BEDS Day Communication: Included is a link to a resource that outlines the process and deadline for BEDS Day. If you would like training or support in this process please reach out through Let’s Talk to schedule a time. 

New Data Visualizations:

For Teachers: The new data visualization in Infinite Campus “Electronic Referral by Staff” will show you submitted referrals and resolutions.

Here are directions to get to Dashboard in the New Look:

• Navigate to the Main Menu

• Select Custom Data Visualization

• Under Behavior select Electronic Referrals by Staff

For Principals: The new data visualization in Infinite Campus “Electronic Referral by School” and will show you submitted referrals, events and resolutions.

Here are directions to get to Dashboard in the New Look:

• Navigate to the Main Menu

• Select Custom Data Visualization

• Under Behavior select Electronic Referrals by School

For Behavior Designee: The new data visualization in Infinite Campus “Electronic Referral by School” and will show you submitted referrals and resolutions. 

Here are directions to get to Dashboard in the New Look:

• Navigate to the Main Menu

• Select Custom Data Visualization

• Under Behavior select Electronic Referrals by School

The Behavior Audit Dashboard has also been modified to capture additional errors within IC. We will be working with behavior designees and buildings to assist with these errors.

Electronic Referrals in Infinite Campus Office Hours: Office Hours for Behavior Referral Support

Data Requests:

• The Data Team is processing Infinite Campus issues/questions and Data Requests as well as Classlink through Let’s Talk. This allows the Data Team to efficiently monitor requests and ensure timelines are met. 

As the weather continues to change and become less predictable, I wanted to remind everyone on some information regarding student bussing.

As we transition from Fall to Winter, it will be very important for families to start listening to radio stations, news channels and social media for daily and weekly forecasts. From proper dress to road conditions, knowing this information is helpful and will keep our students safe. Delays, closings and early dismissals will also be shared by these outlets.

Whether the student walks to school or rides a bus, it is very important that they are dressed for the weather each and every day. Proper dress at this time should include a knit hat, gloves, scarf, a heavy jacket and boots. Please be sure that students who ride the bus are ready and visible at the bus stop ten minutes prior to the scheduled bus arrival time. This time of year also brings early darkness, so it is good practice to be prepared for your student to be dropped off 10 minutes earlier, too.

As we progress through this year and into next, we want to remind you that your bussing vendors are happy to assist with any questions or concerns. They can also provide estimated drop off and pick up times for your student’s bus if it hasn’t arrived yet. 

Lastly, I wanted to share that your feedback is important and continues to help us ensure our efforts to provide safe and efficient transportation. This feedback is invaluable for us now and into the future if we are going to continue to make progress. Thank you for your support and communication.

Please remember when making address changes to call the school the student is going to and make sure they have room.   If you are withdrawing students, and they have never attended your building, send the requests to Katy Vacca (at vaccak@schenectadyschools.org) so that we can delete this years enrollment. 

Please also change the end status to where the student is going. This happens right up until Beds Day in October. 

Please remember to let Student Support Services (SSS) know if you are withdrawing a student with an IEP so that they can withdraw them in Frontline.

WELCOMING THE IEE TEAM SUPPORTING REGISTRATION!!!

Alex Torres and Damonni Farley have joined the Registration team and will be supporting both Katherine Vacca and Aimee Demarest as we continue to work with student, families and our community. 

Alex Torres will support both Registration and Senior Parent Liaison across the district. He started working for the district eight years ago as a Spanish Translator for the Special Education Department. He also became the Spanish translator for teachers, counselors, and staff districtwide. During 2018, he became Student/Parent Advocate for the district and was stationed at Hamilton Elementary. Alex then became Hamilton’s Parent Liaison in 2020. Alex, is the founder, band leader and bassist of the multi-award winning Latin band, Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra. The band has traveled as far as Shanghai, China, and other countries. He started the band on October 27th, 1980. The band is celebrating their 42nd Anniversary this year and continues to perform numerous concerts throughout the year. Alex and the band are also registered with Arts in Education through BOCES and taking Afro-Caribbean roots and rhythms to schools.

