Syracuse City School District News from the Schools April & May 2014 Ne

News from the
Syracuse City School District
News from the Schools
BOARD OF EDUCATION
President
Maxwell Ruckdeschel
Vice President
Bill Bullen
David Cecile
Derrick Dorsey
Michelle Mignano
Stephen Swift
Sharon L. Contreras
Superintendent of Schools
Jaime Alicea
Chief Operations Officer
Kim S. Bradley
Chief of Staff
Jeremy Grant-Skinner, Esq.
Exec. Dir. for Talent Management
Brandan Keaveny, Ed.D.
Chief Accountability Officer
Laura Kelley
Chief Academic Officer
Suzanne Slack
Chief Financial Officer
To build, support and sustain
school communities that
provide all students with a
high-quality education that
prepares them to graduate as
responsible, active citizens
ready for success in college
and careers and prepared to
compete in a global economy.
VISION
To become the most
improved urban school
district in America.
ULTIMATE GOAL
An educational community
that graduates every student
as a responsible, active
citizen prepared for success
in college, careers and the
global economy.
Mailing Address:
1025 Erie Boulevard West
Syracuse, NY 13204
Physical Address:
725 Harrison Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
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The 2014-15 New York State budget has been
released and we are pleased to announce
that the Syracuse City School District will be
receiving $290.8 million including an additional
$7.4 million from the previously announced
Governor’s proposed budget.
We wish to recognize Senators John DeFrancisco
and Dave Valesky, as well as Assemblymen
Sam Roberts and Bill Magnarelli, for their
leadership and support of the district during this
budget process. Senator DeFrancisco staunchly
supported the district and City of Syracuse in his
role as Chair of the Senate Finance Committee
and Assemblyman Magnarelli was instrumental
in putting forth and securing an additional
$2 million to support the district’s proposal
to provide additional behavior support staff
in our schools. The funding will be provided
to Onondaga County with the programming
administered in the Syracuse City School District.
We would like to thank United Syracuse and
the numerous organizations that make up the
coalition for spearheading the advocacy efforts
on behalf of the district. We would specifically
like to recognize Pamela Percival and Susan
Fahey Glisson from Parents for Public Schools
and Patrice Chang and Corey Hudson from the
NAACP for their leadership in helping to guide
the work of United Syracuse. Members of the
Superintendent’s Parent Council, Parent Teacher
Organizations and the Syracuse Teachers
Association are also to be commended for their
tireless efforts in advocating for our school
children.
The recent
addition of
funding for the
Syracuse City
School District
would not be a
reality without
the support of this
entire community
and we are grateful
to have partners
so committed to our students. The increase in Aid will prevent
hundreds of layoffs as well as the reduction of essential district
programs. We are getting closer to realizing a funding formula
that recognizes changes in the demographics and enrollment of
our district.
In the New York State budget, the Foundation Aid for the
Syracuse City School District was increased $6.8 million which
factors in the increased costs year over year and the increased
enrollment and ever changing demographics of our students.
The Gap Elimination Adjustment was further reduced by
nearly $2 million, accelerating the rate at which State aid is
restored. While the dollar amounts for individual districts have
not yet been determined, there is $340 million set aside for the
expansion of Universal Pre-Kindergarten.
March & April 2014
News from the Schools
MISSION
Dear Valued SCSD Family,
Schools
March & April 2014
Patricia Body
April & May 2014
In closing, I believe that the words of President Pat Body sum it
up perfectly, “The Board of Education is extremely pleased with
the final New York State budget. The community came together
and rallied on behalf of our students and Albany took note.”
In the Interest of All Children,
Sharon L. Contreras
Exciting Field Trip
Opportunities for
SCSD Students
Last fall, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo partnered
with the SCSD to present Zoo Safari, a new program
which allows teachers to work with zoo educators to
create field trips for students that connect hands-on
experiences with curriculum. Every second grade
student in each of the district’s elementary schools
will participate in the program.
(continued)
1
News from the Schools
April & May 2014
Exciting Field Trip Opportunities
for SCSD Students (continued)
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Over the past several months, students have been learning about animals
at the zoo and how they adapt to the cold climate. The youngsters are
even given the opportunity to touch species such as the American
kestrel, Eastern box turtle and Virginia opossum. We thank Friends of
the Zoo for creating these unique field experiences!
Now in its ninth year with
the SCSD, Baltimore Woods’
award winning Nature in the
City program offers students in
grades K-6 authentic, hands-on/
minds-on natural science learning
opportunities. Students from
Meachem, Roberts, Ed Smith
and H.W. Smith have taken
walking field trips to nearby
parks and green spaces and
have participated in science
lessons in their classrooms. Each
participating classroom receives a
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series of three one-hour lessons during
the school year. The lessons are tied to
New York State Science Standards and
are tailored to support the elementary
science curriculum. Supported by Save
the Rain, local corporate sponsors and
the Syracuse City School District, Nature
in the City is a great way to kick off a
lifetime of science learning!
Students in grades 4, 6 and 8 are
visiting the Museum of Science
and Technology (MOST) for a full
day of inquiry-based experiences
developed to support the science
curriculum. To enrich the program
the MOST has created pre- and
post-visit activities, in collaboration
with the SCSD, for students to
complete in their classrooms.
The MOST also offers SCSD
teachers professional development
on the lessons and activities.
During the professional
development teachers walk through
all of the activities and are provided
materials to help them complete the
lessons with their students.
