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
- Giving Tuesday
- November 23 CDC Risk Assessment for Schools in Albany County
- COVID Screening Testing Schedule
- Attendance
- AAG Lower School Pick Up and Drop Off Lane
- Middle School Arts Classes Highlights
- Winter Performances
- AAG Key Club News
- A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
- Athletics - AAG Varsity Swimming
- Thankful for our Archivists
- Week at a Glance
- Looking Ahead
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Dear Friends,
Happy Thanksgiving!
Today, around campus, students and faculty expressed gratitude for the many blessings in their lives.
In this spirit, I want to express my thanks for this exceptional community. For many of us, the last twenty months have been the most challenging period of our lives. But, there was never a doubt that our professional community was “all in” on providing the highest quality experience possible for our students.
Likewise, students have made numerous sacrifices to keep learning, including giving up many of the live events that are the traditional hallmarks of an Academies education. However, I am continuously impressed by their resilience and diligence and could not be prouder of them and the faculty, staff, administrators, and family who support them.
Perhaps the most profound lesson of the pandemic was realizing just how capable we are. We have truly lived up to our motto of being “one family” and came together in remarkable ways to continue teaching and learning at a high level despite the challenges we faced.
Another valuable lesson of the pandemic was to ask for help when needed and gratefully accept it when offered.
In this spirit, I want to say “thank you” to those who have contributed to the school over the last few years. Our fiscal health has been steadily strengthened through your generous philanthropic support, providing us the foundation to weather the economic effects of the pandemic. If you have been considering investing in the school, there is no better time than now to make this intention a reality, either through the annual fund, endowed giving, or during Giving Tuesday next week.
Finally, I am mindful that one of the historical underpinnings of Thanksgiving is the theme of reintegration. While we may not be living through something as dramatic as The Reconstruction, I am hopeful that this particular Thanksgiving may mark the beginning of an eventual return to a more normal life.
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday!
Warmly,
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Giving Tuesday - What is the Annual Fund?
What is the Annual Fund? Where does the money go? Please view our short video and then consider a gift to The Albany Academies. Please give here. Thank you!
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November 23 CDC Risk Assessment for Schools in Albany County |
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The Centers for Disease Control uses several indicators and thresholds for the risk of introduction and transmission of COVID-19 in schools. We assess this risk weekly using county data and adjust our mitigation strategies accordingly.
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COVID Screening Testing Schedule
Given the current high risk of COVID transmission, coupled with holiday travel, we strongly suggest that all members of our community opt-in to screening testing next week.
Weekly Covid screening testing will be available next week for students that have opted into the weekly screening by signing up through the surveys. Testing will be held in the AA & AAG Health Offices between 8:00am and 2:30pm.
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Lower School students will be tested on Tuesday, November 30.
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Upper and Middle School students will be tested on Thursday, December 2.
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Professional Community members may test either Tuesday or Thursday.
If you wish to opt-in or opt-out of testing, please send an email with your request to Shelly Reid at reidm@albanyacademies.org, who is the “keeper of the list.”
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Attendance
A reminder to all parents of protocol for reporting absences, notifying the school of students arriving late, or requesting for students to leave school early. Please email attendance@albanyacademies.org. We ask that you don’t email Mrs. Motley, Ms. Conroy or advisors directly regarding absences or appointments. Thank you for your cooperation.
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AAG Lower School Pick Up and Drop Off Lane
As you enter the AAG parking lot, please be aware that there is no parking in the pick-up and drop-off lane. Parking spots are available if you need to park. Please be courteous to other parents by helping to keep the pick up and drop off lane traffic flowing smoothly.
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Middle School Arts Classes Highlights
Please enjoy our 1st Trimester Middle School Arts Classes and some highlights of our dedicated faculty working with our creative and passionate students.
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Winter Performances
Below are the upcoming performances for our performing arts groups. Because of logistics some groups are able to be live while a few will need to stay virtual at this time. All performances will be accessible virtually by December 17. We are hopeful that we will be able to do all live performances this spring.
Every child is able to have two people in attendance for this winter's live performances.
Masks are required for all attendees.
