Syracuse City School District News from the Schools Spring 2013

Syracuse City School District
News from the Schools
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Patricia Body
President
Maxwell Ruckdeschel
Vice President
Bill Bullen
Calvin L. Corriders
Michelle Mignano
Richard T. Strong
Stephen Swift
Sharon L. Contreras
Superintendent of Schools
Jaime Alicea
Chief Operations Officer
Kim S. Bradley
Chief of Staff
Jeremy Grant-Skinner, Esq.
Executive Director for Talent
Management
Brandan Keaveny, Ed.D.
Chief Accountability Officer
Laura Kelley
Chief Academic Officer
Suzanne Slack
Chief Financial Officer
MISSION
To build, support and sustain
school communities that
provide all students with a
high-quality education that
prepares them to graduate as
responsible, active citizens
ready for success in college
and careers and prepared to
compete in a global economy.
VISION
To become the most
improved urban school
district in America.
ULTIMATE GOAL
An educational community
that graduates every student
as a responsible, active
citizen prepared for success
in college, careers and the
global economy.
Mailing Address:
1025 Erie Boulevard West
Syracuse, NY 13204
Physical Address:
725 Harrison Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
Spring 2013
Dear Parents and Families,
There are so many wonderful things happening in
the Syracuse City School District and I am pleased
to be sharing them with you in this newsletter.
On the pages that follow you will meet six
dedicated teachers who have received National
Board Certification, see photos of our talented
students who took the stage for spring musicals,
read about our Board of Education’s Core Beliefs
and Commitments and learn about some of
our amazing students and their success at the
National Society of Black Engineers competition
in Indianapolis, Indiana.
We are in the process of updating the district’s
Technology Plan and we are committed to
making sure that parents are involved and have
an opportunity to provide input and feedback. We hosted a parent focus group on the plan so
we could hear directly from you and gather your
valuable input regarding computer software and
hardware, smart boards and other technology
tools used in our schools.
We fully appreciate the contribution and unique
perspective that our parents bring to the table. Since September 2011, we have invited parents
to participate on a number of task forces and
focus groups that have set into motion the
reforms that are taking place in the district.
When the district undertook an independent
review of the special education department, a
focus group was held with the Special Education
Parent Teacher Organization. Parents also
participated on the following seven task forces:
Building Leader Evaluation, Teacher Evaluation,
Teaching and Learning Framework, Leadership
Framework, Curriculum and Instruction,
Strategic Compensation, and Innovation and
District Structure. As part of the development
of the Teaching and Learning and Leadership
Frameworks, we also conducted four additional
focus groups in December 2011 and February
2012 where parents contributed to the vision of
what great teaching and leadership looks like in
Syracuse. News from the Schools
– 1 –
More than 2,000
parents helped us to
develop our strategic
plan. In addition to
appointing parent
representatives to
the Core Planning
Team, we also
held nine focus
groups for parents
to provide input
and feedback. Your feedback is
memorialized in Great Expectations and we have
implemented the vast majority of the action steps
therein.
I’d also like to thank you for participating in the state
reviews of our schools conducted by the New York
State Education Department that have taken
place over the past several months. Parents have
participated in more than 25 focus groups providing
input on the following: school leader practices and
decisions, curriculum development and support,
teacher practices and decisions, social and emotional
developmental health and parent and community
engagement. Each school will incorporate this
feedback into their school improvement plans.
I meet monthly with parents at the Superintendent’s
Parent Council and the Special Education Parent
Teacher Organization meets bi-monthly. At the
school level, parents are invited to sit on school
leadership teams and/or participate in parent teacher
organizations.
We believe that it is critical that we have parent
participation in these important initiatives and we
thank all parents who have chosen to participate thus
far.
In the Interest of All Children,
Sharon L. Contreras
Superintendent of Schools
Spring 2013
2013 Volunteer
Luncheon
Throughout the year, volunteers
spend time with our students and
offer their services in libraries,
offices, cafeterias and classrooms.
Volunteers lend a helping hand
each and every day, and their
efforts do not go unnoticed.
Superintendent Contreras and the
Board of Education honored more
than 500 volunteers, mentors and
partners at this year’s Volunteer
Recognition Luncheon.
News from the Schools
– 2 –
Spring 2013
Student Court Program
The Syracuse City School District’s successful
Student Court Program offers members a chance
to learn about the judicial system while being
exposed to a number of public service oriented
careers.
