Schenectady City School District

Attention Parents! We know it can sometimes be challenging to figure out who to contact in SCSD when you have specific questions about your child and their needs. To make it easier and ensure the best possible support, please refer to our Who To Call page using the link below:

🔗 https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/who-to-call

🗓Save the date 🗓

On Thursday, October 9, our district will be hosting a community forum in partnership with Schenectady County, Schenectady Police Department, Ellis Hospital, and New Choices Recovery Center on the topic of substance abuse in the Schenectady community.

At this forum you will hear from students, district leaders, and health professionals around prevention, intervention and the challenges facing our youth today.

Full info here➡️ https://www.schenectadyschools.org/article/2437284

Question Submission➡️ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CqQOkMCT-HAZHen4PR6eTM5-G4hsdZ6w5s16KH-yHQc/viewform?edit_requested=true

Schenectady High School Culinary Arts students showcased their skills by catering Back to School Night at the High School and by serving staff lunch at the Freshman Academy. Great job guys! 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳

Please click on the link to open Superintendent Dr. Cotto's update for this week:
https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/superintendents-update-september-26-2025

Have a great weekend.

Check this out! Creative Changemakers in this program will develop actionable projects, build leadership skills, connect with peers and community leaders, showcase their work to wider audiences, and access support and resources to bring their visions to life. ⭐🧠

All residents of Schenectady 16 years old and above are welcome to apply!
Learn more and apply here🔗: bit.ly/ApplyCreativeChange
Rolling admissions begin October 1, and applications close on October 5th.

Interested in supporting Creative Changemakers as a coach, mentor, or other?
Please reach out to Elizabeth Walsh at ewalsh@schenectadyfoundation.org or 518-227-1827 to explore possibilities.

Schenectady City School District Vice President Nohelani Etienne Resigns from Board of Education

The Schenectady City School District Board of Education announced that Vice President Nohelani Etienne has resigned from her seat due to her family’s relocation outside of the city. Etienne, who has served on the board since 2020, was a significant voice in district governance and policy and a strong advocate for Schenectady's children.

Throughout her two terms, Etienne held key roles as a policy committee chairperson, a member of the cell phone ad hoc committee, and a member of the Teacher Center Policy Board. She was actively involved in the school community and served as a liaison to many schools.

More here: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/article/2449899

This week’s Passionate Person of the Week is Tyler O'Connor, a dedicated school counselor at MLK. We’re grateful for Tylers years of commitment and care for our students! Thank you, Tyler!

To learn more about the passionate people in our district and explore our strategic plan, visit this link: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/strategic-plan-2024-2030

#passionatepeople #SCSDstrategicplan ❤️💙

Early Dismissal Drill on Friday, October 3
This is a reminder about our upcoming annual "Go Home Early Drill," a practice required by New York State to ensure our School Emergency Management Plan is effective.

On Friday, October 3, 2025, all students will be dismissed from school 15 minutes early. The goal of this drill is to test our transportation and communication systems so they can operate smoothly in a real emergency.

More info: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/article/2446363

This week’s Teacher of the Week is Emoni Raysor! Emoni has been a dedicated special education teacher in the district for 6 years, and is now at SFLA. Emoni’s impact on our students and school community is truly beyond measure. Thank you for everything you do!

To learn more about the passionate people in our district and explore our strategic plan, visit this link: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/strategic-plan-2024-2030

#passionatepeople #SCSDstrategicplan ❤️💙

Staying connected is more important than ever! 📣

Don't miss out on important updates, emergencies, or school news. Please take a moment to ensure we have your most current phone number, email, and mailing address on file.

You can submit changes through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/campus-parent-portal

Congratulations to Parmesh Thakoordial, SHS Class of 2023, on being selected as a 2025–2027 Voyager Scholar through the Obama Foundation! The Voyager Scholarship, created by President Obama and Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, is a highly prestigious two-year program that awards nearly $40,000 in support, along with participation in a Fall Summit and access to the Obama Foundation’s leadership network.

Parmesh’s achievement reflects his dedication to public service and his vision for creating positive change. From summer programs at Stanford, Yale, and Harvard, to now joining a national network of future leaders committed to equity and service—his journey has been nothing short of inspiring. ⭐

https://www.obama.org/programs/voyager-scholarship/2025-2027/parmesh-thakoordial/

#studentandgraduatesuccess

Here’s another Alumni Profile celebrating our first pillar: student and graduate success! 🌟 Meet Alissa Marrero, SHS Class of 2014, who is now a Medical Social Worker at Albany Medical Center. Congratulations on your accomplishments!

Happy Rosh Hashanah! 🍎✨ This special holiday marks the Jewish New Year—a time of reflection, renewal, and fresh beginnings. Wishing all who celebrate a sweet and joyful year ahead. As a reminder, there will be no school tomorrow in observance of the holiday.

Just a friendly reminder: it's Elementary Back to School Night TONIGHT!

Join us to meet your child's teachers, see their classroom, and learn about the exciting year ahead. It's the perfect opportunity to get connected and build a strong foundation for a successful school year.

See you there!

Interested in programs at Proctors for acting, film, journalism, or digital media? Check out the Acting Academy and Media Lab — two exciting after-school opportunities for Schenectady City School District students in grades 6–8. Both programs run Monday through Thursday, October to May, from 3:30 to 5:30 PM, with transportation and snacks provided.

In Acting Academy, students dive into theatre, improv, and performance while building confidence and creativity. In Media Lab, students explore filmmaking, podcasting, and digital storytelling using professional equipment and editing software. Learn more or register at collaborativeschoolofthearts.org

Reminder: All SCSD schools and the district office will be closed tomorrow in observance of Rosh Hashanah. To all who celebrate, we wish you a joyful and meaningful holiday!

Please click on the link to open Superintendent Dr. Cotto's update for the week ending September 19, 2025

https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/superintendents-update-september-19-2025

Reminder that Back to School Nights are coming up.
This is a wonderful opportunity for you to meet your student's teachers, learn about the curriculum, and get a feel for their classroom environment.