Principal:
Mr. Luke Carnicelli

Dean of Students:
Ms. Elishia Hoatland

Phone:
315.364.7111 x2103

Fax:
315.364.8207

Address
2384 Route 34B,
Aurora, NY 13026

Social Media
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Our 2025-26 School Motto: 'Dream Big. Accept Challenges. Achieve Success.'
 

November 7, 2025

Dear Jr/Sr HS Families,

I hope you and your families are well. Today marks two weeks until the end of marking period 2. We hope students are keeping track of their assignment completion, marking period grades, attendance, etc... in their Schooltool Acct and communicating to teachers with any concerns.

A few announcements… 

• Southern Cayuga Jr/Sr High School Honor Roll recognizes students’ exceptional academic achievements each marking period of the school year. Click here for our marking period 1 students, Congratulations!

• Click here to view our 2025-26 Jr/Sr HS course curriculum maps.

• PTO Turkey Trot fundraiser is tomorrow, Nov 8 at the SCCS Track. Click here for the informational flyer. 

• Naviance Career and College lessons for grade 9 students will take place on Nov 10 and Nov 13 during English classes.

• Parent/Teacher Conferences are Nov 24 from 12:15-7:30pm. No school for students that day.  Conference sign-ups are available by contacting Ms. Bergen in the guidance office via 315-364-7111 x2114 or bergenk@southerncayuga.org by Nov 14. When you request a conference, we will confirm meeting time and review the room location with you.

• Congrats to the Boys Cross-Country team on their 2nd consecutive IAC Championship and their 2nd place finish at the Section IV finals. Also congrats to Alexandria Morgan, Paul Hayden, and Brady Young, they qualified for the NYS Cross-Country Championships in the Albany area next Saturday. Click here for our news article.   

• Best wishes to the Girls swim team as they compete in the Section IV finals tomorrow. 

• Winter Varsity and JV sports begin on Nov 17. Coaches will share practice schedules soon, so please keep an eye out for those updates this week. Final Forms is now open, please make sure your athlete is registered so you receive all team communications.

Also, please visit the Jr/Sr HS webpage and follow our school’s online media class reports via Facebook… https://www.facebook.com/sccsthesource/ and/or school’s Twitter (X) https://x.com/Southern_Cayuga.

November Calendar

Nov 11 - Veterans Day, No School
Nov 24 - P/T Conferences, No School
Nov 25-28 - Thanksgiving Break, No School
Our 2025-26 school calendar can be found via https://www.southerncayuga.org/712

Take care,
Luke

Luke Carnicelli, Principal
Southern Cayuga Jr/Sr High School

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October 16, 2025

Greetings Jr/Sr HS Families-

I hope you and your families are doing well. Marking Period 1 ended on Oct 10, and report cards will be available via SchoolTool tomorrow as well as mailed home on Oct 21. We encourage students to regularly monitor their assignment completion, marking period grades, and attendance through their SchoolTool account. If a student is struggling in any class, teachers have been asked to reach out to both students and families. Students should also speak directly with their teachers about any concerns related to class assignments. If you have any questions about parent/guardian SchoolTool login, please contact Ms. Bergen in the Guidance Office at 315-364-7111 x2114 or via email at bergenk@southerncayuga.org.

Please note:
*Student report cards for grades 7–12 are generated every six weeks.
*We mail report cards home after the 1st and 6th marking periods.
*Reporting dates are listed on page 6 of the Student Handbook.
*For marking periods 2–5, we will print and distribute report cards in school.
*Families and students may also access and print report cards anytime through their SchoolTool account by selecting the Grades tab and clicking the printer icon to open the report card in a new window.

Announcements 

• Another quick reminder that the SCCS Girls Varsity Soccer Team is in the IAC Championship Game on Oct 18 at 6:00pm at TC3, Click here for ticket information. Also, there will be a community send off for the team at SCCS (by the Planetarium) starting at 3:45pm. Folks are encouraged to bring noise makers, posters, and well-wishes to the team for this historic event. 