NYS Examination Schedule
June 2014
___________________________________________________________
Tues., June 3 8:30 a.m. RE in Algebra 1 (Common Core)
___________________________________________________________
12:30 p.m. RE in English Language Arts (Common Core)
Tues., June 17 8:30 a.m. RE in U.S. History & Government
___________________________________________________________
12:30 p.m. RE in Living Environment
Thurs., June 19 8:30 a.m. Comprehensive English
___________________________________________________________
12:30 p.m. Physical Setting/Earth Science
Fri., June 20
8:30 a.m. Integrated Algebra
___________________________________________________________
12:30 p.m. Geometry / Physical Setting/Physics
Mon., June 23 8:30 a.m. RCT in Global Studies
LOTE Checkpoint A
12:30 p.m. RCT in Reading
LOTE Checkpoint B
___________________________________________________________
Tues., June 24 8:30 a.m. Physical Setting/Chemistry
RCT in Science
___________________________________________________________
12:30 p.m. RCT in U.S. History & Government
Wed., June 25
Due to the necessary
use of multiple
inclement weather
days, the contingency
day listed on the school
calendar is now a full
day of school for all
students and staff.
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Syracuse City School District Commencement Schedule
School
Date & Time
Location
Adult GED Program
Wednesday, June 11
6:00 p.m.
Fowler High School Auditorium
227 Magnolia Street
Licensed Practical
Nurse (LPN) Program
Thursday, June 19
6:00 p.m.
Fowler High School Auditorium
227 Magnolia Street
Nottingham
Thursday, June 26
7:00 p.m.
Crouse Hinds Theater, Civic Center
421 Montgomery Street
Institute of
Technology
Friday, June 27
9:00 a.m.
Quad Moon Patio, SUNY-ESF Campus
Fowler
Saturday, June 28
9:00 a.m.
Crouse Hinds Theater, Civic Center
421 Montgomery Street
Henninger
Saturday, June 28
3:00 p.m.
SRC Arena, Onondaga Community College
4585 W. Seneca Turnpike
Corcoran
Sunday, June 29
9:00 a.m.
Crouse Hinds Theater, Civic Center
421 Montgomery Street
April & May 2014
014
8:30 a.m. RCT in Writing
12:30 p.m. RCT in Mathematics
All schools in the
Syracuse City School
District will be in session
on Friday, May 23, 2014.
News from the Schools
Wed., June 18 8:30 a.m. RE in Global History and Geography
___________________________________________________________
12:30 p.m. Algebra 2/Trigonometry
ANNOUNCEMENT
(Inclement Weather Location: ITC Gymnasium)
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Congratulations
April & May 2014
DECA Winners
Seven Nottingham students recently placed first or second
at the DECA State Career Conference. Claire Breed, Emily
Carlson, Deasia Hawkins, Julianna Matthews, Nastacia
Marks, Natalie Mooney and Je’Nyia Wilson then represented
the SCSD at the DECA International Career Development
Conference in Atlanta in May. DECA prepares emerging
leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality
and management in high schools and colleges around the
globe. With guidance from advisor Thomas Azzolino,
these students presented their public relations and creative
marketing projects to the judges in Atlanta.
All-County Music Festival
Students from our high schools represented the district in the
Junior and Senior High All-County concert sponsored by the
Onondaga County Music Educators Association (OCMEA). These students
were required to
prepare a song
to perform at the
audition, play their
scales and sightread a passage of
music they had not
seen before. The
following students
were selected from
hundreds who
auditioned:
Senior High All-County
• Nottingham’s Shaughnessy Jones, flute (Brent Paris, teacher)
• Henninger’s Joe Moore, trumpet (Rory Edwards, teacher)
• Corcoran’s Sophie Kinne, trumpet (Marshella Mason, teacher)
Junior High All-County
News from the Schools
• Corcoran’s Jenna Lacey, soprano (Priscilla Babilonia, teacher)
• Nottingham’s Hannah Coffer, clarinet (Brent Paris, teacher)
2014 New York State Public High School
Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Results
May is Teacher Appreciation Month
A teacher brings special skills to education each day and
these individual contributions are invaluable to the children
of Syracuse. Individually, a teacher makes an important
contribution . . . together, teachers make a difference.
As we all know, our city’s future exists within today’s schools.
During Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9) and throughout the year, please take the time to say “thank you.”
Davon Evans
Ronald Jennings
Charles Stokes
Patrice Williams
The following students qualified in the Section III Championships
allowing them to compete in the NYSPHSAA 2014 Indoor Track
and Field Championships:
• Nottingham’s Tayquon Hightower qualified for three events
in the Section III 55-meter dash, medley relay and high jump;
he finished fourth at the championships in the high jump by
clearing 6 feet, 6 inches
• Corcoran’s Davon Evans qualified in the Section III 300-meter
dash with a time of 37.25
• Corcoran’s Ronald Jennings qualified in the Section III
300-meter dash with a time of 37.78
• Corcoran’s Charles Stokes qualified in the Section III high
jump by clearing 6 feet, 4 inches
• Corcoran’s Patrice Williams qualified in the Section III
300-meter dash with a time of 41.18 and finished sixth at the
championships in the 300-meter dash with a time of 41.19
Congratulations to these student athletes and their coaches
Michael Cabrinha, Thomas Pryor and Tara Jennings.
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InterFaith
Works
of CNY
Racial
Justice
Awards
• Abdulilah Al-Dubai is a nationality worker at the district
and volunteers as assistant director at the North Side
Learning Center.
• Cimone Jordan, a junior at Fowler, has participated in the
Community-Wide Dialogue (CWD) working with peers
to address racial barriers between rural and urban schools.
She is also a part of Fowler’s Diversity Dialogue Club.
• Wilauer Mateo, a senior at ITC, studies Media
Communications and has participated in community
projects such as the Superintendent’s Cabinet, Youth
Summit at Fowler and survey research for the CWD.
• Ella Neville, a senior at Nottingham, was a peer facilitator
with the CWD this past fall. She also volunteers at Jowonio
Pre-School helping children with cerebral palsy.
