August 2024

 Dear Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers,

I hope you are having a relaxing and enjoyable summer and are looking forward to the start of the new school year.  It is with great pleasure that I welcome you back.  I also look forward to meeting and welcoming those of you who are new to our district.

 The first day of school is Thursday, September 5.

 School hours in 2024-2025 are as follows:

•  Elementary School (Pre-K through Grade 5):  7:45 a.m. – 2:40 p.m.

• Middle School (Grades 6-8):  8:25 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

• High School (Grades 9-12):  8:25 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Last year we launched a variety of new programs and opportunities including the continued expansion of the Secondary Redesign with Big Picture Schenectady, Early College High School at the SUNY Schenectady Center City Campus and Proctors.  The city has truly become our campus.  We continue implementation of our leadership communities with continued expansion of an array of extraordinary student-focused opportunities.  Our new Freshman Academy school building (formerly SCLA) is currently under construction.  We are excited about what is to come and will be planning the opening in 2025-2026.

 I am also happy to share that in this school year, we are launching the P-Tech Program for students at our Center City Campus.  P-tech grant funding has allowed us to create opportunities for students with pathways to technology fields, providing mentorship, training, worksite visits, and internships.  Our district was one of 12 districts awarded funding to create these opportunities for our high school students.  This program is in partnership with SUNY Schenectady, Ellis Medicine, and the Chamber of Commerce.

 Throughout the school year, the GEAR Up program will follow last year’s 8th graders into 9th grade and continue to provide support and resources to help ensure that students are prepared for high school and beyond.  GEAR Up offers resources and mentoring opportunities to all incoming 9th graders and their parents.  Whether you are looking for tutoring for your child, support or guidance or have questions, the GEAR Up team is available to you. 

 Please keep in mind that our six community schools are available to support all families in our district.  If you need food, clothing, assistance finding housing, childcare resources, legal support or help contacting social service, please your school’s parent liaison or stop into the community school that is closest to you.  The high school Parent Empowerment Center is also available and provides support to families.  The six community schools are as follows:  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School, William C. Keane Elementary School, Hamilton Elementary School, Paige Elementary School, Van Corlaer Elementary School (which is located at Fulton, 408 Eleanor St.) and Mont Pleasant Middle School.

I’m excited to share that soon we will be offering dual-language programming for students to start in kindergarten and eventually through grade 5.   A dual language program is one in which instructional time is divided between learning in two different languages (Spanish and English).  The program offers students the opportunity to become bilingual, biliterate and bicultural while improving academic outcomes.  We anticipate offering our first dual-language program in September 2025.  We will be holding informational meetings soon.  Please watch for more information.  We are extremely excited about providing this exciting opportunity to our elementary school students.  This serves as a pathway to earning a New York State Seal of Biliteracy in high school. 

Construction is taking place across the district to improve our learning spaces and school grounds as part of the Schenectady Revitalization Plan 2030.  We are very excited about the upgrades to schools across the district.  We realize this requires cooperation, understanding and flexibility among all of us.  We do apologize for any inconvenience.  Please keep in mind that it is temporary and will result in positive change.  In some places, school buildings must close temporarily.  For example, this year the Van Corlaer building will be closed, and the school is temporarily relocated to the former Fulton School building.  This will happen at various points and locations across the district as the construction moves along.  Please keep in mind that our goal is for our schools to become better learning environments for our children.  We will update you with any changes that might impact you.  Please be sure to check out the new field and track underway at Mont Pleasant and the upgrades to the tennis courts at Schenectady High School.  Both are incredible and upon completion, will serve the school community.

 I presented a draft of the SCSD 2024-2030 Strategic Plan to the Board of Education in July.  The drafted plan is posted on our website.  Once the plan is adopted by the board of education, we will begin sharing it out with everyone in our school community.  It is important for you to be aware of the plan and understand where our focus is.  We will reference the plan and the pillars within it throughout the school year.  The Strategic Plan defines where we want to go as a district and what actions we need to take to achieve those goals.  It’s a map of our district’s growth plan and how we will get there.  It also provides clear direction for decision-making, how we spend funding, and serves to provide accountability across the district.  We spent months collecting input from stakeholders in the community.   You can review the plan here.

We will again be providing school supplies for our elementary and middle school students.  The supplies will be waiting for students when they arrive on the first day of school.  High school students will be provided with a list of supplies that will be needed.

 Please review the enclosed packet which includes important information regarding the new school year including the 2024-205 snapshot calendar.  Please note that the Lunar New Year (January 29) has been added as an observed holiday.

 If you haven’t received information already, you should receive a welcome letter from your child’s school with any information specific to your child and their class.

 If you have any questions or concerns you can reach us 24 hours a day, seven days a week through Let’s Talk.  The link is on the right-hand side of our website www.schenectadyschools.org or you can text to 518-900-7318.

 Be sure that we have updated contact information, including your phone number and email address.

 Don’t forget to follow us on social media:  Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

 I look forward to seeing you and your children soon.

 Sincerely,

Dr. Carlos M. Cotto, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

All students in the Schenectady City School District are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch each school day.  The daily menu is available on our website and mobile app.

