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Wednesday, February 04, 2009
The Albany Academies e-newsletter
Week of February 2
Parent Satisfaction Surveys due by February 6
There are just days remaining to complete our online parent satisfaction survey created in partnership with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
Please take 15 minutes to complete this survey by this Friday, February 6; the results are confidential and sent directly to NAIS. You can access the survey by clicking on the following link:
http://surveybuilder.nais.org/SB/Questionnaire/login.aspx?SurveyID=504
Contact Director of Admissions Bramble Buran at buranb@albanyacademies.org or Amanda Torres at NAIS at torres@nais.org with any questions.
Entrance Merit/Scholarship Exam set for February 7
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Merit scholarships are available at the Academies for current students entering 9th grade next year. Our Entrance Merit/Scholarship Exam is being offered on Saturday, February 7 from 9 a.m. to noon; applicants should meet in the West Campus Lobby.
Additionally, please spread the word about the Tom Tuttle Merit Scholarship available for a male high school scholar-athlete not currently attending our school. This exam is also being offered on Saturday, February 7 from 9 a.m. to noon. The scholarship awards up to 50% of annual tuition each year for the student's time at the Academies. |
Click here for the Tom Tuttle '84 Endowed Scholarship Fund Flyer.
You must reserve a spot for the merit scholarship exams.
Visiting Week for prospective families will be held from February 18-20. Please help spread the word to your family, friends and colleagues about The Albany Academies advantage that is available for their children.
For more information, contact Director of Admissions Bramble Buran at (518) 429-2300 or buranb@albanyacademies.org, or Associate Director of Admissions Drew Lentz at (518) 429-2300 or lentza@albanyacademies.org.
Update on 2009-2010 school structure
You should have received an electronic letter from Head of School Richard F. Barter this past Tuesday about the structure of the Lower & Middle School administration and organization of Upper School departments beginning with the 2009-2010 school year.
We will continue to keep you informed regarding any additional details; however, please contact the Division Directors or Academic Dean Stacey Giordano at giordanos@albanyacademies.org with any questions or concerns. Thank you for your support.
Friendship, fun & learning at the core of Summer Camp '09
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Summer Camp is always an exciting time at the Academies, and this summer will be no exception.
We are expanding the camp programs to include additional academic enrichment programs, SAT Prep courses, expanded sports camps and several weeks of science camp in partnership with the Children's Museum of Science and Technology. Don’t worry... we will continue to offer our popular LEAP, junior, classic day and basketball camps for boys and girls. |
A detailed brochure will be mailed shortly to all parents; however, if you know someone who would like to be added to the mailing list, please fill out our online inquiry form or contact Director of External Affairs Ann Wendth at (518) 429-2385 or wendtha@albanyacademies.org.
Click here for the Summer Camp online inquiry form.
Click here for the Summer Camp flyer.
Don't miss our first-ever Children's Book Festival at the Academies!
To culminate the celebration of National Library Week in April, our school will be sponsoring the first-ever Children’s Book Festival on Friday, April 17 from 3-7 p.m.
This gathering of more than 15 authors at our school will provide a very special opportunity for our students, parents, alumni and alumnae and the community to experience the magic of books and meet some of their creators.
If you would like to volunteer to assist with the event, please contact West Campus Lower School Librarian Karen Schimmer at (518) 429-2306 or schimmek@albanyacademies.org.
Be a part of our International Taste of the World Festival!
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You have until this Friday, February 6 to sign up to participate in our International Taste of the World Festival set for Saturday, February 28 from 3-5:30 p.m. This festival will truly be a unique, cultural celebration for families at the Academies.
All Academies students and their families are encouraged to prepare a dish that represents their cultural background for the food festival. Families can also submit a recipe to Mrs. Martinez with a family photo for the Academies Cookbook that she will be publishing.
Please make plans to join us! |
Click here to view the International Taste of the World Festival poster.
Click here for the International Taste of the World Festival registration form.
In the news...
Dr. David Adkins, Director of Information Technology for New York State United Teachers, discussed the issue of cyber safety as it relates to children and teens during our Cyber Safety parent presentation held this past Tuesday.
Click here for more information and a variety of important resources.
