Senior Spotlight: Rheona Montgomery-Golden

Syracuse Academy of Science Senior Spotlight Features 2023 Senior Rheona Montgomery-Golden

Tuesday, June 27th, 2023: The Class of 2023 may have graduated, but we’re still highlighting their accomplishments! Meet Rheona Montgomery-Golden. 

What is one major accomplishment you had in your senior year of high school? I wouldn’t call this a major accomplishment but I finally finished writing a book I’ve been writing since I don’t know how long and also having the opportunity to take art classes at Occ. I was able to learn how to improve my drawing and new drawing methods that I wasn’t familiar with.

What are your goals for after high school? After high school, I want to go to college and major in Creative Writing while also trying out new things.

Name one person that inspires you. A person that inspires me is my mother. She’d always push me to stay on top of my schoolwork and always believed in me.

 What advice would you give to the next senior class? Don’t push things back. That’ll only cause you stress.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Being a successful author and Writing fictional stories that people love.

If you could have dinner with any person living or dead, who would they be and why? The Weeknd simply because I love his music and would love to meet him someday.

Name three traits that describe you. Creative, funny, and caring.

What is your favorite hobby? Aside from writing, I would have to say drawing.

What is a hidden talent that no one or only a few people know about you? A hidden talent I have is singing. I usually sing with no one around.

What is your favorite memory of SAS?

When almost everyone, including me, was falling down the stairs trying to get into the cafeteria for breakfast (It was snowing, and the stairs were slippery.)

SAS Celebrates Kindergarten Graduation

Syracuse Academy of Science Graduatues the Kindergarten Class of the 2022-23 School Year

Wednesday, June 21st, 2023: “You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting- so get on your way”- Dr. Seuss. 

Syracuse Academy of Science celebrated Kindergarten Graduation! Kindergarteners dressed up in graduation caps and gowns and received a certificate for successfully completing their first year of school! Great job, Atoms! We can't wait to see what 1st grade will bring for you! 

SAS ES Celebrates June Students of the Month

Syracuse Academy of Science Rewards the Last Students of the Month for the 2022-23 School Year

Wednesday, June 21st, 2023: Syracuse Academy of Science Elementary School celebrated the character trait Integrity in June. Integrity is the quality of being honest. Integrity is all about doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

Congratulations to our final Students of the Month for the 22-23 school year!

SAS HS Seniors Walk Down Memory Lane

Syracuse Academy of Science Holds Traditional Senior Walk

Tuesday, June 13th, 2023: Syracuse High School Seniors took a trip down memory lane for our annual senior walk. Seniors put on their caps and gowns and walked through Syracuse Elementary School to the beat of Pomp and Circumstance playing through the PA speakers. SAS Elementary School students lined the halls to cheer and hold up signs for the graduating Seniors. 

This tradition allows the Seniors to reflect on their achievements and show the Elementary Schoolers what they are working towards.

Guest Speaker Helps SAS MS Atoms Understand Mental Health

Contact Community Services Guest Speaker Teaches Syracuse Academy of Science Middle Schoolers about Mental Health

Friday, June 16th, 2023: Krysta Broeker, Mental Health Educator from Contact Community Services, spoke to Middle School students about Mental Health and Self-care. Students learned what Mental Health is, how to start a conversation about it, how to reach out for help, different types of self-care, and available resources in our community. Thank you to Krysta and Contact Community Services for educating students about such an important topic!

Le Moyne College Professor Dr. Schmidt Inducted into SANY Hall of Fame

SANY Superintendent Dr. Hayali Awards Le Moyne Porfessor

Thursday, May 25th, 2023: Dr. Patricia Ruggiano Schmidt was another excellent educator awarded by SANY Superintendent Dr. Hayali during our 20th Anniversary celebration. Dr. Schmidt is a Professor of Education at Le Moyne College. Her 20 years of teaching in elementary and secondary schools became the foundation for pursuing a literacy and language learning doctorate at Syracuse University. After retiring, Dr. Schmidt began consulting for culturally responsive and sustaining teaching at Syracuse Academy of Science (SAS). Joe Vargo of Business and Education Partnerships Inc. encouraged Patricia to visit SAS schools and meet Dr. Tolga Hayali, a superior urban education leader. As a result, she began teaching, learning, and studying with teachers and administrators at this charter school.

Dr. Schmidt also worked with Syracuse Academy of Science teachers to publish “Authentic Voices: Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning.” The book is written by K-4 teachers describing the benefits of using students’ customs, characteristics, experiences, and perspectives for a better classroom environment. 

Thank you, Dr. Schmidt, for your dedication to all students in the community!

