Please click on the link to open Superintendent Dr. Cotto's update for the week ending March 6, 2026: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/o/scsd/page/superintendents-update-march-06-2026
Want to give your child a 1.8-million-word head start? 🚀 It’s easier than you think!
👉 Point as you go: Trace the words to bridge the gap between sounds and symbols.
🖼️ Talk about the art: Ask "What happens next?" to build those critical thinking muscles.
😊 Keep it fun: 10 minutes of joyful reading is better than 30 minutes of "forced" practice.
The 20-Minute Rule: Reading just 20 minutes a day exposes a child to nearly 1.8 million words per year. That is a massive head start.
#schenectadyreads #literacyiskey
👉 Point as you go: Trace the words to bridge the gap between sounds and symbols.
🖼️ Talk about the art: Ask "What happens next?" to build those critical thinking muscles.
😊 Keep it fun: 10 minutes of joyful reading is better than 30 minutes of "forced" practice.
The 20-Minute Rule: Reading just 20 minutes a day exposes a child to nearly 1.8 million words per year. That is a massive head start.
#schenectadyreads #literacyiskey
💡 Tips for a Smooth Morning:
> Prep the night before: Lay out clothes and pack backpacks together.
> Early to bed: A consistent sleep schedule makes waking up much easier.
> Talk it up: Use positive language about school to get your child excited for the day.
The Big Goal: We want to see our students every day!. If your family is facing challenges getting to school , please reach out. We are here to partner with you.
> Prep the night before: Lay out clothes and pack backpacks together.
> Early to bed: A consistent sleep schedule makes waking up much easier.
> Talk it up: Use positive language about school to get your child excited for the day.
The Big Goal: We want to see our students every day!. If your family is facing challenges getting to school , please reach out. We are here to partner with you.
Happy Holi to all in the Schenectady community who celebrate.
Due to weather and road conditions, all after-school activities and events are cancelled for today, March 3.
Please travel safely
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Please travel safely
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🗓️ MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Upcoming Dates
🌸 Wednesday, March 4: No School
All schools and the District Office will be CLOSED in observance of Phagwa/Holi . We wish a vibrant and joyful celebration to all in our community celebrating the Festival of Colors!
🏫 Friday, March 6: Half Day (Pre-K–5)
There will be a Half Day for all students in grades Pre-K through 5 due to Parent-Teacher Conferences.
🌸 Wednesday, March 4: No School
All schools and the District Office will be CLOSED in observance of Phagwa/Holi . We wish a vibrant and joyful celebration to all in our community celebrating the Festival of Colors!
🏫 Friday, March 6: Half Day (Pre-K–5)
There will be a Half Day for all students in grades Pre-K through 5 due to Parent-Teacher Conferences.
📖 Literacy: The Foundation of Everything
When we read to our youngest learners, we aren't just teaching them to recognize letters. We are building the architecture of their minds. Early literacy is the single greatest predictor of academic success across all subjects, including math and science.
Why Early Reading Matters:
> The Vocabulary Gap: By age 3, children who are read to regularly have heard millions more words than those who aren't. This "word wealth" makes it easier for them to understand complex ideas later on.
> Brain Wiring: Literacy experiences literally strengthen the neural pathways in the brain responsible for language processing and emotional intelligence.
> Empathy and Worldview: Books allow children to "walk in someone else's shoes," helping them develop social-emotional skills and an understanding of the world beyond their front door.
> Confidence: Children who enter first grade with strong pre-literacy skills (like holding a book correctly or identifying rhymes) feel more confident and less frustrated as lessons get harder.
#literacy #read #schenectadyreads
When we read to our youngest learners, we aren't just teaching them to recognize letters. We are building the architecture of their minds. Early literacy is the single greatest predictor of academic success across all subjects, including math and science.
Why Early Reading Matters:
> The Vocabulary Gap: By age 3, children who are read to regularly have heard millions more words than those who aren't. This "word wealth" makes it easier for them to understand complex ideas later on.
> Brain Wiring: Literacy experiences literally strengthen the neural pathways in the brain responsible for language processing and emotional intelligence.
> Empathy and Worldview: Books allow children to "walk in someone else's shoes," helping them develop social-emotional skills and an understanding of the world beyond their front door.
> Confidence: Children who enter first grade with strong pre-literacy skills (like holding a book correctly or identifying rhymes) feel more confident and less frustrated as lessons get harder.
#literacy #read #schenectadyreads
Over winter break, Mr. Sangaré from CMPS, and Mr. MBodj from SHS, led 8 Schenectady High School students on a transformative educational experience in Dakar, Senegal.
Students engaged in immersive learning that connected them history and culture. During the trip, students visited major cultural and historical sites, including Goree Island and the slave house. Students also participated in an academic exchange day at two local high schools in Dakar.
Please click on the link to open Superintendent Dr. Cotto's update for this week: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/o/scsd/page/superintendents-update-february-27-2026
🎒 Immediate Pre-K Openings! 🎒
Looking for a spot for the current school year? We have a limited number of immediate openings in our Pre-K program for the remainder of the 2025-2026 School Year! Register now by clicking on the link below.
>> https://schenectady.infinitecampus.org/campus/apps/olr/application/login/kiosk-app-type
Questions? Student Registration Office, (518)-881-3771
Looking for a spot for the current school year? We have a limited number of immediate openings in our Pre-K program for the remainder of the 2025-2026 School Year! Register now by clicking on the link below.
>> https://schenectady.infinitecampus.org/campus/apps/olr/application/login/kiosk-app-type
Questions? Student Registration Office, (518)-881-3771
Schenectady schools will open on a two-hour delay today, Monday, February 23 .
Classes will begin two hours later than normal.
Bus Pick-up: Scheduled stops will occur 2 hours later than the usual time.
A Message to Our Families: Our Schools are Safe Havens
In the Schenectady City School District, the safety and well-being of every student is our highest priority. We recognize that recent conversations and events surrounding immigration can create uncertainty, and we want to take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the children and families we serve.
Our Commitment to You:
* Safe Learning Spaces: Our schools will remain protected environments focused on growth and education.
* Inclusive Environment: We are dedicated to ensuring every student, regardless of background, feels secure and supported.
* Established Protocols: We have clear procedures in place to protect the integrity of our school buildings as safe spaces for all.
We are proud to serve the diverse families of Schenectady. Together, we ensure that Everybody Counts.
🔗 For more information on our district policies and support, visit: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/community-support-and-resource-center
In the Schenectady City School District, the safety and well-being of every student is our highest priority. We recognize that recent conversations and events surrounding immigration can create uncertainty, and we want to take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the children and families we serve.
Our Commitment to You:
* Safe Learning Spaces: Our schools will remain protected environments focused on growth and education.
* Inclusive Environment: We are dedicated to ensuring every student, regardless of background, feels secure and supported.
* Established Protocols: We have clear procedures in place to protect the integrity of our school buildings as safe spaces for all.
We are proud to serve the diverse families of Schenectady. Together, we ensure that Everybody Counts.
🔗 For more information on our district policies and support, visit: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/community-support-and-resource-center
Attention 7th and 8th graders! It is time to get ready for the modified spring sports season!
⚾ Baseball (Boys)
🥎 Softball (Girls)
🏃 Track and Field (Girls/Boys)
🏈 Flag Football (Girls)
🎾 Tennis (Girls/Boys)
Need help getting signed up? Join Coach Yaco and Coach Sanchez for in-person sign ups
📍 Where: Central Park Middle School – Main Lobby
📅 Date: February 24th, 2026
🕓 Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Open to ALL middle school students
⚾ Baseball (Boys)
🥎 Softball (Girls)
🏃 Track and Field (Girls/Boys)
🏈 Flag Football (Girls)
🎾 Tennis (Girls/Boys)
Need help getting signed up? Join Coach Yaco and Coach Sanchez for in-person sign ups
📍 Where: Central Park Middle School – Main Lobby
📅 Date: February 24th, 2026
🕓 Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Open to ALL middle school students
Ramadan begins this evening and continues through the evening of March 19. Wishing all in the Schenectady community who celebrate a peaceful and productive Ramadan.
🏮 Happy Lunar New Year! 🏮
Wishing our community a year filled with prosperity, longevity, and new beginnings. As we welcome the Year of the Horse, may your spirit be as strong and your pace as swift as you chase your goals in 2026.
