Last week, Dr. Cotto attended a few exciting events at SUNY Schenectady. He was honored to be invited as SUNY Schenectady President Dr. Steady Moono's honored guest for an exciting and fun-filled event that showcased the many talents of SUNY Schenectady students one of whom was Emely Davila, a 2023 graduate of Schenectady High School.

Dr. Cotto also attended an exciting event launching a new program that will be located in the former YMCA building downtown. In the fall, SUNY Schenectady will introduce a new ART concentration that will help students develop connections with local art and civic organizations. It's an exciting new concentration with a clear transfer path to a four-year degree for those who wish to pursue one.

Dr. Cotto continued his meetings with district and school leaders and central office departments. Over the recess, he met with Mr. O'Connor at Zoller Elementary School and Mr. Farina at Oneida Middle School. Throughout this week, Dr. Cotto held several more listening meetings with principals and central office departments. He met with the human resources team, the communications team, the clerks of the board of education, and school leaders Karmen McEvoy (Central Park Middle School) and Chad Sitts (Howe Elementary School). The purpose of these meetings is to hear how things are going and for Dr. Cotto to learn how he can support the departments and the schools to be the best they can be. These meetings will continue next week when Dr. Cotto heads to Paige to meet with Dr. Jean-Pierre and the business office, technology, and restorative practice teams.

Howe Girls on the Run
After his meeting with Principal Sitts at Howe, Dr. Cotto had a wonderful time meeting the members of "Girls on the Run."

Dr. Cotto at the SUNY Schenectady Art Showcase

Dr. Cotto at a recent meeting with members of the building and grounds team

Congratulations
Great News shared by SUNY Schenectady: Congratulations to Parmesh Thakoordial, a 2023 Schenectady High School graduate, who was recognized yesterday with the 2024 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence. Parmesh is a member of the Smart Transfer Program SUNY Schenectady Early College High School. He graduated from SUNY Schenectady in August 2023 with an Associate degree in Science, while maintaining a 3.98 GPA. He was one of only 20 college students from across the country named to the All-USA Academic Team and was the only student from New York on the team. Parmesh is working to become a physician and scientist. He's on his way as a first-year honors student at the University at Albany, SUNY pursuing two bachelor's degrees.

Making Us Proud
Prior to the recess, News10 shared a story about Beck Dodd, a Schenectady High School student who saved the life of a choking senior citizen at the Niskayuna Senior Center. Beck was presented with a resolution honoring his heroic actions. We are proud of Beck. It's a great story. Click here for the News10 story.

Learn to Swim Wrap-Up
We are pleased to shared that the 3rd grade swim session for the school year have wrapped up. 621 third graders from all eleven elementary schools participated in "learn to swim" instruction as part of our physical education program. Thank you to faculty and staff, the office of teaching and learning, and a special thanks to Coach Brian Melanson and our high school swim team members who played an important role in supporting this effort. Swimming is a life skill and all students should have the opportunity to reach a level of proficiency and enjoyment. This initiative is aligned with our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policy.

Looking for the 86 Men /Plaque Dedication
Thank you to Mr. Balogh, an 8th grade social studies teacher at Mont Pleasant Middle School, who initiated the effort to locate the 86 Mont Pleasant High School graduates who died while serving in World War II. Daily Gazette columnist Andrew Waite wrote about these efforts. He highlighted Mr. Balogh's passion and initiative and shared how this came to be. We are hoping to reach the community in an effort to locate relatives and friends of those who died. You can read Mr. Waite's piece, printed Thursday, here.

If you are a family member or know how we can contact family members, please contact Steve Balogh at baloghs@schenectadyschools.org.org.

The list of Mont Pleasant graduates who died in service is here.

The district is planning a plaque rededication in honor of these 86 men who lost their lives.

The original plaque once hung in the Mont Pleasant High School hallway. The plaque was removed from the wall and placed in storage during one of the district Capital Projects at Mont Pleasant.

A ceremony, and plaque rededication will take place on May 31, 2024.

We would very much like to invite family members of these men, and their guests, to attend the ceremony. Please look over the list of names and ask around, so that we can extend an invitation. We are also seeking photos of these in men in uniform to use for a display during the ceremony.