WEEK ENDING June 09 2023 | VOLUME 2 ISSUE NO. 39
Good afternoon,
We are in the final stretch. Tuesday is the last day of classes for high school students and only 13 days of school for elementary and middle school students. Let's continue to give it our all and finish the school year strong.
As you know, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was poor the last few days as a result of the Canadian wildfires. As a result and per the urging of Governor Hochul, we suspended all outdoor activities. The AQI improved to a normal (green) level today, so we lifted restrictions and allowed outdoor activities to resume. We will continue to monitor the situation and adhere to any advisories.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Leah Kedley who was selected as the principal of Hamilton Elementary School. Dr. Kedley has been serving as the substitute principal since March. After a comprehensive search and interview process, she stood out as the right leader for Hamilton and I am confident she will continue to collaborate with families and staff to move the school forward. Read the announcement here.
At Wednesday's Board of Education Meeting, Sarah Horaczek, cohort principal for Big Picture Learning at the high school, presented the plan for 2023-2024 School Year. Big Picture Schenectady Leadership Academy will be located at Washington Irving Educational Center.
The academy seeks to engage students in rigorous and relevant work by offering a non-traditional, educational experience. Big Picture Schenectady is a school of choice paving the way for students to take charge of their education. Seventy-two ninth graders are enrolled for the fall. Each year we plan to expand enrollment by 72 students (incoming freshmen). In 2026, we expect to have 288 students enrolled in the leadership academy.
Our goal is to provide positive learning experiences that are flexible and personalized to each learner. The Big Picture Schenectady will allow students to pursue their passions and provide an environment that supports independent thinking and internship opportunities. We will graduate curious learners who have developed a plan for personal growth based on real world experiences.
WATCH THE PRESENTATION HERE
https://www.youtube.com/live/QciFy-L-Jas?feature=share&t=387
On Wednesday afternoon the district celebrated our 2022-2023 first-year teachers. It was an amazing celebration. Thank you for an incredible beginning to your career and for all you do to help Schenectady Rise.
CONGRATULATIONS
Dr. Leah Kedley is selected as the principal of Hamilton Elementary School.
Big Picture Learning
REMINDERS
Through June 16
Full Instructional Days
Tuesday, June 13
Last Day of Classes for Students in Grades 9-12. Regents begin June 14.
June 14 - 22
Regents Exams
High School Students only report for scheduled Regents Exams
Monday, June 19
No School & District Offices Closed. Juneteenth Holiday
Tuesday, June 20
Full Instructional Day (Grades Pre-K through 6)
Wednesday, June 21 and Thursday, June 22
Half Day of School
Elementary & Middle School
Grades Pre-K - 5 Dismissal: 10:55 a.m.
Grades 6-8 Dismissal: 11:45 a.m.
Thursday, June 22:
Schenectady High School Class of 2023 Graduation, 6 p.m.
SHS Football Field
Today we held our third meeting of the Superintendent Student Advisory Council. Our meeting was held at Union College. We had fantastic discussion around the cell phone policy, playgrounds and more. We also enjoyed lunch together. This is a great group of students who want to make a difference. Thank you to all.
Congratulations to Schenectady High School and all of the students who were presented with scholarships and awards at the ceremony held on Tuesday. There was many, many awards given. We will post the list of recipients on the website and I will share in my brief next week. Thank you to all of the generous donors and to everyone who helps lift our students. Thank you also to our high school faculty and staff who work tirelessly for our students. The big day is coming up and you should be very proud.
Congratulations to Niomi Rogers who qualified for states in the 100 hurdle with a time of 15.12, a personal best and school record. She competed today. She was named Section II Sportsmanship Winner. She finished 11th overall with a time of 15.41. Congratulations on a fantastic season.
Congratulations to Alana Butler who set the school record with 231 saves this lacrosse season.
Our Community School principals and staff attended the national conference in Philadelphia this week. This conference provides access to exemplary national models and best practices that will inform our work moving forward in Schenectady as we continue strengthening our Community Schools initiative. More than 4,500 participants from across the country participated.
Thank you and congratulations to Heidi Harlow, a 5th grade teacher at Paige, and the Paige Elementary School Student Council. The council decided to create cultural resources and recognition for our Guyanese students. Four 5th graders from the service committee worked, during lunch periods and when they had any free time, on creating a coloring book about Guyana. They researched, wrote and created artwork. The book is being printed for every student in the district. A short biography about each author is included in the back of the book. This is an amazing project and I am very proud of these students. Their work serves to inspire and motivate others.
Last weekend, members of the Schenectady High School Patriot Orchestra volunteered their time at the Kids Arts Fest in downtown Schenectady. They held an Instrument Petting Zoo where they taught people of all ages how to play different instruments. They wrapped up the day with a group performance on the main stage for the crowd. Thank you to Vincent Giordano for the photos.
I love that we are celebrating the Regents exam. On Wednesday, 9th graders who are eligible to take the Living Environment Regents exam celebrated with cake in the library.
The Mont Pleasant Study Club is holding a can and bottle drive to help fund their trip to DC. There are receptacles in Mont Pleasant Middle School and a utility trailer parked outside the entrance behind the school. If you have any returnables, please drop them there. The students look forward to and enjoy this trip each year. The MP team shared some photos of their recent trip here.
Coming Up
My Brother's Keeper End of the Year Celebration, Saturday, June 10, 12 - 3 p.m., at Schenectady High School.
Special Olympics, Tuesday, June 20, 9 a.m. - 1 :30 p.m., at Union College
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Anibal Soler, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools
Photo of The Week
Last Friday, the SHS Home & School Alliance held a fundraiser where students and staff paid to tape Principal Green to the wall. Thank you to Home Depot for the donation and thank you to all who participated and used six entire rolls of tape on Mr. Green!
Congratulations
The following were appointed by the Board of Education on June 7. If you are new to the district, "Welcome to Schenectady."
Administration
Leah Kedley, Principal, Hamilton ES
Instructional
Holly Ciarmello, Hamilton ES
Stephanie D'Annibale, School Counselor, SHS
Victoria Giaquinto, Elementary
Ashley Horan, Paige ES
Laura Longo, Zoller ES
Carley Martin, Van Corlaer ES
Lindsey Pacelli, Elementary
Kevin Quaglia, Elementary
Arianna Rivera, Elementary
Jessica Schwerd, Elementary
Susanne Sears, Elementary
Sheridan Sydney, Remedial Reading
Tiffanie Wood, Elementary
Paraprofessionals
Amanda Butler, MPMS
Cynthia DeFiore, Zoller ES
Jessica Devine, Woodlawn ES
Kavishkar (Kevin) Lillchan, Paige ES
Roopwatie Tannall, MPMS
Middle Managers Association
Kavita Ramdehal, Assistant Nurse Manager
Security Monitor
Les McClinton, SCLA
Secretarial
Jami Grecco, Senior Payroll Audit Clerk, Central Office
Myranda Morris, IPS II, MPMS
Community Notes
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