Jul 23, 2014
Superintendent
4 Sabre Drive
Schenectady, NY 12306
Phone: 518.355.9200
Fax: 518.355.9203
Sports clearance dates to be held in August
Sports clearance will be held in the middle school health office August 4-8, 8:30-11:00 a.m. and August 11-15, 8:30-11:00 a.m. Students must provide the nurse with their completed paperwork. A sports participation card will be filed for all students approved by the school nurse. A copy will also be provided to the coach. Sports clearance
District opts out of national lunch/breakfast program at Schalmont High
Families with children currently enrolled in Schalmont schools should have recieved a letter via regular postal mail, which was dated June 30 regarding a decision to opt-out of the federally-funded National School Lunch and Breakfast Program at Schalmont High School. Parents will have 60 days to share their comments with the district before the change takes effect with the opening of the school in September. read letter [PDF]
Jefferson to hold summer orientation for new families
New elementary students and their families are encouraged to attend a summer orientation program at Jefferson this summer. Two different sessions will be offered in August, which will last about 45-60 minutes. Participants will tour the building, learn about many of the day to day procedures and have an opportunity to meet other students and families. orientation details/sign-up form [PDF]
Congratulations, Class of 2014
Congratulations to the 155 graduates of the Class of 2014! Graduates accepted their diplomas in front of family, friends, teachers and staff at the 57th annual commencement ceremony on Friday, June 27, at Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady. photo gallery
Regional summer school underway
Schalmont has partnered with Capital Region BOCES, and the Mohonasen and Scotia-Glenville school districts to offer a regional summer school program for students entering grades 7-12. Learn more
State makes changes to immunization requirements
Students entering kindergarten will now be required to have two doses of the varicella (chicken pox) vaccine. That's one of several changes to immunization requirements, according to the New York State Department of Health. Learn more
2014-15 calendar online
The one-page 2014-15 school year calendar, which was approved by the school board in March is currently available online. A printed 28-page calendar will be mailed by late August to all families with children enrolled in Schalmont schools. download calendar [PDF]
Way to go Schalmont boys' varsity baseball
Congratulations to the boys' varsity baseball team on becoming the Class B state champions! The team earned the honor after this past weekend's competition at Binghamton University. Go Sabres! Times Union | Daily Gazette
Schalmont
celebrates distinguished alumna
Congratulations to Martha (Cincotta) Asselin, Ph.D., class of 1980 on being inducted into Schalmont High School's Alumni Wall of Distinction. Learn more
Superintendent's letter regarding ELA/math test administration
Students in fifth through eighth grade will be bringing home a parent letter today from Superintendent Dr. Carol Pallas regarding a problem that occurred with administration of certain 2014 New York State Grades 5-8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics exams. The information may also be downloaded online. superintendent's letter to parents [PDF]
Voters approve 2014-15 budget and bus proposition
Voters passed a $44,554,730 budget proposal for the 2014-15 school year by a vote of 473 to 222 on Tuesday, May 20. The bus purchase proposition also passed, 465 to 231. Michael Pasquarella and Kevin Thompson were each re-elected to fill two open seats on the school board. Learn more
Students awarded for outstanding leadership and excellence in physical education
Congratulations to Schalmont Middle School eighth graders Olivia Nelson,
Kaylie Older, Jarrett Reynolds, John Sanders, Brian Thompson and Julia Whipple
who were selected for the Sandra G. Morley Physical Education Student Leadership
Award. Learn more
School board appoints interim middle school principal
On Monday, May 12, the Schalmont Board of Education approved Schalmont Middle School Principal Matt Morgan’s resignation for personal reasons, and appointed Dr. Nellie A. Bush as interim principal, effective immediately, until a permanent replacement is hired. Superintendent's letter [PDF]
Music groups earn first place silver medal at international festival
Congratulations to the Schalmont High School Wind Ensemble and
Concert Choir on their performances at the Virginia International
Music Festival in Norfolk, Virginia on Friday, April 25.
