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Thursday, October 08, 2009
The Albany Academies e-newsletter
Week of October 5
Grandparents & Special Friends Day a great success!
Pictured (left to right) are Lower School students in the AAG Auditorium; Ethan Reid '23 with his grandparents Marcia & Jaret Reid; and grandparents enjoying the Lower School performance.
Grandparents and special friends of our Lower School students joined us for Grandparents & Special Friends Day this morning on both campuses.
Attendees were treated to a photo slideshow capturing wonderful moments between grandparents/special friends and our Lower School students, special class presentations and the opportunity to visit with teachers in their classrooms. Thank you to the faculty, students and grandparents and special friends for making this such a wonderful day.
Academy girls are everywhere
Pictured (left to right) are faculty member Mr. Conway, Director of Physical Education Elizabeth Hemstead, Roma Luthra '10, Rachel Simmons & Logan DeVost '13; English Chair Alisa Scapatici, Ashley Gersuk '01, AA/AAG Head Librarian Audrey Koester & Margaret Lamar King '65; and AAG Dean of Students Wendy Muhlfelder '67, Dana Gough '11, Head of School Dr. Douglas North, Paris Naigles '11, The Business Review Publisher Carolyn Jones & Upper School Director Scott Milliken.
Empowering young women was the focus of three recent events where the Academies community had a strong presence.
RACHEL SIMMONS EVENT
Our school was one of the sponsors of a presentation by New York Times best-selling author Rachel Simmons on Tuesday at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. All Upper School girls and several faculty members attended a presentation in the morning along with students from Emma Willard and the Academy of the Holy Names.
During the event -- presented by the Women's Fund of the Capital Region -- Ms. Simmons discussed the topic of bullying among girls, including how relational aggression, social aggression, indirect aggression and aggressive body language can cause great harm to the self-esteem and well-being of young girls. Ms. Simmons talked about positive ways in which parents can help their children interact with other girls and deal with conflicts that arise.
WOMEN WHO MEAN BUSINESS LUNCHEON
Our school was also the sponsor of The Business Review's 2009 Women Who Mean Business Luncheon on October 2 at the Glen Sanders Mansion in Scotia. AAG Dean of Students Wendy Muhlfelder '67 provided a welcome at the event, and Dana Gough '11 & Paris Naigles '11 had the opportunity to ask questions of the honorees on stage.
ALUMNI/AE SPEAKER SERIES
Finally, Ashley Gersuk '01 (sister of Caroline Gersuk '10 & brother of Greg Gersuk '04) kicked off the 2009-2010 Alumni/ae Speaker Series on October 2 in Caird Chapel with an inspirational presentation about her role as a female entrepreneur and strong involvement in the community.
Ms. Gersuk shared four points that she believes are crucial for success in life:
1. Don't be afraid to take risks and get out of your comfort zone
2. Be confident in your ability to succeed.
3. Be true to yourself and embrace who you are.
4. Give back to others in any way that you can.
ACADEMICS AT THE ACADEMIES
A firsthand look at the Civil War
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Dr. Matthew Farina, a retired pediatric cardiologist and Civil War buff, spoke to the 7th & 8th grade boys on Tuesday in Caird Chapel as part of a collaborative effort of the Middle School Science & History programs.
Dr. Farina had the boys wide-eyed as he discussed the War and the many injuries sustained by its combatants. An active member of the Capital District Civil War Round Table for many years, he impressed upon them issues of that time and some the advances that were made in medicine.
The boys were also captivated by the materials (surgical instruments, bullets, etc.) that he brought to show them.
Pictured is Dr. Farina displaying his Civil War collection to the Middle School boys in Caird Chapel. |
The college selection process
There have been a number of prestigious colleges and universities that visited the Academies recently to meet with students about the college selection process.