AA Lower School (Grades 1-4) Music Performance In Person - two attendees per child
- Friday December 3, 2021
- 2:20 pm - Caird Chapel
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(SNOW DATE Monday, December 6, 2021)
ECA (PS, AA/AAG PK & K) Music and Dance Performance
- In Person - two attendees per child
- Friday, December 10, 2021
- 2:20 pm - Auditorium
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(SNOW DATE Monday, December 13, 2021)
Middle & Upper School Music and Upper School Visual Art Webinar
- Wednesday, December 8, 2021 7:00pm
- To include: 5/6 Concert Band; 5/6 Boys Chorus; 5/6 Girls Chorus; 7/8 Symphonic Band; 7/8 Boys Chorus; 7/8 Girls Chorus; Upper School Instrumental Music; Upper School Visual Art
AAG Lower School (Grades 1-4) Music and Dance Performance
- In Person - two attendees per child
- Wednesday, December 15, 2021
- 2:20 pm - Auditorium
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(SNOW DATE Thursday, December 16, 2021)
AAG Dance Grades 5 & 6, Dance as a Sport, & US Dance Performance
- In Person - two attendees per child
- Wednesday, December 15, 2021
- 5:30pm- Auditorium
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(SNOW DATE Thursday, December 16, 2021)
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KEY CLUB NEWS
Whole School Hunger Games Update
Thanks to everyone who sent in non-perishable food for the food drive. We collected over 2300 pounds of food for the Regional Food Bank! The photo shows a few of the AAG Key Club officers (Marleigh S, Callie K, Isabelle C, and Kate M) with some of the food ready for pick-up. The following AAG classes were the winners of the dress down day (TBD):
- Kindergarten
- 1st and 3rd Grades
- 5th and 7th Grades
- 10th and 12th Grades
Last weekend, the AAG Key Club spent their Sunday morning at the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York in Latham. Key Clubbers sorted and boxed donated frozen food to be distributed to area food pantries and charities. Pictured are Mia C, Jillian R, Darcy Y, Kate M, Ava S, Katie P and Courtney P. Nice work, ladies!
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A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms |
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La Société Honoraire de Français students celebrated National French Week by sharing interesting facts about French culture during student announcements and donning their SHF tee-shirts last week. Mme Keegan's students commemorated the event by presenting this photo to her. |
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The AAG Geometry Class did a Geometry Scavenger Hunt Project. Students chose a theme, such as school, road signs, etc., in which they took pictures from Real Life settings to show how geometry is integral to everyday life. |
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The Upper School dancers in the Dance for Performance class are rehearsing in costumes as they prepare for the Winter Wassail Dance Performance on December 15 at 5:30 p.m. They are excited to celebrate all of their hard work with a live performance for their families! |
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Fifth grade students in AAG Computer classes are working on their final project of the fall term. They are coding using Scratch to create a band with interactive instruments. |
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AAG Second Graders enjoyed reading around the classroom in their pajamas! |
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Athletics - AAG Varsity Swimming |
Congratulations to Mea A. '23 for breaking the school record in the 100 Freestyle on Friday during preliminaries of the NYSPHSAA Championships! Her time of 53.48 broke the pool record previously set by Julie Ehrlich in 2013 by 1.16 seconds. |
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Thankful for our Archivists
We are fortunate to have two alums, John McClintock '57 and Margaret Lamar King '65 who donate their time working in our Archives. Recently, in response to a request by an alumnus, parts of the 1925 Cue were scanned including the photo featuring his father. Through this service of our archivist, the alumnus learned that his father was President of the Rifle Team 1924-1925.
Thank you to Mr. McClintock '57 and Mrs. King '65 for their important role of organizing our archives, keeping accurate records of our schools history, and providing historical information to our students for different projects throughout the year.
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Monday, November 29
Day 3
Tuesday, November 30
Day 3
Giving Tuesday
Wednesday, December 1
Day 5
Thursday, December 2
Day 6
6:00 p.m. Center for Teaching & Learning Parent Series Webinar (Zoom ID: 997-9499-7425)
Friday, December 3
Day 1
2:20 p.m. AA Lower School (Grades 1 - 4) Winter Performance (Caird Chapel)
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December 8 Middle School Music & Upper School Visual Art Webinar
December 8 Admissions Asked and Answered Information Session
December 10 ECA Winter Performance
December 14 AAPA Meeting
December 15 AAG Lower School Music and Dance Performance
December 15 AAG Dance (5&6), Dance as a Sport, & US Dance Performance
December 20 - 31 Winter Break (School Closed)
January 3 Classes resume
January 5 DEI Forum Meeting
January 14 Alumni/ae Speaker Series
January 17 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (School Closed)
January 22 Admissions Open House
January 27 CTL Parent Series Webinar
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