Damonni Farley is a lifelong resident of Schenectady; he was educated in the Schenectady school system. He is a graduate of Schenectady High School. Damonni is named among the most creative and influential young community leaders in the capital region. As a descendant of generations of community organizers and civil rights activists, Damonni uses his background and experience to empower the disenfranchised, as well as build bridges between cultures, geographic barriers, religious beliefs, and socioeconomic status. In 2014, Damonni drew from his extensive experience working in the national programs Youth Build and AmeriCorps to cofound M.O.C (Miracle on Craig Street), a non-traditional highly innovative grass roots initiative dedicated to addressing problems in under-served communities by combining and maximizing the resources and talents of those in need with those who want to give. The primary focus is to open a robust community center in the neighborhood in the highest need. According to Damonni, he states “Our success is our collaboration with like-minded individuals and organizations that understand it truly takes a village”. Because of Damonni’s expertise in youth development and community transformation, he is frequently invited to present at national, state, and local conferences on his innovative work. He also serves as a technical advisor to numerous community groups and committees, including Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), The Capital Region Youth Justice Team (RYJT), Boys Day Out (BDO) youth enrichment services providing guidance and leadership. Damonni has also been actively engaged with the Schenectady County Strengthening Families committee. He currently serves on the City of Schenectady Affirmative Action Board. Damonni is currently employed by the Schenectady City School District as the Community Outreach Specialist and will be working with the registration team to continue his support of students, families and community. 

Carlos M. Cotto Jr., Ed.D.

Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Equity and Engagement

Building Principals/Secretaries - Please remember to enter ALL building faculty meetings in StaffTrac.  Each event must have a description and/or agenda attached.  All staff enrolled need to be marked as 'Attended' or 'Did not attend' after the meeting.  

If you would like StaffTrac training, please contact Natasha Bangaroo at: bangarooh@schenectadyschools.org.

Home School/Instruction continues to be supported for 2023-2024! If you have interested families looking for information, please inquire to see that they have reviewed their intent with the Principal or Counselors.  Please provide them with the following: 

Questions regarding home instruction should be directed to Connie Miller at 518-464-3982 and/or homeschooling@neric.org.

Documents may be submitted via email to homeschooling@neric.org or hard copies mailed to the address below:

Attn:  Connie Miller

Capital Region BOCES

900 Watervliet Shaker Road

Albany, NY 12205

We have developed a "Fact Sheet for Counselors" to assist the conversations with families about homeschooling.  Please let us know if  you have any questions.

Please contact Tracy Angelini, if you have any questions.

We would like to welcome Christy Ferri as the new Assistant Director of Grant Development and Title Funding. Previously, Mrs. Ferri was the Assistant Principal at Paige Elementary School. 

The School Improvement Grant process continues to move forward. Thank you, to the building Principals, for providing detailed information during the budget building process. Once approved by the New York State Department of Education SIG Basic budgets will be open for spending. You will receive notification of approval and appropriate grant codes to use for the specific grant funding source. 

All schools receiving School Improvement Grants will be meeting with the Assistant Director of Grant Development and Title Funding quarterly to review appropriation status and planning documents during the 2023-2024 school year. 

Please contact Christy Ferri at ferric@schenectadyschools.org if you have any questions regarding grants or title funding. 

2023–24 School Year Elementary- and Intermediate-level Testing Schedule per NYSED

NOTE: SCSD will send out communication about CBT and PBT scheduling soon

NYSAA ELA, Math, and Science

Monday, March 11 - Friday, June 7;  Make-ups must be given within the testing window

Gr 5 & 8 ELA, Mathematics, and Science - Computer-based testing - SCSD will send out communication about CBT scheduling soon

Monday, April 8 - Friday, May 17; Make-ups must be given within the testing window

Gr 3, 4 ELA - Paper-based testing - SCSD will send out communication about PBT scheduling soon

Wednesday, April 10- Friday, April 12; Monday, April 15- Wednesday, April 17

Gr 3, 4, 6, 7 Mathematics -  if Paper-based testing - SCSD will send out communication about PBT scheduling soon

Tuesday, May 7 - Thursday, May 9; Friday, May 10- Tuesday, May 14

NYSESLAT Speaking

Monday, April 15 - Friday, May 24; Make-ups must be given within the testing window

NYSESLAT Listening, Reading, and Writing - all PBT

Monday, May 13 - Friday, May 24; Make-ups must be given within the testing window

NOTE: SCSD will send out communication about CBT and PBT scheduling soon!!!  More to come...

WELCOME HOME!!