Wednesday, March 18, 2020—Due to a high volume of Chromebook requests, we are canceling the Thursday, March 19th, pick-up time in order to prepare more devices.

We have scheduled two pick-up time slots for Friday, March 20th, to better accommodate our parent’s schedules. We will be handing out devices between 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. This will be the last opportunity for parents to pick up a device as school buildings will be closed through April 13.

Due to a limited supply, Chromebooks will only be provided to parents/students who do not have access to a device at home. 

Please complete the Internet and Device Access survey before coming to the SAS High School. Survey Link -> sasccs.org/survey 

For everyone's safety, we have a drive-up pickup system. No one is allowed inside of the building, so please be patient. We appreciate our staff for their dedication and our parents for their patience as we navigate this transition. 

Sincerely, SANY Administration

Tuesday, March 17, 2020—The Syracuse Academy of Science High School, located at 1001 Park Avenue, Syracuse, is the pick-up point for meal and technology for the SANY District Syracuse locations. We have implemented a drive-thru policy for families for pick-ups. The purpose of this measure is to practice recommended social distancing. 

Technology: Pick up Park Avenue (Main Entrance)

• Families, please drive up to the Park Avenue (Main Door) Entrance
• A staff member will greet you at your car. You do not need to leave your vehicle.
• A staff member will verify if you have completed the internet availability survey. If the survey is not complete, we will ask you to do so at that time.
• A staff member will bring you a contract to sign with an already identified Chromebook assignment.
• Parent and student read and sign contract
• Chromebook is released w/ charger

• Important Notice—A parent must be present for device pick-up
• Pick-up Times—3/18, 3/19, 3/20 between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Lunch: Pick up Lakeview Avenue (Gym Entrance)

• Families, please drive up to the Lakeview Avenue (Gym Door) Entrance
• A staff member will greet you at your car. You do not need to leave your vehicle.
• Breakfast/lunches will only be provided for those children 18-and-under who are in the vehicle as you arrive.
• Staff will bring meals out to the vehicle
  
• Important Notice—Students 18 years and younger can walk up to the Lakeview entrance to pick up a grab and go meal. We ask that you practice social distancing while waiting in line.
• Pick-up Times—Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., until April 13th. Subject to change.  

If parents need to pick up both technology and food, you can stop at one location, drive around the building to the second location. Our staff will be outside to assist with the flow of traffic. Students are not permitted to enter the building during this time

Thank you, 
Science Academies of New York Administration Team

Monday, March 16, 2020—As you know, we are facing an unprecedented public health crisis in our state. As recommended by state and local public health authorities, schools will be closed as of 4 p.m. Monday, March 16, 2020, and we will transition to our distance learning plan. 

We recognize that this disruption has an impact on our students, families, and staff. We know that this exceptional moment has prompted questions which we will continue to address.

Nutrition Services

The Syracuse City School District will provide free Grab & Go breakfast and free bagged lunch to all school-aged children in the City of Syracuse. Science Academies of New York students are encouraged and able to utilize this service. 

Starting Tuesday, March 17, meals will be available for pick-up Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m. at the main entrance of each of the following locations:

