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  • Reminder: UCSD After School Program Survey

    Please click here to complete the survey The Utica City School District is seeking parental input into the expansion of after school programming opportunities for all students. After school programming would be scheduled on Monday - Thursday until 6:00 PM, along with Saturday sessions. Student attendance would be strongly encouraged, but not required. Food and transportation would be provided. PLEASE COMPLETE ONE SURVEY FOR EACH CHILD ENROLLED IN THE DISTRICT.

    Monday, Dec 02 2024

  • FREE Basketball Clinic Offered by the Oneida County ...

    https://www.uticaschools.org/news/1800331/district-news-free-basketball-clinic-offered-by-the-oneida-county-youth-bureau-in-partnership-with-the-utica-university-men-s-basketball-program

    Monday, Dec 02 2024

  • RAIDER REVIEW: Issue 45, November 29, 2024: Weekly M...

    ​ ​ UTICA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT’S RAIDER REVIEW / Issue 45 November 29, 2024 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weekly Message From Dr. Christopher M. Spence, Superintendent of Schools ​ Dear Utica City School District Families, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration yesterday with family and friends. As we enjoy this extended holiday weekend and prepare to return to our classrooms next week, I'm excited to share some important updates with our UCSD community. I'm pleased to announce that our invaluable partnership with On Point for College continues to grow with upcoming FAFSA Workshops for our families. Mark your calendars for December 11th and December 18th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Proctor High School. These sessions are designed to help families navigate the financial aid process for college. I strongly encourage our seniors to visit Hawa at the On Point office M25DI in the library to get their FSA ID finalized before attending the workshops. As we enter the winter season, I want to address the upcoming weather challenges we typically face in our region. Our district team closely monitors weather conditions and will communicate promptly about any schedule changes or closures that may impact our school day. During inclement weather, I urge all our families to prioritize safety—whether driving more cautiously on slippery roads or ensuring our children are dressed appropriately for the cold temperatures. Remember, winter weather updates will be shared through ParentSquare and local media outlets. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Monday, refreshed and ready for the final few weeks of 2024. #uticaunited Warm regards, Dr. Christopher M. Spence Superintendent of Schools ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ View the UCSD District Calendar! ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Upcoming Events What's happening District wide! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ WINTER CONCERTS ​ 12/09/24 - Jones / 6:30pm 12/10/24 - Watson Williams / 5:30pm 12/11/ 24 - MLK / 5:00pm 12/11/ 24 - Hughes / 6:00pm 12/12/24 - Donovan / 6:00pm 12/16/24 - General Herkimer / 6:00pm @ JFK 12/17/24 - Kernan / 4:00pm 12/17/24 - Jefferson / 6:00pm @ JFK 12/17/24 - Proctor Night 1 / 6:00pm 12/18/24 - Proctor Night 2 / 6:00pm 12/18/24 - JFK / 6:00pm 12/18/24 - Conkling / 6:00pm 12/19/24 - Albany / 4:00PM 12/19/24 - Columbus / 5:30PM    ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ FAFSA WORKSHOPS ARE BACK! ​ Save the Date! December 11 & 18, 2024 Our partners at On Point for College will be at Proctor to help families complete this years FAFSA on both December 11th and December 18th from 4:00PM-7:00PM. *Seniors, stop by the library to see Hawa at the On Point office M25DI to get your FSA ID finalized prior to the workshop! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PROCTOR SPEECH & DEBATE TEAM! ​ Congratulation to the Proctor High School Speech and Debate Team on recently earning six trophies at a competition, including three 1st-place wins while competing against 7 other school districts! Special shoutout to Juma Bi, Raha Nar, and Zarlashta Rahim Jan, who performed so well that they already earned half of the points needed to qualify for the championship tournament. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ MLK FALL FEST 2024 ​ Families and students celebrated fall during the 2024 MLK Elementary Fall Fest! Students enjoyed making headbands, decorating cookies, and visited the fall photo booth! Thank you to the MLK faculty and staff for creating such a great event for families to enjoy together. Check out the photo gallery! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ CONKLING COMMUNITY READERS DAY! ​ Conkling students loved having Community Readers visit their classrooms! Incredible stories were told about sports, pancakes and french toast, a run away turkey, and a few by Dr. Seuss! Thank you to each and every reader who took the time out of their busy schedules to spend in our Conkling classrooms. See the photo gallery here! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ GENESIS GROUP AWARD - CELEBRATION OF EDUCATION ​ Congratulations to our Utica City School District staff members who were recognized during The Genesis Group's Celebration of Education Dinner on November 21st, 2024. Roseanne Angelhow, Walt Savage, and Elizabeth Korrie were recognized as 2024 Outstanding Educators. Dr. Cheryl Beckett-Minor was recognized and inducted into the Hall of Distinction. Congratulations to each of you! #UticaUnited ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ THANKSGIVING AT THE UCSD! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Check Out the Weekly Schedule ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Please continue to check ParentSquare, our website and social media for important updates. As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. www.uticaschools.org ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

    Friday, Nov 29 2024

  • UCSD Holiday Message from Dr. Spence

    Please click here to view a holiday greetings video from Dr. Spence! Wishing our amazing faculty, staff, and scholars a joyful holiday season filled with love and family. Take this time to relax, recharge, and create cherished memories. See you after the break! #UticaUnited

    Thursday, Nov 28 2024

  • Messages from UCSD Board of Education President and ...

