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
- Chinese New Years Celebrations
- Sign-Up for Voluntary Student COVID-Surveillance Testing, Week of February 15
- COVID Vaccine Update
- AIM Survey Now Available
- Academies Connections to the Civil Rights Movement
- Celebrating Black History Month
- Artrageous
- 2nd Annual Famous Women Book Competition
- School District Bus Transportation
- Shop Academies
- 2021 NYSSMA Solo Music Festival
- A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
- News From College Counseling
- AA Varsity Swimming & Diving Meet Livestream
- Summer Camp Registration
- Blogging with the Academies
- Meet our new Director of Admissions & Enrollment
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Dear Friends,
Happy Lunar New Year!
The traditional lunar calendar follows the moon’s phases, and today is the beginning of the new lunar year. It is a significant holiday celebrated throughout Asian cultures and communities worldwide. It is also one of the most heavily-traveled times of the year as families gather to reflect on fortune, happiness, and health.
This year is obviously different, and it seems an opportune time to think about the international students and families who are part of our school community. I am in awe of them in a typical year, as they leave family and friends behind, travel on their own to Albany, live with a new host family, join the School community, and learn to take classes and navigate the world in English.
This has taken on an even greater dimension this year. Some of our international students have been here in Albany for quite a while, unable to travel or be visited. Others have remained in China, navigating a 13-hour time difference to learn remotely. Their dedication and resilience are inspirational, and I am grateful for them and all those supporting them through this remarkable year.
With this in mind, best wishes to all for a happy and healthy “Year of the Ox!”
Sincerely,
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New Years Celebrations
The Chamber Singers recorded a popular Chinese song called 恭喜恭喜 (Gōng xǐ gōng xǐ) for the Lunar New Year and shared a video of their performance with the school.
The Chinese Honor Society will be offering Chinese lessons to our school community next week. Chinese Honor Society members will be leading the lessons each day, covering basic language skills and topics.
It was noticeably red on campus today, as the community came together to wear this lucky color in honor of the Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day.
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Sign-Up for Voluntary Student COVID-Surveillance Testing, Week of February 15
This was the last week of the COVID-Surveillance testing pilot program and 100% mandatory surveillance testing. As the prevalence rate at school has remained below 1% for the last six weeks, we are returning to symptom screening as our primary method of detecting the virus in our school community. More information about the pilot program can be found here.
If you are interested in continuing to have your child surveillance tested for the COVID-19 virus, please use the link below to sign up for next week’s testing:
Sign-up must be done by 6:00 p.m., Sunday, February 14.
As we phase out surveillance testing as a school-wide mitigation tool, symptom screening takes on additional importance as our primary way to detect COVID-positive individuals. We trust that the community will continue to do this faithfully each morning, record results in the Magnum App, and communicate frequently and transparently with our school nurses regarding your children’s health.
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COVID Vaccine Update
Yesterday, New York affirmed that the Department of Health will follow updated CDC guidance regarding quarantine following exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. According to the guidance, 'asymptomatic fully vaccinated individuals', meaning those who have received both shots and at least two weeks have passed since the second shot, are no longer required to quarantine within 90 days after the second shot.
This is good news for the School, as it will eventually put an end to the staffing disruptions that we experience after each quarantine event. As of today, 48% of our professional community has received a first dose of the vaccine, and 22% have had both doses.
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the AIM Survey
Our vision for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work at The Albany Academies is to build a community in which all accepted students are authentically included in the full life of the school and feel like they fully belong.
To help with this, The Albany Academies are now conducting the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism (AIM). This survey will provide us with a statistical understanding of our current climate of inclusion and clarify our next steps towards realizing our DEI vision.
All stakeholder groups will be asked to participate in this survey. Questions will be tailored to faculty, staff, administration, Board of Trustees, students in Grades 7 - 12, alumni/ae, and parents. Students will have the opportunity to participate in the survey during advising next week. As NAIS will not share individual responses with the school, your confidentiality is assured.
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Academies Connections to the Civil Rights Movement
Prompted by the celebration of Black History Month, the family of Leonard L., ‘30, shared with us that he is the great-nephew of Mr. Earnest Bromley, one of the original Freedom Riders, the civil rights activists who, in 1961, began riding interstate buses in protest of segregation in the Southern United States.