• Syracuse Academy of Science High School, 1001 Park Avenue, Syracuse NY 13204 (Gym Doors) 
• Bellevue Elementary School, 530 Stolp Ave, Syracuse, NY 13207
• Henninger HS, 600 Robinson Street, Syracuse, NY 13206
• Peace Inc. East, 202 Beech St., Syracuse, NY 13210
• Brighton Academy Middle School, 309 W. Brighton Ave, Syracuse, NY 13205
• Huntington PK-8, 400 Sunnycrest Rd., Syracuse, NY 13206
• Peace Inc. West, 200 Wyoming St., Syracuse, NY 13204
• Burnet Park, Coleridge & Grand Ave., Syracuse, NY 13204
• HW Smith PK-8, 1130 Salt Springs Road, Syracuse, NY 13224
• People’s AME Zion Church, 2306 S. Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13205
• Central Library, 447 S. Salina, Syracuse, NY 13202
• ITC HS, 258 East Adams St., Syracuse, NY 13202
• Porter Elementary School, 512 Emerson Ave., Syracuse, NY 13204
• Clary Middle School, 100 Amidon Dr., Syracuse, NY 13205
• LeMoyne Elementary School, 1528 LeMoyne Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208
• PSLA @ Fowler, 227 Magnolia Street, Syracuse, NY 13204
• Corcoran HS, 919 Glenwood Ave., Syracuse, NY 13207
• Lincoln Middle School, 1613 James St., Syracuse, NY 13203
• Salem Hyde Elementary School, 450 Durston Ave., Syracuse, NY 13203
• Delaware Primary School, 900 S. Geddes Street, Syracuse, NY 13204
• Mary Nelson Youth Center, 2849 S. Salina St. Syracuse, NY 13205
• Seymour Elementary School, 108 Shonnard Street, Syracuse, NY 13204
• Dr. Weeks Elementary School, 710 Hawley Ave., Syracuse, NY 13203
• McKinley-Brighton Elementary School, 141 W. Newell Street, Syracuse, NY 13205
• STEAM @ Dr King Elementary School, 416 E. Raynor Ave., Syracuse, NY 13202
• Ed Smith PK-8, 1106 Lancaster Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210
• Meachem Elementary School, 171 Spaulding Ave, Syracuse, NY 13205
• Syracuse Latin School, 345 Jamesville Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210
• Franklin Elementary School, 428 S. Alvord St., Syracuse, NY 13208
• Nottingham HS, 3100 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13224
• Van Duyn Elementary School, 401 Loomis Ave., Syracuse, NY 13207
• Frazer PK-8 School, 741 Park Ave., Syracuse, NY 13204
• Payton Temple, 1816 Midland Ave., Syracuse, NY 13205
• Webster Elementary School, 500 Wadsworth Street, Syracuse, NY 13208
• Westcott Community Center, 826 Euclid Ave, Syracuse, NY 13210

Online Learning

The Syracuse Academy of Science is committed to the educational experience of your child. During the school closure, we will transition to online learning. All of our students have daily access to instructional notes, assignments, assessments, and virtual instruction, from their classroom teacher via their google classroom.

Chromebook Pick-Up

For those students who DO NOT have any device, we will open the doors of SAS High School located at 1001 Park Avenue, for students to pick up a Chromebook during the following time-frames. 

Times: Wednesday, March 18—10 a.m and 12 p.m.
Thursday, March 19—10 a.m and 12 p.m.
Friday, March 20 —10 a.m and 12 p.m.

Location: Syracuse Academy of Science High School, 1001 Park Ave. Syracuse, NY 13204

Internet Survey

Before obtaining a device, we ask that you respond to this brief survey to help our school gather information related to internet access and the availability of technology in your home.

➡ Survey Link

Events & After-School Programs

In order to minimize the opportunity for persons to contract and/or spread the Novel Coronavirus(COVID-19), please be reminded that -- all events and after-school programs are canceled until at least April 20. This includes school-sponsored participation in community events. 

Talking with your Children about COVID-19

As public conversations around coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increase, children may worry about themselves, their family, and friends getting ill with COVID-19. Parents, family members, school staff, and other trusted adults can play an important role in helping children make sense of what they hear in a way that is honest, accurate, and minimizes anxiety or fear. CDC has created guidance to help adults have conversations with children about COVID-19 and ways they can avoid getting and spreading the disease.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/talking-with-children.html

We will maintain a continuous flow of information. Please follow our websites, social media, and ensure that we have your correct contact information in Schooltool. We want to express our appreciation for the patience of our SANY community as we work through the daily challenges COVID-19 has presented to all of us. We will miss having you and your children in our schools, and we look forward to your return!

Monday, March 16, 2020—Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon has announced that due to the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Onondaga County, all schools in the County, including the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship, will be closed at the conclusion of school TODAY, Monday, March 16, 2020. There will be no after school activities today. Additional information regarding nutrition services and online learning will be sent out later today. Please check back for additional updates.

Sunday, March 15, 2020—Dear parent or guardian, Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship students will continue their education online while being away from school during this closure. We ask that you respond to this brief survey to help our school gather information related to internet access and the availability of technology in your home. If you have more than one child attending our school, please complete a form for each child. If you already completed the form, you don't need to complete it again.

➡ Survey is at https://www.sasccs.org/survey

Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship Administration

Saturday, March 14, 2020—Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon has announced that all schools in the County, including the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship Charter School will be closed at the conclusion of school on Friday, March 20, 2020.  Should a positive test for COVID-19 come back before Friday all schools will close on Wednesday, March 18^th. More information will be forthcoming regarding online academic offerings and food service.

