On Wednesday, December 12, 2018, Syracuse Academy of Science Middle School students welcomed the holiday season by performing a musical concert. The chorus sang seasonal songs of joy, while students in the Bucket Band performed their very own original piece of music! The Clarinet Ensemble stirred excitement with Feliz Navidad, and the Orchestra had some fun with Jingle Bells. More than half of the band students are new to playing musical instruments this year and all performed wonderfully. Encore!

On Wednesday, December 12, 2018, about ten #SASAtoms from the SHEHOOP Club at the high school helped out at the Food Pantry located in the back of the building. Students cleaned, organized, and learned about the valuable role the pantry plays in our community--and the invaluable role of reaching out to people in need. SHEHOOP stands for Students Helping Everyone Handle Outside Opportunities and Priorities. The goal of the club is to provide service opportunities and create mindfulness of each other inside and outside the school building. This was the club's first service opportunity outside the school. Previously, students in the club distributed candy and motivational messages to fellow students in the high school.

On Tuesday, December 11, 2018, Arel Moodie, shared his message with our #SASAtoms. Arel is a bestselling author and has been a featured speaker at the White House and has been acknowledged by President Obama. Arel grew up on welfare in the projects of Brooklyn, NY where he witnessed those around him being murdered and imprisoned. College became his way out and by the time he graduated he was named the most outstanding graduating senior. After college, Arel built a million dollar event production and Education Company while in his 20s and now as a professional speaker, he has spoken to over 500,000 people in 48 states and 5 countries. Visions Federal Credit Union committed to providing Moodie's program completely free of cost to the senior class at #SASCS High School (approx. 60 students). we will be providing each senior with a copy of Arel’s book. The presentation provided students with strategies, techniques, and tips to succeed in school today and every day. 

On Friday, December 7, 2018, the #SASCS High School Art Club visited the Everson Museum of Art for a docent-led tour. It was a marvelous way for students to familiarize themselves with this museum that is celebrating its 50th year anniversary. The painting says "Everson" can you read it?

On Tuesday, December 11, 2018, our fourth-graders received a welcome visit from Pam Brunet, director of Leadership Greater Syracuse. She spoke with our kids about the positive impact the program has on the community, how it matches and links people together to make a difference in their lives, and some of the facilities with which she works. Mrs. Brunet conducted an interactive activity with the students to help them see they each have a special "gift"--a unique attribute they can use to do something nice for another person, to give back what they have received. These Atoms now know--and show--what it means to be a leader!

On Friday, December 7th, Heidi Soine from Syracuse's Food Pantry came and spoke to one of our sixth grade classes. Soine talked about where they get their food from and who they help as well as discussed the partnerships the Food Pantry has in surrounding counties. Students presented collected donations from our recent Teen Center Night for the Food Pantry as a way to show support for families in need.