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Friday, December 18, 2009
The Albany Academies e-newsletter
Week of December 14
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The holiday spirit and sense of tradition at the Academies were felt throughout the campuses of Albany Academy for Girls and The Albany Academy over the past two weeks. Our annual Winter Concert kicked off the season, followed by the annual Rider Cup, Wassail, Lower School Boys Concert and Senior Breakfast held this morning.
Faculty and students have also worked together to partner with organizations to help children and families less fortunate and those that are suffering from illnesses -- from The Make-A-Wish Foundation's Adopt an Angel campaign to the Holiday for Hope Drive for Northeast Parent and Child Society, the Adopt a Family program for two local families and a Ronald McDonald House initiative. |
Head of School Dr. Douglas M. North and his wife, Dr. Ellen Cole, joined us this week for the festivities and we are so pleased to have Dr. North as a part of our community. From all of us at The Albany Academies, best wishes during the holidays and New Year. Thank you for providing us the opportunity to educate your children.
We hope that you enjoy this special holiday edition of our electronic newsletter -- capturing many of the precious moments that have taken place at the Academies.
Senior Breakfast
Our senior boys and girls were treated to a delicious breakfast feast cooked and served by faculty, administration and staff this morning in the AAG Cafeteria. Many thanks to Pam MacAffer, Derrick Bates and the Kitchen Staff, and Joe Ashworth and the Maintenance Staff for their help in preparing for the event.
Wassail celebration -- morning performance
The AAG Auditorium was filled with hundreds of parents, grandparents and friends on Thursday morning for our annual Wassail celebration. Families enjoyed a choral and dance performance by students in Pre-K through Grade 6. Special thanks to faculty members Ann Morris and Matt Streifert for their hard work in preparing students for this year's celebration.
Wassail celebration -- evening performance
Families enjoyed a spectacular Dance Workshop, dance ensemble and choral performance on Thursday evening from students in Grades 7-12 during the annual Wassail celebration. Special thanks to faculty members Cathy Teitelbaum '65 and Matt Streifert as well as Lars and Linda Allanson '65, and parents Krishan Luthra and Carmelita Militar for their diligent efforts in preparing students for the performance.
Lower School Boys Concert
Parents, grandparents and other family members were treated to an outstanding performance from our students during the Lower School Boys Holiday Concert. Parents even had the chance to take part in a holiday sing-along at the conclusion of the concert. Special thanks to faculty member Kristen Witham for her hard work in preparing the boys for the performance.
Winter Concert
We kicked off our holiday activities at the Academies with a festive Winter Concert for Academies families on December 10 in Caird Chapel. Special thanks to faculty members Joe Jacobs, Matt Streifert and Kristen Witham for their work in preparing the students for the concert.
Spreading holiday cheer
Academies families helped brighten the lives of others this holiday season by sponsoring two local Albany families in cooperation with La Salle Family Preservation. The project was spearheaded by Bridget McGivern's 2nd grade girls and Sara Howard's 2nd & 3rd grade boys. The 3rd grade boys also had time to create a Gingerbread replica of The Albany Academy!
In the spirit of giving
The 8th grade girls have been selling angels as part of the Adopt an Angel campaign for The Make-A-Wish Foundation during the holiday season. The project has been a great success and the students raised more than $240. Meanwhile, our Pre-K boys cut and glued white doves for a special holiday display. The children created a message of "and let there be Peace on Earth" to spread to the Academies community. Finally, the 7th grade boys contributed holiday candy and containers to raise money for Ronald McDonald House during the holidays. The students raised more than $660 for the organization! Many thanks to faculty members Jane Conway and Anne Bussey for their efforts in organizing these initiatives.
Oh gingerbread, oh gingerbread...
Kindergarten boys made gingerbread houses to celebrate the holiday season. The boys worked with parent volunteers to create their tasty masterpieces! Meanwhile, the 1st grade girls constructed a large gingerbread house and worked on holiday poetry.
Holiday helpers
The Kindergarten girls listened to a number of versions of the Gingerbread Man story and also read the Gingerbread Boy story this week. The girls then created their own gingerbread girls and added different colors and styles of decorations. They also made adorable reindeers after hearing the story Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett. The reindeers are hanging in their classroom and in the Lower School Hallway.
December Delights
Our Preschool students put together a "December Delights" holiday program for parents on Wednesday. The event featured a festival of songs, finger plays and a story that took place in Caird Chapel along with crafts and a snack in their classroom.
Craftsmen at work...
The 8th grade boys built their own gingerbread houses as part of a holiday science lab.
Family traditions
The 6th grade girls presented their Family Holiday Traditions in front of family and friends on Wednesday in the AAG Lower School Gym. The girls researched and wrote essays about their family traditions. Special thanks to faculty member Sandra Nelson and parent JoAnn Harri for their assistance with the event.
Academies hosts Rider Cup!
The Albany Academies served as the host of the 44th Annual Rider Cup Hockey Tournament on December 12 & 13 at Robison Family Hockey Arena in the AA Field House. Six schools – The Albany Academy, Hill School, Lawrenceville, Millbrook, Winchendon and Wyoming Seminary – battled in a tournament to determine the Rider Cup champion. Academy lost the first game 6-2 before winning the second game 4-2 and their final game 7-2. Special thanks to all of the volunteers who helped to make this event such a tremendous success this year!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Holiday Wrestling Tournament -- December 19
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Please join us for the Second Annual Holiday Wrestling Tournament on Saturday, December 19 beginning at 9 a.m. in the New Gym, AA Field House.
The AA Varsity Wrestling Team will compete with teams from Bethlehem, CBA, Greenville and Schoharie.
We hope that you can join us for this event! |
Barnes and Noble Book Fair a great success!
As we reported in last week's electronic newsletter, the 2009 Barnes and Noble Book Fair held on December 4 at Barnes and Noble in Colonie Center was a great success for the Academies. Final sales for the Book Fair totaled $16,939 to generate almost $3,300 for the Distinguished Authors Series!
Academies blankets available for sale
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The Albany Academies Parents Association is offering Academies blankets this holiday season at $35 each.
These blankets -- made of sweatshirt material and with The Albany Academies logo -- are 84" in width and 54" in height. They are offered in red and navy blue and make a great gift for family members and friends during the holidays.
We also have a number of other Spirit Wear items available for purchase during the holiday season.
CLICK HERE FOR THE AAG SPIRIT WEAR ORDER FORM.
CLICK HERE FOR THE AA SPIRIT WEAR ORDER FORM. |
Enjoy the following poem by two of our 1st grade girls and snowmen paintings by two of our Pre-K boys. Thank you to faculty members Martha Houghton and Jamie Desso for their outstanding work with our youngest students. Happy holidays!
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SNOWMEN
Snowmen are
Never moving
Oh what a beautiful sight
Winter is here
Many snowmen are around
Always fun to make
Nothing is more wonderful than a snowman
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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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