NYS Seal of Biliteracy students from C-NS recognized at Board Meeting

Twenty-one Cicero-North Syracuse High School students recently were notified that they had met the rigourous requirements necessary to earn Seals of Biliteracy on their high school diplomas. On Tuesday, April 9, the students spent the day at Onondaga Community College giving oral presentations to demonstrate their language proficiency to a panel of judges. Prior to the presentations, students were also required to prepare extensive projects. 

The students were recognized and honored at the North Syracuse Central School District's June 3 Board of Education meeting. 

The students have been led in their efforts by C-NS Language teachers Mary Murdoch, Jane Murlin and Heather Puchta. 

Teacher Mary Murdoch said, "Earning a New York Seal of Biliteracy is a tremendous feat that culminates six years of World Language study. We are proud to honor these students for their hard work and unwavering dedication" 


In New York State, the Seal of Biliteracy is somewhat new, but is gaining attention. The Board of Regents adopted it in April of 2016 because of its major benefits, including:

• Identifying high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers;
• Providing universities with additional information about applicants;
• Preparing students with 21^st century skills;
• Recognizing the value of world and native language instruction in schools; and
• Affirming the value of diversity in a multilingual society.

In the Central New York region, momentum for the Seal of Biliteracy has also been growing. Last year, only seven C-NS students earned the distinction, compared to this year's 21 recipients.Two of this year's students actually earned Seals of Tri-literacy! Those students are Donna Lin and Viktoriia Tereshchuk. Congratulations to Donna, Viktoria and all of this year's C-NS Biliteracy students: Joshua Budihardjo (not pictured in board meeting photo), Alyssa Burchell, Tina Chen, Renee Cifaratta, McKenzie Cochran, Marielena Cruz, Molly Dano, Nathaniel Darko, Danielle (Kimberly) Doyle, Hannah Esposito, Sarah Klein, Steven Lozanov, Gabrielle Reid, Julia Rupp, Alexander Schulz, Delaney Stahrr, Miranda Szwej, Emily Temple and Jenna Wilson.