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
🏫 Myth vs. Reality: Understanding School Receivership
There is a lot of talk about "receivership," but what does it actually mean for our students and our neighborhood?
The Short Answer: It’s not a "takeover. " It’s a step up in support. 🚀
*** You can learn more by attending or watching the livestream of the hearings being held this evening. Information here: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/article/2720238 ***
Think of receivership as an intensive, state-supported intervention. It’s a partnership designed to provide our schools with the "extra" they need to thrive. Here is how it actually works:
✅ It’s a Partnership, Not a Takeover
Receivership isn't about moving management away. It’s about bringing state-level resources closer. It connects our school with specialized funding, professional development, and technical experts to accelerate student improvement.
🛠️ Unlocking New Tools
Sometimes, the "old way" of doing things creates barriers. A Superintendent Receiver is granted special powers to cut through red tape and implement structural changes that make sense for our students.
🗣️ Community at the Center
One of the most important parts of this process is the Community Engagement Team (CET). This ensures that parents, teachers, and local leaders have a direct seat at the table. Your voice is the compass for every resource we deploy.
🌟 The Bottom Line
Receivership is a commitment to equity and an opportunity for a school unlock potential by receiving additional support.
We are moving forward, together. 🤝
We will be sharing more information as we move forward.
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
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.
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.
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
💖 Valentines for Vets took place this week at Pleasant Valley Elementary. Students created handmade cards, wrote messages to veterans from Schenectady and had a chance to personally deliver them.
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
Due to the winter storm and poor travel conditions forecasted through Monday afternoon, schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 26. Please be warm and stay safe.
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-23-2026
Have a great weekend.
Meetings will take place at Pleasant Valley Elementary but are open to all. The program will meet four consecutive Saturdays but families can sign up for any amount.
Click here to register https://docs.google.com/forms/u/0/d/1isvsydcrU1u4B-B6H4GItG5vtE7HTGEaMgD6-gbUBlQ/viewform?ts=69611299&edit_requested=true
Reminder: No school Monday in observance of MLK Day
**REMINDER**
There will be no school on Monday, January 19, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
As we honor Dr. King’s life and legacy, we encourage our school community to reflect on his message of equality, justice, and service to others.
