Dear Academies Families,

I hope this finds you enjoying the first few weeks of summer! We are busy on campus with summer camp and preparing for the upcoming 2022-2023 Academic Year. 

The purpose of the email is to share information you will need to have an easy transition from summer vacation to the start of the new school year. It is the first of several emails you will receive, which will also be archived on the resource board of My Academy (Blackbaud) and the parents’ page of the website. Please take a moment to read through this information and complete those items that pertain to your family. 

If you have any questions that this communication hasn’t answered, please don’t hesitate to email Shelly Reid at reidm@albanyacademies.org who will route your question to the appropriate person for a quick reply.
Lauren Catlett to Serve as Interim Upper School Director

Lauren Catlett P’30, ‘32, ‘35 will serve as Interim Upper School Director for 2022-23. She will continue with many of her current AAG Assistant Upper School Director responsibilities, working collaboratively with her colleagues to ensure all aspects of the role are fulfilled. She joined the Albany Academies in January 2022 as the Dean of Albany Academy for Girls and has also been an assistant coach for AAG Track & Field and an advisor for No Place for Hate. Having first come to value the Academies experience as the spouse of an alumna (Jonathan Catlett ’97) and the parent of three Lower School students, she is now excited to grow and serve the Academies community in her interim role. 

Lauren previously served as a school principal at Troy Prep Middle School. Prior to her roles in school leadership, Lauren spent five years as a college counselor and Director of Student Services at Bottom Line, a Boston-based non-profit organization. She holds a BA in Creative Writing from Gettysburg College, NYS teacher certification, and a principal certificate from the Relay Graduate School of Education. 

Upper School students and families are encouraged to contact Ms. Catlett at catlettl@albanyacademies.org with any upper school-related questions that you might have.
Summer Reading

The summer reading list is now available! Please click on the links below to view the summer reading list for Grade 4, Middle School & Upper School, the summer assignments for Grades 5 & 6 (AAG), and the Lower School Summer Reading Letter.
2022 - 2023 Schedule Modifications

We have made some modifications to the 2022-2023 school day hours.

Upper School
  • We will be returning to scheduling classes until 3 pm. Students will have the opportunity to sign up for additional Arts electives.
  • Clubs and extra-help will be held 3pm - 3:40pm.

Middle School
  • Modified Sports will be extended 2:20 pm - 3:30 pm.

Lower School
  • Lower School classes will end at 3:20 pm.
2022-2023 Bus Pick-up Change

To accommodate the schedule changes above, the end of school day bus pick-up time will change to 3:45 pm. We have notified the transportation departments for each of the districts.
Fall Pre-Season & Physicals

Mark your calendars for the start of Fall Pre-season sports practices!

August 22, 2022
AA Varsity & JV Golf
AAG Varsity Golf
AA Varsity & JV Soccer
AAG Varsity Soccer
AAG & AA Varsity Cross Country
AAG Varsity Tennis
AAG Varsity Swimming & Diving
AAG Varsity & JV Volleyball

August 29, 2022
AA Varsity Football

More information regarding first practice times & locations will be included in the August newsletter.

If your son or daughter plans to participate in the fall season, please be sure he/she has an up-to-date (within 12 months) physical examination before pre-season practices begin. Please bring the Health Examination form and Medication Permission form with you to your child's appointment for the doctor to complete.


If your child will be in Grades 7 or 8 and plan on trying out for a JV or Varsity sport, please contact the Athletic Director to set up testing for the NYS Athletic Placement Process.
AAG Upper School Uniform Ordering

AAG Upper School Uniforms will be available for purchase this year through Flynn & O'Hara. Please click here to visit the Flynn & O'Hara website to place your order.
Dance Uniform Updated

The dance uniform has been updated for the 2022-2023 school year.

AAG Lower School
  • Grade 1: Black leggings and hair tie
  • Grades 2-4: Black cap-sleeved leotard, leggings without embellishments, and a hair tie. 

AAG Middle School
  • Grades 5-6: Black cap-sleeved leotard, leggings without embellishments, and a hair tie. 
  • Grades 7-8: Black tank leotard, black leggings.
  • Grades 7-8 Performance Dance: Black tank leotard, black leggings, pink ballet shoes

AAG Upper School
  • Grades 9-12 in Dance for Performance: Black camisole leotard, additional leotards (any style/color), black leggings (or black, tan or pink tights), pink ballet shoes

Order AAG Dance uniforms by clicking here and selecting the grade level. If you are purchasing elsewhere, Danskin or Capezio leotards are recommended.

AA Middle School
  • Grades 7-8 in Performance Dance: black Joggers or sweatpants, solid color t-shirt

AA Upper School
  • Grades 9-12 in Dance for Performance: black Joggers or sweatpants, solid color t-shirt, black ballet shoes. Click here to order shoes.
Important Middle School Technology Changes

As we emerge from a COVID environment that put certain demands on technology, we want to let you know that we will be implementing a change in our technology policy for middle school students. Access to a computer both in school and at home will still be required daily.

Chromebooks will be available within classrooms as needed but will not be assigned to individual students as in prior years. Each classroom will be assigned an inventory of Chromebooks that will be managed by the faculty member and will remain in the assigned classroom.

Starting in 7th grade, students will be permitted to bring their own computer (laptop or Chromebook) to school.
Supply Lists

ECA & Lower School
All supplies for each student will be delivered to the classrooms. Parents have received an email from the school with a list of the items purchased and the amount charged to the student's account. If you have any questions please contact Andrea Faragon.

Middle School
Please click on the student grade level to view the supply list.

Upper School
Upper School students will be given information on any supplies required by their teachers on the first day of school.
Spirit Wear

Start the 2022-2023 school year showing your school spirit! The Sideline Store hosted by BSN Sports is now live for all of your spirit wear needs. Check out the selection of t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and more! Order over the summer so you are ready for Homecoming and Spirit week in early October.
Yearbooks

The 2021-2022 yearbooks have arrived! If you ordered a yearbook for your child they are available for pick up from Mrs. Motley (AA) and Ms. Conroy (AAG). The front offices hours over the summer are:
  • Monday - Thursday 7:30am - 4pm
  • Friday 7:30am - 1pm
Save the Dates

August 9, 2022
5pm Incoming Grade 5 Parent Information Night (Class of 1970 Pavilion)

August 10, 2022
5pm Incoming Grade 7 Parent Information Night (Class of 1970 Pavilion)

September 8, 2022
Middle School Orientation (All Middle School students)
Upper School Orientation (All Grade 9 students, and all new Upper School students)

September 9, 2022
First Day of School
5:30pm Welcome Back Barbecue (Class of 1970 Pavilion)