On Tuesday, June 14th, 2016 the Syracuse Academy of Science Middle School held the Spring Art Exhibition. The exhibition showcased several works from each student completed during the second half of the year. The works ranged from detailed drawings of portraits and still lives, pastel mandalas, colorful paintings, and textured mixed media. SAS is very proud of our Atoms and all the hard work and dedication put forth to create such wonderful works of art. The Spring Exhibition was a great success that displayed the true talent and artistic skill our Atoms put forth in all they do.

Click here to see the pictures of Spring Art Exhibition

On Friday, June 10th, 2016 the SAS Middle School celebrated its very first International Day. Twelve teams of students created presentations of various countries and cultures such as Cuba, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and many Native American tribes. Many of our wonderful parent supported the event by bringing in food such as wontons, plantains, rice and beans, and Irish potato pancakes. The event was capped by the wonderful performances of the Talent Club who used their amazing skills to bring French ballet, Spanish music, and African dancing to the event. One of the many aspects that make SAS an amazing school is the many different cultures that we have in our study body. Our differences are what make us strong! Go ATOMS!

Click here to see pictures of International Day

On Thursday, June 9th, several 5th graders visited the Everson Museum of Art. The Everson Museum of Art features the works of artists from the 18th century to the present, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, and video.

The students were split into small groups and guided throughout several exhibitions. They thoroughly enjoyed the performance art where videos were shown of artists stomping on pottery full of paint, artists trying to climb while wearing roller-skates, and artists throwing globs of messy clay. Another installation that caught their attention exhibited sculptures created using found objects that were crocheted, stitched, stuffed, carved, constructed with yarn, mattress stuffing, fabric, twine, styrofoam, wood, and clay.

The docents that conducted the tours were wonderful and very pleased with the knowledge our 5th graders brought to the conversations and critiques. The students spoke with elegance and confidence when critiquing the works of art which made for a beautiful atmosphere.

I was extremely proud of the students for how engaged they were with the artwork, the conversations, and how they represented the Syracuse Academy of Science wonderfully. We eagerly look forward to visiting the Everson Museum of Art again in the future.

Click here to see pictures of Everson Museum of Art

This past weekend, June 3-5, 22 SAS 7th graders traveled to Philadelphia. As a year-end exploration of topics covered in 7th grade American History, the students visited many historical places. The group, chaperoned by Ms. Patton (social studies), Ms. Chapman (Spanish), and Coach Bahamonde (physical education and health), left for their adventure after school on Friday.

Saturday was the main event for the students, starting with the National Constitution Center. There, students explored constitutional issues of history such as The Civil Rights Movement, The Women’s Rights Movement, Slavery, and equality. Students were able to get involved through interactive exhibits that allowed them to assume the role of a Supreme Court Justice, take the Presidential Oath of Office, and Ask A Senator. In the seasonal Road to the White House exhibit, students were able to follow the campaign trail and hang sticky notes listing what they would do first if they were elected President of the United States. A major hit at the center was Signers Hall, which features life-size bronze statues of the signers of the US Constitution. The students got to see Founding Fathers such as Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton “up close and personal.” 

After the National Constitution Center, students walked across the street to see the burial place of Benjamin Franklin.  After lunch and some souvenir shopping at the Bourse Building (a historic commodities exchange building from the 1890’s that has been restored to include shops and food stands), students visited the Liberty Bell. 

Independence Hall awaited the students next as they took a tour of one of the most important buildings in American History – where both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed.  This tour included visits to the room in which the Constitutional Convention met as well as the building located next door which housed the first US Congress. 

From there, the group headed to Reading Terminal Market for dinner, including the chance to get a *real* Philly cheesesteak. After Reading Terminal, the group traveled down Filbert St. to find the Philadelphia Love Statue which is currently located in Dillworth Park. While in the park the students got to see some street entertainers as well – including a soccer ball trick handling demonstration and a small drum corps.  From there, it was a trip to the Philadelphia Art Museum to see the Rocky Balboa statue and run up the stairs as he does in the movie. Even after a long day of walking, many of the students made the long trek up the large staircase – laughing the whole time!

Sunday, Valley Forge National Park was on the agenda. The group took the driving tour of the park, stopping at several important sites including the National Arch, George Washington’s Headquarters, and the company cabins. At the cabins, the students met with Camp Follower Jen. Camp Followers were the women and sometimes children that followed the Continental Army and helped with a number of tasks like sewing, cooking, nursing, and other things that were necessary to help the soldiers. She showed the students some Revolutionary Era games and explained how most all game from the time had educational value because most people believed that if you could “trick” children into learning through fun, they would retain the lessons longer.  She showed the students a dice game that taught math and a dice game using dice with letters that was similar to Boggle in that you have to make as many words with the letters you have as you can. The students also visited George Washington’s home and headquarters where he stayed during the winter spent at Valley Forge. They also got to see replica cannons and statues or monuments representing the various state militias that were represented in the Continental Army. After hopping on and off the bus for about 90 minutes for the tour and tour stops, it was time for lunch, and then to head home. 

