Friday, April 9th, 2021—Throughout the month of March, Mrs. Wittchen challenged the 3^rd and 4^th grade students to participate in an online self-respect and positive self-talk challenge. To participate, students were tasked with writing one kind thing about themselves over a 5-day period. This simple task proved to be very meaningful and the many Atoms accepted the challenge and participated. While participating, the students learned a lot by reflecting and writing what they love about themselves as well as, kind things about themselves. This positive self-reflection helps create not only positive self-image but a positive mindset and a kindness mentality.

Congratulations to all of the 3rd and 4th graders who met the challenge and won counseling awards. In the words of Mr. Rogers, "Knowing that we can be loved exactly as we are gives us all the best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people." Keep up the great work, Atoms you are all worth it!

Thursday, April 8th, 2021—Syracuse Academy of Science 4^th grade Atoms had a unique hands-on, minds-on learning experience as they helped raise and observe caterpillars to learn about the life cycle of a butterfly. For those not familiar with the butterfly life cycle the stages include:

• The egg
• The larva
• The pupa
• The butterfly

Each of these four stages is unique to the type of butterfly. As the students’ caterpillars went through the metamorphosis process, they observed each of these four stages. Last week, with the nice warm weather the students were able to release their beautiful butterflies. Click here to head to our Facebook page to view pictures of the butterfly release.

Monday, April 12th, 2021—The Syracuse Academy of Science 7^th grade students in Ms. Brett’s art class learned about the art technique, Grid Art and famous artist, Chuck Close, who uses this technique to create a collection of abstract portraits of himself and others. For those not familiar with Grid Art, it is a technique that allows the artist to reproduce and/or enlarge an image that you want to paint or draw using a grid. Drawing inspiration from Chuck Close, the Atoms put their skills to the test and create portraits themselves using the Grid Art technique. Click here to view more of their artwork. Keep up the great work, Atoms!

Friday, April 9th, 2021—It’s Friday, which means it’s time for Syracuse Academy of Science high school’s next Teacher Spotlight. We had an opportunity to virtually interview high school social studies teacher, Mr. Dwyer who shared with us a fun fact that has everyone guessing, his favorite book, advice for the Atoms and so much more. Read our interview below, as we shine our spotlight on high school social studies teacher, Mr. Dwyer.

Interview with Mr. Dwyer

• What three traits define you? Shy, Kind and Honest.
• What is your greatest accomplishment? This is an interesting question. I feel as though I accomplished many things however I feel like I have much more to fulfill. 
• Best book you have ever read? The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown.
• What is one thing you cannot resist?(food/dessert/candy/etc.) Peanut Butter Cookies.
• If you could have dinner with one person living or dead who would they be and why? There are so many people I would like to have dinner with.  The list would go on forever. I would say I would like to have dinner with my current and former students. I would like to see what they have been up to since graduation and give advice to the current students. 
• What advice would you give to kids who are struggling at school? Life has thrown us a curveball in the past year. With that each person is special and although this is a big bump in the road of life each of you are going to accomplish great things.
• Tell us, what is something that might surprise us about you? I went to high school with a soon to be major league baseball hall of famer.