The Albany Academies coordinate single-sex and coeducational learning environments to develop diligent students of high character who become curious, critical thinkers.
January 21, 2022
The Skim

  • January 21 CDC Risk Assessment for Schools in Albany County
  • Optional Weekly COVID Surveillance Testing
  • School Bus Safety
  • Vaccination Clinic, February 1
  • Admissions: Open House
  • Parent Webinar
  • A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
  • Summer Camps
  • Week at a Glance
  • Looking Ahead
Dear Friends,

At the risk of being redundant, I'm reiterating some of the information shared earlier in the week, guided by the idea that there is no such thing as over-communicating right about now.

  • COVID infection rates within the school community have declined to a manageable level, allowing us to return to in-person learning for all students on Monday, January 24.
  • As we did pre-surge, we will use individualized plans to support those students who need to isolate or be quarantined.
  • We are using a “symptoms and test” approach for detecting COVID-positive students:

  • All symptomatic students must isolate and test for COVID.
  • If the test is positive, they must continue to isolate for five days. If their symptoms have resolved after five days, they may return to school, provided they wear a properly fitted mask and continue to monitor for symptoms.
  • If the test is negative, they must remain at home and take another COVID test 24 hours after the first test. If the second test is negative and the student has not had a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting in the last 24 hours without medication, they may return to school.

  • We have stopped sending out daily case updates. However, this information is available on the NY State School COVID Report Card, updated daily.
  • Weekly Clarifi screening testing is available for families who want it. Please complete this survey to opt-in. 
  • Individuals who have recovered from COVID within the last 90 days should not be surveillance tested, as they will likely return a positive test result.
  • At-home test kits are available at the main offices of both school buildings, with a limit of one kit per enrolled student. 
  • Any student who has tested positive for COVID and had symptoms will need medical clearance to return to physical education and sports. You can find information about this here.
  • NYSDOH guidelines now require us to exclude unboosted students 12 and older from sports and other after-school activities if they are designated as close contacts. For purposes of this policy, NYSDOH considers a student boosted on the day they receive the booster injection.
  • A “test to stay” process is being used for unvaccinated students designated as close contacts to attend classes if they test negative on a series of COVID tests conducted over seven days. You can find information about this here.
  • We have updated our COVID webpage to house all this information, should you need to reference it later.

I'm quite hopeful that this marks the beginning of a return to normal COVID operations.

Sincerely,
January 21 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.
Optional Weekly COVID Surveillance Testing

We will continue to provide the ability to opt into Clarifi screening testing for families who want to do so on a voluntary, weekly basis. We have moved the sample collection day to Monday and Tuesday, with the hope that sample collection early in the week will result in a more timely return of results. To opt into testing, you will need to complete this survey, even if you have previously filled it out. Individuals who have recovered from COVID within the last 90 days should not be surveillance tested, as they will likely return a positive test result.
School Bus Safety

Please help keep our students safe as they board and depart their bus.

  • The front circles of the AA and AAG buildings are for bus drop off only. Please do not park in either circle.
  • 5:30pm late buses pick up students after sports in front of the field house. There have been incidents reported to the school of cars passing the buses while the red lights are flashing. Please do not pass a bus on school grounds while the red lights are flashing.
Vaccination Clinic, February 1

Another clinic is scheduled for February 1 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm for boosters and second shots. Book your appointment here if you would like to schedule a booster.
Admissions: Open House

Tell your friends and neighbors! The Office of Admissions is hosting an Open House on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. This is a great way for prospective families to learn about our school! Families can learn more on the Admissions Events page of our website (link to: Register for an Admissions Event (albanyacademies.org).
Parent Webinar on Student Well-Being

Please join us for an informational webinar on Thursday, January 27 at 6:00pm for Part II of our Parent Webinar Series where the Albany Academies' team of professionals will continue to discuss student wellness. 

