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
- Parent Survey for NYSAIS Accreditation
- Important Transportation Information
- February 4 CDC Risk Assessment for Schools in Albany County
- News from the Admissions Office
- Celebrating Chinese New Year
- Black History Month
- Yearbooks
- Science Symposium Information
- Robotics Team Wins Award
- Scholastic Art Award Winners
- ARTrageous - Thank You!
- Alumni/ae Speaker Series
- A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
- Athletics
- News from College Counseling
- Summer Camps
- Week at a Glance
- Looking Ahead
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Dear Friends,
As you know, I am writing to you on a snow day. While today's closing decision was relatively straightforward, this is not always the case. The Academies enroll students from a sixty-mile radius. As a result, we often have to factor in dramatically different weather patterns in the region and communicate with over a dozen public school districts regarding their storm responses. This prompts me to express my gratitude to the teams of professional community members who help develop these decisions and oversee campus cleanup after a weather event.
As we enter into February, we have a few community-wide celebrations to enjoy.
This week, we celebrated the Lunar New Year this week (happy Year of the Tiger!). As you may have heard at home, we enjoyed some delicious delicacies at lunch thanks to our International Student Coordinator, Dr. Jessica Chen, and the enthusiastic parent volunteers who shared their time and talent with us.
It is also the beginning of Black History Month, which traces its origins back to 1926 and is grounded in the idea of designating a specific time in the year to promote and educate people about Black history and culture. While we understand that the Black experience is embedded throughout our history, we are also doing some special programming this month, highlighted below.
The first week in February also brought some good news on the COVID front. The percentage of individuals testing positive in the county dropped below the CDC threshold for "High Risk" of transmission, which correlates to the slower and more manageable case rates we are experiencing at school.
Finally, if winter weather is not your thing, you can take comfort in the fact that we are beginning to register students for summer camp next week. This is a sure sign that warmer weather is just around the corner! Scroll to the bottom of this email to learn more.
I hope your family has been able to enjoy this "bonus" day at home and that this is the start of an excellent weekend.
Warmly,
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Parent Survey for NYSAIS Accreditation
Our professional community is working on our decennial self-study for renewing our accreditation with the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS). As part of the process, we are requesting feedback from parents/guardians in order to help us move this work forward.
Accreditation is an essential process as it helps validate the outstanding work that we already do and focuses attention on our growth opportunities. It is also the legal mechanism for renewing our charter with New York State and assuring our continued independence.
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Important Transportation Information
The list below indicates districts that will not provide transportation to our students from Tuesday, February 22 through Friday, February 25 due to their district winter break. Students residing in these districts will need to find another form of transportation:
Districts
Averill Park Central School District
Ballston Spa Central School District
Berne-Knox Westerlo Central School District
Bethlehem Central School District
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District
East Greenbush Central School District
Guilderland Central School District
Ichabod Crane Central School District
Mohonasen Central School District
Niskayuna Central School District
North Colonie Central School District
South Colonie Central School District
Troy City School District
Voorheesville Central School District
Please contact your home district with any questions.
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February 4 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. Trend data from the NYSDOH is also presented, below.
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News from the Admissions Office
Family Skate! We are opening the rink for our current families to enjoy with their children on Saturday, February 12th at 2 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there!
We are also holding a special one hour information session from 1-2 p.m. with Director of Admissions Nicholas Forcier for alumni and alumnae who have children and are interested in learning more about the Academies. Pass on the word!
The Office of Admissions is taking it on the road, again, and hosting an Information Session on Tuesday, March 1 at 5 p.m. at Saratoga Polo! We hope current Academies families will share the details of this Information with prospective families in the Saratoga area. For more information please contact Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management Nicholas Forcier at forciern@albanyacademies.org.
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Financial Aid Deadline, February 14
A reminder of two changes in the contracting and financial aid process for Academies students reenrolling for the 22-23 academic year:
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To retain priority status in the financial aid process, families of returning students must complete their applications by February 14, 2022.
- Re-enrollment contracts for returning students will only be issued after financial aid applications have been received and processed.
After the February 14 deadline, any aid previously budgeted for returning students will be made available to all applicants, and applications will be processed in the order they are received. As we typically receive more applications for financial aid than the budget of available funds, families of returning students applying after the priority deadline risk receiving less or no aid.
