The Albany Academies coordinate single-sex and coeducational learning environments to develop diligent students of high character who become curious, critical thinkers.
January 28, 2022
The Skim

  • ARTrageous - A fundraiser for the Arts
  • January 28 CDC Risk Assessment for Schools in Albany County
  • Optional Weekly COVID Surveillance Testing
  • Vaccination Clinic, February 1
  • Parent Webinar Recording
  • Updated COVID Policies for the Snowball Dance
  • Chinese New Year Celebrations
  • Shakespeare Competition
  • Yearbooks
  • A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
  • News from College Counseling
  • Summer Camps
  • Week at a Glance
  • Looking Ahead
Dear Friends,
 
I know we have sent a lot of information over the last three weeks about changes in COVID guidelines and our mitigation measures. However, there is one particular change that I want to reiterate, as it is having a significant impact on some of our students. On January 10, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) updated its guidelines for quarantines and isolation in schools as follows:
                                                                                                                                           
Individuals 12 years and older who are eligible for a booster but not boosted, and who have been exposed to an individual with COVID-19, [may attend school for instruction, but] cannot participate in extracurricular or after school activities and, aside from school attendance for instruction and bus travel, must adhere to a 5-day quarantine at home. 
 
Unfortunately, this new guideline has caused us to begin excluding some students from extracurricular activities this week, including sports. Families of booster-eligible students can avoid this by having their children boosted. Adolescents aged 12 to 17 years are considered eligible for booster shots five months after their initial vaccination series. For purposes of the above policy, NYSDOH considers students to be boosted on the day they receive the booster injection. 
 
I trust you will understand that the Department of Health is the authority that governs COVID mitigations in schools and, as we have since the beginning of the pandemic, we are obligated to follow the guidelines they develop. 
 
On a cheerier note, I want to thank our team at the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) for hosting an engaging parent Webinar last night. Over thirty parents attended to learn about the various ways the CTL supports students, review student wellness data, and get some insights on how to understand and address student stress at home. A link to the webinar recording is below.
 
Best wishes for a lovely weekend!
We are just one week away from ARTrageous - a virtual fundraiser that supports the arts programs at The Albany Academies. Don't miss your chance to win our Broadway Stay raffle: two tickets to a Broadway show of your choice, dinner, and one overnight stay at a New York City hotel! Tickets are available online now at https://ART22.givesmart.com.
 
We are also excited to announce the inaugural class for the Arts Hall of Fame. This talented group of alumni and alumnae will be honored the evening of ARTrageous. Please tune in with us at 7 p.m. on February 3 to watch the induction of Adam LeFevre '68, Craig Hatkoff '72, Alexis Karol '97, Prosper Mbongue-Muna '09, and Daniella Zeman '10 and celebrate with us their tremendous accomplishments in the arts. You’ll also want to consider bidding on some wonderful class baskets and auction items!
 
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit our event site here. We hope you will join us next Thursday for a truly ARTrageous time!
January 28 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. Trend data from the NYSDOH is also presented, below.
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.
Vaccination Clinic, February 1

A vaccination clinic is scheduled for February 1 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm for boosters and second shots.
  • Students are eligible for a booster 5 months after receiving a second Pfizer or Moderna shot. 
  • Students are eligible for a booster 2 months after receiving a Johnson & Johnson shot.

Book your appointment here if you would like to schedule a booster.

This parent webinar, conducted by The Center for Teaching and Learning on January 27, highlights the ways that the Center for Teaching and Learning supports students and shares recent data-informed efforts to refine these efforts.

Dr. Melissa Them also provides some information on behaviors that may indicate significant stress in students and ways parents can address them.
Updated COVID Policies for the Snowball Dance

We know that many of you are looking forward to the Snowball on Saturday, February 12, at the Fort Orange Club.  As a reminder, you can purchase tickets from Ms. Cadman or Ms. Catlett for $35.
 
As you know, our world’s understanding of COVID is evolving, and as a result, policies related to COVID are changing frequently to ensure the health and safety of our community. Fort Orange has recently updated their policies, and we want to make sure that all students are aware of them.

  • Fort Orange is requiring all guests must be fully vaccinated with no exceptions for any reason. Because they are hosting the event, we must uphold their policies.
  • Full vaccination means having both the first and second COVID vaccine shots no later than Saturday, January 29. 
  • If you are fully vaccinated, your proof of vaccination must be uploaded to Magnus by Wednesday, February 9. 
  • You are required to bring proof of vaccination—either your vaccination card or your Excelsior pass—to be admitted to the Fort Orange Club per their policy.
  • If you are not vaccinated, Fort Orange will not allow you to attend the Snowball. If you have already purchased a ticket, we will refund your money.
Chinese New Year Celebrations

Our school has community wide celebrations planned for Chinese New Year's Eve on Monday, January 31. The day will begin with an all-school webinar with a presentation on Chinese New Year's Eve and Chinese New Year (Year of the Tiger) from students in our Chinese Honors Society. There will also be a special musical performance by students in the Afterschool Enrichment Chinese Immersion program.