In the teen
category of the
Winter at the Zoo
Photo Contest,
Normesha Dennis,
an Institute of
Technology (ITC)
student, was
honored. According to Nick Lisi, media communications
teacher at ITC, Normesha’s photo entitled “Looking for a
Meal” captures depth and the expression of its subject, a snow
leopard housed at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. This photo,
along with others, has been part of a traveling display in the
Syracuse community. In June, the exhibit will be open at the
Red House Arts Center, 201 South West Street.
CNY Scholastic Arts
Awards
Art work created by several SCSD high
school students received recognition at
this year’s Scholastic Art Awards:
Winners in Writing & Oral Competition
Teacher Inspiration Award
Nottingham sophomore Francesca Giardine won first place
in the Syracuse Speaks Writing & Oral Competition hosted by
the Syracuse University Black Law Students Association. The
group challenged SCSD students in grades 6-10 to write an
essay related to the topic of diversity.
In addition to recognizing students
for their art, the Scholastic Teacher
Inspiration award is also given to “a
teacher who goes above and beyond the
call of duty.” This year’s recipient was
Michael Field, art teacher at Henninger
High School, whose previous career
was in the automotive field prior to
becoming an educator. Along with the
award, he received a gift certificate for
art supplies and the opportunity to
select a student to receive a scholarship
for an OCC course.
Nottingham Student Among Top 3
in Shakespeare Competition
Finalists in the essay portion of the competition were asked
to deliver an oral presentation on their thesis followed by a
question-and-answer session with the judges, comprised of
SU law professors, lawyers in the community, and third year
law students. Neoan Nyung, a freshman at Henninger High
School, was named runner-up.
Destany Finney,
Silver Key for Destiny
Paige Kelly, Silver Key
for Summer Thinking
April & May 2014
On March 1, Nottingham sophomore
Lucy Purnine took third place at the
English Speaking Union’s 26th annual
Shakespeare Competition Regionals held
at Syracuse Stage. Lucy performed a monologue by Viola in Twelfth Night and
recited Sonnet 116. We are especially proud
of Lucy because it is rare for a sophomore
to do so well in this competition.
• Destany Finney and Paige Kelly
(Corcoran) both won the Silver Key
in Painting
• Sophia Kardaras, Madelyn Kelly
and Paige Kelly (Corcoran) received
Honorable Mention awards
• Chelsea Heming (Henninger)
received Honorable Mention for a
Fine Arts Portfolio
• Shawn Wilson (Henninger) won the
Silver Key in Drawing
• Chelsea Heming and Abbey Leclair
(Henninger) received Honorable
Mention awards
• Jerome Ntakirutimana
(Nottingham) received an Honorable
Mention award
News from the Schools
InterFaith
Works of
Central
New York
honored
the following SCSD students and staff member with the
2014 Racial Justice Award which celebrates and recognizes
individuals who have served as advocates for racial justice:
ITC Student
Honored for
Photo Entry
Sophia Kardaras, Honorable
Mention for Sophia
Madelyn Kelly, Honorable
Mention for Summer Heat
Paige Kelly, Honorable
Mention for Julia
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April & May 2014
MOST Science
Fair Winners
The MOST Science Fair took place at the SRC Arena at
Onondaga Community College. Students throughout
Central New York in grades 4-12 competed for
scholarships, trips and awards in the following categories:
Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and
Engineering for Rising Stars) is intended to encourage, reward and
celebrate the mastery of science, technology, engineering and math.
• Christopher Edmonds, a seventh grader at Ed Smith, for The Hidden
Web: Internet Browsing, Behavioral Targeting and Tracking
Honeywell Summer Science Week at the MOST Scholarship
Ed Smith K-8 School
• Imane Aitnajim and Amela Mujak,
H.W. Smith, Best Way to Preserve
Apples
• Max Moore, Lincoln, The Greatest
Achievement of a Potato Cannon
SUNY College of Environmental
Science and Forestry Scholarship
News from the Schools
• Cimone Jordan, a junior at Fowler,
Effect of Greywater on Plant Growth
College of Engineering & Computer
Science and Summer College at
Syracuse University Scholarship Award
Lincoln Middle School
• Nyezee Goe, a junior at Fowler, Robopollution
H.W. Smith K-8 School
Cornell Women's Club of
Syracuse Book Awards
• Madeline Scott, fourth
grader at Ed Smith, Cat Toy
Enrichment Study
IEEE Awards in Electrical and
Computer Engineering
• Signe Golash, a freshman at
Corcoran, RSA Cryptography
• Zaynah Wazen, a fourth
grader at Ed Smith,
Lauspeaker Concept
Fowler High School
Lockheed Martin Awards
Corcoran High School
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Thanks to the Milton J. Rubenstein
Museum of Science and Technology
(MOST) for organizing this event,
co-sponsored by Lockheed Martin Inc.,
Time Warner’s Connect a Million Minds
and the Technology Alliance of CNY
• Signe Golash, a freshman at Corcoran, RSA Cryptography
• Jackson Marko, a fourth grader at Ed Smith, Up, Up and Away
• Addison Simone, a seventh grader at Ed Smith, Trajectory of an Arrow
• Tyler Broschart, a fourth grader at Ed Smith, Tyler’s Undersea Explorer
SUNY Oswego Genius Olympiad Award, Stockholm Junior Water Prize
and U.S. Metric Association Award
• Kaya Pagano, a freshman at Corcoran, won three awards for her Rain
Garden Suitability project
A Journey to the
Syracuse City School District
Families like the Rauts were forced
to flee from Bhutan in the middle of
the night with nothing but the clothes
on their backs. The journey was one
born of necessity as their village was
raided by the government and people
were intimidated, arrested, tortured,
raped and ultimately evicted from not
only their homes and villages but from
their country. The families first settled
in temporary shelters in India and
later refugee camps in Nepal before
finally arriving in the United States.
She spent her middle school years
learning not only academic subjects
but trying to assimilate to a totally new
culture while trying to maintain her
Bhutanese heritage.
