We’re halfway there! Since the week is winding down, being here for the rest of it is absolutely essential. Finish strong and stay on top of your goals by showing up for the remainder of the week. Remember the more time you miss, the easier it is to fall behind. Do yourself a favor by staying consistent and getting the work done—you’ve got this! ⭐
Parents and guardians, if you need support motivating your child to attend school, please reach out to your student’s teacher, counselor, or your school’s attendance specialist. Click the link to learn more about why attendance matters:
https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/projectbehere-attendance-matters
#projectbehere #SchenectadyShowsUp #EveryDayCounts
SHS Game Night This Friday, April 17th , 5:30 pm in Cafe
Entrance FA wing
Entrance FA wing
📢 ATTENTION COMMUNITY PARTNERS! 📢
Schenectady School District and ACT NOW need your help to launch Every Day Counts—a new initiative to fight chronic absenteeism and help our students thrive!
Chronic absenteeism is a community-wide challenge. We’re calling on business, faith, and community leaders to join us for a two-part training on how to support student success.
📝 RSVP HERE: forms.gle/2KzeWDeDh6Y1QhaZA
Save the Dates:
Part I: Virtual Orientation 💻
When: April 16th | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84389649732?pwd=gVUgjouNM5ATX0U90UeFSImUEIFQAc.1
Meeting ID: 843 8964 9732
Passcode: 438379
Part II: In-Person Training 🤝
When: April 28th | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: 120 Emmons St., Schenectady (Family Investment Center)
Note: 90-minute session; light dinner provided!
Schenectady School District and ACT NOW need your help to launch Every Day Counts—a new initiative to fight chronic absenteeism and help our students thrive!
Chronic absenteeism is a community-wide challenge. We’re calling on business, faith, and community leaders to join us for a two-part training on how to support student success.
📝 RSVP HERE: forms.gle/2KzeWDeDh6Y1QhaZA
Save the Dates:
Part I: Virtual Orientation 💻
When: April 16th | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84389649732?pwd=gVUgjouNM5ATX0U90UeFSImUEIFQAc.1
Meeting ID: 843 8964 9732
Passcode: 438379
Part II: In-Person Training 🤝
When: April 28th | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: 120 Emmons St., Schenectady (Family Investment Center)
Note: 90-minute session; light dinner provided!
Good morning, Patriots! Here is the link to our SHS Student Patriot Post, accessible through your student account: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vS7kEfisdhE8Zir7jplmVrTumZ_moiLWGWZXVtveJZT_VN5EKLqz6yi1ZVSlViKI8VXUt4dzkxWG_To/pub?start=true&loop=true&delayms=10000
Welcome Back, Schenectady! 🎒
We hope everyone had a restful and rejuvenating Spring Recess. We’ve missed our students, and we’re ready for a fantastic final stretch of the school year!
Success starts with being here. Let’s start the week strong. We can't wait to see everyone in class today.
# projectbehere #SchenectadyRising #AttendanceMatters #WelcomeBack
We hope everyone had a restful and rejuvenating Spring Recess. We’ve missed our students, and we’re ready for a fantastic final stretch of the school year!
Success starts with being here. Let’s start the week strong. We can't wait to see everyone in class today.
# projectbehere #SchenectadyRising #AttendanceMatters #WelcomeBack
We Can’t Wait to See You Tomorrow 🌸
We hope our students, families, and staff had a wonderful and restful Spring Recess. It’s time to gear up for the final stretch of the school year.
Success starts with being here. Let’s start the week strong by arriving on time and ready to learn tomorrow, Monday, April 13.
#projectbehere #SCSDStrong #AttendanceMatters #WelcomeBack
We hope our students, families, and staff had a wonderful and restful Spring Recess. It’s time to gear up for the final stretch of the school year.
Success starts with being here. Let’s start the week strong by arriving on time and ready to learn tomorrow, Monday, April 13.
#projectbehere #SCSDStrong #AttendanceMatters #WelcomeBack
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!