The court serves as an alternative to the
traditional discipline system in the school
district. Students who choose to have their cases
heard before student court admit their guilt and
appear for a sentencing hearing, where their
peers, who have been trained, listen to both sides
of the issue and then recommend a sentence.
Students who volunteer for this option are
allowed to stay in school and receive meaningful,
constructive consequences that are given to them
by their peers.
The student court program also gives four, thirdyear law students from the Syracuse University
College of Law the opportunity to interact with
high school students, helping them to better
understand the justice system and its role in
their lives. The fellows are chosen through a
competitive application process and each receives
a $10,000 discount on their tuition.
SCSD students involved in Student Court have
the opportunity to visit the Syracuse University
Campus. They also attend arraignments in city
and county court, and tour the Justice Center,
City Hall, the County Courthouse and the
Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office.
In their role with the court, students who serve
may be asked to sit on a panel of three judges,
who preside over the sentencing hearing for
students and take into consideration all the
facts and evidence presented in court. They
then recommend a fair and constructive
sentence. Students may also serve as prosecution
advocates, representing the interests of the
school community and making sentencing
recommendations to the judges; defense
advocates, acting on behalf of the respondent
in the case; as the clerk who maintains accurate
court records; or the bailiff, who keeps the
courtroom running smoothly and administers
the oath of confidentiality.
These experiences help SCSD students learn about
group-decision making and they obtain valuable
leadership and public-speaking skills.
News from the Schools
SCSD Playgrounds Undergo Renovations
Playground rebuilds and renovations are underway throughout the
Syracuse City School District this spring. Donations from school PTOs,
aid secured by a local senator and the work of the superintendent to
secure funding, are helping the district make their playgrounds more
inclusive and safer.
In mid-May the district began installing a playground at Seymour Dual
Language Academy. The equipment was purchased and the playground
was built in conjunction with Save the Rain Onondaga County.
The parent teacher organization at Ed Smith School purchased
equipment for their playground earlier this year. In April, HueberBreuer Construction stepped up to install the new equipment.
In March, Webster playground had to be demolished due to safety
concerns. The district has ordered a new playground and will begin
installing it this summer.
In addition, Superintendent Contreras has secured funds to install
the first phase of the playground at Meachem Elementary School.
This will kickoff the renovation of the entire playground at the school.
Tania Anderson, a Meachem parent, said that students, staff and the
PTO worked together to design an all-inclusive playground.
“It will be accessible to all students,’’ Anderson said. “The students
voted on the equipment and we designed it around an already existing
sensory garden so our kids have both the play and sensory component.’’
Anderson said the Superintendent’s generous funding allocation will
help start the fundraising process for the new playground.
“We are upgrading some of the existing equipment and the surfacing
has to all be changed,’’ Anderson said. “The kids voted on which pieces
to include in the new playground and they are very excited.’’ Anderson
said those wishing to donate to help finish off the playground at
Meachem can contact the Meachem PTO or call her at 492-9725.
Also, $150,000 in additional aid secured by State Sen. Dave Valesky
and earmarked for the district to use for capital improvements means
the playgrounds at Porter and LeMoyne Elementary schools will be
completely rebuilt. That work is scheduled to be finished before the
start of school in September.
– 3 –
Spring 2013
SCSD Students
Take to the Stage
Our students took to the stage this spring,
performing drama productions and musicals
at their high schools.
Fowler Drama Club performed “Cinderella:
The Enchanted Edition.” Cinderella, an
orphan whose stepmother and stepsisters
mistreat her, gets a shot at true love with a
little help from her Fairy Godmother.
Students at Corcoran presented “City of
Angels,” a play about a writer who is working
on a movie adaptation of his detective novel.
Josh Hintz and Majestic Ross had lead roles in
the production.
The cast of Cinderella included Nahahme Howard, Qua’Deer Jones,
Kiara Martinez, Anthony Willoughby, Teresa Christie, Makenzie
Cummings, Reese Smith, Ahmanee Simmons and Khalil Howard.
Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man” was staged at
Henninger. The story of Professor Harold Hill and
his love for Marian Paroo is a classic. Damon Ozelek
played Harold and Rachel Briscoe was Marian. The
cast also included Eric Dine, Matteo Piraino and
Sam Gillies.
Nottingham students presented the musical “Fame”
in early March. “Fame” tells the story of several
students who attend the High School of Performing
Arts in New York City, among them fame-obsessed
Carmen, ambitious actress Serena and wisecracking
comedian Joe.