🧧 Wishing You:
Good Fortune: May your hard work be rewarded.
Great Health: Strength and energy for the journey ahead.
Peace: A harmonious home and a focused mind.
Happy New Year! 🧧✨
#LunarNew Year #YearOfTheHorse #Prosperity #NewBeginnings #Celebration
Wishing our community a year filled with prosperity, longevity, and new beginnings. As we welcome the Year of the Horse, may your spirit be as strong and your pace as swift as you chase your goals in 2026.
🧧 Wishing You:
Good Fortune: May your hard work be rewarded.
Great Health: Strength and energy for the journey ahead.
Peace: A harmonious home and a focused mind.
Happy New Year! 🧧✨
#LunarNew Year #YearOfTheHorse #Prosperity #NewBeginnings #Celebration
Register for Spring 2026 Sports now!
🔗 https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations/schenectady-city-school-district-athletics
Register for JV/Varsity: February 9–March 9
Register for Modified (Grades 7–8): February 9–March 16
Tryouts begin March 9 for JV/Varsity and March 16 for Modified.
Baseball (Modified, JV & Varsity)
Boys & Girls Lacrosse (Modified, JV & Varsity)
Girls Flag Football (Modified & Varsity)
Softball (Modified, JV & Varsity)
Boys Tennis (Varsity)
Boys & Girls Tennis (Modified)
Boys & Girls Track & Field (Modified & Varsity)
Unified Basketball
Unified Cheerleading
Unified Sports joins students with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. Schenectady students in grades 9–12 can be on Unified Sports teams.
🔗 https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations/schenectady-city-school-district-athletics
Register for JV/Varsity: February 9–March 9
Register for Modified (Grades 7–8): February 9–March 16
Tryouts begin March 9 for JV/Varsity and March 16 for Modified.
Baseball (Modified, JV & Varsity)
Boys & Girls Lacrosse (Modified, JV & Varsity)
Girls Flag Football (Modified & Varsity)
Softball (Modified, JV & Varsity)
Boys Tennis (Varsity)
Boys & Girls Tennis (Modified)
Boys & Girls Track & Field (Modified & Varsity)
Unified Basketball
Unified Cheerleading
Unified Sports joins students with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. Schenectady students in grades 9–12 can be on Unified Sports teams.
Click on the link to open Superintendent Dr. Cotto's update for the week ending February 6, 2026: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/o/scsd/page/superintendents-update-february-06-2026
Please click on the link to open Superintendent Dr. Cotto's update for this week: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/o/scsd/page/superintendents-update-january-30-2026
Due to the frigid temperatures and wind chill forecasts, all Schenectady City schools will operate on a two-hour delay tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 30.
The journey starts here! We are hosting a Pre-K Information Night to help Schenectady families navigate the Universal Pre-K (UPK) process for the upcoming school year.
Join us to learn about: ✅ The Lottery: How our placement process works. ✅ Registration: What documents you need to get started. ✅ Transportation: How we get our youngest students to school safely. ✅ Learn about our community-based UPK sites
We know starting school is a big milestone. Our team will be there to answer every question and ensure you feel confident and ready.
📅 March 10 ⏰5:30 p.m. 📍 530 Libery St.
Please RSVP by March 3
Click on this link to RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1k6e4rI74nJJsKOXzVdsAikg1YmtJQbm1vIn7qvMchms/viewform?edit_requested=true
#SchenectadyRising #PreK #SCSD #FutureScholars #EarlyChildhoodEducation
Join us to learn about: ✅ The Lottery: How our placement process works. ✅ Registration: What documents you need to get started. ✅ Transportation: How we get our youngest students to school safely. ✅ Learn about our community-based UPK sites
We know starting school is a big milestone. Our team will be there to answer every question and ensure you feel confident and ready.
📅 March 10 ⏰5:30 p.m. 📍 530 Libery St.
Please RSVP by March 3
Click on this link to RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1k6e4rI74nJJsKOXzVdsAikg1YmtJQbm1vIn7qvMchms/viewform?edit_requested=true
#SchenectadyRising #PreK #SCSD #FutureScholars #EarlyChildhoodEducation
