Pleasant Valley Elementary School

Join us for food, festivities, and fun! Don't miss the SchenEquity Community Block Party Thursday, June 19 11 a.m. 530 Liberty St.

Please see attached- we are having a pop-up farmer's market at Pleasant Valley Tuesday June 17th from 2:20-3:00 pm.

UPDATE Due to the weather forecast tomorrow (Tuesday), we are postponing the Unified PE event. The new date is Monday, June 16. (Earlier we posted that the reschedule date is June 17 but due to Regents testing, we moved it up to June 16). Sorry for any confusion.

Please see the attached flier regarding a pop-up Farmers Market at Pleasant Valley on June 17th.

FREE Summer Swim Lessons available for SCSD elementary & middle school students. See flyer for dates. Foillow link to sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMnPQT1zcp1ITfHqY43N36JyqOw6CLw46TFuiWR63lAyJIiw/viewform

Please click on the link to open Superintendent Cotto's update for this week: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/o/scsd/page/district-update-june-6-2025 Have a great weekend.

COMMUNITY NOTE: Learn to Skate Programs this summer See flyer here: https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2760/SCSD/5723102/Learn_to_Skate.pdf

The Schenectady Ole Timers Baseball Club will be running a Baseball Clinic for Sch'dy kids ages 7-12 on July 7 & 8 .  The clinic is free & offers high level instruction. Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6PqfkW0963NTOEGlwgA-elVTGnqWXRc1HetvOT7IkkggoKg/viewform

Please click on the link to open Superintendent Cotto's update for the week ending May 30. https://www.schenectadyschools.org/o/scsd/page/district-update-may-30-2025 Have a great weekend.

Today is a day to remember and honor the fallen. Let us take a moment to reflect on their courage. We are forever grateful for their service and sacrifice. #memorialday

Please click on the link to open Superintendent Cotto's update for this week: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/o/scsd/page/district-update-may-22-2025 REMINDER: Schools and district offices will be closed Friday, May 23 and Monday, May 26. Have a great weekend.

Distraction-Free Policy (Cell-phones) As you probably have heard, Governor Hochul recently announced a cell phone restriction must be implemented in all schools in New York State beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. The "distraction-free policy" requires schools to implement bell-to-bell restrictions on phones throughout the school day. A team of our district leaders have been discussing this very topic for several months but with the state mandate we are required to have a plan ready for implementation by the start of the next school year. We will share much more information coming soon and will have an ongoing communication plan with all the details before the end of this school year and over the summer leading up to the start of the next school year. “New York was the first state to target addictive social media feeds — and now we’re the largest state to restrict smartphones in schools throughout the entire school day,” Governor Hochul said. “I know our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling — and that’s why New York continues to lead the nation on protecting our kids in the digital age.” Governor Hochul pursued this initiative after engaging in a statewide listening tour with teachers, parents, and students, and gathering findings to support the need for greater cellphone restriction in our schools. Her report "More Learning, Less Scrolling: Creating Distraction-Free Schools" includes: Smartphones distract students and inhibit learning and creativity. Phone-free environments do not compromise student safety. Phone-free environments support the mental health of students and teachers. Open communication and direct guidance for all stakeholders is key for successful implementation. Schools must address any parent concerns about staying in contact with their children during the day. An effective distraction-free policy must focus on the entire school day, rather than solely on time in the classroom. Schools can strengthen their distraction-free environment by connecting more students with in-person engagement like clubs, sports, arts and other programming. Again we will be sharing much more information, including our district's plan for implementation.

Results of Schenectady City School Budget Vote and School Board Election: Budget Passed * 681 Yes votes * 113 No votes Cathy Lewis and Vivian Parson were re-elected to three-year terms on the Board of Education Thank you to Schenectady voters!

🗳 Annual budget vote and Board of Ed election - Polls are open now! 🚫 No tax levy increase 🏛 The budget supports the four pillars of the Strategic Plan 🗣 Two Board of Education seats are open More info here ➡️ https://www.schenectadyschools.org/article/2180253

Please click on the link to open Superintendent Cotto's update for this week: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/o/scsd/page/district-update-may-16-2025 Have a great weekend.

We are aware of the swatting calls taking place across the region. We realize that you may have seen these posts from other areas. Our local police are also aware . Fake threats have serious consequences. If you see posts with any kind of threat, please report it.

Distraction-Free Policy (Cell-phones) As you probably have heard, Governor Hochul recently announced a cell phone restriction must be implemented in all schools in New York State beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. The "distraction-free policy" requires schools to implement bell-to-bell restrictions on phones throughout the school day. A team of our district leaders have been discussing this very topic for several months but with the state mandate we are required to have a plan ready for implementation by the start of the next school year. We will share much more information coming soon and will have an ongoing communication plan with all the details before the end of this school year and over the summer leading up to the start of the next school year. “New York was the first state to target addictive social media feeds — and now we’re the largest state to restrict smartphones in schools throughout the entire school day,” Governor Hochul said. “I know our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling — and that’s why New York continues to lead the nation on protecting our kids in the digital age.” Governor Hochul pursued this initiative after engaging in a statewide listening tour with teachers, parents, and students, and gathering findings to support the need for greater cellphone restriction in our schools. Her report "More Learning, Less Scrolling: Creating Distraction-Free Schools" includes: Smartphones distract students and inhibit learning and creativity. Phone-free environments do not compromise student safety. Phone-free environments support the mental health of students and teachers. Open communication and direct guidance for all stakeholders is key for successful implementation. Schools must address any parent concerns about staying in contact with their children during the day. An effective distraction-free policy must focus on the entire school day, rather than solely on time in the classroom. Schools can strengthen their distraction-free environment by connecting more students with in-person engagement like clubs, sports, arts and other programming. Again we will be sharing much more information, including our district's plan for implementation.

🗳 On Tuesday, May 20, residents of the Schenectady City School District will vote on the proposed $295,514,615 budget for the 2025-26 school year. 📈 This represents a $17,782,846 or 6.4% increase in spending 🚫 No tax levy increase for a seventh consecutive school year 🏛 The budget reflects the district's goals and supports the four pillars of the Strategic Plan ☑️ Since there is no tax levy increase, a simple majority is required for the budget to pass 🗣 Residents will also select two members to the Board of Education. ⏰ Polls are open from noon to 9 p.m. If you are unsure of where to vote, click here ➡️ https://nb.findmypollplace.com/schenectadyCSD/AmIRegistered.aspx?language=en

Just a reminder, all students in grades 3-5 will be taking the New York State Math Test tomorrow and Thursday (5/7 and 5/8). We need your assistance with making sure students are coming to school on time and are present both days. We appreciate the support provided for ELA testing!!!

REMINDER: The 2025-2026 Budget Hearing will be held on Wednesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. at 530 Liberty St. The BOE work session will immediately follow the hearing. Both will be live-streamed. Live-stream link: https://www.youtube.com/live/2TsFCBtClZ4