Good afternoon and happy Friday,

I hope my update finds you well and everyone is ready for a fun and relaxing weekend.  There is only one week of school before we begin the holiday break, and I know that we all could use that time off.  The holiday  is a time when many of us are looking forward to the break which oftentimes includes holiday traditions and festivities.  While I hope everyone is looking forward to holiday fun, joy and hopefully some relaxation,  as I’ve said in a previous update, we know there are many who may struggle. The holiday season can be stressful, sometimes challenging and even a sad time for some.

Please keep an eye out for those around you who may be having a difficult time.  If you’re not sure what to do.  It often is helpful if you acknowledge their feelings, let them know they are not alone,  and offer to listen.  Always remember that resources and support are available to all in our school community.  

It’s important that we all take time to pause and care for ourselves, our families and those around us.

Budget Season Kickoff/Board of Education Meeting

With the holiday season comes the school budget season.  Mr. Gillooley will kick off school budget discussions at the next Board of Education Meeting which will be held Wednesday, December 18, 6:30 p.m. at 530 Liberty St.  There are many budget discussions planned between now and the Spring.  

Congratulations

Congratulations to our Student Board Representative Joyce Akhelume who was recognized by the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region at their Diamond Anniversary Event this week. Joyce and her Big, Kim, were honored with the 2024 Match of the Year Award (also known as Big and Little of the Year). This is a remarkable achievement, the duo were selected from almost 200 matches in our area. Please join me in congratulating Joyce.

Visits with Students and Staff

This week I visited with students and staff across the district. I stopped by bowling practice at Boulevard Bowl and the girls basketball game at the high school. I enjoyed visiting with the students at Oneida Middle School, and with Principal Munrett at MLK Elementary School. I also made my way to Howe, Mont Pleasant, Pleasant Valley, Hamilton, and Washington Irving to visit and talk with students and staff. I finished the week watching Polar Express at Woodlawn's Family Holiday Movie Night. It was a fun time.

Schenectady High School Winter Concert

The Schenectady High School Winter Concert featuring all of our high school band, orchestra and choir students took place on Wednesday night. I'd like to congratulate the performers for their amazing performances and thank the families and community members who came out to support the young artists of Schenectady. Watch highlights of the performances in the video below!

High School Pathway Sessions for Incoming Freshmen

This week, 8th graders at each middle school participated in assemblies in their schools. They heard from the students and leaders of the leadership communities and learned about the various pathways to graduation offered at Schenectady High School. Parents and guardians attended evening sessions at each building. Thank you to the principals and students who met with families and incoming freshmen to talk about all of the amazing options they have in high school. If you missed it, you can view the presentation here.

Van Corlaer Christmas Wrapping

Van Corlaer staff and families spent Tuesday evening wrapping gifts that were donated from Toys for Tots. The team was able to wrap and send home at least one gift and a few stocking stuffers for students. The families that came to the event had a great time wrapping together.

Televised Basketball Game Today

Tune into MY4 Albany tonight at 7 p.m. for the varsity boys home basketball game against Niskayuna. Tipoff is 7 p.m.

Village Holiday Dinner

The second annual Village Holiday Dinner at Schenectady High School is tomorrow. Enter the fine arts wings of the school where you can meet with community partners, find resources for families, and enjoy holiday cheer. Thank you Ms. Shanda for putting together a night full of information and fun.

SCSD Job fair

The next SCSD job fair will be held Wednesday, December 18, 2 - 4 p.m., 530 Liberty St. To see a complete list of open positions visit our job search page. Apply online here.

Coffee Chat

My next coffee chats will be held December 19 at 6 p.m. and December 20 at 7 a.m. Both will be held at the Family and Community Engagement Center, 530 Liberty St. Everyone is invited!

Thank you for your partnership and for all that you do.   There are so many in our schools and community who make a difference in the lives of so many.  I remain grateful to you.

Have a fantastic weekend.  Again, please remember to take time to unwind and relax.  

Sincerely,

Carlos M. Cotto, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools

December 20
MIddle and High School Interim Reports are mailed

Holiday Break
December 23 - January 2
District offices will be closed December 24, December 25, January 1

December 16

Athletics

• Girls Varsity Bowling v. Niskayuna High School at SHS, 4:15 p.m.

• Boys Modified Basketball at Bethlehem High School, 4:15 p.m.

• Girls Modified Basketball v. Bethlehem High School at Woodlawn Elementary Gym, 4:15 PM
  
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December 17

School Events

• Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School Spelling Bee, 9 - 10 a.m.

• Schenectady High School Carolers at Liberty St., 11:30 a.m.

• Oneida Middle School Winter Concert, 1:15 p.m.

Athletics

• Boys Varsity Bowling at Bethlehem High School, 4:15 p.m.

