March 2024

Our mission is to provide an equitable, supportive, and student-centered learning environment where all students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

From the Principal's Desk

This month, we proudly celebrate Women's History Month, a time to honor the remarkable contributions of women throughout history. From pioneers in science and literature to leaders in social justice and advocacy, women have played an integral role in shaping our world. Let's take this opportunity to inspire our young people with stories of resilience, courage, and achievement.

As we hit the midway point of the third quarter, I want to highlight the significance of student attendance, positive behavior, and parent collaboration in shaping our students' academic success. Your continued support and engagement are invaluable.

As we approach the final stretch of the academic year, I urge our seniors to remain focused and diligent. Graduation is on the horizon, and now is the time to ensure you have ordered your cap and gown and are diligently working towards meeting graduation requirements, including earning necessary credits, Regents, completing college applications, turning in your Financial Aid documents, and preparing for any career opportunities that await you.

While the arrival of spring may tempt us to venture outdoors, it's essential to remember that we are a closed campus. Only seniors with a senior privilege card may leave the building for lunch. Unauthorized absences disrupt learning and hinder academic progress.

Remember, attendance is key to success. National standards indicate that attendance below 95% is concerning, equating to more than 10 days out of school. Let's come together to provide our students with the best possible education by ensuring they arrive promptly to school and class.

Let's make this quarter one of growth, achievement, and celebration as we continue to support and uplift our school community. Be sure to check out our Patriot Post for up-to-date information pertaining to Schenectady High School.

Check out our Patriot Post!

Our Patriot Post airs daily on hallway TVs and is distributed at the start of the first period. Moreover, it is shared via parent emails. The Patriot Post is a valuable resource for students and parents, delivering regular updates on school happenings, including upcoming events, academic opportunities, club activities, cultural celebrations, and more.

SHS Students respond to Essential Questions:

What brings you joy? How do you express yourself best? Who are some important women that you look up to?

Building Improvement Plan

Looking for a quiet space to enjoy your lunch time? Check out these options!

A message for graduating seniors from SUNY:

Updates from our Leadership Communities

Freshman Academy

Phil Weinman, Academy Principal
Kargsia McDuffie, Assistant Principal
Charles Paravella, Assistant Principal

Congratulations to our 77 students who achieved 2nd quarter honor roll! All honor roll students were celebrated on Friday last week. Students were able to enjoy some food, received their Patriot Pass and had an opportunity to meet with representatives from our “Rise High” partners.

We would also like to congratulate all of our students that demonstrated an increase in their Iready reading scores. We will be celebrating our scholars with an ice cream social to be held Monday, March 4th.

On Tuesday, March 26th, the Freshman Academy will be hosting a family information event, to discuss student achievement, building supports and available community resources. This is the most critical part of the year, therefore I want to ensure parents and students have all of the information they need for a successful transition to 10th grade. We would love for all of you to be a part of this if possible. The event will run from 4:00-5:00 in the Auditorium.

Humanities, Communications, & Advocacy Leadership Community

Jocelyn Hoffmann, Humanities Principal
Justin Lansley, Assistant Principal

Congratulations to HCA student Sheyenne Harris, who has been selected for the League of Women Voters of Schenectady County 2024 Students Inside Albany Conference!! Thank you, Ms. DiMezza, for sharing!

Shout out to Jane Kitch-Willis and Dylan Slater who represented Schenectady High School on February 13th at the Poetry Out Loud Regional competition at HVCC. Jane took First Place, and will be advancing to the state competition to be held at FIT in NYC on March 9. Thank you to Ms. Dempf for leading these students to success!

Join us for our inaugural Chinese New Year event on March 5th in the SHS cafeteria, led by Ms. Dong! Activities will include arts & crafts, traditional Chinese instrument performances, martial arts demonstrations, and more! Welcome to the Year of the Dragon!