Learn more
YMCA recognizes Schalmont students at 27th annual awards ceremony
Six Schalmont High School students were nominated for the Glenville and Schenectady branches of the Capital District YMCA's Outstanding Student Award. Learn more
Board resolution calls for the elimination of the state's Gap Elimination Adjustment
At its March 24 meeting, the Board of Education approved a resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to immediately end the Gap Elimination Adjustment, or GEA. Learn more
Miss kindergarten registration?
If you missed Jefferson Elementary School's kindergarten registration event on March 18 and have a child who will be entering kindergarten in September, please contact the school at 355-1342, ext. 5080. Learn more about registration requirements
March 2014 district newsletter now online
The March 2014 edition of the Schalmont Central School District newsletter is now online. Hard copies will be mailed to all district residents this week. March 2014 newsletter [PDf]
District committeed to creating a safer and healthier school community
Creating a safer and healthier school community is the goal of a new districtwide Safety Subcommittee on School Climate and Culture. Learn more
School board approves district's five year strategic plan
On Monday, March 10, the Schalmont Board of Education approved a five year strategic plan, Schalmont Advance 2018, which lays out the goals, objectives and strategies that will mobilize the district to achieve its mission to ensure every student graduates ready for success in the 21st century. Learn more
Variety of factors set to impact 2014-15 budget proposal
Declining revenues, the state’s property tax levy “cap” and rising costs associated with running a school district are among the many factors impacting development of the district’s 2014-15 budget proposal. Learn more
Book sparks fundraising initiative for South Sudan
Sacrifices are something Gaby Baker and Gabby Fernandez are willing to make. For a two-week period this winter, the seventh-graders gave up their favorite beverages in an effort to help change the world. Learn more
Regents adopts changes to Common Core, testing
Amid a growing clamor for change, the New York State Board of Regents adopted several measures meant to improve the implementation of the Common Core Learning Standards at its meetings Feb. 10-11. Gov. Andrew Cuomo responded with a call for any changes to await legislative recommendations from his recently appointed Common Core panel. Learn more
Aid Increases, GEA Remains in Governor’s Budget Proposal
The state investment in schools would increase by $807 million or 3.8 percent next year if enacted as outlined in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Budget, but his budget plan still fails to address the underlying problem facing Schalmont and other school districts – the Gap Elimination Adjustment or GEA. Learn more
Understanding New York's Gap Elimination Adjustment
Do you understand New York State's Gap Elimination Adjustment or GEA and what it's doing to schools like ours? Take a look at the short video on our budget page, which explains it well! Based on the governor's executive budget, Schalmont is slated to lose an additional $1.3 million to the GEA in 2014-15, bringing the district's five-year total loss to approximately $8.3 million. Watch the video on our budget page
Spring 2014 Adult Education Program Guide now available online
Whether you're interested in learning ways to keep your children safe online or finding a new and enjoyable hobby, Schalmont Central School District's Adult Education program has something for you. This spring, more than 60 fun and interactive courses will be available as well as a one day trip to New York City to see Motown: The Musical. Some classes fill up fast so be sure to register early! Hard copies of the guide will be mailed in approximately two weeks. download program guide
Community encouraged to get involved in the budget development process
If you are a parent, student, senior citizen or just a concerned resident, the Schalmont Board of Education wants you to get involved in your schools. The school board invites you to participate in the district's annual budget development process and be a part of planning for each school year. Learn more
Talking to children about social media safety
There's no question that social media has radically changed the way we communicate. In just over five years, the opportunities and advantages for those who use it properly have exploded. However, when not used wisely, social media can have damaging consequences. That's why parents can't talk enough to their children about social media safety. Learn more
Communicating weather-related announcements
With winter weather present, we thought it would be a good time to explain how Schalmont communicates weather-related announcements, be it closings, delays or early dismissals. Learn more
District committed to creating a safer, healthier school community
School leaders are committed to creating a safer, healthier school community, and have developed a plan moving forward that follows best practices and the advice of many experts. Learn more
