The Albany Academies coordinate single-sex and coeducational learning environments to develop diligent students of high character who become curious, critical thinkers.
October 29, 2021
The Skim

  • National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
  • National Merit Scholarship Commended Students
  • Admissions Open House
  • October 29 CDC Risk Assessment for Schools in Albany County
  • COVID Screening Testing Schedule
  • DEI Forum Invitation
  • Winter Performances
  • AAG Key Club News
  • Halloween Celebration
  • A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
  • Ice Skating: ECA and AAG Lower School
  • WASH Errata
  • Mark your calendars for Spring Gathering
  • We are stronger together!
  • Our youngest giver
  • Week at a Glance
  • Looking Ahead
Dear Friends,

Happy Halloween to those who observe the tradition! The day is another example of the historical blending of beliefs and celebrations that help shape our annual rhythms. Before we know it, fall will be over, winter begins, and a new set of celebrations will be upon us. 

Speaking of celebrations, next week, we will engage in some schoolwide learning about Diwali, India's biggest and most important annual holiday. I look forward to sharing a retrospective of these efforts next Friday.

I also want to extend an invitation to the online DEI forum we are holding next Tuesday at four p.m. (details below). I know that there is much public discussion about inclusivity efforts in schools, and I encourage everyone interested to learn firsthand how The Albany Academies are approaching this important topic.

One of the notable athletic highlights from the week belongs to AAG Varsity Volleyball. They came into the first round of the sectional tournament seeded twelfth and promptly upset the fifth seed school, winning in straight sets to advance to the next round in a gritty performance. Well done, and good luck in tonight's game!

Finally, congratulations to the seniors named Semifinalists and Commended Students in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program (highlighted below). These recognitions acknowledge these students' diligence and scholarship throughout their academic careers and are well deserved!

Warmly,
National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists 

Congratulation to Peter B. and Colton P. who have been named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Corporation National Merit Scholarship Program. High school juniors entered the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2020 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring participants on the test.
National Merit Scholarship Commended Students

Congratulations to Cassandra B., Benjamin H., Sia S., and Joe S. for being named commended students in the National Merit Scholarship Corporation National Merit Scholarship Program. Commended students are being recognized for the exceptional academic promise demonstrated by their outstanding performance on the qualifying test used for program entry.
The Office of Admissions is gearing up for an AWESOME Open House on Sunday, November 7 at 1:00 p.m. and we need YOU!! How can you help?

-- Refer your friends and neighbors to attend the Open House – they can RSVP right on our website (or just show up at 1:00 p.m.) Families who refer TWO or more prospective families who attend the Open House will get some swag – yes!

-- Middle and Upper School students will be invited to help us with the Open House and we will have a variety of jobs to do. Please encourage them to say yes and volunteer with us that day.


-- Pick up Academy literature to post in the places you bring your children. A member of the Admissions team can give you or send home some Open House flyers and Academy bookmarks. 

Questions? Contact a member of the Admissions team by emailing Admissions@albanyacademies.org or calling 518-429-2348.
October 29 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 and Middle School students will be tested on Wednesday, November 3.
  • Upper School students will be tested on Thursday, November 4.
  • Professional Community members may test either Wednesday or Thursday.

If you wish to opt-in or opt-out of testing, send an email with your request to Shelly Reid, reidm@albanyacademies.org, who is the “keeper of the list.”
DEI Forum Invitation
 
All members of the school community are invited and encouraged to attend DEI forum meetings, which are held regularly via Zoom. The DEI forum is a venue to share feedback about the school’s inclusive practices, learn about upcoming DEI initiatives, and help shape future efforts. Meetings include trustees, administrators, faculty, parents, and students.
 
The dates for this year’s meetings are:
Tuesday, November 2 at 4pm
Wednesday, January 5 at 4pm
Wednesday, March 16 at 4pm
Wednesday, June 1 at 4pm
 
The login information is:
Zoom ID: 691-007-9154
Zoom Passcode: academy79
 
To learn more about our DEI efforts, visit https://www.albanyacademies.org/about/diversity-equity-and-inclusion.
Winter Performances

Below are the upcoming performances for our performing arts groups. Because of logistics some groups are able to be live while a few will need to stay virtual at this time. All performances will be accessible virtually by December 17. We are hopeful that we will be able to do all live performances this spring.

