The Albany Academies coordinate single-sex and coeducational learning environments to develop diligent students of high character who become curious, critical thinkers. |
|
The Skim
- 2021-2022 Re-enrollment Now Open
- Affinity Group Meeting
- COVID UPDATES: Spring Break, Return to School, Surveillance Testing, and Reinstatement of Temporary Remote Learning Policy
- Co2 Study
- Bender Summer Writing Class
- Book Competition Winner Announced
- A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
- National Athletic Training Month
- Sports In the News and Updates
- Upcoming Sports Facebook Livestream Schedule
- Spirit Wear Orders
- Spring Gathering
- Summer Camp Registration
- Celebrating Women's History Month
|
|
Dear Friends,
It's been quite a year.
Out of curiosity, I went back to the March 13, 2020 edition of Head Lines to get a sense of what was going on a year ago. Here’s that original message:
In the ancient words of the Sufi poets, “This too shall pass.”
From my seat, we are living through a time when we might feel like the systems that we rely on for an orderly and safe society don’t seem to be working the way we hope they would. This sense of unease is as contagious as any virus and has been part of the zeitgeist this last week. In my life, this feeling seems to come around every ten years or so, usually around a significant personal or world event.
In the modern words of the great philosopher Lilo, “Ohana means family. And family means no one is left behind.”
When we are challenged in this way, we come to understand – and really feel – the strength of our families and the communities that support them. With this in mind, we are determined to be calm, informed, and supportive as we work together to figure out the next steps we need to take in order to meet whatever challenges await us over the next few weeks. We’ll just keep moving forward until we bridge back to a sense of normalcy.
With the benefit of hindsight, this pandemic’s impacts are clearly more significant than a once-in-a-decade event. I don’t think we realized just how long it would take to pass or that we would soon be thinking in months rather than weeks.
Other than that, this message is fairly predictive of the approach we took to cope with the pandemic over the last year. I firmly believe that we tapped into the best parts of ourselves and our community to figure out how to meet each of the unique and unexpected challenges we would face.
Over the last few weeks, I have genuinely begun to feel like we are taking the first few steps on that “bridge back to a sense of normalcy.” This would not be possible without the perseverance and resolve of this incredible professional community and the resilience, trust, and support of our students and families.
Words can’t adequately express my deep sense of respect and gratitude for all who have been on this journey together. I wish you all a restful and restorative break. We'll see you in two weeks, ready to take the next few steps towards our post-pandemic future.
Sincerely,
|
|
2021-2022 Re-enrollment Now Open
Deadline: Today!
Re-enrollment contracts for the 2021-22 academic year are now available through the Blackbaud portal. As this is a new way of distributing and executing enrollment contracts, please follow these steps to re-enroll your child or children:
-
Sign in to the Blackbaud portal and click on the banner link that reads, “you have contracts to review and approve.”
-
General Terms and Conditions. Please indicate your enrollment plans for next year. Kindly note that, counterintuitively, a “yes” response means that you are “not enrolling,” and a “no” indicates that you are re-enrolling. This is an unfortunate quirk of the third-party admissions platform that we are unable to change.
-
Your Student Information. Please confirm that the information presented is correct (Grade, Tuition, Fees) and enter your initials where indicated.
-
Select a Payment Plan. Please select your preferred payment plan and indicate if you will be enrolling in the Tuition Refund Plan (which is highly recommended).
-
Contract Cancellation and Refund information, please review these terms enter your initials where indicated.
-
Deposit. We are accepting ACH payments and credit card payments for tuition deposits this year. You may also make your deposit payment in school or mail a check; please follow those options’ instructions.
-
Acceptance. Please review the enrollment contract and sign it electronically.
-
When done, you will see a Confirmation of Completion message.
Thank you for doing this today, if you haven't already, as we rely on this information to begin student scheduling and other mission-critical planning processes. Thank you, as well, for your continued support and commitment to The Albany Academies community.
|
|
Affinity Group Meeting
The next Parents of Students of Color Affinity Group meeting is scheduled for March 31 at 5:00 pm. If you are interested in joining the meeting please contact Ann Wendth.
|
|
COVID UPDATES: Spring Break, Return to School, Surveillance Testing, and Reinstatement of Temporary Remote Learning Policy
We have sent a series of email updates regarding these topics and linked them below. Please review these important updates at your convenience.
