Spring 2018 Syosset Pride

FALL 2013 FALL 2013 SyossetThe Leader SyossetThe Standard A Publication of the Syosset Central School District A Publication of the Syosset Central School District www.syossetistops.org www.syossetistops.org Spring 2018 FALL 2013 Syosset Pride SyossetThe Connect A Publication of the Syosset Central School District A Publication of the Syosset Central School District www.syossetschools.org www.syossetistops.org MESSAGE FALL 2013 FALL 2013 A FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT Well-Rounded with a Dear Parents and Guardians, Whole Child Approach When weThe originally planned this issue, I was excited to explore The the theme of how Syosset’s students are not just well-educated, but Educating the whole child through Brown Bags, well-rounded. We’re very proud of the academic accomplishments of our students, and we are every bit as proud of the fact that clubs and opportunities to provoke change our students are anything but one-dimensional. They are artistic, Syosset’s academic successes have groundwork for well-rounded growth.” benevolent, athletic, and kind. been well-documented by the likes Communal civility and the SyossetHowever, the day after the successful voter approval of our “Phase Shines Syosset Scholar of theA DepartmentPublication of Education, of the theSyosset commitment Central Schoolto self-improvement District and A Publication of the Syosset Central School District 2” facilities initiative, school security issues were again thrust State Education Department, and improving thewww.syossetistops.org quality of life for others www.syossetistops.org into the national spotlight with the tragic loss of life in Parkland, organizations that sponsor regional is evident through the many activities Florida. As I wrote at the time, though the events occurred in a and national competitions that honor that complement the curriculum. faraway place, it nevertheless hit close to home as there were many student accomplishments at the local connections between our schools and theirs. individual and group level. National ENRICHING EXPERIENCES FILL FALL 2013 In 2015, the District conducted a security audit, and in the time publications such as Newsweek, THE DAY since, the District has added a significant surveillance infrastructure, U.S. News & World Report, The The Kids Teaching Kids Club at enhanced night and weekend security patrols, and begun work Washington Post and others sources Berry Hill Elementary School is taking on many of the projects approved in Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the also place Syosset in the national the TED Talks concept to the student The Facilities Improvement Plan to enhance our security and safety: spotlight through their annual rankings audience. The club allows students to • Glass corridor walls are being replaced with security- and fire- of the nation’s best schools. In many take agency of their own learning by rated corridor walls, cases, however, it’s the intangible researching, exploring and sharing a • Classroom doors and locks are being upgraded to the latest results that help define the quality of a topic of interest to them and discussing security specification, school system. it with peers. Students engage in “While academic achievement two-way questioning and respond to Syosset Chronicle • Vestibules are being added to every building to manage visitors, A Publication of the Syosset Central School District remains a hallmark here, when questions while exploring a variety of • Security corridors will be built to replace outdoor student www.syossetistops.org measuring Syosset’s success, it’s crosscutting disciplines. walkways at the high school and South Grove elementary important that we look at the breadth In addition to an array of enriching school, of high-caliber opportunities and clubs during the lunch/recess periods, • Air conditioning will be added to every classroom to eliminate experiences beyond the day-to-day Brown Bag sessions are made available the need to open windows, curriculum,” said Superintendent of to all district elementary students. This • Outdoor bathrooms will be constructed at Syosset High School Schools Dr. Tom Rogers. “Just as the program provides students in grades to eliminate the need to keep the building unlocked during foundation for academic excellence 2-5 an opportunity to use their free athletic events. is established early on, so is the time (generally recess) to participate Additional initiatives in progress include electronic “door ajar” continued on page 3... systems, exhaust fans in gymnasiums, and reconfiguration of door access to after-hours venues (gymnasiums and auditoriums). We’ve made operational changes as well including: additional uniformed security guards, new visitor procedures, installation of the RAVE panic button app, institution of chip-enabled smart badges for all staff, new exterior electronic door locks, and new bid specifications for both security guards and surveillance infrastructure. (Continued on next page) Syosset Central School District Nonprofit Organization Syosset, New York 11791 U.S. Postage PAID Permit