Faculty member Deborah Bischoff was featured on WNYT NewsChannel 13 this evening during the 5:30 p.m. news for being selected as a "Top Teacher"; the story will also run tomorrow morning during the 6 a.m. news and will appear online at www.wnyt.com very soon.
Associate Director of Admissions Drew Lentz was featured in the Times Union on February 1.
Click here to view the article.
Faculty member Ken Ebert was featured in the Times Union on January 30. Click here to view the article.
A photo and caption from the Holiday Heroes project that our 8th grade students took part in with Parsons Child and Family Center appeared in the Times Union today.
UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE
Representing the Academies proudly...
Lindsay Arthur '09 and Rajiv Raghavan (Form VI) were recognized with Leadership Awards from the New York State Association for Health, P.E., Recreation and Dance for their leadership, scholarship, athletic ability and community service efforts at a special ceremony this past Sunday at The Century House in Latham.
Fifteen Academies students -- Keenan Boscoe '15, Emily Bruce '10, Monica Carvalho e Silva '09, Hannah Kuhar '09, Stefan Kuhar (Form III), Arup Pani (Form I), Sohil Patel (Form I), Jasn Rodgers (Form I), Evan Russum (Form I), Zafar Saifi (Form I), Victoria Waldron '11, Jennifer Wicks '10, Elite Williams '09, Jamie Yoo '10 and Xiaoxi Zhang (Form VI) -- will be taking part in the Colonial Council Music Festival this Saturday, February 7 at 2:30 p.m. at Voorheesville High School. Tickets for this event are $3/$5 and can be purchased at the door.
Academies students take part in Shakespeare competition
Pictured at the Shakespeare competition are Prosper Mbonguemuna (Form VI), Dana Gough '11 and Christina Zolnierowicz '09.
Twelve Academies students -- Eliza Meigher '12, Hannah O'Connor '12, Dana Gough '11, Paris Naigles '11, Melanie Argoff '10, Kristina Militar '10, Ankur Patel (Form V), Jill Verde '10, Alex Zacharczenko (Form V), Amadou Gueye (Form VI), Prosper Mbonguemuna (Form VI) and Christina Zolnierowicz '09 -- took part in the Shakespeare competition on January 29 as part of the ESU National Shakespeare Competition.
This year's winner was Dana Gough; she will be competing at the William K. Sanford Town Library in Colonie this Sunday, February 8 at 1 p.m. Dana will be doing a monologue from "Two Gentleman of Verona" and will be reciting sonnet number 93.
Yearbook orders due by March 6
Would you like a special keepsake that captures the most memorable moments of the school year? Then, you will want to order a yearbook!
Unfortunately, the Academies will not be able to cover the costs of the yearbooks this year. You may purchase one for your child at a cost of $50 per yearbook.
Click here for the yearbook order form.
Giving back to the community
9th grade students on the East Campus have organized a community service project for Equinox in its efforts to provide personal care items for women and children in need of housing and assistance.
The 9th grade girls are asking for the following donations from parents: 9th grade -- tooth brushes and toothpaste; 10th grade -- shampoo and conditioner; 11th grade -- deodorant and wash cloths; and 12th grade -- lotion and chap stick.
Donations can be made until Wednesday, February 11 and will be collected in the East & West Campus Lobbies.
Students inducted into French National Honor Society
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Twenty four Academies students were inducted into the French National Honor Society recently.
Congratulations to Mohammed Ahmed (Form IV), Darcy Benson '10, Jacqueline Bizzarro '11, Chris Breiner (Form IV), Emily Bruce '10, Caroline Calhoun '10, Nicholas Cardona (Form IV), Stuart Curtis (Form IV), Avneet Gujral '10, Kelsey Hart '10, Isabelle Jansen, Adah Keegan '10, Janice Kim '11, Jin Yeon Kim '10, Hannah Kuhar '09, Safouane Lachgar (Form IV), Chloé Mahoney '10, Hannah Maloy '09, Samantha Miorin '10, Molly Moltzen '09, Kevin Perron (Form IV), Paul Rapoport (Form IV), Lukas Schmied (Form IV) and Kelvin Waters (Form IV) for receiving this prestigious honor.
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UPPER SCHOOL LOOK AHEAD CALENDAR
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS DISPLAY CREATIVITY
An unforgettable trip to Ancient Egypt...
