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
- Parent Survey for NYSAIS Accreditation
- Important Transportation Information
- February 11 CDC Risk Assessment for Schools in Albany County
- Winter Musical
- News from the Admissions Office
- Financial Aid Deadline
- AAG Hockey Team hosting a FREE Hockey Clinic
- Celebrating Black History Month
- Spring Gathering
- Yearbooks
- A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
- Summer Camps
- Week at a Glance
- Looking Ahead
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Dear Friends,
Happy Super Bowl Weekend!
It was fun seeing students celebrating the Super Bowl and Valentine's Day today with a sports-themed or red and pink dress-down day. At times, it created an unexpected but wholly welcomed visual juxtaposition in our hallways and classrooms!
Monday, we have a professional development day for faculty and staff, and I truly appreciate the ability to schedule these opportunities for professional learning throughout the year. Thank you for understanding that these days are a vital part of our continuous improvement efforts designed to directly impact the quality of our practice with your children.
A significant focus of our professional development day will be working on our decennial accreditation for the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS). Accreditation is an essential process in New York independent schools that allow us to reflect on progress made over the last decade and plan for the next ten years. Families play a vital role in informing this work by completing the survey noted below.
Monday is also an important deadline for families accessing our financial aid program. If you have been meaning to complete the forms required to renew eligibility, now is the time to do so!
Best wishes for a wonderful weekend!
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Parent Survey for NYSAIS Accreditation
Our professional community is working on our decennial self-study for renewing our accreditation with the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS). As part of the process, we are requesting feedback from parents/guardians in order to help us move this work forward.
Accreditation is an essential process as it helps validate the outstanding work that we already do and focuses attention on our growth opportunities. It is also the legal mechanism for renewing our charter with New York State and assuring our continued independence.
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Important Transportation Information
The list below indicates districts that will not provide transportation to our students from Tuesday, February 22 through Friday, February 25 due to their district winter break. Students residing in these districts will need to find another form of transportation:
Districts
Averill Park Central School District
Ballston Spa Central School District
Berne-Knox Westerlo Central School District
Bethlehem Central School District
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District
East Greenbush Central School District
Guilderland Central School District
Ichabod Crane Central School District
Mohonasen Central School District
North Colonie Central School District
Schodack
Shenendehowa
South Colonie Central School District
Troy City School District
Voorheesville Central School District
Please contact your home district with any questions.
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February 11 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. Trend data from the NYSDOH is also presented, below.
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This enchanting new musical Pete(Her)Pan with music and lyrics by Dougals Lyons, a book by Melvin Tunstall III, and additional music by Michael Thurber; tells the classic legend of Peter Pan and Wendy through the eyes of Wendy’s precocious and daring daughter Jane. Inspired by her mother’s enchanting stories of Neverland, Jane longs to find an adventure of her own. Imagination runs as wild as the Lost Boys in this retelling of a timeless tale with an eclectic and exciting Carribean-inspired score from the creators of Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical. Pete(Her)Pan reminds the kid in all of us that anyone can be a hero.
Pete(Her)Pan will be performed live on Friday, February 18 and 19 at 7pm in Caird Chapel. No tickets are needed, and it is open general seating.
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News from the Admissions Office
Family Skate! We are opening the rink for our current families to enjoy with their children on Saturday, February 12 at 2 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there!
We are also holding a special one-hour information session from 1-2 p.m. with Director of Admissions Nicholas Forcier for alumni and alumnae who have children and are interested in learning more about the Academies. Pass on the word if you know alums in the region!
The Office of Admissions is taking it on the road, again, and hosting an Information Session on Tuesday, March 1 at 5 p.m. at Saratoga Polo! We hope current Academies families will share the details of this event with prospective families in the Saratoga and surrounding areas. For more information please contact Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management Nicholas Forcier at forciern@albanyacademies.org.
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Financial Aid Deadline, February 14
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AAG Hockey Team - FREE Hockey Clinic
Please encourage any girls you may know interested in playing ice hockey at Albany Academy for Girls to join us on February 26. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Brian Murray at murrayb@albanyacademies.org.
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Spring (Gathering) is just around the corner!
The warmer weather this week has us thinking about spring...Spring Gathering that is! An active committee led by co-chairs Elissa Smith P’23, ’25, ’26 and Kaari Stannard P’20, ’23, is hard at work planning our annual Spring Gathering, to be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 at The Kenmore in Albany. Proceeds from the event support our financial aid and merit scholarship programs, which assist more than 45% of our families.
If you'd like to purchase tickets or join the Honorary Committee, click here. If you would like to donate an auction item, please contact Development Coordinator Sarah Adamowski at adamowskis@albanyacademies.org.
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Celebrating Black History Month
Students in the Upper School started sharing daily fun facts during morning meetings in celebration of Black History Month. Two people highlighted this past week were Duke Slater and Lusia Harris.
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Duke Slater
Duke Slater was born in Normal, IL in 1898. In high school, he decided he wanted to quit, but then shortly after getting a job, realized he wanted to continue his studies. After graduating high school, he attended the University of Iowa, where he played tackle on the football team and also participated in track and field.
