Winter Break!

Two words that don't need any further explanation. Schools out, everyone relaxes, people sleep in and some are lucky enough to go some place warm for a week.

Its also a time to be careful of catching the flu.

Heres a recent addition by google that tracks the flu virus around the country, so you know what to look out for and whats heading your way.

Stay healthy, read a good book and see you all in a week!

Double Birthday...or is it a Triple?

From Newsweek magazine: How's this for a coincidence? Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln were born in the same year, on the same day: Feb. 12, 1809. As historical facts go, it amounts to little more than a footnote. Still, while it's just a coincidence, it's a coincidence that's guaranteed to make you do a double take the first time you run across it. Everybody knows Darwin and Lincoln were near-mythic figures in the 19th century. But who ever thinks of them in tandem? Who puts the theory of evolution and the Civil War in the same sentence? Why would you, unless you're writing your dissertation on epochal events in the 19th century? But instinctively, we want to say that they belong together. It's not just because they were both great men, and not because they happen to be exact coevals. Rather, it's because the scientist and the politician each touched off a revolution that changed the world.

Read the rest of the interesting article from the link.

We at S2S also want to wish another great mind, Stephen, a happy birthday too!

Wanna KENKEN?

No I'm not stuttering, its the addictive new math puzzle created by a Japanese math teacher.

If you ever have a few minutes to spare, play online at this link and you will have six new puzzles to play daily while improving your math skills. Its a lot of fun! Strongly recommend you begin with the easy 4x4 square.

Which would be a good time to ask everyone to wish us luck as we try for the first time to compete in the Onondaga County Math Contest.

We are also happy to announce that S2S has been invited back by the Syracuse Film Festival to help spread the word among city high schools about the wonders of great international movies.

Eagle Watch

An exciting bit of local environmental news has been the sightings of twelve bald eagles around Onondaga Lake. Scientists aren't sure if this means that their population is increasing and they need more space, or if its a sign that the lake is getting cleaner. They are also concerned about the diet of the eagles and if the toxins in the water will affect their health, since these birds are fish eaters.

Here is an article about it written by Sean Kirst of the Post Standard.

Here is an audio slide show of the eagles.

Since the eagle is the official logo of ITC, we were wondering what role we could play as a school in their conservation.

Post some thoughts and ideas in the comments section.

(photo: Nicholas Lisi, Post Standard)

Tati: Good things come in small packages!

Our very own Tatiana Montoyo was the featured person in Sean Kirsts column in the Post Standard this week.

Read all about her great spirit.

(Photos Nick Lisi, Post Standard)