Dear Friends,

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and Hooray, Girls’ Basketball! 

We took the opportunity to support the Girl’s Varsity Basketball Team today as our Lower School students sent them off in style this morning, and our Upper and Middle School students attended their playoff game at Hudson Valley Community College. 

This was a fantastic event! It was also an intensive logistical undertaking, and I want to thank our administrators, faculty, and staff for making it happen. Although we didn't have the outcome we may have wanted, I couldn’t be prouder of all the student-athletes and coaches who made this a historic season. Thank you to everyone who made this such a memorable season!

Basketball will continue over the break, with the Boys’ Varsity team playing in the New York State Federation Tournament, beginning at 11 am on March 25, 2023. If you can attend these games, they would love your support.

As you’ll see below, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations were also a big hit today, although I sincerely hope our leprechaun traps remain empty. Earlier in the week, we enjoyed another outstanding fourth-grade play, a fun celebration of the ides of March, an inspiring author visit, and great news about some of our talented artists. Read on to learn more.

Finally, I wish you a restful and restorative Spring Break! Head Lines will be on hiatus, returning on April 7.

Sincerely,

Chris Lauricella

Head of School

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: The first session will be the weeks of June 19 and 26. The second session will run the weeks of August 7 and 14.

Times: 40-minute classes of 4 or 5 students. Grade 9: 8:30-9:10; grade 10: 9:20-10:00; grade 11: 10:20-11:00; and grade 12: 11:10-11:50. These times are subject to change depending on the number of students that enroll in each grade level. Grades 9 and 10 can be scheduled together, as can grades 11 and 12. The maximum number of students enrolled in each session is 20.

To sign up for the class or to request more information, please email pasconed@albanyacademies.org.

Gifford History Speakers' Series

The Albany Academies will be hosting Professor Carol Faulkner of Syracuse University as part of the Gifford History Speakers’ Series on April 5, 2023 at 11:30 am. Professor Faulkner will be delivering a lecture entitled, “Lucretia Mott at Seneca Falls,” followed by a question and answer session. 

Dr. Faulkner is a widely regarded expert on 19^th century American history, with a particular focus on women, gender, and social movements. She is the author of numerous articles and books, including most recently Unfaithful: Love, Adultery, and Marriage Reform in Nineteenth-Century America, published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 2019. In addition, she serves as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Maxwell School. 

Parents, alumni, alumnae, and community members are encouraged to attend!

Local Author Visits ECA

Local author Diane Capogna visited students in ECA to read her children's story Puppy Comes Home, about her Great Dane, Abbey. The students loved hearing about Abbey's adventures in finding her forever home. Following the story, the students had the opportunity to ask Ms. Capogna about her writing process, how a book is made, and about what Abbey is up to now.  

Science Bee

On March 12th, William H. '28 again competed in the International Academic Competition Regional Finals Science Bee in Syracuse, NY. And for the second year in a row, William won the gold medal! He will be representing the Albany Academies again in the National Science Bee held in Washington D.C. in June. Congratulations William!

ECA: "How Does Your Garden Grow?"

We are excited to announce an interdisciplinary project taking place in ECA. Over the course of the next 5 weeks, upon returning from spring break, Dance, Science and Art, with support from our amazing core teachers, will be teaming up to investigate the theme “How does your garden grow?” Our dances and artwork will be featured at our arts performance on Friday May 12^th at 12:30 PM. Scientists will investigate our theme with hands on activities in science class. Although each class will be representing a specific element from this theme, all of our students will learn about how each one interconnects. A special thank you to Hanna Cadman for creating our very own "How does your garden grow?" bulletin board featuring all of our ECA students! We are so excited to begin creating our very own moving, learning and growing garden! Please enjoy a sneak peak of what we have done so far. 

Annual High School Regional Art Exhibit

Mea A. '23, Charlie B. '23, Chloe P. '24, Austin G. '24, and Katie L. '25 have all been accepted into the Annual High School Regional exhibit taking place at the Albany Center Gallery. The exhibit will open on March 24 with an opening reception and will close on April 22.

Upper School Dance Performing at SPAC

The Upper School Dance "Teardrop" performance has been selected to participate in SPAC's Festival for Young Artists! This exclusive festival will highlight the visual and performing arts of young people across the Capital Region.  The dance "Teardrop" will be showcased on SPAC's online showcase, which will launch in May and will be performed live at SPAC on June 4.  Congratulations, dancers and Ms. Jacob-Zysman!!!

Fourth Grade Play

The Visual and Performing Arts Department girls Fourth Grade class presented "Gran's Guide to Stop an Orge" on March 15. The Fourth Grade Play has been a longstanding tradition and always a highly anticipated event. We are all very proud of the girls who worked so hard on the performance to put on an amazing show!

International Taste of the World Festival

The annual Taste of the World Festival was a great success with over 300 people attending. It was an opportunity for guests to sample food from around the world, enjoy performances representing different cultures and enjoy time with Academies families, students, and faculty. A special thanks to Director of International Program Dr. Jessica Chen P'32, '33, World Languages Chair Dr. Susannah Brower, and so many of our parents, faculty and staff for organizing such a wonderful community event! 