Brooke Merrifield, Matteo Piraino, Rachel Briscoe, Damen
Ozelek and Jim Truong in Henninger’s “The Music Man”
Nottingham High School’s production of “Fame”
featured a talented ensemble cast.
News from the Schools
– 4 –
All production photographs courtesy
of ITC student Mikaela David
Corcoran High School’s Josh Hintz and
Elaine Dermady perform in “City of Angels”
Spring 2013
Over 150 More Interactive Whiteboards
to be Installed this Summer
The District will be placing brand
new interactive whiteboards into
more than 150 SCSD classrooms this
summer.
An interactive whiteboard is more
than just a place to write down
thoughts and ideas; it is a giant screen
where learning can be brought to
life through the use of audio, video,
graphics, text and animation features.
These boards bring the world of
learning into the classroom and
expand students’ school experiences.
Funds have been allocated to purchase
and install this technology at the
following schools: Danforth Middle,
Ed Smith K-8, Roberts K-8,
Van Duyn Elementary and
Westside Academy at Blodgett.
These new interactive whiteboards will
be ready for use when the students
return to school in September.
Interactive whiteboards are powerful
tools. Students can see what they are
being taught and can interact with the
lesson. A sample lesson could include
a map of the world. Imagine a student
who has a question about a certain
country in the world and wants to see
more information. On a traditional
map, all the student would have been
able to do is walk up to the map to see
if it contained more information. With
an interactive whiteboard, the student
can go up to the map and select the
country on the map that they want
to know more about. As the display
refreshes, the board not only shows
the country of interest in a larger
view, but with greater details such
as information about the country’s
capital city, major landforms in the
country, and its major cities.
The whole idea is to get students to
interact and visualize what they are
learning. With this technology, each
day SCSD students can participate
in interactive lessons designed by
teachers that include multi-media
such as audio, video and Web sites.
As we think about technology
expansion for next year and for the
years that follow, work is currently
underway to make sure that plans
are in place to put the most effective
technology in each one of our
classrooms.
SCSD Students Attend Hispanic Youth Conference in Albany
Eight Syracuse City School District
high school students traveled to
Albany to attend the 2013 Hispanic
Youth Summit.
The students attended workshops as
part of the Somos El Futuro annual
spring conference. The conference
aims to bring together Hispanic
youth so they can address issues
that affect them and learn, share and
network with others. The conference
also demonstrates the importance
of cohesiveness, affiliation and
partnerships in the Hispanic
communities. Students attended
seminars on education, finances and
much more.
The group also went to the 40 Under 40 Rising Latino Stars reception. The YWCA provided a 15-passenger van they own
to transport the group and the Latino Professional Network of Syracuse paid for the fuel. Assemblyman Felix W. Ortiz,
chairman of the New York State Assembly Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force sponsored the students.
Students from Fowler who attended were seniors Adalies Hernandez, Maria Everson and Deyaneira Calderon; juniors
Rosemari Rodriguez and Joseline Arocho; and sophomores Moises Gracciano and Pablo Fuentes. Corcoran senior
Ariadna Lopez also attended.
News from the Schools
– 5 –
Spring 2013
SCSD Leaders, School Board
Members Attend Training
Members of the Syracuse City School District Board of
Education, along with SCSD executive staff, are involved in
a nationally recognized two-year training program designed
to build strong and effective relationships between the
superintendent’s team and the board.
The goal of the Reform Governance in Action program is to
help school boards be more effective in improving student
achievement through effective policy-making. The initial
focus of the Board’s work has been to develop and adopt
a set of core beliefs and commitments. The articulation
of the board’s core beliefs and commitments will then
lead to the development of three policies that achieve the
following: improve the effectiveness of its board meetings,
establish a policy for handling constituent requests and
create management oversight that ensures the integrity and
performance of the district’s major operating systems.
The training takes place in the evenings and on weekends
and is offered by the Center for Reform of School Systems.
(CRSS). The Say Yes to Education Foundation provided the
funding to cover the cost of the training and travel.
“The work we are doing with Reform Governance in Action
is invaluable as we continue to implement our strategic plan
Great Expectations,’’ Superintendent Sharon L. Contreras
said. “This training allows us to prioritize our reform
policies and develop a solid work plan for implementing
those policies.’’