Our dining facilities will be decorated with red lanterns and dumplings will be available during lunch. Students and members of our professional community are encouraged to join in on the celebrations by participating in a Red Dress Down Day on Monday!
Shakespeare Competition

The Shakespeare Competition occurs annually for Upper School students who take an English course. Students memorize a passage from one of Shakespeare's plays or sonnets and then recite it in front of their classmates. A winner from each class is chosen who then recites his or her passage in front of the entire Upper School. The following students were selected from their class to compete in the Upper School competition:

Grade 9: Poem D. and Cameron M.
Grade 10: Ava S. and Orlando L.
Grade 11: Alison D. and Jakob D.
Grade 12: Ursula W. '22 and Sheng Wen L. '22

First Place: Ursula W. '22
Second Place: Orlando L. '24
Third Place: Poem D. '25
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
A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
Preschool students were engaged in a variety of center activities this week based on the theme "Polar Animals." Some of these activities included turning our loft into an ice fishing adventure and a STEM project, building an igloo. 
Middle School students display their sock puppet creations during "Sock Puppet Club" last Friday. Students designed and created their own sock puppets using a variety of materials including feathers, buttons, pom-poms and yarn. Students will use their puppets for a puppet show during a future Middle School assembly.
Lower and Middle school dancers took part in a virtual workshop hosted by the NY Chinese Cultural Center. Students learned the ribbon dance and were treated to a performance in celebration of Chinese New Year. This program was made possible by the generous donation provided by Mrs. Elissa Stevens DuPont. 
In Music Class, students in Third Grade at AAG sang the traditional Japanese song “Sakura,” which is the Japanese word for Cherry Blossom Trees. During this unit, students learned a little bit about the history of Japanese Fan Dances. The students watched and listened to videos of Japanese performers performing fan dances with traditional Japanese music while they made their own fans. They used these fans as they created their own Japanese-Fan-Dance-inspired choreography to accompany “Sakura”. The students also learned about Japanese Taiko Drumming, which worked well as a segue into their upcoming unit on bucket drumming.
AAG Second Grade has been learning about the three types of communities: urban, suburban, and rural. The class worked together to plan and create their own mural to showcase the characteristics for each type of community! 
AA First Grade made lanterns and decorated their classroom for the Chinese New Year celebrations that will begin on Monday!
Students in Principles of Engineering are creating balsa wood bridge trusses. They will complete a destructive test and analyze why the truss failed. From this data, students will then design new, more stronger trusses. The truss design in the final project in the Statics unit.
Students in Ms. Cella's Chemistry Class investigated characteristics of covalent and ionically bonded substances including the relative melting points of compounds.
Student's put our theme of the month "engagement" to practice through mindfulness based learning. Ms. Cunningham joined classes to discuss the meaning behind engagement and motivation. Student's utilized their breath and the five senses to visualize what activities they find meaningful and engaging throughout day to day life. 
AA Grade 1 students learned how to paint tigers using watercolors to celebrate Chinese New Year.
AA Second Grade students worked together to decode and sort multi syllable words.
News from College Counseling Office

The College Counseling Virtual Sophomore Night for the Class of 2024 is scheduled for Thursday, February 10 at 7:15 pm.  Brendan Corsones, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Notre Dame University will be our featured guest presenter. 
 
This important event is specifically tailored to sophomores and parents and is packed with information to help you understand the college process. Sophomore families should plan on attending.  Webinar information will be sent closer to the event.
The Albany Academies 2022 Summer Camp dates and rates and LEAP class charts and descriptions are now available online. The brochure will be online very soon. Online registration will open on Wednesday, February 9 at 9:00 a.m. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis and many camps and LEAP blocks fill quickly. A waitlist option is available with online registration if a camp or LEAP block reaches capacity. 

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

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.

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 31
Day 1
8:00 a.m. All School Webinar, Chinese New Year's Eve
12:00 p.m. AA Middle School Chapel
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs

Tuesday, February 1
Day 2
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Chapel (AA)
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG)
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Vaccination Clinic (AA Health Office)
3:00 p.m. Senior Speeches
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs

Wednesday, February 2
Day 3
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Chapel (AA)
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG)
12:00 p.m. AAG Middle School Meeting (Zoom)
2:20 p.m. Upper School Assembly
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs
5:00 p.m. Admissions Asked & Answered
5:00 p.m. Diverse Albany Academies Parents Association Meeting (Zoom)

Thursday, February 3
Day 4
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 (Zoom)
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Afterschool Winter Enrichment Programs
7:00 p.m. ARTrageous
Friday, February 4
Day 5
8:00 a.m. All School Morning Webinar
3:30 p.m. Ski Club
Looking Ahead
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