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Issue No. 26, February 28, 2025

Good afternoon,

I hope you enjoyed your winter recess last week. It's great to see everyone back. It's hard to believe that we have already reached the 100 days of school mark. Now is the time to refocus and finish the last four months on a high note.

On Wednesday evening, the Board of Education approved a resolution recognizing Phagwa/Holi and Eid-al-Fitr as paid holidays for all employees this school year. As such, all faculty and staff will have March 14 and March 31 off and the district will be closed on both of these days. This applies only to the current school. year.

Also at the Board of Education meeting, Mr. Gillooley provided an broad overview of district wide staffing for the 2025-2026 Budget. He also reviewed tax cap information. Mr. Gillooley noted that the district has not increased the tax levy in six years. We will determine if an increase will be recommended as we move through the budget process.

Members of the Office of Teaching and Learning provided an overview of districtwide literacy. You can review that presentation here

You can watch the meeting and view the presentatations here.

The next meeting of the Board of Education will be a work session scheduled for March 12.

Culture and Climate Survey

This week we launched the Culture and Climate Survey. We are seeking feedback from faculty/staff, parents/guardians/caregivers, students in grades 5-12, and community members regarding your experiences in our schools. Your feedback is important as it will help shape future decision and help us improve. The survey will be open through March 14.

Go here to take survey: https://hanover-research.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cZO3Jt6r5fmRmHs

Thank you to those who have already participated.

climate survey

Partnerships

Reminder Half Day for Elementary Students Next Friday

As a reminder for our elementary families, there is a half day on Friday, March 7, for all students grades PK-5 for parent. Parent-teacher conferences will be held in the afternoon.

If you have not had a conference with your child's teacher and still don't have one scheduled, it's important that you do so. If the conference times are not good for you, please let your child's teacher know so they can schedule another time or find a way to connect with you. These conferences are important because they are about how your child is doing so far in school and ways we can work together to ensure academic success.

half day march 7

STEAM Camp

Last week during recess, our Community Schools hosted February STEAM Camp for students across the district. Thank you to the teachers who worked with our students for the week, and I’d also like to recognize all of the Schenectady High School students who gained experience working with and mentoring our young learners.

STEAM CAMP 1

STEAM CAMP project

STEAM CAMP girl

Registration for April STEAM Camp is open

Click here to register now.

Steam Camp is open to students in grades K-5.

Programs will be held at the following locations:

  • Keane (serving Keane and Lincoln)

  • Paige (serving Paige and Woodlawn)

  • King (serving King and Pleasant Valley)

  • Hamilton (serving Hamilton and Van Corlaer)

  • Yates (serving Yates, Howe, and Zoller)

Breakfast and lunch are included.

Transportation will be provided to those who qualify based on the district transportation policy.

Space is limited.

Steam Camp

Students vs. Staff Basketball Game

Thursday afternoon our high school students held a students versus staff basketball game to raise money for their prom. It was amazing to see so many students and members of the school community on hand to enjoy this fun student planned event.

Faculty and Staff Recognition

Before Wednesday’s meeting, our Human Resources office recognized members of our faculty and staff, our passionate people, for their dedication to Student and Graduate Success. These represent both pillars 1 and 2 of our Strategic Plan. The employees who were recognized were chosen by their school principal.

Pillars

group shot

Woodlawn

Bg Pic

SHS

Hamilton

Lincoln

Keane

DO

Weapon Screening Systems

We will soon be rolling out the implementation of weapon screening systems in our three middle schools. Oneida Middle School already began a soft launch this week, they will be the first to begin the new entry process on Monday morning, with Mont Pleasant and Central park following shortly after. Check your email for information regarding your timeline and the process. In preparation, I'm including some key information below regarding things students should know and a video that was produced shorter after implementation at the high school.

Weapons Screening

Weapons Screening

Boys Varsity Basketball Makes Playoff Push

Our Boys Varsity Basketball Team won against Guilderland in the push in game Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals in Sectional play. The Patriots next game is against top-seeded Green Tech on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m., at Hudson Valley Community College.

Gazette hoops story

Basketball game coming up

Did You Know

Did You Know?

We launched the "Did You Know" series as part of our Strategic Plan awareness and marketing campaign as it connects to all of the pillars at one time or another and is an effort to improve engagement and partnership with our families. The "Did You Know" topics stem from commonly asked questions from our school community or topics that seem to have some confusion or misinformation circulating.

This week's "Did You Know" focuses on the impacts of absenteeism (see video below). Chronic absenteeism is a leading indicator of a student dropping out of school. When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances of graduating. If your child is struggling attendance and needs additional support, please contact your school's attendance specialist or counselor.

