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
- October 15 CDC Risk Assessment for Schools in Albany County
- Covid Screening Testing Schedule
- Face Mask Policy
- Open House Lawn Signs
- Fall Play
- Storybook Pumpkin Patch
- A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
- AAG Golf Team - Champions
- Athletics
- Week at a Glance
- Looking Ahead
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Dear Friends,
Beginning last week, schools around the region began to experience the real-world implications of the interplay between the beginning of cold and flu season and COVID precautions. We are all experiencing increasing rates of symptom exclusions, quarantines, and isolations that significantly impact operations. A shortage of diagnostic COVID testing has exacerbated these disruptions.
Against a regional backdrop, the effects on The Albany Academies have been proportionately minor but frustrating to families nonetheless. I sincerely understand these frustrations.
But I also need to remind our community that we cannot modify our mitigation policies from the Albany County Department of Health’s guidance. ACDOH is the authority we have followed throughout the pandemic and the agency with the legal authority to issue and enforce public health guidance.
I also need to ask that families continue to follow our exclusion policies rather than sending symptomatic students to school for fear that they will miss too much. Doing so exposes our community to the very real threat of spreading COVID and other respiratory illnesses.
Instead, if you have a student who has COVID-like symptoms, here are a few things that might help ease potential disruptions:
- If a family feels their child’s symptoms are related to a chronic condition (such as allergies or migraines), they can be evaluated by their doctor, who can send a medical note to the Health Office stating the diagnosis and typical symptoms. If the child has typical symptoms, they will not be excluded. However, if they develop atypical symptoms, they will need to be excluded from school until they are evaluated for COVID-19.
- We can also use the Clarifi system for diagnostic testing. Test results are coming back in a little over 24 hours, and there is no cost for this testing. Currently, we can only do this for students who have symptom onset at school, but we are trying to increase our testing capacity by hiring a testing coordinator.
- Please trust that we will fully support students when they return.
Finally, I’m feeling more than a little protective of our staff, who are working harder than ever to keep our students safe. Unfortunately, they often bear the brunt of our frustrations as they work with families to comply with external, public health guidelines. Yet, we would be hard-pressed to keep our community healthy without their continued diligence. I hope that we can keep this in mind as we work together to help our students thrive, regardless of the challenges we may face.
Sincerely,
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October 15 CDC Risk Assessment for Schools in Albany County |
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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.
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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 Tuesday, October 19.
- Upper School students will be tested on Thursday, October 21.
- Professional Community members may test either Tuesday 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.”
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Face Mask Policy
Students must bring a mask with them to school each day, and should have a couple of extra masks in their backpack in case their mask breaks. If a mask breaks during the school day, and the student doesn't have an extra mask with them, then the school will provide a single-use disposable mask. Please review the following face-covering policy with your child.
Face Coverings Policy:
- All individuals over the age of two on The Albany Academies campus must wear a mask indoors when they are in public or shared spaces, regardless of vaccination status.
- Masks may be removed briefly for consuming food or beverages as long as individuals are following social distance guidelines.
- Individuals are not required to wear masks outdoors but may continue to do so if they wish.
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Open House Lawn Signs
The Office of Admissions is spreading the word about our November 7th Open House with lawn signs! We would be extremely grateful if you would post a lawn sign on your yard or along your commute!
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Fall Play
The Albany Academies Fine Arts Department is proud to announce the 2021 Fall Play is "Comedy of Errors" by William Shakespeare.
We are sold out for our November 5th live performance and will soon be sending out the details for the free streaming performance on November 12th at 7pm!
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Storybook Pumpkin Patch
The Libraries at AA & AAG are hosting a Storybook Pumpkin Patch for Lower School from October 18-29. Pictured here, Rezaan A. (Grade 1) proudly presents her "Piggie" pumpkin from the picture book "An Elephant and Piggie Biggie!" by Mo Willems. Contact Laura Miner or Sarah Bowen for more details.
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A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms |
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Congratulations to the following Grade 8 students on their new leadership roles as House Prefects!
Olcott House
Michael P. and Dan G.
Henry House
Jack D. and Will G.
Beck House
Chad S. and Elijah T.
Gates House
Joe H. and Lukas F.
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As a part of Hispanic Heritage month, Dance 7 students learned about the Mexican-American modern dance pioneer, José Limón who is considered one of the greatest dancers of his time. Students watched a video of the José Limón Dance Company and discussed the themes of the dance such as universal human emotions, and the resiliency of the human spirit. |
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AAG Grade 4 students have begun their year-long Dear America project. The first step is reading a Dear America book based on an event in US History. |
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Upper School students in AP Environmental Science class completed a soil properties lab. Students created a profile of the soil sample by determining its physical and biological properties. They carried out a quantitative analysis to determine the make-up of their soil, as percentages of sand, silt and loam. They also carried out a qualitative analysis to determine the texture, porosity and fertility of their sample. |
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On Thursday, October 14, the 5th grade girls participated in the NYS DEC's 19th annual "A Day in the Life on the Hudson River." AAG was one of 70 participating schools testing various elements of the Hudson River to gather data for the DEC's larger study in the health of the river. They were lucky to have members of the DEC Hudson-Mohawk fisheries stop by our testing site. It was a phenomenal day spent as field scientists! |
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The PreK boys enjoyed illustrating their first homemade classroom book during Apple theme week! Students spent time together reading their book in their classroom library, and recognized each others names within the text as they recited the repetitive story together! |
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AAG Grade 3 students in Mr. Neudel's Science class worked on a lab measuring the mass of the Totally Tubular rocket. |
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We are in full swing here at the Academies with our new Lower School after-school athletic and fitness program! Grades 1-6 have the option to play soccer and run track after school. It's a great chance for our younger students to learn the sport and keep physically active. We'll be starting our winter after-school enrichment soon, including offerings in the arts, music, academics, STEM, and Chinese. |
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AAG Grade 3 students had a fun time making team t-shirts for Spirit Week to represent their favorite team! Go Team Connors! |
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AAG Golf Team - Champions |
Albany Academy for Girls Varsity Golf Team are Section 2 Champions! All 5 players qualified for States (only 9 from the entire section qualify).
Congratulations to the entire AAG Varsity Golf Team and Coach Adamowski!
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Athletics
Congratulations to the following members of the AA & AAG Class of 2022 who were recently celebrated by their Fall sports teams.
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AAG Varsity Soccer
Ma A., Johanna D., Casey F., Veronica G., Karlita K., Meleena O., and Kathleen P.
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AAG Varsity Tennis
Morgan F., Elspeth H., Brooke O., and Megan P.
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AA Varsity Soccer
Sa Kler M., Will G., Colton P., and Harry H.
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Monday, October 18
Day 5
9:45am Muhlenberg College
1:00pm Dickinson College
Tuesday, October 19
Day 6
9:30am Western New England University
3:10pm Upper School Faculty Meeting (Zoom)
Wednesday, October 20
Day 1
7:25am Middle School Faculty Meeting
9:00am University of California-Riverside
1:00pm University of Rochester
3:00pm Admissions Asked & Answered Information Session (Trustees Room)
Thursday, October 21
Day 2
9:45am Hamilton College
Friday, October 22
Fall Community Service Day
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October 25 Alumnae/Alumni Speaker Series
October 29 Lower School Halloween Celebration
November 2 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum
November 2 Parent/Student - Teacher Conferences (No Classes)
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)
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