On Tuesday March 1, 2016, The Syracuse Academy of Science held their winter Art Exhibition. The theme showcased throughout the exhibition was the 7 Elements of Art. Students represented the 7 Elements of Art with wonderfully detailed value portraits, vibrant colorful animal vectors, strategic pastel mandalas, and many more works of art that the students spent hard work and dedication on. Our winter exhibition was a great success that displayed the true talent and artistic skill our Atoms put forth in their art.
On Tuesday March 1, 2016, Syracuse Academy of Science Middle School held their winter concert. Our students came together under the direction of Miss Farruggio to share an evening of music with a powerful message. New and returning band members played together to show off their hard work, dedication, and musical skills. Each grade level shared a musical selection with the audience, each with a message of friendship, self-reflection, responsibility, and respect. Our concert theme this winter was "Make a Change" and together, the whole student body came together to sing Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror". Our winter concert was a great success, and our audience members truly enjoyed the evening.
On Saturday, February 27, 2016, Syracuse Academy of Science Middle School MathCounts team which is formed by 7th graders participated in Regional MathCounts competition in OCC. Our team took 2nd place and qualified to participate in NY State Chapter competition. Congratulations MathCounts team players. Keep up the good work.
On Friday February 26, 2016 SAS Middle School hosted our Girl's Empowerment All Night Shut In Event. Our school counselor, art, and music teachers planned this event and had a wonderful turn out! 60+ 5th-8th graders got together to enjoy an evening of fun. Most importantly, however, our goal was to teach these girls how to embrace the message of being a strong, confident young woman through positive self image, communication, compassion, and respect for themselves and others. Our evening began with dinner for the girls, and a talk over tea and coffee with the parents and school counselor. We had the pleasure of hosting presenters from Contact Community Services, Theta Phi Beta Sorority, and Onondaga Community College throughout the evening. Our young female students listened to the powerful message of each presenter, telling them to stand out and be confident in their own shoes. The girls also had the opportunity to spend time with their friends, and make new ones, through games, dancing and listening to music, doing makeovers, and much more! Overall, the evening was a great success!
On Friday, February 26, 2016, the students of the SAS Middle School held their annual Science Fair. 4th grade students from the elementary school were also part of the event. Nearly 260 students were proudly standing near their science fair boards for judges to see the fruits of their amazing labors. Judges included non-science staff as well as 9 great students from our high school. Students gathered at the end to celebrate our judges and to cheer each other on for a group picture! Many students will be going on from this event to the CNY Science & Engineering Fair on March 20th! Go ATOMS!
From February 8-12th, 2016, the SAS Middle School conducted a water drive to benefit the people of Flint, Michigan. Students and their families were extremely generous in this worthy cause. At the end of the week, over 2,300 bottles of water will be on the way to Michigan thanks to our committed students, parents, and community.
On Friday, February 12th, 2016 the SAS Middle School celebrated with the 2nd Quarter Awards Ceremony. Students were recognized in a variety of ways from the best academic, best citizens, and Students of the Month in each section including specials. This event was even more special with the inclusion of events highlighting Black History Month. Staff and students shared powerful videos of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Student projects were presented that recognized the amazing accomplishments of African-American icons such as Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Barack Obama, and more. These events continue to show how amazing our ATOMs are!
Let the music begin! On Thursday, February 11th, 2016, the SAS Middle School held its winter concert dress rehearsal. Under the guidance of Ms. Farruggio, students worked to perfect their assignments. Artists such as John Legend and Michael Jackson were performed and given some of that SAS style! Unfortunately, the main performance that night was postponed due to weather. Please join us on March 1st at 6pm to see the amazing job Ms. Farruggio and her students have done.
On Friday, February 5th, 2016, Miss Bittel's Student Leadership Club hosted a Sweetheart Dance for all SAS Middle School Students in the school's gym. The students spent the night eating pizza and dancing away as the DJ played all the kid's favorite hits. Fun was had by all!
On Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016, a group of staff, parents, and students from the SAS family went to Albany for the NYS Charter School Advocacy Day. The intention of this event was to showcase SAS and other charters in NYS and to help build new relationships with those that create the laws that govern our schools. In addition, the long-standing partnerships with the many lawmakers that have long supported the amazing work done at SAS and other charters. Two administrators, Mr. Yavuz and Mr. Bak, the Deans of the Middle and High Schools and Mr. Carter, 5th & 6th grade science teacher, led the group. They were joined by eight of the dedicated parent partners with 12 students ranging from grades 2 through 7.
What was our goal? Well, outside of the demonstration of what makes SAS great, we sought to describe what equitable funding could mean to their schools and futures! Many do not realize that charter schools only receive a fraction per pupil of what traditional public schools receive. This combined with the un-subsidized building costs diminish our potential. Even with these circumstances, the accomplishments of SAS are amazing. Our graduation, college readiness, and college acceptance rates are things that any school should be proud of.
The group met with the staff members from the offices of Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter, Assemblyman William Magnarelli, and Senator John Defrancisco as these representatives were in chamber. They were also able to speak directly to Senator Valesky and Samuel Roberts, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. These dedicated public servants listed to our staff, parents, and students talk about what it is to be at SAS and how our student-centered approach has yielded great results! As more and more lawmakers see what we have accomplished, we hope to make funding for SAS equitable with traditional public schools and present even more opportunities for our amazing students to shine bright! Go ATOMS!
- Retired Syracuse Fire Chief Mike Chura visited 5th & 6th graders to talk about Fire Safety and Prevention
- December Student of the Month Award Ceremony at Middle School
- Holiday Donation Drive at Middle School
- Winter Wonderland Dance at Middle School
- Parent Leadership Series: Mr. Erin Smith's visit
- SAS Middle School students take part in Hour of Code
- November Student of the Month Award Ceremony at Middle School
- Nearly 1500 items were donated to In My Father's Kitchen
- Seventh Graders visited LeMoyne College
- Sixth Graders visited LeMoyne College