WEEK ENDING January 12, 2024| VOLUME 3 ISSUE NO. 19

Superintendent's Brief

SUPERINTENDENT'S BRIEF

Good afternoon and happy Friday,

 I hope you are doing well and having a great week.

 As you know, my appointment as the Superintendent of Yonkers School District became official earlier this week. My work in Schenectady will end on April 30, 2024.

I want to thank each of you who reached out for your kind words, understanding, and well-wishes.  My time in Schenectady will always be special to me, and my decision to accept the position in Yonkers is bittersweet. I am incredibly proud of all the great work that we've been doing to move Schenectady forward and change the narrative of working in our district. While that work will continue, uncertainty and the unknowns cause frustration and anxiety. I'm sure, more than anything, most of you want to know what is next.

 President Rivera and the Board of Education have begun discussing how they will fill the superintendency. They will have a strong succession plan, and I know they will communicate that when it's determined and appropriate to do so. I intend to work closely with Board President Rivera, the board, and the district's next leader to help ensure a smooth and seamless transition.

 The bottom line is the goals for our district remain the same, and the work doesn't change regardless of who is at the top.  Student achievement and systemic improvement remain the priority.   Please remain committed to what you have been doing. We have fantastic and passionate people at every level of this organization.  We also have a talented Executive Leadership team that will continue to lead and support you and the work ahead. We will keep you updated every step of the way.

Thank you to all who participated in the Strategic Plan survey. We collected nearly 400 responses. Focus groups started this week. Tuesday's session which was postponed has been rescheduled for January 25. There are still five sessions remaining, including one tomorrow morning at Paige. You can still sign up for any of the remaining sessions which are as follows:

REMINDER

January 15
No School
Martin Luther King Day
District offices will be closed.

January 31
Second Quarter Ends

Saturday, January 13
10- 11:30 a.m.
Paige Elementary School

Wednesday, January 17
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Yates Elementary School

Thursday, January 18
6-7:30 p.m.
Hamilton Elementary School

Friday, January 19
10 - 11 a.m.
Virtual

Thursday, January 25
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Keane Elementary School

Click here to sign up for any of the focus groups.

Registration for STEAM Camp is open. It will be held over February recess, February 20-23 from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. each day. The camp is open to students in grades 1-5. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. The sites are:

  • Hamilton Elementary School (serving Hamilton and Van Corlaer students)

  • King Elementary School (serving King and Pleasant Valley)

  • Keane Elementary School (serving Keane and Lincoln)

  • Paige Elementary School (serving Paige and Woodlawn)

  • Yates Elementary School (serving Yates, Howe, and Zoller)

STEAM Camp Flyer

The Mobile Food Pantries are open to our families. Each of our elementary schools has a food pantry. Please contact your school's parent liaison to access the pantry which provides food for your entire family. If your child is in middle school or high school, please contact your school's parent liaison who will help connect you to the pantry closest to you.

Earlier this week, the Business Leadership Community at Schenectady High School held a school assembly with the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 7. Members of the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters met with 60 students at Schenectady High School to discuss the plumbing trade, projects, and career earnings.

In the spring of 2024, twelve seniors will be selected to attend a two-day camp at the Local 7 office where the students will engage in hands-on training and field experience. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students which can pique interest and open doors for opportunities and career options. We look forward to a continued partnership with the Plumbers and Steamfitters.

Photo: Plumbers and Steamfitters at SHS

Photo: Plumbers and Steamfitters

We are all about growing our own. If you would like to explore becoming a teacher or another career opportunity in our district, please reach out the Human Resources office. They are happy to help you get on track. We have resources and access to programs that make the process and path as easy as possible.

This week, paraprofessionals at Mont Pleasant Middle School came in to learn how they can become teachers.

Photo: Paraprofessionals meeting with HR

Congratulations to the following who were appointed tenure at the board of education meeting Wednesday. Tenure is a right that is earned following time, experience, oversight, and evaluation. Congratulations to the following:

  • Desmond O'Connor, Principal

  • John Pizzo, Instructional Supervisor

  • Leeann Dawley, School Social Worker

  • Jill Gandolfo, School Social Worker

  • Emmie Houghton, Speech

  • Obaroene Otitigbe, Art

  • Ryan Schuette, English

  • Megan Sellepack, School Media Specialist

The SCSD Athletic Hall of Fame Committee announced that the 2024 inductees will be James Thomas, Ray Johnson, and Tom Chestnut. The committee is planning a dinner and induction celebration for September 16. Learn more about the inductees and the Athletic Hall of Fame here. You can purchase tickets by contacting the chairperson Bob Pezzano at 518-346-9297.

