Students from the Law Enforcement Engagement Program had an incredible hands-on learning experience during their visit to the State Police Aviation Unit and the Schenectady County Jail.
Participants toured the hangar and the jail, gaining a behind-the scenes look at the many roles within law enforcement. Experiences like this give our students a deeper understanding of career opportunities in law enforcement and the dedication it takes to serve our community. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this trip both educational and inspiring!
Participants toured the hangar and the jail, gaining a behind-the scenes look at the many roles within law enforcement. Experiences like this give our students a deeper understanding of career opportunities in law enforcement and the dedication it takes to serve our community. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this trip both educational and inspiring!




🗓️2026-2027: The Deadline is April 13
The Pre-K lottery application window is currently open, but it closes soon. To be included, you must complete your registration by Monday, April 13, 2026
📝 Eligibility Requirements
To apply, families must reside within the Schenectady City School District. Age requirements are as follows:
3-Year-Old Program: Child must be 3 on or before December 1, 2026.
4-Year-Old Program: Child must be 4 on or before December 1, 2026.
Note: Children already eligible for Kindergarten this fall are not eligible for the 4-year-old UPK program.
🗳️ How it Works
Admission is determined via a random lottery. During the application, families will have the opportunity to rank their preferred locations.
Lottery Draw Date: May 1, 2026
Post-Lottery Registration: Applications received after April 13 will be processed on an ongoing basis for any remaining spots.
🔗 Ready to Register?
Don't wait! Ensure your child has a chance at a spot by starting the process today.
👉 Click Here For More Information & to Register for the 2026-2027 UPK Program: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/prekindergarten
The Pre-K lottery application window is currently open, but it closes soon. To be included, you must complete your registration by Monday, April 13, 2026
📝 Eligibility Requirements
To apply, families must reside within the Schenectady City School District. Age requirements are as follows:
3-Year-Old Program: Child must be 3 on or before December 1, 2026.
4-Year-Old Program: Child must be 4 on or before December 1, 2026.
Note: Children already eligible for Kindergarten this fall are not eligible for the 4-year-old UPK program.
🗳️ How it Works
Admission is determined via a random lottery. During the application, families will have the opportunity to rank their preferred locations.
Lottery Draw Date: May 1, 2026
Post-Lottery Registration: Applications received after April 13 will be processed on an ongoing basis for any remaining spots.
🔗 Ready to Register?
Don't wait! Ensure your child has a chance at a spot by starting the process today.
👉 Click Here For More Information & to Register for the 2026-2027 UPK Program: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/prekindergarten

Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter! 🌷 Whether you’re hunting for eggs, sharing a meal with loved ones, or simply enjoying the spring day, we hope your Sunday is filled with joy, peace, and love.

Please click on the link to open Superintendent Dr. Cotto's update for this week: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/o/scsd/page/superintendents-update-april022026
Have a great weekend and recess .
We will see you on Monday, April 13.
Have a great weekend and recess .
We will see you on Monday, April 13.

One Day Left! 🎒
We’re almost to Spring Recess, but we aren't there yet. Let’s finish the week strong and show up tomorrow to make this final day count. We can’t wait to see everyone in school before we head out for the break.
#projectbehere
We’re almost to Spring Recess, but we aren't there yet. Let’s finish the week strong and show up tomorrow to make this final day count. We can’t wait to see everyone in school before we head out for the break.
#projectbehere

📅 Mark Your Calendars
Just a reminder that there will be no school on Friday, April 3 (Good Friday).
District offices will also be closed.
Spring Recess runs from April 6 through April 10.
Enjoy the time off, stay safe, and have a great recess. ☀️

SHS students have the opportunity to attend an immersive performance experience by Create A Space Now called The Head Of The Table, on April 27. Interested students must turn in a permission slip to attend, available in the A1 office.

Good morning, Patriots! Here is the link to our SHS Student Patriot Post: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vS7kEfisdhE8Zir7jplmVrTumZ_moiLWGWZXVtveJZT_VN5EKLqz6yi1ZVSlViKI8VXUt4dzkxWG_To/pub?start=true&loop=true&delayms=10000
Congratulations to the Schenectady High School team for taking first place in Friday's Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge
The Stock Market Challenge simulates 60 days of the stock market exchange in one morning. Teams of high schoolers work to build the strongest portfolios during the event, and the team with the highest portfolios at the end win some amazing prizes!
The students have been taking part in Junior Achievement's Take Stock in Your Future, which introduces students to investment concepts and how the market works during their business classes.
The Stock Market Challenge simulates 60 days of the stock market exchange in one morning. Teams of high schoolers work to build the strongest portfolios during the event, and the team with the highest portfolios at the end win some amazing prizes!
The students have been taking part in Junior Achievement's Take Stock in Your Future, which introduces students to investment concepts and how the market works during their business classes.