|
|
Co2 Study
A Co2 study of The Albany Academies’ buildings was conducted in February to help us learn more about effective ventilation to mitigate the risk of COVID transmission. It found that almost all classrooms and student spaces had enough natural ventilation to disrupt and dilute airborne particulates such as the COVID-19 virus. The study also provided simple recommendations for professional community members to increase the effectiveness of ventilation in these spaces. Click here to read the study and recommendations.
|
|
Bender Summer Writing Class
Once again we will be offering the two-week Bender Summer Writing Course. This class is open to Academy students entering grades nine through twelve next year. In this class students work on the fundamental components of essay writing in a workshop format. Because the course is highly individualized, students of all levels of proficiency can benefit. Eleventh and twelfth graders work on college essay topics in the second week. The course will be run in Zoom. There is no fee for the course.
Dates:
- First session, the weeks of June 21 and 28.
- Second session, the weeks of August 9 and 16.
Times: 40-minute classes of 4 or 5 students.
- Grades 9 and 10 8:30-9:10 or 9:20-10:00.
- Grades 11 and 12: 10:20-11:00 or 11:10-11:50.
These times are subject to change depending on the number of students that enroll in each grade level. The maximum number of students enrolled in each session is 20.
|
|
Book Competition Winner Announced
It was a tight race to the finish this year for our 2nd annual AAG Lower School Famous Women's Book Competition. The girls were inspired by the eight groundbreaking women who worked diligently to shape our lives. This year's winner was Kamala Harris Rooted In Justice by Nikki Grimes and Laura Freeman. The students have been rooting for Kamala Harris and all of her achievements as a multiracial woman in politics. Congratulations to this year's winner, Kamala Harris!
|
|
A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms |
|
Students in AAG Lower School are making lots of music in the week leading up to break. Pictured here are the Third Grade students working on bucket drumming and the Fourth Grade students (decked out in their play costumes) practicing the ukuleles. The ukuleles are a wonderful addition that were provided to the music department last year from the Class of 1957 in memory of Lynn Steiner ’57.
|
|
The kindergarten students made their own mirrors in art class with Sarah Bowen to help the girls connect to the fourth grade play, Mirror, Mirror! |
|
AA Grade 5 students are happy to be back outside during recess enjoying the nice weather! |
|
AAG 9th grade Algebra students have transformed the classroom floor into a coordinate plane to use during their unit on Functions. |
|
Pre-K scientists finished up thier winter unit by rescuing an ice cube! Using what they learned about how salt reacts with ice, they were able to "fish" the ice cube out with just some salt and a string! |
|
The Fourth Grade girls enjoyed a cast party while awaiting the Live Stream of Mirror, Mirror! They would like to thank Andrea Faragon for the surprise party. Thank you again to everyone who helped make this a wonderful experience! |
|
National Athletic Training Month
Athletic trainers are essential to healthcare. They are committed to helping people prevent injuries and stay active and healthy.
The Albany Academies are fortunate to have our own Athletic Trainer, Ron Hutchins, as part of our professional community, who is dedicated to the health and safety of our student-athletes.
Ron joined The Albany Academies in 1998 and has been a crucial member of our athletic program. During National Athletic Training Month we would like to recognize Ron and thank him for all that he does for our student-athletes and coaches.
|
|
Sports In the News & Updates |
|
|
|
In the News...
News Channel 13 covered our AAG Varsity Basketball game against Cobleskill on Tuesday. The team was also featured in a Times Union article yesterday.
|
|
The AAG Varsity Basketball team thanked the officials at the home game against Cobleskill on Tuesday. Mr. Paul Caglione & Mr. Josh White were gifted AAG goodie bags as part of NYSPHSAA Officials Appreciation Day. FUN FACT: Mr. White's Mom, Nancy White taught at AAG for 23 years between 1985-2008! |
|
|
|
The AA Varsity Hockey Team - Capital District League held their Senior Recognition Day on Sunday. The members of the Class of 2021 on the team pictured are: Peter M., Thomas Z., Owen R., Thomas M., Tim C., and Emma M.
The team earned their first win of the season with a 3-0 victory versus the Schenectady Mohawks. Congratulations to the team and Coach Rider!