After four years in North Carolina her
family was able to relocate to Syracuse
where there are some 2,700 refugee
families from Bhutan and more than
500 Bhutanese students in the Syracuse
City School District.
Samixchha is excelling at Nottingham
where there are 37 Bhutanese refugee
students. She loves the diversity of her
school and her teachers. “The teachers
are wonderful and always willing to
stay after and help,” said Samixchha. “It
is nice to go to school where there are
others from my home.”
She participates in the Chess Club and
provides community service with her
fellow Liberty Partnership Program
students through their service
learning initiatives at Nottingham.
She is studying advanced level courses
and hopes to study biology and go on
to medical school after college. She
is in the Upward Bound program and
has visited Cornell University and
Le Moyne College.
While her dream is to be a doctor she
knows that she will always find time to
give back and help those in need.
“I want to be able to give back and
help others the way so many people
helped me and my family,” said
Samixchha.
Nottingham Opens Student
Operated Credit Union
Nottingham High School partnered
with Cooperative Federal (Syracuse
Cooperative Federal Credit Union) to
create Nottingham Federal, a student-run credit union branch within the
high school. Nottingham Federal is dedicated to fostering hands-on financial
education and empowering a new generation of savers.
April & May 2014
Samixchha and her family first
resettled in North Carolina when
she was 13 years old. She was placed
into the 7th grade despite speaking no
English. Her previous schooling in the
refugee camps was focused on reading
and math but she had never seen or
used a computer or telephone.
News from the Schools
On the surface Samixchha Raut looks
like any other high school student
walking the halls at Nottingham High
School but the story of her family’s
journey to the United States and
Syracuse is far from ordinary. They
endured great hardship and suffering
before resettlement in Syracuse.
Students can open accounts,
make deposits and withdrawals, enroll in direct
deposit, cash checks and talk about savings and money management
during school hours. Nottingham Federal also provides academic
enrichment and career-building opportunities to students who serve
as tellers, marketers, peer educators and more.
The opening of Nottingham Federal is a result of more than a year of
planning by a team of Nottingham students. It is the third location to
open under Cooperative Federal’s Youth Credit Union Program, which
currently operates at both Fowler and Henninger High Schools.
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April & May 2014
Henninger Grad Accepts
KeyBank Donation to Say Yes
KeyBank, an avid
supporter of Say Yes
Syracuse, has donated
$300,000 to the Say
Yes to Education
Endowment Fund.
Steve Fournier,
KeyBank’s District
President, made
the generous gift
during a presentation
at halftime of the
February 3 Syracuse
Orange men’s
basketball game
against Notre Dame
at the Carrier Dome.
News from the Schools
Jameel Shareef, a Henninger graduate and a Say Yes Scholar, was on hand
to accept the check from KeyBank. He is a senior in the College of Visual
and Performing Arts at Syracuse University studying Communication and
Rhetorical Studies.
“KeyBank Foundation is extremely proud to partner with Say Yes Syracuse.
We make it a priority to support workforce development and diversity
whenever possible,’’ Fournier said. “Key has an inherent interest in helping
our city students find success in high school and college. We hope this
partnership will culminate in luring this potentially amazing homegrown
talent back to Syracuse when they’re done with college. It’s an incredible
and rewarding opportunity for all involved, including corporate neighbors
like Key.”
Also at the check presentation were Paul Tremont, President of SRC
Inc.; Sharon L. Contreras, Superintendent of Schools; Kent Syverud,
Chancellor of Syracuse University; Allen Naples, Co-Campaign Chair,
Say Yes Syracuse; Lee Davis, Say Yes Syracuse Scholarship Chairman; and
Pat Driscoll, Local Operations Director for Say Yes to Education.
“The Syracuse City School District is extremely grateful to KeyBank and
Steve Fournier, KeyBank District President, for their generous contribution
toward the tuition endowment,’’ Contreras said. “The continued funding of
the endowment is essential to the Say Yes Tuition Promise which allows us
to provide access to college for all of our graduating seniors,” she said. “Say Yes thanks KeyBank for their ongoing support of our mission. Their
generous donation will help ensure that all students in the city of Syracuse
can have access to a college education,” Driscoll said.
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The donation helps move the Say Yes to Education Endowment Fund
toward its $20 million goal. The money is used to provide last dollar
scholarships and grants to college bound students from public schools in
the city of Syracuse.
Eligible
Seniors Can
Register
for Summer
Success Academy
Graduating seniors who will be
attending Onondaga Community
College, Cayuga Community
College, St. Joseph’s College of
Nursing, the State University
College of Environmental Science
and Forestry, the State University
College at Morrisville, the State
University College at Cortland
or the State University College
at Oswego should plan to attend
the Summer Success Academy
sponsored by Say Yes to Education,
Hillside and the participating
institutions.
The Academy is free for 2014
Syracuse City School District
graduates who will be attending
one of the above colleges. The
program runs July 7 to August 8,
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (MondayFriday) and takes place on the
campus at Onondaga Community
College. Students who attend can
earn college credits while getting
a firsthand look at what to expect
when heading off to school. The
program is designed to make the
transition from high school to
college easier for SCSD students.
If you are interested in
participating, please see your
guidance counselor for a Summer
Success Academy application,
fill it out and return to Ahmeed
Turner, Scholarship Director, Say
Yes Syracuse, 109 Otisco Street,
Syracuse, NY 13244. The form
can also be scanned and e-mailed
to Mr. Turner at ahturner@
sayyestoeducation.org.
Participants can enjoy a meal during the class
or take their lunch or breakfast to go
Upcoming Workshops
tu
Promoting Learning Over the Summer: K-5
Family Swim and Water Safety
Making Your Children Mind Without Losing Yours
News from the Schools
Breakfast and Books
Lunch and Learn
To learn more, contact Monique Wright-Williams,
Executive Director of Parent & Family Engagement
for Say Yes to Education / SCSD, at 435-6275
or www.scsdparentuniversity.com
Students in the class of 2014 who will
be attending college in the fall at one of
the more than 150 schools who partner
with Say Yes to Education need to
head to www.sayyessyracuse.org to get
certified for Say Yes scholarship funds.
