This past weekend, 53 middle and high school SCSD students were selected to participate in the SCMA All County Music festival. In addition, Joel Zombia, grade 7 CMPS, was selected as first chair Violist in the orchestra. Congratulations to all of our All County students!



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
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.

Happy Friday!
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.
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.

Van Corlaer: Empowering our students with real- world money skills through our partnership with First New York Federal Credit Union.
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-16-2026
Reminder: No school Monday in observance of MLK Day
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.

Pop Up Pantry for families of Van Corlaer
Tuesday January 20th @ Van Corlaer 2pm until supplies gone.
Bring your own bags!
Tuesday January 20th @ Van Corlaer 2pm until supplies gone.
Bring your own bags!

Please click on the link to open Superintendent Dr. Cotto's update for the week ending January 9: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/o/scsd/page/superintendents-update-january-9-2026

2026-2027 PRE-K INFO.
Big news for our littlest learners! Information regarding our Pre-K program for the upcoming school year is now available.
The Schenectady City School District offers a free, full-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program for eligible 3-year-old and 4-year-old children who reside in the district. Seats are limited and admission will be determined via a random lottery. Families will have the opportunity to rank order their preferred location.
Children must be district residents and meet the following age requirements:
UPK 3 Year Old Program: A child must be 3 years of age on or before December 1st of the year in which they are enrolled.
UPK 4 Year Old Program: A child must be 4 years of age on or before December 1st of the year in which they are enrolled. Children eligible for kindergarten in 2026–2027 are not eligible for the 4-year-old UPK program.
***2026-2027 UPK Registration***
The registration and lottery application for the 2026–2027 UPK program is now open. We are currently in the process of finalizing our UPK sites and the number of available seats. At this time, families should begin the registration process to ensure access to the lottery.
>> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ali-elZNF80y1T91mtqdZV2rXxtc8j5Ctv8cE4y04AA/edit?tab=t.0
Big news for our littlest learners! Information regarding our Pre-K program for the upcoming school year is now available.
The Schenectady City School District offers a free, full-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program for eligible 3-year-old and 4-year-old children who reside in the district. Seats are limited and admission will be determined via a random lottery. Families will have the opportunity to rank order their preferred location.
Children must be district residents and meet the following age requirements:
UPK 3 Year Old Program: A child must be 3 years of age on or before December 1st of the year in which they are enrolled.
UPK 4 Year Old Program: A child must be 4 years of age on or before December 1st of the year in which they are enrolled. Children eligible for kindergarten in 2026–2027 are not eligible for the 4-year-old UPK program.
***2026-2027 UPK Registration***
The registration and lottery application for the 2026–2027 UPK program is now open. We are currently in the process of finalizing our UPK sites and the number of available seats. At this time, families should begin the registration process to ensure access to the lottery.
>> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ali-elZNF80y1T91mtqdZV2rXxtc8j5Ctv8cE4y04AA/edit?tab=t.0


MBK Early Readiness Program
Open to 3 and 4 year olds
See flyer for details!
Register here>> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePS1yXXDYypaI4A5pObj-u_1gmwkk9MFMNTY4HY5Uj2lq5Xw/viewform
Open to 3 and 4 year olds
See flyer for details!
Register here>> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePS1yXXDYypaI4A5pObj-u_1gmwkk9MFMNTY4HY5Uj2lq5Xw/viewform

Good morning! January 2026 Regents week is fast-approaching! Please see the attached letter and transportation information to ensure you and/or your child are prepared for success.
The SHS Hiking Club will be holding a Chipotle Fundraiser on Sunday, February 1 from 4-8 pm at the Chipotle on Balltown Rd. in Schenectady/Niskayuna.

Reading is more than a skill—it’s a superpower. 📚
Literacy is the foundation of all learning. When we encourage a love for reading, we aren't just teaching a child to decode words; we are giving them the keys to explore new worlds, develop empathy, and think critically about the world around them.
Whether it’s a bedtime story or a high school novel, every page turned is a step toward a brighter future. Let’s keep our community reading.
#LiteracyMatters #ReadMore #SchenectadyReads
Literacy is the foundation of all learning. When we encourage a love for reading, we aren't just teaching a child to decode words; we are giving them the keys to explore new worlds, develop empathy, and think critically about the world around them.
Whether it’s a bedtime story or a high school novel, every page turned is a step toward a brighter future. Let’s keep our community reading.
#LiteracyMatters #ReadMore #SchenectadyReads

Good morning, Patriots! And Happy New Year! 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
Welcome Back and Happy New Year
We hope you all had a wonderful, restful holiday break and enjoyed some quality time with family and friends. It is hard to believe that 2026 is already here.
As we prepare to head back into the classroom, let’s make a commitment to start the new year off right. Let's all start 2026 by being here and having consistent attendance for the remainder for the school year. Being present every day ensures that students stay engaged, keep up with their lessons, and remain connected to our school community.
Important Reminder: First day back is Monday, January 5
We are so excited to see everyone’s faces again and to dive into all the great things we have planned for the coming months. Let’s make this our best year yet.
We hope you all had a wonderful, restful holiday break and enjoyed some quality time with family and friends. It is hard to believe that 2026 is already here.
As we prepare to head back into the classroom, let’s make a commitment to start the new year off right. Let's all start 2026 by being here and having consistent attendance for the remainder for the school year. Being present every day ensures that students stay engaged, keep up with their lessons, and remain connected to our school community.
Important Reminder: First day back is Monday, January 5
We are so excited to see everyone’s faces again and to dive into all the great things we have planned for the coming months. Let’s make this our best year yet.

Please click on the link to open Superintendent Dr. Cotto's holiday video message: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/o/scsd/page/superintendents-holiday-message-december-23-2025
We wish you a wonderful holiday, happy new year, and fantastic recess.
We wish you a wonderful holiday, happy new year, and fantastic recess.

The first annual SHS Tri-M Music Honor Society's Winter Concert food drive collected over 150 non-perishable food items to help our community. Tri-M President Alahna Brown and Vice President Devyn Flaherty delivered the donations to Street Soldiers in downtown Schenectady this weekend ahead of their weekly gathering. Thank you to everyone who helped make the food drive a success!



Parent-Principal Chats are when parents,
caregivers, and school leaders meet monthly as
thought partners to learn from each other and
exchange ideas about student learning and
school improvement. The chats are a two-way
dialogue whereby families and the principal
listen, learn, solve problems, and share
information with each other.
caregivers, and school leaders meet monthly as
thought partners to learn from each other and
exchange ideas about student learning and
school improvement. The chats are a two-way
dialogue whereby families and the principal
listen, learn, solve problems, and share
information with each other.

SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE
Please click on the link to open Superintendent Dr. Cotto's update for this week: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/o/scsd/page/superintendents-update-december-19-2025
Please click on the link to open Superintendent Dr. Cotto's update for this week: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/o/scsd/page/superintendents-update-december-19-2025

