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
- Annual Fund
- Bender Summer Writing Program
- Coronavirus Communication
- International Taste of the World Festival
- Women's History Month
- Capital Rep Show: Petticoats of Steel
- Around Campus
- Charter Day
- Bonnie Morse-Gillham to be Inducted into the AAG Athletic Hall of Fame
- Athlete Spotlight: Caroline B.'21
- Hitting the Road
- Summer Camp Spotlight: The Leading Edge
- One Family Referral Campaign
- Henry House Drive for Ronald McDonald House - Last Chance
- Spring Gathering
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Dear Friends,
I have spent a good deal of time this week learning about the COVID-19 outbreak from our community partners in public health, as have my colleagues on the
School’s Emergency Response Team.
I am very grateful for the care and attention with which this group approaches student health and safety, and would be remiss if I didn't thank Angela Sears and Lisa MacDonald, our nurses, for their fine work these past few weeks.
We are planning for how this outbreak may impact us, including the possibility of a school closure. With this in mind, we will be sending a technology asset survey out to you early next week to assess the types of devices and Internet access that teachers and families have at home, should we have to teach via technology.
It is quite important to our planning efforts that you respond to this survey, which you will receive via email.
Above all else, we are committed to modeling calm for our students, using this event as an opportunity for teaching and learning, and communicating with you as effectively as possible. To assist in this, we have created a
webpage
that hosts our school communications and other resources about the impact of the virus. I have also added a resource for parents who would like support in discussing this issue with their children to the end of this
Head Lines.
In much happier news, our students were engaged in a great week of learning, including the launch of Women’s History Month.
Read on to learn all about it, and have a great weekend!
Warmly,
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We all make sacrifices to support our hopes and dreams for our children. Not because we fear, but because we believe. We believe in our dreams for our children. The ones that happen in the classrooms and on the stages, and the ones that happen on the courts and the playing fields. Those dreams are coming true right here at The Academies.
Please give to what you believe your children have inside of them; to what you want to create for them; and to what lights them up. Please give to those who help them along the way and show you believe in the power of Us, Together, Bears, Cadets, Family, Academies.
The Albany Academies make dreams happen for our students, our faculty, and our families. Give to the dream. Give to the Annual Fund. Above all, give to what you love.
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Bender Summer Writing Program
Through the generosity of the Bender family, the school is able to offer a free summer writing program for any upper school student who wants to improve his / her writing skills.
The focus of this course is on academic, expository writing. The course is designed to be a workshop experience in which students work on particular skills and receive feedback every day from the teacher and their peers.
The second week for 11th and 12th graders includes some time spent on the college application essay.
There will be two two-week sessions: first session, weeks of June 15 and 22; second session, weeks of August 10 and August 17. Students may sign up for only one of these sessions.
The class will run for 90 minutes each day:
9-10:30 for rising ninth and tenth graders.
11-12:30 for rising eleventh and twelfth graders.
Enrollment for each section is capped at 12 students.
If you are interested in enrolling your son or daughter, please contact Mr. Pascone at pasconed@albanyacademies.org.
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We are committed to modeling calm for our students, using this event as an opportunity for teaching and learning, and communicating with you as effectively as possible. To assist in this, we have created a
Webpage
that hosts our School communications and other resources about the impact of the virus.
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International Taste of the World Festival
On Saturday, February 29th, hundreds of community members came out to attend the 12th Annual International Taste of the World Festival Sponsored by the Albany Academies World Language Department. Families and student groups shared their cuisine and talents. This year's festival represented many different cuisines, crafts, salsa dance lessons, the Academies Drum Line, Indian Dancers and a Martial Arts Expo.
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Women's History Month
Women's History Month launched this week with a coordinated effort to celebrate both the Month and the 200th anniversary of Women's Suffrage. AAG's halls are alive with quotes from famous women, slideshows of women of note, and even a photo booth with Rosie the Riveter!
A collection of women-themed books are displayed in the library, and our librarians are sending works to classrooms that make connections between curriculum and women’s history.
Faculty members are taking full opportunity of Women's History Month to create these curriculum connections. For example, today students and staff video chatted with Lauren Allison, CEO of #techmums, a U.K.-based company created "as a direct response to the noticeable lack of female representation in the Technology Industry, which still only sat at 17% in 2017. #techmums trains women in key areas including: Tech Skills, The Cloud, Digital Safety and Coding to allow them to enter a new career path and gain confidence regarding returning to employment or setting up their own businesses".
