7 minute read
Heard in the Halls
The day the CBA community was waiting for, finally came. On Tuesday, April 6, more than 700 students returned to school for five day a week in-person learning. It was the first time that the entire student body was on campus since March 16, 2020, when schools closed down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Cheerleaders greeted students at each of the designated entrances, enthusiastically welcoming them as they made their way through the doors, prior to temperature checks. Homeroom was extended for 45 minutes as students listened to a welcome back address from President Matt Keough. Homeroom teachers showed their classrooms a safety protocol Power Point, before students headed out to their first full day in class alongside most of their classmates. Prior to the return to full time in-person, CBA was operating on a hybrid schedule since September, with students attending in-person classes every other day, while some students chose 100% remote learning.
Students Inducted Into National Honor Society
More than 150 students were inducted into the Brother Adolphus Chapter of the National Honor Society in two separate in-person ceremonies for the Class of 2021 and the Class of 2022 on Thursday, April 22 in the John Lynch Gymnasium. A candle lighting ceremony outlining the characteristics of NHS members, recognized students for their academic excellence. Fifty-six students received awards from various colleges and universities for outstanding achievements. Rachel Farella, Abigail Greenfield, Michael Heyboer, Thomas Homik, Abby Kambhampaty, Rena Steele, and Darien Tompkins were recognized as National Merit Commended Students. The General Excellence Awards were presented to two students in each grade for outstanding academic achievement. Honorees were: Class of 2021 Awarded to: Rena Steele Next In Merit: Abby Kambhampaty Class of 2022 Awarded to: Michael McMahon Next In Merit: Christina Falasco
English teacher Vicki Mannion, and Religion teacher Joe Assaf were each recognized for their 25 years at CBA. Moving tributes honoring each of them were presented by colleagues Gretchen Pledger and Susan Major, respectively. Each long-tenured faculty member received an engraved rocking chair as a symbol of their service to the school and in appreciation for their loyalty and dedication to their students.
The event was taped so that parents and family members could view at home.
Dowd Named Lasallian Educator of The Year
Christian Brothers Academy selected Holly Dowd as the 2020-2021 Lasallian Educator of the Year. The award was announced in June 2020.
Holly, who is the Director of Enrollment Management, was nominated and elected for the prestigious award by her colleagues. Fellow faculty member, Ann Cabal offered a tribute to Holly which was shared during the virtual National Honors Society Induction ceremony in April. As an educator for all of her adult life, Holly has lived out the Lasallian virtues - from her time at Boston College, to teaching at Immaculate Conception Elementary School in Fayetteville, to CBA. At CBA, she taught both English and Religion and helped students live out their faith in their daily lives.
"I am very honored and humbled to accept this award, and I would like to give thanks where it is due,” Dowd shared. “Thank you to all of our students who take pride in being CBA Brothers for life and to our families who took a leap of faith and chose a CBA education. I thank my colleagues for this award and for partnering with me on this Lasallian mission. Lastly, I thank my family and friends for their constant love and support. You have all made my journey at CBA incredibly memorable and purposeful." The Lasallian Educator of the Year Award is given to a faculty member who exemplifies the ideals of St. John Baptist de La Salle. Eligible nominees must have been a Lasallian educator for at least seven years and be actively involved in fostering the mission of Lasallian education and demonstrate an enthusiasm for the Lasallian tradition.
“Holly’s enthusiasm and love for our school shines through all her presentations to prospective students and brings many to consider and ultimately to choose to come to CBA,” said colleague Anne Cabal. “Holly's affection for our students does not stop when they are admitted but follows them throughout their time at CBA and beyond.” Dowd lives in Syracuse with her husband Marty ‘75. They have two children Kelsey ’07 and Riley ’11, and a grandson, Macklin born last September.
This year’s musical, Little Shop of Horrors, was shown virtually on May 21 and 22. Little Shop of Horrors is a horror comedy rock musical with music by Alan Menken and lyrics and a book by Howard Ashman. The story follows a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on humans. The music, composed by Menken in the style of early 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown, includes several well-known tunes, including the title song, "Skid Row (Downtown)", "Somewhere That's Green", and "Suddenly, Seymour". The cast included: Alex Burnett, Emilee Edick, Matthew Carracioli, Luke DeLorenzo, Bryan Garlow, Abby Greenfield, Katrina Huynh, Sofia Santa Ines, Tyler Hailstork, Kennedy Gregory, Karly Glavin, Belle Polanco, Elena Kantor, Maddie Bartlett, Emma Brewster, Julia Fletcher, Caroline Silver, Olivia Davis, Remi Turner, and Caroline Dougherty.
Students Participate In NYSSMA Solo Festival
Forty-nine students participated in the annual NYSSMA solo festival. This year, students submitted their solos, levels 1-6 as videos. Students also played scales as a part of the evaluation.
Bridge 2 CBA Brothers – Summer 2021
Experience the world around you. Explore and learn. Engage in your future. These phrases invite up to 60 students in the City of Syracuse, currently in 4th or 5th grades, in economically challenged circumstances, to apply to attend the inaugural Bridge 2 CBA Brothers Summer 2021 Program. The program, which was announced this past March, is the brainchild of CBA Vice Principal for Academic Affairs, Steve Garraffo and CBA Director for Special Events and Programs, Annemarie Mosely who worked on the concept as part of their required service for a Lasallian formation program, John Johnston Institute. The idea was placed on the back burner due to Covid-19, that is until Dan Byrne ’70 and his wife, Christine J. DeMaio, approached President Matt Keough about their interest and desire to do something to help young kids fight through the challenges caused by the pandemic. They decided to fund the project! As of the middle of May, several dozen students have applied for B2B. Provisions for bussing, breakfast, and lunch have been secured. The academic enrichment program is in place and includes Math, Literacy, and Science, taught by highly qualified CBA faculty members. The four weeks of themed immersion, including associated field trips, will feature Coding/Robotics, Geology Exploration, Rockets, and Build and Bust Bridges. A morning meeting will feature local community leaders and mentors. David Marshall ’02, CBA faculty, is the Program Supervisor. B2B will run July 5- Aug. 6, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the CBA campus on Randall Road. Admission to the program remains open until all slots are filled. The application is available on the CBA website under About/Summer Programs. Please email B2Bsummer@cbasyr.org or call 315-4465960 x1132 for more information. • • • i i I I i i i i i i i i i i i i i i BRIDGE2 CBA BROTHERS Syracuse City School District • Current 4th and 5th graders • Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 2:30 pm • At CBA1s Randall Road Campus • Morning transportation / meals and snacks provided • FREE to qualifying students A Summer Experience Like No Other •Academic, Athletic, Fine Arts immersion with real life experience • Building Bridges and Confidence • Helping students bridge the learning gap lost during the pandemic • Build confidence and leadership skills Note: the annual CBA Summer Sizzle program will return in summer 2021 as well. Please see the CBA website for additional information about this summer’s offerings!
July 12-Aug 6, 2021 To apply, go to cbasyracuse.org Contact B2BSummer@cbasyr.org OR (315) 446-5960 xll32 Space is liniited!
