2024-2025 Code of Character, Conduct, and Support

The 30-day comment for the 2024-2025 District Code of Character, Conduct, and Support is open. Each year the committee reviews and makes any necessary updates to the code. Any suggestions, comments, concerns, questions you have will go directly to the committee and considered before a final document is submitted for approval by the Board of Education. You can review the document here. Submit any comments here.

School Hours in 2024-2025

There will be a slight change in schools hours in the 2024-2025 School Year. Full and half day times for school will be as follows:

Elementary School
7:45 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.
7:45 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. (Half Day)

Middle School
8:30 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
8:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. (Half Day)

High School
8:25 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
8:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. (Half Day)

We will send reminders to families about the change.

Presentations at the Board of Education Meeting

• The second part of the third quarter Academic Report, including suspension and attendance was presented at the Board of Education meeting Wednesday. That report can be downloaded here.
  

• A Capital Project update was also presented Wednesday evening. There continues to be significant progress on the early phase projects which include the Mont Pleasant Middle School track and field, concession and vestibule, Schenectady High School courts and parking lot. The report includes updates on the upcoming projects. View the board meeting here.

Monster Party with SHS and elementary students

SHS students and their art class buddies from Keane & Lincoln. After reading “I Need My Monster”, each first grade student created and colored their own custom monster. SHS Ceramics classes created the monsters as clay sculptures for their buddy to keep.

Congratulation to our staff members whose tenure was approve by the Board of Education. Tenure is a milestone in an educator's career that is earned with time experience, oversight and evaluation. It takes hard work and we thank you for the hard work and dedication you've shown the families and students of Schenectady.

Congratulations to the Blue Roses Theatre Company who had an amazing year and put on a series of great productions this school year. Last weekend they presented their last production of the school year with a series of student written plays. I'm always in awe of our student talent. I can't wait until next season.

I would like to extend a huge thank you to Steve Balogh, a social studies teacher at Mont Pleasant Middle School who organized a beautiful ceremony and rededication of the plaque that honors 86 people who attended Mont Pleasant High School and lost their lives in World War II. Thank you to Mr. Balogh, instrumentalists from Mont Pleasant, the bagpipe player, Senator Tedisco, all the readers, and the many guests who attended. This was a wonderful ceremony an I know many were moved. You can watch the video of the ceremony here.

Boys Day Out/Girls Day Out

Last week the district held the annual Girls Day Out and Boys Day Out celebrations at Union College. Middle school students attended workshops about preparing for high school, fitness, music and relationship building. Thank you to our session leaders, the restorative practices team and the mentors who lead the activities for the day.

This week I visited a few school and met with staff and students from Paige, King, City as our Campus, Zoller, and Yates. I enjoy receiving input and feedback from our students and staff. Their voices are important. I also met with Dr. Moono, President of SUNY Schenectady. We have an amazing partnership with SUNY Schenectady. We continue to review how things are going with current programming and always look for ways to improve and expand.

Next Tuesday, June 11, is our Unified Physical Education Celebration from 9 a.m. - 1;15 p.m. at the Union College Memorial Fieldhouse.

Regents Exams begin next week for high school students. The last day of regular classes is June 13. Students report only on the days they are scheduled for an exam. The exam and bus schedule is online here.

Good luck to all our high school students. These are important exams. Be sure to attend all review sessions and get plenty of rest. The school cafeteria will continue to serve breakfast and lunch during Regents testing.

The next Board of Education Meeting will be held June 26, 6:30 p.m. in the Mont Pleasant Middle School Schenectady Room

June is Pride Month which is about acceptance, equality and celebrating the LGBTQ+ people. It's a commemoration of the years of struggle for civil rights and the ongoing pursuit of equal justice under the law for lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, and queer community (LGBTQ+). Pride Month takes place very year in June because the event that started the gay rights movement in the U.S. began in June 1969 in New York City's Greenwich Village, at the Stonewall Inn. This month serves as a reminder to engage with and increase understanding of the LGBTQ+ community and promote inclusion, not just this month but 365 days a year.

This week Governor Hochul issued a proclamation designating June 2024 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in New York State. Additionally, LGBTQ+ progress flags will be raised across the state, and state landmarks will be illuminated in the colors of the LGBTQ+ pride flag on June 1 and between June 23 and 30.

June is also National Caribbean American Heritage Month. During this month, we celebrate the rich cultural contributions and achievements of Caribbean Americans to American society. This observance recognizes the diverse Caribbean cultures, traditions, music, literature, cuisine, and history that have significantly influenced the fabric of the United States. Click here to read proclamation from The White House on National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

I know it's a busy time of year. We are in the final stretch. Thank you for all. you do.

Have a great weekend. Please remember to take care of yourself and find some time to relax.

See you next week.

Dr, Carlos M. Cotto, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools

SHS Football Mini Camp for Students in Grades 8-11 interested in playing football this fall. June 10 - 13 4:30 - 5:45 p .m. SHS Turf Click on link for more information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-ieixeCqgT1ptOhyFlVNKVjulYxdgk7aaDJ0N4V1Hp4/edit

June 19
No School (Juneteenth)
District office are closed

June 24
SHS Key Club Blood Drive
June 24 from noon - 5 p.m. in Proctors Key Hall.
To schedule an appointment go to www.redcrossblood.org

June 25 and 26
Elementary and Middle Schools (Pre-K through 8)
Half Day of School

June 26
Last Day of School for Students

June 27
Schenectady High School Class of 2024 Graduation Day

MOBILE APP SUPPORT Click here to watch a short video on how to set your school and language preferences on our mobile app: hhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saNC9ek2Lqg

File Cabinet: For the index updates, click here.