Schenectady City School District

📚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.

Join us for an Information Session on the New Cell Phone policy Tuesday, August 26, 9 a.m.
This will be a virtual session. Here is the link to join: https://meet.google.com/wnf-msgx-tmg?authuser=2

Learn about the policy, expectations, communication & ask questions!

👟Community Open Track👟 📍 Schenectady High School ⏰ Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 - 8 a.m.

📢 Attention Families! 📢 ¡Atención Familias! 📢 انتباه العائلات! Registration is now open for the 21st Century Afterschool Program, running October 14, 2025 – May 29, 2026. Students will enjoy tutoring, STEAM projects, arts, sports, field trips, family events, and more! Sign up today and give your child new opportunities to learn and grow. Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOv5NC-M2FUS2jplPhrpy18P-0xa2WcOI0HQWqTH8aWNGinA/viewform

You're invited to the Steinmetz Freshman Leadership Academy Open House & Orientation on Wednesday August 27th, 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!🌟

The District currently has openings in our UPK program! To get started, please complete the form below and select your home attendance zone for placement. Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevOTOIuVQRYAuBVqlTk4exy9NLv3gRpf7lhILFx1EE7HLxhg/viewform A member of our registration team will contact you with available options. For more details about the programs themselves, follow this link More Info: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/prekindergarten

🍎 The Schenectady City School District's annual Administrative Retreat is taking place at The Landing Hotel this week. This two-day event brings our district leaders together to collaborate, learn, and strengthen their leadership skills to better serve our students, staff, and families. On the agenda: ✨ Restorative Justice Education (RJEd): Building a Culture of Care for school leaders and administrators. 📘 Leadership Handbook: Guidance and tools to support effective leadership across our schools. 📱 Cell Phone Policy Discussion: Ensuring consistent expectations that foster focused and distraction-free learning environments.

The first day of school for all students in grades Pre-K - 12 is Thursday, September 4. All students will have full days of school on September 4 & September 5. Back to School Information: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/2025-2026-welcome-back-from-superintendent-cotto

Attention Mount Pleasant Middle Schoolers - Orientation is right around the corner! 6th Grade Orientation: August 26th & 27th 7th Grade Orientation: August 28th 8th Grade Orientation: August 28th Check the flyers for exact times and RSVP below! We can’t wait to welcome you to an amazing new school year! 6th https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyxn1QdOIL57ZLifXDVw21hJyJ6JQ_mDKgIeiH34cYj2kLqw/viewform 7th https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPdYUj5_hlaAl7uTiH3Mgd9i_DjAb2jaNppx9WThnwZgn-5g/viewform 8th https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5xd77P8XH_qj6KrNdPdy7veE9ePkaWL4JvqCCfRBeQFUBDg/viewform