Dear Friends,

It has been a busy week back on campus after a great Spring Break.

During the break, we had a successful trip to Europe sponsored by our World Languages Department and preseason training trips to Florida and South Carolina for our track and baseball teams. Thank you to all the faculty, coaches, and volunteer chaperones who supported our students. As I reflect on these experiences within the backdrop of the last few years, it is wonderful that we could run these trips and have everyone return to campus in full health.

You may recall that we went into the break after celebrating the Varsity Girls' Basketball team’s historic run into the NYSSPHA finals. Mid-break, the Boys' Varsity Basketball team also had an excellent New York State Federation Tournament run. And, of course, we came back to school rooting for Andre Jackson Jr., ’20, who helped lead the University of Connecticut to the NCAA national title in the Final Four!

On the academic front, lots of active learning is happening on and off campus. Highlights include today’s second-grade presentation on endangered species, the inaugural launch of our Gifford History Speakers’ Series (see below), and our Arts department returning to the practice of taking students to Manhattan on an immersive art experience.

Finally, a quick explanation regarding the timing of spring break in relation to this year’s religious holidays. When we set our academic schedule, we must provide students ample time to prepare for finals and Advanced Placement exams at the end of the year. Given how late the holidays are this year, this last block of academic time would have been too short if we aligned them with our break.

Best wishes for Passover, Ramadan, and Easter to those who celebrate.

Warmly,

Chris Lauricella

Head of School

Regional Reception

The Office of Admissions is hosting a Regional Reception for current and prospective families next Thursday, April 13 at 5 p.m. at Saratoga Golf and Polo Club. These regional receptions are a great way for Academies families to connect with each other and for prospective families to meet current families. We welcome our Academies community to join us for this event. Please let us know you are planning to attend by emailing us at Admissions@albanyacademies.org.

Please Mark Your Calendar

A special meeting has been scheduled for parents to meet with the master planning consultants from CSArch and SLAM to review draft concepts for the campus by division project. The meeting will be held on Thursday, April 20 at 12pm in the Schellenberger Alumni/ae Center. A Zoom option to attend will also be made available. Please look for additional information in Head Lines next week.

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 hosted Professor Carol Faulkner of Syracuse University as part of the Gifford History Speakers’ Series today. Professor Faulkner presented a lecture entitled, “Lucretia Mott at Seneca Falls,” to the upper school students, followed by a question-and-answer session. Dr. Faulkner is a widely regarded expert on 19th-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.

School District Transportation

The list below indicates districts that will not provide transportation to our students from Monday, April 10 through Friday, April 14 due to their district break. This information was sent to you during the summer months from your home school district however The Albany Academies felt a reminder was a good idea.

Students residing in these districts will need to find another form of transportation as their home districts will not be in operation:

Albany City School District (transported by First Student)

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

Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District/Coxsackie

Shenendehowa Central School District (district transportation only)

South Colonie Central School District

Troy City School District

Voorheesville Central School District

Please contact your home district with any questions.

Spring Enrichment Program

Thank you to our families who signed up for our after school Spring Enrichment Program. This has been the largest sign up ever and we really appreciate your support! Students have already been added to groups on Blackbaud, so you can see which programs your child is enrolled in. Please keep an eye on your inboxes tomorrow as emails will be sent out from each group that your child is in with specific information about equipment, location, and pick up arrangements.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Adam Collett: colletta@albanyacademies.org

Summer Math Credit Classes:

Algebra 1, Geometry and Pre-Calculus

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

Registration is now open. Click here to view class information. Click here to register for the class.

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 wait list:

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

This week in math class, AAG sixth graders created a coordinate plane using the classroom floor. This resource will be used during class time to practice skills such as graphing coordinates, line segments, reflections and shapes.

Sixth graders have been working on their open-ended project of building and programming a robot to complete tasks on the challenge table.

Update on our interdisciplinary moving, learning and growing garden project:

In dance class, students explored the 5 elements of dance (body, energy, space, time, and action) to deepen their knowledge of the choreographic process. These five movement principals serve as the foundation for understanding all dance forms! In Art class, ECA students are creating garden flowers inspired by the Stippling technique. This technique uses small dots to create interesting textures and patterns. Please enjoy the attached pictures and look for more updates next week. 

Our second-grade girls' class completed a research paper on endangered animals. Today they presented the information to their parents and teachers. They also drew illustrations specific to the animal they researched. They each did an amazing job!

Members of the varsity lacrosse team wrapped up spring break by participating in a community outreach program with students from the Blessed Sacrament school. The team ran an introductory skills clinic with 7th and 8th grade students. Thank you to Natasha Bang P’22, ‘24, ‘27 for helping to organize such a great event!

Second graders worked together in centers to review different parts of speech.

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, a paddle raise, and a tribute to three outstanding individuals! Proceeds from this event support merit scholarships and financial aid.

For more information and to join the Honorary Committee or purchase a ticket, please click here.

April 10, 2023

Day 2

Admissions Visiting Day

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

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

April 11, 2023

Day 3

Admissions Visiting Day

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

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

April 12, 2023

Day 4

Admissions Visiting Day

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

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

12:00 p.m. Admissions Event - Lunch On Us (Trustees Room)

6:00 p.m. Chinese Honor Society Induction Ceremony (Caird Chapel)

April 13, 2023

Day 5

Admissions Visiting Day

8:00 a.m. AAPA Meeting (Schellenberger Alumni/ae Center)

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

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

8:20 a.m. AA & AAG Lower School Assembly (Auditorium)

5:00 p.m. Admissions Event - Saratoga Gathering (Polo Club, Saratoga)

April 14, 2023

Day 6

Admissions Visiting Day

Spring Trimester Interim 1

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

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

April 17 - Professional Development Day (No Classes)

April 18 - Lower School Coffee Break

April 18 - Yearbook Orders Due

April 19 - Declamation Assembly

April 20 - French & Latin Honor Society Inductions

April 20 - Grade 7 Science Symposium

April 21 - Earth Day Dress Down (blue & green)

April 25 - AAG Cum Laude Ceremony

April 26 - AA Cum Laude Ceremony

April 27 - Senior BBQ

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 13 - Prom

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 24 - Division II/III Signing Day

May 29 - Memorial Day (School Closed)