Congratulations to Phuong Tran and Nick Zelkowitz, two Schenectady teachers who were recently selected for the state's Master Teacher Program. Throughout the four year program, Master Teachers receive a stipend, engage in peer mentoring and participate in professional development opportunities. The program appointees were honored at an event held at the University at Albany. SUNY Chancellor John King, Jr. said, "The New York State Master Teacher Program celebrates outstanding educators who make a significant impact on their students and the school districts they serve." Congratulations also to Danielle Budlong who was accepted into the program last fall and started in January 2023.

As you know, Tuesday was a full day of professional development experiences for all district faculty and staff. Our staff had access to a wide menu of opportunities, hands-on workshops, and keynotes, tailored to each person's role in the district. These included sessions on literacy and other curriculum areas, grading, attendance, hands-on music and keynote presentations by James Moffett, Billy Green (NYS Teacher of the Year), Yaribel (from Gholdy Muhammad's Hill Pedagogies), Korey Collins (Works at the Ron Clark School with Michael Bonner) and more. I wish to offer a huge thank you Dr. Lorenda Chisolm, Carmella Parente and the Office of Teaching and Learning, Shannon Tahoe and her team in Human Resources, Andrea Tote-Freeman and the Student Support Services team, and all involved in planning a fabulous day for our staff. Thank you to those who presented sessions and are committed to helping your colleagues grow. Thank you to all of our faculty and staff for embracing these opportunities and continuing to learn and grow. You are much appreciated.

We still have openings for cleaners and custodians, security monitors and school safety officers, secretaries and paraprofessionals. We will be holding a Job Fair on Tuesday, November 14 from 4-6:30 p.m. at Oneida Middle School. Please stop by and learn more about the positions, what they offer and if you might be a good fit for our team. We will hold on-site interviews and are hiring now.

We hope that you have been using "Rooms, our two-way parent-teacher communication app. Download our district app to access Rooms. If you need support or need to reset your Rooms password, please go here.

Our Gear Up Team is looking for input from 8th graders and their parents. If you are an 8th grader or parent of an 8th grader, please click here to learn more and to access the surveys.

Gear Up is also holding a Family Game Night on November 17 from 5-7 p.m. at Mont Pleasant Middle School. All eighth graders are invited to attend.

Don't miss the upcoming art show in the Butzel Gallery at Schenectady High School. "David Austin: A One Person Group Show" will be on display November 13 - December 22. The opening reception will be held November 29 from 3:30-6:30 p.m.

The Blue Roses Theatre Company presents "Love/Sick" November 16-18 in the William. W. Ziskin Black Box Theater at Schenectady . See poster for times and ticket information.

Please save the date and plan to attend "Schenectady's Right to Read"event scheduled for December 11 from 5-7:30 p.m. at Proctors. This is an important event to bring awareness to everyone's constitutional right to read and a campaign designed to bring the community together to do everything we can collectively ensure all children can read.

At this event we will show the powerful "Right to Read" film which highlights the importance of reading and the challenges that schools and communities across the country are facing as we work to address a literacy crisis. We will be asking our school community to step up and collaborate with us on this important initiative.

Refreshments will be served at 4:30 p.m. We thank The Education Trust New York and Curriculum Associates for their partnership and support with this event.

Register to attend here or by scanning the QR code below.

Winter sports start next week. Click here for the schedule for tryouts.

A Board of Education work session will be held Wednesday, November 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Mont Pleasant Middle School Schenectady Room. An update on our Revitalization Plan will be presented. There will also be a presentation on the Generation Fusion Program.

November 12 is Diwali, a religious Hindu holiday and festival. Diwali is known as the festival of lights and is considered one of India's most celebrated holidays. It symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance." I wish those who celebrate a "Happy Diwali."

There is no school and district offices are closed tomorrow in observance of Veterans' Day. Veterans Day is a day of honor for all who have served in the U.S. military. Please join me in thanking all who have served.

Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,

Anibal Soler, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools

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

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