August 10, 2020 Dear Friends,  We have been very busy at the Academies refining our reopening plan for the fall semester and just learned from Gov. Cuomo that schools in New York State will be allowed to open for in-person learning. As was required by the state, we submitted our draft plan ahead of the July 31 deadline. The plan addresses grouping of students, cleaning and sanitizing protocols, symptom monitoring, face coverings, health and hygiene education, pedestrian traffic, physical distancing, personal responsibility, and remote learning. Our plan was also submitted to the New York State Education Department. You can read the full reopening plan on our website. As we approach the new academic year, we are seeking host families for our hockey players in the prep league. New hockey coach Steven Mallaro has done a wonderful job encouraging exceptional student-athletes to join our community and the program, and housing is needed for some of the players. A billet family provides a safe, caring, and friendly home atmosphere and serves as a role model and extended family to the players. If you are interested in learning more about how to participate, please contact Director of Admissions Nicholas Forcier at forciern@albanyacademies.org. It saddens me to share that we lost a very special member of our Academy community on July 18, Bruce Kauffmann ’67. Many of you knew Bruce, his passion for writing and the Academy, and his history column that appeared in newspapers online and across the country. Bruce spoke at the Academies on several occasions and most recently joined us in 2019 at the Fort Orange Club to speak about the impeachment process. He will be deeply missed by many. A new fund – The Bruce Kauffmann ’67 Lecture Series – has been established by his widow, Judy, to keep his spirit alive at the Academies. If you are interested in making a contribution, please contact me or make a gift online.

We also have some positive news to share. In the past two weeks, the Academies and two of our alumni have been featured three times in the local media. For a story about the reopening of Capital Region schools, Times Union reporter Rachel Silberstein spoke with Head of School Chris Lauricella about the perspective of independent schools. Another Times Union article featured Tony Gaddy ’85 who serves as president and CEO of the one-year-old Upstate New York Black Chamber of Commerce. Also, Spectrum News in Albany talked to Chris and Devon Wimberly ’97 about the increase in inquiries from parents who are exploring private schools and the Academies in particular for their children.

We are continuing to offer in-person and virtual tours for prospective families, and our “Asked & Answered” series of informational sessions continues to generate interest. The next session, to be held on August 12, will focus on our Lower School. If you know of a family that would like to learn more about enrolling a student in the Academies or who might be interested in the Asked & Answered series, please let me know. Thank you to Tim Owens ‘83 and Jenny Levy ‘93 for participating in these sessions.

Please consider joining us TODAY, August 10 at 5:30 p.m. for another one of our virtual “Listening and Learning” Restorative Talk sessions. The purpose of these sessions is to share your experiences while a student at the Academies with our Head of School, Chief Human Resources Officer and President of the Board of Trustees. To register, please contact Michelle Reid at reidm@albanyacademies.org.

Finally, watch for details on a Reunion Zoom call to be scheduled for the end of the month. We hope you’ll be able to join us! Keep in touch,

Ann Wendth Chief Advancement Officer