There are many options available for
students of all income levels and it’s
easy to become certified. Here’s how
the Say Yes Tuition Scholarship works:
If a student enrolls at a Say Yes
participating college and does not
receive the full cost of tuition from
state, federal, and/or institutional grants
and scholarships, Say Yes will provide a
grant for the remaining tuition balance.
The Say Yes Tuition Scholarship is
available to all students, regardless
of family income, at SUNY and
CUNY colleges. Most private colleges
guarantee full tuition to students from
families with incomes less than $75,000.
financial aid may qualify for an
Opportunity Grant. This grant offers
up to $2,000 per year and can be used
toward books, fees or room and board.
To qualify for the scholarship, students
must:
• Reside in Syracuse
• Continuously enroll in a SCSD high
school from grades 10 through 12
• Graduate from a SCSD high school
• Enroll full-time at a Say Yes college
within one year of high school
graduation
• Apply and remain eligible for
financial aid each year
In addition, eligible students who are
enrolled at SUNY or CUNY colleges
who have received the maximum
Federal Pell Grant, reside on campus
and have high remaining need for
April & May 2014
How to Sign Up for Say Yes Scholarship Funds
Students who attend private compact
colleges may qualify for a Choice Grant,
if they are not receiving a Say Yes
Tuition Scholarship due to the income
cap. This grant offers up to $5,000 per
year. Awards are determined by the
difference between financial aid and the
cost of full-time tuition. Choice Grants,
when combined with state, federal and
institutional grants and scholarships,
cannot exceed the cost of full-time
undergraduate tuition.
To get certified for Say Yes funds go to
www.sayyessyracuse.org and click on
College Scholarships on the top right.
Once you are taken to that page, follow
the link to create a new account and
enter the required information.
9
Educational
Foundation Breakfast
11th Annual
News from the Schools
April & May 2014
The Syracuse City School
District Educational Foundation
Recognition Breakfast was held
on March 29 at the Oncenter.
Entertainment was provided
by the Henninger Jazz Combo,
centerpieces were created and
donated by District art classes and Institute of Technology
students produced the grant project videos.
During the program, four successful district alumni were
recognized and thanked for giving of their time and talent
for the betterment of school children. David Moynihan
(Henninger Class of 1973), Manny Breland (Central High
Class of 1952), Gino Duca (Henninger Class of 1992) and
Michael Grieb (Corcoran Class of 1991). These honorees
serve as tremendous role models for students. Through their
successful careers and service to this school district they
continue to show students that they too can achieve anything
while still taking time to give back to their community.
Brian Griffith-Gibbs was nominated for Educator
of the Year by ELMS principal Rebecca Groat
Many of this year’s grants will fund projects
involving the use of iPads in learning
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Henninger’s Jazz Band opened the morning
with a variety of lively instrumentals
Every year the Foundation also recognizes outstanding
educators from the District with the Educator of the Year
awards. The 2014 honorees represent the best of the Syracuse
City School District. Congratulations to:
• Elementary Teacher Winner – Heather Marzullo, Fifth
Grade Teacher, Hughes Elementary School
• Secondary Teacher Winner – Gwen Raeford, Science
Teacher, Nottingham High School
• Administrative Winner – Ken Baxter, Vice Principal,
Nottingham High School
• Support Staff Winner – Brian Griffith-Gibbs, School
Counselor – Expeditionary Learning Middle School
This year the Educational Foundation has graciously awarded
$50,000 to fund 17 projects across the school district. Since
the inception of the Foundation, nearly $600,000 in grant
funds have been awarded to our students and staff. The
grants program has provided funding for projects focused on
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM);
literacy; the environment; health and wellness and so much
more. These hands-on learning initiatives challenge our
students while bringing excitement to their learning.
David Moynihan is presented with the 2014
Recognition Award by Educational Foundation
board member Laurence Bousquet
News from the Schools
Superintendent Contreras joins fellow board member Gwendolyn MaturoGrasso in presenting Michael Grieb and Gino Duca with their awards
Grants were awarded for robotics, a
STEM lab, gardening and recycling
April & May 2014
Webster Elementary’s vice principal
Elizabeth Bielass is grateful to the
Educational Foundation for funding
that will benefit students in the SCSD
SCSD alumnus Manny Breland, center back row, celebrates earning
the 2014 Recognition Award with his colleagues and guests
Superintendent Contreras and Board of Directors
Chairman Gregory Ronneburger congratulate
Educator of the Year Heather Marzullo
LeMoyne Elementary’s project was selected as the first “Marilyn Jones
Life and Learning Through Arts” designation
Photographs courtesy of
SCSD Educational Foundation / John Dowling
11
Thirty-six young authors from Clary Middle School, Ed Smith K-8 and
Porter Elementary School visited Syracuse University on March 24 to meet
the SU students who illustrated their literary work as part of the Say Yes
Young Authors Series, sponsored by the National Grid Foundation. Several
students from each school read an excerpt of their work, and all had the
opportunity to speak with the SU illustration students to ask questions and
learn one-on-one about being an art major, the career possibilities in the
field of art, and the process of creating illustrations. Last fall the 6th, 7th and 8th grade
students from each school wrote
poems, cinquains, haikus, memoirs
and fiction under the direction of
their book project teachers. The
literary pieces were then illustrated by
Syracuse University illustration students
under the direction of Associate Professor
Yvonne Buchanan. The three books will
be published this spring and unveiled at
an event in early June, where families of
the students and the community will be
invited for a book signing event.