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Celebrating Chinese New Year
On Monday, January 21, we celebrated Chinese New Year at The Albany Academies. Parent volunteers worked alongside International Coordinator Dr. Jessica Chen P’32, ‘33 to make more than 2,000 dumplings – which involved 150 pounds of meat, 40 hours of prep time, and three hours to prepare and cook the dumplings. Our students and professional community enjoyed the delicious dumplings during lunch.
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Black History Month
Students and Faculty have been working on projects in celebration of Black History Month. Here are some highlights of upcoming presentations and activities:
- On Monday during the Lower School webinar, students in Grade 4 will present a personage or facts related to African-American History.
- Middle School Chapel and Assembly presentations on Cathay Williams and Robert Smalls. Students will also participate in activities within their classrooms.
- Upper School students Kendall O. '22 and Ma A. '22 are busy preparing presentations for the school community in our weekly Friday webinars. Faculty are also planning a variety of class activities that focus on the 2022 theme, "Black Health and Wellness," focusing on the contributions and breakthroughs of Black professionals in the field.
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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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Science Symposium Information
Due to Covid precautions, the number of Grade 7 students, and space requirements, we will hold two separate competition dates for the Science Symposium.
AAG Grade 7 students will be participating in the Science Symposium on February 17, 2022. The students have been working hard on their projects are are looking forward to presenting them at the competition.
AAG Grade 7 schedule for February 17:
- 2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Student preparation (Set up projects for display)
- 2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. AAG Middle School classes view projects
- 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Parents attend
Parents should plan on bringing their child home with them at the end of the competition. The projects will remain at school for other classes to view.
Please look for information in next week's Head Lines regarding the AA Grade 7 Science Symposium.
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Robotics Team Wins Award!
Congratulations to The Albany Academies Robotics team! The Upper School students from AA and AAG won the first place Design Award at their first competition of the season this past weekend at the NY-Excelsior MVCC Utica Remote Qualifier. We were very proud of the Botman team!
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Scholastic Art Award Winners
Students in AP Studio Art and Advanced Studio Art classes had the opportunity to enter pieces into the Scholastic Art Competition. Congratulations to Chloe P. '24 , Katie L. '25, Ursula W. '22, and Finn D. '22 on receiving awards for their art!
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Honorable Mention: Chloe P. '24 |
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Silver Key Award for Painting: Katie L. '25 |
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Silver Key Award for Painting: Ursula W. '22 |
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Silver Key Award for Painting & Silver Key Award for Portfolio: Finn D. '22 |
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Thank you to everyone who tuned in to watch our virtual ARTrageous fundraiser last evening and to the many parents, alumni, and alumnae who made gifts. In addition to seeing the amazing work of our students and faculty, we also honored five incredibly talented alumni and alumnae into our inaugural Arts Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Daniella Dora Zeman '10, Prosper Muna '09, Alexis Karol '97, Craig Hatkoff '72 and Adam LeFevre '68.
Special thanks to co-chairs Stephanie McCauley P'21, '24 and Mike Camoin '22, '23 and to Fine Arts Chair Rich Johnson P'35 for their leadership and support. It was an amazing night!
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Alumni/ae Speaker Series
The latest session in our popular Alumni/ae Speaker Series took place yesterday afternoon, February 2, and focused on the legal profession. Students heard from Brittiny Belmonte Razzano, Esq. '04, P'34; Andrew Safranko, Esq. ’91, P’23, ’26; Matthew Smalls, Esq. ’93; and Suzanne Walsh, Esq. ’87. It was a wonderful and lively discussion for our students!
