The Albany Academies coordinate single-sex and coeducational learning environments to develop diligent students of high character who become curious, critical thinkers.
November 5, 2021
The Skim

  • International Student Gathering
  • Diwali
  • Admissions Open House
  • November 5 CDC Risk Assessment for Schools in Albany County
  • COVID Screening Testing Schedule
  • Winter Sports Interim Form
  • Winter Performances
  • A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
  • Athletics
  • Athletics All-Stars
  • Week at a Glance
  • Looking Ahead
Dear Friends,

It was another fantastic week at The Albany Academies!

Perhaps most notable on the academic front were those seniors who met the college admissions season’s first early decision deadline. Many thanks to all who helped make this happen, and best of luck to all early applicants! Below, you will also find an even dozen Academies student-athletes who received All-Star accolades for their performance over the fall season. Congratulations to all! I also am eagerly anticipating seeing Comedy of Errors this evening and wish our young thespians the best of luck as they tackle this farcical delight.

Happy Diwali to those who celebrate, and best wishes for a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,
International Student Gathering

Many thanks to International Student Coordinator Dr. Jessica Chen for hosting an international student reception last week. We enjoyed great conversation and good food as we spent some time getting to know each other. One of the many joys of the Academies is having international students join our community each year. Their global perspectives are an essential part of our academic and cross-cultural learning, and we feel privileged to have them on campus.
Diwali

As part of our ongoing focus on cross-cultural understandings, this week we highlighted the celebration of Diwali that began on November 4. Diwali is the five-day Festival of Lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains worldwide. The celebration coincides with similar harvest and new year celebrations around the world that emphasize new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

Pictured: After making Diyas to experience the celebration of Diwali, the Kindergarten girls used chalk to create a Rangoli on the playground. Students participated in coloring diyas that were displayed on campus.
The Office of Admissions is gearing up for an Open House on Sunday, November 7 at 1:00 p.m. and we need YOU!! How can you help?

Refer your friends and neighbors to attend the Open House – they can RSVP right on our website (or just show up at 1:00 p.m.) Families who refer TWO or more prospective families who attend the Open House will get some swag – yes!

Questions? Contact a member of the Admissions team by emailing Admissions@albanyacademies.org.

November 5 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 Testing Schedule

Weekly Covid screening testing will be available next week for students that have opted into the weekly screening by signing up through the surveys. Testing will be held in the AA & AAG Health Offices between 8:00am and 2:30pm.

  • Lower School and Middle School students will be tested on Tuesday, November 9.
  • Upper School students will be tested on Wednesday, November 10.
  • Professional Community members may test either Tuesday or Wednesday.

If you wish to opt-in or opt-out of testing, send an email with your request to Shelly Reid, reidm@albanyacademies.org, who is the “keeper of the list.”
Winter Sports Interim Form

Before Winter sports begin on November 15, student-athletes must complete and submit their interim health forms, which can be downloaded here.
Winter Performances

Below are the upcoming performances for our performing arts groups. Because of logistics some groups are able to be live while a few will need to stay virtual at this time. All performances will be accessible virtually by December 17. We are hopeful that we will be able to do all live performances this spring.

More details will be coming soon. If you have any questions please contact Arts Department Chair Rich Johnson at johnsonr@albanyacademies.org.
 
AA Lower School (Grades 1-4) Performance 
  • In Person - two attendees per child
  • Friday December 3, 2021 
  • 2:20 pm - Chapel
  • (SNOW DATE Monday December 6, 2021)

ECA (PS, AA/AAG PK & K) Performance 
  • In Person - two attendees per child
  • Friday December 10, 2021 
  • 2:20 pm - Auditorium 
  • (SNOW DATE Monday December 13, 2021)

Middle & Upper School Music Webinar 
  • Wednesday December 8, 2021 7:00pm
  • To include: 5/6 Concert Band; 5/6 Boys Chorus; 5/6 Girls Chorus; 7/8 Symphonic Band; 7/8 Boys Chorus; 7/8 Girls Chorus; Upper School Instrumental Music
 