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Celebrating Black History Month
Students in the Upper School are sharing daily fun facts during morning meeting in celebration of Black History Month. The group then sends an email each day with more information about the fact and the person to Upper School students and members of the professional community. Here are the people highlighted this week:
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Robert H. Lawrence
Did you know that Robert H. Lawrence was the first African American Astronaut, a test pilot, and a United States Air Force pilot with over 2,500 flight hours?
Robert H. Lawrence was born in Chicago, IL in 1935. After completing college and receiving a Ph.D. in physical chemistry, he went on to join the United States Air Force as a test pilot. During his time as a test pilot, Lawrence was selected by the USAF, on June 30, 1967, as a member of the third group of aerospace research pilots for the MOL (Manned Orbiting Laboratory) Program. Therefore, Lawrence became the first African-American to be selected as an astronaut by any national space program. Lawrence said with his typical modesty, “This is nothing dramatic. It’s just a normal progression. I’ve been very fortunate.” The Manned Orbiting Laboratory Program was a program that was essential in the future construction of NASA space shuttles. His work significantly contributed to the NASA space shuttle program and he was awarded the Commendation Medal and the Outstanding Unit Citation award because of this. In 1967, during a test flight, Lawrence died in a crash. Although Lawrence died prematurely, his work and his legacy will not be forgotten, as he paved the way for future black astronauts like Mae Jemison and Michael Anderson.
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Madame C.J. Walker
Did you know that Madame C.J. Walker was the first black female self-made millionaire? She built a large mansion in New York called the "Villa Lewaro." Today, the house is considered a National Historic Landmark.
Madame C.J. Walker was originally born Sarah Breedlove on December 23, 1867, on a cotton plantation in Delta Louisiana. Her parents were formerly enslaved then freed. Sarah was one of the five children to be born free. Both Walker’s parents died in 1874 to unknown causes making her an orphan at the age of 7. Sarah lived with her sister and brother-in-law in Vicksburg, Mississippi as sharecroppers picking cotton. To escape that miserable fate Sarah married Mosses McWilliams at 14 and soon gave birth to her daughter on June 6, 1886, A’Lelia. Her husband died two years later forcing Walker to work as a washerwoman being paid $1.50 a day. In the 1890s, Sarah developed a scalp disorder causing her to lose much of her hair. Following this in 1905, she was hired as a commission agent Annie Turnbo Malone ( a successful, Black hair care product entrepreneur) moving to Denver, Colorado, and promoting the regrowth of her hair from Malones products. With her second husband’s help, Charles C.J Walker, she began advertising her own hair product throughout the south and using her infamous name Madame C.J. Walker. In 1908 Walker opened her own factory and by 1910 Madam C.J. Walker was extremely successful in becoming a modern-day millionaire. The company not only made hair products but hired sales agents to promote and advance the status of African Americans. There is a limited series on Netflix called Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker. The series portrays most aspects of Madam C.J.’s journey to becoming a millionaire.
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Mary McLeod Bethune
Did you know that in 1938, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt challenged the segregation rules at the Southern Conference on Human Welfare in Birmingham, Alabama, so she could sit next to African American educator and activist Mary McLeod Bethune?
Mary McLeod Bethune was a child of formerly enslaved people with 16 siblings. At age ten, She went to Scotia Seminary for Girls and graduated in 1893. Believing that education provided the key to racial advancement, Bethune founded the Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute in 1904, which later became Bethune-Cookman College. The school went from five students to 240 students in just two years. Despite repeated threats from the KKK and other racist groups, Bethune became active in local, state and national civil rights organizations, opening the first hospital for Black people in the Daytona region, which also trained nurses. In addition to her work at the school, Bethune did much to contribute to American society at large. She served as the president of the Florida chapter of the National Association of Colored Women for many years. In 1935, Bethune became a special advisor to President Roosevelt on minority affairs. That same year, she also started up her own civil rights organization, the National Council of Negro Women. Bethune created this organization to represent numerous groups working on critical issues for African American women. She received another appointment from President Roosevelt the following year. In 1936, she became the director of the Division of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration. One of her main concerns in this position was helping young people find job opportunities. In addition to her official role in the Roosevelt administration, Bethune became a trusted friend and adviser to both the president and his wife Eleanor Roosevelt. Among her list of spiritual bequests, she wrote "I leave you a thirst for education. Knowledge is the prime need of the hour." Bethune closed with 'If I have a legacy to leave my people, it is my philosophy of living and serving." Bethune died in 1955. Mary McLeod Bethune helped so many people and her legacy continues to help people today.