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A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms |
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The AAG fourth graders are learning to convert decimals to fractions, and fractions to decimals. |
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AA students in 7th grade work on creating puzzle cubes in PLTW Gateway Technology class. |
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AA Grade 4 students created a mural with the theme "Good Character and Our Core Values." |
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Students in Ms. Brink's Grade 7 and Grade 8 Science Classes were busy this week creating models with meiosis and atoms. |
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For the Lunar New Year, the Chinese Honor Society prepared traditional red envelopes filled with candy to hand out to every student in the upper school. The Chinese classes celebrated by making red lanterns and tiger decorations with handwritten Chinese New Year's wishes to decorate the classroom and hallway. The Chinese IV class took a "trip" to China this week, visiting Beijing, Shanghai, and various provinces. They planned every detail of their trips, "buying" plane and train tickets, choosing famous sites to visit, and navigating public transportation. |
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AA Varsity Swimming & Diving
Last Saturday, The Albany Academy Swimming and Diving team competed in the Aqua League Invitational at Ravena. The 200 Freestyle Relay team of Josh K. '24, Will V. '23, Will G. '22, and Brayden H. '23 broke the Ravena Pool Record with their time of 1:33.80. In addition, Brayden H. '23 broke two other Pool Records - in the 50 Freestyle (21.72) and 100 Breaststroke (58.64).
Congratulations to Coach Young and the team!
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AAG Varsity Indoor Track
The AAG Varsity Indoor Track team competed and placed 3rd at Sectionals this past weekend. Congratulations to the team and to to following athletes:
1st Place High Jump: Lucy F. '24
1st Place 4x400: Emily S. '22, Iciar G. '23, Grace S. '24, and Lucie F. '24
1st Place 1000m: Erin B. '23
1st Place 1500m: Erin B. '23
1st Place 3000m: Erin B. '23
3rd Place 55m: Iciar G. '23
3rd Place 300m: Iciar G. '23
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News from the College Counseling Office
The College Counseling Virtual Sophomore Night for the Class of 2024 is scheduled for Thursday, February 10 at 7:15 pm. Brendan Corsones, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Notre Dame University will be our featured guest presenter.
This important event is specifically tailored to sophomores and parents and is packed with information to help you understand the college process. Sophomore families should plan on attending. Webinar information will be sent closer to the event.
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The Albany Academies 2022 Summer Camp dates and rates, brochure, and LEAP class charts and descriptions are now available online. Online registration will open on Wednesday, February 9 at 9:00 a.m. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis and many camps and LEAP blocks fill quickly. A waitlist option is available with online registration if a camp or LEAP block reaches capacity.
Refer a family and receive $25 toward your summer 2022 registration fee!
Join us for a one-week session, a two-week session, or the whole summer! Please contact Karin Epstein at epsteink@albanyacademies.org or 518-429-2332 with any questions.
Information about our Sports camps and Middle School English and Math Skills and Upper School Math for credit classes coming soon!
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Monday, February 7
Day 6
Senior Spirit Week - Class of 2022 Dress Down Wild West Day
8:00 a.m. Lower School Morning Webinar
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Chapel
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting
12:00 p.m. AA Middle School Chapel
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs
Tuesday, February 8
Day 1
Senior Spirit Week - Class of 2022 Dress Down USA Day
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Chapel (AA)
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG)
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs
Wednesday, February 9
Day 2
Senior Week - Class of 2022 Dress Down Decades Day
7:25 a.m. Middle School Faculty Meeting (Zoom)
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 (Zoom)
3:00 p.m. Senior Speeches
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs
Thursday, February 10
Day 3
Senior Week - Class of 2022 Dress Down Pajama Day
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Chapel (AA)
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG)
8:15 a.m. AA Lower School Chapel (Zoom)
2:20 p.m. Upper School Assembly
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs
7:15 p.m. College Counseling Virtual Sophomore Night for the Class of 2024 (Zoom)
Friday, February 11
Day 4
Senior Week - Class of 2022 Snow Day
Valentine's Day Dress Down Day
- Wear red, white, pink and/or purple OR
- in recognition of the Superbowl, wear your favorite sports teams apparel
8:00 a.m. - Class of 2022 Snow Day Breakfast (Buttery)
8:45 a.m. - Class of 2022 Sledding (Dress Warmly)
8:00 a.m. All School Morning Webinar
3:30 p.m. Ski Club
Saturday, February 12
Snowball Dance (Fort Orange Club)
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February 14 Professional Development Day (No Classes)
February 18 & 19 Winter Musical - Pete(her) Pan
February 21 Presidents' Day (School Closed)
February 22 - 25 Admissions Visiting Week
February 23 Admissions Asked and Answered Event
March 4 Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
March 9 Admissions Open House
March 10 CTL Parent Series Webinar
March 16 AAG Grade 4 Play
March 16 DEI Forum Meeting
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