Friday, March 4th, 2022—Throughout February, Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school welcomed many influential community leaders, advocates, business leaders, and professionals to share their life experiences, journeys, and career experiences with the Atoms in our '28 Speakers in 28 Days' series. This is a time-honored tradition at Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school as we celebrate Black History Month.

To commemorate the success of this year's '28 Speakers in 28 Days' series, Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school welcomed back many of our guest speakers and Syracuse community members and officials to join in our celebration, including Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh.

During the '28 Speakers in 28 Days' ceremony, guests had an opportunity to hear from SANY superintendent Dr. Tolga Hayali, Dean of Elementary Dominic Frisina, and Behavior Specialist Troy McGriff, who spoke about the importance of the speaker series and how it allows for students to build meaningful relationships within the Syracuse community, with the hopes that someday students can follow in the footsteps and make a difference in the world.

In addition to the guest speakers, Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship 3^rd-grade students performed the song, 'Lead with Love,' written by Melanie DeMore. The passion, enthusiasm, and energy of this performance filled the school, and everyone was participating by the end of the song.

We want to thank everyone who helped make the '28 Speakers in 28 Days' series possible. Your hard work, support, coordination, and volunteering made this event successful. Thank you for your continued support and for being a leader and role model in our community and our students' lives. Please click here to visit our Facebook page to view additional pictures from the ‘28 Speakers in 28 Days’ series. We are many Atoms, One Family.

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022—This month, Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school students have been learning about the Positivity Project’s character trait of enthusiasm and how they can be enthusiastic for others and their accomplishments. To practice, Atoms took turns going around the room and sharing something they accomplished like riding a bike, cooking a meal, or adding three numbers. Students listened to their classmates sharing their accomplishments and cheered them on!

To celebrate, students created their very own accomplishment trophies! Keep up the great work, Atoms.

Wednesday, March 9th, 2022—Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school's 3^rd-grade students in Ms. Reed's class was filled with the sound and expertise of music when welcoming Ithaca College Associate Professor of Music Education, Dr. Baruch Whitehead as a guest speaker in the 28 Speakers in 28 Days series.

Dr. Whitehead shared with the students his incredible life story and his background in musical education which includes:

• Founding Director of Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers - a choir group dedicated to the preservation of Negro Spirituals and the Legacy of Dorothy Cotton
• Diversity in music education including: Gospel music and its preservation within mainstream musical settings, African-American music, and music of the Civil Rights movement
• Worldly travels including: World Music Village in Helsinki, Finland; studying West-African drumming and Dancing in Africa, and Ghana

With Dr. Whitehead's incredible music expertise and passion, he inspired the Atoms to find their passion and how they too can make an impact in the world! 

We want to thank Dr. Whitehead for not only taking time out of his schedule to speak with the students but for sharing his wisdom, knowledge, and love for music. Thank you, Dr. Whitehead, for being a part of Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school's 28 Speakers in 28 Days series.

Friday, February 18th, 2022—Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school welcomed Common Council and Civic Leader Helen Hudson as one of its guest speakers in the 28 Speakers in 28 Days series. 

As a member of the Common Council and a Civic Leader, Helen shared with the Atoms how she helps to promote change and stability within the Syracuse City area. To achieve this, Helen is actively involved in community outreach initiatives, working with various citizens in each sector, collaborating with community and business leaders, and working closely with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the City of Syracuse.

Thank you, Helen, for being influential in our city, taking the time to speak with the Atoms, and for being a part of Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school's 28 Speakers in 28 Days series. The students all enjoyed learning about how you have and continue to make a difference in the city of Syracuse!

Wednesday, February 16th, 2022—Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school KC Atoms fires it up for our next guest speaker in the 28 Speakers in 28 Days series. Last month, we welcomed Syracuse Fire Department fireman Bernard Bullock who shared his journey on becoming a firefighter.

During his visit, he shared valuable fire safety tips tricks that can help make a difference and save lives. For instance, some tips included how to quickly and safely move away from a fire, properly crawl away from smoke, and not be afraid of firefighters in their uniforms. Bernard showed the students what a firefighter looks like in their fire safety uniform.

In addition to the helpful fire safety tips and tricks, Bernard shared the importance of setting goals in life. When you set goals in life, it allows you to track your progress and see if you have achieved what you set out to accomplish. Being goal-oriented can help you make good choices and a positive outcome for your future.

Thank you, Bernard, for taking time out of your schedule to speak with the Atoms and be a part of Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school's 28 Speakers in 28 Days series.

Tuesday, March 8th, 2022—It’s time to celebrate! Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school recognized its February students for outstanding work, leadership, academic achievements, and monthly character traits. February's monthly character traits included: humility, love, and enthusiasm!

We want to congratulate the students selected for February's Students of the Month ceremony! Please click here to visit our Facebook page to view more pictures from the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school's Student of the Month celebration. Keep up the great work, Atoms.

Thursday, February 17th, 2022—Extra, extra read all about it! Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school welcomed CNY Central’s multimedia journalist and member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Melanie Johnson to be a guest speaker in its 28 Speakers in 28 Days series.

Melanie, a Howard University alumna spoke with the Atoms who are interested in pursuing a career in broadcast journalism and media. Students were fascinated with the diversity of work and stories Melanie covers, as well as her career as a multimedia journalist. Melanie also shared with the students how she became a member of NABJ, places she’s traveled and some of her hobbies.

‘On the record,’ Melanie has certainly inspired many of our students to continue to pursue a career in broadcast journalism and media. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to speak with the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school Atoms and for being a part of our 28 Speakers in 28 Days series.

Friday, February 18th, 2022—Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school's 28 Speakers in 28 Days series 'took us to Crouse' as they welcomed Crouse Hospital nursing student Marissa Barnett.

Marissa spoke with the 4^th-grade students about her passion, education, and career as a registered nurse. Following completing a bachelor's degree, it takes a nursing student three years to become a licensed registered nurse. Marissa shared various school programs that students could attend if they were passionate about becoming registered nurses.

Thank you, Marissa, for taking time out of your schedule to speak with the Atoms in Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school's 28 Speakers in 28 Days series. Also, thank you for being a frontline worker and a first-responder!

Tuesday, February 15th, 2022—Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school welcomed Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School and Cazenovia College alumna Prenajuah Jefferson as a guest speaker in the 28 Speakers in 28 Days series.

Prenajuah spoke with the 6^th-grade girls about the importance of self-care, tips for adolescence/teen years, and her life story.

Thank you, Prenajuah, for taking the time out of your schedule to speak with the Atoms in Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship elementary school's 28 Speakers in 28 Days series.

Monday, March 14th, 2022—Do you know what math's favorite holiday is?! Pi Day, of course! Below are some fun facts about Pi Day (3.14).

• The symbol for Pi has been in use for over 250 years. The symbol was introduced by William Jones, a Welsh mathematician, in 1706. The symbol was made famous by the mathematician Leonhard Euler.
• The Greek letter π is the first letter of the word periphery and perimeter. And as we all know, pi is the ratio of a circle's "periphery" to its diameter.
• Humans have memorized vast stretches of pi - 2015, Suresh Kumar Sharma set a world record when he successfully recited more than 17,000 digits of pi — a feat that took 17 hours to complete.

We hope you have a happy Pi Day Atoms, no matter how you slice it!