WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3 2023 | VOLUME 2 ISSUE NO. 23
Good afternoon,
TGIF! We made it to the weekend.
I'll begin today by highlighting that February is Black History Month. While this is an important month of recognizing and celebrating the achievements and history of African Americans, it also serves as a time to pause and remember their long journey including the sacrifice, struggle suffering, oppression, discrimination, racism and more. It's important to pay attention and to continue to recognize where racism persists especially in our own corners. Take the opportunity to raise your voice. Let's also continue to learn, listen, pay attention to, and applaud those who are creating change.
The Oneida Students for Anti-Racism (OSAR) are a great example of young people advocating, standing up for what is right, and making sure their voices are heard. On February 1, OSAR held their 2nd annual Black Lives Matter flag raising ceremony. The ceremony included performances from students and a group discussion about the meaning of the day. Last year this group of students gave a presentation to the Board of Education about why this is important and asked permission to fly the Black Lives Matter Flag throughout the month of February. Check out the video of the celebration they held earlier this week.
At Wednesday's Board of Education meeting, we did a few things a little different. The first one was unplanned but so perfect. Earlier in the day, I was at the OSAR celebration and was completely moved by a performance of "Stand Up," sung by OSAR ambassadors Rain and Serenity. I invited them to sing at the Board of Education meeting. Afterall, it was the kickoff of Black History Month and I was sure they would "wow" everyone. I was not disappointed. 'They were absolutely incredible and brought everyone to their feet. Their beautiful voices and passion moved everyone who was in attendance the same way I was moved earlier in the day. With each day, I become even more impressed and proud of our students. They are nothing short of incredible.
We also did something else a little different. Before the business meeting started, we held an employee recognition celebration. Each school leader nominated an employee that they feel best represents the Student and Graduate Success pillar of our Strategic Plan. The nominees read their submissions aloud at the meeting and presented the employee with a certificate of recognition. I wish to congratulate each of them.
You can learn more about each of them here. Thank you to Shannon Tahoe, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Professional Learning, and the human resources team for coordinating this celebration. Thank you to the nominees for bringing these amazing members of your teams forward. And, thank you to those who stood out and were recognized for your commitment, hard work, engagement, and dedication to our students and families. I am proud of all of you. We know there are many, many more members of our team who deserve to be in the limelight. Maybe your turn is next as we do plan to hold more of these celebrations. #studentandgraduatesuccess #passionatepeople
Jeff Russo, District Director of Climate and Safety provided an overview of the development and work of the safety team at the board meeting as well. He spoke about the collaboration with Schenectady Police Department and how things are going with the Community Engagement Officers (CEOs). Mr. Russo also spoke proudly about the growth of his team, the members and their roles, how they are warmly known as the "Red Shirts," and the ways they make a difference. They are kind, warm, engaging, visible and they clearly care for our students. Many were in attendance at the meeting.
I can't stress enough the importance of students being in school every day. We continue to work on exploring ways to improve attendance with engagement, incentives and celebrations. I want to give a huge shout out to Keane Elementary School where they have a "Never Been Absent (N.B.A)" club and monthly celebration. In January, 78 Keane students had perfect attendance. That's worth celebrating. Thank you to Principal Kerri Messler and the team at Keane who continue to work at improving attendance. Click here to learn more about the N.B.A. initiative and what it means at Keane. Let's keep it going Keane Dragons.
We came together for our monthly meeting with principals on Wednesday. We spoke about climate and culture, school communication with families, curriculum items and grading. While they don't enjoy being away from their schools, each of our principals show up ready to engage, problem-solve and do great work together. It's important that they get this time together to hear about any changes, address commons issues, share best practices and work as thought partners.. They all have the common goal of ensuring that the students in their respective schools have what they need to be academically successful.
Last weekend the Niskayuna-Schenectady Girls Wrestling team competed at the first ever NYS Invitational. Three Schenectady girls, Maryann Persad, Anecia Singh, and Brianna Newton, competed in the tournament. Congratulations to Brianna who took 3rd place in her class, making her 3rd in NYS for girls wrestling. This is amazing accomplishment. Way to go girls!
I'm still looking for a few more members for the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council. If you know a student who might be interested, please click here for more information.
This is a final reminder that STEAM Camp registration will close on Friday, February 10 at 4 p.m. There are still openings. If you would like your child to attend, click here to register. The camp will run during Winter Recess on February 21 through February 24. Click here for other details.