We have had visits in the past week from Bryant University, Bucknell University, Connecticut College, Drew University, Elmira College, Emmanuel College, Endicott College, High Point University, Kenyon College, Lasell College, Muhlenberg College, Providence College, Quinnipiac University, Sage College of Albany, Saint Michael's College, Skidmore College, University at Albany, University of New England, University of Rhode Island, University of Richmond, University of Rochester, University of Southern Maine, University of St. Andrews in Scotland, University of Toronto, University of Vermont and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Mapping the road to success
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Ms. Nelson's 5th grade girls have been working diligently to better understand the five themes of geography: location, movement, place, region and interaction. Each student worked at home to complete a map that illustrated their trip from home to school.
The maps were assigned with a specific rubric that contained minimum criteria to assure proper map completion.
The girls presented a variety of outstanding maps in class that highlighted landmarks, roads traveled and the distance they travel in miles.
Pictured (left to right) are Samantha MacAffer '17 with her map & Ms. Nelson. |
Exploring NYS up close and personal
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Mrs. Lois's 4th grade boys participated in a two-day program at the Albany Heritage Visitors Center and Crailo State Historic Site last week as part of an educational field trip supplementing their study of New York State.
The program at the Albany Heritage Visitors Center included a student re-enactment, audio-visual presentation and interactive History Mystery Game to detail Henry Hudson’s voyage.
At Crailo, students explored a new exhibit of the Dutch that included an interactive Ft. Orange Mural. The boys learned about the daily life of colonial Dutch inhabitants of Upper Hudson Valley and their influence on the region’s local architecture, places, names and customs.
Pictured (left to right) are Drew Epstein '18 & Alex Steele '18 at Crailo State Historic Site. |
Importance of fire safety
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In celebration of Fire Prevention Week, Firefighter Bob (Second Grade teacher Mrs. McGivern's husband) visited the AAG Lower School to discuss the importance of fire safety with our youngest students.
Firefighter Bob demonstrated the equipment that must be worn when battling a blaze.
The girls also had the chance to try on Firefighter Bob's gear and answer questions that demonstrated their knowledge of fire safety.
Pictured (left to right) are Firefighter Bob & Isabella Plastiras '23. |
ARTS AT THE ACADEMIES
Academies students recognized for art work
Pictured above (left to right) is the artwork of Mason Slovak '18; Nicholas Graziano '19 & John Gannon '21.
Three Academies students were selected to have their art work permanently displayed at AA: Mason Slovak '18 -- Still Life, Chalk Pastel; Nicholas Graziano '19 -- Freedom Landscape, Oil Pastel & Watercolor; and John Gannon '21 -- Picasso Portrait, Tempera Paint.
Congratulations to the students for this impressive accomplishment. Please be sure to view the artwork in the first room of the AA Nurse's Office, located in the basement level of AA.
Fall production set for November 13 & 14
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We hope that you can join us for the fall production of William Shakespeare's "The Tempest" on Friday, November 13 & Saturday, November 14 beginning at 7 p.m. each evening.
The play's protagonist is the banished sorcerer Prospero, who initially uses his magical powers to punish his enemies when he raises a tempest that drives them ashore. The entire play takes place on an island under his control whose native inhabitants, Ariel and Caliban, respectively aid or hinder his work.
This event is open to all Academies families. |
ATHLETICS AT THE ACADEMIES
Academies receives national recognition
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Zay Richardson (Form V, pictured at left) was recognized in the Times Union this week as the Boys High School Athlete of the Month. Zay has been on fire on the football field and leads Section II with 84 points -- including back-to-back outings where he scored five touchdowns.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Our school received national media attention on October 2 during the University of Pittsburgh football game featuring former AA student Dion Lewis, who served as the starting running back in 2006 when the AA Varsity Football Team went 12-1 and played for the state championship in the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.