Although it was a very long and busy weekend, the students all had a great time, as did the chaperones.  They were excited to share their experiences and fun with their family and friends. Many of the students purchased presents for siblings or parents and were excited to share the treasures that they found as well. After a very successful first 7th Grade Philadelphia Field Trip, plans are in the works to make this experience an annual tradition for the 7th graders at the middle school.

On Thursday, June 2nd and Friday, June 3rd, 2016 the students of the SAS Middle School traveled to Big Don's Wild River Mini Golf in Cicero. Groups of students competed against each other in various matches of mini golf. In addition, students traveled Big Don’s maze to find several objectives as well as the exit! Many students enjoyed ice cream refreshments from the snack stand. Even though the school year is coming to an end, our students are greatly enjoying our remaining events.

On Tuesday, May 24th, 2016 the SAS Middle School held its 2nd Dean's List Dinner. Students make the Dean's List by maintaining the High Honor Roll throughout the school year. Twenty-four amazing young people were recognized from grades 5-7. Joining the students were friends and family members for the festivities at Pensabene's Casa Grande in Syracuse. The following students were recognized for their Dean's List achievement as well as the Presidential Academic Award: 5th: Adam Scheffer, Naomi Garcia, Janel Ginarte, Sanaa Smith. 6th: Ta'Nyia Gomez, Zachary Allen, Anan Bey, Fayrouz Mahmoud. Godis Nicholson, Ayse Baysal, Marcus Russell, Ermine Reddock, Michael Scheer, Naomi Turner. Zyaira Bullock. 7th: Anabel Hughes, Joanne Pratt, Malachi Bey, Xavier Wilson, Umesh Dahal, Daniel Pontello, Karl Russo, Ron'nal Glover, Owyn Blue. Speakers included our Superintendent Dr. Hayali, President of our Board Dr. Damkaci, and of course the Dean of the Middle School Mr. Yavuz. This was an amazing event to celebrate the best of the best from SAS! Congratulations Middle School Dean's List 2015-16.

The Do Something Club has been participating in a shoe cutting party for the organization Sole Hope since February. The students have collectively created 122 sets of shoe uppers to be sent to Uganda. Each shoe upper set will then be assembled by Ugandans in need of a sustainable income. Once completed, the shoes are distributed to children of Eastern Africa to keep their feet safe from infections and jiggers (small sand fleas that enter bare feet and burrow into the skin). The Do Something Club will also be sending a donation of $100.00 to further provide the monetary needs to pay for and purchase the remaining supplies for the shoes. If you are interested in learning more about Sole Hope, please visit solehope.org. 

Students in Miss Bittel's 5th grade social studies class have been learning about the country of Mexico. On Friday, May 20th, 2016, Miss Bittel had Mr. Francisco Valle (one of our co-teacher's father) come in and present to the students about Mexico. He spoke to them about Mexican culture, some history and geography of Mexico, Mexican food, music and clothing! He brought in chili, authentic Mexican clothing and a Mexican flag! Fun was had by all!

On Wednesday, May 18th, 2016 Ms. Farruggio took the wind players from band club to a performance by the Syracuse Symphoria at the Palace Theater. Students learned about the instruments of the orchestra, sang along to familiar songs, and truly enjoyed this musical experience. In the coming weeks members from the Syracuse Symphoria will visit SAS Middle School to talk with our band members and listen to them play.

On May 9th through the 11th, 2016 the students of the SAS Middle School took a trip to the WCNY building on Fayette Street in Syracuse. While there, they participated in an amazing program called Enterprise America. This is an excerpt from WCNY’s website: 

Once in the city, students will apply the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and financial and civic literacy skills they have learned to run the city’s 14 businesses and City Hall. The students become business entrepreneurs and employees, consumers and citizens. They enact laws, elect a mayor and judge and decide whether or not to purchase employee medical insurance. The business owners visit the Enterprise America credit union to apply for loans to launch their “start-ups” while other students manufacture goods, such as pens, and offer services, including website design. Some students will become accountants, preparing invoices and paying bills; others will calculate energy usage in the city’s businesses and explore alternative energy sources, write stories and take photos for the city’s newspaper, and prepare orders and deliver supplies throughout the city. All the student employees will complete wellness surveys, cast votes on a real voting machine and oversee personal and business financial spending.Students were eager to participate in this endeavor. Several businesses turned a profit throughout our three days of attendance with the 5th, 6th, and 7th grades. This was our 2nd year attending this program and truly hallmarks our commitment to preparing our students for participation in a 21st century world!