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The City School District of Albany wrapped up the 2007-08
school year with the largest group of graduates in the
history of Albany High School -- 516 graduates received
diplomas in the June 29 ceremony at the University at
Albany's SEFCU Arena. At left, the celebration begins for
the graduates. At right, these two students stood out head
and shoulders above their peers as the new grads exited
the arena.
Graduation week 2008 included an awards
ceremony June 25 for 15 members of the Albany High School
Class of 2008 who also successfully
completed the Culinary Training Institute program (left). The ceremony
at
the Albany Elks Lodge, where the students took part in the training
program, included a sumptuous meal they
prepared. The four-course meal featured
penne pasta tossed in a vodka cream sauce as an appetizer, Chick-
en Wellington for the entree and
chocolate mousse in a chocolate shell on a painted plate of vanilla
sauce
for desert. On June 26, Abrookin
Vocational-Technical Center staff member Quanair Bebo opened the eighth-
grade graduation ceremony at Philip
Livingston Magnet Academy (right) with memorable renditions of the
National Anthem and "Lift Every Voice and
Sing." Former Livingston Interim Principal Michele Bridgewater,
assistant director of special education
in the district (far right in the photo) delivered the keynote address.
The Arbor Hill Elementary School community celebrated
the end of one era and the start of another June 20 as
the school prepares to move temporarily while the
35-year-old building is renovated as part of the district's fa-
cilities project. The Moving Celebration began with a
march around the school and concluded with an assem-
bly in the gym. Pictured at right, graduating
fifth-grade student Carlayjah Lumpkin shares her favorite mem-
ories of Arbor Hill Elementary during the assembly.
The school will be located in the former Schuyler Elemen-
tary School, 141 Western Ave., for the next two school
years and will return home to a completely renovated
school at 1 Arbor Drive to start the 2010-11 school
year.
Second-grade students from Albany School of Hu-
Albany School of Humanities sixth-grade student
manities took a walking field trip to the city's Nor-
Mia Valentine portrays a prosecuting attorney as
manskill Farm June 10 to get a glimpse of what life
she delivers closing arguments June 4 during the
was like on Albany's last working farm during the
culminating event in
ASH's Legal Lives program. A
early and mid 20th century. Here they get a demon-
partnership with Albany County District Attorney Da-
stration of the farm's recently restored forge.
vid Soares, the students were welcomed into the
county courtroom of Judge Stephen Herrick for the
capstone activity in the year-long program.
Albany High School's Cricket Club took on Sche-
Students at Philip Livingston Magnet Academy parti-
nectady High's club at Albany's Lincoln Park on
cipated in the re-release of a wild turkey in the woods
May 28. Albany High won the rematch to earn a
behind the school May 14. The turkey was captured
split of the home-and-home series. Andre Dunn
in front of the school earlier in the year and nursed
received the Best Batsman Award and Noel Hu-
back to health before being returned to its natural
bert was Albany's best bowler.
habitat.
Albany High School's new football coach, Brian
Holocaust survivor Ursula Poland spoke with soph-
Spicer, met his players for the first time May 16, in-
omores at Abrookin Vocational-Technical Center on
cluding (L-R) Jake Valentine, Jalon Scott and
May 1, Holocaust Remembrance Day. Pictured with
Jason Stevens.
her are (L-R) Destynee Miller, Tiffany Pointer and
China Houston.
Superintendent Eva C. Joseph, Ed.D., visited Pine
Members of the All-City Chorus perform April 9 at the
Hills Elementary School to take part in the school's
Empire State Plaza Convention Center.
Earth Day celebration. In June, Pine Hills became
just the 11th school in the United States to receive
the
"Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary"
designation from Audubon International.
Students in the Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science
Albany High School students, including juniors
and Technology (TOAST) Respect Campaign present-
(L-R) Saeda Thomas, Curtis Holloman, Keiara
ed a wishing quilt to the Ronald McDonald House in
Marable and Celifa Landy, participated in a field trip
memory of Timothy J. Leonard, a founding member
to Marist College in Poughkeepsie on April 7. The
of the Ronald McDonald House, on April 11. The stu-
trip was sponsored by Sponsor-A-Scholar program.
dents gifted the quilt to Debra Ross, director of Ron-
ald McDonald House, to hang for the families who
reside there while their children are in residence at
Albany Medical Center Children's Hospital. The pro-
ject, a collaboration made possible by numerous
volunteers and generous donations, was organized
by Donna Wickert, the school's social worker.
Albany School of Humanities (ASH) students, in-
Albany High School students (L-R) Jon Thompson,
cluding sixth-grader Jermaine Jackson (pictured),
Marquisha Bland, Damel Burgess and Diamond Little
helped raise more than $10,500 for the American
spent a week in Yosemite National Park in March as
Heart Association through the annual Jump Rope
part of a youth outdoor leadership program with
for Heart event on April 4. Nearly 250 students in
peers from two Los Angeles high schools. The trip,
gades 1-6 participated.
led by Brother Yusuf Burgess of the Children and Na-
ture Network, was sponsored by the Sierra Club's
"Building Bridges to the Outdoors" program.
Teachers from across the country visited five dis- Albany
School of Humanities (ASH) sixth-grade stu-
trict schools March 27, including Pine
Hills Elemen- dents studied their ancestors during
the winter
tary School (above), to see National
Urban Alliance through the Living History project.
Each student
for Effective Education strategies at
work. The tours researched an influential person from
their cultural
were part of
the
NUA annual conference in Albany background and then got in-character to
act out brief
March 28-30. skits during the school’s Living
Museum event
March 26. Here, Tyaela Nieves
lip-syncs one of the
hit songs of Grammy-winning artist
Celia Cruz, one
of the most influential figures in the
history of Cuban
music. Coinciding with the project,
the sixth-grade
class painted a 65-foot mural in ASH’s
main hallway
celebrating the rich diversity of
their ancestry.
Innovative composer, violinist and band leader
Sharon Murray puts the squeeze on daughters Ryann
Daniel Bernard Roumain -- DBR -- performs for stu-
and Lyndsey during the Mother-Daughter Dinner Dance
dents at Myers Middle School on March 18.
at Albany School of Humanities (ASH) on March 13.
March 11 was Science Fair day in the City School
District of Albany, with students city-wide devising projects of
all shapes and sizes. At Giffen Memorial Elementary
School, students (from left) Leshawn Outing-Howard, Jes-
sica Moultrie, Rochelyzette Diaz and Yamimara Algaren
pose with their project. At Montessori Magnet School,
Paige DeLong takes a break while a fellow student
checks out hers. Winners advanced to the city-wide Joseph
Henry Science Fair, and Giffen students L'a-Asia Evans
and JaQuan Vidot (not pictured) were first-place winners
in the grade 4-6 category for their project entitled
"Is Healthy Yogurt Tasty?" It is the third year in a row that Gif-
fen students have won a first-place award at the
Joseph Henry event.
Myers Middle School sixth-grader Jabari Walker
Albany High School senior Agnese Brachette (third
contributes to the Pennies for Patients project in
from right), an exchange student from Italy, was
February. The national cancer fundraiser benefits
was the WNYT/Dunkin' Donuts Athlete of the Week
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
in January. A member of the bowling team (as well as
volleyball in the fall), she joined senior Sam Wells
(cross country, third from left), who received the
award in October. Also pictured (from left) are assist-
ant volleyball coach Norren Leonard, cross country
coach Stanley Gasorowski, volleyball coach Erin
Erickson and bowling coach Nancy Madsen.
Since
2005, Dunkin' Donuts has donated $8,000 to Albany
High through the Athlete of the Week program.
Four Albany High School exchange students met
Schenectady City School District sixth-grade teach-
with State Senator Neil Breslin and toured the er Yacuba Sangare, a native of Niger, visited Giffen
Capitol on Jan. 28. Pictured with Sen. Breslin are
Memorial Elementary School on Jan. 28 as part of
(front row, left to right) Lauren Cuyvers (Belgium)
the school's College Week program. Mr. Sangare,
and Tansu Eris (Turkey), and (back row, left to
a freshman basketball coach, spoke of his upbring-
right) Milind Rupchandani (India) and Agnese
ing in the north African nation and his opportunity
Brachetti (Italy).
to attend Harvard University. Mr. Sangare also
started a program in Niger to help children there
reach college through basketball.
Members of the All-City Magnet Chorus perform Jan. Myers Middle School eighth-grader Leeanne Tobler
26 during Magnet Community Day at Albany School
(far right) won the district's spelling bee for students
of Humanities. in grades 4-8 on Jan. 23. Albany School of Humani-
ties fifth-grader Michael Bangert-Downs
(second
from right) was the first runner-up, and School 19
fifth-grader Cheyenne Nabus
(front row, center)
earned district-wide honorable mention. The top
seven students out of the 15 who competed will
participate Regional Spelling Bee at Proctor's The-
ater
in Schenectady on March 10 for a chance to
represent the Capital Region at the national event
in Washington, D.C., in May. Other district qualifiers
pictured are, front row from left, Jack Terwilliger
(Montessori Magnet School, grade 4) and, back row
from left, Klaudi Haxhillari (Eagle Point Elementary
School, grade 5), Muhammed Perez (Philip Living-
ston Magnet Academy, grade 8) and Terrance
Frost (Hackett Middle School, grade 7).
The City School District of Albany received a gener-
Giffen Memorial
Elementary School partnered
ous $20,725 donation from
long-time supporter Carl
with the New York State Department of En-
Touhey
(center) before the Jan. 17 Board of Educa-
vironmental Conservation for a ski trip to
tion meeting
at Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science
Bellayre Mountain in the Catskills on Jan. 20.
and Technology. The gift will support the TALENT for
The trip gives city residents a chance to ex-
Diversity Project to increase diversity among the
perience an outdoor activity to which they
district's teachers. Teaching assistants Haiba King-
otherwise might not be exposed, turning first-
Samuel (second
from left) of Giffen Memorial Ele-
timers into well-seasoned skiers in just one day!
mentary School, and Mercedes Austin of Myers
Pictured above enjoying their time on the slopes
Middle School (far right) are the first two partici-
are Giffen home-school coordinator Jerome Perkins
pants in the program. Also
pictured are Assistant
(center) and sixth-grade students Kathleen Rodriguez
Superintendent for Human
Resources and Com-
(left) and Trenesia Goodwine (right).
munity Relations Linda Jackson-Chalmers (left)
and Board President Teneka
Frost (second from
right).
Princess Kippins, vice president of the fourth-grade
New York State Commissioner of Education Richard
class at Philip Schuyler Achievement Academy,
Mills (center) and Joseph Bowman Jr., Ed.D., a mem-
introduces Gov. Eliot Spitzer (left) during the gov-
ber of the New York State Board of Regents (center,
ernor's news conference at the school Jan. 17.
right) toured Hackett Middle School on Jan. 11.
Gov. Spitzer announced his plan to increase access Hackett
eighth-graders Nedayah Robertson-Gray (cen-
to quality health care services for New York resi-
ter, left) and Nikolai Mischler (not pictured) served
dents. State Senator Neil Breslin (right) was among
as tour guides for the morning's visit.
many government leaders who participated in the
event.
Students, faculty and staff at Sheridan Preparatory
Students at Hackett Middle School performed "The
Academy celebrated the holiday season Dec. 21
Wiz" for more than 2,000 people in the four days be-
with a long-standing school tradition -- Caroling on
fore the holiday break, including a show for the com-
the Stairs. The main hallway and stairway were fil-
munity on Dec. 19. The performance was in partner-
led with smiles and song as all members of the
ship with Park Playhouse Kidz, which also will work
school community shared their holiday spirit.
with students at Myers Middle School and North Al-
bany Academy on musicals later this school year.
Fourth-graders at Thomas O'Brien Academy of Sci-
Montessori Magnet School kindergartner Nasim Ting-
ence and Technology participated in a news confer-
ling-White sings during a performance of African songs
ence at their school Dec. 18 at which the New York
and dances Dec. 17. The performance capped a
State Department of Environmental Conservation
week-long cross-cultural exchange with a school in
debuted
Conservationist for Kids.
The new state-
Mali, Africa through One World
Classrooms. The stu-
wide magazine is designed to get New York state's
dents created art work and wrote poems that will be
young people outside to lead healthier lifestyles and
sent to Mali.
become better stewards of the environment as adults.
Myers Middle School Principal Kim Wilkins (right) Students from Wendy Daignault's
self-contained
kept a promise to her students at the school's PTSA special education class at Thomas O'Brien Aca-
fund-raising celebration Dec. 14 when she kissed a
demy of Science and Technology wrapped and do-
pig to salute the school's successful cookie-dough nated presents to the children of Copson
House, a
fund-raiser. Ms. Wilkins had pledged to kiss a pig
St. Catherine's Center for Children group home in
if the fund-raiser raised $20,000, a figure they sur-
Albany. Supervisor of Residential Services Dave
passed by $2,000. Dawson (center) visited Mrs. Daignault's
class-
room Dec. 14 to meet with the students and pick up
the gifts that will help brighten the season for the 25
residents of Copson
House.
Skaters from the Disney on Ice: Finding Nemo
show Albany High School senior Nick Kitzrow
uses an
perform Dec. 13 at the Empire State Plaza skating old boot Dec. 11 to test out the trebuchet built dur-
rink for second-grade students from Thomas O'Bri- ing
the fall by anthropology teacher John Doran.
en Academy of Science and Technology. Each stu- Mr. Doran built the apparatus -- similar to a cata-
dent received two tickets to that night's perfor- pult -- in partnership with one of his peers in a Uni-
mance at the Times Union Center. The students versity
at Albany graduate course on ancient tech-
also participated after the performance in an Oper- nology.
He brought it to school to give his students
ation Safe Child event, a partnership with the Alba- a chance to see first-hand how technology func-
ny Police Department in which the students learned
tioned centuries ago.
important safety information and had individual IDs
made.
The Myers Middle School Robotics Team competed
Sue Lipman, who teaches for the City School Dis-
in the RPI & GE First Lego League Tournament on trict at the Albany County Jail, speaks to faculty at
Dec. 8. Myers placed 22nd out of 40 teams from the
Hackett Middle School on Dec. 5 about her family's
Capital Region and throughout the northeast. The
donation that helped the district create a diverse li-
Robotics Team from North Albany Academy also par- rary of Holocaust texts for middle school students. The
ticipated placing ninth overall. Lipman's made the donation in memory of Sue's father,
a Holocaust survivor, and also donated the painting
pictured above, which her father also painted.
On a day when the first snowflakes of the season New York State Assemblyman John J. McEneny
swirled in the Albany air, members of the Philip
talks with social studies students at Myers Middle
Livingston Magnet Academy French Club braved
School on Nov. 15 about Albany history during the
the cold weather to hold a car wash Nov. 16 to 19th and early 20th centuries. Mr. McEneny is a
raise money for a trip to Quebec City later in the
former Albany County historian.
school year.
Students, teachers
and faculty at Pine Hills Ele-
Award-winning children's author
Sara Pennypacker
tary School
celebrated National Mix It Up Day on
(center) visited Giffen Memorial Elementary School
Nov. 13. A project of
the Southern Poverty Law
on Nov. 13.
Center, Mix It Up Day
aims to reduce prejudice
among youth and
improve intergroup relations in
schools by supporting
students' efforts to identify,
question and cross
social boundaries. Students
were issued random
colorful ribbons prior to lunch
and sat at tables
with the coordinating table cloth.
The groups crossed
grades and classes. In this
photo, teaching
assistant Sonya Flowers mixes it up
with (from left)
students Iris Encarcion, Prince Ja-
heem Tarver, Kalia
Holloway, Nadia Woodby and
Samantha Molina.
Albany School of Humanities sixth-grader Hayden
Actor Michael Hauschild, star of the Capital Reper-
Craft (left) discusses his plans after college grad-
tory Theater play "An Alien's Guide to Planet Earth,"
uation as classmate Kledis Capollari (center) and
signs autographs Oct. 26 in the third-grade class-
Albany County District Attorney David Soares (right)
room of Pine Hills Elementary School teacher
listen. Soares visited ASH to launch his Legal
Maureen Tricozzi. The play, a collaboration between
Lives initiative, bringing back a program designed
Capital Rep, the Albany Symphony and the Albany
to educate Albany students about law and its role
Institute of History and Art, is based on the work of
in society. For more information, visit
District News.
renowned children's author and illustrator Dorothy
Pulis Lathrop, winner of the first Caldecott Medal
for Children's Literature in 1938. Ms. Lathrop was a
Pine Hills resident and former Albany High School
art teacher.
Students, teachers and staff at Philip Livingston
Students at Delaware Community School enjoy "From
Magnet Academy enjoyed the annual Harvest Bowl
Africa to New York: The Story of Latin Music,"
flag football game and cookout Oct. 26.
presented Oct. 15 by Jose Cruz, Ph.D., associate
professor of political science at the University of
Albany, in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month.