The announcers of the contest on Friday night mentioned AA and Director of Athletics Paul Gallucci (former head coach of the football team). |
The week in athletics
The AAG Varsity Swim Team lost a close battle against Schenectady yesterday. Special recognition goes to Fran Yanover '12 for her excellent diving performances this season. Fran has won every dual meet this season. She came within four points of breaking the AAG diving record yesterday and took second at a diving invitational at Shaker last weekend. Fran also swims anchor on the team's 200 Medley Relay and 200 Free Relay; she is one of our school's top 50 freestylers.
The AAG Varsity Field Hockey Team lost to Emma Willard School 5-0 on Tuesday. The AAG Varsity Soccer Team lost to Voorheesville 5-2 on Monday. The AAG Varsity Volleyball Team lost to Mechanicville 3-0 on October 2.
The AA Varsity Cross-Country Team defeated Lansingburgh 24-31 and Mechanicville 23-36 on Tuesday. Zach Nelson (Form VI) finished second overall, and Peter Schmitz-Morfe (Form IV), Nick DiCaprio (Form V), Elias Quinn (Form VI) & Tom Alston (Form V) finished 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th. The team is currently 6-0 in the league.
The AA Varsity Golf Team defeated Ravena 153-191 and Waterford 168-217 on October 2; the team also took top honors in the Colonial Council Coaches Cup on Monday. The AA Varsity Soccer Team lost to Ravena 2-1 on Wednesday. The AA Varsity Football Team narrowly lost to Lansingburgh 42-32 on October 3 in a battle of top-ranked teams.
All athletic schedules -- Varsity, JV, Freshman and Modified -- for the fall season are available in the Athletics section of our Academies website.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
GLOBAL INITIATIVES
Academies around the world
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Several members of the Academies community have been actively involved in promoting global tolerance and understanding through a variety of activities.
1. Our school currently has an exchange taking place with a school in Peru and a sister school in Vannes, France. Madame Keegan's French students have been creating presentation videos in class this week to send to France that will introduce our students to their French peers.
2. Mr. Conway recently gave a powerful presentation about service learning in Nicaragua and the work that our students have done with the El Porvenir organization.
3. Meanwhile, Ms. Conway and Ms. Bernardi are currently conducting a joint immigration project that ties into the AAG 8th grade trip to New York City in November. |
4. We will be offering a 10-day trip to China -- in collaboration with Ben Kahn P'02, '06 -- from March 10-20, 2010 as part of an Albany Academies/Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts travel course. Students will have the opportunity to explore a variety of Chinese cities such as Beijing, Xian and Shanghai. For more information, contact Madame Keegan at keegand@albanyacademies.org.
Pictured above (left to right) are Mr. Kahn, Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade Dean of Entrepreneurial Studies Dr. Laura Yang & Head of School Dr. Douglas North.
ALBANY ACADEMIES PARENTS ASSOCIATION
News from the AAPA
Please mark your calendar for this year's Fashion Show & Luncheon on Sunday, November 8 at Wolfert's Roost Country Club in Menands. This year's event -- co-chaired by Maureen Bennett P'09, '13 & Lena Hart P'09, '10, '13 -- will feature fashions from Saratoga Trunk, a special presentation by plastic surgeon Dr. Edwin Williams and a variety of boutique vendors. Invitations will be mailed shortly.
Special thanks to the AAPA for its financial support of the International Festival and Children's Book Festival set for March 27, 2010 and May 15, 2010, respectively. There are many volunteer opportunities available with both events so please get involved. For more information, contact Madame Keegan at keegand@albanyacademies.org regarding the International Festival or Karen Schimmer at schimmek@albanyacademies.org about the Book Festival.
Thanks to the AAPA, the Upper School has been able to purchase two new audio-visual systems -- one cart for each campus.
The first AAPA meeting of the year held this past Tuesday brought out nearly 40 people. Please join us for the next AAPA meeting on Wednesday, November 4 at 8 a.m. in the Drawing Room, AAG.
ESL volunteers needed
The Upper School English program is seeking literacy volunteers to work with our international students on helping them strengthen their writing skills.