Schenectady High School Key Club is sponsoring a blood drive on Wednesday, January 24 from 12-6 p.m. at Proctors. Those who donate will be entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII. To schedule an appoinment, go here and enter sponsor code "Proctors"

If you're looking for something to do this weekend there's a wrestling tournament at Schenectady High School starting at 7 a.m. For the complete athletic schedule, go here. Please come out and support our athletes.

Our school year is almost half over. The end of the second quarter will close on January 31. Please keep working hard. When I walk through our schools and classrooms, I see the relationships, impact and difference our faculty and staff members are making in the lives of their students every day.

Let's do everything we can to get those students who have fallen behind caught up and back on track for the new quarter on February 1. Any parents who have concerns about your children, please contact your child's teacher or principal. We are here to help and support you and your child.

Next week is a short week. Monday we will observe Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day which means there is no school. Consider attending one of the local events honoring Dr. King this weekend.

Have a great weekend. See you Tuesday.

Sincerely,

Anibal Soler, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools

Thanks to the Siena Sant Basketball Team for visiting Central Park Middle School on Monday.

Photo: Siena Basketball at Central Park

Photo: Siena Basketball at Central Park

Photo: Siena Basketball at Central Park

Congratulations and Welcome

The following were appointed by the Board of Education on January 10. If you are new to the district, "Welcome to Schenectady."

Administrative

  • Catherine Brown, Assistant Principal, Schenectady HS

  • Justin Lansley, Assistant Principal, Schenectady HS

  • Maggie Palmeri, Assistant Director of CTE & Secondary Programming, Central Office

Student Engagement & School Attendance Specialist

  • Latara Armstead, Central Office

Community School Coordinator

  • Ian Farmer

  • Kara Jenkins

  • William Kent

Substance Abuse Counselor

  • Jessica Brooke

Custodian

  • Lawanda Game, Van Corlaer

Groundsworker

  • Brandon Reedy

Substitute Cleaner

  • Tiffany Fields, Schenectady HS

Registered Nurse

  • Marrieya Ackerman, Oneida MS

Secretarial

  • Denise Richburg, IPS I, Central Park MS

School Safety Officer

  • Wilfredo Giboyeaux, Schenectady HS

Security Monitor

  • Chantel Providence-Douglas, Hamilton ES


Instructional

  • Tylar Barbato, CTE Business, Schenectady HS

  • Samir Benantar, Foreign Language, Schenectady HS

  • Alexander Cook, Math, Schenectady HS

  • Wendy Goyer, Special Education, Hamilton ES

  • Julie Mayo, Science, Schenectady HS

  • Dominic Meola, CTE Business, Mont Pleasant MS

  • Andrea Music, Lincoln ES

  • Moses Oscar, Social Studies, Mont Pleasant MS

  • Ryan Ross, Social Studies, Big Picture

  • Amy Stromes, English City As Our Campus

  • Melissa White, English As A Second Language, Schenectady HS

  • Nida Zaidi, Hamilton ES

Adult Education

  • Laura Blockder, ESL Night Adult Educator, WIEC

Atlas Tutors

  • Irina Krasteva, WIEC

  • Samantha Lilienthal, WIEC

Paraprofessionals

  • Dalini Ballie, Paige ES

  • Babina Jaigobin, Oneida MS

  • Daniel LaPointe, Zoller ES

  • Timonie Lee, Central Park MS

  • Zoila Nova, Mont Pleasant MS

Lunch Monitors

  • Shane Foss, Yates ES

  • Shane Hartley, Paige ES

  • Angela Patti, Van Corlaer ES

  • Mischa Richard, Van Corlaer ES

  • Janee Torres, Pleasant Valley ES

  • Khyara Williams, Paige ES

Substitute Paraprofessionals

  • Laura Bacheldro, Districtwide

  • Kailyn Caddie, Districtwide

  • Gina Carter, Lincoln ES

  • Issac Haynes, Paige ES

  • Tobias Holmes, Zoller ES

  • Selena Hoyt, Yates ES

  • Griselda Mazariego, Zoller ES

  • Angela Patti, Van Corlaer ES

  • Owen Rutnik, Districtwide

  • Nayanna Simmons, Districtwide

  • Lori Turner, King ES

Parent Liaisons

  • Griseida Mazariego, Zoller ES

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