• If you ordered SC Falcons gear from the Printery last month, we anticipate the order will be ready next week. I will send a note to families when we receive the order so pick-up can be arranged at the HS office. 

• You are cordially invited to celebrate the reopening of the newly renovated “Dome Room” at the Southern Cayuga Planetarium on Oct 20. Click here for event information.  After months of renovation, this reopening marks an exciting new chapter for STEM education at Southern Cayuga!

• The Leadership Club will be sponsoring the first Java Junction of the year on Oct 31. Sr High students can enjoy Coffee or Hot Chocolate for $3.00. Jr High students can purchase Hot Chocolate for $3.00. There will also be a table featuring bracelets, stickers, and information in support of Breast Cancer Awareness and Mental Health Awareness Month during the event.

• The SCCS PTO is sponsoring the annual Turkey Trot Fundraiser on Nov 8 from 10am-Noon at the SCCS Track. Please see the links for additional details. Students interested in fundraising can work with our Jr & Sr HS student council advisors. Turkey Trot Info  Turkey Trot Fundraiser Sheet 

• Student pictures have arrived, we will distribute them to students tomorrow. Picture retakes are Nov 3.

• Please contact your child's teacher if you are interested in receiving Google Classroom summary reports. Families can use Google Classroom to stay informed about student assignments, course content, and overall progress. 

• All curriculum maps for the 2025-26 school year will be posted in the next few weeks. Maps can be found via the following: curriculum maps webpage.

• Thank you to our students for following our cell phone plan and dress code. More information on these items can be located on page 15/16 in the student handbook.  

• Parent/Teacher Conferences are on Nov 24 from 12:15-7:30pm. No school for students that day. Conference sign-ups are available by contacting Ms. Bergen in the guidance office via 315-364-7111 x2114 or bergenk@southerncayuga.org by Nov 14. 

Please see the following link for upcoming sports events and sectional games for our teams: SCCS Sports Schedules

Additionally, you can find more HS information and highlights of student work through our online media class at: https://www.facebook.com/sccsthesource/. This page showcases the great work our students are doing to cover events at our school.

Take care,
Luke

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September 5, 2025

Greetings Jr/Sr HS Families,

I am pleased to report that we had an amazing start to the 2025–26 school year! I hope your child(ren) feel the same way. I am always impressed with our students and how well they handle the transition back to school. It has been wonderful to see our campus full of energy and learning again. I also want to thank you for your support with our no cell phone policy, students are doing an outstanding job following expectations. Their cooperation is helping us create a more focused, distraction-free environment for learning. We look forward to building on this strong start and making the year ahead a successful one for every student.

If you haven’t already, please check your child's School Tool Login in the next few weeks for assignment completion, marking period grades, attendance, etc... Each marking period is outlined on page 6 of the student handbook. If you have any questions on your Schooltool login, please contact Ms. Bergen bergenk@southerncayuga.org in the guidance office. 

We will be conducting our fall safety drills over the next several weeks, including both fire drills and lockdown drills. To ensure clear communication, I plan to notify families one week in advance of the lockdown drills that will take place in November so that students, staff, and families are aware and prepared.

Falcons Gear

• Get your Falcons gear here… https://shop.theprinteryny.com/southerncayuga. The items are available to order from Sept 5 - 22, with delivery to the school the week of Oct 14. 

Pk-12 Open House/Curriculum Night

• On Thurs, Sept 18 from 5:30-7:30pm. Teachers will be in their rooms for Meet & Greet, Syllabus & Curriculum Map share. At the Jr/Sr HS entrance we will have student schedules and room maps for families to follow at your leisure. Students are welcome to accompany their families at Open House. 

• We plan to have all our Jr & Sr HS Curriculum maps updated and posted on the HS website page by mid-October. 

Student Pictures

• School Pictures are planned for Thurs, Sept 18 in the morning for all grade 7-12 students. Senior composite formal pictures will be taken during this time. You may use the website www.inter-state.com/order -- Order Code: 0209EEA to pre-order your picture packages or print forms will be distributed to students next week. Picture make-up day is November 3.

