| |
Friday, June 05, 2009
The Albany Academies e-newsletter
Week of June 1
LOWER SCHOOL
Lower School Closing Ceremonies
4th grade boys and girls -- along with the rest of the Lower School -- prepared to move up to a new grade level after this morning's Lower School Closing Ceremonies.
Students on each campus performed a variety of songs for attendees and awards were given in different categories. A special video presentation was shown at the end of the ceremony; we extend sincere thanks to the 4th grade parents for putting these together.
Lower School Field Days
The Lower School Field Days featured exciting games, activities and learning opportunities throughout the East & West Campuses.
The students were joined earlier this week by Academies P.E. Teachers for the activities, which included a potato sack challenge, cheering contest, races and more!
The Hall of Heroes
|
|
The 1st, 2nd & 3rd grade boys worked together on a Literacy Stars project about Black History from February until May.
Each student read a book related to Black History and then began their final project -- The Hall of Heroes, which focused on people who were involved in creating a society where all people are equal or people who have had an impact on their profession. The boys created a list of famous African-Americans and people who helped fight for civil rights.
The students voted on the top 10 and selected the following people to be in the Hall of Heroes: President Barack Obama, Dizzy Gillespie, Jackie Robinson, Nelson Mandela, John F. Kennedy, Michael Jordan, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman and Abraham Lincoln. Each person was researched and illustrated. |
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Middle School Moving Up Ceremonies
8th grade boys and girls prepared for their move to the Upper School next year at the Middle School Moving Up Ceremonies yesterday.
Following a welcome from Head of School Richard F. Barter at the West Campus ceremony, Middle School Director Matthew Evans gave out awards to members of the class excelling in a wide range of areas -- including writing, world language, theater arts, music, service, athletics and literature. The event was followed by a reception outdoors.
Meanwhile, family, faculty and friends joined an outstanding group of young women at the East Campus ceremony -- featuring remarks from Dr. Barter, Middle School Associate Director Marisa Bellingrath, East Campus Dean of Students Wendy Muhlfelder '67, Faculty member Jane Conway and the students themselves.
Ms. Conway wrote a touching and hilarious poem to the 8th grade girls that directly addressed each student while Mrs. Muhlfelder discussed the transition that the girls can expect moving into the Upper School and her own transition last year into her new role. Faculty member Mary Ellen McQueen also thanked everyone in attendance for the Baby Shower gifts that she recently received.
We look forward to a successful transition for all of our students as they move up next year.
Middle School Field Day
Middle School students had the chance to join one another for games and activities as well as a barbeque and talent show at the Middle School Field Day on Wednesday!
UPPER SCHOOL
Senior Tea
The Class of 2009 got a taste of tradition this afternoon at the Senior Tea on the East Campus.
This time-honored celebration is an opportunity for friends and family to congratulate the girls for their hard work; it originated from a previous time when graduation seats were limited.
Seniors complete outstanding month of May Projects
A celebration and fair to recognize the completion of May Projects was held on Wednesday in the East Campus Primary Gym. During the event, the Class of 2009 had the chance to discuss their May Project placements with parents, faculty, business leaders and fellow students.
Seniors had the opportunity to work with a variety of organizations for May Projects, including the Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center, Tech Valley Communications, Brighter Choice Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Salvation Army, New York State Museum, Colonie Golf and Country Club, Capital Region Orthopedics, Morgan Stanley and General Electric, among others.
We would like to extend sincere thanks to the parents, alumni, alumnae and so many organizations that graciously opened their doors to our students during the month of May as well as East Campus Middle/Upper School Librarian Audrey Koester and West Campus Middle/Upper School Librarian Peter Giordano for their assistance and guidance during May Projects.
Senior/Faculty Barbeque
The inaugural combined Senior/Faculty Barbeque was held this past Tuesday on the West Campus Quad, with everyone in attendance having a memorable time.
Hannah Kuhar '09 & English Department Chair Alisa Scapatici served as the East Campus student/faculty speakers, while Ed Powell (Form VI) & Faculty member Ken Ebert served as the West Campus student/faculty speakers.
