Schenectady City School District

Thank you to Kathleen Moore from the Times Union for visiting the new Steinmetz Freshman Leadership Academy on opening day.

Read story here: https://www.timesunion.com/education/article/schenectady-opens-steinmetz-academy-freshmen-21028915.php

Welcome to a New School Year!

We are excited to welcome you to the first day of the 2025-2026 school year!

Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow, Thursday, September 4th, is the first day of school for all students in all grades.

We can't wait to see everyone tomorrow.

WELCOME BACK!!!!

Please click on the link to open Superintendent Cotto's welcome video message: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/superintendents-update-september-3-2025

We look forward to seeing all of our students tomorrow and wish everyone a great school year.

🎒Thank you to our community partners at County Waste for their generous donation of backpacks and school supplies for our students.

🚨 We're hiring! Join us at the SCSD Job Fair on Sept 17, 2025 | 2–4PM at 530 Liberty St, Schenectady, NY. Immediate interviews for Nurses, Teachers, Paraprofessionals & more! Walk-ins welcome—bring your resume! 🔗 schenectady.recruitfront.com/JobOpportunities

On this Labor Day, we celebrate the spirit of hard work that builds our communities. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of our entire district team, as well as the parents, caregivers, and community members who support our schools every day. It's the combined effort hat makes our district strong. Wishing everyone a restful and enjoyable day! #LaborDay2025 #CommunityStrong #Education

Starting September 1st, when you purchase a reusable community bag at Hannaford (Only at 333 Consaul Rd), $1 will be donated to the SCSD Educational Foundation. Your small act of sustainability directly supports local students by funding valuable academic opportunities. 🌱📖

Registration is open for After School Programs at the following schools:

* Hamilton
* Howe
* Keane
* MLK (Will be available soon)
* Van Corlaer
* Woodlawn
* Yates
* Zoller

Go here for your school info: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/article/2383057

📚More back to school event highlights from around the district this week. Thank you to all of the families who came out for orientations and BBQs.

📫 In your mailbox: Spotlight on Schenectady 24-25 📖This magazine shines a light 🔦 on the amazing accomplishments of students and staff from last school year, including: 🎓Class of 2025 🍎State Teacher of the Year 🤖SHS Combat Robotics

We are pleased share the following Appointment Announcements:

* John Pizzo, Principal of Pleasant Valle Elementary School

* Sara Straub, Assistant Principal of Big Picture Learning

More here: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/article/2382565

Join us every 4th Thursday this summer at Jerry Burrell Park in Schenectady, NY for Movies on the Hill—a free, family-friendly outdoor film series dedicated to building community through the arts. Presented by Narley Neighbors, this grassroots nonprofit event brings neighbors together with music by DJ A.R. Dollar, fun starting at 6:30 PM, and movies at dusk. Bring your blankets and chairs and enjoy this year’s remaining lineup: Godzilla x Kong TONIGHT, and Crooklyn on 9/25! 🎬🍿

We are holding a Family Information Session regarding the new Cell Phone Policy tonight, Thursday, August 28, 6 p.m. at the Family and Community Engagement Center, 530 Liberty St.

Jon us and learn about the policy, reasons for distraction-free schools, expectations, how to communicate, and ask your questions.

🎾 Community Open Tennis 🎾
📍Schenectady High School courts
🗓 Mondays and Wednesdays, 7 - 8 a.m.
*Excludes holidays

📢 Schenectady County Families: We want to hear from you!
Take the Countywide Food Access Survey and share your experience with getting nourishing, affordable food.

✅ Open May 28 – Sept 7, 2025
✅ Available in English, Spanish & Arabic
✅ Only 5 minutes to complete

Your input helps shape a stronger, more resilient local food system. 💪🥦

🔗 Take the survey: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=yuEE_v9oy0m9nYJxSeqSjWhkvTVwxT5Kl4vSIBdTS7BUQk4wMFI0NDVRNkRCREVPQk04V1ZUQVc0NS4u

Yesterday, Superintendent Cotto and Carl Mummenthey, Supt. of Niskayuna, shared the important work happening in our districts through our strategic plans at the Schenectady Rotary Club breakfast.

Highlights included:
🚧 Capital Project
🗣 Elevating Student Voice
✍🏽 My Brother's Keeper
🙏🏽 Collaborating with Proctors and Niskayuna Schools

You're invited to the Steinmetz Freshman Leadership Academy Open House & Orientation TOMORROW from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This special event welcomes all incoming freshmen and their families to meet Principal Justin Lansley, learn about his vision for the school year, and tour our brand-new facilities designed to support student success.🎓 To top it off, we’ll be hosting a cookout—so come hungry and ready to celebrate the start of an exciting new journey. We can’t wait to meet you and help you feel at home at Steinmetz!🌟

Here’s another Alumni Profile celebrating our first pillar: student and graduate success! 🌟 Meet Taylor Ciccarelli (DeThorne), SHS Class of 2009, who is now a High School Social Studies Teacher, Advisor, and Coach. Congratulations on all your accomplishments!

Board of Education Work Session
Wednesday, August 27
6:30 p.m.
530 Liberty St.

Meeting will be live-streamed. Link will be posted.