As part of our strategic plan, we're excited to announce Ashleigh Caster as our Teacher of the Week! 🎉 Ashleigh is one of many passionate educators in our district, and we’re so grateful for her the past 18 years teaching 1st grade at Hamilton! #passionatepeople
Our next Top 10 student feature is Jasper Sendra! To learn more about Jaspers reflections, achievements at SHS, and his future plans, click the link to read his featured article. Congratulations, Jasper!🎓https://www.schenectadyschools.org/article/2215452
Schenectady student Mohamed Shahabuddeen and his mother Elizabeth Christina Mendonca were highlighted in SUNY Schenectady’s President’s Newsletter for their outstanding accomplishments. Find out what makes their story so inspiring below!
When Elizabeth Christina Mendonca crosses the stage during SUNY Schenectady’s 55th Commencement, her son Mohamed Shahabuddeen won’t be cheering for her from the audience, he’ll be wearing his own cap and gown among this year’s graduates, waiting for his name to be called as well. Mother and son are both members of the Class of 2025 with Elizabeth earning her A.A. degree in Liberal Arts and Mohamed his A.S. degree in Mathematics and Science.
Elizabeth decided to take another step in her career after working as a Paraprofessional at William C. Keane Elementary School in Schenectady for the past 11 years. She is a wife and mother of four children, working full time while going to school, taking her courses mostly online. Elizabeth plans to transfer on for her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Elementary Education to become an elementary school teacher. As for the future, “I’m excited about having that degree and then saying, ‘I’m a teacher. That’s my superpower!’ ”
Mohamed is a Smart Transfer student in the Early College High School program, graduating with both his diploma from Schenectady High School and his college degree. With a love for space, Mohamed plans to transfer to Siena College in the fall to major in Aeronautical Engineering with the career goal of one day working for NASA. He volunteers with the 15-Love program and has been a participant in Schenectady’s Rise High STEM program since he was in sixth grade. “I’m looking forward to becoming independent. Being able to travel the world is something I would like to do,” he shared.
As part of our strategic plan, we proudly recognize Nelida Rosario as our Passionate Person of the Week! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to this district, Nelida!⭐ #passionatepeople
Get ready for liftoff! 🚀 Join us at Mont Pleasant TOMORROW from 4:30–6:00 PM for a fun evening at the NASA STEM Fair! Experience the excitement of student innovation with projects like the NASA Engineering Design Challenge and SEAPERCH robots!
SHS Key Club and The Commencement Group will sell flowers and gifts at graduation on June 26. Pick up online orders at our booth near the entrance before the ceremony. Link to Order: https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/schenectadyhs/ 💐💐💐
Here’s more about this week’s SHS Top 10 Student, Raymond Franco! Raymond was recently highlighted in SUNY Schenectady’s President’s Newsletter for his outstanding accomplishments. Find out what makes his story so inspiring below!
Raymond Franco’s dream of becoming an engineer began with his “obsession with trains” when he was a young boy. As a student at Zoller Elementary School, he loved it when engineers and scientists from GE would come into his classroom and talk about their careers. So, when the opportunity to be a Smart Transfer student in the Early College High School Program came about to study science, he jumped at the opportunity to earn his college degree while he was still in high school. He will graduate with dual A.S. degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics & Science in August and graduate with his diploma from Schenectady High School in June. This fall, Raymond will pursue his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Boston University. He has earned a full scholarship to BU through the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship.
A member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Raymond is also in the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) and he and his friends developed a “taser tank” that they debuted during STEM Day last semester. After graduation, he will start an internship with STEAM Garden and AgileRadioCom in Albany, working on projects related to software defined radios.
Career Goal: Either research or entrepreneurship.
What are you excited about in the future? “I feel really good about transferring after SUNY Schenectady. The Smart Transfer program has prepared me more than enough for my experience at a four-year university. I’m looking forward to studying at BU and looking forward to working at internships.”
Join us for the Ring of Hope Boxing Club’s Bingo Fundraiser TOMORROW from 5:30-7:30 PM! Enjoy a fun night of prizes and memories while supporting a great cause. Your participation helps provide young men and women with healthy self-defense and community opportunities! 🎉
This month is Mental Health Awareness Month 💚🧠 — Here is more information on how on how you can support a classmate or friend who is struggling. Remember, you are never alone in this, reach out to a trusted adult if you feel you need support for yourself or your friend.
Our next Top 10 student feature is Raymond Franco! To learn more about Raymonds reflections, achievements at SHS, and his future plans, click the link to read his featured article. Congratulations, Raymond! 🎓 https://www.schenectadyschools.org/article/2215442
We’re excited to share the next phase of our secondary report card redesign, which introduces “Ownership of Learning”—a set of academic behaviors that support content mastery. This update includes a proposed grading rubric that outlines how these behaviors will be assessed. Check out the graphics for more details, and if you have any questions, feel free to submit them through Let’s Talk: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/let-s-talk
Get ready for an exciting afternoon of health and wellness at the SCSD 2025 Annual Employee Wellness Fair TOMORROW! 🎉 All SCSD employees are invited to bring their families and explore over 75 vendors offering everything from nutrition to mental health resources!
Today is a day to remember and honor the fallen. Let us take a moment to reflect on their courage. We are forever grateful for their service and sacrifice.
#memorialday
Experience the unexpected with SURPRISE! 🎭—a series of bold, student-written plays from SHS John Sayles School of Fine Arts. Join us May 30–31 for the incredible performances!
Teamwork in action at the Community Schools Conference! 🚸 We highlighted the Walking School Bus and kept the momentum going with collaborative efforts to strengthen both our working and school communities.
🎓 Yesterday, our ECHS students were celebrated by staff and friends in honor of their graduation TODAY! Here are some special moments from the celebration. We are so proud of all they’ve accomplished over the past four years, and we know their future is shining bright! 🌟
Our next Top 10 student feature is Krystal Ragubir! To learn more about Krystal’s reflections, achievements at SHS, and her future plans, click the link to read her featured article. Congratulations, Krystal! 🎓 https://www.schenectadyschools.org/article/2215413
Please click on the link to open Superintendent Cotto's update for this week: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/o/scsd/page/district-update-may-22-2025
REMINDER: Schools and district offices will be closed Friday, May 23 and Monday, May 26.
Have a great weekend.
As part of our strategic plan, we're excited to announce Lisa Longe as our Teacher of the Week! 🎉 Lisa is one of many passionate educators in our district, and we’re so grateful for her the past 22 years teaching elementary music! #passionatepeople
As part of our strategic plan, we proudly recognize Lamar Larkin as our Passionate Person of the Week! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to this district, Lamar!⭐ #passionatepeople