Reform Governance Training also helps the school board
design a process for evaluating the superintendent based
upon her meeting a set of mutually agreed upon goals.
These evaluations are a powerful tool for the school board
and are key to strengthening the relationship between
the superintendent and the school board. In addition, the
training emphasizes the importance of communication
between the school district and the community.
For more information about Reform Governance Training go to www.crss.org.
Board of Education Core Beliefs and Commitments
• We believe that teaching and learning is our core business. We will make district decisions in an equitable manner,
including those related to resource allocation, based upon our core business.
• We believe that education is a means to eradicate poverty. We will fully support and implement initiatives aligned with the
Say Yes model.
• We believe all students can learn and achieve at high levels. We will prepare every student to graduate college- and careerready.
• We believe positive, supportive, and safe environments are essential to teaching and learning. We will create school
communities in exceptional facilities with positive cultures and high-quality supports for students and staff.
• We believe that teachers have the greatest positive impact on student achievement. We will recruit, develop, support,
reward and retain world-class teachers.
• We believe that effective leaders produce excellent results. We will recruit, develop, retain, and reward leaders who
champion a relentless focus on high student achievement and effectively manage teacher talent.
• We believe that a high-performing organization produces a legacy of enduring greatness. We will build a highperforming organization that values and strives for excellence at all levels and is organized to support our core business.
• We believe in data-driven decision making to ensure continuous improvement at all levels. We will have accountability
for performance at all levels of the system.
• We believe in the value of parents as their children’s first teachers and that the involvement of parents and community
partners is vital to improving educational outcomes. We will develop and implement effective and sustainable partnerships
with parents, families and the community at both the school and district level to enhance student learning
News from the Schools
– 6 –
Spring 2013
Teachers Earn National Board Honors
Six teachers in the Syracuse City
School District are members of
the 2012 class of distinguished
educators who received National
Board Certification.
Kristin Mecum, Heather
Marzullo, Kelly Colone, Kelley
Duffy, Marie Koch and Sara
Gentry spent several months
working to earn this prestigious
honor. Marzullo is a 6th grade
teacher at Hughes and Mecum
works with her as a 6th grade
consult teacher. Colone teaches
science at Hughes. Koch teaches
music at Ed Smith, Duffy is
an Earth Science teacher at
Henninger and Gentry teaches
mathematics at Nottingham.
Every teacher agreed the
certification process was rigorous
but also fulfilling.
“It requires a huge time
commitment,’’ Mecum said. That
sentiment was echoed by Gentry.
“Finding the time to do it, on
top of everything else that goes
into teaching, was really hard,’’
she said.
All of the teachers said the
help they received from other
NBCT’s in the district was key to
making it through the process.
Several of them mentioned
Michael Singer, a science teacher
at Henninger, as someone who
was instrumental to their success.
“I did the in-service classes
and Michael Singer was really
helpful,” Gentry said. Singer is
an instructor for the 30-hour
in-service course that teachers
hoping to earn NBC can take.
“I took the candidate support
course. That was really helpful,’’
Koch said. “It helped me pace
myself.’’
Singer said the National Board
process is about observing the
way you teach and reflecting
on how what you do improves
student learning.
Teachers working to earn
National Board Certification
News from the Schools
year with our new teaching and
learning framework and rubric.”
Koch said the process made her
examine how assessment informs
her planning and her teaching.
“This forced me to make my
planning much more targeted. I
saw how assessments can really
help you with the planning piece.’’
Duffy, who teaches Earth
Science at Henninger High School,
Heather Marzullo, Kelly Colone, Kristin Mecum – Hughes
said the National Board process
pushed her to look objectively
not only at her teaching style, but
also her school and community
involvement.
“This really helped me
reinforce my strengths and
improve on my weaknesses,’’
Duffy said. “I could not have
completed the National Board
work without the support of my
peers, my students and their
parents.’’