    Dear Utica School District Community, As we reflect on these first months of the school year, the Board of Education and I are extremely proud of the extraordinary achievements and transformative initiatives taking place across our district. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Christopher Spence as our new Superintendent. His leadership and vision have already made a remarkable impact on our district. The dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our students, and the support of our community continue to demonstrate why Utica City Schools stands as a leader in our region. Our commitment to preparing students for future success has never been stronger. The groundbreaking of our new Career and Technical Education facility at Proctor High School represents a pivotal moment in our district's history. This state-of-the-art addition, featuring twelve dynamic career pathways, will prepare our students for high-demand careers in STEM, manufacturing, IT, healthcare, and beyond. With over $2 billion in economic development coming to our region, this investment couldn't be more timely. The excellence I witness daily extends far beyond our CTE programs. Our educators continue to innovate, from the hydroponics laboratory at Donovan Middle School to our Spanish-bilingual kindergarten program at Conkling Elementary. The success of our Targeted Assistance Program, strengthened by experienced retired teachers, demonstrates our commitment to early intervention and student support. None of these accomplishments would be possible without our exceptional staff. From our principals creating nurturing environments where students thrive to our teachers developing innovative lesson plans to our support staff ensuring smooth daily operations—each member of our team contributes to our district's success. As Board President, I am particularly proud of our commitment to community engagement. The successful completion of our Town Halls and Climate Survey reflects our dedication to engaging with stakeholders as we shape our district's future. The Board of Education remains committed to fostering an environment that embraces innovation, growth, and inclusivity. Thank you to every member of our school community. Your dedication makes the Utica City School District stronger every day. Happy Holidays! Joseph Hobika, Jr. Board of Education President Utica City School District ----- Dear Utica City School District Staff, As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Since joining the district, I have been continuously impressed by your dedication, professionalism, and genuine commitment to our students. I especially want to thank those who participated in our recent town halls across all four corners of our city. Your engagement and thoughtful input during these sessions have been invaluable as we work together to transform our educational system. The surveys you completed and the candid feedback you've shared are helping us chart our path forward. During my visits to our schools, I've been touched by the warm welcome I've received and inspired by the incredible work happening in our classrooms. You truly embody the "Utica United" spirit that makes our district special. We are at an exciting moment of transformation in our district. While our destination is clear—enhanced student outcomes—the path forward requires strong teamwork. We are currently analyzing the valuable data and insights gathered from our community engagement efforts to identify core themes that will drive our work forward. As we prepare for the Thanksgiving break, I want to acknowledge that transformative change can be challenging. However, I am confident that with your continued dedication and collaborative spirit, we can build an even stronger educational system that serves all our Utica students and families effectively. Thank you for all that you do every day to support our students and one another. Your commitment to excellence makes a difference in countless lives. Have a restful and joy-filled Thanksgiving holiday. Warmest regards, Dr. Christopher Spence Superintendent Utica City School District

    Wednesday, Nov 27 2024

  • UCSD After School Program Survey

    ​ Please click here to complete the survey ​​​

    Tuesday, Nov 26 2024

  • Letter from Dr. Spence to the UCSD Community

    Please click here to read the letter from Dr. Spence

    Monday, Nov 25 2024

  • RAIDER REVIEW: Issue 44, November 22, 2024: Weekly M...

