Thursday, February 3rd, 2022—Who says that science can’t be creative? The 3^rd-grade Atoms at Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school are learning about the importance and significance of the genetic makeup of animals. For their science experiment, students teamed up for their hands-on, minds-on science project to decipher, translate, and make an animal using modeling clay correlated to the genetic code. Not only did this allow for the students to unleash their creativity but they were also able to practice their teamwork and interpersonal skills.

Monday, January 31st, 2022—There are so many emotions, and identifying them can be hard work. Thankfully Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship first-grade students are 'emotion detective experts,' as they learned about various emotions and how to identify feelings through facial expression, body language, and words.

To become emotion detective experts, students read the story, 'A Little Spot of Feelings: Emotion Detective,' by Diane Alber. This story discusses eight different feeling spots: peaceful, happy, angry, loved, anxious, sad, confident, and scribble (confused). Atoms carefully looked at each of the spots and identified how they were feeling by looking at the spots' facial expressions and body language.

With this new set of knowledge, the Atoms became emotion detectives by playing Hedbanz. Students had to help their classmates guess which emotion they had on their headband by using facial expressions and body language. Keep up the great work, Atoms!

Wednesday, January 26th, 2022—Empathy is the ability to understand how another person may be feeling and the ability to place yourself in their situation. And empathy is an important life lesson to learn, one in which the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school students in Mrs. Badman and Ms. Diorio's class worked on with Mrs. Morehouse.

Teachers applied a hands-on, minds-on approach to teaching the students about empathy. For their activity, students were given a scenario and had to develop a solution that kept their classmates' feelings and perspectives in mind. Atoms decorated a winter moose and shared something no one knew about them following this activity.

Tuesday, February 8th, 2022—In honor of National School Counseling Week, SANY Charter Schools want to take this time and thank all of our school counselors for their hard work in helping the Atoms become successful in every aspect of their lives. School counselors play a pivotal role in our students' lives inside and outside the classroom. From listening to helping them strive and plan for a rewarding future, and so much more. Thank you for all that you continue to do for our students and their families. Many Atoms, One Family!

Friday, January 28th, 2022—Every season has a journey and last Friday was an adventure with the students in 2B at Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school. Over the last month, the students have been studying about the cycles of nature, and how to identify patterns or cycles in everything seen in nature. 

To celebrate the end of this unit, Atoms had an opportunity to dress as their favorite season. Congratulations to 'Princess Spring' and 'Water Cycle' for winning the most creative costume award!

The Atoms are looking forward to starting their next unit, Westward Expansion - Yee Haw!

Thursday, January 20th, 2022—Earlier this month, the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school students learned about the Positivity Project’s character strength of perseverance and the importance of never giving up.

Putting their ‘positivity in action,’ the 2^nd-grade students were given a fun team building challenge to construct a tower using only paper, tape, and some glue. Atoms quickly rolled up their sleeves, got to work, and soon realized this would be more challenging than they anticipated. As the paper towers continued to fall, the Atoms spirits never diminished, never gave up, and remained cheerful throughout this entire experience. This fun exercise was a great reminder of not only the importance of working together as a team but always to persevere and never to give up.

Thursday, January 20th, 2022—From Zeus to Ares, to Athena, to Poseidon, there are many famous Greek Gods and Goddesses. But which one would be the best ally? Let’s find out! Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school’s 6^th-grade ELA students held a friendly debate to determine which famous Greek God or Goddess would be the best ally. While the jury is still out, the Atoms certainly had a blast stepping back into time to learn about ancient Greece.

Friday, October 29th, 2021—The Friday before Halloween, the 2^nd-grade Atoms at Syracuse Academy of Science were up to their old tricks of having fun while learning! To celebrate the fall, the Atoms held their own classroom Fall Festival complete with fall and STEM-themed games, activities, and of course, learning. The Fall Festival began with a Math Carnival, where the students had an opportunity to earn play money that they could use at each of the carnival stands. The carnival stands included: ring toss, color by addition, and pin the tail on the monster. In addition to these games other activities included fall-themed word searches, mazes, coloring, and paper pumpkin decorating.

Monday, December 22nd, 2021—The day before Holiday Recess, Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school 2^nd-grade students threw a little glitter in the air and put their creativity to the test when decorating an ornament. Each student received an ornament to decorate and a picture of themselves to use however they saw the best fit. Many students decided to hang their ornaments on their tree or in their room, while others wanted to give their special decoration as a gift to someone in their life.

Wednesday, January 19th, 2022—Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school's Student Council meeting is in session! Earlier this month, the 6^th-grade students kicked off their first Student Council meeting of the year. The Atoms discussed their goals during their meeting and what they hope to accomplish this school year. 

Their goals include: 

1. Strive for good citizenship.
2. Respect all individuals in the school and community.
3. Involve all students in sharing ideas to make our school the best.
4. Promote school spirit.
5. Give all students practice in democracy in action.
6. Provide service to groups in our school and community.

Atoms also discussed possible activities to support and implement their goals listed above. Students hope to narrow down their extensive list of activities and choose one to implement this school year. Keep up the great work, Atoms!