No.36 Syosset, NY 11791 ****ECRWSS**** Resident of Syosset Central School District HBT’s PAL and Buddy clubs students complete an exercise through the ADL’s World of Difference program. (Continued from Page 1) A Message from Your Superintendent In addition, the Nassau County Police one another healthy. Syosset is fortunate to have and at every level, Department has announced several changes to a school psychologist in place on every campus, our students have how they will coordinate with school districts and a District-wide social work capacity. We place the opportunity to both in developing security plans and in daily a great deal of emphasis on programs and services explore interests operations. We’ll elaborate more in a future to promote student mental health. that go beyond the issue, but expect police vehicles to visit our An important part of student health is curriculum, to find campuses frequently as a stop on their rounds, not cultivating a sense of belonging. Syosset takes peers at Syosset and necessarily in response to a 911 call. pride in an incredibly broad range of extra- beyond who share A key factor in the strength of our District is curricular opportunities from elementary those passions, and our relationship with the community, and part school right through graduation. There truly is begin to define their futures blending vocation of how we keep one another safe is to maintain a something for everyone, and these opportunities with avocation. At Syosset, we trust that every “see something, say something” mindset. Whether form one of the cornerstones of our student well- student learns they can change both themselves – it’s on-line or in person, if something doesn’t seem being efforts. and the world – for the better. quite right, we want to check it out so we can rule That’s why we are taking this issue to celebrate it out. the fact that our students are not just well- Dr. Tom Rogers But we also keep one another safe by keeping educated, but well-rounded. In each building Superintendent of Schools A Message from Your Board of Education Dear Syosset Community, & Lymphoma Society’s Student of the Year Award, or our Forensics Society once again being The horrific events at Marjory Stoneman recognized as a top team on the national stage, Douglas High School in Florida have once our students continue to validate our efforts to again raised school security discussions to the educate the whole child. forefront. Please know that with all of the work The excellence of the District has resulted in that takes place in the Syosset schools on a daily yet another acknowledgement, as Syosset High basis, nothing takes precedence over the health School was named a New York State Reward and safety of our children. The Syosset School School in January. While the high school should business meetings. You may refer to the Board of District has always been focused on creating be heralded for its academic achievements, this is Education calendar on the District website for and maintaining a secure environment for our a recognition of the strength of the district as a exact start times. community. In recent years the District began whole, as the foundation for success is established In addition to the budget, the annual May on a path to strengthen security at all of our early on at the elementary schools and later built ballot will include the election to seats on this buildings, and the facilities projects you have up through the secondary schools. Board and a proposition to permit the District supported over the last several years are significant As we applaud our children, we also thank to create a Capital Reserve for security-related in furthering this endeavor. voters in our community for your support of the facilities projects. Just as the Capital Reserve the On March 12, the Board hosted a special Phase 2 facilities improvement propositions. With voters authorized in 2014 allowed the District to forum to receive feedback from the community your approval, we can now begin addressing some defray borrowing costs for the Phase 1 and Phase on the topic of security. Undoubtedly there will of the significant needs of our aging facilities, 2 facilities votes, this new Capital Reserve would be more conversations to be had on this topic. improve our instructional spaces, address traffic enable the District to respond quickly to any new All of the comments and questions raised will safety issues, and improve building security security enhancements deemed necessary by the be carefully considered and addressed. We are and energy efficiency throughout the district. administration, or required by a future regulation committed to working through this complex issue Construction projects approved last May as part from Albany. in a manner that ensures our students and staff of the Phase 1 Capital Reserve vote are underway, For a summary of the events of every Board are as safe as possible while maintaining a positive and initial construction of the Phase 2 projects meeting, please refer to our monthly “Board environment for the students.

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