The Albany Academies coordinate single-sex and coeducational learning environments to develop diligent students of high character who become curious, critical thinkers.
May 28, 2021
The Skim

  • CDC Risk Assessment for Schools in Albany County
  • Masks at School
  • Uploading COVID Vaccinations to your Child’s Medical Record
  • Traffic Note: Passing Stopped School Buses
  • Student Account Reminder
  • Upper School Final Exams Information
  • A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
  • Athletics
  • AA Varsity Prep Hockey
  • Athletes Signing Day
  • Reception to Honor Faculty Member, Coach, and Alumnus
  • May Project Fundraiser
  • Host Families Needed
  • Learn More About Our Unique LEAP Camp for Grades 3 - 8
  • Free HVCC Summer Courses for High School Students
  • Still Time to Make a Gift to the Annual Fund
Dear Friends,

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

There is a marked difference between last year’s holiday weekend and the one on which we are about to embark. I hope we all go into the next few days with a sense of hope and optimism that we are returning to a more normal way of life. 

From a school perspective, this weekend always marks a transition from the rhythms of the regular school year to a season of closing ceremonies as we look forward to a well-deserved summer break. 

This year will also have an additional “we made it through” feel to it, thanks to the dedication and hard work of our teachers, staff, and administrators and the grace and good humor of our students and families. 

We have all made sacrifices over the last fourteen months to make this year happen. I am incredibly grateful for this and plan to put it into the perspective afforded me by the holiday. Regardless of what we had to endure or forego, it will never compare to the ultimate sacrifices we are meant to honor on Monday.

Sincerely,
Masks at School

School policies regarding COVID mitigations follow New York State Department of Health’s reopening guidelines. NYDOH and the Albany County Department of Health continue to be the guiding authorities for our COVID mitigations. While the CDC recently announced a new stance on masks for fully vaccinated individuals, we have NOT received corollary guidance from NYDOH or ACDOH. 

Until we do, the School’s current mask policy remains in place regardless of vaccination status.
Uploading COVID Vaccinations to your Child’s Medical Record

As individuals 12 years of age and older receive vaccinations, please use the Magnus Health portal to update an image of your child’s vaccination card to their medical record. This is a secure portal for confidential student health records portal that is only available to our school nurses. Please see the visual guide, below for step-by-step directions to do this.

If you have any questions regarding uploading images of vaccination cards, please contact:
 
Angela Sears, AAG Nurse searsa@albanyacademies.org
Phone: 518-429-2302   
 
Lisa McDonald, AA Nurse mcdonaldl@albanyacademies.org
Phone: 518-429-2403
Traffic Note: Passing Stopped School Buses

It is unsafe to pass school buses when they have stopped to pick up children (lights flashing and stop sign out). Our campus traffic pattern designates separate bus and car lanes and we ask that car drivers stay out of bus lanes. It is also worth noting that unlawfully failing to stop for a school bus comes with a potential $400 fine and 5 points and that all buses are equipped with dash cameras recording the traffic around them.
Student Account Reminder

Please check your student account, located under the Billing tab on Blackbaud/myAcademies, to be sure your account is settled by the end of May. Several “incidental” charges have been added to student accounts throughout the year such as Exam fees, Extended Day care, COVID tests, etc. Please direct any questions to Kim Russ in the Business Office. 
Upper School Final Exams Information

  • Final Exams for Upper School Students will be held Tuesday, June 1 through Friday, June 4. 
  • All students, regardless of exam location will check in at the Michael B. Picotte Field House. 
  • Please complete the MAGNUS screening app daily. 
  • Students should wear their uniform for all examinations. 
  • Students will be dismissed when exams are complete. 
  • Any student remaining on campus for extra help or awaiting transportation should report to the libraries or a classroom. Lunch is available and students must order through the FLIK app.
  • Please notify the school as soon as possible if there will be any attendance issues. 

Good luck to all test takers!
A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
Engineering students Nick Foster and Shea White designed and build boats out of cardboard and duct tape for their final project in Civil Engineering and Architecture class. After creating and testing a 1/5th scale prototype, Nick and Shea created full scale boats and tested them the pool.
AAG second, third and fourth graders participated in an Indian Dance Master Class taught by guest artist Bijal Patel. The girls had fun dancing and learning about classical as well as contemporary Indian dance. 
AA Grade 1 students each shared a piece of writing they did this year during Lower School Young Authors Day celebrations. Please click the House links below to view the presentations.
First graders in Señora de Rosier's Spanish class created books in Spanish this week highlighting colors and various vocabulary words they learned throughout the year. They will use their books to study and review Spanish words over the summer. 
In their nanotechnology unit, six graders are observing water on a cloth with special stitching at the micron level that keeps water from absorbing without any chemicals on the cotton.
On Thursday evening, the Chamber Singers performed in a small cabaret for a very small audience of family and friends. The event also included performances from our remote ensemble members. It was a wonderful evening of greatly-missed live music. Congratulations to our singers!
Athletics
Girls Modified Track traveled to Ravena for their second meet of the season! Our ladies have been running, jumping, and throwing further/faster every day. 
On Tuesday, May 18, Julia Z. '21 broke her school high jump record with a height of 5'6" at a Track & Field meet against Cohoes. Congratulations!
The AA Varsity Baseball team had 2 no hitter wins within 10 days. This week, Alex G. '23 threw to the minimum 21 batters and threw 78 pitches. Last week, Geneo S. '23 threw 87 pitches. Congratulations!
AAG Swimming & Diving All-Stars
Mea A. '23 earned Second Team All-Stars in the 50 Freestyle event. Congratulations!
Please click here to view the Times Union article.
AAG Golf Times Union All-Stars
Kennedy S.'24 earned Athlete of the Year Honors and First Team All-Stars, Nichole C '23 was recognized for the First Team All-Stars, and Samantha V. '25 was recognized for the Second Team All-Stars. Congratulations!
Please click here to view the Times Union article.
AA Golf Times Union All-Stars
Nick L. '21 earned First Team All-Stars. Coach Jak Bestle was selected as Coach of the Year! Congratulations!
Please click here to view the Times Union article.
AA Varsity Prep Hockey
 
