Mont Pleasant Post
September 10th, 2023
Dear Families,
As we step into March, Mont Pleasant Middle School is excited to share the wonderful events and updates happening in our school community! At Mont Pleasant Middle School, we honor and celebrate Women’s History Month. Women have played pivotal roles throughout history and continue to shape our world today. Each day this month, we will explore the contributions of women in society, delving into their achievements across various fields.
Don’t forget to join us for our Women Empowerment Event on March 26th where we will celebrate inspiring stories and achievements of women from all walks of life!
Recently, we embraced the vibrant spirit of Holi, the Festival of Colors! This joyous celebration brought students and staff together to learn about the cultural significance of this traditional Indian holiday, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of spring. The event featured colorful art activities, music, and safe opportunities to throw vibrant powders, fostering cultural awareness and community connection. A special thank you to Mrs. Kishun and all the staff who made this event such a success!
We are happy to share that our Weapons Detection System is working efficiently, ensuring a safe environment for all. Routines have been established to maintain a secure and welcoming school community. As we approach testing season, our teachers and staff are dedicated to preparing students to succeed.We encourage families to support their students in staying focused and ready for testing week.
We are thrilled to announce that the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) afterschool program has been extended through June 25th, 2025, instead of ending on May 30th as initially scheduled. This extension provides additional time for students to benefit from the enriching academic and extracurricular activities offered through the program. It’s an excellent opportunity to further support your child’s growth and development during the final weeks of the school year. All regular program services, including after-school activities, tutoring, and enrichment programs, will continue as usual until the new end date. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact:
- Amanda Boyle- Boys and Girls Club School Coordinator, at 518-374-4714
-Vanessa Ramoutar- Community Learning Center Project Manager, Schenectady City School District, at 518-370-8100 ext. 1536116
- Lauren Quinn- 21st Century Program Teacher Leader Coordinator at 518-920-3651
Thank you for being an integral part of our Mont Pleasant community. Together, we continue to foster an environment of learning, safety, and celebration for our students.
Warm regards,
Principal DeFazio
At Mont Pleasant Middle School, we honor and celebrate Women's History Month. Women have played various roles in society throughout history and continue to do so today. Each day we will explore different ways that women contributed to society. The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.
Women's History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.
MPMS Holi Celebration
Mont Pleasant Middle School recently embraced the vibrant spirit of Holi, the Festival of Colors, with a joyous celebration! Students and staff came together to learn about the cultural significance of this traditional Indian holiday, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of spring. The event featured colorful art activities, music, and opportunities to throw vibrant powders in a safe and fun environment.
This celebration fostered cultural awareness and community connection, making it an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Thank you to all who helped bring this colorful tradition to life!
Holi is primarily celebrated by Hindus, particularly in India and Nepal. However, it has also gained popularity in various parts of the world, including among people of different cultures and religions. Communities in countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and even in Western nations where there are significant Indian and Nepali populations participate in the festivities.
Holi traditions are rich and varied, reflecting the cultural significance of the festival. These traditions make Holi a joyful and inclusive celebration, emphasizing love, forgiveness, and the arrival of spring.
The celebration transcends religious boundaries, bringing people together in a spirit of joy and unity, making it a festival enjoyed by many.
Big thanks to Mrs. Kishun and all staff for your support and organizing the events for Holi! We appreciate you all!
Celebrating Ramadan and Cultural Diversity at Mont Pleasant Middle School
This month, we are celebrating Ramadan and the vibrant cultural diversity within our school. Through classroom discussions, projects, and afterschool activities, we are highlighting the values of empathy, kindness, and understanding while fostering respect for all traditions.
We’re proud to create an inclusive environment where every culture is valued and celebrated. Thank you for supporting us as we continue to learn and grow together.
MPMS Author Visit
On Friday, March 21, Mont Pleasant Middle School hosted an author visit for selected students in 6th & 7th grade. Janae Marks presented to students on her books and the writing process. Some students have read her books in 6th and 7th grade like From the Desk of Zoe Washington. Our students enjoyed time at the end asking her questions about her writing journey and books! We are excited to have another author visit coming this May with author Jarrett Krosoczka.
Women's History Month Informational Slides
Mural Design
Dear Families,
We have an exciting art opportunity that we hope you will plan to participate in. We will be creating a mural for Mont Pleasant's entryway; our goal is to have input and participation from students and families. The creation of the mural will be led by Jade Warwick; we are so excited to be working with Jade! When you read all the impactful ways she has worked in the community we believe you will be equally excited.
Among other things Jade Warwick is a visual designer, muralist, placemake and a host of PBS's A House of Arts. Follow the links below to learn more about her accomplishments.
Emmy Nominated Documentary: Bridging The Divide | Bloomberg Philanthropies Article | Times Union Article | PBS A House for Arts-- Follow Me @TrashkidArt
Advancement Via Individual Determination
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.
21st Century CCLC
We’re thrilled to continue 2025 with another exciting month in the 21st Century After-School Program! February is all about celebrating progress and fostering creativity as we dive into engaging activities and enriching learning experiences.
This month, our students will explore themes of kindness, perseverance, and collaboration through hands-on projects, community-building exercises, and special events. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we’re also planning some fun activities focused on spreading postivity and appreciation among peers.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to provide meaningful opportunities for our students to grow and thrive. We are still enrolling students—please see Mrs. Gauthier, Ms. O'Meally, or Mrs. Quinn for enrollment information.
Here’s to a fantastic February in the program!
Thank you to the Ghanaian Drumming Team for your performance! 21st Century students performed for our 6th Graders on Valentine Day!
Register Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwgJAiUtUtVGcCDjx_zHavJ4cuOnm0LMnqKEm5dNEa_p3MUQ/viewform
NASA Engineer Challenge
NASA Build, Launch, and Recover Challenge Update
Our students have been hard at work tackling the exciting NASA Build, Launch, and Recover Challenge as part of the 21st Century Afterschool Program! Here's a quick look at our progress:
What We’ve Accomplished
- Research & Planning: Students have explored the engineering principles behind building and testing vehicles for space missions. They’ve researched lunar environments, brainstormed innovative ideas, and sketched their initial designs.
- Team Mission Patches: Each team created a unique mission patch that represents their creativity and teamwork.
- Preparation for Building: We’ve finalized our plans and are ready to move into the next phase as soon as supplies arrive.
What’s Next
- Building Phase: Students will start constructing their prototypes and bringing their ideas to life.
- Testing & Refining: Once built, we’ll test the designs, observe their performance, and make improvements.
- Final Presentation: Students will document their process and prepare to present their work, showcasing their learning and problem-solving skills.
This challenge has provided an incredible opportunity for our students to work as a team, think critically, and engage with real-world STEM concepts. We’re proud of their progress and can’t wait to see their final creations!
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this exciting journey!
Mrs. Quinn
21st Century Afterschool Program
Rise High Program
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.
Art & Garden Club
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!
7th & 8th Grade Wrestling
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