Friday, February 14, 2020—“The time is always right to do what is right.” —Martin Luther King, Jr. Syracuse Academy of Science Alumna '16 & Cazenovia College Senior, Prenajuah Jefferson, imparted wisdom upon our Atoms about the importance of making the right choices through school, life, and college. Our students were enthralled by her story. Thank you, Prenajuah, for sharing your time!

Friday, February 14, 2020—February isn't over yet, and we still have so many wonderful speaker events to tell you about. Walmart Store Manager and SANY Alumnus '11, Tyler Wilson, stopped by #SASCCS for #BlackHistoryMonth. Wilson emphasized the importance and power of positive thinking and dedication. 

Friday, February 14, 2020—"Naturally, everything I went through prepared me to get back here and get focused. Self-knowledge goes a long way. Struggling and just being real with yourself. Wanting to change and better yourself. Everybody knows what they gotta do. They just choose not to do it because of how difficult it is." —Mookie Jones. Former Syracuse University Basketball Player, Mookie Jones, jumped into our #BlackHistoryMonth #28Speakersin28Days Speaking tour to provoke our Atoms to reflect on their own choices and empower our young scholars to believe in themselves. Thank you, Mookie, for reminding all of our young Atoms that they can do great things

Friday, February 14, 2020—“We learned about gratitude and humility—that so many people had a hand in our success, from the teachers who inspired us to the janitors who kept our school clean… and we were taught to value everyone’s contribution and treat everyone with respect.”
—Michelle Obama

Syracuse University Mentor, Sev Ira'Brown, empowered students to think about the value of love and respect during his lesson with our Atoms. As part of #BlackHistoryMonth we are hosting a #28Speakersin28Days speaking tour to help community leaders invest time in our young scholars. Thank you, Mr. Brown, for sharing your journey with our Atoms. 

Wednesday, February 12, 2020—Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School Alumna Natalie Williams, Class of 2015, joined in the #28Speakersin28(29)Days #BlackHistoryMonth Speaking Tour. Williams shared her journey with Kindergarten Atoms and discussed the importance of staying dedicated through School and College and always having the mindset of #Perseverance. #SASCAtoms were so inspired by her story! Thank you, Natalie, for being an amazing guest speaker and supporting the next generation of Atoms! 

Wednesday, February 12, 2020—Syracuse University Law professor. Lavonda Reed, spoke with second-grade #SASCAtoms as part of our #28Speakersin28(29)Days #BlackHistoryMonth Speaking Tour. Reed shared memories of her childhood with our Atoms and imparted the wisdom to never take a moment of time for granted. Thank you, Professor Reed, for your time and commitment to the youth of Syracuse!

Tuesday, February 11, 2020—Local film director Tyrone Jackson spoke with third-grade students about dedication and what it takes to be a film director. Jackson highlighted the importance of looking at things from many different perspectives in order to have the best shot (and not just in movies) but in School, College, and life. Thank you, Tyrone Jackson, for being an amazing guest speaker for our students. 

Monday, February 11, 2020—NBC Channel 3 News Journalist Melanie Johnson spoke with our 4th graders about her journey to becoming a news anchor in celebration of #BlackHistoryMonth. Our students showed a lot of #curiosity and had a great understanding of perspective about her story. Thank you so much, Melanie Johnson, for sharing your story and inspiring our students.

Tuesday, February 11, 2020—Every trip is a chance to explore a new character trait. On their recent trip to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, second graders from the Citizenship Academy focused on #Curiosity. Atoms loved observing the animals in their habitats and were excited to take a closer look. Go Atoms!

Monday, February 10, 2020—4th Grade Atoms spent an afternoon at the museum, the Everson Museum of Art. Scholars enjoyed a day visually rich in art and reflection as they explored how a story can be told through the Arts. Docents from the Everson Museum of Art led students in a Visual Thinking Strategy tour. They encouraged our Atoms to think deeply about what they saw. After the tour students went back out with their scavenger hunt booklets so they could spend time reflecting on the works of art they saw and interpret each piece uniquely. Students were amazed by all the different works of art housed a the Everson Museum; from drawing and painting to sculpture and 3D paper works! They also got to see original works by pop artists such as Andy Warhol and Red Grooms, a realistic oil painting of Edward Hicks in The Peaceable Kingdom, contemporary mixed-media sculpture by Vanessa German who deals with issues of institutionalized racism... as well as hundreds of three-dimensional ceramic works housed in their permanent collection. All in all 4th graders gained a real understanding of how deeply meaningful stories can be told through works of art!