Thursday, November 18th, 2021—In preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday, Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school Atoms learned about the character strength, gratitude, and found fun and creative ways to incorporate this into daily lessons and activities.

One activity included writing a letter to someone in their life whom they are thankful for. Many students wrote to their parents, grandparents, friends, teachers, and cousins. Atoms learned that gratitude works best when you share it with someone else.

The students in 1A created their own gratitude jar by writing down things they are grateful for! Atoms also wrote on a chalkboard what they were thankful for (including potato chips!).

The 4^th grade Atoms learned about the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - a parade that has delighted many for 97 years! Students read the story, 'Balloons over Broadway,' by Melissa Sweet. The book tells the true story about puppeteer extraordinaire Tony Sarg and how his zest for play and marionette puppets transformed to become the floats we now see today. Atoms then created their own mini Thanksgiving Day parade by decorating balloons and marched down the halls spreading holiday joy and cheer to each classroom they passed.

There is so much to be thankful for this holiday season. We are thankful for all of our Atoms, their families, teachers, faculty, and staff! We invite you to please click here to visit our Facebook page to view more pictures of these gratitude events and activities.

Tuesday, November 30th, 2021—You’re a wizard, Atoms! While the 2^nd grade Atoms at Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school may (or may not have) received their ‘official’ letter to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, we can solemnly say that the Atoms are certainly up to some good.

Each day the students that demonstrate the Positivity Project’s weekly character strengths and follow their 'house rules,' will be awarded the honor of being named the Wizard of the Day!

Congratulations, Atoms and keep up the great work! And just remember what the wise Sorting Hat mentioned, "In wise old Ravenclaw, if you've a ready mind… those of wit and learning will always find their kind."

Monday, November 29th, 2021—Our hearts are so full by all the kindness shared by the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school Atoms this past week!

Last week, Atoms learned about the character strength of Kindness. As defined by The Positivity Project, showing kindness towards yourself and one another means that you are generous to others and never too busy to help out. Showing kindness also means that you enjoy doing good deeds for other people.

Throughout the week, Atoms have participated in various hands-on, minds-on activities that incorporate the character strength of kindness, and have reflected on how they have shown kindness and have been kind to others in the past. In the 2^nd grade, students shared what kindness meant to them, and how they can spread kindness. They wrote their thoughts and ideas on a post-it note and added it to their 'Kindness Wall.' The Kindness Wall will be in full display all year to remind students to show kindness towards one another.

In addition to the 2^nd grade Atoms, Atoms have been practicing random acts of kindness in their classrooms by picking up their toys, trash, and giving encouraging words to their fellow classmates. Students celebrated the week-long discussion of the character strength of Kindness by drawing a picture of ways they could light up the world with kindness.

Thursday, December 4th, 2021—Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship 4th grade student, A'Don represented the Atoms this past weekend at the American Youth Football 'Road to Nationals' tournament (aka the Super Bowl) in Orlando, Florida!

We are very proud of our young student athlete, A'Don who has competed with his team, the Salt City Renegades, all over New York state and the East Coast. We wish A'Don and the Salt City Renegades the best of luck in their Nationals tournament!

Please click here to watch a short video of the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school wishing A'Don the best of luck and a very special shout out this past week.

Tuesday, October 12th, 2021—Camouflage, armor, spikes and spines. What could the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school Atoms be up to? Why studying and bringing animal and plant defenses to life as part of their Amplify Education Science unit, of course!

For this unit, Atoms were tasked with creating models of these animal and plant defenses. Students would color sheets of paper to represent animals who would use camouflage as their natural defense, and would create a model of dowel rods and modeling clay to represent spines or spikes of animals and plants who use this as their natural defense. Keep up the great work, Atoms!

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2021—Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school students have been busy at work this past school year. For a fun Flashback Friday, we wanted to highlight the Atoms practicing their writing skills by completing worksheets that focus on writing narrative events, sharing what they would like to be when they are older, and much more. Keep up the great work, Atoms and have a happy Friday.

Wednesday, November 16th, 2021—Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school students in Ms. Diorio's class have both bubble gum on their minds, and ‘bubble gum brains,’ which is a very good thing. Students read the book, Bubble Gum Brain by Julia Cook which is a creative story that explains the valuable lesson that 'becoming is better than being,' which can open the door to a whole new world of possibilities.

In the story, there are two main characters: Bubble Gum Brain and Brick Brain and each character has a very different mindset. Bubble Gum Brain likes to have fun adventures, learn new things and doesn't worry about making great mistakes. On the other hand, Brick Brain is convinced that things are just fine the way they are and there isn't much you can do to change them, so why try?

This clever and creative story allowed the Atoms to learn the power of the word 'yet,' as well as, the importance of having a growth mindset, where we are positive, and excited to grow and stretch much like a good piece of bubble gum! Keep up the great work, Atoms.

Thursday, October 28th, 2021—No need to wonder what the world may look like if kids were left in charge, because we have the answers. Late October, the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship students in Mr. Cognetti’s first grade class welcomed guest speaker and reader, Honorable Chol Majok of the Common Council District 3.

Honorable Chol Majok is the first former refugee to hold office in the City of Syracuse, after winning Syracuse' 3^rd District Common Council seat in 2019. He shared with the Atoms his incredible life story of being a former 'Lost Boy' of South Sudan and his journey to freedom after escaping in the Sundanese Civil War at 8 years of age. 

Following his story, Honorable Majok read to the students the book, 'If Kids ran the World' by Leo and Diane Dillon. We would like to take this time to thank Honorable Majok for taking time out of his busy schedule for coming to visit and read to the Atoms!

Friday, October 29th, 2021—“The influence of a good teacher can never be erased!” No truer words have been spoken about Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary Special Education teacher, Pat Dennison. Over the course of her career, Pat has been an influential part of many students’ and fellow coworkers. Pat took joy in supporting her students and bringing out the best in the staff around her. She will be greatly missed by all of the teachers, faculty, staff and students at Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school. 

We are wishing you good luck, great health and great success in your retirement. Congratulations, Pat!

Thursday, October 7th, 2021—Last month, Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship welcomed Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli of Assembly District 129 for a special school visit.

During his visit,  Assemblyman Magnarelli received a special guided tour by Dean of Elementary Dominic Frisina, and SANY Superintendent Dr. Tolga Hayali. While on the tour, Assemblyman Magnarelli learned about the history of Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school, met some of the Atoms, listened to a few lessons from teachers and learned about the future of SASCCS!

We would like to give a special thank you Assemblyman Magnarelli for taking time out of his busy schedule to spend the day with the Atoms and for visiting Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school!