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
- Traveling Out of State
- Please Remember to Order Lunch!
- Lower School Drop Off
- Traffic Reminder
- Extended Day Message
- PE Packs
- Me Museum
- Science Scavenger Hunt
- The COVID Talk, Part II: Maintaining Personal Discipline
- A Long Journey to Shanghai!
- PSAT Information for Juniors
- One Family Referral Campaign
- Kan Jam Tournament Fundraiser
- Amazon Smile Benefits the Academies
- Legacy of Dreams
- Are You Getting a Flu Shot?
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Dear Friends,
We’ve wrapped up the second week of school in our “Next Normal,” which would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of all the members of our school community.
Our students continue to do an exceptional job learning new health and safety routines, and we sincerely appreciate all the support we are receiving from families in helping them do so. Teachers are also settling in, meeting the demands of teaching in two different modes, and supervising students more closely than they have ever had to before. Staff members in all operational areas have supported this work by creating and perfecting all manner of new processes and procedures. And leadership teams are meeting frequently across the School, focused on optimizing operations and considering adjustments necessary to keep our efforts sustainable.
The payoff for all of this expended energy is seeing (and hearing!) students together again, learning and socializing, either in-person or remotely. These moments are priceless, and fill me with joy and hope.
They are absolutely worth all of the work that goes into making them happen.
Best wishes for the long weekend, and an easy fast for those celebrating Yom Kippur!
Sincerely,
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Traveling Out of State
If you are traveling out of state for the long weekend, please be mindful of New York State’s travel restrictions. As of today, the following states and territories are on the NY Department of Health’s restricted travel list:
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- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Guam
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
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- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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Travel to these areas requires a quarantine period upon return to New York, as well as the completion of a travel form with the state. Please also reflect it in your students’ daily COVID survey.
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Please Remember to Order Lunch! (Or Help Your Student Remember!)
Preordering lunches have worked well in Lower and Middle School (when parents have direct control of the process), and have been a “work in progress” in the Upper School (when students control the process). Please help us get this behavior routinized by reminding your Upper School student to order lunch through the Flik Dining App. Please note that once the order is submitted an email will be sent confirming the order. Ordering lunch ahead of time allows for the kitchens to be better prepared and will streamline the students lunch experience.
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Lower School Drop Off
All children who are in the Lower School need to be walked into school and signed in with the main office from 8 am on. They absolutely cannot be dropped off at the curb and left to walk in on their own. Thank you.
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Traffic Reminder
In order to keep traffic flowing and to avoid a back up of cars in the AA South lot, traffic can only make a right hand turn onto Academy Road when exiting the lot.
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Extended Day Message
If you were given a key card to access the building last year for picking up your child from Extended Day, please return the key card in an envelope with your child's name on it to the Extended Day Director or to your child's homeroom teacher. Please note that for security purposes the cards have been deactivated.
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PE Packs
Grades PreK - 6 are enjoying their PE packs in Physical Education. The PE department and the students are grateful for the generosity of the AAPA whose donation has allowed us to provide each student with their own equipment. The students love their new equipment and can safely enjoy a variety of activities offered in PE Class.
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Me Museum
The AAG Second Grade held their Me Museum this past Friday. The girls showcased displays of special items to help their classmates learn more about each member of our classroom community.
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Science Scavenger Hunt
Seventh and eighth grade science completed a scavenger hunt to learn about how to identify the different variables in a scientific investigation.
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The COVID Talk, Part II: Maintaining Personal Discipline
Students have been fantastic about adjusting to all of the inconvenient things we are asking them to do, particularly wearing face coverings and physically distancing. As we settle into these routines, I hope parents will continue to reinforce (and students will continue to understand) that: 1) these behaviors should become intrinsic and persist even without adult supervision, particularly when on campus, and 2) students should “try to make good choices” now more than ever, as their behavior can affect the entire community.
Should you need a couple of cautionary tales to help frame this narrative, here are a few recent news items that are keeping school administrators up at night:
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A Long Journey to Shanghai!
Last June, Angie J. '22 created a video of her journey from Albany to China. Although Angie wasn't able to travel to Albany for the beginning of the school year, she is participating in remote learning from 12 hours away and remains a vital part of The Albany Academies Community. Through classes and participation in International Club, Academy Road, IA Club, and Science Bowl she stays connected with her peers and faculty. Click here to view the video of her journey home.
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PSAT Information for Juniors
The PSAT will be given at the Academies on the morning of Wednesday, October 14. Boys and girls will test together in the AA New Gym, seated by advisor. The start time of the exam is 8:00am. Students need to bring number two pencils and a four-function calculator.
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Shout out to the current families who participated in the One Family referral campaign! More than 15 Academies families received a tuition credit because they referred a family who enrolled for this school year! Extra kudos go to the Meighers, Mildes, and O’Briens for multiple referrals.
We have made making referrals easier than ever! Click the One Family Referral link on the Parent Resource Board in your MyAcademy account to tell us about a candidate you think would be a good fit for Academies or click here.
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Kan Jam Tournament Fundraiser
Connor M.'22, serving as an Henrik Lundqvist Foundation Student Ambassador, recently organized two teams to participate in a Kan Jam tournament to benefit HLF. Connor and his fellow classmates Jake F., Luke H., and Nicholas D. participated in the tournament and worked together to raise $550 to help children and families affected with cancer. Great job!
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Amazon Smile Benefits the Academies
Did you know The Albany Academies are set up as a charity at Amazon Smile? Instead of logging into www.amazon.com to do your shopping, go to smile.amazon.com instead! All prices, shipping options, prime, etc. are the same. When eligible purchases are made through Amazon Smile, half of 1% of your eligible purchases will be donated to the Academies. Once you’ve logged in at smile.amazon.com, you can select “The Albany Academy” (to benefit both AA and AAG) as the charity you wish to support. To learn more, please review the FAQs about AmazonSmile. To shop Amazon Smile on your phone, click here.
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Legacy of Dreams Going Virtual |
Legacy of Dreams, a fundraising event to support athletics, will be held on Thursday, October 1 virtually at 7:00 p.m. It will be live-streamed via The Albany Academies Facebook page.
Legacy of Dreams is one week away, and we are excited to announce our returning raffle of a flatscreen Sony TV from Hippo's. Tickets are limited so purchase yours today by clicking here. For more information contact Special Events Coordinator Sarah Adamowski at adamowskis@albanyacademies.org. Your support is greatly appreciated!
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Are You Getting a Flu Shot?
Managing a significant influenza outbreak on top of the protocols already in place for COVID screening would put a considerable strain on our operations. In a worst-case scenario, it might trigger a move back to distance learning. We can all help mitigate this risk by getting vaccinated for the seasonal flu. The School is doing its part by hosting our annual flu vaccine clinic for teachers and staff in early October. We hope you will join us in protecting yourself, your family, and our school community by getting flu shots through your healthcare provider or at the local pharmacy.
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