Marie Koch – Ed Smith
Sara Gentry – Nottingham
Each of the teachers said they
“The writing institute was
must complete a series of three
struggled with certain parts of the
really valuable for me,’’ Mecum
major reflections on their
certification process. For Gentry,
teaching. The reflections require said.
the math teacher at Nottingham,
them to look at their teaching
the hardest part was completing
Colone said, for her, the
techniques, the progress their
the piece that had to do with her
writing was the hardest part of
students are making in the
work outside of the classroom. “I
the certification process. “I am
classroom and their interaction
had to address how those activities
not a strong writer,” she said.
with parents and other staff. The “What’s good though is this has
impacted my students’ learning.”
reflections involve videotaping
gotten me to figure out how to
All six of the teachers said they
classes, gathering information
get the kids to write more. I make would recommend the process to
on student outcomes and
sure I am getting them to talk first their colleagues.
writing papers. In addition,
and then write. That way, their
“If you have the time it’s
the candidates must take six
writing is more focused.’’
worth it. Anytime you can take
timed, computerized tests that
The trio from Hughes –
something away that makes you a
pertain to their particular area of Mecum, Marzullo and Colone –
better teacher, you should do it,’’
certification.
said it also helped to have other
Marzullo said.
“This really forces you to
candidates in the building.
Mecum echoed that sentiment.
question what you’re doing in the
“I don’t know that I would
“You’re still a teacher, so this is
classroom with your students,’’
have passed without her,’’
liking getting another master’s
Singer said. “It also makes you
Marzullo said of Mecum.
degree. You just learn so much.’’
step out of your comfort zone.’’
“She was really helpful to me.
Other Syracuse City
In addition to the course that Reviewing my checklist and
School District teachers who
Singer teaches, many of those
making sure everything was right. have earned National Board
who achieved National Board
We could rely on each other.’’
Certification are: Melanie
Certification said they relied on
Koch, the music teacher at
Addai, Cynthia Cronin, Jesse
colleagues in their buildings for
Ed Smith, said she got another
Goodglass, Stacy Griffin, Kevin
feedback and they attended a
benefit out of the National Board Mixon, Sharon Pernisi and
three-day writing institute offered Certification process. “It really
Jacqueline Schneider-Revette.
through the Teacher Center.
helped me prepare for this school
– 7 –
Spring 2013
SCSD Student Wins
Wrestlemania Reading Challenge
Estevan Morales, a 5th grade student at Delaware Academy,
is the Northeast regional champion in this year’s 2013
Wrestlemania Reading Challenge.
Estevan, who entered the contest through the Mundy Branch
Library, had to write a letter to his favorite World Wrestling
Entertainment wrestler and convince him to read a book. He
wrote to wrestler John Cena, who agreed to read one of the
books from the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
Estevan is one of several finalists from all over the United States
and Canada in a contest, which is co-sponsored by YALSA, a
division of the American Library Association and the WWE.
While the contest has had several participants in the three years
that librarian Tina Limpert has promoted it, Estevan is the first
regional champion.
In April, Estevan and his family joined other regional
champions on an all-expense paid trip to Wrestlemania XXVIII
in East Rutherford, N.J. He and the other finalists had the
opportunity to meet some of their favorite WWE superstars.
They also participated in a trivia contest based on their reading
of Susan Cooper’s book Over Sea, Under Stone, for a chance to
win ringside seats for the show and other prizes.
In addition, the WWE donated $2,000 to each student’s library,
including Mundy Branch Library.
Role of School
Resource Officers
in the SCSD
The Syracuse City School District
believes that children are our
community’s most valuable asset, and
the safety of our students and staff is
a priority for the Board of Education
and the Syracuse Police Department.
The partnership that exists between
the School Resource Officer (SRO)
and the school community – students,
staff and parents – contributes to
the safety and security of the school
environment.
SRO’s are active, fully-equipped,
certified law enforcement officers
from the Syracuse Police Department.
They work with school administrators
to assist with the development of
procedures designed to provide a
safe, positive and productive learning
environment.
SROs have specific roles with the
school. First and foremost, it is their
role to protect students and staff.
They are also in a unique position to
provide guidance to the students and
staff on law-related issues and to make
referrals to the proper agencies when
follow-up is required. They support
the educational mission of the SCSD
and serve as positive role models.
If you have concerns about contact
your child has had with an SRO, please
go to http://www.syracusecityschools.
com/node/24290 to access a complaint
form. You may also contact your
school principal and request a copy of
the form.
News from the Schools
– 8 –
Spring 2013
10th Anniversary
Educational
Foundation Recognition Breakfast
Dr. Stephen C. Jones
Founder’s Award Recipient
Photographs courtesy of
SCSD Educational Foundation
and John Dowling
At its 10 year anniversary
celebration, the Educational
Foundation presented
Dr. Stephen C. Jones, former
SCSD Superintendent
of Schools, with its 2013
Founders Award. Together
with local developer Gary
Pickard and other community
and business leaders, Dr. Jones
and his late wife Marilyn
started the Educational
Foundation back in 2003.
