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
- December 17 CDC Risk Assessment for Schools in Albany County
- AAG Dean of Students
- Annual Fund
- News from the Admissions Office
- Class of '70 Pavilion
- Affinity Groups Meeting
- Academy Road
- Registration for NYSSMA Piano is Open
- AAG Key Club News
- Holiday Visitors
- A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
- Alumnus Visit
- Week at a Glance
- Looking Ahead
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Dear Friends,
Happy Winter Break!
As we leave each other for a well-deserved fortnight with friends and family, I want to thank the AAPA for such a lovely faculty appreciation lunch earlier this week! While showing gratitude for our faculty, staff, and administrators is customary during the holiday season, this year, it takes on particular importance as we continue to work through the challenges caused by the pandemic.
We are indeed fortunate to have such an incredibly dedicated professional community. I want to add to the chorus of “thank you’s” for their work over the last twenty months. I also want to thank you and your children for being such an integral part of our school community. Ultimately, they are our raison d'etre.
Before we end the week, please also be aware of the following, and kindly take action now if necessary:
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Due to the current high risk of transmission, we will be COVID-Screening ALL individuals on campus when we return from break, regardless of vaccination status. Testing is free of charge and will be done on campus using the Clarifi system. Please make sure you have created an online profile with Quadrant Biosciences at https://app.clarifi-covid-19.com/.
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A Vaccination Clinic is scheduled for 1/11/22 from 2 to 5 pm for first doses and boosters and 2/1/22 from 2 to 5 pm for second doses and boosters. All COVID vaccines should be available. The clinic will be held in The Albany Academy Health office. To participate, book your appointment here. Click on January 11 and then select a time. There are five slots available per 15-minute increment.
We won’t be sending Head Lines out for the next two weeks, but you will receive periodic email reminders about the items above.
I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday and a restful and restorative break!
Warmly,
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December 17 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.
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We are pleased to announce that Lauren Catlett P'30, '32, '35 is joining The Albany Academies, in the role of AAG Upper School Dean of Students.
Lauren received her BA in Creative Writing from Gettysburg College and holds a NYS teacher certification and principal certificate from the Relay Graduate School of Education.
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Annual Fund
With the last two weeks of 2021 upon us, we hope you will consider making a gift to our Annual Fund as part of your end-of-year giving plan. Your support of the school and our students and faculty makes much of what we do possible, especially in these extraordinary times. Please visit give.albanyacademies.org/campaigns/annual-fund. Thank You!
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News from the Office of Admissions
The Office of Admissions is getting excited for a busy January!! Please keep the following in mind as the end of the calendar year approaches:
- Family Skate Returns! Community members are welcome to use our ice rink on January 8 at 4:30 p.m. and Jan. 15 at 1:30 p.m.
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The Financial Aid application is available at School and Student Services for families to complete the Parent Financial Statement. This year, returning students’ Financial Aid decisions will be issued with enrollment contracts. All returning families should submit the Parent Financial Statement before February 15.
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Class of '70 Pavilion
The Class of '70 Pavilion continues to take shape, with framing nearly completed. The next step will be roofing and lighting in the next few weeks.
We all look forward to having this exciting campus facility being put in service this spring!
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Affinity Groups Meeting
Alumni and Alumnae of Color Affinity Group Chairs Evril Clayton Jr. '00 and Jeannine Blanco '89 met with the Students of Color Affinity Group this week at AAG. It was an opportunity for the three groups to discuss a mentorship program and other ways to connect students with Alumni & Alumnae.
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Academy Road
The Academy Road newspaper publishes new articles on the 15th of every month. December's issue includes pieces on the NBA, top ten Christmas movies, the return of Wassail in person, and a new People of Academy series. Check it out at https://theacademyroad.com/.
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Registration for NYSSMA Piano is Open
Students who wish to participate in the NYSSMA Piano Festival may register from now until January 14, 2022. This year, the festival will be held at Schenectady County Community College. (This is a change from previous years.) The dates of the festival are March 11-12, 2022. The registration fees are $22 for Levels I-IV and $30 for Levels V-VI. Checks can be made payable to “The Albany Academies” and should be submitted to Mr. Matthew Streifert.
- Student Full Name
- Student Grade in School
- Level of Solo
- Title of Solo
- Required Movements
- Composer
- Arranger
- NYSSMA Manual Page Number: (Piano teachers should be able to provide this information)
- Date Preferred (Fri/Sat)
- Time Preferred (Morn/Aft/Eve)
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AAG Key Club News
The AAG Key Club elves were very busy filling sixty stockings to be distributed to children in area shelters. The stockings are being given to FINA (Families In Need of Assistance), a local non-profit run by AAG Alumna Cynthia Urbach '65, who will deliver them to the shelters. Thanks to all members who contributed to this awesome project!
