The Albany Academies coordinate single-sex and coeducational learning environments to develop diligent students of high character who become curious, critical thinkers.
April 22, 2022
The Skim

  • Community Service Day
  • Elevated COVID Transmission Risk
  • Free At-Home COVID tests
  • Admissions Open House
  • World Languages Honor Society Inductions
  • Prom
  • The Arts Spring Festival: Upper School Performing Arts - Senior Night
  • Spring Gathering
  • Alumni & Alumnae Golf Tournament
  • Yearbooks
  • A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms
  • Summer Camps
  • Hannaford Helps Schools
  • Week at a Glance
  • Looking Ahead
Dear Friends,

Today was community service day! 

One of the many great features of independent school education is a program that stresses character development. We do this through curricula and co-curricular programming that illustrate our core values of Compassion, Ingenuity, Integrity, Perseverance, Respect, Responsibility, Self-Discipline, and Service.

As you will see below, part of this programming provides students with hands-on service experiences. The day takes many shapes and forms, with students giving back to our own community and the larger world. 

But the message is always the same. “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.”

Have a great weekend!
Community Service Day
Elevated COVID Transmission Risk 

This week, the community transmission risk level in Albany County moved from “Low” to “Medium.” In response to this elevated risk, the CDC recommends the following:

  • Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html to learn more.
  • Get tested if you have symptoms. 
  • Wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19. 
  • Wear a mask on public transportation. 
  • You may choose to wear a mask as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others. 
  • If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and taking additional precautions.
Free At-Home COVID tests 

To facilitate testing individuals who may have been exposed to a confirmed positive case or COVID-like symptoms, yesterday, we provided additional test kits for students to bring home. Please check their backpacks for these tests. We also have a surplus of at-home tests available for pick up. Please visit our main offices at AA or AAG and ask staff to assist you.
We need you! The Office of Admissions is hosting a Lower School Family Funfest and Open House on Saturday, May 14th and we need your help spreading the word! Please contact the Office of Admissions to volunteer to plant lawn signs or post flyers in community spaces. Lower School families, save the date and plan to join us for a concert (Andy, the Music Man) and fun activities!
World Languages Honor Society Inductions
The 2022 Latin Honor Society Induction Ceremony was held on April 19. To qualify for Latin Honor Society, students must maintain an A average in Latin, a B average in their other courses, and commit to taking Latin through at least Level IV. 

This year's inductees are: Rhea A. '24, Mia C. '24, Alison D. '23, Anthony G. '24, Patrick J. '24, Joshua K. '24, Drew R. '24, Andrew S. '24, Kennedy S. '24, and Mia V. '24.

In addition, the following seniors were presented with their honor cords as recognition for their completion of our Latin program. The graduating seniors are: Contessa A., Ma A., Alex B., Alina B., Joseph C., Eli C., Kara C., Lilly C.,
Nicholas D., Christine D., Casey F.,
Harry H., William L., Connor M., Brooke O., Andrew P., and Lily S.
The 2022 Chinese Honor Society Induction Ceremony was held on April 20. 12 new members were inducted, and the seniors were recognized. The ceremony was led by co-presidents, Nicholas DeMarco '22 and Yuri Na '22. Congratulations to the inductees:

Ashton B. ‘24, Brooks B. ‘23, John B. ‘23, Ava B. ‘23, Natalie C. ‘24, Alex F. ‘23, Padraig "Mack" F. ‘23, Chloe H. ‘24, Marion K. ‘24, Rory M. ‘24, Aidyn P. ‘23, and Bashir P. ‘23.
Prom

The Upper School is very excited to be back at 90 State for Prom this year! The Masquerade Ball will be held on May 14 from 6-9pm. Tickets will be available for purchase now through April 29 for $65/pp at Ms. Cadman's desk in the AA Main Office. Sales are open to PGs, seniors, and juniors, but sophomores and freshman may attend as a guest. Outside guests are permitted and will require a Social Event Form that can also be found at Ms. Cadman's desk. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Cadman at cadmanh@albanyacademies.org.

We look forward to seeing everyone there!
The Arts Spring Festival: Upper School Performing Arts - Senior Night

On Thursday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m. the Upper School Dance and Wind Ensemble will perform on the AAG Auditorium stage. Everyone is invited to attend this performance.

On Thursday April 28 at 7 p.m. the Upper School Advanced Theatre Arts and Theatre Arts Classes will present a night of improv and the play "Midnight at World's End" in the AA Black Box Theatre.

Seating is limited in the Black Box, please fill out this form to attend the 40-minute performance. 

About the Play: At the remote World's End Diner Jill is about to commence work on her first, life-changing assignment: to manage the fate of Emily Hulse. She must rely on her colleagues and her instincts to work against fate and make Emily's future a success.

Please contact Mr. Johnson if you have any questions johnsonr@albanyacademies.org
Only one week until Spring Gathering! We hope you will plan to join us on Saturday, April 30 at The Kenmore in downtown Albany. Encourage parents in your class to come together for an evening out filled with great food, friendships, & fun - all to benefit our students! The auction items and class baskets are absolutely wonderful, so watch your email on Monday when we go live with the silent auction.

To get your tickets and register for the event, please visit https://SG2022.givesmart.com
Alumni & Alumnae Golf Tournament

This year we welcome back The Albany Academies Alumni & Alumnae golf tournament! It's been many years since we've hosted this event, so please spread the word to alums and ask them to join us on Monday, June 20 at Colonie Country Club for an alumni and alumnae four person scramble, followed by dinner & drinks. Thank you to Meleena Ottati '22 for leading this tournament as her May Project!

