Dear Friends,

And we’re off! 

The 2022-2023 Academic Year opened today with First Chapel and First Assembly, followed by a “run-through” of abbreviated classes for middle and upper school students and a full day of settling in for lower school students. 

As I listened to the various speeches and remarks offered this morning, I heard an emphasis on the words “community” and “engagement.” It seems clear that now that the emergency phase of the pandemic is over, our collective work for the year is to learn or remember how to be fully together in person and continue to create a positive school culture grounded in student learning and support. 

As we begin the 209th year of operations, it’s worth reiterating that we always have been, and will continue to be, an elite institution that maintains high expectations for academic achievement and student behavior. We are also a nurturing community with many supports in place to help students meet these expectations. 

It’s also important to remember that the ultimate goal of an Academies education is not to earn high grades or admission to the best possible college. Of course, these things will happen, but they are byproducts of a mission that aims to provide your children with a foundation for a principled life of purpose by teaching them how to think and learn critically, communicate effectively, and act responsibly.

Finally. I want to share my sincere gratitude to our professional community – faculty, staff, and administrators – for all they have done to prepare us for the adventure that awaits us this year.

With that said, let’s get to it!

Warmly,

Chris Lauricella

Head of School

Change to Middle School Parent Night

Middle School Parent Night will be held on September 14 at 5:30 p.m. Due to logistical purposes for faculty teaching Grades 5 and 6 in both buildings, we will hold one Middle School Parent Night for both AA & AAG, to be held at AAG. The program will begin in the AAG Auditorium. AA faculty will be assigned classrooms at AAG to use for the evening. 

A Glimpse Around Campus

Congratulations to the following members of the AA Class of 2023 that received their Cum Laude pins during First Chapel: Gordon A., John D., Jakob D., Jacob O., Jasraj S., and William V.

Congratulations to the following members of the AAG Class of 2023 that received their Cum Laude pins during Opening Assembly: Katrina P., and Marleigh.

The AAG Class of 2026 participated in the traditional Blazer Ceremony during Opening Assembly.

AA students, professional community members, and alumni attended First Chapel to begin The Albany Academy 210th school year! 

AAG students and professional community members attended Opening Assembly to begin the Albany Academy for Girls 209th school year!

We welcomed several Alumni to the traditional First Chapel earlier today, the first day of the new academic year. Each alumnus stood up and introduced himself to the student body and professional community.  It was great to see so many alumni here this morning!

AAG Pre-K students celebrated their first day of school by decorating & wearing hats! 

AA Grade 2 students enjoyed time together on the playground during recess today!

Star Books Now Open!

Our Early Childhood Center now has a new literacy-center room to encourage our youngest learners to enjoy reading. Meaghan See P’35, who transferred from the first-grade classroom to lead this center, thought it would be fun to have a Starbucks theme!

Proclamation Presented in Memory of Bill Picotte ’67

A proclamation in memory of Bill Picotte ’67 -- who sadly passed away in 2021 -- was presented at First Chapel to Bill's wife, Susan Picotte, by Board of Trustees President Nancy Carey Cassidy P’13, ’15. Bill was a beloved member of the Academy community who served on the Board of Trustees and many other committees throughout the years.

Amazon Smile Benefits the Academies

Did you know The Albany Academies are set up as a charity at Amazon Smile?

Join AmazonSmile

If you are not already an AmazonSmile member, simply sign up at smile.amazon.com and select your favorite charity to start generating donations, at no cost to you.

Turn on AmazonSmile in the Amazon app on your Smartphone

Open the app and find ’Settings’ in the main menu (☰). Tap on ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone.

Spirit Store

Looking for new spirit wear? The Sideline Store hosted by BSN Sports is now live. Customize the design on apparel and gear and show your school spirit! Check out the selection of t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and more!

Click here to visit our the Sideline Store.

Spain, Italy, and Greece Trip

Now that Covid is finally somewhat under control, we are bringing back international student travel opportunities. This year, we plan to run the Spain, Italy, and Greece trip that was initially scheduled for March of 2020 and was, of course, cancelled. 