Also honored were the Hillside Work-Scholarship Program, the Syracuse Soap
Box Derby Organization, Educator of the Year Award Recipients and 2012-2013
Grant Recipients. The Foundation and its Board of Directors has raised more
than $500,000 in grant awards for our students, $60,000 of which went this year
to the following Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) grants:
• SCSD Chapter – National Society of
Black Engineers
• Bellevue Elementary School – Students
Transforming into Engineering Minds
• Clary Middle School – Creating a
SMART Classroom
• Elmcrest School – Backyard Ecosystem
Wayne O’Connor & the Hillside
Work-Scholarship Connection
Syracuse Soap Box Derby, Inc.
• Expeditionary Learning Middle
School – How can Technology Enhance
ELMS Learning Experience?
• Frazer School – Frazer STEM Club and
Competition
• Lincoln Middle School – From STEM
Fairs to Career Fairs: Preparing CSI
and Green Tech Research
• Nottingham High School – STEM
Laboratory
2013 Educator of the Year Award Recipients
Jenniffer Benedetto, Cynthia Pace, Meghan Freeman, William Ottman
News from the Schools
– 9 –
• Van Duyn Elementary School –
Discovering our Environment Using
Common Core Curriculum
Spring 2013
State Grants Support iZone Initiative
The Syracuse City School District has been awarded seven
competitive grants, one for each application submitted,
totaling $31.5 million through the New York State Education
Department’s Office of School Turnaround. Each of the seven
Title I: 1003(g) School Improvement Grants — valued at
$4.5 million apiece — will support whole-school redesign
efforts in the SCSD’s seven Innovation Zone (iZone) Schools:
Bellevue Elementary, Danforth Middle, Frazer K-8, Porter
Elementary, Seymour Dual Language Academy, Van Duyn
Elementary and Westside Academy at Blodgett.
The iZone, which is co-sponsored by the Syracuse Teachers
Association, targets seven of the lowest-performing schools
in the Syracuse City School District. These schools will be
provided the resources, autonomy, flexibility and support
needed to produce widespread, rapid and sustainable gains
in student achievement.
Schools in the iZone will implement research-based
intervention strategies and conditions that build on the
existing improvement efforts at each of the school buildings.
These strategies and conditions include an extended school
day (an additional one hour of instruction with students and
an additional half hour for team planning and collaboration);
ongoing, job-embedded professional development for
teachers; and new collaborations with external partners
such as Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) to enhance
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
education.
Recognizing the importance of an investment from our
community partners is an integral part of making real,
sustainable change in schools. The Syracuse Innovation Zone
will be overseen by an external Advisory Council, which will
include parent and community representatives alongside
district and STA leadership.
“Superintendent Contreras, along with Central Office
staff, worked tirelessly throughout this process. The
superintendent felt strongly that she, and her staff, could
produce seven award-winning grant applications in a very
short period of time and that is exactly what they did. This
money will benefit so many of our students and will be
used to transform seven struggling schools into seven highperforming schools,’’ said Commissioner Stephen Swift of the
Syracuse City School District Board of Education.
SCSD and Roberts K-8
School Win Awards for
Breakfast Participation
Increased participation in the school breakfast
program resulted in a special award for students at
Roberts K-8 School in the Syracuse City School
District.
The school earned $750 for increasing the number
of students who participate in the school breakfast
program. The money can be used for any health or
wellness activities at the school.
Roberts’ principal Janet Kimatian credits her food
service workers with making a difference in breakfast
program participation. Teresa Collins, who has been with the SCSD for 18 years and Lauren Kuss, who has been here
seven years, work hard to keep the program running smoothly at Roberts. The pair visited with students from Mrs. Skinner’s
third grade class after they learned the school had been given the $750.
The award comes as part of the Syracuse City School District’s participation in a program sponsored by the American
Association of School Administrators. The SCSD was also awarded $1,500 at the district level.
News from the Schools
– 10 –
Spring 2013
Superintendent
Proposes Latin School
Blue Ribbon Task Force
Offers CTE Guidance
The Syracuse City School District’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on
Career and Technical Education has come up with several key
recommendations as the district moves toward a “gold standard’’
CTE program. Working with business and industry leaders in the
community, the task force has developed a plan for introducing
career education programs that are academic and technically
rigorous and are aligned with local, state and national employment
needs. These programs must provide authentic opportunities for
our students to access trades and professions while in high school.