Friday, March 13, 2020—Spectrum announced Friday it will offer free high-speed internet service and Wi-Fi for 60 days to households with students as many schools and colleges temporarily close or switch to online classes because of the coronavirus outbreak. Starting Monday, March 16, the Charter Communications-owned company will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with children in grades K-12 or in college who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps, the company said.

Families can call (844) 488-8395 to enroll. Installation fees will be waived for new student households, the company said.

Thursday, March 12, 2020—It has come to our attention that a story is circulating on Social Media that there was a case of Coronavirus in one of our schools. This claim is based on false information. SANY school district, which includes Syracuse, Citizenship, and Utica Academies of Science, have no cases of Coronavirus.

We have been in direct communication with the State and the County Health Department and have contingency plans in place if a member of our school community comes in contact with the Coronavirus. If there is a confirmed case in one of our districts, as well as the Syracuse City and Utica City School Districts, we will close the school, inform the community and take necessary measures to protect our Scholars and Families.

Citizenship Academy and Syracuse Academy of Science were closed yesterday, 3/11/20, due to a scheduled faculty in-service day. All of our staff participated in mandatory staff training, as stated on our school calendar.

All scheduled District activities (including but not limited to field trips, school-wide events, and athletics) are being held as planned, as per the County Health Department. As this situation continues to evolve, circumstances may change and warrant postponements or cancellations. Updates to this guidance will be distributed via email, posted on the district website, and/or communicated via our mass notification system.

Superintendent of Science Academies of New York
Dr. Tolga Hayali

Thursday, March 12, 2020—Syracuse Academy of Science administrators are continuing to closely monitor guidance from local, state and federal officials on school district operations as it relates to COVID-19.

With Governor Andrew Cuomo’s March 12 announcement that New York state is banning all gatherings of more than 500 people, not including regular school instruction, school administrators are meeting to review upcoming events and to develop contingency plans in the event that the district is forced to cancel more events or activities or close a school.

At this time, there are no suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the school district or Onondaga County. If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the district, all members of the school community will be notified.

On March 9, the New York State Department of Health and New York State Department of Education released guidance that states if a student or staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19, the state Department of Health requires an initial 24-hour closure of the school to assess the situation and develop a plan to as to any further required closure or other necessary precautions.

In the event that health officials direct the district to close, administrators are developing plans to continue instruction and other critical administrative and student services.

The district will continue to update the community via the district website with any new information.

Any time-sensitive, critical information will be shared via the district’s SchoolMessenger notification system, which sends email, text message and phone call notifications, depending upon how parents subscribed to the system.

Syracuse Academy of Science administrators are continuing to monitor all guidance from local, state and federal agencies regarding the respiratory illness caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

At this time, there are no suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus in the school district. If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the district, all members of the school community will be notified.

As the situation evolves, local, state and federal officials continue to update their guidance for school districts. The district’s administrative team has been meeting to discuss the district’s policies, procedures and emergency response plans to ensure the district is prepared to meet the needs of its students and staff members should the virus affect the SASCS community and the district’s operations.

Latest guidance regarding school closures

On March 9, the New York State Department of Health and New York State Department of Education released guidance that states if a student or staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19, the state Department of Health requires an initial 24-hour closure of the school to assess the situation and develop a plan to as to any further required closure or other necessary precautions.

The latest state guidance says, “schools are not expected to make decisions about closing or canceling events due to COVID-19 on their own.” At this time, there has been no specific guidance regarding the cancellation of school events and large gatherings, and all school events will take place as scheduled.

In the event that the guidance changes, the district will provide as much notice as possible if it must cancel an event or close school. Notifications will be shared on the district website and via SchoolMessenger as soon as possible.

Proactive steps

The district has infectious disease protocols in place and has been taking steps, such as cleaning and disinfecting throughout its schools, to minimize the spread of viruses and a variety of other illnesses.

There are a number of steps that students, staff and community members can take to minimize the spread of all respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, according to the state Department of Health:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Heavily soiled hands should be washed.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

If you or a family member begin showing symptoms of a respiratory disease and suspect it may be COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider. Before going to your healthcare provider’s office, inform them that a case of COVID-19 is suspected, and follow their advice.

It is also important to remind everyone that exposure to COVID-19 can occur from any person-to-person contact and is not limited to a particular race or ethnicity.

The district will continue to share information as it becomes available on the district website. Any time-sensitive, critical information will be shared via the district’s SchoolMessenger notification system, which sends email, text message and phone call notifications, depending upon how parents subscribed to the system.