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ARTrageous is next week!
Join us for our annual fine arts fundraiser, virtually, on Thursday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m. on Facebook Live. Previously known as Splash, ARTrageous supports all fine arts programs at The Albany Academies. Join us next Thursday to bid on fun silent auction items, watch your classmates and teachers perform LIVE, and support fine arts at The Albany Academies.
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2nd Annual Famous Women Book Competition
The First and Second graders at AAG are teaming up with the entire AAG Lower School for our 2nd Annual Famous Women Book Competition. Last year’s excitement during March Madness was a huge success with our championship winner, Shark Lady by Jess Keating. The girls chose this favorite book for Eugenie Clark’s courage and fearlessness as a female marine biologist.
Due to the enthusiasm in 2020 we decided to continue this a AAG tradition with eight new book titles. Listed below are stories of eight Famous Women who changed history. The students look forward to reading all about these women, their accomplishments, and their contributions to our world! Which Famous Woman will be our top choice in 2021? In March, after four rounds of the book competition, students will cast their final vote.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul by Carole Boston Weatherford & Frank Morrison
The Oldest Student How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard & Oge Mora
Bunheads African American principal ballet dancer at American Ballet Theater by Misty Copeland & Setor Fiadzigbey
Flying Free How Bessie Coleman’s Dreams Took Flight by Karyn Parsons & R. Gregory Christie
The Youngest Marcher The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks by Cynthia Levinson & Vanessa Newton
The Power of Her Pen The story of journalist Ethel L. Payne by Lesa Cline-Ranson & John Parra
Kamala Harris Rooted In Justice by Nikki Grimes & Laura Freeman
Dancing Hands How Teresa Carreno Played the Piano for President Lincoln by Margarita Engle & Rafael Lopez
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School District Bus Transportation
The following school districts will not provide transportation to our students from Tuesday, February 16 through Friday, February 19 due to their Winter Break schedule. Families residing in these districts will need to plan for a different form of transportation:
- Bethlehem Central School District
- Chatham Central School District
- Coxsackie-Athens Central School District
- Duanesburg Central School District
- East Greenbush Central School District
- Guilderland Central School District
- Hoosick Valley Central School District
- Menands Union Free School District
- Mohanasen Central School District
- Niskayuna Central School District
- North Colonie Central School District
- Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District
- Rensselaer Central School District
- Schenectady Central School District
- Schodack Central School District
- Shenendehowa Central School District
- South Colonie Central School District
- Troy Central School District
- Voorheesville Central School District
- Wynanstkill Central School District
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Shop Academies
The Albany Academies Parents Association (AAPA) is pleased to offer an online store for the purchase of spirit wear. This will be the final one for this school year. In partnership with Clearly Yours of Latham, the store will be open for spring season shopping starting Friday, February 5th through Friday, February 19th. Many families would like to show their pride and support for the Academies by wearing Academy gear and this is a wonderful way to shop!
Items will be completed for shipment or pick-up the week of March 15th. There is a fee of $15.00 for home delivery or you may choose to pick your order up at Clearly Yours, 588 New Loudon Road, Latham.
When you buy an item with a sport designation, 10% of your purchase will support the Legacy of Dreams general fund that supports ALL athletic programs offered by the Academies. When you buy an item with an arts designation, 10% of your purchase will support ARTrageous. If an item is purchased without any designation, 10% of your purchase will support the AAPA. The Parents Association supports our students, faculty, and staff with grants, programs, and other needs as they arise.
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2021 NYSSMA Solo Music Festival
We are excited to offer students the opportunity to participate in the NYSSMA Solo Music Festival from April 30th-May 7th. This is only for the instrumental non-piano) or vocal student that has already been working with a teacher (Academy or private) on a solo to prepare for this festival.