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SUNY ESF President Joanie Mahoney Awarded During SAS 20th Anniversary

SANY Superintendent Dr. Hayali Awards OCC President Joanie Mahoney for Dedication and Commitment

Thursday, May 25th, 2023: Joanie Mahoney is the next outstanding educator awarded by SANY Superintendent Dr. Hayali. Ms. Mahoney was appointed President at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in November 2020. Prior to ESF, Ms. Mahoney served as Onondaga County Executive for 11 years. During her tenure, Ms. Mahoney was introduced to Superintendent Dr. Tolga Hayali, and it was the beginning of a wonderful partnership. Ms. Mahoney visited classrooms in Syracuse and was always impressed with the students she met. She enjoyed their curiosity and was happy to be able to bring programs like Say Yes to Education to the Charter School. Ms. Mahoney often remarked about how well-prepared Syracuse Academy of Science students were.

Thank you for your dedication to all children in the community, Ms. Mahoney! 

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SAS MS STEAM Club Competes in CNY Rocket Team Challenge

5th Grade STEAM Club from Syracuse Academy of Science Reaches for the Stars During CNY Rocket Team Challenge

Saturday, June 3rd, 2023: The 5th grade STEAM club had a blast in The Museum of Science & Technology's rocket challenge. The team, “SANY Galaxy Kids,” built a rocket and had to figure out the best way to keep their “eggstronauts” safe during the flight. With eggcellent teamwork and strategy, their egg survived the flight, and they scored 28 out of 30 overall. Great job, Atoms!

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SAS Robotics Team Takes Home 2nd & 3rd Place in CNY Rocket Team Challenge

Syracuse Academy of Science Robotics Team Competes in CNY Rocket Team Challenge

Saturday, June 3rd, 2023: Our talented students' achievements are out of this world! On Saturday, June 3rd, 2023, the Atoms High School Robotics Team competed in the CNY Rocket Team Challenge. The competition brought together the brightest young minds from various schools in Syracuse. Teams of four to eight students design and assemble a model rocket kit provided by the Museum of Science & Technology. It aims to foster innovation, teamwork, and scientific exploration among the participating students. Congratulations to the following students for participating in this tournament: Migual Mathis, Andre McClain, Emad Alomari, Yakina Amoah, Arna Amoah, Paw November, Adwoa Amoah, Samara Hurtado, Qamara Smith, Aamiran Ridha, Quatice Williams, Aracelli Goodyear, and Elda Goodyear.

Our Atom's dedication, perseverance, and exceptional skills earned them second and third place! 

Second Place: Team ATLAS: Samara Hurtado and Qamara Smith.

Third Place: Team Mframa: Arna Boatema Amoah, Yakina Sika-Amoah, Paw November, and Adwoa Amoah.

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SAS Founder Awarded During 20th Anniversary Celebration

SU Professor Dr. Ehat Ercanli Awarded by SANY Superintendent Dr. Hayali

Thursday, May 25th, 2023: Dr. Ehat Ercanli is an integral member of the Science Academies of New York community. He is one of the founding members of Syracuse Academy of Science. He is another deserving member that Superintendent Dr. Tolga Hayali awarded into the “SANY Hall of Fame” during our 20th Anniversary celebration.  

Dr. Ercanli is an engineering and computer science professor at Syracuse University with expertise in computing systems, system verification, and databases. While pursuing his graduate degree at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, he voluntarily took part in numerous initiatives to assist students in need and provided educational guidance. Recognizing that motivation and a strong foundation are crucial for success in college, he actively participated in the design and curriculum creation for a charter school initiative with individual attention as its key emphasis. As a result, he co-founded Horizon Science Academies as STEM-focused, college-preparatory institutions, which expanded into multiple campuses. He relocated to Syracuse in 1999 to take an academic position at Syracuse University. He contributed to the founding and establishment of Syracuse Academy of Science, one of the first charter schools in New York with a college preparatory concentration. He served on the school board and presided over it from its formation in 2003 until 2009.

Thank you for your advocacy and dedication to all children in the community!

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SASCS

Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School is part of Science Academies of New York.

SAS Elementary School

4837 S. Salina St. Syracuse, NY 13205
Phone: 315-469-9404
Fax: 315-469-9408
sasesmainoffice@sany.org

SAS Middle School

200 West High Ter. Syracuse, NY 13219
Phone: 315-487-5986
Fax: 315-487-5824
sasmsmainoffice@sany.org

SAS High School

1001 Park Ave. Syracuse, NY 13204
Phone: 315-428-8997
Fax: 315-428-9109
sashsmainoffice@sany.org

SANY

1409 W Genesee St. Syracuse, NY 13204
Phone: 315-671-5470
Fax: 315-671-5475
info@sany.org

Transportation

For transportation related questions, please call transportation department in the district you live.
SCSD Transportation: 315-435-4260