    ​ ​ UTICA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT’S RAIDER REVIEW / Issue 44 November 22, 2024 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weekly Message From Dr. Christopher M. Spence, Superintendent of Schools ​ Dear Utica City School District Families, There's so much to celebrate within our UCSD community as we approach the holiday season. I'm deeply honored to share that the Utica City School District has been awarded the Dream Maker Award from On Point for College, acknowledging our expanded partnership that helps hundreds of Proctor High School students explore and advance their educational and career goals. This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to creating pathways to success for every student. The holiday spirit is in full swing across our schools with a variety of exciting Thanksgiving celebrations planned. Our students and staff are looking forward to the annual Jones Turkey Trot, where our community comes together for some healthy holiday fun. The heartwarming Friendship Feasts bring our school family closer together, while Jefferson’s Dessert Delight celebration adds a sweet touch to our holiday festivities. As we look ahead to the coming weeks, please note these important dates: Students will be released 15 minutes early on November 26 for our annual Go Home Early Drill. Additionally, schools will be closed for Thanksgiving break from November 27-29. As we reflect on this season of gratitude, I'm reminded that our greatest strength lies in the dedication of our educators, the support of our families, and the boundless potential of our students. On behalf of the entire Utica City School District, I wish all of our families a safe, healthy, and restful Thanksgiving break filled with joy and precious moments with loved ones. #uticaunited Warm regards, Dr. Christopher M. Spence Superintendent of Schools ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ View the UCSD District Calendar! ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Upcoming Events What's happening District wide! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​​IMPORTANT DATES NEXT WEEK ​ 15 MINUTE GO HOME EARLY DRILL: November 26, 2024 NO SCHOOL: November 27, 28, & 29, 2024 - Thanksgiving Recess ELEMENTARY DISCRETIONARY HALF DAYS: MLK - November 25, 2024 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ PROCTOR DRAMA CLUB WILL GET A PORTION OF EACH ADMISSION TICKET SOLD! ​ Come have some fun and support a great cause before we dismiss for our Thanksgiving break! Date: Monday, November 25, 2024 Time: 4:00 PM-8:00 PM Place: Get Air Trampoline Park  4515 Commercial Drive, New Hartford, NY 13413 Show this ad on your phone or state that you are there for the Proctor Drama Club fundraiser so we get credit for your admission.  Fill out the online waiver if you have never been to Get Air! https://getairsports.com/new-hartford/ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Girls Swimming/Diving Team - Section 3 Class A Sectionals & Section 3 State Qualifiers ​ Congratulations to the Girls Swimming and Diving Team! They have completed a successful 2024 Fall Season with Section 3 Class A Sectionals and Section 3 State Qualifiers. Isabella Matos placed 7th in Section 3 Class A Diving and earned a spot in the top 16 Class A, B and C State Qualifier where she broke Proctor's School Record in 11 Dives with a score of 339.95 and placed 7th out of 16 divers in Section 3. The 200 Free Relay Team placed 7th in Class A Sectionals. There are 7 girls who qualified in individual and relay events to compete in both Section 3 Class A and State Qualifier Swimming and Diving. Read more here! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ RUBY BRIDGES WALK ​ On November 14th, Watson Williams Elementary and MLK Elementary participated in The Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day! This annual day is to commemorate Ruby Bridges historic steps as she was the very first African American child to attend the all-white public William Frantz Elementary School in 1960 at just 6 years old. Ruby and her mother were escorted to school by Federal Marshals. Read more about the Ruby Bridges Foundation Here: https://rubybridges.foundation/#rubys-story Check out photos from both Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day in Waston and MLK's highlights! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ON POINT FOR COLLEGE UTICA DREAM MAKER AWARD ​ The On Point for College Utica Awards Celebration Dinner honored students, community leaders and organizational partners last Thursday, November 14th at the Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro. Our very own Dr. Christopher Spence was presented with The On Point for College Utica Dream Maker Award. This award is given to organizations and individual leaders who, through their leadership, investments and collaboration, have helped make the educational and career dreams of our students come true. Dr. Spence has provided a vital expanded partnership with On Point for College to help hundreds of Proctor High School students access, explore and forward their educational and career goals with On Point staff right on the Proctor campus. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ COMMUNITY READERS DAY AT GENERAL HERKIMER ​ General Herkimer Elementary welcomed some very special guests into classrooms to read during their annual Community Readers Day! Students had the opportunity to listen to the community readers read an inspiring story, learn about the diverse careers and opportunities within our community, and ask insightful questions. A heartfelt thank you to each of our community readers for their time, enthusiasm, and dedication to fostering a love of reading in our Jr. Raiders! Check out a few photos of our community readers in our gallery! #UticaUnited ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ WORLD KINDNESS DAY ​ Our Utica City School District System of Care Partners at Integrated Community Alternatives Network (ICAN) and Safe Schools Mohawk Valley helped plan a great project for students to take part in! Students painted rocks with special designs and thoughtful sayings. The rocks are going to be shared with the North Utica Senior Center and Columbus Elementary. We hope that each time they look at the kindness stones, they smile and find happiness in that moment. Jefferson students also made cards to pass on during the day as a gesture of kindness and a way to sprinkle positivity throughout the day. Check out the photos here! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Check Out the Weekly Schedule ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Please continue to check ParentSquare, our website and social media for important updates. As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. www.uticaschools.org ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

    Friday, Nov 22 2024

  • Today - Oneida County Employment Readiness Job Fair

    Visit us at the Oneida County Employment Readiness Job Fair! Friday, November 22, 2024 9 AM to Noon Oneida County Office Building 800 Park Ave, Utica Click here or scan the QR code in the flyer below for our latest career opportunities

    Friday, Nov 22 2024