Women's History Month was launched at AA with the observation of the 100
th
anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment,
which guaranteed and protecting women's constitutional right to vote
. Middle and Upper School students also enjoyed the
Petticoats of Steel
production (see below).
During the month of March,
Quotes of the Week will be from famous women, Morning Music will feature female artists, and discussions of women’s health issues will be discussed in Chapel talks.
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Capital Rep Show:
Petticoats of Steel
Thank you to alumnae Joan Dembinski '55 for once again bringing theatre to our students. This year she sponsored bringing for our combined Middle School students the Capital Rep traveling show
"Petticoats of
Steel"
which Celebrates the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, Women’s Right to Vote. This powerful production allowed students to experience the battles fought for women's suffrage told in the voices of the brave warriors who fought them as well as those who fought for civil rights for all. She show uses primary sources to tell the true stories of the women, specifically those of the State of New York – Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and more .
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Congratulations to Grade 7 Science Symposium Finalists. The students have qualified for the Joseph Henry Science Fair on March 20, 2020 at the College of St. Rose.
AAG students pictured are: Zooey H., Samantha V., Chole S., Lily G., Emerson H., Caroline V.,
and Poem D
AA students pictured are: Evan D., Cameron M., Carter K., Eamon T., Charles X., and Kevin L.
Not pictured: Patrick C.
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Thee 6th grade girls have successfully finished their training unit to “ become” Samurai Warriors. This “ training” is a unique combination of physical, ethical, philosophical and literacy discipline! This made the 6th graders qualified to train other aspiring Samurai. The 6th grade girls then created various games, puzzles and feats of mental strength. They invited 2nd, 3rd and 5th graders into their history classroom to train. The 6th grade girls would like to thank all who participated!
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Rhea A. '24 was the AAG school champion for the National Geographic Geography Bee. She took the NYS test in February and qualified to participate in the state level competition which will be held at the NYS Museum on Friday, March 27. Rhea is the first AAG student to qualify for the National Geography Bee New York State competition! Good Luck Rhea!
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In order to give the seventh and eighth grade students a more complete experience as to what it’s like to sing in a typical co-ed vocal ensemble, Miss Stella and Mr. Streifert have been working on an in-class project where the two groups have prepared parts of a song separately and then combined later to put them together. They had two combined rehearsals and faculty and staff were invited to listen at the end of the second day. It was a great experience for all involved.
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The second graders at AA did some great research in library class. Their work is now featured in a professionally bound class book. Each child contributed four pages to the book that includes their research and illustrations. The book is now on display right outside the AA LS Library! Way to go 2nd grade!!
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8th grade completed an in-depth historical context research paper this winter based on the historical connections of
Animal Farm.
They are now continuing to draft this paper into a two-fold argument that calls for character analysis and counterclaim. This week in class 8th grade worked in their writing groups to craft their counterclaim arguments.
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On March 4, Lower School students celebrated the 100th day of school with a variety of activities in each classroom.
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Mrs. See's Grade 1 class creatively wrote about what the world will look like in 100 years.
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After creating t-shirts featuring a collection of 100 items in celebration of the 100th Day of School, the Kindergarten girls demonstrated their pride and confidence as they showed their work in a fashion show to a very attentive audience of Pre-K through Second Grade students.
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Charter Day
The Albany Academy celebrated Charter Day, the founding of the school in 1813, on March 4. A special assembly was held highlighting the rich history of our school by viewing very valuable artifacts and photos from The Albany Academy archives.
Pictured: Oliver N. '21 modeled a Battalion uniform and Form VI students had an up close look at an early century officer's sword.
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Bonnie Morse-Gillham to be Inducted into the AAG Athletic Hall of Fame
Congratulations to Coach Morse-Gillham for her recent honor as an inductee into Albany Academy for Girls Hall of Fame.
She has many years of running the Varsity Swim program and a great amount of success with championships at the Colonial Council and Sectional levels. She continues to make a positive impact with our students as the Aquatics Director teaching swim classes to all students in the Lower and Middle school for AA and AAG.
Coach Morse-Gillham will be inducted on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at the Hall of Fame Ceremony as part of the reunion festivities.
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Athlete Spotlight: Caroline B. '21
Caroline B. '21 was nominated by her Coach as a Section 2 Girls Varsity Basketball Scholar Athlete. Caroline attended the Section 2 Girls Basketball Scholar Athlete Brunch on Sun. at the Albany Marriott where her academic and athletic accomplishments were recognized.
Congratulations Caroline!