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Sports Facebook Livestream Schedule
AA Varsity Basketball
Saturday, March 13 at 1:00pm (Senior Day)
|
|
Spirit Wear Orders
The Albany Academies Parents Association hosted an online store from February 5th through February 19th. Clearly Yours in Latham has been working on filling the spirit wear orders. If you chose the home delivery option, you will be receiving your order soon. For anyone that chose the store pick-up option, Clearly Yours will be contacting you to arrange a pick-up time.
|
|
Tickets for the virtual Spring Gathering are on sale now! With every ticket purchased, you receive a special edition Spring Gathering 2021 t-shirt mailed right to your home (Thank you to Kaari Stannard P' 20, '23 for underwriting these shirts). Spring Gathering directly benefits merit scholarships and financial aid at The Albany Academies, and we need your help to continue to support these crucial programs. To buy your tickets or join the Honorary Committee, please visit https://SG2021.givesmart.com.
|
|
Summer Camp Registration
Summer Camp registration is now open! The Albany Academies offer a number of camps for children entering Pre-K through Grade Ten. Please see our website for more information about our highly popular LEAP Camp, Little Leap, Jr Leap, Classic Day Camp, Sports Camp, Theater Camp, Rocketry Camp, Science Academy and Leadership & Life Skills Program. Join us for a week, two week session or the whole summer! All camps include lunch and snack.
|
|
Celebrating Women's History Month
Students in the Upper School are sharing daily fun facts during morning meeting in celebration of Women's History Month. The group then sends an email each day with more information about the fact and the person to Upper School students and members of the professional community. Below are two of the people highlighted this week.
|
|
Belva Lockwood
Did you know that Belva Lockwood was the first woman to practice law before the US Supreme Court? She urgently pursued her career in law despite being discriminated against because she was a woman. Her leadership and pursuit for academics inspired legal professions to women.
Belva Lockwood began to teach students at school at the age of 15 and married at nineteen. However, soon enough, she lost her husband, and she was left with an infant daughter to support. She returned to teaching and was determined to continue her education. In 1857, she graduated with honors from Genesee College (later Syracuse University). She was nearly forty when she decided to study the law. She finally found a law school that would admit her, but even there her diploma was held up until she demanded action. Lockwood was admitted to the bar of the District of Columbia but was refused admission to practice before the Supreme Court. She spent five years energetically lobbying a bill through Congress, and in 1879 Belva Lockwood became the first woman to practice law before the US Supreme Court. In 1884, she accepted the nomination of the National Equal Rights Party and ran for president. Although suffrage leaders opposed her candidacy, Lockwood saw it as an entering wedge for women. She pulled over 4,000 votes and ran again in 1888. Using her knowledge of the law, she worked to secure woman suffrage, property law reforms, equal pay for equal work, and world peace. Thriving on publicity and partisanship, and encouraging other women to pursue legal careers, Lockwood helped to open the legal (law) profession to women.
|
|
Jonko Tabei
Did you know that Japanese mountaineer, Junko Tabei, was the first woman to climb to the top of Mount Everest, and to climb the Seven Summits?
Junko Tabei was born in Fukushima, Japan in 1939. As a child, Tabei was a very weak child compared to her seven siblings, but as she grew older, she began to work on her strength, going on many climbs near her home. While she continued her hobby of mountain climbing, she began going to school to study English and American literature at Showa’s Woman University. After she graduated from college, she joined many mountain climbing groups but was consistently met with judgment, as many of the climbers in these male-dominated groups assumed she was only there to find a husband. Despite this, she continued to climb, and by the mid-sixties, she had completed all the highest mountains in Japan. Tabei married fellow mountaineer Masanobu Tabei during a climb with one of these groups, and they continued to pursue their passion together.
In 1969, she founded the Joshi-Tohan mountaineering group that only allowed women to join. Tabei’s group was often criticized because, at the time, Japanese women were expected to stick to the domestic sphere. In 1975, at the age of 35, Tabei became the first woman to climb Mount Everest. Several years later, Tabei and her mountaineering group climbed Mount Everest again, and although they almost died in an avalanche, they eventually made it to the top after a lot of patience and courage. Later, in 1992, Junko Tabei became the first woman to climb the Seven Summits (the highest peak on every continent).
In 2000, Tabei returned to school to get a postgraduate degree in Environmental Science because she was worried about how tourism was affecting the mountain environment. She later became the head of the Himalayan Head Trust of Japan, an organization that aims to improve the education, health, and wellbeing of people living in the Himalayas. Tabei was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, and despite being sick, she continued to climb, leading groups of young people on climbs of Mount Fuji in Japan. She died in 2016, after losing her battle to cancer. Tabei will be remembered for
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
