August 29, 2022
Dear Schenectady Team,
I hope this letter finds you well and that you are enjoying a relaxing and fun summer. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 2022-2023 School Year.
Below is the reporting schedule for all faculty and staff on Thursday, September 1.
This year, everyone will come together in the morning at Proctors to kick off the new school year. Transportation is available.
In the afternoon, most of you will report to your work location unless specified below. Many teachers will be attending a virtual iReady professional development with their school colleagues. Other employee groups will be participating in mandatory training. The September 1 schedule is as follows:
September 1, 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
All faculty and staff is required to report to Proctors for the opening address.Transportation: If you signed up to ride the bus to Proctors, please see schedule here.
Afternoon Schedule
12:30 p.m., All employees report to your work location
iReady PD Virtual Schedule
Elementary: Classroom ,
Special Education,
AIS,
ENL,
Reading and Speech Teachers,
Secondary: ELA, Math, Social Studies, Science, AIS, ENL, and Reading Teachers
12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
School-based Sessions. See Schedule Here
Mandatory Training
Secretaries
Middle Managers
All Professional Staff not attending iReady
12:30 p.m. through end of work day
Mandatory training will take place at your workplace.
More information to follow via email from Human Resources.
Mandatory Training
Paraprofessionals and Teaching Assistants
Members of the Office of Climate and Safety
Members of the Office of Innovation, Equity and Engagement
Operations and Maintenance Staff
12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Report to Schenectady High School Auditorium
Tuesday, September 6 is also a Superintendent’s Conference Day. Details will be sent to you by your principal Thursday afternoon.
About the Start of School
The first day of school for students is Wednesday, September 7. I am pleased to share that most COVID restrictions have been lifted. Teaching and learning will take place in-person. Wearing a mask or face covering in school and on buses continues to be optional but is not required. The New York State Department of Health has provided discretionary guidelines and frequently asked questions which are posted on our website. 2022 protocols are posted here. If there are changes at any time, we will notify you immediately.
This serves to be an exciting school year. As you may know, we have some programming enhancements and initiatives that will be launched in the new school year including the first phase of the Secondary School Redesign, our Community Schools initiative and so much more.
We have also been working on staffing our district and school safety teams which includes school safety officers, security monitors, culture and community engagement specialists, community engagement officers, restorative practice specialists and school counselors, all of whom are dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming, and comfortable learning environment for all. We all have a role in school safety. If you see or hear something that seems suspicious, please be sure to report it.
Reminder: Please wear your ID badge at all times when on campus. If you need an ID, please contact Human Resources.
At the end of last year, we launched a new website and our first mobile app. If you have not downloaded the app, please do. The app will be used to push urgent updates and notifications. We will also be using the alert system to text, call and email with staff reminders and updates. Please be sure that we have your correct contact information on file.
A copy of the 2022-2023 snapshot calendar will be arriving at your school for you. Please note that Holi has been added as an observed holiday on March 8. There will be no school on this day.
If you have any questions or concerns, please discuss with your principal or supervisor.
As we continue to rise, let’s make 2022-2023 the best school year yet. I look forward to seeing you next week.
Sincerely,
Anibal Soler, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools