Back-to-school, homecoming celebrations

at Albany schools

ALBANY, N.Y. (Sept. 8, 2007) -- Three City School District of Albany schools held special events for their respective communities on the first Saturday of the new school year, including the first-ever homecoming celebration at North Albany Academy.

Arbor Hill Elementary School and Giffen Memorial Elementary School also held back-to-school events for families on a steamy late-summer day.

In north Albany, a parade of students kicked off from the North Albany YMCA at 10:30 a.m. The parade was followed by a cookout and family gathering at the North Albany American Legion Post.

Giffen held its Third Annual Back-to-School Celebration,   The bouncy-bounce was a main attraction during the First

including children's rides, information and service                  Annual North Albany Academy Homecoming on Sept. 8.

providers, food and music. Arbor Hill Elementary's
Fun Fair attracted more than 220 participants. The event featured relay races, potato sack races, double dutch and a butterfly tent. Teachers and TAs attended and brought their own families to share in the day's festivities. 

The City School District of Albany serves almost 9,400 students in 19 elementary, middle and high schools. The district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students in addition to neighborhood schools. The district is more than halfway through its comprehensive facilities project to newly build and/or renovate nearly all of its elementary and middle schools. The ultimate goal of the facilities project is to provide schools with the resources necessary to help students succeed in the 21st century.