Stirpe names ESM Central High School December’s School of the Month

Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-North Syracuse) named East-Syracuse Minoa Central High School as December’s School of the Month, a distinction reserved for Central New York schools that demonstrate academic, athletic and extracurricular excellence. The school recently implemented the 21^st Century Learning program, which helps prepare students for rigorous higher education coursework and future career challenges.

“The 21^st Century Learning program is a blueprint to prepare students for life after high school, and even life after college,” Stirpe said. “This new approach to learning aligns classrooms with real world environments by integrating skills our children need to succeed in typical 21^st century communities and workplaces.”

East Syracuse-Minoa formed a strategic planning core team lead by Judy Morgan and Dr. Diane Reed to generate the beliefs, vision and mission of this 5-year education plan. Together, more than 800 individuals representing students, parents, local businesses, higher education, school district staff and the community at large contributed to the development of the 21^st Century Learning program.

The strategic plan focuses on five themes:

· Academic excellence and rigor;

· Communications, systems and structures;

· Information technology and digital literacy;

· Partnerships for learning; and

· Youth development and leadership.

“The 21^st Century Learning program is a tremendous example of teachers, students and parents partnering with Central New Yorkcommunities and businesses to better the quality of education our children receive,” Stirpe said.

Assemblyman Stirpe noted several other accomplishments that set East Syracuse-Minoa apart from other schools:

· The central high school initiated the 4-hour national “Alive at 25” program this fall thanks to the work of a group of ESM’s Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) public affairs students;

· Students in high school business classes, along with members of the ESM Board of Education and personnel from the ESM-NS Federal Credit Union, offered free finance seminars to residents as part of the adult education program;

· The central high school was honored with a Business Department of the Year award by the State Education Department; and

· ESM had 19 sports teams earn NYS Scholar-Athlete Team Awards, with academic team averages over 90 percent.

“It’s extremely important to recognize the achievements of outstanding Central New York schools,” Stirpe said. “East Syracuse-Minoa has made extraordinary accomplishments and these bright young minds will help ensure our future is in capable hands.”

Stirpe names ESM Central High School December’s School of the Month

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