On January 20th, 2025, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday will mark the 30th anniversary as a National Day of Service. This day was established to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, and to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

Americans celebrated the first official Martin Luther King Day, which is the only federal holiday commemorating an African-American, on Monday, January 20, 1986. In 1994, Congress designated the holiday as a national day of service and marking the third Monday in January every year as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service - a "Day On, Not a Day Off."

Dr. King advocated for nonviolent resistance to overcome injustice as a means of lifting racial oppression. He created change with organized sit-ins, marches, and peaceful demonstrations that highlighted issues of inequality. Dr. King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964; he was the youngest person to ever receive this high honor. He followed in the footsteps of his grandfather and father by entering the ministry to become a Baptist minister.

We remember Dr. King as a husband, father, friend, and fierce advocate for the betterment of all people. Honor his memory by organizing, volunteering, and spreading the word. Remember to MAKE IT A DAY ON, NOT A DAY OFF, for you and those around you.

Lets reflect on the incredible work we have accomplished together so far. The dedication and commitment to our students and community have truly set a remarkable foundation for growth. The appreciation to all staff and students do not go unnoticed. During the month of December and January we strive to create an environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. Let’s continue to support one another, share our successes, and find opportunities to work together.

Lori's Holiday Sale

A heartfelt shout out to express our gratitude for the incredible acts of kindness you've shown towards our students this week. Your generosity in supporting Lori's Holiday has made a significant impact, and our students are truly grateful for your thoughtfulness. Thank you to Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Green, along with staff and volunteers for donations, Lori's Holiday Sale was a huge success selling nearly all items. It was the biggest turn out we have ever had!

MPMS Programming

The remarkable strides compared to last year, significant increase in PBIS points across all grade levels, coupled with heightened attendance from parents and community agencies at our engagement events, speaks volumes about our collaborative efforts and has contributed to an improved school climate and culture. Highlighting the new initiatives underway, such as our upcoming building-wide student-led mural project, art therapy classes, and diverse affinity club offerings. These projects, alongside our exciting PBIS events and improved communication systems, are paving the way for a thriving school community

Thank you to our wonderful 21st Century staff; Mrs. Gauthier & Ms. O'Meally-Turnbull for your continued efforts in our afterschool program and hosting an incredible the Holiday Celebration

MPMS Caroling Tour

A huge round of applause for Mrs. Smith and her dedication to organizing our incredible holiday caroling tour! 🎶 Thanks to her hard work, planning, and passion, our students had the opportunity to spread festive cheer throughout the community. The tour was a true success, and it brought so much joy and holiday spirit to everyone involved.

Mrs. Smith, your leadership and enthusiasm made all the difference, and we are so grateful for your efforts in making this event unforgettable

Safety Staff

A huge thank you to our incredible safety staff for all the hard work and dedication you bring every day! Your vigilance, care, and commitment help keep our school community safe, and we truly appreciate everything you do to create a secure and welcoming environment for our students and staff. You are an essential part of our team, and your efforts make a world of difference!

Special Thanks to Myranda and Danielle Morris!

We’d also like to give a special shout-out to our wonderful secretaries, Myranda and Danielle Morris! Your organization, attention to detail, and friendly faces help keep everything running smoothly around here. From handling day-to-day tasks to being the heart of our school’s communication, your hard work never goes unnoticed.

Thank you for your dedication and all that you do to support our students, staff, and community! 🌟

Dear Families, Students, and Staff,

Happy New Year! As we usher in 2025, we’re filled with hope and excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead. January marks a time of renewal—a month of fresh starts, reflection, and setting new goals. It's a moment to embrace the opportunities ahead with a positive mindset, knowing that each new day brings growth, learning, and new achievements.

This month is all about new beginnings—whether it’s diving into the second half of the school year or setting personal goals for the future. January reminds us that every journey is made up of small steps, and every effort is part of a bigger picture. It's the perfect time to reflect on our progress so far and envision the amazing things still to come.

As we settle into this fresh chapter, let’s stay inspired and encourage each other to make the most of the year ahead. Together, we’ll support our students as they continue to grow, learn, and overcome challenges. Let’s make January the launchpad for a successful remainder of the school year, filled with enthusiasm, curiosity, and resilience.

We are grateful for each of you—our students, parents, and educators—and are excited to see all that we will achieve together in 2025. Let's make this year our best one yet!

Wishing you a joyful, fulfilling, and prosperous New Year!

Warm regards,

Principal DeFazio

Ms. Michele Manners Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction at Mt. Pleasant Middle School.

Mr. Andrew Jablonski 6th Grade Assistant Principal Mont Pleasant Middle School.

Mr. Kirk Wilkinson 8th Grade Assistant Principal Mont Pleasant Middle School.

Mr. Scott Seligman is the Assistant Principal of Building Operations and Safety at Mont Pleasant Middle School.

Ms. Roshney Licorish is the 7th Grade Assistant Principal at Mont Pleasant Middle School

Dear Families,

we want to remind everyone of our important safety protocols:

• Identification Badges: All students must wear their identification badges at all times while on campus.
• Late Arrivals and Early Dismissals: If your child will be arriving late or dismissing early, please notify the school staff in advance to ensure a smooth process.
• Visitor Sign-In: All guardians must sign in upon entering the building for safety reasons.