The Say Yes Young Authors Series,
established in the 2009-2010 year, is
designed to inspire students to think
creatively, research and then formulate
their ideas. Students are then given the
opportunity to apply and showcase their
talent. News from the Schools
April & May 2014
SCSD Young Authors
Meet SU Student Illustrators
The Say Yes Young Authors Series has produced 13 books,
including two bilingual Spanish/English books and has
engaged more than 250 SCSD students and 180 SU students.
The National Grid Foundation’s generosity is what
makes the Say Yes Young Authors Series possible. 12
Stuetzle said. “Especially since this is
such a great art program here.’’
For Thor, Say Yes funding helped
defray the expense associated with
attending Syracuse University.
“College is so expensive. It was nice to
have Say Yes help with some of the costs,’’
she said.
Hodgens says the young women
are what Say Yes Syracuse is all about.
“Amrita and Ana are great examples
of Say Yes Scholars who seek out
opportunity and go for it. It’s been an
honor to be part of their journey.”
Light Work, which is an
internationally renowned photo and
imaging center, was founded in 1973
at Syracuse University. The gallery’s
mission is to provide direct support to
emerging photographic artists through
residencies, publications, exhibitions
and a community access photography
lab. For more information on gallery
hours, workshops, lectures and classes
visit www.lightwork.org. April & May 2014
exhibit featured photographs by seniors
from the Art Photography Program in
the Department of Transmedia, part of
the College of Visual and Performing
Arts at Syracuse University.
Thor entered a photograph of her
mother standing near a large shrub in
the show. It is titled “Firebush.’’
Stuetzle entered a close-up of a plant
titled “tree hand.’’ She also entered a
video called “time place.’’
“It was nice because we got to choose
which pieces we wanted entered,’’ Thor said.
“We had to keep in mind which pieces
would work the best together, with the
exhibit collectively,’’ Stuetzle said.
“Nottingham had a black and white
darkroom and that was what got me
started,’’ Thor said.
“For me,’’ Stuetzle said, “there was
nothing else.’’ Stuetzle said she hopes to
find work at a gallery exactly like Light
Work when she finishes with school in
May.
Thor, however, has other plans. “I
want to apply to be a Fulbright scholar in
October,’’ she said. She is also pursuing a
major in international relations.
Mary Lee Hodgens, Light Work’s
associate director, says she is proud of
the work they have done. “Over the past
six years we have seen Amrita and Ana
grow tremendously in their confidence as
women, artists, photographers and world
travelers. They saw an opportunity as
juniors in high school to take advantage
of interning at Light Work, a
world renowned photographic
center. They have volunteered
for us, interned, held work-study
positions and been members of
our darkroom. And now we are
proud to say their photographs are
hanging in the gallery. ‘’
Both women credit Say Yes
Syracuse with providing them
the opportunity to pursue an
education at Syracuse University.
“It was a given that I would take
advantage of it. It just made sense,’’
News from the Schools
Nottingham Grads’
Artwork Highlighted at
Light Work
Gallery
Ana Thor (left) and Amrita
Stuetzle (right) began working
for Light Work Gallery when
they were juniors at Nottingham
High School. The budding artists
helped with matting, framing
and installing artwork while they
were at the gallery, located in
the Robert B. Menschel Media
Center on the campus of Syracuse
University.
The high school students
also took full advantage of the
opportunity to interact with the
talented artists and photographers
who were a part of the gallery
and the Syracuse University
community. When it came time
to choose a college, both women
decided to head to SU as Say Yes
Scholars so they could continue to
pursue their artistic dreams.
Four years later, the pair is
thrilled with the education they have
received and how far they have come as
artists and students.
Stuetzle recently won the Best in Show
award at Light Work’s 2014 Transmedia
Photography Annual exhibition. The
13
Two Syracuse City School
Teachers Earn National
Board Certification
News from the Schools
April & May 2014
by Nieves J. Alvarez,
Communications Intern
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National Board Certification is one of the most advanced
and prestigious education credentials in the country.
Teresa Sauro, a structural and literacy coach at Porter
Elementary School, and Amy Quade-King, a special
education teacher at Huntington PreK-8 School, are now
in the company of 12 other teachers in the SCSD who are
Nationally Board Certified.
“As far as the district goes, having Nationally Board
certified teachers is quite prestigious,” said Stephanie
Pelcher, director of the Syracuse Teacher Center.
Michael Singer, a candidate support trainer and
living environment teacher at Henninger, expressed
his admiration for teachers who complete the Board
certification process. “It’s been a very rewarding
experience working with dedicated teachers to improve
their work to the highest level. It’s very inspiring.”
Singer, one of the district’s first Board Certified teachers,
knows firsthand what the process is like. It consists of
analyzing student work, academic papers, evidence-based
research and multiple computer exams. Thankfully, the
support teachers are able to provide help to the teachers
going through the process. The district has benefited from
having Board Certified educators. “Board Certification
shows we have reached the highest level of teacher
learning in the district,” he said. “It represents all of the
teachers.”
“I was fortunate
enough to
complete the
process in a
year,” Sauro
said. “Going
through the
process was the
best professional
development I’ve
had.” She has
been teaching
at Porter
Elementary since
1999. Sauro’s
position provides professional development and support
to teachers in the classroom. She had many reasons for
pursuing the certification. “I know as a literacy coach,
teaching others, I need to be as strong as I can be,” she
said. For the videotaped lessons, Sauro used a fourth
grade classroom. “They knew I wanted to become a better
teacher,” she said. “The videotaping was powerful.”
Quade-King
has worked at
Huntington
K-8 for seven
years. Currently
she is the sixth
grade consultant
special education
teacher. The
knowledge and
development
gained from
being a
National Board
Certification
recipient is equally as rewarding for special education.
“Extremely instrumental,” Quade-King said about the
process. “I think that the impact of the entire journey has
had a great impact on the students’ learning. I am a better
teacher.”