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Hitting the Road
Members of the college counseling staff have been on the road and will be visiting more campuses this spring. Last Friday, Jak Bestle and Jen Poole were two of the 11 college counselors invited to participate in Rochester Institute of Technology’s review of their School of Individualized Study (SOIS). During March break, Jak will be travelling to Campbell University in North Carolina for their Counselor Experience 2020, and Amy McDonald will be participating in the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges tour (Cedar Crest College, Lafayette College, Moravian College, and Muhlenberg College). In mid-April, Jak will travel to West Lafayette, Indiana for the Purdue University High School Counselor Fly-In program.
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Summer Camp Spotlight:
The Leading Edge
July 13-24
Director: Matthew Essery
For students entering grades 9-10
This is the perfect opportunity for Upper School students interested in beginning the college process, community volunteering, team building and leadership training while working with other camps as counselors in training.
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Click here
for more details (there's an
incentive
for this!) and the referral form.
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Pictured: Jackson F. '33 making a can tab contribution for Gates House.
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Henry House Drive for Ronald McDonald House
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region provide a home away from home for families of seriously ill children seeking treatment at nearby hospitals. The Ronald McDonald House in Albany has 25 bedrooms and serves over 650 families per year. The Ronald McDonald Family Room, located within the Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center, offers families support and a comfortable respite while remaining close to their ill child and caregivers.
Henry House is running can tab drive to support the Ronald McDonald House. AA Middle and Upper School students will receive one point for their house for each can tab donated. Collection bottles are set up outside of the Main Office. AA Lower School is collecting single serving sized snacks to fill the snack cupboard at the Ronald McDonald House.
The can tab and food drives will end on Friday, March 13.
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Boston and NYC gatherings
If you are an alum, know an alum, or have a child that is an alum in the Boston or NYC area,
please join us for an alumnae/alumni gathering. For more information and registration visit:
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Spring Gathering 2020
Consider joining the Honorary Committee for Spring Gathering!
This annual event - to be held on April 25, 2020 at Franklin Plaza - benefits today’s students by helping to ensure that the Academies remain accessible to all deserving young men and women. Proceeds from the event support the financial aid and merit scholarship programs at our school.
Registration is now available:
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A Parent Resource:
This article and downloadable PDF from the National Association of School Psychologists provides helpful information on how best to speak to and support children when discussing difficult and sometimes challenging topics.
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Week at a Glance
March 9 - 14, 2020
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Monday, March 9
Day 2
Spring Sports Begin
12:15 p.m. AA Middle School Chapel - Nutrition Assembly (Caird Chapel)
2:20 p.m. AAG Snack Shack
3:05 p.m. AAG Senior Speeches
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Tuesday, March 10
Day 3
12:10 p.m. AAG Middle School Assembly (Auditorium)
2:20 p.m. Joint Upper School Assembly - Academic Challenge quiz show competition
3:35 p.m. Department Chairs (Drawing Room)
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Wednesday, March 11
Day 4
Upper School Music Class Field Trip to NYC
2:00 p.m. AAG Grade 4 Play "Goldilocks and the Three Pigs" (AAG Auditorium)
2:20 p.m. AAG Snack Shack
3:45 p.m. AAG Middle School Faculty Meeting (Room 50-07)
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Thursday, March 12
Day 5
8:15 a.m. AAG Lower School Assembly (AAG Auditorium)
8:20 a.m. AA Lower School Chapel - Nutrition (Caird Chapel)
9:00 a.m. AAG Grade 3 Wax Museum Featuring Historical Colonial Figures (Flex Room)
12:00 p.m. Lunch On Us
2:20 p.m. AAG Ring Dares Assembly (AAG Auditorium)
2:20 p.m. AAG Snack Shack
6:00 p.m. AAG Ring Dare Dinner (Stevens Center)
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Friday, March 13
Day 6
Course Requests Close
11:30 a.m. US Advising
12:15 p.m. AA Middle School Clubs
2:20 p.m. AAG Snack Shack
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Saturday, March 14
1:00 p.m. ESU Regional Shakespeare Competition (The Cathedral of All Saints, Albany)
1:00 p.m. Matthew Bender IV Memorial (Caird Chapel)
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Looking Ahead
3/16/20 - 3/27/20 Spring Break
3/30/20 Classes Resume
3/31/20 Tuesday Talks (Faculty & Staff)
4/1/20 AAG Upper School Coffee
4/1/20 AA Lower School Coffee
4/2/20 Admissions Lunch On Us
4/2/20 Grade 8 Field Trip
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