Community encouraged to stand together in the wake of a student suicide
Coming together as a community and providing suicide prevention resources and information in a safe environment were the goals of a community-wide forum held Nov. 18 at the South Schenectady Fire Department. Learn more
Project Lead the Way students showcase projects at state conference
Schalmont Project Lead the Way students Dom Toma, Alyssa Marzella, Taylor Gould, and Nick Marotta recently presented their Civil Engineering and Digital Electronics projects at the New York State School Board Association Conference in Rochester. Read more
District accepting requests for APPR scores
All parents/guardians now have the right to request Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) quality ratings and composite effectiveness scores for their child's current year's teacher(s) and principal(s). Learn more
Nearly $3,000 raised at "Race Back to School" event
Whether you could be found running, walking, cheering or volunteering, the first annual "Race Back to School" 5K/fun run could not have been successful without you. Learn more
School taxes can now be paid online
The Schalmont Central School District is excited to announce that school tax bills can now be paid online. In addition, you may view a tax bill, find an assessed valuation, see any exemptions on the property and print a receipt. Learn more
New buzzer system implemented districtwide
Before being buzzed into any school district buildings, including the district office, residents must state their reason for visiting and present photo identification via a security camera outside of the entrance. Learn more
School officials outline priorities, changes in 2013-14
Schalmont welcomed back faculty and staff on Tuesday, Sept. 3, during the first professional development day of the 2013-14 school year. Learn more
SNN: Keeping you connected to your child's school
The new school year is almost upon us. Make sure your SNN profile is up to date. New to the district? Sign up for SNN today to stay connected with your child's school. Learn more
Subscribe to Parent Today... Today!
Parent Today is a free e-mail newsletter and companion website designed to help build a stronger bridge between families and the classroom. Parent Today is packed with research-based information that empowers parents and supports teachers. Learn more
New law means homeowners with Basic STAR must register by Dec. 31, 2013
If you’re a homeowner who has benefited from reduced property taxes under the state’s Basic School Tax Relief (STAR) program, it’s important to note that you must re-register with the New York State Tax Department by Dec. 31, 2013, in order to continue receiving the exemption in 2014 and beyond. Learn more
Visit colonialcouncil.org for sports schedules
All Schalmont Central School District sports schedules are now available online through colonialcouncil.org. Visitors can view all sports events scheduled for the day or individual team schedules by season. Once you access the site, you will be able to subscribe for text messages and e-mail notifications for all athletic teams, including event reminders and change notifications.
Grades 3-8 test scores released in a new era of curriculum and assessment
The New York State Education Department released results of the grades 3-8 exams that students took last spring—completely revamped math and English Language Arts (ELA) tests that reflect the new, more difficult Common Core Learning Standards. Learn more
Follow Superintendent Pallas on Twitter
You can now follow Dr. Carol Pallas on the online social networking service Twitter. The new superintendent live "tweets" from school and district events and also shares important educational resources and information with the Schalmont community. Sign-up for a free Twitter account if you don't have one already. Follow Dr. Pallas
Tools help clarify Common Core for parents
New York State, through its engageny.org website, offers The Toolkit for Parents and Families, a collection of materials and resources that help parents help their children with the changes associated with Common Core State Standards. Learn more
New safety procedures still active at Jefferson
Please be aware that the front doors at Jefferson Elementary School facing Princetown Road will only be used for student arrival and dismissal each day. These doors will remain locked at all other times. All student drop offs, pickups, and parent visitors should enter the building via the primary office accessed by Ford Avenue. Learn more
Important safety notice regarding student drop-off and pick-up
Please remember that only school buses are allowed in the middle/high school traffic circle between the hours of 7-8 a.m. and 2-3 p.m. Passenger vehicles are not permitted to enter the area during that time, as well as any other time the red light may be flashing. To drop-off or pick-up students, please proceed to the middle school parking lot for fifth- through eighth-graders and the high school new gym (located at the rear of the building) for ninth- through twelfth-graders. Thank you for your cooperation.