Pillars

Passionate People
We continue our new strategic plan awareness campaign by proudly recognizing Mekkah Bergeron as our Passionate Person of the Week. We are grateful to Mekkah for hard work and dedication to our district. Mekkah recognizes how her role in important and how it connects to Student and Graduate Success. Mekkah is a graduate of Schenectady High School and another example of Student and Graduate Success.
#passionatepeople

Passionate People

Mekkah

Mekkah highlights

alumni profile

Featured Alumni

Our most recent Alumni Profile, linked to our first pillar, Student and Graduate Success, features Jacqueline Williams , SHS Class of 2000. Jacqueline is the Owner of Furnish Me Vintage and Wilson Williams South. Congratulations on all your accomplishments.
#SCSDAlumni

Student and Graduate Success

Oba art teacher

Recognizing Our Teachers

As part of our Strategic Plan awareness campaign, we continue to recognize our educators for the work that they do to support our students.

This week, Obaroene Otitigbe, a studio art teacher at SHS, is our Teacher of the Week. Obaroene is one of many passionate educators in our district, and we’re so grateful to his commitment and dedication to our students over the last six years.

Passionate People

Schenectady High School Black History Month Showcase

This week, Mont Pleasant Middle School hosted a Black History Month Celebration, bringing together students, staff, and families for a night of culture and community.

The event featured student performances, raffles, delicious food, and a live DJ.

Watch the highlights below

Pillars

Black History Month Celebration at Mont Pleasant

Students and staff at Mont Pleasant Middle School also held a Black History Month Celebration this week. The event was open to families and featured student performances, raffles, food and a dj. Watch the highlights below.

Pillars

Our Strategic Plan

I encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with our Strategic Plan and reflect on how their work connects to its pillars. Student and graduate success require the commitment and dedication of all of us. Learn more about our Strategic Plan and how we align our efforts with its four pillars here.

Schenectady City School District Educational Foundation

On Wednesday evening, the Schenectady City School District Educational Foundation welcomed 20 former SCSD Teachers of the Year for a brainstorming session focused on increasing awareness of the foundation, the grant application process, and the impact of grant funding in our classrooms.

This year, the foundation has awarded 40 grants totaling $59,000 to support classrooms across Schenectady. Partnerships with Families and Communities and Student and Graduate Success.

Learn more and find out how you can help: www.scsdef.org

Pillars

Teacher of the year meeting

Teacher of the year meeting2

Teacher of the year meeting3

Kindergarten Registration Opens Monday

Is your child turning 5 before December 1st of this year? If so, they are eligible for kindergarten!

To register, please visit our Central Office in person at 530 Liberty Street.

For a list of required documents and more information, visit: Student Registration.

We look forward to welcoming your child to Schenectady City Schools!

Kindergarten registration

Superintendent's Coffee Chat

Join me for coffee and conversation! My next coffee chats will be held on:

  • Thursday, March 27, at 6:00 p.m.

  • Friday, March 28, at 7:00 a.m.

Location: Family and Community Engagement Center, 530 Liberty St.

Everyone is welcome! Stop by for a cup of coffee and a casual chat about any topic you'd like. Hope to see you there!

Passionate People

Community Event
Open to Everyone

Expo

Spring is just around the corner and our spring athletes will be returning to our outdoor facilities, there are currently Unified Bowling and Modified Swimming events on the calendar as our winter sports season wraps up. I wish everyone good luck with tryouts and hope to see you out on the field sometime soon.

I'll conclude today's update by saying "Ramadan Mubarak" to those in the Schenectady community who celebrate. Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Ramadan is one of the many holidays celebrated by our diverse Schenectady school community.

Enjoy your weekend.

Sincerely,

Dr. Carlos M. Cotto Jr.
Superintendent of Schools

Reminders

Schenectady Foundation Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship

Scholarship

District Events

School Events

March 4, 2025:

School Events:

  • SOUL STEPS/Drumming Residency at Schenectady High School, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (3/4-3/7)

March 5, 2025:

School Events:

  • SOUL STEPS/Drumming Residency at Schenectady High School, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (3/4-3/7)

March 6, 2025:

School Events:

  • SOUL STEPS/Drumming Residency at Schenectady High School, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (3/4-3/7)

March 7, 2025:

School Events:

  • Howe International Night, 6 - 7 p.m.

  • SOUL STEPS/Drumming Residency at Schenectady High School, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (3/4-3/7)

Community Events

March 4, 2025:

  • Traveling Art Show on display at Proctors- Through 5/13/25

Athletics

March 2, 2025

  • Boys Basketball Sectionals vs. Green Tech, 4 p.m. at Hudson Valley Community College

March 4, 2025:

Athletics:

  • Boys Unified Bowling vs. Shaker High School @ Boulevard Bowl, 4:15 p.m.

  • GirlsUnified Bowling v. TBD @ Boulevard Bowl, 4:15 p.m.

  • Boys (Schenectady-Colonie Modified Swimming) at Schenectady High School, 4:30 p.m.

March 6, 2025:

Athletics:

  • Boys Unified Bowling v. Ballston Spa High School @ Boulevard Bowl, 4:15 p.m.

  • Girls Unified Bowling v. Ballston Spa High School @ Boulevard Bowl, 4:15 p.m.

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