• Lockers, Jackets Book Bags & Electronics: all students will be provided with lockers to store their belongings including electronic devices. As the weather gets coolers students must have their jackets and outdoor attire placed in lockers as well. Please contact the Main Office to connect with your student if needed.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we prioritize the safety and well-being of our school community. Let’s make this a great year together!

Mrs Hart, Math Instructional Coach - Mrs Hart has been in Schenectady City Schools for 17 years as math teacher and now instructional coach. Mrs Hart's role is to support staff members with math instruction.

Mrs Sellepack, School Librarian - Mrs Sellepack has been at Mont Pleasant for 6 years as the school librarian. Mrs Sellepack's role is to maintain & curate the library collection and support students and teachers in learning inquiry skills.

Mrs Tyler, ELA Instructional Coach, NBCT - Mrs Tyler has been in Schenectady City Schools for 17 years as a social studies teacher and instructional coach. Mrs Tyler's role is to support staff members with English Language Arts & Reading instruction.

2024-25 Assessment Calendar

This document below has ways to practice reading, writing and math at home to build literacy and math skills! We have created a list of phone or tablet apps and no technology strategies for you to try at home.

School Counseling Office @ MPMS Newsletter

Mont Pleasant Middle School

Anna Robinson

(518) 603-6120

RobinsonA@schenectadyschools.org

Events

PTSO TBD

Schenectady County Connects Get Jobs Application Career Counseling, Resumes, Interview Prep and more Every Wednesday at MPMS make an appointment call Kiarra Shelley 518 837 7893

Our AVID students learned about some of the different majors and motivations of the college student's to attend SUNY Albany. They were also introduced to some of the labs and the instruments that were used to conduct research and create projects. Our tour guides were college students enrolled in The College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity. Our students had the opportunity to tour the following facilities.

Mont Pleasant PBIS has had a busy month of December. We had our annual Dodgeball Tournament, which is always a good time for all. The winning team this year was an 8th grade team called the Snow Bunnies. If you see these boys congratulate them on their win: Giovannie DeJesus, Jazirihon Langhorn, Aaron Knight, Tymell Knight, Jaidyn Ingram, Davon Durret, Michai Green, Christopher Pritchard, Daniel DeLaCruz. At the tournament PBIS had a special VIP section for our students who have earned the most PBIS points this year.

We also had our annual Winter Wonderland Photo Shoot for Families. Students, families and staff enjoy light refreshments, pictures with Santa or in a winter scene, and games. Lastly we celebrated the Students of the Month with a treat, and group photo they also received their passes that earn them special privileges for the month of January. We look forward to a Safe, Respectful and Responsible 2025!

Happy New Year! We’re excited to kick off 2025 with an action-packed month in the 21st Century After-School Program! As we dive into January, we have a variety of fun activities and learning opportunities planned to keep our students engaged and inspired.

This month, we’ll focus on goal setting and personal growth, helping students reflect on their achievements and set new goals for the rest of the school year. In addition, we have exciting hands-on projects, enrichment activities, and team-building exercises designed to encourage collaboration and creativity.

We look forward to another successful month and thank you for your continued support. Here’s to a fantastic start to the year! We are still enrolling students, please see Mrs. Gauthier, Ms. O'Meally or Mrs. Quinn for information to enroll.

The Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) at SUNY Schenectady is a college and career opportunity program designed for historically underserved students who may be considered "at-risk" for not graduating from High School. Our primary goal is to increase the retention rate and help our students prepare for the rigors of higher education and the competitive demands of the workforce. We work with our students to create long and short term goals to help with their academic, personal/social and college/career goals. Please use the link below to register

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRaRtXbPTL2kjiEQGAkHSbp-jQmwexHQONVJIwkxnWMSZE2A/viewform

RISE HIGH is a program for Schenectady area youth where participants learn about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and other skills to success, in a fun and nurturing environment. Students are exposed to a wide variety of careers in technology. Rise High uses hands-on, experiential learning to promote problem-solving and critical thinking. Students exercise their creativity and are provided with support to help them reach their goals.

OUR MISSION Provide sustained exposure to diverse enrichment learning opportunities in STEM to under-resourced youth in our community via comprehensive approaches that address and overcome barriers to academic, personal, and wellness development.

https://risehighstem.org/

Art and Garden Club is a fun and creative space where students can explore their love for both nature and art.

From planting flowers and growing vegetables to creating beautiful art projects, we combine

nature and creativity in exciting ways. Join us to discover the beauty of the outdoors and

your own artistic talents!

After School Math help will begin. Please reach out to Mr. Davis davisma@schenectadyschools.org

Hello Schenectady Students,

Below is an interest form for the 24-25 Schenectady Wrestling Team. This is for Boys and Girls as we have a team for each here at Schenectady.

This is strictly an interest form and doesn't sign you up for the sport but it lets Coach Languish and Coach Colvin know that you are at least interested in potentially trying wrestling. I do encourage kids to consider trying this great sport of wrestling as it will challenge you in many ways and make you a great overall athlete as well as person.

If you have any questions you can email

Coach Languish - languishc@schenectadyschools.org - Boys Varsity Wrestling Coach

Coach Colvin - colvinj@schenectadyschools.org - Girls Varsity Wrestling Coach

• Testing
• 1/6- IREADY- ELA
• 1/13- IREADY- Math & Midterms
• 1/13 CBT Simulation
• 1/21- IREADY Makeups

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day

  • 1/20- No School

  • 1/29- No School Lunar New Year