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
- CDC Risk Assessment
- Required At-Home COVID Testing on April 4, 2022
- AAPA Meeting
- Thank you to our Kitchen Staff!
- Bender Summer Writing Class
- Poetry Contest
- Vocal/Instrumental NYSSMA Festival 2022
- AAG Grade 4 Play
- Mock Trial Team
- Spring Gathering
- Yearbooks
- Athletics
- Former Academy student-athletes participate in NCAA and NIT Tournaments
- A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
- Summer Camps
- Hannaford Helps Schools
- Week at a Glance
- Looking Ahead
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Dear Friends,
Energy is high on campus today as we prepare for a well-earned spring break!
We have enjoyed some excellent academic and community events this week, as you’ll see below. Outside the buildings, the weather seems to be cooperating with the calendar, and it is lovely to see students on our fields, courts, and track. I look forward to the games and matches to come and appreciate the commitment of coaches and student-athletes who will be practicing during the break.
We are also preparing for the spring series of after-school enrichment programs in the lower and middle schools. Based on your feedback, we believe these have been an excellent addition to our offerings and look forward to further refining and diversifying them.
Looking past the spring, summer camp enrollment is the highest it has ever been, with some sections already full. If you have meant to sign up, I urge you to do so soon.
Please also remember that today is the deadline for returning re-enrollment contracts. We will soon begin scheduling students for next year’s classes based on re-enrollment, so it is important to return them promptly.
Finally, we have our eye on the Omicron BA.2 COVID variant, hoping that we won’t experience another surge in the spring. One of the ways we can all manage this potential risk is to follow the at-home testing requirement for April 4, detailed below.
Best wishes for a great break! Head Lines will be on hiatus for the next two weeks, but we will send out the Weekly Update to help organize your return.
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CDC Risk Assessment
The Centers for Disease Control has introduced a new webpage to assess the risk of the introduction and transmission of COVID-19 within a county. According to CDC metrics, the current risk level for Albany County is:
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Required At-Home COVID Testing on April 4, 2022
To minimize COVID transmission after spring break, we require all members of our on-campus community to send in proof of a negative COVID test taken the morning of Monday, April 4, 2022, before returning to school. Individuals should test at home, using kits provided by the school or other OTC tests.
If a test is positive, the individual should isolate and contact the health office.
If the test is negative, kindly email a photo of the test result to Shelly Reid, Assistant to the Head of School, at reidm@albanyacademies.org.
When emailing student test results, please address the subject line as follows:
April 4 testing for <<Student Last Name>>, <<Student First Name>>, <<Grade>>
For example:
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AAPA Meeting - April 12, 8:00 a.m.
Please join us for our next in-person meeting on April 12. If you are unable to attend in person you can join us via Zoom. The focus of the meeting will be a “State of the School” from Head of School Chris Lauricella P'20, '22. A follow-up email will be sent after spring break with more information.
Date: April 12, 2022, In-Person
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Zoom Webinar ID: 997 9499 7425
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Thank you to our Kitchen Staff! |
Today, our community celebrated our Kitchen Staff by writing notes of gratitude that were then hung in the AAG Kitchen and the Buttery. We are grateful for their hard work and dedication to providing healthy and delicious meals to our community. |
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Bender Summer Writing Class
Once again we will be offering the two-week Bender Summer Writing Course. This class is open to Academy students entering grades nine through twelve next year. In this class, students work on the fundamental components of essay writing in a workshop format. Because the course is highly individualized, students of all levels of proficiency can benefit. Eleventh and twelfth graders work on college essay topics in the second week. The course will run via Zoom. There is no fee for the course.
Dates: The first session will be held the weeks of June 20 and 27. The second session will run the weeks of August 8 and 15.
Times: 40-minute classes of 4 or 5 students.
Grade 9: 8:30am - 9:10am
Grade 10: 9:20am - 10:00am
Grade 11: 10:20am - 11:00am
Grade 12: 11:10am - 11:50am
These times are subject to change depending on the number of students that enroll in each grade level. Grades 9 and 10 can be scheduled together, as can grades 11 and 12. The maximum number of students enrolled in each session is 20.
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Poetry Contest
AAG middle school students recently participated in a poetry contest with the theme of "Light". Mr. Fitzmaurice and members of the 11 Montgomery team chose six winners from over 80 poems submitted.