More details will be coming soon. If you have any questions please contact Arts Department Chair Rich Johnson at johnsonr@albanyacademies.org.
 
AA Lower School (Grades 1-4) Performance 
  • In Person - two attendees per child
  • Friday December 3, 2021 
  • 2:20 pm - Chapel
  • (SNOW DATE Monday December 6, 2021)

ECA [PS, AA/AAG PK & K) Performance 
  • In Person - two attendees per child
  • Friday December 10, 2021 
  • 2:20 pm - Auditorium 
  • (SNOW DATE Monday December 13, 2021)

Middle & Upper School Music Webinar 
  • Wednesday December 8, 2021 7:00pm
  • 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
 
AAG Lower School (Grades 1-4) Performance 
  • In Person - two attendees per child
  • Wednesday December 15, 2021
  • (SNOW DATE Thursday December 16, 2021)
 
AAG Dance Grades 5 & 6, Dance as a Sport, & US Dance Performance 
  • In Person - two attendees per child
  • Wednesday December 15, 2021 
  • 5:30pm- Auditorium
  • (SNOW DATE Thursday December 16, 2021)
AAG Key Club News

In support of the Academies WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) initiative, the AAG Key Club collected shampoo, conditioner, and body wash for the organization Things of My Very Own. Things of My Very Own is a Schenectady-based non-profit that provides crisis intervention services for children affected by abuse and/or neglect. We also are donating 358 pairs of children's socks to their "Socktober" Drive. The Key Club would like to give a special shout-out to the Nussbaum family for their generous support of our effort! 
Halloween Celebration
Our students had a spooky, spectacular Halloween celebration today! Our Upper School Students designed stations to pass out candy to our Lower School students.
A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
AA PreK and Kindergarten students started skating this week with Coach Lancto and Coach McIver.
Artists created a work of art in the style of Artist Andy Warhol. This is a fun art history lesson that inspired Mrs. Reh's Halloween costume. She surprised students and came to school dressed like Andy Warhol!
The Preschool has been studying steady beat with Miss Stella in music class. This week, students learned about pitch with boomwhackers and played the steady beat along to a monster-ous tune! 
The AAG 8th graders are completing their air glider projects in Project Lead The Way Gateway. They launched our gliders on Friday.
AAG Grade 8 students are conducting independent science experiments. Questions being explored in the photos are:
  1. What sponge brand is most effective?
  2. What type of bottled water is the best to drink, and is the stream in Evie's backyard drinkable compared to bottled water?
  3. Are fingerprints more similar between people who are related?
Mr. Neudel's Lower School Science classes began working on posters for Saving Water as they begin WASH activities.
Ice Skating: ECA and AAG Lower School

Lower School PE classes on the AAG campus have been enjoying their time on the ice. We are impressed with how quickly some of our newest skaters are becoming independent on the ice. Some of their favorite activities are Red Light, Green Light to work on control and the Hokey Pokey for balance.

On the last day of skating for each grade, we will invite parents to a show and tell class. Each child can have a maximum of two people come to the rink and observe a class. If you would like to join us please meet in the AAG front lobby, where you will sign in as a guest and then walk over to the rink with your child. All parents must be masked and will remain outside the rink while the students are in class. After class, we will pose for photos and parents are encouraged to take home their child's skating equipment.

Please see the dates below for your child’s last skate day and time.

  • Pre School: November 9 8:30 - 9:30am
  • PreK: November 8 11:25am - 12:25pm
  • Kindergarten: November 8 11:25am - 12:25pm
  • AAG Grade 1: November 8 8:45 - 9:45am
  • AAG Grade 2: November 8 1:30 - 2:30pm
  • AAG Grade 3: November 10 12:30 - 1:30pm
  • AAG Grade 4: November 16 8:45 - 9:45am
WASH Errata 
 
Last week, when highlighting our Wastewater, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) simulation, I inadvertently omitted faculty members who were instrumental in designing and running the experience. So kudos to Mr. Bischoff, Mr. Kauth, and Mrs. McNulty for organizing the day, and many thanks to Mrs. Keegan, Mr. McNally, Mr. Keeley, Mr. Service, Mr. Fitzmaurice, Mr. Hansen, Mr. Russell, Mrs. Hughes, and Mrs. Minissale for helping it run so efficiently!
 