AAG Lower School (Grades 1-4) Performance 
  • In Person - two attendees per child
  • Wednesday December 15, 2021
  • 2:20 pm - Auditorium
  • (SNOW DATE Thursday December 16, 2021)
 
AAG Dance Grades 5 & 6, Dance as a Sport, & US Dance Performance 
  • In Person - two attendees per child
  • Wednesday December 15, 2021 
  • 5:30pm- Auditorium
  • (SNOW DATE Thursday December 16, 2021)
A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
A gorgeous mural is on display in the lobby on the AAG campus. ECA through Grade 8 students each created an individual work for this collaboration. The focus of this mural was twofold: ECA students created a work based on literature and Grades 1- 8 learned how to relax by learning and implementing an art technique called Neurographic art.
PreK students have enjoyed adding yoga into their day. Pictured is the group beginning their dinosaur yoga!
AA second graders started to learn how to regroup using math manipulatives. 
Ahana G. '27, shares a presentation she made to the 7th grade class about the meaning of Diwali.
AAG 5th graders work together to solve math word problems using the Model Drawing strategy.
After spending much time learning about the Hudson River ecosystem, AAG 5th graders are in the process of putting together their own model ecosystems. Throughout this unit, they will make observations and inferences as they learn about the interactions between both the biotic and abiotic factors in the ecosystem.
Athletics
The AA Modified Cross Country team came in 3rd place at the Colonial Council Championships. Jack L. '26 came in 1st place and Cyrus M. '26 came in 4th place. Congratuations!
The AAG Modified Soccer team won against Cobleskill-Richmondville on Monday with a final score of 7-0.
The AA Modified Football team won against Helderberg on Wednesday with a final score of 32-16.
Athletics All-Stars

Congratulations to the following student-athletes who have been selected for the 2021 Colonial Council All-Stars!

AAG Soccer
Darcy Y. '24, Second Team All-Star
Sunra T. '23, Second Team All-Star
Ellena C. '23, Honorable Mention All-Star

AA Soccer
Harry H. '22, First Team All-Star

AAG Volleyball
Sia S. '22, Second Team All-Star

AAG Cross Country
Erin B. '23, First Team All-Star

AA Cross Country
Joe S. '22, First Team All-Star
William V. '23, First Team All-Star
Nick D. '22, First Team All-Star
Jackson B. '24, Third Team All-Star
Eduardo G. '25, Third Team All-Star
John D.'23, Third Team All-Star
Week at a Glance
Monday, November 8
Day 6
8:45am - 9:45am AAG Grade 1 Skate
11:25am - 12:25pm PreK & Kindergarten Skate
11:30am Upper School WASH Advising
12:00pm AA Middle School Chapel
1:30pm - 2:30pm AAG Grade 2 Skate
2:20pm Upper School Student Council Meeting

Tuesday, November 9
Day 1
8:15am - 2pm Red Cross Blood Drive (AA Gym)
8:30am - 9:30am PreSchool Skate
3:45pm Lower School Faculty Meeting (Zoom)

Wednesday, November 10
Day 2
7:25am AAG Middle School Faculty Meeting (AAG 30-09)
12:00 AAG Middle School Assembly
12:30pm - 1:30pm AAG Grade 3 Skate
3:05pm AAG Senior Speeches (Auditorium)

Thursday, November 11
Veterans Day (School Closed)

Friday, November 12
Professional Development Day (No Classes)
Looking Ahead
November 15 Winter Sports Begin
November 16 AAG Grade 4 Skate
November 17 Admissions Asked and Answered Information Session
November 23 Thanksgiving Feast
November 24 - 26 Fall Break (School Closed)
December 3 AA Lower School Winter Performance
December 8 Middle & Upper School Music Webinar
November 8 Admissions Asked and Answered Information Session
December 10 ECA Winter Performance
December 15 AAG Lower School Winter Performance
December 15 AAG Dance (5&6), Dance as a Sport, & US Dance Performance