MEAL MODIFICATION

Please let us know if your child requires special dietary accommodations. Please click here to download the form.  The form must be completed and signed by a parent and physician.

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation will be provided to students who are eligible as follows:

• Students in grades Pre-K through 5 who attend school more than 1 mile from home.

• Students in grades 6-12 who attend school more than 1.5 miles from home.

• Disabled or special need students in accordance with recommendations from the Committee on Special Education.

Please be sure your contact information is up to date.  You will receive transportation information in the mail prior to the start of school.

 The district transportation office is open 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Phone number:  518-370-8103

 CODE OF CHARACTER, CONDUCT, AND SUPPORT

The District Code of Character, Conduct and Support is available at your child’s school and on the district website here.

 PARENT PORTAL

If you are not signed up for the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, please sign up now. You can sign up online. 

 MOBILE APP

Our mobile app can be downloaded from Apple or Google Play.  Search “Schenectady Schools”.  Once you download it, you will receive alerts and push notifications. Both the website and app provide translation in your language.   Go to settings and select the language of your choice from the “language preference” option. 

ROOMS

Stay in touch with teachers and receive class information from the district app.  Using the Schenectady app, you can easily switch from district and school information to Rooms where you can see your student’s classes and engage directly with teachers.

Rooms can be accessed via the web and our district app, which is available for free and can be used from both Apple and Android phones.  To access Rooms, you need login credentials. Parent resources are available here.   Please contact your child’s teacher or principal if you need assistance.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please be sure your contact information is always up to date.  We will be sending, notifications, reminders, news, and updates using push notifications, email, phone, and text messages.  It’s important that we can reach you.  Please contact your child’s school immediately if you need to update your contact information. When you receive notices and electronic alerts from us, you will see that you have the option to translate your message to any language.

 SCHOOL CLOSINGS AND DELAYS

When there is a school closing or delay, a notification will be posted on all the local media channels, our website, social media platforms, and through our mobile app.  We will also call, text, and email you any closing or delay information.

If there is a one-hour delay:

• The school day will begin one hour later than normal.

• Students who are transported will be picked up at the bus stop one hour later than normal.

• Breakfast and lunch will be served at school.

If there is a two-hour delay:

•  The school day will begin two hours later than normal.

• Students who are transported will be picked up at the bus stop two hours later than normal.

• Breakfast and lunch will be served at school.

CHILD FIND NOTICE

If you have concerns about your child’s physical, social, or academic progress, please contact your school principal.  If you suspect your child has a disability which adversely affects their educational performance and may require special education, please contact your child’s principal to make a referral to the Committee on Special Education.  If you have questions, please call 518-881-3413.

 REQUIRED VACCINATIONS FOR STUDENTS

New York State Public Health Law mandates that students enrolled in school must provide documentation that they have received all required doses of vaccines.  Please note that if your child needs any of the required vaccinations and your school has not received the required documentation within the first 14 days of school, your child will not be allowed to attend.  The 2024-2025 School Year NYS Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance are available here.

IF YOUR CHILD IS SICK

Please do not send your child to school if they are sick.  Please be sure that you have arrangements in place in the event your child needs to unexpectedly be picked up from school.

HEALTH EXAMS

Education Law Article 19 and Regulations of the Commissioner of Education requires public school students to have physical examinations as follows:

• Entering the school district for the first time and in grades pre-k, kindergarten, 2,4,7, and 10; and at any grade level at the discretion of school administration to promote the educational interest of the student;

• To participate in strenuous physical activity, such as interscholastic athletics;

• To obtain an employment certificate;

• When conducting an individual evaluation or re-evaluation of a student suspected of having a disability. or a student with a disability.

 ATTENDANCE

It is very important that children are in school every day (unless they are sick).  Please make every effort to ensure that your child comes to school on time.  If you are struggling to get your child to school, please call your school principal.  We have social workers and counselors who can help.  If your child is sick, please call your school nurse.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10 percent or more of school.  That comes down to 18 days in a school year.  Students who are chronically absent in pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade are much less likely to read at grade level by third grade.  Students between grades 8 and 12 who are chronically absent are seven times more likely to drop out of school.  Let’s work together to make sure your child is in school every day.

FAMILY EDUCATION RIGHTS and PRIVACY PROVISION (FERPA)

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), parents and students 18 and older may inspect official records relating to them including progress reports, grades, aptitude and achievement test scores, psychological tests, and teacher evaluations.

A record may be challenged if you believe it is inaccurate or misleading.  The district will not disclose information from student records without prior written consent of a parent or eligible student except as permitted by law.  A record of requests for information disclosures is maintained and may be viewed by those eligible.  Contact Student Support Services at 518-881-3806.

PUBLICITY OPT-OUT

Schenectady City School District programs, events, and activities involving students aresometimes covered in the news or shared in school and district print and electronic platforms including our website, mobile app, and social media sites.

You will receive a form from your child’s school to complete and send back if you do not give permission for your child to be included in any school or district print or electronic materials.  You only need to complete the form if you do not give permission.  This form is also available here.

 LET’S TALK

You can reach us through Let’s Talk at any time.  Submit your question, concern, or idea by going to our website and clicking on the Let’s Talk button on the right-hand side or by texting 518-900-7318 at anytime.