[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6495113,"mediaKeyId","5579958-1a10aeb98b7bb69b17757d9f0431777a","parentId",5579958,"title","BOE hears HealthSmart curriculum presentation; board members ask about age appropriateness, special education supports and family communication","audioSeconds",182,"startMs",892000,"endMs",1074000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579958-1a10aeb98b7bb69b17757d9f0431777a&start=892&end=1074","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579958-1a10aeb98b7bb69b17757d9f0431777a/thumbnail_892000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6495113/New-York/BOE-hears-HealthSmart-curriculum-presentation-board-members-ask-about-age-appropriateness-special-education-supports-and-family-communication","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495113-24a7e032ddc79e0280f8cff7ca210592/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391202&Signature=WBatvtYw66BTgyLyD8MDloSOTDZoa1HpKXVfp7ASj19uxwFvQI0j~6WCzEsjE-lhuJog4NGUwHfg65RsSirC9xRUshuArnDP0SxMxs4oqzFY7Fh5o-qu1bhxxwO16I73VBb-hNCs08dVsKySW7C1gecJwbs4a4gGeanF6CJA45pc5FJ7V8--4-UR43xkdUPw1hgS4YkKclCLg8~aIlV5Axmnv6MC0zeUX8cABu3K0isspJ~OEtILhYLulgVMqhnr6Y1rnHmD0An2mB8JsaQYsE27GjirSXH08T8DlcB9vxiib4wb-IWdva8a3XnK2cdcaE6yNGwRq7SlS-kped3rUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Schenectady City School District","date","2025-08-14T11:11:21Z","article","District instructional leaders presented HealthSmart on Wednesday as the district’s recommended comprehensive health education curriculum for middle and high school grades, saying it aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and New York State standards and offers both print and digital platforms.

\"The curriculum has to be culturally sensitive, to students and families,\" Jason McFall, director of health, physical education and athletics, told the Schenectady City School District Board of Education. He said HealthSmart includes family take-home activities, partner and group work, and customizable, standards-aligned lessons that teachers can adapt for different grade levels and learning needs.

District leaders said the curriculum was selected after a review process in which the district’s health teachers examined multiple options. McFall said HealthSmart aligns with national and state standards and is ADA-compliant; it supports both print and digital access and uses case studies and scenario-based learning.

Board members pressed on several points: how health instruction is scheduled, whether the curriculum addresses current issues such as vaping and mental health, and how materials would be adapted for students with special needs. McFall and other staff said health instruction is offered semesterly, varies by grade level (typically in middle and high school), and that HealthSmart includes units addressing sexually transmitted infections and prevention, case studies relevant to contemporary issues, and options to remove or modify material that does not align with state or local policy.

One board member asked about professional development for teachers. Staff said training would be provided before the first professional-development day and could be delivered in person or virtually to meet district scheduling.

District staff also tied the curriculum presentation to three existing board policies that guide health instruction: Policy 82.11 (AIDS instruction and health education), Policy 82.41 (health education and family life), and Policy 83.31 (controversial issues). The presentation materials and hard-copy samples were made available to board members for review, and digital access credentials were provided for a preview of the platform.

Why it matters: Health curriculum decisions determine what information students receive about physical and mental health, sexual health and safety topics, and determine how families and special-education considerations are accommodated. Board members focused on balancing medically accurate instruction with cultural and family sensitivity.

What’s next: Board members may provide feedback to the Office of Teaching and Learning; staff said questions and comments should be directed to the curriculum team for follow-up prior to the board’s decision on curriculum adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting, August 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District staff presented HealthSmart as the recommended comprehensive health curriculum aligned to CDC and New York State standards; board members raised questions about age-appropriateness, representation, special-education adaptations and professional development timing.","taxTitle","Schenectady City School District, School Districts, New York","taxId",14410,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6495121,"Schenectady BOE holds public hearing on 2025–26 districtwide safety plan; no public comments received",83,69000,152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579958-1a10aeb98b7bb69b17757d9f0431777a&start=69&end=152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579958-1a10aeb98b7bb69b17757d9f0431777a/thumbnail_69000.jpg","/articles/6495121/New-York/Schenectady-BOE-holds-public-hearing-on-202526-districtwide-safety-plan-no-public-comments-received","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495121-b08440187d31ce01e4ebedfa454d46a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391202&Signature=TtiIkcWFYLcVqiGJtBERDojGtjvkGcCbLG6sXcb2~nMd4Ff0IV~NbvlbBZV2nGUfPDpRdmgwdurLcU45kDnW-VaDfNDy~ybjeU4w-YRgWHqWMi96pFYF8fpXayXWpQwmFHb4RFOnVAo3v481mpz1i6tYhDgb2ilHcs~uPtvjYUAK6R~WthsFQPk37PC-m0gfJuC4ZzjauXcDBPkLfLQepWj~TXWssO~c083YLFmG1Ul4IOcFOUU5wK0Qwy5Tnmced82UfOns5h~mnmdkrLzPtFDVyvW3~zhOWFZzxnG~bda2sjmMjYvZMjCQOVHG5Yvpeg7w3lbM2UAfPnHXNDrPCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Schenectady City School District Board of Education opened a public hearing Wednesday on the districtwide safety plan and emergency remote instruction plan for the 2025–26 school year, and district staff said the draft was posted for 30 days with no public comments received.

Jeff Russo, the district’s chief safety officer, told the board the posting and feedback period met state requirements. \"This has been done consistently for the last 3 years,\" Russo said, and he noted the plan had been available on the district website and through the district’s \"Let’s Talk\" feedback tool.

Russo said the public-comment window had closed with no respondents. \"The plan every year is updated and reviewed. We did not have any feedback from the public this year,\" he said. He invited anyone present to comment; none signed up.

Board members asked a clerical question about the list of schools included in the draft plan. One board member noted Washington Irving was not listed, and the chief safety officer confirmed the district would add Liberty and other programs located at Proctors and Smart Scholars to the list of covered sites.

The board president closed the hearing and proceeded with the regular meeting agenda. The transcript does not record a formal vote on the safety plan during the public portion; staff indicated the item would be placed before the board for resolution later in the meeting or on the agenda for board action.

Why it matters: State regulations require districts to hold a public hearing on safety and emergency-remote instruction plans; posting the draft and inviting public comment are part of the statutory process that informs school-level emergency preparedness.

What’s next: Board members and the district’s safety office indicated the plan will advance to the board for resolution and any final edits noted during the meeting (for example, adding Liberty and program locations) will be made prior to formal adoption.","The Schenectady City School District Board of Education opened a public hearing on the 2025–26 districtwide safety plan and emergency remote instruction plan as required by state regulation; district staff said the draft was posted for 30 days and no public feedback was received during the comment period.","actionData","errors"]

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BOE hears HealthSmart curriculum presentation; board members ask about age appropriateness, special education supports and family communication

Schenectady BOE holds public hearing on 2025–26 districtwide safety plan; no public comments received