Athletics & Homecoming games/dance

• Our girls swim team is off to a strong start defeating Watkins Glen for the first time in many years. Congrats! 

• Both boys and girls soccer teams won their last game. Congrats! 

• Cross-Country’s first team meet is next week. 

• Please use https://www.schedulegalaxy.com/schools/165/  for our Fall Sports Schedule. Our school community is cordially invited to each game. Please come out and support our student-athletes. 

• Our 2025 Soccer homecoming games are on Sept 27, starting at 10am. Our homecoming dances will be on Sat, Sept 27. Jr HS (grades 7-8) from 5:00-6:30pm and Sr HS (grades 9-12) from 7:00-9:00pm in the HS cafeteria. Tickets for the dances will be sold during lunch the week prior to the event. 

• Also, if you are interested in supporting our teams by volunteering at the Booster Club concession stand, please us this link… https://signup.com/go/eLYmqRk

Follow our School’s online media reports via Facebook… https://www.facebook.com/sccsthesource/
Our school’s Twitter (X) can be located here… https://x.com/Southern_Cayuga 

Take care,
Luke Carnicelli, Principal
SC Jr/Sr High School

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August 15, 2025

Greetings Jr/Sr HS Families,

On behalf of the Jr/Sr High School staff, we extend a warm welcome to the 2025–26 school year and a special welcome to all new students joining the Jr/Sr High School. We are excited for our students’ return on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, and look forward to another successful school year together. We are proud of our students and school community as we work collectively to accomplish our academic goals this year. I am also pleased to welcome back Ms. Hoatland to the HS Office in her role as Grade 7–12 Dean of Students. She will assist with student management, discipline, and curriculum planning.

Today we mailed student schedules to all 7-12 students and families. Also, within the envelope is our welcome back newsletter, family contact form, and information regarding student schedules. Starting next week, the SCCS Schooltool portal will be open to review school information regarding your child. During the school year, attendance, grades, contact information, disciplinary information, etc. will be available using this program. If you have any questions regarding your students schedule and/or Schooltool access, please contact Ms. Bergen in our guidance office via bergenk@southerncayuga.org. 

A few updates… 

Campus Construction
As you may know, our ongoing construction project is scheduled for completion in October 2025. Until then, a few areas will remain under renovation, including the Auditorium, HS Gym, and Planetarium Dome Room. Thank you for your patience as we complete these important upgrades to our school facilities.

NYS Distraction-Free Schools Policy
Beginning this year, we will implement the new NYS Distraction-Free School Policy. All personal electronic devices not issued by the school must be placed in student lockers for the entire school day. More information and communications about this policy can be found at: https://www.southerncayuga.org/1125.

Student School Visitation Day
Wednesday, August 27 • 2:00–4:00 PM: Students and families are encouraged to stop by the guidance office, pick up another copy of their student schedule, and visit classrooms and locker locations. This visit is especially recommended for students new to the Jr/Sr High School.

First Day of School
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Grades 9–12 report to 1st-period class upon arrival at 7:45 AM
Grades 7–8 report to Advisory class from 7:40–8:20 AM
On the first day, students will receive: Updated schedule, Student agenda/planner, Starter school supplies, Mesh bag, Falcons gear. Also, during the first few days, students will complete: Online Code of Conduct and Chromebook use sign-offs. A copy of our student handbook may be located by clicking here.

Lockers & Backpacks
Each student is assigned a hallway locker with a combination lock. Lockers must remain locked throughout the day. Students may carry items during the day in a mesh or clear bag only. Standard sized backpacks must be stored in lockers during the school day for safety reasons. All Jr/Sr HS students will change for PE and will receive a locker room locker and lock during the first week of school.

Student Arrival & Dismissal
Drop-off starts at 7:30am and School start times: 7:40 AM (Jr HS) & 7:45 AM (Sr HS); Dismissal: 2:13 PM for all students grades 7–12; Bus pick-up times will be communicated by our Transportation Department.

