The Albany Academies coordinate single-sex and coeducational learning environments to develop diligent students of high character who become curious, critical thinkers.
December 3, 2021
The Skim

  • Flash Poll: Vaccine Clinic Interest
  • Snow Days. To Stay Open or Closed During Inclement Weather?
  • Class of ‘70 Pavilion Update
  • November 23 CDC Risk Assessment for Schools in Albany County
  • COVID Screening Testing Schedule
  • Attendance
  • Admissions Information
  • International Students Gathering
  • Winter Performances
  • A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
  • Athletic Award
  • Giving Tuesday
  • Week at a Glance
  • Looking Ahead
Dear Friends,

This week's colder weather is a natural prompt to share our snow day policy, detailed below.

Before COVID, deciding whether or not to take a snow day was one of the more challenging decision I faced. Over time, I have become accustomed to a few weather events each season turning out very differently than predicted. With this in mind, please know we try to err on the side of caution when calling a snow day. I would rather you be mad at us for inconveniencing you than potentially endangering you by keeping the school open.

As you read on, you will see that we are returning to "traditional" snow days this year. If school is closed, it will be a day off for students. We are doing this for both practical and emotional reasons. Practically, we don't have the infrastructure in place this year to pivot to remote learning quickly. Emotionally, we learned a hard lesson last year that students equate snow days with "normalcy" and that taking them away added additional stress in an already trying time.

On a separate note, we are investigating hosting a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine clinic in January for all eligible individuals (ages 5 and above). The clinic would offer initial injections and booster shots. To do this, we need a minimum of fifty interested individuals. If you are interested, please select "yes" in the flash poll below.

Finally, you will notice that we have moved into the CDC's "high risk" of transmission this week. This should remind all of us to be vigilant with our personal COVID mitigation practices.

Sincerely,
Flash Poll: Vaccine Clinic Interest

We are investigating hosting a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine clinic in January for all eligible individuals (ages 5 and above). The clinic would offer initial injections and booster shots. To do this, we need a minimum of 50 interested individuals. Parents and guardians need to be present with any minors being vaccinated, so clinics would likely be in the afternoon or early evening. Please select "yes" below, if you would be interested in this clinic.
Are you interested in this clinic?
Yes
No
‌
Snow Days. To Stay Open or Closed During Inclement Weather?
How we make this challenging decision

A priority on safety. During inclement weather, our priority is the safety and welfare of our students and professional community. We also often rely on the decisions of some of our 17 sending public school districts as they provide transportation services for students and will often keep buses off the road in a snow event as a matter of public safety.
 
We know closing can be inconvenient. While safety is our priority, we know that snow days can be burdensome to families due to childcare and work schedules. Therefore, please know that we do not decide to close lightly.
 
Delays. We will either be closed or open during a weather event. We do not have a delayed opening option because of the complexity of student travel within the region, with multiple entities transporting students.

The decision process. Each storm is different, but tracking a potential closing decision begins when a long-term forecast indicates that a significant weather event is possible. Considerations include current and forecasted weather, the readiness of our facilities to operate, and potential driving conditions.

The school relies on data from the National Weather Service, which provides regular updates on storms and the statistical probability of their impact. Whenever possible, we will try to make a closing decision the night before a weather event if there is a high degree of certainty about the forecast and storm impacts.
 
When an evening decision is not possible, the school’s administrative team members usually begin gathering information from local districts at 4:30 am, making a closing decision by 5:45. However, in fast-changing conditions (i.e., freezing rain, clippers, lake effect snow), we could decide as late as 6:00 am. 

Snow day communication. When we decide to cancel school, we will notify the community via our parent notification system with an automated phone call, text, and email. The notification system pulls contact information from Blackbaud, the school’s student information system, so it is imperative to update this. Many local media outlets are also alerted and broadcast our closing. Closing notification is also posted on The Albany Academies website and social media pages.
 
Make the safest decision for you. The regional nature of our enrollment is such that students and members of our professional community travel as far as 60 miles to come to school. We know that these commuters may have very different weather conditions in their locality than what we are experiencing on campus. Therefore, in some weather events, we may elect to remain open and rely on the judgment of families to determine whether travel to the school is safe for them. We will fully support these decisions and any needs that arise from them.

Communicate your decision. If you believe it is unsafe for you to commute to school, either take the day or delay your departure until your local conditions improve. In either case, if we are open, please contact us and let us know of your decision.
 
