Friday, December 3rd, 2021—In early December, Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship 5^th and 6^th grade students were taught a very valuable life lesson about the importance of perspective and empathy. For this class group project, students were given a shoe which represented a person, and its situation. The students were then tasked with coming up with not only a perspective for the situation, but how to empathize with the person (or shoe in this matter) would feel.

The Atoms quickly learned that perspective is the ability to see a situation from another person’s viewpoint, while empathy is the ability to understand how someone is feeling.

What a creative lesson, and opportunity for the students to understand and learn two important skills - perspective and empathy. Keep up the great work, Atoms!

Monday, January 3rd, 2022—Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school has teamed up with Read to Them, an organization that encourages and enable reading together at home, and has sent home with each of the Atoms a copy of the classic children's novel, Mr. Popper's Penguins.

This beloved story is about the adventures of a house painter and his brood of high-stepping penguins that have delighted children for generations. Each night, students will receive a digital chapter of the book read by a staff member along with a few trivia questions. We invite you to listen, read, and enjoy with your Atoms the adventure of Mr. Popper and his lovable penguins.

We invite you to click here to visit our Facebook page to view a quick video from Dean of Elementary, Mr. Frisina who kicks-off this reading adventure with Mr. Popper's Penguins.

Monday, November 22nd, 2021—What have the 6^th grade Atoms in Ms. Edgar’s reading intervention group been up to these days?! Why becoming teachers, of course! In late December, students were learning about the R.A.C.E. Car writing strategy which stands for:

• R: Restate the question
• A: Answer the question completely
• C: Cite evidence from the text
• E: Explain the text evidence

For an assignment, students were to read an article and then answer questions using this writing strategy. Once the students completed their questions they were then tasked with teaching it to the group. But wait there's more! The Atoms continued being teachers by grading their peer's work as 'teachers.' A+ work, Atoms!

Friday, December 17th, 2021—Every morning, Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship kindergarten students begin their day developing and working on their fine motor skills. To do this, students select one of the ‘morning tubs’ which contain games, activities and items for them to use that focus on strengthening their hands and muscles. Some of the items in the tubs include: tweezers, take apart cubes, roll play dough, and manipulative puzzle blocks. By working on their fine motor skills, students will be able to practice better handwriting and scissor skills.

Monday, December 20th, 2021—The week of Winter Recess, the 2^nd grade Atoms at Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school have been mastering the four steps of the writing process which include: planning, drafting, writing and publishing.

For this assignment, Atoms were tasked with writing their first personal narrative in which each student would pick an event in their life that was important to them. To start out, the students made a plan of what they would write about, their list of characters, a setting, and finally a plot. Their plan was then turned into a draft. Pretty soon it looks like we'll have some published authors on our hands. Keep up the great work, Atoms!

Wednesday, December 15th, 2021—Earlier this month, Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship 6^th grade students had an opportunity to practice their leadership skills in the school club, Student Council. Student Council is a great way for students to get involved not only in their school community but the greater Syracuse community, as well.

Students who participate in Student Council will have a chance to practice their leadership skills, as well as, become involved in school improvement projects, community engagement activities, and civic awareness initiatives. We look forward to seeing how these students will help make a difference not only in our school community, but the greater Syracuse community and beyond!

Tuesday, November 30th, 2021—Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school Atoms embark on a geometric outing that is straight out of a classic children’s adventure story. No fear was had here, but the students not only had to search high and low for shapes hidden throughout the school. As luck would have it, some students had on their handy dandy superstar searching glasses to help them find various shapes. Once the students found the shapes they had to mark it on their clipboard. Keep up the great work, Atoms!

Thursday, December 16th, 2021—The week before Winter Recess, Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school decked the building with lights, holiday decorations, glitz and glam for their annual Winter Wonderland drive-thru event. During this event, guests would have an opportunity to waive hi to their teachers, as well as, donate non-perishable food items to their Canned Food Drive benefiting the Food Bank of Central New York.

Last year, the Atoms made a sizable donation of 560 lbs. of canned goods, and we are hopeful that this year we surpassed that amount. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make this event possible, and all those who were able to attend.

Thursday, November 18th, 2021—Who doesn’t like to curl up with a good book, I know we do and so does the 2^nd grade Atoms at Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school. In mid-November, Atoms teamed up with a partner to practice their reading and teamwork skills as each student would take turns reading their story.

Partner reading is a great exercise that allows for students to practice not only their reading fluency skills, but their comprehension and teamwork skills, as well. Keep up the great work, Atoms!

Monday, November 8th, 2021—Atoms take it to the hoop during their student activity club, the Dribbling Clinic! Last month, with the help of Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship athletic department and Mr. McGriff, students in grades K-4 had an opportunity to learn how to properly dribble a basketball, and to learn the fundamentals of the sport. This clinic ran for three weeks, and let's just say these students may be ready for the NBA or WNBA! Keep up the great work, Atoms.