We have 22 international students from four different countries this year. We are seeking several volunteers who would be willing to work with these students on an ongoing and flexible basis. The idea is that more help would be needed during the first and second trimesters and slowly decrease as we move through the year.
For more information or to serve as a volunteer, contact Madame Keegan at keegand@albanyacademies.org or Alisa Scapatici at scapaticia@albanyacademies.org.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS
Upper School Parent Night -- October 8
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Upper School Parent Night will be held this evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the AAG Lower School Gym. All AA faculty will be in classrooms at AAG.
Parents will pick up a folder in the gym when they arrive; the presentation will begin at 6 p.m. Parents will then follow their child's daily schedule and receive a presentation from each teacher.
Stay up to date with all Academies events with our Online Calendar.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CALENDAR. |
Walk for Frankie -- October 10
We hope that you will join us for the Third Annual Walk for Frankie 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, October 10 at the Corning Preserve in Albany. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the event begins at 9 a.m.
All proceeds from the event -- held in loving memory of Frank O'Brien III '84 -- will go towards the Moyer Foundation, which provides support to children affected by life threatening illnesses and diseases.
Members of the AA Varsity Hockey Team will participate in the event and have also been raising money for the event. The team is looking to raise $500 to send one child to the bereavement camp that the Moyer Foundation sponsors.
Visit www.walkforfrankie.com for more information.
Amanda Morrison Endowed Lectureship -- October 16
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Join us on Friday, October 16 at 4 p.m. as the Academies presents the Amanda Jill Morrison '02 Endowed Lectureship in Caird Chapel -- featuring a special presentation from environmentalist and renowned author Bill McKibben. Due to the timing of dismissal of school and student pick-up, we ask that you arrive no earlier than 3:45 p.m. to ensure parking availability.
This endowed lectureship was established in loving memory of Amanda Morrison by her devoted family and friends, and will continue in perpetuity to honor her spirit and intellect. |
Registration is required and will be limited. Please RSVP to Allison Collins-Schroeder at (518) 429-2432 or
collins-schroedera@albanyacademies.org.
CLICK HERE FOR THE AMANDA MORRISON ENDOWED LECTURESHIP INVITATION.
International Student & Host Family Reception -- October 29
We will be hosting an International Student & Host Family Reception on Thursday, October 29 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Silipigno Athletic Facility, AAG. This event is for all international students and their host families. The greater community is welcome to attend.
For more information, contact Director of Admissions Bramble Buran at (518) 429-2300 or buranb@albanyacademies.org.
Adventures in science...
The Albany Academies has partnered with the Schenectady Museum & Suites-Bueche Planetarium as part of its "Adventures in Science" program.
Students from the Academies will participate in science demonstrations led by Science Chair Mr. Buran on Saturday, October 24 from 1-3 p.m. The hands-on activities will engage the visitors at the museum and showcase our science program and talented students. We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information, contact Director of External Affairs Ann Wendth at wendtha@albanyacademies.org.
SCHOOL NEWS
Student/Parent Directories coming home next week
The Student/Parent Directories are currently at the printer and will be sent home next week. Please look for them!
Important information about H1N1 flu virus
Beginning on September 21, all school nurses in public and non public schools began daily reporting of staff and student absences to the Department of Health. When you call in to report an absence, please leave the following information:
1. Name of student
2. Grade
3. Parent Name and Contact Number
4. Whether the illness includes the following symptoms: fever, cough, congestion, sore throat, rash or GI symptoms.
A nurse may follow up with you to get additional information if necessary. As a reminder, please keep your child home if he/she has a fever more than 100 degrees F. Your child should be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
For more information, contact AAG School Nurse Nancy Lozman or AA School Nurse Lenore Palladino at (518) 429-2300 or lozmann@albanyacademies.org or palladinol@albanyacademies.org, respectively.
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
Stay up to date with our Online Calendar
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