Please click on the link to open Superintendent Dr. Cotto's update for this week: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/o/scsd/page/superintendents-update-march-27-2026
Have a great weekend.
Have a great weekend.

Two SHS students who attend Capital Region BOCES CTE earned medals at the regional SkillsUSA competition on Wednesday, March 18 in Albany.
Brandon Rosa and Alijah Littman competed against their peers from Questar III and several other BOCES during a day filled with events. Alijah won the first place medal in the Extemporaneous Speaking contest and Brandon placed third in the Automotive Service Technology contest.
SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization serving more than 395,000 high school students. The organization promotes personal and professional growth and offers students the opportunity to compete at the local, regional, state and national levels.
Brandon Rosa and Alijah Littman competed against their peers from Questar III and several other BOCES during a day filled with events. Alijah won the first place medal in the Extemporaneous Speaking contest and Brandon placed third in the Automotive Service Technology contest.
SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization serving more than 395,000 high school students. The organization promotes personal and professional growth and offers students the opportunity to compete at the local, regional, state and national levels.




🎒 Is "School Refusal" Hitting Your Home?
Behind every "I have a stomachache" or missed bus, there is often a child or teen struggling with deep-seated anxiety. When school avoidance becomes a pattern, it’s rarely about being "difficult"—it’s about a nervous system that feels unsafe.
Common signs that it’s more than just a case of the Mondays:
* Physical symptoms (nausea, fatigue) that disappear on weekends or holidays.
* Intense distress during the morning routine or the night before school.
* Frequent calls from the nurse's office to come home.
* Withdrawal from friends or extracurricular activities they used to love.
What can you do?
* Validate, Don't Negotiate: Acknowledge that their fear feels real, even if the school environment is safe.
* Identify the "Why": Is it social anxiety, academic pressure, or sensory overload?
* Build a Bridge: Work with teachers and school counselors to create a "soft landing" (like checking in with a staff member) when they arrive.
You don’t have to navigate this journey in silence. Small steps forward are still progress. 🤍
#projectbehere
Behind every "I have a stomachache" or missed bus, there is often a child or teen struggling with deep-seated anxiety. When school avoidance becomes a pattern, it’s rarely about being "difficult"—it’s about a nervous system that feels unsafe.
Common signs that it’s more than just a case of the Mondays:
* Physical symptoms (nausea, fatigue) that disappear on weekends or holidays.
* Intense distress during the morning routine or the night before school.
* Frequent calls from the nurse's office to come home.
* Withdrawal from friends or extracurricular activities they used to love.
What can you do?
* Validate, Don't Negotiate: Acknowledge that their fear feels real, even if the school environment is safe.
* Identify the "Why": Is it social anxiety, academic pressure, or sensory overload?
* Build a Bridge: Work with teachers and school counselors to create a "soft landing" (like checking in with a staff member) when they arrive.
You don’t have to navigate this journey in silence. Small steps forward are still progress. 🤍
#projectbehere

Intent to Enroll for Kindergarten
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.
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.

Last week, the SHS Chamber Orchestra performed at the Empire State Plaza South Concourse in Albany as part of the New York State School Music Association's (NYSSMA) Music in Our Schools Month celebration. This statewide initiative held every March highlights the value and impact of music education by showcasing student ensembles from across New York. Upon their arrival, students were welcomed by Senator James Tedisco and Angelo Santabarbara. Congratulations on a wonderful performance!

Good morning, Patriots! Here is the link to our SHS Student Patriot Post: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vS7kEfisdhE8Zir7jplmVrTumZ_moiLWGWZXVtveJZT_VN5EKLqz6yi1ZVSlViKI8VXUt4dzkxWG_To/pub?start=true&loop=true&delayms=10000
Please click on the link to open Superintendent Dr. Cotto's update for this week: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/o/scsd/page/superintendents-update-march-19-2026
Reminder: No school and district offices are closed Friday in observance of Eid al-Fitr.
Reminder: No school and district offices are closed Friday in observance of Eid al-Fitr.

Mont Pleasant Middle School Women's
History Month Event
History Month Event
Family Literacy Programming at Mont Pleasant MS last Saturday.
Katy Perry taught us how to use drones & we were able to create stories & poems.
Katy Perry taught us how to use drones & we were able to create stories & poems.



Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, but it can come with a community. ❤️
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.
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.


Ready to build your future? 🔨 Join us for Apprenticeship Works Field Trip on March 24th! This is your chance to explore all building trades through direct interaction and hands-on experiences. See for yourself what these high-paying careers are really about!
📍 How to join: See your counselor or email Ms. Bristol at BristolL@schenectadyschools.org for a permission form.
📅 Deadline: Wednesday, March 18th
🍕 Bonus: Lunch is provided, but spaces are limited!
