Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021—It’s the last week of school, you know what this means?! It’s time to celebrate! In honor of the last week of school, Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school students celebrated with a Yes Day. For those not familiar with this new type of celebration, the person or group of people who were selected to receive a Yes Day can provide a list of activities, requests, etc. which would be granted with a yes!

The week leading up to the Yes Day celebration, Atoms were tasked with creating a list of activities to participate in during their Yes Day. On June 22^nd, students celebrated their Yes Day, and even designed their very own Yes Day hat to wear throughout the day and during their special activities. Such a fun and creative way to celebrate the ending of a historic school year.

Monday, June 21st, 2021—As the school year comes to a close, Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school hosted its last virtual Student of the Month Ceremony of the school year. For the month of June, students and staff were recognized for demonstrating the character trait of integrity.

We would like to congratulate all of our nominees and the Atoms, and would like to give everyone a round of applause for their hard work this past school year! We invite you to click here to watch the Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school's virtual June Student of the Month ceremony

Thursday, June 17th, 2021—As students, teachers, faculty and staff prepare for the end of school year, Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school decided to celebrate with their time honored tradition, Field Days. This annual event is one that many look forward to as it not only marks that the school year is almost complete, but it's a day where everyone can spend time outdoors with their friends participating in many games and activities.

This year, students had an opportunity to participate in: relay races, bouncing in a bounce house, playing with sidewalk chalk, blowing bubbles and oh so much more! We invite you to click here to view more pictures from Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school’s 2021 Field Days event.

Thursday, June 17th, 2021—In honor of Father’s Day weekend, the Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school hosted a virtual event to celebrate the distinguished men in the students' lives. Father's, uncles, grandpas and others were invited to join in a Zoom event where students not only were able to interact with their loved ones, but they could also share a short story they wrote for them, as well as a homemade craft.

This opportunity was a great way for the students and their families to virtually spend time with one another as they prepared for a long weekend! Happy belated Father's Day to all the wonderful and distinguished men in the Atoms' lives. We hope that you had an enjoyable Father's Day weekend!

Tuesday, June 15th, 2021—Earlier this month, the Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school 2nd grade Atoms have been busy bees learning all about a variety of animals for their Animal Research Project. For this assignment, students were tasked with selecting their favorite animal and presenting information such as their animal's habitat, diet, appearance, and animal fun facts to their classmates. Some of our animals included doves, tigers, butterflies, bees, red tailed hawks and an anteater! To organize their animal research, Atoms created their very own poster board that was not only visually appealing, but proudly displayed all their hard work for everyone to see. Keep up the great work, Atoms!!

Friday, June 11th, 2021—Syracuse Academy of Science middle school 7^th grade Project Based Learning (PBL) students square off in a fun, friendly socially distanced debate. For their debate, students were tasked with taking a side (agree/disagree) on two topics: should teens have an after school job, and will we colonize a planet in our lifetime?

With each of the topics, students carefully prepared their stance, listed out their talking points and each Atom had a chance to debate their side for each topic. While the debate was taking place, students who were not debating, practiced their active listening skills, and respected their opposition by agreeing to disagree. Once the debates concluded, a student from each side (agree/disagree) who the Atoms felt best argued their stance was selected the ‘winner.’ Those two Atoms would then have an opportunity to face off against each other to see who would be crowned the ultimate debate champion. What a fun and exciting experience, Atoms!

Sunday, June 20th, 2021— 'Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.' - Anne Geddes

Friday, June 18th, 2021-In honor of the upcoming Juneteenth holiday, Syracuse Academy of Science high school students Ale’la Gillard and Xzayvionna Williams step into the role and broadcast journalists to cover the history of Juneteenth and its significance in American history. In their coverage, Atoms highlight how cities around the world celebrate Juneteenth including parades, parties, beauty contests, the history and meaning of the colors Green, Red and Black on the Juneteeth flag, and so much more.

In addition, Syracuse Academy of Science high school students Precious Dixie, Arden Goodyear, Ranelle Duncan Letts, Jai’lin Everson-Brown, Hi’zharria Harper, Madeleine Olaniyan, and Ale’la Gillaard virtually perform the Black National Anthem, ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing,’ written by James Weldon Johnson and composed by John Rosamond Johnson.

We invite you to please click here to watch this short video, Juneteenth: A Celebration, from the Syracuse Academy of Science high school Atoms.

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021—Syracuse Academy of Science high school senior Willie Jennings was selected by Section III coaches and Syracuse.com staff for the 2021 All-CNY small school football team. Students from all across Central New York, compete and work hard throughout their season for a chance to be selected for this team.

Syracuse.com virtually interviewed each of the student athletes who made the 2021 All-CNY small school football team. Check out the virtual interview with Willie Jennings below.

Virtual Interview with Willie Jennings

• School: Bishop Ludden/SAS
• Class: Senior
• Position: Defensive back
• Height, weight: 5-11, 179
• Season stats: 165 receiving yards, 5TDs, 19 tackles, 3 INTs
• What’s next: Prep school.
• Who (or what) inspires you? My little brother, Radames. He tells me every day how great I can be.
• Most treasured possession: Necklace from my grandma.
• Food I refuse to eat: Sushi.
• Favorite teacher and class: Mr. Dwyer and gym
• What will you most remember for this pandemic season? I will remember the cold three-hour practices we had to work through and the coach wouldn’t let us go home early.

Click here to meet the other student athletes on the 2021 All-CNY small school football team. Congratulations, Willie, we are very proud of you and all that you have accomplished both in the classroom and on the football field.

Friday, June 18th, 2021—Syracuse Academy of Science virtually interviews high school Special Education teacher, Mrs. Hicks for its bi-weekly Teacher Spotlight. During our interview, Mrs. Hicks shared with us fun facts about herself,  like she used to play the snare drum in marching band, her greatest accomplishment, advice for the Atoms and so much more. Scroll down to read our virtual interview with Mrs. Hicks as we get ready to shine that spotlight on her for Syracuse Academy of Science high school’s Teacher Spotlight.

Interview with Mrs. Hicks

• What three traits define you? Dedicated, Authentic, Flexible
• What is your greatest accomplishment? my family - husband of 35 years and 4 grown children - 3 grandchildren
• Best book you have ever read? The Bible 
• What is one thing you cannot resist?(food/dessert/candy/etc.) You mean I have to pick one? Pizza, cake, and chocolate.
• If you could have dinner with one person living or dead who would they be and why? Anne Sullivan - taught a deaf and blind girl to communicate before there was ASL. Used fingerspelling to teach her and Helen Keller, and went on to be a successful speaker, author and inspiration. As a teacher, I can't think of a more difficult situation than someone who has no language skills and yet she learned; and learned well. 
• What advice would you give to kids who are struggling at school? Plan to grow, work at it, and take advantage of all of the support who are here for you.
• Tell us, what is something that might surprise us about you? I was good at sports when I was in school - especially basketball. I played the snare drum in marching band. - pick one