We know that parents of 3 and 4 year olds are wondering when the Pre-K lottery application will be available. You have some time. The application will be available in April. We will post it and push it out to you. You can find information on the application and lottery process and a registration checklist here.
Report cards went home with elementary students and were mailed home to secondary students yesterday. I encourage any parent who has questions or concerns about their child's progress to please contact you child's teacher. We are partners and in this work together.
Tonight is Senior Night at the Boys Basketball Game against Averill Park at 6 p.m. Please come by and support our seniors.
Thank you to all for all that you do. Have a great weekend. Stay warm, relax, and enjoy.
Sincerely,
Anibal Soler Jr.
Superintendent of Schools
ALUMNI PROFILE
This week's featured alumnae, Michelle Davis, currently works as the Assistant to the Mayor of Schenectady. A class of 2007 graduate, Michelle credits her time on the Lady Patriots basketball team with teaching her the value of teamwork. "I enjoyed the athletic push and team comradery. There were all levels of ability on the team, and we all supported each other. With this experience learned I am capable of much more than I thought I could do and having a support system is vital for success."
ALUMNI
Would you like to be featured?
If you are an alumni of SCSD and would like to be featured, let us know by completing this online form.
You can view Alumni Profiles here.
Photos of the Week
FARM TO SCHOOL
The Farm literally came to School last week when Rain the Goat visited Central Park Middle School. Mrs. Blood's CTE 7 Agriculture students learned about taking care of ruminant livestock and how her son, Levi, built a business selling goat milk soap.
INTERESTED IN CLASSROOM GROWING?
Farm to School is beginning a Seeding Schenectady initiative with local partners. Classroom teachers who would like to do classroom growing should reach out to Rebekka Henriksen at henriksenr@schenectadyschools.org to get seeds starting kits, lesson plans and if they would like, a push-in lesson around growing.
In other Farm to School news our F.I.R.E.Chefs program for middle schoolers had its first session this week. Scholars learned about local food systems and planted microgreens. This pilot program will be bringing participating students into local restaurants to learn hands on from chefs, while also connecting them to our urban farms and school gardens as they work with local ingredients. Stay tuned for more news about this program! ------------------------------------>
Congratulations
The following were appointed by the Board of Education on February 1. If you are new to the district "Welcome to Schenectady."
Administrative Appointments
Tracy Angelini, Director of Office of Planning & Accountability
Sarah Horaczek, Cohort Principal, Big Picture Learning
Instructional
Robert Bashant, Paige
Madeline Durrell, MPMS
Ryan King, Mathematics, SHS
Ann Palmer, Remedial Reading, Howe
Amy Rockenstyre, Speech, Zoller
Middle Managers Association
LaShanda Blanks, Parent Empowerment Center Facilitator, SHS
Devon Diego, Substance Abuse Counselor, Central Office
Secretarial
Christine Mahadeo, IPS II, Keane
Megha Patil,, IPS II, Central Office
Heather Wilson, Transportation Assistant, Central Office
Safety
Sonya Holmes-Horne, Senior School Safety Officer, SHS
Paraprofessionals
Kailyn Caddle, MPMS
Emalee Hall, SHS
Teressa Kelly, Woodlawn
Nachea Langston-Mayers, Paige
John Norris, Pleasant Valley
Alexus Prater, Keane
Alyssa Smith, Howe
Nate Wylie, MPMS
Lunch Monitors
Kristen Canton, Pleasant Valley
Rebecca Imfeld, Van Corlaer
Shankuare Sukhdeo, Pleasant Valley
STAFF NOTE
This week the DEI Climate Survey was emailed to all faculty and staff. The survey is open through February 15. The first focus groups will be held next week. An email was sent to everyone this afternoon with the schedule and how to sign up.
COMMUNITY NOTES
FREE ONLINE SERIES: Mental Health in the Black Community Feb 4: Grief, Loss, Trauma & Depression Feb 11: Mental Health: A Black Male Perspective Feb 18: Children & Family Systems Feb 25 : Community Healing For more & to register: http://www.bipocparentvoice.org/
🎥 BLACK HISTORY MONTH FILM SERIES: Every Thursday this month at Proctors. Use promo code EDIA5 for $5 tickets to all showings. The showing of "Nope" on Thursday, Feb. 23 is FREE.
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