Students enrolled in CTE programs of study will have the chance to
earn certificates, work as apprentices and complete degree programs
in a timely fashion.
The task force recommends that the district infuse STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math) knowledge, concepts and
understanding in the Pre-K – 8 curriculum in every school. In
addition, each middle level student should be exposed to practical
learning opportunities daily and each high school should have
career-themed academies that reflect the employment opportunities
and needs of the Central New York region.
The task force recommends including career clusters in finance,
health services, hospitality and tourism, agriculture and natural food
resources, human services, information technology, manufacturing,
STEM, architecture and construction, transportation distribution
and logistics, business management and administration.
As the CTE program is constructed, students and families will be
provided with the information required to make informed choices
about education and careers. The SCSD is committed to ensuring that
all district students have equal access to the CTE program offerings.
Superintendent Sharon L. Contreras has proposed
opening a Latin school in Syracuse, offering highachieving students across the city an opportunity
to be educated in a school that follows a classical
training model called the trivium.
The idea for the school came about because parents
have been frustrated with the district’s current
offerings for advanced students, Contreras said.
“Our parents feel we do not offer enough high-quality
options for students who are advanced learners,
and we agree with them.’’ Contreras said this is
particularly evident at the elementary level.
Contreras said the district plans to offer other
selective enrollment schools in the future so families
would have available options at all grade levels.
The new Latin school would have a diverse student
body and students would be chosen for the school
using multiple criteria, not just a single test. Syracuse
Latin would not be a charter school.
Once the Latin school proposal is approved by the
Board of Education the district will look for a “sister’’
school, an already existing Latin school, and set up
a partnership. The school would begin by enrolling
kindergarten and first grade students in the fall of 2014.
Those students would attend the current Hughes
School at 745 Jamesville Avenue. Students enrolled at
Hughes now will not be displaced, but will continue
in the school until it is gradually phased out, in 2018.
Latin would not be taught in the primary grades. It
would be introduced once students enter sixth grade.
SCSD Students Compete at NSBE
Students from the Syracuse City School District traveled to
Indianapolis, Ind., to compete in the national competition for
the National Society of Black Engineers. Individuals, as well
as teams, did very well competing against several thousand
students from throughout the country.
Math Counts, the district’s middle school math team, finished
second in the overall competition. Members of the team are
Chantay Morales of Westside Academy, Tanijae Johnson of
Hughes, Messiah McMillian of Roberts, Nasheet Usman of
H.W. Smith at Levy and Lamar Peters of Ed Smith.
The NASCAR TEN80 Team placed first in the presentation
portion of this year’s competition and finished fourth overall.
Keishawn Carswell and Christian Curry of Roberts; Robert
Felder and Jarred Grant-Spann of Clary; Amon Caldwell,
News from the Schools
Davon Howard and Jevon Jones of H.W. Smith at Levy; and
Charvis Jones of Ed Smith make up the team.
In addition, two high school math teams, who have been
competing for four months prior to the competition in a
contest dubbed Amazing Race, placed in the competition.
Team Swagg finished in fifth place and Team Royalty finished
in seventh place. They competed against 18 other teams.
Competing on Team Swagg were Liam Barlett, Pierrot
Rutagarama, Alphonse Mugisha and Sierra Messina-Yauchzy,
all of Nottingham and Majestic Ross from Corcoran.
Ilean Curry and Brandi Fowler of Corcoran, along with Jefari
Davis, Ralph Sy and Werdi Mughya of Nottingham made up
Team Royalty.
– 11 –
Spring 2013
You can follow Superintendent Contreras on
Twitter @SContrerasSCSD. You can also get
updates and information from across the district
through our website (syracusecityschools.com),
our facebook page, on twitter, Flickr and Vimeo.
Syracuse City School District
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News from the Schools Staff
Michael Henesey, Coordinator of Communications
Kathy Coffta Sims, District Communications Specialist
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
All-City Instrumental Festival
The Syracuse City School District hosted the 28th Annual All-City Instrumental Music Festival in the Henninger High
School auditorium. Four performing groups were featured: orchestra and elementary, junior high and senior high bands.
Several hundred students from across the district played. This year’s guest conductors were Kevin Mixon, Anthony Greene,
Frank Grosso and Juan Francisco LaManna.
News from the Schools
– 12 –
Spring 2013