The goal of the changes would be to allow students to demonstrate unique skills and interests while maintaining rigor and high standards. The recommendations include civic responsibility (ethics), cultural competence, financial literacy education, fine and performing arts, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) credits, and writing, including writing skills for real-world scenarios.

The presentation to the Board of Regents includes this portrait of a wholly-rounded graduate.

The recommendations include creating a state rubric for performance-based assessments, and creating specific, tailored graduation requirements to address the unique circumstances of students (non-compulsory age students, new students, refugees etc.), ensuring access to career and technical education (CTE) internships and work-based learning opportunities. Again, these are opportunities that we have in place in our district.

The commission suggests moving to a model that organizes credit requirements into larger categories and providing exemptions for students with significant cognitive disabilities, major life events and extenuating circumstances such as medical conditions, death of a family member or trauma.

The recommendations also call for the requirement that all state teacher preparation programs provide instruction in culturally responsive-sustaining education (CR-SE) practices and pedagogy as well as, a requirement that professional development plans include CR-SE. This is a strength of our district and something that we already do.

The state graduation initiative began in February 2019. Later that year it was announced that there would be a comprehensive and inclusive review of the current requirements with reconsideration of what a diploma should signify to ensure educational excellence and equity for every student. The commission was made up of a variety of stakeholders who developed and voted on the recommendations that were presented to the Board of Regents this week. Input from parents and students was considered in the development of the proposal. According to the commission report, this is reflected in the review of assessment flexibility as parents expressed the need for students to have flexibility in choosing courses and program option that align with interests, career aspirations, and learning styles.

Between now and the spring, the Regents will determine priorities and develop an implementation plan for changes.

I will keep our school community updated as we move forward.

This seems like the right place and opportunity to provide information on our upcoming 8th grade Information Sessions as students and parents start thinking about high school. The sessions will provide information on the programs, opportunities including the freshman academy and leadership academies and pathways, offered at Schenectady High School. The flyer below includes the schedule of the sessions which will be held at each of the middle schools and one at Schenectady High School.

Last night I was a participant on a panel, sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, about understanding the consequences of book banning and the impact in a modern society. This is an important topic that needs to continue to be discussed. This event was held at the Albany Public Library.

Earlier this week Schenectady High School Principal Dennis Green, Mr. O'Meally, Mr. DiCaprio, and I met with prospective student representatives interviewing for a student seat on the Board of Education. The students were amazing. Having a student representative and student voice on the board is important to us.

The architects and construction team provided an update on the work that is being done as part of our Revitalization Plan at Wednesday's Board of Education Work Session. At this time, all projects are running on time. The tennis courts at the high school and outdoor athletic facility at Mont Pleasant Middle School are both underway. The courts are expected to be completed by June 2024 and the track and field at Mont Pleasant are expected to be completed by August 2024.

The team also provided updates on early phase projects including the emergency parapet project completed at Hamilton and emergency sewer line replacement completed at Mont Pleasant Middle School as well as security, playgrounds at four schools and the district office relocation to what will soon become our new Family Engagement Center at 530 Liberty Street. The Human Resources Office moved to the new location last weekend. We have a phase-in plan for our district offices that serve our families including registration, transportation and family engagement services and then other central office departments. It will be a process between now and the start of the new year. I will keep you updated. There are photos and more information in the presentation.

Everyone in our school community is invited and encouraged to attend our "Schenectady's Right to Read" event scheduled for December 11 at Proctors GE Theater. This is the launch of our campaign and call to action. A reception will be held from 4:30-5 p.m. followed by a screening of the film "Right to Read," a discussion about the reading crisis and how everyone can help. Refreshments will be served. Please register to attend here. You can watch a film trailer and learn more about the initiative here. Please join us in this effort, help spread the word and share the flyers.