• School Supplies, please go to: https://www.southerncayuga.org/1128
• Athletics Information: https://www.southerncayuga.org/690
• A copy of our 2025-26 School Calendar may be located by clicking here. 

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Take care,
Luke 

Luke Carnicelli, Principal  
Southern Cayuga Jr/Sr High School                        

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July 2, 2025

Dear Families,
We hope you have a nice summer. As we begin to look ahead to the upcoming school year, please note the following important information:

• Student schedules for the 2025–2026 school year will be mailed home on or around August 16, 2025.
• School counselors will be available the week of August 26–30 to assist with any questions or necessary schedule changes. You may call 315-364-7111 x2114 if you need to make an appointment time for any schedule questions.
• On Wednesday, August 27, from 2:00–4:00 PM, we will host our annual School Visit Day. Students and families are welcome to:
  • Review student schedules
  • Visit classrooms and locate lockers
  • Bring in and store school supplies in lockers
• Our first day of school will be Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

School Supplies Information:
We ask students to bring the following supplies to school during the first week:

• 2” Binder, 4 Folders, Pens & Pencils, Highlighters
• If any additional items are needed for specific classes, we will work with the teacher for the school to supply as many items as possible.
• Our goal for all students/families is to purchase a very small number of school supplies.

The school will supply the following items to students on the first day of school:

• Chromebook & Charger (students were given one to keep last year), Calculator (if needed), 1 Subject Notebook, 2 Folders, Pen, School Agenda/Planner, String bag. 

Backpacks, please note: It is suggested that students purchase a mesh or see-through backpack, especially if they would like to carry items throughout the school day. A limited number of mesh bags will be available for students to use throughout the school year. Small purses/handbags may also be carried for personal items only. Normal type backpacks are generally not allowed during the school day for safety precautions. However, a normal backpack may be carried to and from school/bus to the student’s locker and left in the locker until the end of the day. Students are encouraged to use their locker throughout the school day to store their books/belongings and to keep their items secure.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting and successful year at SCCS!

Take care,
Luke Carnicelli, Principal

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June 26, 2025

Dear SCCS Jr/Sr High School Families,

As we close out the 2024–25 school year, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for your continued partnership and support. Your involvement, encouragement, and communication have made a lasting impact, and we are truly grateful for your support in helping us provide a safe, engaging, and successful learning environment.

Together, we’ve celebrated student growth, academic achievements, athletic and extracurricular accomplishments, and many memorable moments that made this year truly special. From the dedication of our teachers and staff to the hard work and resilience of our students, it’s been a year marked by learning, perseverance, and community spirit.

We are especially proud of the Class of 2025 for their leadership and accomplishments. Congratulations to all of our graduates!

We are currently finalizing all grades for the 2024–25 school year and final report cards will be mailed on July 2. In addition, all final grades and exam scores will be available through the Schooltool Parent Portal (https://cnyric04.schooltool.com/southcayuga) beginning Monday, June 30. If your Senior High School child is in need of summer school or a NYS Regents exam retake, Ms. Carnicelli or Ms. Bergen will reach out directly within the next few days.

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable summer!
Luke

Luke Carnicelli, Principal
Southern Cayuga Jr/Sr High School

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SC Jr/Sr HS Community Advisory Council (CAC)
Meetings: TBA will be held via Zoom from 5:00-6:00pm. Agendas for each meeting will be sent via email. 

Follow our school’s online media class reports via Facebook… https://www.facebook.com/sccsthesource/
Our school’s Twitter (X) can be located here… https://x.com/Southern_Cayuga 

Take care,
Luke Carnicelli, Principal
SC Jr/Sr High School 

Mission Statement: The Mission of Southern Cayuga Jr/Sr High School is to create an environment that is conducive to personal and academic excellence.
This will be accomplished by creating a school community that embodies the principles of being: Safe, Respectful, Responsible, and Kind. 

Southern Cayuga Jr/Sr High School does not restrict students on the basis of race/ethnicity, religion, physical handicap subject to medical eligibility, or gender.