Friday, January 21st, 2022—Persuade, inform, entertain, explain, or describe. Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship 5^th-grade Atoms flex their author’s purpose skills with a hands-on, minds-on reading activity. For this game, students work together to sort book titles into various categories of the author’s purpose. However, this game has a slight catch - the Atoms would have to race against Miss Edgar!

In true Atoms fashion, the students won and are now experts in determining the author’s purpose of many books.

Monday, January 18th, 2022—This week, the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship 4th-grade Atoms in Mrs. Youker’s class learned about the hiring process through a hands-on activity. For this event, Mrs. Youker created a mini winter job fair complete with various classroom positions that needed hiring. Students were tasked with reading the job descriptions completing and submitting an application for one of the positions. Like any hiring process, Atoms were called for an interview if their qualifications met the job requirements. Following all the interviews, the students found out if they received the job.

Congratulations, Atoms, on your new classroom positions!

Thursday, November 18th, 2021—Two months ago, the 3rd-grade Atoms at Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school learned about the human body systems. Craniums were filled with hands-on, minds-on lessons and activities to learn about the skeletal, digestive, and nervous systems. The tasks and activities included matching games, letter writing, and physical modeling. These activities allowed for the Atoms to be able to reinforce content knowledge.

We would also like to take this moment to give a special thank you to our student teacher from Syracuse University, who flexed her creativity muscles by introducing fun ideas that help build and enhance student engagement!

Wednesday, January 12th, 2022—Throughout December, the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school Atoms, teachers, faculty, and staff put positivity in action by working together to 'stick a fork in hunger.' The Atoms hosted a canned food drive benefiting the Food Bank of Central New York.

In 2020, the Atoms set a record of donating 560 pounds of non-perishable food items to the Food Bank of Central New York. Today, we are excited to share that the Atoms have nearly tripled their record with an impressive donation of 2,147 pounds of non-perishable food items donated to the Food Bank of Central New York. These items will help make a difference to many families in need.

At this time, we would like to thank everyone who helped make this event possible and for all the students, teachers, faculty, and staff who contributed to this impressive donation. Way to go, Atoms; we are so proud of you. Together we CAN do this!

Thursday, January 6th, 2022—Bags are packed, passports are ready, and off we go! These last few weeks, the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school Atoms have virtually jet set around the world in efforts to learn about how other countries celebrate various holidays. Each day, the students would virtually travel to a new location and learn how to say the holiday’s name (in the country’s native language),  studied their flag, and of course as any good traveler would do, they observed the weather.

As we all know, no vacation is ever complete without creating a scrapbook or memory book highlighting the moments and memories from their trip. Make sure to check out your Atom’s virtual suitcase/scrapbook that will be filled with fun and exciting memories and activities from their virtual worldly travels.

Monday, November 29th, 2021—Throughout the school year students, teachers, faculty and staff have an opportunity to participate in yoga sessions and various mindfulness practices such as meditation. Each lesson includes Disney Yoga for Kindergarten through 4th grade students, and Sun Salutations A/B. These classes are led by Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school physical education instructors. 

Yoga and meditation are great forms of exercise that allows for students and staff to not only refocus their mind, but also find a new sense of energy and focus for the remainder of the day. Keep up the great work!

Friday, November 19th, 2021—Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship 5th grade Atoms received the 'Golden Ticket' for a chance to win ClassDojo points and accolades for their hard work. To receive these tickets, students had to demonstrate the following character traits and responsibilities:

• Perseverance in their small reading groups
• Teamwork in their small group activities
• Collaboration with peers in reading intervention, 
• Overall good classroom behavior. 

At the end of the week, Miss Edgar drew three winners - congratulations, Atoms! Remember to keep up the great work.

Monday, November 29th, 2021—It looks like we may have some future botanists on our hands as the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary 2^nd grade students test out their 'green thumb' capabilities for their hands-on, minds-on science experiment involving radish seeds.

For their science experiment, students will be testing to determine what plants really truly need in order for them to grow. Some of the plants in the experiment will receive sunlight, water, proper spacing, and air. While on the other hand, some of the radishes won't receive water, or sunlight, or air! Atoms would then make their predictions as to what would happen to the plants in the science experiment. Throughout the course of the next few weeks, Atoms will watch, measure, and chart their plants to see what happens.

Tuesday, November 30th, 2021—The start of cold winter days are upon us in Central New York, and just last week the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school Atoms had their first indoor recess.

While the weather outside may be frightful, hanging out with the Atoms inside is always delightful! The students enjoyed spending time with one another, building and constructing objects out of Legos, Lincoln Logs, playing with puzzles, Dominos, and oh so much more. Stay warm Atoms and keep those creative juices flowing.

Friday, January 7th, 2021—Hey Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school Atoms! It's a new year, and that means NEW savings. Start the new year off right by saving with our in-school banking program with Empower Federal Credit Union. It’s safe and simple -- and money saved sure adds up. Start your 2022 by saving with Dollar Dog!

If your child is interested in becoming a Dollar Dog saver please contact Lauri Hoover at (315) 728-3474 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Membership eligibility required. Empower Federal Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.