Quade-King is now a Nationally Board Certified,
Exceptional Needs Specialist, Mild to Moderate Disabilities
5-21. The research and analysis conducted and learned
throughout the Certification process will always be a point
of reference for her, especially in times of difficulty. “You go
back to your video, data collection, work samples and reanalyze, reconstruct and start the cycle again,” she said.
The following SCSD educators also have National Board
Certification: Melanie Addai, Kelly Colone, Kelley
Duffy, Sara Gentry, Jesse Goodglass, Jacqueline
Schneider-Revette, Stacy Griffin, Marie Koch, Heather
Marzullo, Kristin Mecum, Kevin Mixon and Sharon
Pernisi. The district is grateful to have teachers in the
district who have earned this prestigious recognition.
SCSD Administrator
has Inspiring Connection
Rick Linzy, Corcoran High School’s Dean of
Students, watched the 2014 Oscars with special
interest this year. He and his family are direct
descendants of Solomon Northup of the Oscar Award
winning film 12 Years a Slave. Mr. Linzy’s mother
was a Northup and the great-grandchild of the man
featured in the film. Northup wrote a memoir of
his time as a slave which later was turned into the
award winning feature film. Mr. Linzy is proud to be
a descendant of Solomon Northup and said he draws
inspiration from the story and movie.
While guests enjoyed the lunch buffet, the Dr. King Elementary
School Choir and the Nottingham High School Jazz Ensemble
performed. Many honorees are members of P.E.A.C.E. Inc.’s Foster
Grandparent Program; Superintendent Contreras announced a
plan to soon have foster grandparents in all of the district’s first
and second grade classrooms.
April & May 2014
At the third annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon,
Superintendent Sharon L. Contreras and the Board of Education
honored 575 volunteers, mentors and partners for the
immeasurable impact they have made on children’s lives.
News from the Schools
2014
Volunteer
Luncheon
15
Syracuse Aspiring
Leaders Academy
News from the Schools
April & May 2014
S
L
A
This year, Superintendent Contreras initiated a new
program to develop the next generation of transformational
Syracuse school leaders. The Syracuse Aspiring Leaders
Academy (SALA) will build the capacity of aspiring
principals to lead schools and increase achievement levels of
all students. The school leader is one of the most important
factors in the success of a school — driving achievement
through modeling best practices, creating a climate of
accountability and strategic action, guiding and supporting
staff to reach and maintain high levels of performance and
engaging parents and the community in a shared vision of
student success. We are committed to invest today in the
growth of our leaders of tomorrow.
emphasizing the district’s strategic plan and how effective
leaders play a key role in advancing student learning.
Future session topics will include leading and managing
people, managing resources, effectively building positive
school climate and building relationships.
The Academy is a partnership between the district and
the SUPES Academy, a national organization dedicated
to the development of outstanding school leaders. It is a
comprehensive leadership development program focused
on preparing current SCSD employees for future school
leadership opportunities in our schools. The one-year
program is facilitated by Dr. Shawn Joseph, a noted author
and the Superintendent of the Seaford School District in
Delaware. Dr. Joseph has conducted intensive training
related to principal preparation and development and has a
vast array of practical experience.
This program will assist the district in accomplishing its
Strategic Plan goal to recruit, develop, support and retain
effective school leaders. This is one part of a long-term
commitment to developing outstanding leaders for future
generations of Syracuse students. With the strength of
highly effective leaders in our schools over the years to
come, our students will have the greatest opportunity for
success.
Academy participants were carefully selected based on
nominations; additionally, all of the district’s more than 40
vice principals were invited to apply. The first year’s group
consists of 27 highly motivated members of the SCSD
community, including principals, vice principals, coaches,
teachers and central support team members. The group
typically meets once a month for group sessions and they
complete monthly assignments, case studies, on-the-job and
other academic activities focused on a different topic each
month.
16
A
Participants were also given the opportunity to interact with
and listen to district leaders. Superintendent Contreras
facilitated a session sharing her own leadership story and
Through session components, mentoring and interaction
with district officials, participants will build and strengthen
the core competencies required for successful school
leadership. It is expected that Academy graduates will
demonstrate the critical skills, resilience and determination
to take on the challenges of an ever-changing environment
and produce gains in student achievement.
To learn more about the Syracuse Aspiring Leaders Academy,
please contact the Office of Talent Management at 435-4171
or email [email protected].
Career & Technical
Education
CTE programs are geared toward
student career interests through
equally rigorous pathway offerings
in emerging and trending fields
of study. The district currently
offers a variety of CTE programs:
Automotive Technology, Cosmetology,
Culinary Arts Professions, Media
Communications, Medical Assisting,
Technology Engineering
(Pre-Engineering) and Welding.
The district’s commitment
to providing quality
CTE and STEM
programs intensifies the
opportunities for students
to enroll in engaging
and relevant learning
activities.
News from the Schools
The Syracuse City School District’s
Career and Technical Education
(CTE) and STEM programs lead to
some of the fastest growing career
fields in the workplace. The SCSD
continually adds CTE offerings to
prepare students to be college and
career ready upon graduation.
The district is planning to expand offerings to include Nursing, Fire
Rescue, Police Cadet, Forensic Science/Crime Scene Investigation,
Emergency Medical
Technician-EMT,
Cyber Security,
Computer Forensics,
Carpentry and STEMNatural Resources.
Through the Pathways
to Technology (P-Tech)
program, the district
will offer students the
opportunity to earn an
Associate in Science Degree in Electrical Technician or Mechanical
Engineering from SUNY Onondaga. This is all tuition free,and
results in students being “first-in-line” consideration for job
openings in the local Advanced Manufacturing industry.
Syracuse 20/20
Syracuse 20/20 has
helped to launch
a new program
called Book Buddies
at Seymour Dual
Language Academy. Syracuse 20/20 is
partnering with
the Near Westside
Initiative, the
Literacy Coalition
and Seymour. This
program is part of
20/20’s support of the Campaign for Grade Level Reading initiative and the goal of having all
children reading on grade level by third grade.