During this session, we will be reviewing the results of our student wellness surveys and you will have an opportunity to speak with the school's counseling team and our partner clinicians from HPA LiveWell. Part of our continued goal is to work collaboratively with parents, faculty, and staff to support overall student well-being and success. 

The panel will also address any questions you may have about parenting through the pandemic and solicit your feedback for future webinar topics.

Date: January 27, 2022
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Zoom Webinar ID: 997 9499 7425
A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
AAG second graders enjoyed their first snowy recess of the year!  
The Winter Musical Pete(Her) working with the Orchestra Pit and Cast for the first time!
Preschool artists are embracing the season by creating snowstorms! 
The fourth grade is in the beginning stages of preparing for their fourth grade play. 
 First grade dancers are discovering connections between dance and math through their study of triangles. Pictured below dancers explore the use of negative space and shape while demonstrating the ballet position retire.
Third graders were working hard through long division problems. Their perseverance is inspiring!
Students in Ceramics are building a chess set. Project plans range from replicating traditional chess sets to architecturally inspired models and even to a Pac-Man set complete with ghosts and fruit. The project is a warm-up for a sculpture unit and gets the students thinking about decorative shape and form.
AAG first and second grade science students did an experiment while learning about volcanos . They enjoyed watching the ‘lava’ flow from their volcano. 
It's time to start thinking about summer! Online registration for summer camp date to be announced soon. We have a variety of camps for students entering Pre-K through twelfth grade! 

New this summer- Join Mr. Johnson for Theatre Camp for grades 9-12 and Instrumental Music Camp for grades 7-12.

Little Leap and Jr. Leap camps (grades Pk-2) reinforce skills while having fun with weekly themed activities. Our Rocketry Camp (grades 4-9) with Mr. Neudel will study the history of rocketry and designing and building rockets. The Leading Edge (grades 9-11) with Mr. Essery will be focusing on team building, problem-solving, college preparation and service projects with Ronald McDonald House. Musical Theatre Camp (grades 4-9) with Mr. Streifert will perform Frozen Jr. Science Academy (grades 5-9) with Ms. Foster and Ms. Lydon will have campers exploring science and the world around us!

We have many new LEAP (grades 3-8) class offerings! Your child can spend the day playing sports, working on summer math and reading, performing some mad science experiments, creating art projects, playing Quidditch or studying animals just to name a few!

Refer a family and receive $25 toward your summer 2022 registration fee!

Join us for a week, a two week session or the whole summer! Program dates and rates are available on our website. The 2022 brochure, LEAP class charts and more information on all our camps will be available on The Albany Academies website soon. Please contact Karin Epstein at epsteink@albanyacademies.org or 518-429-2332 with any questions.

Information about our Sports camps and Middle School English and Math Skills and Upper School Math for credit classes coming soon!
Week at a Glance
Monday, January 24
Day 2
12:00 p.m. AA Middle School Chapel
3:00 p.m. Senior Speeches
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs

Tuesday, January 25
Day 3
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs

Wednesday, January 26
Day 4
12:00 p.m. AAG Middle School Meeting (Zoom)
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs

Thursday, January 27
Day 5
8:15 a.m. AA Lower School Chapel (Zoom)
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs
6:00 p.m. Center for Teaching & Learning Parent Webinar
  • Results from the student wellness surveys will be shared.
  • Webinar ID: 997 9499 7425
Friday, January 28
Day 6
3:30 p.m. Ski Club
Looking Ahead
February 2 Admissions Asked and Answered Event
February 2 Alumni/ae Speaker Series
February 3 ARTrageous
February 10 Sophomore Class College Kickoff Night
February 12 Snowball Dance
February 14 Professional Development Day (No Classes)
February 21 Presidents' Day (School Closed)
February 22 - 25 Admissions Visiting Week
February 23 Admissions Asked and Answered Event
March 9 Admissions Open House
March 10 CTL Parent Series Webinar
March 16 DEI Forum Meeting