Congratulations to the following students:
First Place: Mandy F. '27
Second Place: Sherri X. '27
Third Place: Ellarose H. '25
Honorable Mentions: Emily B. '29, Kavya B. '29, Melody L. '27, and Ahana G. '27
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Vocal/Instrumental NYSSMA Festival 2022
This year The Albany Academies will be participating in the NYSSMA Festival held at Shenendehowa High School on May 20 and 21 . If you are interested in participating, please either pick-up a form in the Band room or email Ms. Alex Kouloriotis with the following information:
- Student Name and Grade
- Instrument/Voice Range
- NYSSMA Level
- Composition Title
- Required Movements
- Composer/Arranger
- Preferred Day/Time (Fri PM, Sat AM or Sat PM)
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AAG Grade 4 Play
AAG Grade 4 students performed Cinderella! Cinderella! by Edith Weiss this week. The Grade 4 play is a special tradition at AAG and is an event that both students and parents look forward to each year. Congratulations on a wonderful performance!
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Mock Trial Team
Over the past two weeks, The Albany Academies Mock Trial Team has won both of its trials against CBA and Albany High School. All of the trials have been on Zoom this year which has added another level of difficulty. The team will have another match on April 6 in the Albany County final. Dr. Brown and Carol Crummey '04 (our lawyer coach) have also been involved in preparing the team. Congratulations to the team and good luck in the Albany County final!
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Tickets for Spring Gathering are on sale now! We hope you will plan to join us on Saturday, April 30th at the Kenmore Ballroom in downtown Albany while we come together for a night of food, friendships, & fun - all for a great benefit! To get your tickets and register for the event, please visit https://SG2022.givesmart.com.
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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 9, 2022.
- To order a yearbook for AA enter passcode: 10131170417192
- To order a yearbook for AAG enter passcode: 101411068383919
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Athletics
The following winter Varsity Sports Teams earned NYSPHSAA Scholar Team status:
The Albany Academy
Indoor Track & Field
Section 2 Hockey
Skiing
Swimming & Diving
Albany Academy for Girls
Basketball
Indoor Track & Field
The cumulative average of 75% of the roster for each team needs to carry an academic average of 90% or above for a team to qualify for Scholar Team status. Congratulations to our student-athletes!
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The GREGORY V. McQUIDE ’87 AWARD is given by friends, in his memory, to that member of the swimming team who has participated for a minimum of three years and has demonstrated a desire to improve himself and help other to do the same while promoting the ideals of The Albany Academy swimming program through his effort and leadership.
Awarded to: William G. '22
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The J.A.M.’81 Alpine Ski Award is given to a top varsity skier who exemplifies the qualities that define an Academy student; Academics, Athletics, Sportsmanship, Teamwork, and Integrity:
Awarded to: William F. '22
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Former Academy student-athletes participate in NCAA and NIT Tournaments
March Madness is here! Congratulations to four of our former student-athletes who are playing on teams in the NCAA Tournament in Buffalo this week: Riley Mulvey, University of Iowa (Big 10 Champions), Kieran O’Haire ‘21, Providence College (Big East Champions), August Mahoney ’21, Yale University (Ivy League Champions) and Andre Jackson ’20, UConn.
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Hameir Wright '17 will be playing in the NIT Tournament with the University of North Texas basketball team. The Mean Green are on the rise in college hoops after winning an NCAA Tournament game last season and winning C-USA's regular-season title by two full games this season. Best of luck to all of them! |
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A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms |
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Second grade students spent time learning about the Kuna native people of Panama in Spanish class. They learned about the colorful layered fabric and embroidered blouses called "molas" that Kuna women stitch by hand. After viewing many examples inspired by nature, students designed their own "mola" using a fish as a central design.
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First Grade is working with the Lower School students to help make their Heart Garden Grow. They have been reading about kindness, learning about what kindness means, and discussing the importance of being kind. Together the students are making sure that kindness is a standard for others to follow. They choose kindness because kindness matters! |
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This week sixth grade presented at Chapel, celebrating Women’s History Month. The presentation highlighted amazing historical figures spanning different centuries and backgrounds. |
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Middle and Upper School Latin students celebrated the Ides of March with a cookie decorating party hosted by the Latin Honor Society. |
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The AA Sixth Grade started working on a play about St. Patrick's Day on Monday. The boys worked in groups of three and used different props to perform in front of the class on Tuesday. The play was used to learn about St. Patrick's Day as well as practice our public speaking skills before Declamations in April! |
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AAG Grade 3 students have been busy researching historical figures from the colonial days in America. Today, they became that historical figure in a mock wax museum presentation, a tradition at AAG over many years. It was amazing to watch each girl bring to life these brave and important people and discuss the impact they left on American history. Congratulations on a job well done! |
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AAG Second Graders celebrated St. Patrick's Day with Rainbow Math. It was educational and delicious! |
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Lower School library classes teamed up with AA athletics to participate in a March Madness Tournament of Books. Players and coaches signed up to visit our library as surprise guest readers! Thank you to all who participated!
