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Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The Albany Academies e-newsletter
Week of January 25
Join in the fight against cancer this Sunday!
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Join us this Sunday, January 31 for an outstanding community event in support of the American Cancer Society as The Albany Academies host the 2010 Coaches vs. Cancer High School Challenge at the ARC at Siena College.
Last year's event raised more than $15,000 for the American Cancer Society and we are looking to once again make a huge difference in the fight against cancer.
There will be Siena representatives outside at the event directing attendees to the appropriate parking lots.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCHEDULE OF GAMES. You can also look for ads in the Times Union tomorrow and Saturday for details! |
At a dinner scheduled for this Saturday night in Caird Chapel, guest speaker Matt Shell -- the football coach at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School -- will speak to all of the teams participating in Sunday's event about his own story of being a cancer survivor as well as the fight that his son, Jacob, is currently undergoing in battling the disease. Within the past year, a variety of special events have been held to help Jacob in his battle.
'Old West' adventure to Wyoming being offered this June!
A unique custom-planned trip to Jackson, WY is being offered to Upper School students at the Academies from June 21-29.
The experience will include horseback riding into the Washakie Wilderness of the Shoshone National Forest in the Wind River Range, guided hikes, fishing, and a visit to Yellowstone National Park -- including Tower Falls, Old Faithful Geyser and Jenny Lake.
Former Arts Chair Dana DeYoung and AAG Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach Mike Zabinski '03 are coordinating the trip through Condor Adventures, a travel agency owned by Ms. DeYoung. "During my time at the Academy, I was given a similar opportunity to travel to Wyoming. The experience enriched my life with priceless memories and enhanced my confidence to face new challenges," said Mr. Zabinski.
For more information about the trip including cost and registration, please contact Mr. Zabinski at zabinskim@albanyacademies.org or Ms. DeYoung at Condor Adventures at (407) 645-0490. Space is limited to 15 participants; packets with details will be available from Shelly Reid on the AA campus or Katie Conroy on the AAG campus.
Deadline for Drivers Ed course is this Thursday!
There are just a few remaining openings for our new Drivers Education program being offered through Bell's Auto Driving School. The deadline to register for the course is this Thursday, January 28 at 5 p.m.
Students must have a valid New York State Learner's Permit or license prior to taking the program and must be 16 years old by February 1. The program begins with an orientation on February 4 and the course will run from February 6 through June 12. It is offered for Non-Academy students as well for a slightly higher price.
If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Director of Operations Pam MacAffer at (518) 429-2439 or macafferp@albanyacademies.org.
Deadline to personalize yearbooks is this Friday!
Time is quickly running out to personalize -- including name stamping and icons -- a 2009-2010 yearbook as the deadline to do so is this Friday, January 29 at noon.
If you would like to purchase a yearbook, you must complete the attached form (for either AAG or AA) and drop it off with faculty member Jeanette Langan. Yearbooks can no longer be ordered online.
CLICK HERE FOR THE AAG YEARBOOK ORDER FORM.
CLICK HERE FOR THE AA YEARBOOK ORDER FORM.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Langan at langanj@albanyacademies.org.
Spirit Wear orders are here!
The Spirit Wear items are in and will be available for pick-up this Friday, January 29 from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Standish Pool Lobby on the AA campus. Items will be also be available for pick-up on Monday, February 1 at dismissal on both campuses and on Wednesday, February 3 at the AA Uniform Exchange.
We hope that you enjoy the items! If you have any questions, please contact Tammie Jones at tammielj@aol.com or Tracy Freed at freeds@berk.com. You can now order items again; the deadline to order items is February 12.
AA retires first hockey jersey
Pictured (left to right) are members of the O'Brien family (with Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings, Head of School Dr. Douglas M. North & AA Head Varsity Hockey Coach Eric Cavosie '98) receiving flowers from one of the AA Varsity Hockey players; Mayor Jennings, Frank O'Brien, Jr. '53 & Dr. North; and members of the AA Varsity Hockey Team.
Frank O'Brien III '84 became the first member of the Academy hockey program to have a jersey retired and hung in the rafters at a special ceremony on January 23 in Robison Family Hockey Arena in the AA Field House.
Frank was a standout student-athlete at the Academy who tragically passed away from a brain tumor in December 2006.