Our next WASH experiences will happen in advisory-based meetings in January and April, culminating with another whole-school event in the spring, and don’t forget to check out the upcoming WASH Webinars listed below.

  • Tues. Nov 9: Jenna Saldaña, Director of U.S. Operations for El Porvenir, and former project development manager for EP with extensive experience in field operations and non-profit management, communications, and fundraising.
  • Thurs. Dec. 9: Basil Mahayni, Ph.D., Deputy Director, USAID Sustainable Water Partnership (a high-profile, large-scale international effort funded in part by USAID); affiliated with Tetra Tech, a major global engineering consulting firm; international authority on WASH challenges and infrastructure.
  • Jan. (TENTATIVE, date TBD): Annette Huber-Lee, Ph.D., Senior Scientist and Water-Energy-Food Nexus Leader at Stockholm Environment Institute; an international authority on water planning, water security, local involvement in WASH projects, and the use of natural infrastructure to address water challenges.
  • Feb. (date TBD): Fred Cooper, Ph.D., PE, former El Porvenir board member, founder of two major engineering firms, an international authority on development and management of WASH infrastructure, and co-developer of EP’s watershed initiative (and an RPI grad!).
 
Unless otherwise specified, the time for all webinars is 2:20 to 3:00 p.m. Contact Mr. Conway at conwayc@albanyacademies.org for Zoom details.
Mark your calendars! 

Spring Gathering is set for Saturday, April 30 at The Kenmore Ballroom in Albany and we hope you'll join us! Spring Gathering is an annual auction & gala that supports financial aid and scholarships at The Albany Academies and this year, the event will once again be in-person. 

To join the Spring Gathering planning committee, sponsor the event, or join the Honorary Committee, please contact Development Coordinator Sarah Adamowski at adamowskis@albanyacademies.org or 518-429-2397. 
We are stronger together!

Academies parents truly are Stronger Together, and they proved it with their support of the Annual Fund last week. The goal was 150 families making a gift and in the end we surpassed that goal with 164 gifts and pledges! Parents from every grade level answered the call, and the families of our Juniors lead the charge with 32 gifts! Thank you to everyone who participated. 

The work of the Annual Fund never stops. These undesignated funds are vitally important to the everyday running of The Albany Academies, supporting everything from classroom equipment, to playing field maintenance, to art supplies, to salaries for our amazing faculty, and so much more. If you weren't able to participate last week you haven't missed out. You can make a gift or pledge any time during our fiscal year, which ends on June 30, 2022. Please consider a gift or pledge at any level, knowing that every gift makes a difference. You'll soon be hearing about Giving Tuesday (the international day of philanthropy) which is the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

Thank you again for your support, and for everything you do for The Albany Academies. We are proud to be members of this community with you!
Our Youngest Giver

This week the Office of Institutional Advancement had an unexpected visitor from Aria Patel, a second grader at AAG. She wanted to make a gift to the Annual Fund of $14, money that was given to her over the summer for ice cream, but she decided to save it. All of us were so touched by the gesture and saw how happy it made Aria to give back to the school she loves. Thank you!
Week at a Glance
Monday, November 1
Day 2

Tuesday, November 2
Parent/Student/Teacher Conference Day (No classes)
4:00pm Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum (Zoom)

Wednesday, November 3
Day 3
2:20pm Grades 11 & 12 Alumni/ae Speed Mentoring
2:20pm AA Grades 9 & 10 House Competitions
2:20pm AAG Grades 9 & 10 Deans Events

Thursday, November 4
Day 4
8:15am AA Lower School Chapel

Friday, November 5
Day 5
7:00pm Fall Production "Comedy of Errors" (Sold Out)
Looking Ahead
November 7 Admissions Open House
November 11 Veterans Day (School Closed)
November 12 Professional Development Day (No Classes)
November 5 - 6 Fall Production: Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare
November 17 Admissions Asked and Answered Information Session
November 23 Thanksgiving Feast
November 24 - 26 Fall Break (School Closed)