Noah C. '22 has been selected to represent the New York District at the 2021 USA Hockey National Development “17” Camp in Amherst, New York. Noah was 1 of 7 forwards selected to represent the NY District at the National Festival. He was selected from of a group of over 40 forwards at the evaluation camp.
 
Willem M. '23 has been selected as an alternate goaltender to represent the New York District at the 2021 USA Hockey National Development “16” Camp in Amherst, New York. Willem was 1 of 2 alternate goalies selected to represent the NY District at the National Festival. He was selected from a group of 8 goalies during the evaluation camp.

Congratulations to Noah and Willem!
 
About the NYS Player Development Program:
In the New York District, the Boys' Player Development Program offers a process unlike most players are used to competing in. This highly selective, pyramid style process attempts to identify those players who possess the individual skill to compete at an international level of play. The NY District staff looks for those players showing the ability to perform at a consistently high level during short-term events such as international festivals, national festivals and development camps. https://www.nysaha.com/page/show/885648-boys-program
Athletes Signing Day

Wednesday was a special day for some of our student-athletes, coaches, and families. The Albany Academies held the NCAA signing ceremony in the James E. Poole Athletic Facility for 12 students and their family members (2 students were unable to attend). Congratulations and best wishes to our scholar-athletes as they continue to pursue their athletic passion at the collegiate level in the fall!

  • Roberto B., Penn State University Harrisburg, DIII, Baseball
  • Timothy C., New England College, DIII, Golf
  • William C., St. Lawrence University, Soccer
  • Justin H., Salve Regina University, DIII, Lacrosse
  • Chris H., Bentley, DIII, Golf
  • Nicholas L., Siena College, DI, Golf
  • William O., Fairfield University, DI, Tennis
  • Kieran O., Providence College, DI, Basketball
  • Esteban R., St. Lawrence University Swimming
  • Julia Z., Amherst College, DIII, Track and Field
Reception to Honor Faculty Member, Coach, and Alumnus

We hope you will join us on June 17 from 6-7:30 p.m. for a reception in the Michael B. Picotte Field House to honor longtime coach and faculty member Dave Rider '73, P'04. Mr. Rider began teaching and coaching at The Albany Academy in the fall of 1977. Since that time, he has coached all levels of football, hockey, and baseball in addition to his physical education duties.

We will miss Dave and wish him the best in his future retirement! If you are interested in attending the farewell event, please RSVP to ostranderd@albanyacademies.org.
May Project Fundraiser

Morgan L. ‘21 has been raising money for the New York Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (NYWRC) also known as the Northeast Llama Rescue and Barnyard Sanctuary, a non-profit organization located in Middleburgh, New York, as part of her May Project. Every year, the NYWRC rehabilitates and cares for 500 to 1,000 different animals, providing food, water, shelter, and care. If you are able to donate, your support would be greatly appreciated during this difficult time. You can learn more at nywildliferescue.org.

Click here to donate via PayPal. Or, you can also donate by sending a check to PO Box 410, Middleburgh, NY 12122 made out to New York Wildlife Rescue Center, Inc.
Host Families Needed for 2021-22 School Year

Host families are needed for athletes who are transferring to The Albany Academies from outside the Capital Region next year. A host family provides safe, caring, and friendly accommodations for these students. A “home away from home,” host-parents serve as authority figures, role models, and extended families to the players. Click here to learn more.
Learn More About Our Unique LEAP Camp for Grades 3 - 8

Are you looking for something safe, unique and fun for your student entering grade 3-8? Our LEAP camp has it all! LEAP runs by the week June 28- August 6. Students choose a block schedule and participate in six classes a day for the week. Block schedules include a variety of science, math, world language, art, games and sports just to name a few!

All programs are co-ed and open to the public, so please share with friends and neighbors. You will receive a $25 credit toward your registration when you refer a family! Program dates and rates, LEAP class charts and more information on all our programs is available on The Albany Academies website at albanyacademies.org.

Please contact Karin Epstein at epsteink@albanyacademies.org or 518-429-2332 with any questions.
Free HVCC Offers Summer Courses for High School Students

Hudson Valley Community College is offering summer courses for high school students at no cost. More than 50 college-level courses will be offered for rising high school juniors and seniors this summer with an added incentive: tuition and fees will be completely funded through a college scholarship, and textbooks will be provided at no cost for students. Please click here for more information.
Still Time to Make a Gift to the Annual Fund

Thank you to our many parents who have made a gift to this year's Annual Fund. If you have not yet made a gift, please help The Albany Academies finish the school year strong and consider a gift by the end of our fiscal year on June 30, 2021. Despite the challenges we have faced, we certainly have a lot to be thankful for, including our outstanding teachers. They have inspired and guided our students all year and showed us the true meaning of dedication and kindness. Thank you for your consideration! Click here to donate.