Students who are planning on participating in the NYSSMA Solo Music Festival should contact Ms. Kouloriotis with the following information before Friday, March 12th: Student Name and Grade, Instrument, NYSSMA Level, Composition Title, Required Movements, Composer, Arranger, and Manual Page Number.
Please also either send in a check to "The Albany Academies" or fill out a NYSSMA Solo Festival student account charge form for the following dues: Levels 1-4 $16; Levels 5-6 $24; All-State $30
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A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms |
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AA and AAG Second Graders have been busy learning about tigers. On Wednesday morning they took a virtual fieldtrip to the Carolina Tiger Rescue where they learned about tigers, caracals, and servals. |
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The Academies dressed down in reds, pinks, and hearts for Valentine's Day on Thursday! A schoolwide snack of ice pops or ice cream was enjoyed by all. This was our kick-off for Kindness Week, so stay tuned for more schoolwide events, projects, and displays! |
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In Theater class, Nicholas V. `27 and Ava P. `27 film an original dialogue between their present self and their future self from 2041. |
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Sixth grade science students demonstrating their understanding of electromagnetism by creating a simple electric motor with copper wire, paper clips, D-battery, and a neodymium magnet. |
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Mrs. Mitsios recreated this bulletin board in honor of Black History Month from a post on Instagram that really grabbed her attention and inspired her. The purpose of this display was not only to bring attention to this month’s celebrations, but to spark conversation with her 5th and 6th Grade History class, and advising group. |
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Students in Coach Puccio's Grades 7 & 8 Physical Education classes enjoyed a game of Winter Outdoor Kickball. |
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Upper School student-musicians in Battery Drum Line, Instrumental Ensemble, and Vocal Ensemble learned about the conductor and pioneer James Reese Europe (1881-1919) this week. An innovator in compositions and orchestrations, he has been described as the Martin Luther King of music. |
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Mr. Jacobs addresses in-person and remote AP Music Theory students as they work together to solve a challenging voice-leading problem. |
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Student's in Mrs. Gorton's Chinese Class created decorations in honor of Chinese New Year. |
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News From College Counseling
Thursday, February 11 the College Counseling Department hosted a virtual Sophomore Night for the Class of 2023 and their families. Guest presenter Brendan Corsones, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Notre Dame University provided valuable insight on the college admissions review process and offered advice to students on how to submit the strongest application possible.
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Summer Camp Registration
Online registration for summer camp opens Tuesday, February 16 at 9:00 a.m. We have a variety of camps for students entering Pre-K through tenth grade!
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New this summer-Science Academy Mr. Essery and the students will be exploring chemistry, biology, physics, ecology, and physiology. Each day will be a different type of science, a problem to solve, and an adventure!
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Little Leap and Jr. Leap camps reinforce skills while having fun with weekly themed activities.
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Rocketry Camp will study the history of rocketry and design and build rockets with Mr. Neudel.
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The Leading Edge program will be focusing on team building, problem-solving, college preparation, and service projects with Mr. Essery.
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Theater Camp will be performing fully staged short plays with Mr. Streifert.
We have a new LEAP structure and class offerings! Your child will choose a block schedule and participate in six classes a day for the week. Block schedules include a variety of academics, world language, visual arts, and sports just to name a few!
Join us for a week, a two-week session, or the whole summer! Program dates and rates, LEAP class charts, and more information on all our camps is available on The Albany Academies website at albanyacademies.org. The 2021 brochure is now available online! Please contact Karin Epstein at epsteink@albanyacademies.org or 518-429-2332 with any questions.
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Blogging with the Academies
Be sure to check out our new "Blogging with the Academies" - https://www.albanyacademies.org/admissions/blogging-with-the-academies. Director of Admissions and Enrollment Nicholas Forcier and the Admissions team launched the blog recently to help prospective parents learn more about The Albany Academies. We'll add fresh content each week related to our school and education in general!
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Meet our new Director of Admissions & Enrollment and Share Your Experience
With re-enrollment season right around the corner, our new Director of Admissions & Enrollment, Nicholas Forcier, would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to gather your feedback on your experience over the first half of the school year. Our Admissions team will be reaching out to schedule a 15-minute Zoom meeting, but you can also click the following link to select a convenient day and time: https://calendly.com/shellieinadmissions/zoom-meetings-with-mr-forcier-and-academy-families.
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