Our district's strategic plan expires at the end of the current school year. We are currently beginning the process for collecting input and feedback for the development of our next plan which would be aligned to our 6-year revitalization plan. Following the Thanksgiving holiday we will be launching a survey and holding focus groups open to all students, faculty and staff, parents, and community for participation. I will be providing more but wanted to give a heads up and do hope that everyone will share their thoughts and ideas. Our strategic plan is our vision of success and is what guides our work.

Two of our departments published their November newsletters this week. Please be sure to take a look at the Restorative Practices Newsletter and the Office of District Initiatives, Planning and Accountability Newsletter. Both newsletters have a wealth of information and include important updates.

I want to provide another reminder about food accessibility. We work with community providers to offer food pantries in all our elementary schools. Parents can access the food pantry by contacting your school parent liaison. The lists of liaisons was included in the the last community schools newsletter. Mobile food pantries run on two week schedules at each school. The days are as follows and the pantries are open 1:45 - 2:45 p.m. No appointment needed.

The Atlas Tutoring Program is need of tutors. You do not need to be a certified teacher to tutor. If you have a 4-year degree you are invited to apply. Tutoring takes place in person during the day or after school. Any district teacher who is interested, please contact Maria DeNovio. Anyone who does not currently work as a teacher in our district should complete an application here.

I recently mentioned the partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region. You may have learned in the news this week that the pilot program began this week with third graders from Zoller and Yates. The students are getting to know and are determining common interests with the student mentors from the high school. The third graders will be matched up with high schoolers based on their personalities and interests. This is an exciting program. We know that mentorship is important. Thank you to Big Brothers and Big Sisters and all involved for providing this opportunity.

It's hard to believe but this week is the second quarter marking period began. While the end of a marking period gives an indication of a student's progress and achievement, it's also a fresh start for students even if the first quarter didn't go as well as hoped. Students should know course and class expectations and should work with teachers to meet their goals for the next quarter. The end of a marking period is a good time to reflect and review what's on track and what isn't. Treat it as a new beginning while encouraging and reinforcing good habits that worked and helping students develop new ones that will help get them where they need to be. If you are a parent and have concerns about your child, please schedule a meeting with your child's teacher as soon as possible. It's important to schedule and attend parent-teacher conferences where you can learn about how your child is doing and how you can help at home. You can find the Report Card Schedule here.

Check out this holiday parade preview from the SHS Musical Program and Collaborative School of the Arts at Proctors. Check us out in the parade tomorrow night, 5 p.m. downtown!

Hamilton Elementary School's float was featured on Channel 10's preview of the parade. Their float looks amazing. Be sure to look for it tomorrow night in the parade. Click on the story link to access the video. The Daily Gazette posted a video of the students asking Jimmy Fallon to join them in the parade. You can watch that video here.

Next week is a short week with the Thanksgiving holiday. Students don't have school Wednesday through Friday. District offices will be closed Thursday and Friday.

Have a great weekend. The holidays can be a stressful time of year. Please take time to relax and always remember self-care.

Sincerely,

Anibal Soler, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools

🕯Happy Diwali from our SUNY Schenectady County Community College Early College High School scholars who celebrated Diwali on Monday with their classmates and teachers. Watch the student performances in the video below.

Students from Paige Elementary School's Energy for the Common Good after-school STEM program presented their project on fusion to the Board of Education Wednesday evening. The pilot program serves to inspire students to pursue STEM as a pathway to college and the workforce.

It was Pie Time this week in the SCLA Culinary Arts Baking and Pastry/Culinary Classes. Every student made a cream filled pie and apple pie this week. They learned how to make a single and double pastry dough as well as a cream and fruit filling for pie. Next week, each student will make a pie to take home and share with their families for Thanksgiving.

Ms. Franklin’s first grade class at Van Corlaer enjoys a visit from the book mobile. The book mobile visited as the class wrapped up their first E.L.A. (Wit and Wisdom) unit, where they learned all about mobile libraries and how people around the world get books. 

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

PREVIOUS BRIEFS: For the index of Volume 1, 2 and 3 briefs click here.