The Albany Academies coordinate single-sex and coeducational learning environments to develop diligent students of high character who become curious, critical thinkers.
September 17, 2021
The Skim

  • Class of 1970 Pavilion Construction Begins Next Week!
  • September 17 CDC Risk Assessment for Schools in Albany County
  • COVID Screening Policies
  • Student COVID Screening Testing Sign-Up Form
  • Coming soon: New COVID testing vendor and process
  • AAPA - Spirit Wear Store
  • Room Parents Needed!
  • A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
  • Amazon Smile Benefits the Academies
  • Week at a Glance
  • Looking Ahead
Dear Friends,

This morning, despite the work piled up on my desk, I took a few minutes to send a note of gratitude to someone I have been meaning to thank for a while.

I immediately felt a little happier.

It turns out that “gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.”*

I felt the need to remind myself of this today, as attending to all the back-to-school details needed to help us thrive in our current environment requires sustaining a significant amount of energy.

This goes for everyone here, and I hope to add a little gas to our collective tanks by ending the week with gratitude for all of our community members -- students, families, teachers, coaches, staff, and administrators -- who are working together to make this the best year yet!

I hope all who observed Yom Kippur had a meaningful fast, and I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,
*Click here If you’re interested in learning more about how gratitude can lead to happiness (a fundamental tenet of Positive Psychology, by the way).
Class of 1970 Pavilion Construction Begins Next Week!

If you have visited Caird Field at Albany Academies you may have noticed fencing has been erected next to the building. This space will soon be busy as construction begins on the Class of 1970 pavilion. As with any construction project, we anticipate some minor inconveniences over the next months, which will be a small price to pay for such a wonderful addition to the campus.
September 17 CDC Risk Assessment for Schools in Albany County.
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.
COVID Screening Policies for Students

In response to recently released requirements from the New State Department of Health, we have developed the following policies for COVID screening of students.

  • If the school is at low or moderate risk of transmission per CDC metrics, we will offer voluntary COVID screening to all students who want it.
  • If the school is at substantial or high risk of transmission per CDC metrics, we will require COVID screening of all students, regardless of vaccination status.
  • If the school is at any risk of transmission per CDC metrics when reopening after a vacation period, we will require all students to participate in a “return-to-school” COVID screening, regardless of vaccination status.
  • Students involved in activities deemed to be “higher risk” by guiding authorities (IE: CDC, ACDOH, athletic leagues) may be required to participate in additional COVID screening.
Student COVID Screening Testing Sign-Up Form

If you wish to have your child participate in weekly voluntary COVID screening, please complete the following survey by the end of the day, Monday, September 20, 2021. 


Per NY State Department of Health requirements, we will provide weekly COVID screening onsite and free of charge to all families who desire it. Given the rise in breakthrough COVID cases in vaccinated individuals, many public health authorities recommend that all families consider participating in weekly screening regardless of their child’s vaccination status.

We will share more information about the logistics of weekly COVID testing before our first test date once we understand how many families want to participate.
Coming soon: New COVID testing vendor and process

We will soon be moving to a new COVID testing partner, facilitated by the Albany County Department of Health. This will necessitate a different sample collection process than we currently use. More information will be shared about this soon.
AAPA - Spirit Wear Store

The Albany Academies spirit wear store -- in partnership with Clearly Yours -- will open beginning on Monday, September 13 through September 20 for screen printed items only. Click here or use this link: https://clearlyyoursgifts.com/collections/academy-apparel to place an order. Items that require embroidery will be available throughout the year, so please watch for additions to the store.
Room Parents Needed!

Are you looking to be a part of the Academy community? Please consider volunteering your time with the Albany Academies Parents Association. We are looking for several room parents (mostly in the ECA and Lower School) for this school year. Please contact Jenny Levy jennifer.levy6@gmail.com if you are interested or if you have questions.  
A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
Students in Ms. Tucksmith's Advanced Art class worked on figure drawing.
Students in Grades 1-6 practiced skills in the after school competitive soccer program.
Preschool students are exploring the outside autumn season and bringing it into the classroom for a closer look!
As Grades 1 and 2 boys begin their study of solid liquids and gases in Mr. Neudel's science classes, they looked at a glass and saw their were solid balls in the water that could not be seen while they were in the water!
Students in Ms. Hamric's Grade 8 Computer classes are designing and building prototype orthoses.
Ms. Maloney's PreK class posed for a picture in front of inspiring hallway art created by Ms. Trainor.
We welcomed Mango, to our Early Childhood Exploration Center. Students will be learning about newest residents Mango (a bearded dragon), and Plum (a leopard gecko).
What's all the buzz? First Grade is off to a sweet start this new school year! They are learning about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and celebrating these two special holidays!
Grade 6 students in Ms. Grogan's English class used the first full day of class to review Figurative Language. Then, the students worked with partners to identify Similes and Metaphors.
Amazon Smile Benefits the Academies
 
Did you know The Albany Academies are set up as a charity at Amazon Smile?

Join AmazonSmile
If you are not already an AmazonSmile member, simply sign up at smile.amazon.com and select your favorite charity to start generating donations, at no cost to you.

Turn on AmazonSmile in the Amazon app on your Smartphone
Open the app and find ’Settings’ in the main menu (☰). Tap on ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone.
Week at a Glance
Monday, September 20
Day 5
Last Day to place an order with the AAPA Spirit Wear Store
8:15am AAG Lower School Assembly - Pin Ceremony

Tuesday, September 21
Day 6
3:10pm Upper School Faculty Meeting (Zoom)
3:45pm Lower School Faculty Meeting (Zoom)
5:30pm Virtual Middle School Parent Night
*Please see the upcoming Weekly Update for Parent Night details

Wednesday, September 22
Day 1
7:25am AAG Middle School Faculty Meeting (AAG Room 30-9)

Thursday, September 23
Day 2
8:15am AA Lower School Assembly - House Selections

Friday, September 24
Day 3
Looking Ahead
October 2 Alumni/ae Weekend
October 4 - 7 Spirit Week
October 6 Admissions Asked & Answered Information Session
October 8 Bacon Bat & House Day
October 9 Caird Classic Football Game
October 11 Indigenous Peoples Day (School Closed)
October 13 PSATs
October 22 Fall Community Service Day
October 29 Lower School Halloween Celebration