September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic American Heritage Month

Mont Pleasant Middle School understands and recognizes the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latino history and culture. While we celebrate Hispanic and Latino communities beyond this month, from September 15 to October 15 we give extra recognition to the many contributions made to the history and culture of the United States, including important advocacy work, vibrant art, popular and traditional foods, and much more.

Hispanic Heritage Month provides an additional opportunity to explore the incredible impact Latinas and Latinos have had on the United States for generations.

Thank you to our custodial staff! We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for all the hard work you do to keep our school beautiful and welcoming. Your dedication and attention to detail do not go unnoticed! Thank you for your endless support and for creating a space where we can all thrive. We appreciate you more than words can say! 💖 Keep shining! ✨

Dear Families, Students, and Staff,

As we settle into the rhythm of the new school year, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the energy and enthusiasm that each of you brings to our school community. It is inspiring to witness our students embracing new challenges, forming friendships, and growing both academically and personally.

At our school, we are dedicated to building a positive culture where every student feels valued and supported. A thriving school environment is one where collaboration and open communication flourish. We know that it takes a village to support our students, and we are excited to offer several opportunities for families to join our school family. Your involvement is crucial; it not only enriches our programs but also ensures that our students feel connected to their community.

We want to actively engage families and students in our school activities. Whether it’s through volunteering, attending events, or participating in parent-teacher conferences, your voice matters. Together, we can create memorable experiences that foster a sense of belonging and pride in our school.

In addition, we are committed to ensuring a safe and positive learning environment for all our students. As we work together, I kindly ask for your support in reminding our students to place their book bags and cell phones in their lockers during arrival. This small action helps minimize distractions and allows us to maintain a focus on learning.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. We appreciate all that you do, and I truly believe that by working together, we can accomplish so much more. Let’s continue to cultivate a nurturing environment where our students can thrive and succeed.

Warm regards,

Principal DeFazio

Ms. Michele Manners began her career as a first grade teacher and then spent 14 years as a literacy specialist before joining the Schenectady City School District as a District Coach and Summer Enrichment Site Leader. Ms. Manners then transitioned into building administration, serving as an Assistant Principal at both Woodlawn and Hamilton Elementary School before becoming the Principal at Hamilton. Now in her ninth year with Schenectady, Ms. Manners is excited to begin her new role as the Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction at Mt. Pleasant Middle School. Ms. Manners is a passionate educator, committed to the work being done at MPMS and the SCSD as a whole. She is dedicated to ensuring every child gets the education that he/she/they deserve.

Mr. Andrew Jablonski spent 14 years as a school counselor, working at the middle and high school levels, before serving as a middle school administrator for six years prior to his appointment at Mt. Pleasant last fall. Mr. Jablonski filled a variety of administrative roles at MPMS over the first half of the 2023-2024 school year, before settling into the vacant 6th Grade Assistant Principal position in January. Mr. J is a student centered educator who prides himself on his ability to connect and build relationships with his students. Knowing that the move to middle school can create anxiety in both students and parents, he is committed to ensuring that the transition to MPMS is a smooth one for all students and is excited to meet the new, incoming members of what will ultimately be the Schenectady High School Graduating Class of 2031!

Mr. Kirk Wilkinson has spent the last 24 years in education. Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, he immigrated to the United states in 1973, where he then attended school in Brooklyn, NY. He then earned a B.A. in Africana Studies/Psychology from SUNY Albany and a Masters Degree in Special Education from Long Island University. Prior to being appointed as the 8th Grade Administrator at Mont Pleasant, Mr. Wilkinson was the Principal at the Steinmetz Career and Leadership Academy in Schenectady. Mr. Wilkinson is a retired Army Veteran of 28 years, and enjoys sports, cars, and comic books, and is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Mr. Wilkinson enjoys making connections with students, allowing them to see and work towards their potential. He is very excited to start working with the 8th grade class at Mont Pleasant Middle School!