Albany High School Color Guard members Kristin
Dancing the night away at the William S. Hackett
Michelena (left), a sophomore, and senior Stacy
Middle School
Hispanic Heritage Celebration on
Bagley show off their Falcon Pride before the Home-
Oct. 10.
coming football game at Bleecker Stadium on Oct.
13. Albany beat Saratoga Springs 35-34 for its sec-
ond win of the season.
North Albany Academy third-graders were excited Albany High School freshmen, from left, Amani
to show off their new dictionaries Oct. 9. A copy of Franklin, Maria Moy-Santos and JaQuess Wynn
"The Best Dictionary for Students" was provided to discuss a PowerPoint presentation
Oct. 4 about the
all third-grade students in the city in October by
Elks
college visits they made as eighth graders through
Lodge #49, which distributed more than 1,000 copies
the district's NYGEAR UP program. NYGEAR UP
city-wide for the students to keep to help them be- was implemented in 2005 to follow the Class of
come better writers, better readers and creative
2011 from seventh grade through high school grad-
thinkers. Lodge member John Cox also visited uation, providing college readiness programs for
North Albany Academy on Oct. 5 to talk with the students and their families. To read more, visit our
students about programs sponsored by the Elks,
District News section.
including athletic activities, drug awareness pro-
grams and college scholarship opportunities.
Albany High School student Pauline Roquemore
Giffen Memorial Elementary School students enjoyed
discusses her experiences with the Learning
a morning of fun educational activities Sept. 28 during
Center at the 2007-08 kickoff event Oct. 1. The
the school's Splash Water Festival, a program presented
Learning Center is a tutoring and mentoring part-
by the New York State Department of Environmental Con-
nership between Albany High and the University at
servation to teach students about water pollution and its
Albany. To read more, visit our
District News
section. effects.
TOAST students Bess Zafran, left, and LaNiya
Sibert The Halfmoon returns to port in Albany on Sept. 19
perform a song from the musical "Once Upon a Mat- following a week-long voyage on the Hudson River
tress" during the annual Birdhouse Auction in support that included students and teachers from Myers Mid-
of art and music enrichment programs in the City dle School. The Halfmoon is a replica of the vessel
School District of Albany. The Sept. 27 event at Bal- Henry Hudson sailed in 1609 when he discovered the
linger's in downtown Albany raised approximately area that later became Albany. To read more about
$6,000. this story, visit our
District News section.
Superintendent Eva C. Joseph, Ed.D., right, helps North Albany Academy students and staff participate
dedicate Charles I. Leigh Sr. Football Field at in the state's Sept. 11 remembrance at the Empire
Bleecker Stadium before Albany High's football home- State Plaza. Front row, from left: Fourth-grader Tayla
opener against CBA on Sept. 14. Dr. Joseph is joined Escobar, sixth-grader Abdalazaiz Alshoga
and fourth-
by the late Mr. Leigh's wife, Marie, and son, Charles
Jr., grader Juan Baez. Back row, from left: School social
as well as Mr. Leigh's brother, Fred (wearing cap). worker Donna Coonley, eighth-grader Shadaya Ford,
eighth-grader Robert Taylor and computer lab TA
Michael Lai.
The North Albany Academy community celebrated its
The Philip Schuyler Achievement Academy classroom
first homecoming event Saturday, Sept. 8 with a par-
of Maria Torres was filled happy faces -- and a new
ade and cookout in partnership with the North Albany
look thanks to the popular PTA-led change to voluntary
YMCA.
uniforms -- at back-to-school school time.
The district's stately headquarters
facility in Academy
Albany High's offense gets set to run a play during the
Park on a sunny Saturday, Sept. 1.
first half of the Falcons' season-opening game at
Guilderland on Aug. 31.
Hackett Middle School Principal Kenneth W. Newman
Sr., left, and teaching assistant Vincent Avila team up
at the grill during Hackett's Faculty/Staff Barbecue on
Aug. 30, a new back-to-school tradition in conjunction
with an orientation program for faculty and staff.
Eagle Point Elementary School
second-grade
teacher Kim Gravel prepares her classroom
for
the new school year on Aug. 31.
Members of the Dual Language Program at
Delaware
Community School participate in the 12th Annual
Latino Fest in Washington Park on Aug. 25.
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