I hope everyone had a great weekend and is rested and ready for the week ahead!
The first round of parent-teacher conferences will be held this Thursday (10/23) from 3:30-6:30 p.m., and again on Friday (10/24) from noon-3 p.m. Team teachers have reached out to the parents of students in need of a parent-teacher meeting. If you have not been contacted and have concerns you would like to discuss with your child's team, please feel free to contact the Guidance Office at (518) 475-6486 to set up a time. Please bear in mind, you may contact the Guidance Office throughout the school year should you feel the need for a conference with your child’s teachers.
Since there’s no school this Friday (10/24), our next Friday Fun Day will take place this Thursday 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!
The Hackett Ski Club is currently looking for students of all experience levels! Ski Club provides students with discounted opportunities to learn or improve skiing and snowboarding through multi-week programs at a nearby resort. Students usually leave school after the regular day and return in the evening. The program typically runs every Friday beginning in January through the February break. Ski Club helps foster physical fitness, confidence and a potential lifelong interest in an active winter sport, as well as new friendships through a common interest. If your child is interested in joining, they should stop by room 112 to pick up the paperwork.
Last week's school picture days went very smoothly, and we thank iSmile Studios for their time and attention in capturing some of the best memories for our families. Students should have received a photo information sheet with directions on how to view their pictures online by entering their access code at ismilestudios.gotphoto.com. There were no order forms. Although portrait purchases are completely optional, each child was required to be photographed to be included in the Hackett Middle School yearbook. As a reminder, picture retakes may be done on Friday morning, Nov. 14!
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:
- 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.
- Clocks will "fall back" on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 2 a.m.! Don't forget to turn your clocks back one hour.
- 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 from 6-8 p.m. The theme will be Halloween and costumes are welcome! There will be a DJ/dancing in the foyer and multiple activity rooms upstairs with games or a movie. Admission is $4 and covers the DJ and free snacks and drinks. A cash-only concession stand will also be open, with all proceeds benefiting students through the Hackett PTA. The event is open only to Hackett students, and students must bring their school ID to enter. The PTA counts on adult volunteers to help the event run smoothly. Use this link to sign up to volunteer. You also can make a donation through Givebacks (click on the "open donation" icon) that will allow the PTA to buy bulk snacks and drinks to sell.
- 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
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.
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. 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
"Once I overcame breast cancer, I wasn't afraid of anything anymore." – Melissa Etheridge, musician and breast cancer survivor