Mr. Scott Seligman is the Assistant Principal of Building Operations and Safety at Mont Pleasant Middle School. With 18 years of experience in education, including 15 years teaching high school mathematics, Mr. Seligman brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. Mr. Seligman holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Keene State College and has furthered his expertise with two master's degrees from American College of Education—one in Curriculum and Instruction, and another in Educational Leadership. Passionate about fostering student growth, Mr. Seligman is dedicated to building meaningful relationships with students and creating opportunities for them to excel through education. His background in mathematics education and his current focus on school operations and safety reflect his commitment to providing a well-rounded, secure learning environment for all students

Ms. Roshney Licorish is the 7th Grade Assistant Principal at Mont Pleasant and she is in her 8th year in the field of Education. She graduated with a Master's degree from Relay Graduate School for Education in NYC to which she earned her Dual Certification in General and Special Education. She began her role as a 2nd Grade Teaching Assistant at Coney Island Prep in Brooklyn, NY then continued in 4th Grade. By the end of her graduate program, she assumed the role as a 3rd Grade teacher. She later moved to the Capital Region in 2020 to continue her career in teaching. Ms. Licorish has predominantly worked in NYC and Capital Region charter schools where she has had many amazing experiences with exceptional learners in both elementary and high school settings. She truly enjoys working with students to help them realize their potential while developing their sense of independence. Watching students grow and succeed is always her favorite part about her job. She believes in the philosophy that we must teach the whole child by equally nurturing academics and social-emotional learning in order to foster a safe and caring learning environment for all. This past year, she worked as a Special Education Coordinator in Troy and graduated from the College of Saint Rose with her certification in School Building Leadership. In her new role at Mont Pleasant, she hopes to continue her career in education by creating the best educational experience for our middle schoolers.

Dear Families,

Welcome back to school! We are excited to see all our students returning and ready for a fantastic year ahead. As we kick off this new term, 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, Book Bags & Electronics: all students will be provided with lockers to store their belongings including electronic devices. 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.

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.

Mont Pleasant Middle School

Anna Robinson

(518) 603-6120

RobinsonA@schenectadyschools.org

AVID is a college readiness class, preparing students for academic greatness.

“Being an AVID student isn’t just about being in this class. It’s about who we are, what we do, and what we are striving to become.”

Commitment #1: We commit to prioritizing the implementation of lessons that match students’ abilities and allow students to show growth in ELA proficiency and increase student engagement so that students are prepared for their next level of education.

Commitment #2: We commit to prioritizing the implementation of lessons that match students’ abilities and allow students to show growth in Math proficiency and increase student engagement so that students are prepared for their next level of education.

September started off with the PBIS Club hosting a PBIS Kick off Party Petting Zoo: All the students loved petting all the different farm animals. From ponies, to holding chickens, ducks, rabbits, and roaming baby goats it was a fun time.

The PBIS club is currently looking for new members. Anyone interested in joining please get an application from a teacher and write to tell us why you would make a great PBIS peer leader.

In September and October we are focussing on being on time to class, having all bags and phones stored away to earn PBIS points. Points can be earned every day for showing Safe, Responsible and Respectful Behaviors.

We have two upcoming events: Thursday Sept 26th the Back to School BBQ on Back to School Night from 5-7. Please come meet our teachers and staff and enjoy a free barbeque meal.

To kick off Spanish Heritage Month Alex Torees and his Latin Orchestra will be performing here on October 2nd. Families are welcome to join us from 3:30 -4:30 in the large gym to dance and enjoy the cultural music. They will be performing for students from 2:30 - 3:30 also.

Registration is open for the 21st Century After School Program! Begins October 15th. Please use the link below to register your student. Confirmation letters will be sent to those enrolled

!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwgJAiUtUtVGcCDjx_zHavJ4cuOnm0LMnqKEm5dNEa_p3MUQ/viewform

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/