Hello, and happy Monday!
I hope everyone had a great weekend and enjoyed the beautiful warm weather, especially after last week's rain! As we wrap up the first month of school, routines are beginning to settle, classrooms are full of energy and engagement, and our students are benefitting from the positive environment our teachers are creating every day. We hope to make our school a welcoming and thriving place for students to learn and grow!
Enjoy the absolutely beautiful weather this week!
Last week's Open House event was a great success and I would like to thank the parents and guardians who took the time to attend. As a reminder, please feel free to email a specific teacher with any questions or if you wish to discuss your child in more detail.
There will be no school this Thursday (Oct. 2) in observance of Yom Kippur. Classes will resume on Friday. Also, on Friday afternoon, we will conduct town hall meetings by grade to review the Student Code of Conduct. In addition to the presentation, all students will be provided with their own hard copy of the Code of Conduct.
The Albany Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) will host a drop-in meet-and-greet for special education families in the Albany High School library this Saturday (Oct. 4) from 10-11:30 a.m. Light refreshments will be served and there will be a sensory station for children. This is an event for district families and staff. For more information, email albanysepac@gmail.com.
Get ready to run for an awesome cause! Join us for the 11th Albany Booster Club Falcon 5K and Fun Run this Sunday (Oct. 5) in Washington Park. Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to participate in this exciting event! You can run as an individual participant or join a team. Online registration for the 5K run/walk is open and the first 200 adult registrants will receive a free t-shirt.
Students really showed their school spirit and creativity last Friday by wearing their school colors! Our next Friday Fun Day will be held on Oct. 10, and the theme will be “Crazy Hair Day.” Let's show our school spirit and celebrate by wearing a wacky hair style! We will continue to celebrate each Friday Fun Day in a different way to boost school pride, build healthy relationships and add a little fun to our week.
Our Extended Day Program is set to begin on Tuesday, Oct. 14 and will run through June. This after-school program takes place Monday-Thursday from 3-5:30 p.m. and includes a free snack and free door-to-door bus transportation home. Programs include swimming, cooking, judo, cosmetology, dance, arts and crafts, yearbook and more! Applications are available at the Attendance Desk in the main foyer. Completed forms should be returned to the Main Office, and any specific questions should be directed to Ms. Lewis at dlewis2@albany.k12.ny.us.
In case you missed it ... Our school district recently joined with Mayor Sheehan and transportation partners to announce stop-arm cameras on all First Student (yellow) buses, an important new initiative to improve traffic safety for our students and our community. Beginning Oct. 20, BusPatrol will issue citations for violations captured on the bus cameras, with fines as much as $300 being paid to the city.
The first round of parent-teacher conferences will be held on Thursday, Oct. 23 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. and again on Friday, Oct. 24 from noon-3 p.m. Team teachers will begin identifying students in need of a parent-teacher meeting and contacting parents to set up a time to meet. However, if you have not been contacted and have concerns you would like to discuss with your child's team, please feel free to email your child's teacher(s) to set up a time.
Stay connected!
Check out our website and Facebook page in addition to my weekly emails. You also can reach out to us at (518) 475-6475.
Now for our 'Don't Snooze and Lose News'
Besides the items listed above, please make a note of the following information:
- Next month's PTA meeting will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m.
- First quarter interim grades close on Friday, Oct. 10
- All City School District of Albany schools will dismiss 15 minutes early on Friday, Oct. 10 to participate in the annual Go Home Early emergency preparedness drill. The State Education Department requires all schools to conduct this test each year. All after-school activities will be canceled. However, student-athletes will be permitted to return their athletic venues at 3:15 p.m. (modified teams) and 3:45 p.m. (Albany High School teams).
- Albany High will hold its annual Homecoming Parade on Saturday, Oct. 11 at noon. Stop by to cheer on our athletes!
- There will be no school on Monday, Oct. 13 in observance of Columbus/Indigenous Peoples' Day.
- School Picture Day(s) – what every parent anticipates with joy and every student dreads! This year's dates are Oct. 15 and 16 and will take place during your child's physical education class. ISmile Studios will provide more information as we get closer to the day.
Important reminders
We have new rules in place about student cell phone use in school. You can get more information about the rules here.
As a reminder, speed cameras are operational and intended to help enforce the city's 20 mph speed limit in school zones. Fines are $50 per offense. Please help keep our school communities, students and staff safe and adhere to these speed zones on your daily commute.
We will hold emergency response drills throughout the school year. The safety of everyone in our school community is extremely important. Holding these practice drills, including lockdown drills, is crucial to our overall emergency planning. Before we practice a drill, we teach students, faculty and staff about the procedures to follow in an emergency.
Hackett Corner Quotes
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." – Jimi Hendrix