Happy Friday,

I hope you had a great week and a restful Thanksgiving break. Winter weather has arrived and it is a good time to make sure your contact info is up to date in Infinite Campus and you have downloaded the Schenectady Schools app. In the event of a school closure, the information will be released to the local news media, sent via text, email and push notification, and then posted on the district's website and social media. If your child is in need of a coat, gloves, hat or boots, contact your school's parent liaison and they will work with our community partners to provide them.

At the Board of Education work session held Wednesday, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Professional Learning Shannon Tahoe, provided an update on the district's hiring and retention efforts. The district was able to increase staffing among every bargaining unit, including 33 secretaries and nurses, 32 teachers and 58 paraprofessionals, since the beginning of last school year. These efforts are part of our recently adopted 2030 Strategic Plan, where the HR department has set goals to recruit, train, and support a world class workforce focused on growth, wellness, and continuous improvement for the benefit of students and families. Read more about the district's strategic plan here.

Also on Wednesday's agenda, a resolution to award the contract for the district's new weapons detection system after the Board of Education voted to implement the technology back on September 30. In late October, the district held a safety fair where staff, students and community members were able to see the technology, ask questions, walk through it, and ultimately vote on which system they preferred. The systems will be installed at Schenectady High School and all three middle schools. District Director of Climate and Safety Jeffrey Russo spoke to the board about the process of scoring the systems based on feedback, necessary equipment, cost, and speaking with other school district's around the country who already have the systems in place. Watch a short video about the system the district chose here.

The next board of education meeting is a work session that will be held on December 18, 6:30 p.m.

Schenectady High School student awarded full scholarship

I would like to congratulate Schenectady High School Senior Raymond Franco, who has been awarded a full four-year scholarship to Boston University through the prestigious QuestBridge National College Match program.

QuestBridge is a national nonprofit organization that connects students with scholarships to the nation's top colleges and universities. This year, over 25,500 students applied to the National College Match, and only 7,288 were selected as finalists. Among them, 2,627 students were ultimately matched with a college partner, receiving full scholarships.

Raymond's journey with QuestBridge began last April when he was recognized as a College Prep Scholar, an honor awarded to only 3,911 students out of 16,000 applicants. This recognition provided him with valuable resources and support throughout his college application process.

Being matched to Boston University means that Raymond’s tuition, housing, meals, and other expenses will be fully covered for the next four years, allowing him to focus entirely on his education and future goals.

Please join us in celebrating this incredible milestone with Raymond and his family.

On Wednesday evening, the district held the Passionate People recognition ceremony at the Family and Community Engagement Center. The award recipients are selected by their building principal for exhibiting passion and dedication for their job each day. We are so proud to recognize these passionate people!

Important dates for families of 8th graders
Next week, representatives from the high school will visit each middle school and present all of the options available to students when they enter high school. All grade 8 students will attend the assemblies during the day and there will be family information sessions in the evening at each building. View the schedule below. You can read all about the options available to students in the Schenectady High School Students and Parents Handbook.

Upcoming chances to see student musicians perform
Last month, the SHS Serenaders Choir had the privilege of recording holiday music for the upcoming WMHT Music for the Holidays program.
Air dates for the Music for the Holidays program (on PBS) are below, or the special can be livestreamed on WMHT.org

• 12/12 7:30 p.m.

• 12/13 9:30 p.m.

• 12/15 10:00 a.m.

• 12/18 5:00 p.m.

• 12/22 1:30 p.m.

• 12/23 1:00 p.m.

• 12/24 9:00 p.m.

• 12/25 9:00 a.m.

• 12/25 3:00 p.m.

Also next week, Schenectady students will be performing in the CHIME Holiday Concerts at Proctors Theatre. The performances are on Monday, 12/9/24 at GE Theatre at Proctors. The elementary students will perform at 4:15 p.m. and the middle/high school students will follow at 5:45 p.m.

Thanksgiving feast in the classroom with NYS Teacher of the Year and Lt. Governor Delgado.

I was excited to attend a very special holiday feast with NYS Teacher of the Year Colleen Keough, NYSUT, Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado and the Hamilton Huskies. Students celebrated the community and friendships they've built in their classroom and were able to meet Lt. Governor Delgado who attended Hamilton as a youth.

Before the holiday break, I attended a community meeting at Faith Deliverance Tabernacle. The meeting had a great turnout of students, parents and guardians, who were able to hear from district team members about all of the opportunities and supports available for students and families in Schenectady.

Keane students volunteer with Concerned for the Hungry
Recently, when the Concerned for the Hungry crew said they were short volunteers, Keane 5th graders said, "We can help!" The students showed their leadership and compassion by helping to fill Thanksgiving baskets for families in need in our Schenectady community!

Earlier this week I met with Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. During the meeting we discussed future planning and community partnerships.

Below is a list of events coming up next week. I will try to get to as many as possible. I hope to see you.

Have a fantastic and restful weekend. I hope to see you at the parade tomorrow night.

Sincerely,

Carlos M. Cotto, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools

Upcoming Holiday Break
Begins December 23, 2024
Ends January 2, 2025

December 6, 2024:

School Events:

Coffee with Community Team @ Hamilton, 8:00 AM- 9:00 AM

Hamilton November 100% Attendance Celebration @ Hamilton, 8:30 AM- 10:30 AM

Athletics:

Boys (Boys Varsity Swimming) Varsity Swimming/Diving v. Shenendehowa High School @ SHS, 4:30 PM

December 7, 2024:

Athletics:

Boys (Varsity Wrestling) Varsity Wrestling @ Mohonasen, 7:30 AM

Boys (JV Wrestling) Junior Varsity Wrestling @ BH-BL HS Gym, 10:00 AM

School Events:

MLK, Snacks with Santa (Preregistration Required) @ MLK, 9:00 AM- 3:00 PM

December 8, 2024:

No Scheduled Events 

December 9, 2024:

School Events:

Brittney Griffin Musical Theatre programming @ Proctors- 3rd flr. Addy, 8:25 AM- 3:30 PM

Paige Birds of Prey-Assembly @ Paige, 9:30 AM- 10:30 AM

VAN- Toys for tots pick up @ Fulton, 2:30 PM- 4:30 PM

VAN- gift wrapping party @ Fulton, 5:30 PM- 8:00 PM

Athletics:

Girls (Girls Varsity Bowling) Varsity Bowling @ Columbia High School, 4:15 PM

Boys (Modified 7th/8th) 7th/8th Basketball @ Shenendehowa High School, 4:15 PM

District Events:

BOE Policy Advisory Committee @ Liberty Street, 6:00 PM

Chime-Holiday Concerts @ Yates, 4:30 PM

Chime-Holiday Concerts @ Proctors GE Theatre, 6:00 PM

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