Schenectady City School District Laurence Spring Lori McKenna Scott Stowell EVERYBODY COUNTS; EVERYBODY LEARNS

About Schenectady Total Enrollment: 10,300 Students Total Free & Reduced Rate: 80% 17 Schools Diverse District with a Student Population: 33% Black 33% White 16% Hispanic 18% Other

About Schenectady Combined Wealth Ratio: .386 Schenectady has the 13th highest concentration of Childhood Poverty in the U.S.* Residents of Schenectady are over-taxed due to gross lack of funding by NYS. * Source: American Community Survey

Alternative School Breakfast Breakfast in the Classroom All 15 Elementary Schools began with full implementation beginning September 1, 2013. Multiple delivery options depending on the building and leadership. Teachers combined “morning work” with breakfast Students help with food delivery and management. Vending Machines for Secondary Students Grab and Go Breakfast from cafeteria stations or vending machines. Mont Pleasant Middle School with 3 machines. Schenectady High School with 4 machines.

Participation Increases Average Daily Participation Significant increase in participation since implementation May 2013: 2,510 27% of student body May 2014: 5,754 62% of student body

“More kids come to school in Schenectady” Attendance Improves Attendance Rate Dramatically Increases -------------------------------------- In January 2013, 58% of elementary school students were showing up for school 90% of the time. -------------------------------------- In January 2014, 90% of students were showing up 90% of the time. At the end of the 2014 school year, 98.9% of elementary students were in school 90% or more and 91.3% of high school students were attending 90% of the time or more. 92.2% of elementary students are attending school 95% or more. The Daily Gazette wrote on January 10, 2014 “Free meals among reasons for attendance increases.” “More kids come to school in Schenectady”

Other Outcomes Graduation rate is climbing. Discipline & Suspension rates continue to decrease. For example, the number of students who had no referrals at the high school level improved by 44% Drop Out Rates have significantly decreased. From 2012 to June 2013, the Schenectady High School drop out rate decreased by 26% and has decreased even further this past year. Graduation rate is climbing. The cohort graduation rate continues to improve. The graduation rate of students who are enrolled in SCSD at least three years is 94%.

Other Outcomes Breakfast in the Classroom everyday: Gives our students a sense of stability and security Alleviates some financial pressures on our families Provides every student with a healthy breakfast to start their day Offers opportunity to create structured activities and learn pro-social norms Has resulted in positive feedback from teachers Gives kids a better chance to learn and academically achieve.

We Are Proud Full Breakfast in the Classroom implementation from the first day Program Embraced by Parents and Staff Worked through all challenges and offered “Green Tape” SCSD program is used as a model for other districts Positive Outcomes The program has helped our students and families tremendously and we are seeing the results.