• Boys Schenectady/Colonie Varsity Swimming/Diving v. Ballston Spa High School at Pat Riley Sports Center main gym, 4:30 p.m.

• Boys Schenectady-Colonie Varsity Swimming/Diving v. Ballston Spa High School at Pat Riley Sports Center, 4:30 p.m.

• Girls Junior Varsity Basketball vs. Bethlehem High School at Pat Riley Sport Center, 4:30 p.m.

• Girls Junior Varsity Basketball v. Bethlehem High School at Pat Riley Sports Center main gym, 6 p.m.
  
  Community
  

• Everyday AntiRacism, at FOC, 11 a.m.
  
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December 18

School Events

• Hamilton Winter Concert (Ensembles), 10:15 a.m., Gym

• Van Corlaer Winter Concert, 9 a.m., Fulton Gym

• 21st Century Holiday Celebration, Schenectady High School, 4 p.m.

• Oneida Middle School Holiday Celebration, 5 p.m.

• Yates Winter Music Series, Grades Pr-K, K, 1, 2, 9 a.m.

District Events

• SCSD Job Fair at Central Office, 2 - 4 p.m.

• Board of Education Meeting at Central Office, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Athletics

• Girls Varsity Bowling v. Averill Park High School at Boulevard Bowl, 4:15 p.m.

• Boys (Modified Wrestling) at Bethlehem High School, 4:15 p.m.

• Boys Junior Varsity Wrestling v. Saratoga Springs High School at Pat Riley Sports Center main gym, 6 p.m.

• Boys Varsity Wrestling v. Saratoga Springs High School at Pat Riley Sports Center main gym, 6 p.m.

• Girls (Niskayuna/Schenectady) Varsity Wrestling at Bethlehem High School, 6 p.m.
  
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December 19

School Events

• Yates Music Series, Grades 3, 4, 5, 9 a.m.

• Hamilton December SWPBIS Assembly, 1:45 p.m.

• 21st Century Holiday Celebration, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Central Park Middle School

• 21st Century Holiday Celebration, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Mont Pleasant Middle School

• PJs and Pancakes, Hamilton, 5 p.m.

• Holidays Around the World Craft Night, Pleasant Valley, 5 p.m.

District Events

• Coffee Chat with Superintendent at Central Office, 6 - 7 p.m.

Athletics

• Boys Varsity Bowling v. Columbia High School at Boulevard Bowl, 4:15 p.m.

• Girls Modified Basketball at Columbia High School, 4:15 p.m.

• Girls Junior Varsity Basketball at Columbia High School, 5:30 p.m.

• Girls Varsity Basketball at Columbia High School, 7 p.m.

• Boys Modified Basketball v. Columbia High School at Mont Pleasant Middle School Main Gym, 4:15 p.m.

• Boys Freshman Basketball v. Columbia High School at Pat Riley Sports Center- Intramural Gym, 4:15 p.m.

• Boys Junior Varsity Basketball v. Columbia High School at Pat Riley Sports Center- Main Gym, 4:30 p.m.

• Boys Varsity Basketball v. Columbia at Pat Riley Sports Center, 6 p.m.

• Boys (Schenectady/Colonie) Varsity Swimming/Diving v. Saratoga at Pat Riley Sports Center, 4:30 p.m.

• Boys Junior Varsity Wrestling at Shaker High School, 6 p.m.

• Boys Varsity Wrestling at Shaker High School, 6 p.m.

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December 20

School Events

• Oneida Middle School Winter Singalong, 12:15 p.m., Auditorium

• Paige Assemblies - Chinese Cuture/History, 8:30 - 10:30 .m.

• Paige PBIS/Heritage Assembly, 8:30 a.m.

• Yates Holiday Sing Along, 9 a.m.

• Mont Pleasant Middle School Students Caroling at Liberty St., 2:15 - 2:45 p.m.

District Events

• Coffee Chat with Superintendent at Central Office, 7 - 8 a.m.

Athletics

• Boys Freshman Basketball at Guilderland High School, 4 p.m.

• Boys Modified Wrestling v. Columbia High School at Oneida Middle School Gym, 4:15 p.m.

• Girls Varsity Wrestling v. Shaker High School, NHS New Gym, 5:30 p.m.

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December 21

Athletics

• Boys Junior Varsity Wrestling v. Saratoga Spring at NHS News Gym, 10 a.m.

• Boys Varsity Wrestling v. Salem, at Hudson Falls High School, 10 a.m.

Community

• Weekend Literacy Program, 120 Emmons St., 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

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December 22

Athletics

• Boys Varsity Basketball v. Ballston Spa High School, Siena College, 7 p.m.

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December 23

Athletics

• Boys Junior Varsity Wrestling at Ballston

• Boys Varsity Winter Track at NYC Armory, 9 a.m.

• Girls Varsity Winter Track at NYC Armory, 9 a.m.

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