April & May 2014
Launches Book Buddies
at Seymour
The program is a pilot program for the remainder of the 201314 school year and will be launched for a year-round program in
the fall. There are 20 first grade and second grade students and
25 volunteers who are part of the program. Each student reads
to the volunteers two times a week (Mondays and Wednesdays)
for a half hour. Volunteers commit to supporting two students
from 12:15-1:15 in the afternoon, working one-on-one with
students and supporting them with the goal of improving
reading fluency and comprehension. We are extremely grateful to four Syracuse 20/20 Board
members who have signed up to be weekly volunteers:
Kathy Murphy, Larry Bousquet, Mike Nash and Ginny
Carmody.
17
News from the Schools
April & May 2014
Fowler High School’s
Second Annual
Head-Shaving Event
It’s incredible what a group of caring people
can do when they put their heads together.
On March 17, 2014 the Business and
Finance Academy at Fowler High School
hosted its second annual St. Baldrick’s
Foundation Head-Shaving Event.
Over the course of the day, the
Fowler cosmetology students
shaved 36 heads (32 male and
4 female) for childhood cancer
research. Even more exciting
is the amount the volunteers
raised to find cures for childhood
cancer— more than $7,600!
In conjunction with St. Baldrick’s,
Fowler nation had twelve female
students and staff participate in a corresponding hair-cutting event.
These individuals had 8 inches or more of their hair cut and donated
to Children With Hair Loss. Children With Hair Loss was created as
a resource for ALL CHILDREN who have medically-related hair loss.
It is their mission to empower these children to become whole again by making hair replacement available
to those who may be financially challenged and might otherwise not have a means of obtaining the hair they
want and need.
With their bald heads or shortened hair, the Fowler
staff and students are standing in solidarity with infants,
children, teens and young adults fighting cancer. More
importantly, the funds raised will truly help save lives!
18
Nottingham's Meadowbrook Harlequins
Take Home CNY Arts Awards
CNY Arts recently presented scholarships and awards to local youth at its
2014 Michael Harms Theater Festival. This annual celebration of youth in
theater is a combination of musical and dramatic theater performances,
feedback and professionally-led workshops for both young performers and
behind-the-scenes artists and crew.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Jasper Schep – Redhouse Summer Intensive Scholarship
Cell Block Tango – Outstanding Scene Work
Ranya Shannon and Gretchen Horst – Excellence in Costume Design
Chicago – Technical Excellence in Lighting and Stage Management
Chicago – Excellence in Choreography
Ariel Bryant – Excellence in Musical Performance
Ella Neville – Honorable Mention for Individual Performance in a musical
During the Michael Harms Theater festival students participate in skillbuilding workshops such as dance auditioning, improvisation, the Meisner
acting technique, lighting, scenic painting and special effects stage makeup.
Tim Green Visits Roberts School
He urged the students to put school before
sports and to think about success in terms of
personal relationships and kindness. He signed
one of his books for sixth grader Jayvon Caesar
and joked with him about who had the best
looking eyeglasses.
The Partnership for Assessment of
Readiness for College and Careers
(PARCC) is a consortium of 18
states (including New York) plus
the District of Columbia working to
create a standard set of assessments
in math and English Language
Arts (ELA) that measure students’
performance on the Common Core
Learning Standards. It is expected
that the assessments will still be
ready in the 2014-2015 school year
for other states to use. The main
reason that has been communicated
by the State Education Department
for this delay in New York State is the
lack of readiness for school districts
to administer computer-based
assessments.
Adult Education:
April & May 2014
Former NFL football player and author
Tim Green visited the students of Roberts K-8
School to speak about the importance of
education, reading books and good character.
The Board of Regents has decided
that New York State will not begin
transitioning to PARCC tests in
the 2014-2015 school year as had
originally been planned.
News from the Schools
Nottingham High School earned the Award of Excellence in the High School
Division for their production of Chicago under the direction of Virginia
Fennessy. The following awards went to Nottingham students and groups:
New York delays
implementation of
PARCC assessments
Your path to success!
The District’s Adult Education Program can
assist you in:
▶▶
▶▶
▶▶
▶▶
▶▶
▶▶
▶▶
Earning a High School Equivalency Diploma
Increasing your literacy skills (reading and math)
Learning English as a Second Language
Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Earning a certificate in Food Service
Entering the “Green-Train” construction program
Receiving Case Management services
All services are free. If you are 18 or over, call
(315) 435-4115 for more information or to make an
appointment. For the Licensed Practical Nurse program,
please call (315) 435-4150.
Parents, you are your child’s first teacher!
Stay Connected
Stay Involved
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The Syracuse City School District’s
Office of Shared Accountability is
working with schools to study and
plan not only for the implementation
of this type of assessment, but to
provide comprehensive technology
tools that will assist students and
teachers with the learning and
assessment process. As we continue
to implement our Technology Plan,
communication on new technology
initiatives will be presented for
discussion.
19
Stay Connected
Stay Involved
Syracuse City School District
1025 Erie Blvd. West • Syracuse, New York 13204
News from the Schools Staff
April & May 2014
Michael Henesey
Coordinator of Communications
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.
This publication made possible through a generous
donation from the Say Yes to Education Foundation
News from the Schools
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20
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
Peace Awards Assembly
at Porter Elementary
Porter Elementary School hosted their
first annual peace awards assembly in
February. Students nominated from
every class received Peace Awards for
their demonstrations in the Porter
community reflective of Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr.’s vision. Selected
students read essays on what they can
do for others to positively impact their
school community. There were special
performances by
the kindergarten
students and the
Porter Select Chorus.
Members of Syracuse
University’s Theta Xi
chapter of Phi Beta
Sigma Fraternity Inc.
performed and spoke
about their college
experiences and
career aspirations.