Hannah spoke about her fond memories of her time at the Academies while Mrs. Scapatici discussed some of her favorite classroom moments. Ed provided a "roast" of some of his favorite Academies teachers while Mr. Ebert stressed to the seniors how one simple action can have amazing repercussions and to live life to the fullest.
AAPA Senior Parent Reception
Parents of East & West Campus seniors had a chance to interact with one another and hear from former AAPA President Susan Sneeringer '72 at the Albany Academies Parents Association Senior Parent Reception on Wednesday.
These parents are now considered life members of the Academies.
Health Office mural on display
|
|
For the past few months, Jake Centofranchi (Form V) has been painting a mural on the wall of the West Campus Health Office waiting room.
The mural -- based on characters from a children's book -- is now complete and looks wonderful!
Stop in and take a look! |
UPCOMING EVENTS
AAG & AA Commencement Ceremonies
June 8 & 9
10 a.m.
|
|
We are just days away from the official end of the school year, as the Albany Academy for Girls Class of 2009 Commencement Ceremony will be held on Monday, June 8 and The Albany Academy Class of 2009 Commencement Ceremony on Tuesday, June 9. |
Twenty seven young women will graduate during the AAG ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. The ceremony will include an awards presentation and feature remarks from Claudia Lewis '74, a national geologist based in Santa Fe, NM. A reception will follow.
Thirty nine young men will graduate during the AA ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. The ceremony will include an awards presentation and feature remarks from E. Stewart Jones, Jr. '59, a well-respected member of our Board of Trustees and Head Partner at the E. Stewart Jones Law Firm, PLLC in Troy. A reception will also follow outdoors.
We look forward to seeing you at these very special celebrations!
Special Summer Camp 2009 Referral Program
|
|
Summer Camp 2009 at the Academies is filling up quickly so now is the time to enroll your child if you have not already done so.
LEAP Camp is offering more classes than ever before; new classes such as the Red Cross babysitting course and the SAT Prep Course are being offered this summer; and our Classic Day, Girls & Boys Basketball Camps, Junior Camp and a writing skills course are all a part of this summer's offerings.
We are also offering a special referral program: if you enroll in our camp and pass along a referral postcard with your name on it (available through Shelly Reid on the West Campus), you'll receive $50 off your camp fee.
For more information, contact Camp Director Brian Fruscio at (518) 429-2313 or frusciob@albanyacademies.org. |
2009 Legacy of Dreams
June 20
6 p.m.
|
|
The 2009 Legacy of Dreams will truly be an event for the ages as hundreds of alumni, alumnae, faculty and special friends of the Academies come together on Saturday, June 20 at the Fort Orange Club in Albany.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by food stations, music and a live auction at 7 p.m.
Proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards athletic programs at the Academies, benefiting students, faculty and coaches. |
The major sponsors of the event are the Hilton Garden Inn and the Recovery Room.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE FOR THE 2009 LEGACY OF DREAMS.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
SPORTS UPDATE
Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team advances in State Tournament
The Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team improved to 18-0 by defeating James I. O'Neill 11-10 on Wednesday in an outstanding first round match in the New York State Class C Girls Lacrosse Tournament at Deitz Stadium in Kingston.
The team will now face Section I winner Nyack on Saturday, June 6 beginning at 4 p.m. at Lakeland High -- located at 1349 East Main Street in Shrub Oak, NY.
Boys Varsity Lacrosse Team prepares for States
The Boys Varsity Track & Field Team (9-0) won a narrow, 4-point victory over Fonda and 14 other schools in the Class B Sectional meet on May 29.
Two members of the team qualified for next week's State meet in Syracuse during yesterday's State Qualifiers: Connor Ferris (Form V) in the high jump and Jelani Currie (Form III) in the triple jump. Jelani's jump of 44'5" broke an 18-year-old school record by two inches!
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.
|
|
|
2010-2011 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
SPRING/SUMMER 2010 ISSUE OF A2 ACADEMIES MAGAZINE
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Stay up to date with our Online Calendar
|
|
