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
Did you know that attendance habits formed in Pre-K and Kindergarten are one of the strongest predictors of a child’s success in later grades?
While it might seem like "just a day of play," every day in the classroom is a building block for your child's future.
Why Every Day Counts:
> Brain Power: Early literacy and math skills are taught in sequence. Missing one day can make the next lesson feel like a puzzle with missing pieces.
> Social Connections: Consistent attendance helps children build friendships and learn how to navigate social cues and teamwork.
> The "Success Habit": Showing up on time and ready to learn builds a routine that carries them all the way through high school and beyond.
> Language Development: Our classrooms are "language-rich" environments. Every hour spent at school exposes your child to thousands of new words and concepts.
Let’s work together to give our littlest learners the best start possible! 🎒✨
#projectbehere #schenectadyshowsup #attendance
While it might seem like "just a day of play," every day in the classroom is a building block for your child's future.
Why Every Day Counts:
> Brain Power: Early literacy and math skills are taught in sequence. Missing one day can make the next lesson feel like a puzzle with missing pieces.
> Social Connections: Consistent attendance helps children build friendships and learn how to navigate social cues and teamwork.
> The "Success Habit": Showing up on time and ready to learn builds a routine that carries them all the way through high school and beyond.
> Language Development: Our classrooms are "language-rich" environments. Every hour spent at school exposes your child to thousands of new words and concepts.
Let’s work together to give our littlest learners the best start possible! 🎒✨
#projectbehere #schenectadyshowsup #attendance
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
Small Steps, Big Futures: Attendance in Pre-K & Kindergarten 🎒✨
It might feel like "just play," but every day in Pre-K and Kindergarten is a building block for a lifetime of learning. When our youngest learners are in class, they aren't just playing—they’re discovering how to read, solve problems, and build friendships.
Why Every Day Matters for Little Learners:
Building Brain Power: Early literacy and math skills are taught through hands-on activities that can't be sent home in a folder.
Social Skills: School is where they learn to share, take turns, and follow routines—the "hidden curriculum" of life!
The Attendance Habit: Starting strong in Pre-K creates a "showing up" mindset that lasts all the way through graduation.
Did You Know? Students who attend school regularly in Kindergarten are much more likely to read on grade level by the 3rd grade.
We love seeing your child’s smiling face in school every day! 🍎
It might feel like "just play," but every day in Pre-K and Kindergarten is a building block for a lifetime of learning. When our youngest learners are in class, they aren't just playing—they’re discovering how to read, solve problems, and build friendships.
Why Every Day Matters for Little Learners:
Building Brain Power: Early literacy and math skills are taught through hands-on activities that can't be sent home in a folder.
Social Skills: School is where they learn to share, take turns, and follow routines—the "hidden curriculum" of life!
The Attendance Habit: Starting strong in Pre-K creates a "showing up" mindset that lasts all the way through graduation.
Did You Know? Students who attend school regularly in Kindergarten are much more likely to read on grade level by the 3rd grade.
We love seeing your child’s smiling face in school every day! 🍎
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
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
💗Students from Yates and Hamilton crossed social-emotional learning and Valentine's Day for a fun lesson. They listened to "A Little Spot of Love" and drew a picture of how they can show love at school.
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
🚨UPDATE
Power has been restored at Hamilton Elementary.
🚨 PLEASE READ - POWER OUTAGES
There are currently power outages at three district school buildings; Hamilton Elementary, Van Corlaer Elementary, and Steinmetz Freshman Leadership Academy.
National Grid is currently working on the issue and has estimated that power will be restored to the buildings by 12:45. At this time all students are inside and safe and there are no plans to dismiss early.
If the district is forced to dismiss that decision will be made by 10:30 a.m., please stay tuned.
There are currently power outages at three district school buildings; Hamilton Elementary, Van Corlaer Elementary, and Steinmetz Freshman Leadership Academy.
National Grid is currently working on the issue and has estimated that power will be restored to the buildings by 12:45. At this time all students are inside and safe and there are no plans to dismiss early.
If the district is forced to dismiss that decision will be made by 10:30 a.m., please stay tuned.
Sunday Storytime!
Ms. Brenenstuhl Reads Trouble With Trolls
Let us know what you think!
https://youtu.be/kSOf98yIrP0
Ms. Brenenstuhl Reads Trouble With Trolls
Let us know what you think!
https://youtu.be/kSOf98yIrP0
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.
