PRE-K & MAGNET LOTTERY UPDATE
Happy New Year and welcome back to school!
It’s hard to believe we have welcomed a new year already!
The holiday season has passed once again, and with it comes a chance to pause and reflect on everything the past year brought our way. Some seasons seemed to fly by, while others stretched on with challenges of their own; but here we are, having made it through all of them.
This time of year always reminds me to slow down and appreciate the people, moments and opportunities that fill my life with joy. Whether you’re returning to an office full of people or easing back into a familiar routine yourself, I hope the weeks ahead bring calm, connection and a renewed sense of purpose.
Thank you for being here, for reading and for sharing a bit of my reflections with me. Here’s to a gentle start, meaningful memories and a bright 2026!
Albany High School's Curriculum Night is this Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The program will begin with a presentation in Albany High's auditorium followed by tours and other activities throughout the school. All current grade 8 students and families are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Albany High Principal Jodi Commerford at (518) 475-6200.
Also this Wednesday, our PTA meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. This meeting will be virtual only. Anyone interested in attending may do so by using this Google Meet link.
We will begin administering the NWEA Winter Reading Assessments to all students on Thursday, Jan. 15 during periods 1-4.
These assessments are designed to measure student achievement, growth and foundational reading skills to provide teachers with data for personalized instruction, interventions and progress monitoring. Makeups for the NWEA Reading assessment will be held Friday, Jan. 16.
Our Extended Day Program takes place on Mondays through Thursdays from 3-5:30 p.m. and includes a free snack and free door-to-door bus transportation home. Applications are available at the Attendance Desk at the main entrance and should be returned to the Main Office. Please contact Ms. Lewis at dlewis2@albany.k12.ny.us if you have any questions.
As a reminder, please be mindful of school bus safety signals and school-zone speed limits as both carry fines as much as $300 for stop-arm violations and $50 for speed-zone violations. Please note that Delaware Avenue in front of our school and Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology is one of the city's school speed zones.
As a final note, Hackett will hold fire drill emergency response procedures periodically 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.
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:
- Our next Friday Fun Day will take place on Jan. 16 and the theme will be "Backwards Day." Let's show our school spirit by dressing ourselves in a backwards manner! We will continue to celebrate each Friday Fun Day in a different way in order 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!
- Our next Early Release Day will be Wednesday, Jan. 14. All students will be dismissed from school at 12:30 p.m.
- There will be no school on Monday, Jan. 19 as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- Second quarter grades close on Friday, Jan. 23.
- Our next PTA meeting will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m. in room 112. For employees, parents and guardians who are unable to attend the meeting in-person, we hope you will join us virtually by using this Google Meet link.
- Our second round of Parent/Teacher Conferences will take place Thursday, Feb. 5 and Friday, Feb. 6.
- Winter Recess will be Feb. 16-20, with classes resuming on Monday, Feb. 23.
- Our Second Quarter Honor Roll will take place Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 8:30 a.m. in the auditorium.
Hackett Corner Quotes
"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." – Oprah Winfrey