Pictured with their Ancient Egyptian headdresses are Dana Fein-Schaffer '16, Nikki Kura '16, Rachel Baker '16 & Sedef Ishaque '16; Emma Hayes '16, Allayla Silipigno '16 & Sydney Buran '16; and Michaela Hoffman '16, Macy Anetzberger '16 and Gayatri Godithi '16.
5th grade students on the East Campus are currently working on an Ancient Egyptian simulation and have made headdresses for themselves.
The girls have been working in teams and acting as citizens of one of the great Egyptian cities. They have also been "traveling" the Nile River as they engage in a variety of activities related to ancient Egyptian history, geography and culture.
Academies presence strong at Ronald McDonald House Radiothon
Pictured at the Ronald McDonald House Radiothon on January 24 at Crossgates Mall in Albany are members of the Yo Yo Club; Julian Hackshaw '15 & Lex Pryor '16; and all of the student & parent volunteers.
Twenty two Middle School students in the 5th & 6th grade performed their amazing Yo Yo tricks for a captivated audience as part of the opening program of the Ronald McDonald House Radiothon on January 24 at Crossgates Mall in Albany.
This was our largest Middle School participation at the Radiothon ever!
Special thanks to all of the student & parent volunteers for taking part in the event.
Poets recognized for excellent work
Seventeen students from Mrs. McQueen's 5th grade English classes -- Ann Bargstedt '16, Helene DiStefano '16, Dana Fein-Schaffer '16, Michaela Hoffman '16, McKenna Ingerson '16, Sedef Ishaque '16, Precious King '16, Arielle King '16, Niharika Kura '16, Murielle O’Brien '16, Katie Pausley '16, Serena Sampler '16, Ciara Silipigno '16, Allayla Silipigno '16, Samantha Silverman '16, Elena Smaline '16 and Molly Sullivan '16 -- were selected to have their poems published by Creative Communication.
In addition, our school received the Fall 2008 Creative Communication Poetic Achievement Award -- given to schools whose students' entries to the Poetry Contest are of exceptionally high merit. The certificate has been framed and hangs with copies of the poems in the Slingerlands Wing on the East Campus.
Please take a look at the poems when you get a chance!
MIDDLE SCHOOL LOOK AHEAD CALENDAR
LOWER SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
A look at Mexico's past and present
Pictured at the "Mexico: Yesterday and Today" workshop on January 30 in the West Campus Lower School Library are Michael Wright '18; Pratheek Kura '18 & Michael Wright; and Douglas Rutnik '18.
3rd grade students on the West Campus have been studying Mayan and Aztec culture recently and were treated to a special presentation from the Scotia-Glenville Children's Museum titled "Mexico: Yesterday and Today" on January 30 in the West Campus Lower School Library.
The boys learned valuable information about Mexican culture today, and the Aztec and Mayan cultures of the past. The educator brought artifacts and replicas of Mayan and Aztec toys, instruments and clothing that the boys could play with and try on; they also completed an Aztec craft.
The students will be using some of this information when they teach the 9th grade boys in Mr. Centofranchi's History class about the Mayans next week.
Punxsutawney Phil searches for his shadow...
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Pre-K students on the East Campus gave a big assist to Punxsutawney Phil this past week as he searched for his elusive shadow on Groundhog's Day!
The question was whether spring would come early this year or there would be six more weeks of winter.
Alas, our favorite groundhog saw his shadow and we all know what that means... winter will continue for the near future. |
Pre-K & Kindergarten students take part in Spanish fiesta!
Pictured at a special Spanish cooking demonstration are the Pre-K & Kindergarten girls with Sergio Martinez; Faculty members Sandi Hanifin '92 & Kerry Martinez; and students with Mr. Martinez.
In a cultural and culinary event geared to promote the International Taste of the World Festival taking place on February 28, Mrs. Martinez organized a special Spanish cooking demonstration for her Pre-K & Kindergarten students recently.
Her husband, Sergio Martinez, visited the class and showed the girls how to make homemade tortillas with masa (the dough made from corn kernels) and a tortilla press. During assembly, the girls got a taste of Mexico that included quesadillas, homemade salsa verde (green salsa made from tomatillos), pico de gallo (tomato salsa), frijoles refritos (black beans), and guacamole.
LOWER SCHOOL LOOK AHEAD CALENDAR
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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