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Holiday Visitors
The tradition continued this year of holiday visitors on campus. The group visited Lower School classrooms bringing music and goodies with them while wishing our students a wonderful Winter Break.
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A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms |
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Students in AAG 8th grade computer class completed the Project Lead the Way Gateway ankle foot orthosis project and presented their prototypes to the class. |
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First Grade complete another page in their passport book. They just finished traveling to Israel to celebrate Hanukkah during their Holidays Around the World unit study! |
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The AA 4th graders focused their writing on a single experience and produced essays describing their family holiday traditions.
Small moment writing involves having students zoom in and focus on the sensory details and their thoughts and feelings during one specific point in time.
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The Spanish Honor Society is presenting "COCO" to the whole AA and AAG Lower School students. A film that is a representation of the Mexican Culture. The focus on importance of family and giving those you love respect is heartwarming for all.
There was a presentation before the movie about some cultural facts.
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The Upper School Theatre Arts Class has been filming a presentation of the Improv Monologue Exercise called, "Do You Know What Bothers Me?". It is a through-association improv skill builder where a student goes up, asks the audience, "Do you know what bothers me?", and then looks at their card to see what they have to instantly monologue about what 'bothers' them for 45+ seconds.
In addition to working on presentation skills, the focused skill is how to keep a story going without stopping, while remembering where the story started.
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The AA 6th grade class met with Dr. Brower to learn about the Ancient Roman Festival of Saturnalia and how to play a fun and popular game from Ancient Rome. |
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Our student Winter performances were the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Congratulations to our students on an amazing job! |
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In the spirit of Las Posadas, a Mexican tradition in which caroling groups process from house to house, first graders traveled throughout AAG while performing "Cascabel" (Jingle Bells) in Spanish.
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For their Big Idea projects, second graders created board games, which they are testing with their first grade friends. We are having a big game extravaganza! |
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AA Grade 4 students learned about holiday traditions in Spain and Latin American countries in Spanish class, and celebrated with breaking a piñata. The piñata is often used to celebrate the holiday season during Las Posadas in Mexico. |
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In conjunction with the school's WASH initiative, AAG 5th graders were learning how everyday pollutants, such as acid rain and road salt, can harm watersheds. The girls created skits teaching their classmates about the pollutant they researched, while also coming up with some solutions to help manage the problem.
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An annual holiday tradition for our seniors is to serve them breakfast before they leave for break. Administration and faculty joined the students this morning to wish them well as they take time off with family for the holiday break. |
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Alumnus Visit
Chris Lauricella and Ann Wendth were in Washington, DC this week visiting with alumni and alumnae to share the latest news about the Academies and get their thoughts on current issues and initiatives. Pictured here at one of their meetings is Chris Ashley ’05, Executive Leadership Development Partner with Amazon.
Chris graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and completed his Master’s Degree at Georgetown University. He is also an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies, where he teaches courses focused on professional development and leadership coaching.
Chris is very involved in the Washington, DC community as a volunteer with College Bound Inc. and the DC Juvenile Detention Center. He was honored as the 2020 Distinguished Young Alumnus and just celebrated his reunion in October at the Academies.
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Monday, January 3
Day 6
Classes resume
12:00 p.m. AA Middle School Chapel
3:30pm - 4:30pm Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs Grades 1-6
Tuesday, January 4
Day 1
3:30pm - 4:30pm Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs Grades 1-6
Wednesday, January 5
Day 2
12:00 p.m. AAG Middle School Assembly
3:05 p.m. Senior Speeches
3:30pm - 4:30pm Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs Grades 1-6
4:00 p.m. DEI Forum Meeting (Zoom)
Thursday, January 6
Day 3
8:15 a.m. AA Lower School Chapel
2:20 p.m. Upper School Assembly
3:30pm - 4:30pm Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs Grades 1-6
Friday, January 7
Day 4
3:30pm Ski Club
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January 8 Admissions Scholarship/Entrance Exam
January 8 Family Skate
January 14 Alumni/ae Speaker Series
January 15 Family Skate
January 17 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (School Closed)
January 19 Admissions Asked and Answered Event
January 20 Junior Class College Kickoff Night
January 22 Admissions Open House
January 27 CTL Parent Series Webinar
February 2 Admissions Asked and Answered Event
February 10 Sophomore Class College Kickoff Night
February 14 Professional Development Day (No Classes)
February 21 Presidents' Day (School Closed)
February 22 - 25 Admissions Visiting Week
February 23 Admissions Asked and Answered Event
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