The Albany Academies coordinate single-sex and coeducational learning environments to develop diligent students of high character who become curious, critical thinkers.
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The Skim
- Governor Cuomo's extension of school closures
- Update on Distance Learning Calendar, Grading, and End-of-year Plans
- Videos: Navigating a Pandemic
- April Head's Letter
- Celebrating Our Seniors
- Giving Tuesday
- Step Challenge
- Embrace the Boredom Challenge
- New Ad Campaign
- Admissions Office Tuesday Talks
- AP Exams
- Student Council Election Results
- Author Virtually Visits Grade 4 Library Class
- Hollywood Professionals Virtually Visit Theatre and Filmmaking Classes
- Athletic Recognition
- Another Voice: The Energy Bus
- Yearbooks
- Wednesday Webinars
- Distance Learning Page
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Dear Friends,
Last Friday some members of the Senior Leadership Team got together on Zoom to discuss the School's response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This discussion was recorded, and one of the topics that was explored was what school might be like when we are able to resume physical operations. We also answered how community members can best support the Academies now, if they are able.
Click here
to see this conversation.
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Links to the rest of this video series, titled "Navigating a Pandemic," appear below.
Best wishes for a restful weekend!
Sincerely,
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Governor Cuomo's Extension of School Closures
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By now you have most likely heard that Governor Cuomo has extended the closure of schools in New York State through the end of this academic year. While we are working through many of the details of this decision, the calendar for the rest of the school year is below.
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Update on Distance Learning Calendar, Grading, and End-of-year Plans
Lower School Academic Calendar and Grading
For Lower School, we will continue the current schedule, with Specials-free Wednesdays, until May 22 (this will be a Day 2).
Final days of school for Lower School
The final school days will continue as follows with specials each day:
- Week 9: May 26 (Day 3), May 27 (Day 4), May 28 (Day 5), May 29 (Day 6)
- Week 10: June 1 (Day 1), June 2 (Day 2), June 3 (Day 3).
- June 4 will be the last Day for Lower School (no specials this day).
- We plan to hold our Lower School Closing (AA)/Moving Up Ceremony (AAG) on June 5. Details TBD.
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Lower School Grading
At year-end, we will provide narratives instead of standards assessments. If you have questions after receiving your final report cards, please contact the classroom teacher or Division Director.
Middle School and Upper School Academic Calendar and Grading
For Middle School and Upper School, we will continue with the same schedule (no virtual classes on Wednesdays) through May 22 (Day 2). May 22 will also be the last day of Specials in Middle School and Electives/APs in Upper School.
Final days of school for Middle School and Upper School
After that, we will be focusing on the 5 Core Content areas (Math, English, History, Science, and World Language) for the remaining days of school. If we are still in Distance Learning mode:
- Three 60-minute classes will meet each day from May 26 through June 2.
- Each course will meet every other day (see below).
- June 3 will be a full schedule for MS with closing class meetings.
- June 3 will be a modified schedule for US with closing class meetings.
- We are not holding Final Exams this year. Rather, teachers will use this additional time for teaching and learning, assessing essential knowledge, understanding and skills, and project completion.
- Upper School Last Chapel (AA)/Final Assembly (AAG) will take place on June 3.
- Middle School Closing (AA)/Moving Up Ceremony (AAG) will be on June 4. Details TBD.
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Middle School and Upper School Grading
We are resetting May 8 as an interim and communication point for the spring term. Parents of students with grades of C- or below will receive an email from the teacher with details. Year-end grades will be weighted 35% for Fall Term, 35% for Winter Term, and 30% for Spring Term. There will be no Final Exams this year. Final grades will be posted by June 5.
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Videos: Navigating a Pandemic
In these series of videos, members of our Senior Leadership team discuss the School’s response to COVID-19.
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Part 1: How are we doing?
Members of the team reflect on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected them personally and professionally.
Part 3: Grateful for our Teams!
A reflection on the work of the various teams within the School’s professional community, and how grateful we are for their support during this remarkable time.
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No time for videos?
The April Head's Letter
also catches the community up on the School's response to COVID-19 and our current thinking about the journey ahead.
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Celebrating Our Seniors
Our seniors were surprised by a special delivery on Wednesday of lawn signs! The signs were displayed on campus - both inside and outside - before being delivered by more than 30 faculty and staff to every Class of 2020 student's home. It was incredibly inspiring for our professional community to see our students again and provide a kind gesture for what has been a challenging time for them.
Check out the story that appeared on NewsChannel 13!
Look for a special video dedicated to the Class of 2020 and their signs on Facebook and Instagram tomorrow.
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#GivingTuesdayNow
The Albany Academies are joining #GivingTuesdayNow, a global generosity movement that's intended to unleash the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. This global day of unity will take place on Tuesday, May 5 in response to the needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to raise $75,000 to provide additional financial aid support to families who have been impacted by the pandemic as well as funds to support faculty salaries in this time of uncertain revenues and increased costs.
