To Our UCSD Community,
We’re well into February, and I wanted to take a moment to provide some district updates, share some wonderful news and achievements, and remind you of important upcoming dates on the school calendar.
Before I start, I want to highlight our classrooms and buildings across UCSD as they celebrate Black History Month. It's crucial to recognize and celebrate the significant contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout our history. This month serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, creativity, and enduring spirit of the Black community, which has been instrumental in shaping both our nation's past and its future. As a school district, we are committed to honoring this rich heritage and continuing to educate ourselves and our students about the profound impact of African American history and culture.
UCSD on Team USA
In exciting news, Proctor High School Junior Gianna Schmidt was recently selected by Team USA Basketball to represent our country in Austria and Germany in June! The journey to Team USA required significant effort on Gianana’s part during tryouts, and we’re so proud of her accomplishments. We’ll be sure to share more details on Gianna’s exciting next chapter!
Proctor High School Digital ID Badges
On February 26, students at Proctor High School will have access to a mobile app for their digital ID badge. Please ensure your student(s) are coming to school with their current ID badge, as they will also be receiving new physical badges.
Students also need to download the app to their mobile device if they plan to use it for their digital ID. The link to the app in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store is below:
Apple App for Digital ID Badge
Google Play App for Digital ID Badge
Kindergarten Registration
We’ll be holding a Kindergarten Registration event February 12-16, 2024, from 9:30am-2:00pm at Conkling Elementary School (1115 Mohawk Street, Utica / Please Use McQuade Ave Entrance).
Utica City School District residents who reside in Utica with children who will be 5 years old ON or BEFORE December 1, 2024, are eligible for Kindergarten.
Click here to download your registration packet. As a note, this event does not apply to students currently enrolled in Utica Universal Pre-K. For questions about the event, contact the Office of Early Childhood Registration at 315-792-2216.
CTE Updates
CTE (Career & Technical Education) refers to educational programs that specialize in the skilled trades, applied sciences, modern technologies, and career preparation. Our CTE programs provide students with a range of skills necessary to pursue various career paths, often including hands-on training and practical experiences. These programs are designed to prepare students for direct entry into the workforce, further education, or advanced training in specific career fields to acquire skills relevant to today’s job market.
Here are some great updates from our CTE programs across USCD:
● High School: Our business teachers have been instrumental in designing our new Business Pathway curriculum, which we’re excited to implement for the Fall 2024 school year.
● High School: MACNY hosted an information session at Proctor High School to present a pre-apprenticeship program that will begin this month. 13 UCSD students have signed up to participate.
● Middle School: Our 7th grade CTE/STEM Expo hosted at SUNY Poly on May 10 will introduce students to high school CTE pathways that will be available to them during their freshman year.
● Elementary: From February-April, several business sponsors, including Wolfspeed, National Grid, Indium, Giotto Enterprises, and Trenton Tech, are helping to support our STEM kit career awareness, culminating with a mini STEM fair for students in collaboration with OHM BOCES School to Careers. Translations for STEM kits are available on our CTE website.
Upcoming Dates To Note
- Spring Sport Sign-Ups
- February 12 for JV and Varsity
- February 26 for Modified
We will have multiple dates for physicals at both middle schools and the high school.
Mid-Winter Recess - NO SCHOOL
February 19-23
As we navigate through the brisk yet bustling month of February, let us embrace the diversity and significance of its many observances. From the heartfelt exchanges of Valentine's Day to the vibrant celebrations of Mardi Gras, we recognize the richness of our community's traditions and cultures. This month also brings the observance of Presidents' Day, where we reflect on the leadership and legacy of our nation's leaders. Additionally, we honor the Lunar New Year, a time of renewal and festivity for many in our community. We also acknowledge Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, a period of reflection and commitment in the Christian faith. Each of these occasions provides a unique opportunity for learning, understanding, and celebrating the varied tapestry of experiences that enrich our school district and society as a whole.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kathleen Davis
Interim Superintendent of Schools