The trip will run from March 20-30, and the itinerary includes stops at Barcelona, Rome, Pompeii, Athens, and many other locations in between. Price includes airfare, all transportation between destinations, hotels, and two meals a day. Full details are available at this link: explorica.com/Brower‐7469

The deadline to register and reserve this price quote is September 28.  

If you have any questions, you can contact Dr. Brower at browers@albanyacademies.org

CDC COVID Risk Assessment for Albany County (Medium)

• If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
• Get tested if you have symptoms

2022-2023 COVID Management Plan

We have updated our COVID Management plan for 2022-2023 in keeping with national and state guidance. A summary follows, with the entire plan available for download using the link below.

• Individuals with symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea, will be sent home or directed to stay home. 
• Individuals who become symptomatic at school will be asked to wear a well-fitted mask while arrangements are made to go home, even if they have not yet had a test. 
• Testing is required for people with symptoms of COVID-19 as soon as possible after symptoms begin. 
• Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 should contact the Health Office and isolate themselves for five days at home. 
• The school reserves the right to require recently symptomatic school community members not to be on campus for a period of five days from symptom onset if they cannot present evidence of a negative COVID test.
• Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 should contact the Health Office immediately
• Health Office staff will help positive individuals determine when they can return to school. 
• Generally, this is when an individual is fever free without fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours, and their symptoms have subsided or are improving.
• Individuals returning to school after completing five days of isolation should wear a mask in school and indoor public spaces on Days 6-10, per CDC recommendations.
• A negative COVID test is not required to return to school.

Please click here to download The Albany Academies COVID Management Plan for the 2022-23 Academic Year.

September 12, 2022

Day 1

8:00 a.m. Upper School Chapel (Caird Chapel)

8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG Auditorium)

12:00 p.m. AA Middle School Chapel (Caird Chapel)

12:00 p.m. AAG Middle School Assembly (AAG Auditorium)

7:00 p.m. Senior Parent Information Session (Zoom)

*Zoom information for this event will be emailed to Senior parents

September 13, 2022

Day 2

AA Fall Picture Day

AA & AAG Fall Sports Photos (after school during practice)

8:00 a.m. Upper School Chapel (Caird Chapel)

8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG Auditorium)

September 14, 2022

Day 3

AAG Fall Picture Day

8:00 a.m. Upper School Chapel (Caird Chapel)

8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG Auditorium)

8:20 a.m. Lower School Chapel (Caird Chapel)

5:30 p.m. AAG & AA Middle School Parent Night (AAG Auditorium)

September 15, 2022

Day 4

8:00 a.m. AAPA Meeting (Schellenberger Alumni/ae Center & Zoom)

8:00 a.m. Upper School Chapel (Caird Chapel)

8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG Auditorium)

9:35 a.m. Announced Fire Drill (All Campus)

7:00 p.m. Grade 9 Parent Information Session (Zoom)

*Zoom information for this event will be emailed to Grade 9 parents

September 16, 2022

Day 5

8:00 a.m. Upper School Chapel (Caird Chapel)

8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG Auditorium)

September 23 - Legacy of Dreams (Crowne Plaza, The Desmond Hotel)

September 26 - School Closed - Rosh Hashanah

September 28 -  Upper School Parent Night (Caird Chapel)

October 3 - Spirit Day

October 4 - Spirit Day

October 5 - Yom Kippur (School Closed)

October 6 - AAPA Meeting (Schellenberger Alumni/ae Center)

October 6 - Spirit Day

October 7 - Homecoming Pep Rally (Modified Schedule)

October 8 - Homecoming Tailgate and Athletic Competitions

October 10 - Columbus Day & Indigenous People Day (School Closed)

October 11 - Professional Development Day (No Classes)

October 12 - PSAT Test

October 17 - Fall Pictures Make-Up Day

October 18 - Lower School Coffee Break (Zoom)

October 21 - Bacon Bat & House Day

October 28 - Fall Community Service Day

October 31 - Track or Treat (AA Track)