarts.
The seniors will be making a more
difficult dessert — the macaroon. It is
a cookie using egg whites which can be
pretty temperamental if the egg whites
aren’t whipped to the right consistency.
Name five of your healthiest and best
tasting desserts:
• grilled peaches and granola with
frozen vanilla yogurt
• no-bake peanut butter bars
• raspberry chocolate torte
• lemon and blueberry parfait
• mocha mousse with strawberries
On a free day when the weather is nice,
where in the Syracuse area do you like
to go? My family and I usually go to
Onondaga Lake Park.
Name a few of your favorite Syracuse
area restaurants and bakeries and what
you like to order:
Which celebrity chefs do you enjoy
watching or reading about? I have
always admired Julia Child, Gaston
Lenôtre and Marcus Samuelsson.
I love how they
all challenged
themselves and
created their own
paths within the
industry, setting
the bar in terms
of creativity and
persistence.
Describe your
proudest culinary
moment. Do you
have any baking
disaster stories to
share?
I have several
moments in my
career that I am
proud of, the most rewarding
thus far has been teaching.
Seeing the students get excited
about learning baking and
pastry arts and being able to
be an influence and mentor to
help guide their success has
definitely been a proud moment
for me. I have had so many
baking disasters that I could
probably write a book on “what
not to do;” however, for me it’s
never about the disasters that
happened . . . it was always
about how I handled myself
in the moment. Mistakes will
• Harrison Bakery Inc. — Challah Bread
• 83 & Company — The night cap
cupcake, a chocolate cupcake with
caramel, nuts and a chocolate ganache
• Alto Cinco — French toast with fresh
fruit and their chicken sausage.
• Pastabilities — Duck bacon flatbread
pizza
What is your favorite vacation spot?
There are many places that I have yet to
visit that are on my bucket list, so I do
not have a favorite vacation destination.
However, I do enjoy visiting Montreal.
It is the closest place where I can
experience fine French dining without
having to plan a trip to Paris!
Photos by ITC students
Jordan Kilduff and
Derryl Rivers
HIGH SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM
Who is eligible?
All incoming freshmen for the 2015-2016
school year are eligible to apply.
What are the transfer options?
A current high school student can request a
program-based transfer to a high school
within the district that offers a program of
interest to them such as Computer Forensics,
Cybersecurity, Fire Rescue, Medical Assisting
or Pre-Engineering. Students can also request
a transfer to their home school (the school to
which a student is assigned based on his/her
residence or home address). Finally, you can
request 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.
Important Information for All 8th Grade Students
Currently Attending Frazer, Grant and Westside
All students who are currently enrolled in Frazer, Grant and Westside
Academy at Blodgett will be required to participate in the high school
choice process by completing the high school choice form. As a
student at one of these three middle schools you can attend one of the
specialized high schools or a school with career, technical or specialized
programs. If you are not interested in the district’s specialized high
schools or schools with career, technical or specialized programs you
can apply to enroll in one of the three comprehensive high schools:
Corcoran (non-IB), Henninger or Nottingham.
2015
Career & Technical Education
Exposition
Career Expo at ITC Open to
Parents, Staff and Community
Saturday
Institute of Technology @ Syracuse (ITC)
258 E. Adams Street • Syracuse, New York
Highlights:
Demonstrations
Performances
Music
College Information
December 2014 & January 2015
All students are required to complete the high school choice
application. Additionally, families may be required to fill out a
program-specific application and/or attend an interview. For more
information, please contact your child’s school counselor or the Student
Registration Center at 435-4545 or [email protected].
News from the Schools
The High School Choice program is an open enrollment option for all students entering
9th grade for the 2015-16 school year or an opportunity for a current high school student to
transfer into a program of interest. There are several different opportunities to
choose from including the career and technical programs at Henninger, ITC at
Syracuse Central, Nottingham, P-Tech and Public Service Leadership Academy
at Fowler as well as the International Baccalaureate program at Corcoran.
11 am to 1 pm
February 28
(All 8th grade students will be visiting the Expo with
their school during the day on February 26 and 27)
For more information, contact: Robert Leslie
Director of Career and Technical Education (435-4964)
15
Syracuse City School District
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News from the Schools Staff
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Trudy Coleman
Publications Aide
The Syracuse City School District hereby advises students,
parents, employees, and the general public that it offers
employment and educational opportunities including
vocational 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.
GRADUATION
The Syracuse City School District four-year June graduation rate increased to 51.9% and the August graduation rate
to 55.7%. It is the first time since NYS adopted the federal “Total Cohort” calculation methodology more than six
years ago, that the SCSD June graduation rate has exceeded 50%.
The graduation rate increased at all high schools. The Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central saw their August
graduation rate climb to 81.5% while at Corcoran the rate reached 66.9%. Henninger and Nottingham saw the largest
percentage increases in their August graduation rates as they improved 8.6 percentage points to 55.9% and
6.8 percentage points to 62.2%, respectively. At Fowler there were modest gains: their commitment and hard work
will continue to move them forward.
1 Percentage of Students Gradua1ng with a Local, Regents, or Regents with Advanced Designa1on Diploma A>er 4 Years 53.0%
51.1%
51.9%
Results Through August, All Students 50.7%
16
RATE
49.1%
News from the Schools
increasing
2005
Cohort/August
2006
Cohort/August
2007
Cohort/August
2008
Cohort/August
2009
Cohort/August
Syracuse CSD
55.7%
December 2014 & January 2015
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2010
Cohort/August