During the ceremony, members of the O'Brien family were on hand for the announcement of their significant donation to the AAG & AA hockey programs to build a new locker room for the boys hockey program and renovate the locker room for the girls hockey program.
AAPA partners with Counseling Office to offer important program
How do you prepare for adolescent issues such as peer pressure and underage drinking? What is your role as a parent? Join us on Tuesday, February 2 at 8 a.m. in Caird Chapel to hear from Patricia Zuber-Wilson of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.
Ms. Zuber-Wilson has more than 20 years in public service in the areas of prevention, treatment and recovery. We hope to see you there!
Wellness wisdom for our students
Upper School students will spend a day learning more about issues that impact their health and well being as individuals on Wednesday, February 3.
Topics such as fitness, stress, self defense, athletic training, and adolescence behavior are just some of the issues being addressed. Upper School Counselor Patricia DeVost has confirmed several high level speakers from the Capital Region to join us and interact with the students.
The day will kick off with Benita Zahn, Anchor and Health Reporter for WNYT NewsChannel 13.
CLICK HERE FOR THE WELLNESS DAY FLYER.
Help the American Red Cross on February 4
An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on Thursday, February 4 from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the AA Gym. Students ages 16 and older can donate; however, a permission slip is required for students age 16.
The drive is also open to parents who would like to donate and assist the American Red Cross. To schedule an appointment and obtain a permission slip, please contact faculty member Jim Poole at (518) 429-2318 or poolej@albanyacademies.org.
The need for blood is constant so your help is greatly appreciated!
Join the Spring Gathering Honorary Committee
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Spring Gathering 2010 will be held on Saturday, April 17 at The Franklin Plaza in downtown Troy. We encourage you to make plans to attend as many exciting live and silent auction items will be offered.
This year's theme is "Creating Opportunities, Changing Lives," and event proceeds support our scholarship and financial aid programs.
Buffet stations and a cash bar will be available; the cost to attend is $85 per person. |
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE SPRING GATHERING HONORARY COMMITTEE.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SPRING GATHERING HONORARY COMMITTEE FORM.
For more information, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at (518) 429-2432 or collins-schroedera@albanyacademies.org.
Spelling Bee results are in...
Pictured (left to right) are Julia Randall '15; Levi Freinberg-Trufas '17; and Danielle Silverman '15 competing in the Scripps Spelling Bee in the AAG Auditorium & Caird Chapel.
The results of the Scripps Spelling Bee are in... and the Academies will be sending Mahalia Cummings '14 and Arka Rao (Form II) to the Capital Region Spelling Bee on March 15 at 5 p.m. at Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady.
We are proud to have Mahalia and Arka representing Albany Academy for Girls & The Albany Academy and wish them the best of luck!
Special thanks to AAG Preschool through Grade 8 Director Susan Rimkunas, AA Pre-K through Grade 8 Director Jeff Brown and staff members Andrea Faragon & Jenn Anetzberger -- along with our AAG judges Sandra Nelson, Jane Conway & Jessica Lawton and AA judges Brandy Marshall, Vince Zabinski and Christina Sullivan -- for their help in organizing the event.
Dr. North works with AAG 6th grade students
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Faculty member Sandra Nelson's English class received a special visit from Head of School Dr. Douglas M. North this morning.
Dr. North worked with the 6th grade girls on writing techniques and discussed how to break down their ideas to write an effective essay. He also led an interesting discussion about writing an essay using similarities and differences between two monotheistic religions. In addition, he held one-on-one conferences with students to revise their essays.
Special thanks to Dr. North for taking the time to visit the students. |
A brush with history
Pictured (left to right) are 7th grade students Nicholas Lau, Gordon O'Brien & Lex Pryor; back row: Mary Bischoff, Elizabeth Cassidy, Margaret McCormick, Paige Moynihan & Cara DePan and front row: Julia Randall, Sarah Jones, Sanchi Saitia & Maura Mulligan; and A.J. Kamath, Michael Benson & Julian Hackshaw.
Faculty member Jeanne Birch's 7th grade girls and boys recently completed a project on Roman culture for Latin class.
The students researched different aspects of the ancient Roman world such as gladiators, aqueducts, the Coliseum and Roman dress and made a presentation to the class. The project required an oral presentation and visual aid such as a PowerPoint presentation, model or poster.