Remote learning. The school will NOT be using remote learning on snow days. Accommodation for a reasonable number of snow days is designed into the school calendar. We can catch students up with any missed classes upon their return to school and still meet the objectives in our lesson planning.
Class of ‘70 Pavilion Update

The next phase of construction has begun for the Class of ‘70 Pavilion! This permanent structure will replace the tent usually erected between Caird Field and The Albany Academy building. It will serve as a shelter for summer campers, student-athletes, and students enjoying recess. Over the next six weeks, we will see the pavilion take place quickly as construction crews reassemble the preconstructed structure.
December 3 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 students will be tested on Tuesday, December 7.
  • Upper and Middle School students will be tested on Thursday, December 9.
  • Professional Community members may test either Tuesday or Thursday.

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

A reminder to all parents of protocol for reporting absences, notifying the school of students arriving late, or requesting for students to leave school early. Please email attendance@albanyacademies.org. We ask that you don’t email Mrs. Motley, Ms. Conroy or advisors directly regarding absences or appointments. Thank you for your cooperation.
International Students Gathering
Earlier this week a gathering for our international students was held in the Schellenberger Alumni/ae Center. International Program Coordinator Jessica Chen hosts the students monthly to provide them with an opportunity to bond with each other and the faculty. Currently, 23 students are part of the Academies’ International Program.
Winter Performances

AA Lower School students (Grades 1 - 4) put on a wonderful concert today in the Caird Chapel!

Please Join Us for Our Middle & Upper School Music and Upper School Visual Art Webinar.

Date: Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Time: 7:00pm  
Webinar ID:  922 6029 3325
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; Upper School Visual Art
A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
AA & AAG Grade 2 students spent time this week writing letters to their pen pals in the Grade 2 class at Rosendale Elementary School in Niskayuna.
No Place for Hate is a student-led school climate improvement program that fits our school’s unique culture and needs. Earlier this year, the ADL conducted a survey to determine the focus of student committee member training objectives. Beth Martinez and Rachel Charette, of the ADL Education Team, presented to Academy club members about the data, which will inform the activities students create to examine identities, reflect on biased behavior and learn new ways to challenge bias and bullying in themselves, others and society (ADL).
AAG Middle School students Sophia, Sophie, Emma, Krisha, Evie and Harper volunteered for our first ever costume committee. The girls worked hard and made 70 headpieces for the ECA and Lower School students to wear for their upcoming dance performance! 
Pre-K and Kindergarten had an imaginary snowball fight with Mr. Lauricella in our Winter Wonderland in the AAG hallway. This will be memorable!
Grade 3 and Grade 4 students in Mr. Neudel's Science classes conducted an experiment to see what happens when you pollute land by seeing oil seep through the spill and rock.
The AA Lower School hallway has been transformed into a Winter Wonderland. Each classroom door is decorated with a different theme. Grade 1 students have been having fun this week taking selfies with their classroom door.
Athletic Award

The COACH ERNEST D. STECK AWARD, the gift of the Steck family, is awarded annually to that Albany Academy football player in Form VI who has, over a period of not less than three years, dedicated himself to successfully combining scholastic achievement, sportsmanship, self-discipline, and outstanding contribution in the game of football.

Awarded to: William F. '22
Giving Tuesday

We are very grateful for those of you who supported The Albany Academies on Giving Tuesday, the internationally recognized day of charitable giving. Through your generosity and the support of other Academies donors, we raised $125,301, surpassing our goal. We truly are stronger together!
Week at a Glance
Monday, December 6
Day 2
12:00 p.m. AA Middle School Chapel
3:05 p.m. Senior Speeches

Tuesday, December 7
Day 3
2:20 p.m. Upper School Assembly

Wednesday, December 8
Day 4
8:15 a.m. AAG Lower School Assembly
12:00 p.m. AAG Middle School Assembly
5:00 p.m. Admissions Asked & Answered (Trustees Room)
7:00 p.m. Middle & Upper School Music and Upper School Visual Art Webinar 
  • Performances by: 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; Upper School Visual Art
  • Webinar ID: 922-6029-3325

Thursday, December 9
Day 5
2:20 p.m. WASH/WQ Webinar

Friday, December 10
Day 6
2:20 p.m. ECA (PS, AA/AAG PK & K) Music and Dance Performance (Auditorium)
*2 attendees per student for this in-person event.
Looking Ahead
December 14 AAPA Meeting
December 14 Professional Community Appreciation Luncheon
December 14 Upper School Faculty Meeting
December 14 Lower School Faculty Meeting
December 15 Middle School Faculty Meeting
December 15 AAG Lower School Music and Dance Performance
December 15 AAG Dance (5&6), Dance as a Sport, & US Dance Performance
December 17 Senior Breakfast
December 20 - 31 Winter Break (School Closed)
January 3 Classes resume
January 5 DEI Forum Meeting
January 14 Alumni/ae Speaker Series
January 17 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (School Closed)
January 22 Admissions Open House
January 27 CTL Parent Series Webinar