In 1922, Slater joined the then Chicago Cardinals NFL team, becoming the first black lineman in NFL history. During his ten seasons in the NFL, Slater was selected as an All-Pro seven times. In his off-seasons, Slater returned to school to complete his law degree. After completing his degree, he practiced law while he continued to play in the NFL. Two years after his retirement in 1932, the NFL instituted a color ban, which resulted in all black players disappearing from the league for over ten years. To combat this discrimination, Slater assembled and coached several black football teams, including the Chicago Brown Bombers and the Chicago Panthers.
After his long football career, Slater was elected to Chicago Municipal Court, making him the second black judge in Chicago history. Slater died at 67 years old in 1966 from stomach cancer. After his death, Duke Slater was inducted into the Pro-Football Hall of Fame.
Cite:
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Lusia Harris
Lusia Harris, born on February, 10, 1955 in Minter City, Mississippi, was the first and only African-American woman to be drafted into the NBA; she was drafted by New Orleans (now Utah) Jazz in 1977. Before this, she led the Delta State University women’s basketball team to three consecutive national championships in the mid-1970s and averaged 25.9 points and 14.4 rebounds a game. She later entered the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1976 as the first Black woman and the first female college player to ever be enshrined there.
In 2021, a short documentary about her, “The Queen of Basketball”, came out which portrays her life and success. She earned a master’s in special education from Delta State in 1984. To give back to her community, she taught special education and coached high school basketball in Mississippi.
Unfortunately, Lusia Harris recently passed away January 18, 2022 at the age of 66. Her legacy and success reflects the growth of African Americans, especially black women. She is truly a role for girls around the world. May she rest in peace.
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Yearbooks
It is time to place your yearbook order! Click here to order a yearbook for your child.
The deadline to place your order is May 9, 2022.
- To order a yearbook for AA enter passcode: 10131170417192
- To order a yearbook for AAG enter passcode: 101411068383919
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A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms |
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AAG Grade 2 learned about the Winter Olympics happening in Beijing, China. Then, the Olympians participated in the Olympic Torch Relay, Ski Moguls, Ice Dance, Speed Skating, and Curling events. Gold medals were earned by all thanks to teamwork and good sportsmanship! |
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Students in Middle School Robotics Club get help from two Upper School robotics team members on robot programming. |
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AAG Pre-K students celebrated the Olympics with torch relays. The students had a fun time being Olympic athletes! |
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7th and 8th Grade Dance as a Sport students have been choreographing dances in small groups and they will be performing their dance compositions for the Middle School assembly on February 23. Each dance shows the creativity and artistry of the group members. Great job, dancers!
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Students worked very hard on calligraphy in the Chinese Immersion Program. The learned about the brief history of Chinese calligraphy and studied the four treasures in Chinese culture: brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. |
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Did you know that when you practice kindness it releases a boost of endorphins in the person giving kindness as well as the one receiving it? On Thursday, Ms. Cunningham joined the Pre-K class to talk about the power of kindness. The girls learned about the power of kindness by crinkling a heart and attempting to iron out the lines. Students quickly realized this was not possible. This helped to increase their understanding that when one acts unkind towards others, they cannot take simply take back what has happened. However, they can choose how to move forward. This lesson aims to increase student's self-awareness, ability to self- regulate and make kind choices. Our class will put this to practice in the coming weeks by picking one random act of kindness to carry out! |
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SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis and many camps and LEAP blocks are filling quickly. Join us for a one-week session, a two-week session, or the whole summer! Please contact Karin Epstein at epsteink@albanyacademies.org or 518-429-2332 with any questions.
Refer a family and receive $25 toward your summer 2022 registration fee!
Information about our sports camps, Middle School English and Math Skills, and Upper School Math for credit classes coming soon!
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Monday, February 14 -- Happy Valentine's Day!
Professional Development Day (No Classes)
Tuesday, February 15
Day 5
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Chapel (AA)
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG)
8:00 a.m. Lower School Black History Month Morning Webinar
3:10 p.m. Upper School Faculty Meeting (Zoom)
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs
Wednesday, February 16
Day 6
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Chapel (AA)
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG)
11:30 a.m. Upper School Advising
12:00 p.m. AAG Middle School Meeting
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs
Thursday, February 17
Day 1
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Chapel (AA)
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG)
8:15 a.m. AA Lower School Chapel
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs
Friday, February 18
Day 2
8:00 a.m. All School Morning Webinar
3:00 p.m. Senior Speeches
7:00 p.m. Winter Musical Pete(her) Pan (Caird Chapel)
Saturday, February 19
7:00 p.m. Winter Musical Pete(her) Pan (Caird Chapel)
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February 21 Presidents' Day (School Closed)
February 22 - 25 Admissions Visiting Week
February 23 Admissions Asked and Answered Event
March 4 Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
March 9 Admissions Open House
March 10 Alumni/ae Speaker Series
March 10 CTL Parent Series Webinar
March 16 AAG Grade 4 Play
March 16 DEI Forum Meeting
March 21 - 25 Spring Break
March 28 - April 1 Spring Break
April 12 AAPA Meeting
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