Cultural exchange with China
Pictured (left to right) are 6th grade students Lamine Gueye; Precious King & Macy Anetzberger; and Bryce Cherko.
Faculty member MaryEllen Tomson's History classes have been taking part in an exciting cultural exchange with students from Yali Boarding School in Changsha, China this school year. Rebecca Troeger '04, who is currently teaching in China, helped to begin the Pen Pal exchange for our 6th grade girls and boys.
Our students received a package from their Chinese peers this past week containing photos, letters and stamps! For now, students from both countries are writing in English to one another; however, with the help of faculty member Kellie Gorton, our students hope to begin communicating in Chinese for future letters. The program is set to continue for the rest of the school year.
Global hunger awareness
Pictured (left to right) are Upper School boys separated by a row of chairs in Caird Chapel to signify class distinction; Chris Fron (Form VI) sharing a story of a individual from the "upper class" strata; and Upper Schools girls sitting on the floor and on stage to signify class distinctions.
According to statistics, a child under the age of five dies every 5 seconds as a result of poor nutrition. In an effort to educate our Upper School students about global hunger issues, the Amnesty International Club organized a Hunger Banquet in the AAG Auditorium & Caird Chapel on January 21.
The students were divided into lower, middle and upper class sections, and shared stories of people who lived in those social statuses.
AAG 5th grade students give back
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Faculty member Sarah O'Connor's 5th grade class held a bake sale recently that raised $200 for Gilda's Club, an organization that provides free support to those living with cancer and their families.
Gilda's Club Program Manager Alana Sangiacomo also visited the class and discussed the organization's mission.
Pictured are the 5th grade girls with the check that they presented to Gilda's Club. |
Special guest conductor performs at the Academies
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As guest conductor, Benjamin Zander led the Empire State Youth Orchestra in a rehearsal of Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture on January 19 at AAG.
Known as an inspirational conductor who loves working with young musicians, Mr. Zander teaches at the New England Conservatory. His passion and enthusiasm captivated both performers and an audience comprised of guests invited by our school and ESYO. Mr. Zander's appearance was arranged as part of "Zander Week" by the Albany Symphony Orchestra.
Pictured is Head of School Dr. Douglas North '58 with Guest Conductor Mr. Zander, ESYO Conductor and Music Director Helen Cha-Pyo, ESYO staff member Susan Brome and ESYO Board President Sarah Delaney Vero. |
Academies participate in Winter Carnival
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As part of our partnership with The Children's Guide, the Academies participated in a Winter Carnival on January 24 at the Woodland Hill Montessori School in East Greenbush.
Throughout the day, we had the opportunity to meet many families and enjoy the festivities that included games, a scavenger hunt, art classes, magician performances and much more. It was a great way to promote our school, summer camp and upcoming events such as the International Taste of the World Festival and Albany Children's Book Festival.
Pictured is Director of Admissions Bramble Buran enjoying a moment with parent Dr. Alice Kim '89 and her children. |
More than 200 students attend Snow Ball!
More than 200 Upper School students attended the Snow Ball Semiformal Dinner & Dance on January 18 at the Colonie Country Club.
Special thanks to Student Council Presidents Jane Ramage '10 & Ankur Patel (Form VI) for organizing this student-run event. In addition, thanks go out to parent volunteers Mary O'Connor, Nicola Kfouri-Sultan, Carol Filanova and Margaret Malicki for their excellent work in decorating the venue.
State of the School -- February 10
Join us for the Annual "State of the School" meeting on Wednesday, February 10 beginning at 7 p.m. in Caird Chapel.
This annual event is an opportunity to hear from our Head of School about his vision for the Academies and the importance of collaboration with parents
We hope that you can join us; more information will be forthcoming over the next few weeks.
The Albany Academies is committed to developing the potential of the whole individual by building a community that fosters scholarship, leadership, character, service, and creativity. Our Compass of Core Values includes responsibility, self-discipline, compassion, ingenuity, respect, service, integrity and perseverance.
If you have any questions or comments about this electronic newsletter, please contact Ann Wendth, Director of External Affairs, at (518) 429-2385 or wendtha@albanyacademies.org, or Adam Doling, Communications Associate, at (518) 429-2344 or dolinga@albanyacademies.org.
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2010-2011 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
SPRING/SUMMER 2010 ISSUE OF A2 ACADEMIES MAGAZINE
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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