The Albany Academies coordinate single-sex and coeducational learning environments to develop diligent students of high character who become curious, critical thinkers.
April 17, 2020
The Skim

  • Step Challenge
  • Distance Learning Survey
  • Video: Managing Thoughts And Feelings
  • Another Voice
  • Video: College Admissions In The New Normal
  • SAT Update
  • Yearbooks
  • All School Spirit Week
  • College Selfies
  • Distance Learning Page
  • Admissions Office News
  • Alumnae In The News
  • Alumni Spotlight: Sean Puleo '16
Dear Friends,

Happy Friday and the end of week 3 of Distance Learning. Here are a few thoughts about managing the high expectations that we normally hold for ourselves.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Step Challenge

Join The Albany Academies in our first-ever Step Challenge! This challenge is open to everyone in our community. The only equipment needed is a pair of sneakers and a pedometer/fitness tracker that records your steps. Click here to join. Please contact Laura Hollander with any questions.

As we venture into this new Distance Learning journey together, we would appreciate your thoughts and feedback on what we are doing well and what we could improve upon. We have created an online survey that asks four questions:

1.  In your experience, is there anything in the Distance Learning program that you think we should  START  doing that we are not currently doing? If so,  WHY ?

2.  In your experience, is there anything in the current Distance Learning program that you think we should  STOP  doing? If so,  WHY?

3.  In your experience, what elements of the Distance Learning program do you think we should  KEEP  doing or  DO MORE  of?

4.  Are there  SPECIFIC QUESTIONS  that you have about our Distance Learning program?


Here's an interview with our school counselors , McKenzie Fruehwirth and Powell Cucchiella about maintaining perspective and positive thoughts and feelings during stressful times.
Thank you, Powell and McKenzie, for all you do to support us!
Another Voice: "This is Crisis Mode Schooling."

Members of our Emergency Response Team meet regularly to focus on the current health and safety of our community and to develop recovery plans for the future. This is a message to parents from one of our team members:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As a parent, I am sure home-schooling for Distance Learning was never in your game plan. With the brood all home and parents either working from home or deemed essential workers, juggling all the jobs that go with running a home, teaching and trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, sad ,anxious and many other emotions at once. This is not the time to strive for perfection or expect it from others. We can all use a lesson in not sweating the small stuff.

It’s okay if Johnny’s handwriting isn’t perfect or that fifth grade Math might as well be rocket science to those of us for whom fifth grade has long been in the rear view mirror. You, as parents, are not expected to replace the teacher, replicate the classroom experience or maintain the academic rigor for which you chose the Albany Academies. This is crisis mode schooling. The teachers, administration and parents all have a steep learning curve when it comes to this distance learning thing. There will be kinks to work out. 

The most important thing is that our children, preschool to seniors, feel safe, loved and supported. It is the primary jobs of all the adults in their lives to fulfill those needs first. If you’re accomplishing those things first and foremost then you are already doing a great job!!

Thank you for doing your best and keep up the good work!!

Stay healthy!

Lisa McDonald, MS, FNP-BC
AA School Nurse

In this video , Mrs. Poole and Mr. Bestle discuss "College Admissions in the 'New Normal' and provide advice for seniors and juniors about the college process:
Right after this video was completed, Mrs. Poole welcomed a son, Ari Kenneth, to her family! Both mom and baby are happy and healthy!

While Mrs. Poole is on maternity leave, please don't hesitate to reach out to Mr. Bestle or Ms. McDonald with any questions or concerns you may have. They are always available via e-mail and are happy to set up Zoom meetings as well upon request.
SAT Update

SAT update from CollegeBoard: CollegeBoard will not be able to administer the SAT or SAT Subject Tests on June 6, 2020.  Additional information may be found at  https://pages.collegeboard.org/sat-covid-19-updates.
Yearbooks

It is time to place your yearbook order! Click here to order a yearbook for your child. The deadline to place your order is May 31.

To order a yearbook for AAG enter passcode: 101411068383919
To order a yearbook for AA enter passcode: 10131170417192
All School Spirit Week

Next week is Spirit Week! All students and teachers will have the opportunity to show school spirit with a different theme each day!
College Sweatshirt Selfies

Last week, we sent out an email requesting seniors to submit selfies in their college gear to Ms. Adamowski in the Office of Institutional Advancement. This will be an ongoing project as commitments roll in, so please keep the submissions coming!  

Thank you to those seniors that participated in last week's video.  Our hope is to create one video at the end in late May with all of our seniors included. In the meantime, we watch for our Sunday posts to our Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Distance Learning Page

Please be sure to visit our Distance Learning Page for information on our Distance Learning program. This page is updated frequently and has resources including:

  • Webinar Recordings
  • Head of School Weekly Video
  • Videos of interviews with Faculty
  • Archived Communications
  • Key Contacts Who Can Help You
  • Family Resources
  • Information Pertinent to Each Division
The Admissions Office is (Virtually) Open!

Our Admissions Office has launched a new admissions page on our website ( Click here to view ) while our campus is closed. It contains information on upcoming virtual admissions events, two new videos for prospective families, and other key information for families. Please pass the link along to anyone who may be interested in learning more.

Thank you to the families that have participated in the One Family Referral Campaign.
For details on how to participate click here.
Alumna in the News: Melissa DeRosa '00

Melissa DeRosa '00 was recently featured in an online article by Elle.com.

Melissa is the Secretary to the Governor and an integral contributor to Governor Cuomo's COVID-19 response. Thank you, Melissa, for all of your efforts to help us through this time!

Photo credit: Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Alumnus Spotlight: Sean Puleo '16

Sean Puleo '16 recently finished his collegiate golfing career at Washington and Lee University. During his time on the team he played 53 rounds notching a 75.28 scoring average that ranks 3rd in program history.

Washington and Lee University Men's Golf Team recently celebrated Senior Day. W&L Head Coach Pete Gyscek said of the group:

"The men's golf seniors, arguably, comprised one of the most successful teams in school history. All four played in at least two national championships and all four were named Academic All-Americans, something they accomplished last season. The group finished second at the NCAA Championship in 2018, with each playing a pivotal role in that accomplishment. This group of players won every ODAC award possible, some doing so numerous times. In their final, unexpected, event together, they shot a school record by firing a -6 at the Savannah Invitational moving their ranking from No. 28 to No. 21. They went out on top, but more importantly, together!"
Week at a Glance
April 20 - April 24, 2020
Monday, April 20

Day 1
Crazy Sock Day
Tuesday, April 21

Day 2
Hat Day
Wednesday, April 22
Middle School & Upper School Workshop Wednesday
Superhero Day
Thursday, April 23
Day 3
Academy Spirit Wear Day
Friday, April 24
Day 4
Full Dress Down Day