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Each AAG Grade 5 student is matched with an AAG alumnae who graduated in 1972. The students have been busy crafting letters to be mailed to their pen pals! They are excited to get a letter in return. |
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Camp Spotlight
Instrumental Music Camp
Entering Grades 7 - 12
July 25 - 29
Director: Rich Johnson
Students are welcome to sign up for a morning, afternoon, or both sessions.
Morning Session: Symphonic Ensemble - This group will focus on classical, film, and other similar contemporary musical works. This group is for the intermediate and advanced brass, woodwind, percussion, and string player. Guitar and Bass players are welcome and must be able to read notated music. Each morning students will rehearse various music pieces and build upon their basic fundamental knowledge of music.
Afternoon Session: Stage Ensemble - This group will focus on Jazz, Rock, and other similar contemporary musical works. This group is for the intermediate and advanced brass, woodwind, percussion, and string player. Guitar and Bass players are welcome and must be able to read notated music and knowledge of chord reading is preferred. Each afternoon students will rehearse various music pieces and work on an original musical work that will be created during the session.
*All instrumentalists will need to provide their own instrument. Percussionists will only need to provide their own sticks and mallets.
Camp registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis and many camps and LEAP blocks are at capacity or filling quickly. Please click here for more details and to register.
Refer a family and receive $25 toward your summer 2022 registration fee!
Registration is now open for virtual MS/US English and Math Skills, and in person Upper School Math for credit classes.
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Hannaford Helps Schools
The Albany Academies can earn money from the Hannaford Helps Schools program from March 13 - May 28 by shopping at the Hannaford store at 183 Delaware Avenue in Delmar. If you purchase four participating Hannaford Helps Schools items, you will receive a receipt for three School Dollars at the register. Please place that printout in our school's slot in the Hannaford Helps Schools collection tower at the front of the store. Customers who shop with Hannaford To Go can give their School Dollar printouts to the associate handling their groceries and let them know which school slot to place them in.
Hannaford is in the process of launching an app and website to redeem school dollars, so as more information comes out we'll add that to the information in Head Lines.
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Book Fair
Good news! If your child didn't get to visit the Book Fair, you can still shop the Albany Academies online Spring Book Fair. Every online purchase means 25% in rewards back to the school.
Please click here to visit the online Spring Book Fair.
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Monday, April 4
Day 3
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Chapel (AA)
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG)
8:00 a.m. Lower School Morning Webinar (Zoom)
12:00 p.m. AA Middle School Chapel
2:20 p.m. Upper School Assembly
Tuesday, April 5
Day 4
7:20 a.m. AA Middle School Deans Meeting (AA 3-16)
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Chapel (AA)
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG)
11:30 a.m. AAG Middle School Deans Meeting (AAG Drawing Room)
12:15 p.m. AAG Upper School Deans Lunch (AAG Drawing Room)
Wednesday, April 6
Day 5
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Chapel (AA)
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG)
12:00 p.m. AAG Middle School Meeting
5:00 p.m. Diverse Albany Academies Parents Association Meeting (Zoom)
Thursday, April 7
Day 6
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Chapel (AA)
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG)
11:30 a.m. Upper School Advising
5:30 p.m. Senior Parent Night
Friday, April 8
Day 1
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Chapel (AA)
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG)
12:15 p.m. AA Upper School Deans Lunch (Trustees Room)
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April 12 AAPA Meeting (in person and remote)
April 15 School Closed (Good Friday Observed/Passover Begins)
April 18 Professional Development Day (No Classes)
April 19 - 21 Admissions Visiting Days
April 22 Community Service Day
April 28 The Arts Spring Festival
- Upper School: Music, Dance, Theatre, Filmmaking, & Visual Art
April 30 Spring Gathering
May 11 The Arts Spring Music Recital
May 14 Admissions Lower School Open House
May 19 The Arts Spring Festival
- Middle School: Choral, Band, & Dance
May 20 The Arts Spring Festival
- ECA, AAG LS, & AA Lower School
May 24 AAPA Meeting
May 25 AAG Grade 8 Play
May 30 School Closed (Memorial Day Observed)
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