Spring After School Enrichment Program

Please look for an email that will be sent out next week for the Spring After School Enrichment Program. Some of the classes we are offering are Theatre, Rocketry, and Outdoor Health and Fitness. A full list of all classes along with sign up information will be included in the upcoming email.

Summer Math Credit Classes:

Algebra 1, Geometry and Pre-Calculus

June 20-July 31 in person 8am-11am $1,250

Registration is now open. Class information is available on the Summer Program page of The Albany Academies website. 

For math specific questions, please contact Math Dept. Chair, Robert Bischoff at bischoffr@albanyacademies.org

Online registration for summer camp is open! 

Space is limited and is on a first come first serve basis. We have a variety of camps for students entering Pre-K through twelfth grade! 

We have a number of camps already at capacity with a lengthy waitlist:

Musical Theatre-Grades 3-6

Musical Theatre-Grades 7-12

Science Academy-Robotics & 3D Printing-Grades 5-6 & 7-9

Classic Camp-Grades 3-8 August 7-11

Join us for a week, a two week session or the whole summer! Program dates and rates, the 2023 brochure and LEAP class charts are available on our website. Please contact Karin Epstein at epsteink@albanyacademies.org or 518-429-2332 with any questions.

A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms

Through George Washington's Socks, a Time Travel Adventure, the AA 4^th Graders experienced the crossing of the Delaware River with George Washington, during the American Revolution.

The Upper and Middle School Latin classes commemorated the Ides of March with cookies and togas.

The 6^th grade Latin classes learned about the culture of the Ancient Romans, specifically family, daily life, clothing and popular entertainment by creating characters and writing stories. Then, they created models of their characters showing the different types of clothing.

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 April 18, 2023.

• To order a yearbook for AA enter passcode: 10131170417192 
• To order a yearbook for AAG enter passcode: 101411068383919

Save the Date for Spring Gathering

Our annual Spring Gathering gala will be held on Saturday evening, April 29 at the Albany Country Club. This year's event promises to be a very special evening, so encourage parents in your class and friends to join us for great fare, music, wonderful auction items, and a tribute to three outstanding individuals!

For more information and to join the Honorary Committee, please click here.

NISCA Academic All-Americans

Congratulations to four members of the Varsity Swimming and Diving Team for achieving National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (NISCA) Academic All-Americans status. To qualify, students must have a GPA over 3.75. Congratulations to Seniors Andrew C., Jakob D, Ethan R., and Will V.!

WNYT Student Athletes

Winter Sports NYSPHSAA Scholar Teams

At the end of each sports season, the NYSPHSAA honors those teams and individuals that excel in the classroom. Those student-athletes, teams, and schools work very hard throughout the year and deserve to be recognized for their academic success. To receive Scholar-Athlete Team designation, the team’s average GPA for 75% of the roster must be greater than or equal to 90.00.

The following teams qualified for Scholar-Athlete Team recognition for the winter season:

• Boys Indoor Track & Field
• Boys Swimming & Diving
• Boys Section 2 Ice Hockey
• Girls Basketball
• Girls Indoor Track & Field
• Girls Skiing

(Boys Basketball and Prep Ice Hockey are not eligible)

April 3, 2023

Day 5

8:00 a.m. Upper School Chapel (Caird Chapel)

8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (Auditorium)

April 4, 2023

Day 6

8:00 a.m. Upper School Chapel (Caird Chapel)

8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (Auditorium)

2:20 p.m. Upper School Assembly - Course Selection Nuts & Bolts

April 5, 2023

Day 1

8:00 a.m. Upper School Chapel (Caird Chapel)

8:00 a.m. Upper School Morning Meeting (Auditorium)

April 6, 2023

Passover - School Closed

April 7, 2023

Good Friday - School Closed

April 10 - 14 - Admissions Visiting Week

April 12 - Admissions Lunch On Us

April 13 - AAPA Meeting

April 17 - Professional Development Day (No Classes)

April 18 - Lower School Coffee Break

April 18 - Yearbook Orders Due

April 19 - Chinese Honor Society Induction Ceremony

April 20 - Grade 7 Science Symposium

April 25 - AAG Cum Laude Ceremony

April 26 - AA Cum Laude Ceremony

April 27 - Spring Arts Festival: Middle School Dance and All Upper School

April 28 - Spring Community Service Day

April 28 - Grades 7 & 8 Dance

April 29 - Spring Gathering

May 1 - May Projects Begin

May 1 - AP Exams Begin

May 4 - AAPA Meeting

May 6 - Admissions Open House

May 10 - Spring Arts Festival: Middle School Music

May 12 - Spring Arts Festival: ECA & Lower School

May 16 - Lower School Coffee Break

May 18 - 20 - Reunion Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner

May 19 - Famous Women Presentation, Reunion & Arts Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

May 19 - Arts Hall of Fame Ceremony and Performance

May 20 - Reunion

May 23 - 7/8Theatre Ensemble Performance

May 29 - Memorial Day (School Closed)