Welcome to the week!
I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend and got some extra rest, especially with the Monday holiday! Although it’s a short week, we have a few important activities planned for the next four days.
School Picture Day is this Wednesday (tomorrow) or Thursday, depending on which day your child has physical education class. Please be sure your child knows which day they will be photographed so that they may prepare their desired outfit and/or hairstyle. Once photographed, each child will receive a photo information sheet with directions on how to view their pictures online by entering their access code at ismilestudios.gotphoto.com. There are no order forms. Although portrait purchases are completely optional, each child will be required to be photographed in order to be included in the Hackett Middle School yearbook. Most importantly, remind your child to relax, smile and have fun! If fun was not quite evident in the proofs, picture retakes may be done on Friday morning, Nov. 14.
Also this Wednesday, students will be released at 12:30 p.m. so that staff may attend professional development training in the afternoon. Please note that we have a modified bell schedule whereas students will report to all nine class periods, and class time will be reduced by several minutes per period.
Our Extended Day Program has begun! 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. The program runs through June.
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. Remember, there's no school on Oct. 24; we'll be holding staff professional development training that morning and more parent-teacher conferences that afternoon.
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:
- Since there’s no school on Friday, October 24, our next Friday Fun Day will take place on Thursday, Oct. 23 and the theme will be “Zombie Day.” Let's show our school spirit and celebrate the season by showing our spooky side! We will continue to celebrate Fun Day Friday in a different way each week to boost school pride and add a little fun to our week. This is a great way to build healthy relationships and look forward to the weekend!
- All eighth-graders will visit Albany High School on Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. to tour the building and learn more about the four different academies. This will help students make an informed decision as to which academy they will select during the upcoming lottery application period. Please ONLY return the "opt-out" permission slip if you DO NOT want your child to attend the field trip.
- Next month's PTA meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m. Can't make it in person? Attend the meeting virtually through this link. Your involvement helps support the well-being and educational success of our children as well as our school community. We hope you will consider attending one of our upcoming meetings and sharing with us your thoughts for providing all students with a safe and supportive learning environment.
- First quarter grades close on Friday, Nov. 7.
- The first Teen Night of the school year is Friday, Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m.
- There will be no school on Tuesday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
- School picture retakes are scheduled the morning of Friday, Nov. 14.
- There will be no school Wednesday, Nov. 26-Friday, Nov. 26 for Thanksgiving break. School will resume on Monday, Dec. 1.
Important reminders
October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a chance to show support for the more than 2 million women around the world who are diagnosed with the disease each year. Learn more about breast cancer awareness and get information about breast cancer screening and free breast cancer screening and diagnostic services for uninsured people.
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.
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
"Every day is a chance to create a memory and to love a little more." – Robin Roberts