Spring swim registration is now OPEN! We are offering free swim lessons to SCSD Elementary and Middle School students. Help your child build confidence in the water at no cost.
🗓 When: Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays
📍 Where: Schenectady High School Pool
⏰ Format: Choose the time slot that works best for your family
💰 Cost: 100% FREE
Don’t wait—spots fill up fast! 🔗 Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdgsVo4orFK-mP_hH8TBE2k6YOc3u-5QFp4FCFnV0PwdTBHaQ/viewform
If you have a child who will be attending kindergarten in the Fall, please click on the link and complete the form :
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScI7vPBUxKBQSWHJcCUB31C8yDg4gR4cmfaRgJWMdp6HbLnNg/viewform
Note for UPK Families: If your child is currently enrolled in a district UPK program, you do not need to resubmit registration paperwork.
Reminder: No school and district offices are closed Friday in observance of Eid al-Fitr.
New Choices is offering FREE virtual classes designed to help you take an active, confident role in your child’s growth. Whether you're looking for new strategies or just a little extra support, these sessions are built to empower YOU.
Check out the flyers for additional details and instructions on how to join.
Thank you to all the families who joined us for Pre-K Information Night. It was wonderful to meet you and share more about our program.
We are accepting applications for our 2026–27 Pre-K programs through April 13.
For more information or to submit your application, please visit our enrollment page: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/prekindergarten
REMINDER: Please complete our family survey that was shared on 3/2/26. The deadline is this Friday.
As part of our state-supported Receivership status, we are conducting a comprehensive Needs Assessment. This process is designed to identify exactly what our students, teachers, and families need to thrive. To do this effectively, we need your input.
Your feedback will directly influence our Continuation Plan specifically in the areas of:
Instructional Resources: What tools do our classrooms need most?
School Climate: How can we make our buildings even more welcoming and supportive?
Attendance & Engagement: What barriers can we remove to ensure every student is present and learning?
Family Survey: https://tejoin.com/scroll/444134457
Family Survey - Lincoln
Thank you!!
👉 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
> 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.
Please travel safely
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🌸 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.
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
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
Dear Lincoln Families and Caregivers ,
As we move forward with our commitment to accelerating student success at Lincoln Elementary, we are entering a vital phase of our school improvement journey.
As part of our state-supported Receivership status, we are conducting a comprehensive Needs Assessment. This process is designed to identify exactly what our students, teachers, and families need to thrive. To do this effectively, we need your input.
Receivership provides us with a toolkit to operate differently and deliver results faster. However, to ensure our resources are distributed equitably and efficiently, we must ground our decisions in the real-life experiences of our school community.
Your feedback will directly influence our Continuation Plan specifically in the areas of:
Instructional Resources: What tools do our classrooms need most?
School Climate: How can we make our buildings even more welcoming and supportive?
Attendance & Engagement: What barriers can we remove to ensure every student is present and learning?
Please take a few moments to complete the survey linked below. It is confidential, available in multiple languages, and essential to our "Schenectady Success Story."
Family Survey: https://tejoin.com/scroll/444134457
Thank you to the parents, staff, and community members who joined us for the Receivership Public Hearings last night. Your engagement is the most important ingredient in our success! 🌟
As Superintendent Cotto shared, this designation is not a "takeover," but is a state-supported opportunity to bring "turbocharged" resources and flexibility to our students at Pleasant Valley and Lincoln Elementary.
Missed the meeting? We’ve got you covered. Visit our dedicated Receivership website to find:
✅ Full video recordings of the hearings
✅ Presentation slides and data
✅ FAQs and facts to dispel common myths
Our mission is to ensure every student thrives. Let’s continue this partnership!
🔗 https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/receivership