Mr. Randel has been incorporating current events into his Social Studies classes for the last three and a half years. This has been done through CNN10 with Coy Wire and most recently through the World from A to Z with Carl Azuz. One of the segments that they do on their shows is to shout out a school/teacher and their classroom. So, after three and a half years he finally received a shout out! Link to Broadcast

*(Shoutout is at the 8 minute 30 second area of the video)*

Check out our Featured Student & Teacher, Elizabeth Horvath and Ms. Russinko! Details below...

Click this link to join our Google Classroom: HCA Google Classroom

STEM Leadership Community

Dave Preston, STEM Principal
Corie Hart-Nelson, Assistant Principal

On Friday March 1st, the STEM LC will be hosting our Quarter 2 Honor Roll Luncheon. Congratulations to all of the students who made the honor roll during Quarter 2.

Check out our Featured Student and Featured Teacher below!

Take a look at our Google Classroom here: STEM Google Classroom

Youth Summit Opportunity

The Youth Summit is meant to support the youth in community engagement. We aim to support them in thinking of ways they could improve their communities and bringing those ideas to fruition by means of writing a grant to the Neighborhood Foundation Challenge so that their idea(s) can become a reality. They will gain self-development, perspective growth in how they view community, and a sense of contribution and that their voices count and have the power to make change.

Location: Proctors Theater

Date: Wednesday March 20th

Time: All Day

Registration Required: See details below

Business, Marketing & Entrepreneurship Leadership Community

Ady Piña, Business Principal
Daniel Hepp, Assistant Principal

Take a look at our Google Classroom here: BME Google Classroom

Visual & Performing Arts Leadership Community

Jason Belknap, VPA Principal
Catherine Brown, VPA Assistant Principal

The Blue Roses Theatre Company is excited to announce their spring musical--Emma: A Pop Musical by Eric Price. Based on Jane Austen's classic novel, Emma, a senior at Highbury Prep School, is certain she knows what’s best for her classmates’ love lives and is determined to find the perfect boyfriend for shy sophomore Harriet by the end of the school year. But will Emma’s relentless matchmaking get in the way of finding her own happiness? This jukebox musical features the hit songs of legendary girl groups and iconic female singers including The Supremes, Whitney Houston, Katy Perry, Avril Lavigne, Shania Twain, and more! Performances will take place in the SHS Auditorium on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, March 7th, 8th, & 9th at 7:00pm. Please note, there is no matinee performance. Tickets are $5 for General Admission, $2 for Senior Citizens, and free for SCSD students and staff. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Student Mural in Process: FA Staircase, designed and produced by Lilly Van Wormer.

You can also check out our Google Classroom here: VPA Google Classroom

Class Code: phr5dzk

Early College High School & SSFA Musical Theatre Program

Christopher Chank, Principal

Check our our Google Slides here: Early College High School & SSFA Musical Theatre Program

Steinmetz Career & Leadership Academy (SCLA)

Kirk Wilkinson, Principal
Michele Manners, Assistant Principal

Visit our website here: SCLA Website

Meet Our Instruction and Curriculum Administrators

Coordinator of Student Support Services at SHS

Mrs. Carolyn Manzella

The Coordinator of Student Support Services at SHS will collaborate closely with School Psychologists, Special Education teachers, Building Principals, and other related service providers. Together, they will craft Individualized Education Plans (I.E.Ps) and FBA/BIPS (Functional Behavior Assessments/Behavior Improvement Plans). This collaborative effort aims to ensure that program services align with the district's vision and are fully compliant with relevant laws and regulations.

Home & School Alliance

LaShanda Blanks, SHS Parent Empowerment Center Facilitator
Randy Earle, SHS Parent Liaison

SHS Pantry

The Parent Empowerment Center Pantry is able to provide our families with up to 3 days worth of meals, twice a month, while you get assistance with a permanent plan. Inventory subject to change & available on as needed basis.

Complete THIS FORM for your needs.

Important Reminder

Schenectady High School Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers,
All emails from school personnel, including myself, will come from an email address ending in SchenectadySchools.org. For example, I will always reach out to students or families from my district email address, GreenD@SchenectadySchools.org

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