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Step Challenge
We had a great first week in the Step Challenge! Here are the results from Week 2:
Lower School: Patrick G '28 - 59,000 steps
Middle School: No participants
Upper School: Morgen I '20 - 137,554 steps
Faculty & Staff: Jonathan Catlett - 133,996 steps
Parents: Angelica Gana - 98,022 steps
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We are launching the Embrace the Boredom Challenge!
We would love for families to share an activity, a new passion, or skill that shows how you have turned boredom into curiosity! An email will be sent to students with the google drive link. For Kindergarten and 1st grades, an email will be sent to parents with the link.
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Admissions "Virtual" Events
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. 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.
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AP Exams
With the new format of Advanced Placement exams set to begin on Monday, May 11 it is critical that students and parents review the Testing Guide provided by the College Board.
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Student Council Election Results.
Last week Upper School students took to Zoom to hear election speeches. The then vote for their student government representatives next year, with the following results.
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AA Student Council for 20-21
President: Seamus F.
Vice President: Christopher H.
Treasurer: Bryce H.
Secretary: Kieran O.
Events Coordinator:
Jackson
F-S.
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AAG Student Council for 20-21
President: Julia Z.
Vice President: Kendall O.
Secretary: Isabella L.
Treasurer: Tia dW.
Events: Grace G,. Ma A.
Athletics: Jess E. Katie P.
Arts Association: Ella G., Yuri N.
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Thank you to all who put themselves forward in this important process.
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Author Virtually Visits Grade 4 Library Class
In library class, fourth grade is in the beginning stages of writing their own story/book, a project they voted on to begin. This week, they had a special guest, Janine De Tillio Cammarata, join their Zoom class. Ms. Cammarata is an author of several amazing books, including the books in The Puzzle Quests series! She walked the class through an engaging lesson on character development and explained what the beginning stages of writing a book entails.
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Hollywood Professionals Virtually Visit Theatre and Filmmaking Classes
Last week Josh Siegal came to visit to speak to our students about his journey to becoming an Emmy nominated writer and producer of television. Mr. Siegal's credits include: Emmy nominations from the series'
Monk
,
30 Rock
,
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,
and most recently,
The Good Place
where he also played the character Glenn in its final season.
This week Luke Rivett
stopped by from the Hollywood production company Anonymous Content, who brings directors and screenwriters together, and spoke about his journey from coming over from Australia as an unpaid intern to personally producing films including 2019's
The Tomorrow Man
starring John Lithgow
.
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Athletic Recognition
Congratulations to five of our winter sports teams that earned NYSPHSAA Scholar Team recognition!
AAG Varsity Basketball Team
AAG Varsity Indoor Track & Field Team
AA & AAG Varsity Ski Team
AA Varsity Indoor Track & Field Team
AA Varsity Swimming & Diving Team
Congratulations to Andre J.'20 for being named as the Class A player of the year by the New York Sportswriters Association!
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Another Voice:
The Energy Bus
Dear Academies Community,
We find ourselves in this seemingly never-ending state of uncertainty. Some of the questions that come to my mind include: When will things get back to normal? Will they
ever
get back to normal? Is this the
new
normal? Unfortunately, we don’t know. And that uncertainty and perceived inability to control our futures is harder to handle than pretty much anything. So, why not focus on the things we can control? We can’t control all of things that happen in our lives, but we can control how we perceive, feel, and respond.
Consider this:
E (events) + P (Perception) = O (outcome)
Approximately one year ago (Sunday 05/05/2019), I sent an email to the community with the following message – “There’s no better time than now to fire up the Energy Bus! Let’s all get on and finish strong!” Well, there is no better time to revisit this than now. If you haven’t read
The Energy Bus
, by Jon Gordan, now is the time. The message is about the power of positivity in both your work and home lives. For many of us, those have been merged.
If you would like to discuss the book, your situation, or just about anything – drop me a line. I would love to chat with you!
Wishing you and your family all the best,
Scott Milliken
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10 RULES FOR THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE
1. You’re the Driver of the Bus.
2. Desire, Vision and Focus move your bus in the right direction.
3. Fuel your Ride with Positive Energy.
4. Invite People on Your Bus and Share your Vision for the Road Ahead.
5. Don’t Waste Your Energy on those who don’t get on your Bus.
6. Post a Sign that says “No Energy Vampires Allowed” on your Bus.
7. Enthusiasm attracts more Passengers and Energizes them during the Ride.
8. Love your Passengers.
9. Drive with Purpose.
10. Have Fun and Enjoy the Ride.
- Jon Gordon
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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
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Wednesday Webinars
Please join us next Wednesday at our Wednesday Webinars. The Zoom Webinar IDs are below. We hope to see you there!
Topic:
LS Week 5 Distance Learning Webinar
When:
May 6, 2020 03:00 PM
Webinar ID:
977 7708 5778
Topic:
MS and US Week 5 Distance Learning Webinar
When:
May 6, 2020 03:45 PM
Webinar ID:
940 5075 6310
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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
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Week at a Glance
May 4 - May 8, 2020
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Monday, May 4
Day 3
8:00 a.m. AAG Upper School Morning Meeting (Zoom)
8:00 a.m. AA Upper School and Forms I & II Chapel (Zoom)
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Wednesday, May 6
Middle School & Upper School Workshop Wednesday
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