For more details or to register, please visit https://www.albanyacademies.org/alumniae-golf-tournament-2022
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
Members of the Middle School Sock Puppet Club recently entertained their PreK school sisters with a puppet show full of jokes and riddles. Here's a good one: What's the coolest letter of the alphabet? Give up? It's "iced T".
Students in 4th grade completed their study of Spanish foods by researching and preparing presentations on the various cuisines from Spanish-speaking countries. 
Students had fun participating in House Competitions today!
6th grade AAG students are learning about the coordinate plane. This week, they worked together to plan and create one using the classroom floor. Students are able to use this classroom coordinate plane to practice locating and identifying coordinates, quadrants, reflections and much more! 
AP Art students are working on finalizing their portfolios to submit to jurors for review. Featured artist is Quinn R. '22.
Fifth grade girls have swabbed various surfaces and then inoculated their petri dishes. In the photo, they are observing the various bacteria colonies that have grown. 

Sixth grade science students are studying Earth History through the lens of the Grand Canyon. They are currently trying to identify fossils found in the Grand Canyon to gather insights into the past.
Camp Spotlight
Little LEAP
Entering Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten
Jr. LEAP
Entering Grades 1 & 2
Weekly Sessions June 21 - August 12

Director: Laura Stevens 

Little LEAP provides a creative, nurturing, and enriching environment. Campers will enjoy their summer while reinforcing and building a foundation of social and academic skills. Weekly activities are theme based and will include literature, math, science, art and music. Although the summer is more relaxed, students will be challenged and the skills that have been introduced during their school year will be reinforced in many fun ways.

Jr. LEAP, our program for grades one and two, is modeled after our popular LEAP camp. Campers will enjoy their summer while reinforcing and building social and academic skills. Weekly activities will be theme based and will include language arts, math, science, music and art.

Weekly Themes:
June 21-24 ….It’s Raining Cats & Dogs
June 27-July 1…. Eric Carle
July 5-8 …. Red, White & Blue Parade
July 11-15 …. 3, 2, 1 Blast Off!
July 18-22 …. It’s a Fiesta!
July 25-29 …. Monkey Business
August 1-5 …. Arthur Goes to Camp
August 8-12 …. Under the Big Top

Camp registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis and many camps, Little Leap weeks and LEAP blocks are at capacity or filling quickly. Please click here for more details and to register.

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! 
 
Registration is now open for virtual MS/US English and Math Skills, and in person Upper School Math for credit classes.
Hannaford Helps Schools

The Albany Academies can earn money from the Hannaford Helps Schools program from March 13 - May 28 by shopping at the Hannaford store at 183 Delaware Avenue in Delmar. If you purchase four participating Hannaford Helps Schools items, you will receive a receipt for three School Dollars at the register. Please place that printout in our school's slot in the Hannaford Helps Schools collection tower at the front of the store. Customers who shop with Hannaford To Go can give their School Dollar printouts to the associate handling their groceries and let them know which school slot to place them in.

Hannaford is in the process of launching an app and website to redeem school dollars, so as more information comes out we'll add that to the information in Head Lines.

A list of items that qualify for the program can be found here: Hannaford Helps Schools
Week at a Glance
Monday, April 25
Day 3
8:00 a.m. Lower School Morning Webinar
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Chapel (AA)
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG)
12:00 p.m. AA Middle School Chapel (Caird Chapel)
2:20 p.m. Upper School Assembly
3:30 p.m. Grades 1-6 After-school Enrichment Programs
6:00 p.m. Spanish Honor Society Induction Ceremony

Tuesday, April 26
Day 4
7:20 a.m. AA Middle School Deans Meeting (AA Room 3-16)
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Chapel (AA)
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG)
11:30 a.m. AAG Middle School Deans Meeting (Drawing Room)
12:15 p.m. AAG Upper School Deans Lunch (Drawing Room)
3:30 p.m. Grades 1-6 After-school Enrichment Programs
7:00 p.m. AAG Cum Laude Induction Ceremony (Normanside Country Club)

Wednesday, April 27
Day 5
7:45 a.m. Sophomores report for PreACT Exam (AA Old Gym)
8:00 a.m. PreACT Exam (AA Old Gym)
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
3:30 p.m. Grades 1-6 After-school Enrichment Programs
7:00 p.m. AA Cum Laude Induction Ceremony (Normanside Country Club)

Thursday, April 28
Day 6
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Day
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
3:30 p.m. Grades 1-6 After-school Enrichment Programs
5:30 pm Upper School Arts Spring Festival (Music & Dance), AAG Auditorium  
7:00 pm Upper School Arts Spring Festival (Theatre), AA Black Box 
Friday, April 29
Day 1
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Chapel (AA)
8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (AAG)
11:30 a.m. Senior BBQ

Saturday, April 30
7:00 p.m. Spring Gathering (The Kenmore, Albany)
Looking Ahead
May 11 The Arts Spring Music Recital
May 13 AA Grade 4 Tie Ceremony & Breakfast
May 14 Admissions Lower School Open House
May 19 The Arts Spring Festival
  • Middle School: Choral, Band, & Dance
May 20 The Arts Spring Festival
  • ECA, AAG LS, & AA Lower School
May 24 AAPA Meeting
May 25 AAG Grade 8 Play
May 30 School Closed (Memorial Day Observed)