| |
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Albany Academies e-newsletter
Week of February 9
LOWER SCHOOL STUDENTS ENGAGE IN CSI-TYPE INVESTIGATION
Can you help solve this crime?
Pictured (left to right) are Tattiahna Welsh '18, Nivya Menakuru '18 and Gwendolyn Brown '18; Julia Henderson '18; and members of the 3rd grade class on the East Campus attempting to determine what happened to Mr. Bear.
3rd grade students have been working on a Mystery Unit in Kim Daniels' Science class where they transform into forensic scientists attempting to get to the bottom of a very serious crime -- "Who Borrowed Mr. Bear?"
The cast of CSI has nothing on our boys and girls as they have entered the crime lab in an attempt to uncover the truth behind this heinous travesty of justice! The unit is an introduction to the scientific method where children have fun while learning new vocabulary words.
The Times Union visited our school this past Wednesday to join the crime lab and interview Mrs. Daniels, Lower School Director Susan Rimkunas and some of the students. The story appears in today's Times Union and a video is on the TU website.
Click here to view the video.
Exploring the world through robotics
Pictured (left to right) are Jeff Zarcone '17 and Kyle Verstandig '17; Will FitzGerald '17 and Levi Freinberg-Trufas '17; and Mike Haelen '17 and Will Bennett '17.
4th grade students on the West Campus have recently been introduced to basic computer programming using the program MicroWorlds.
The boys learned to draw geometric shapes and animate their turtles. For the past month, they have extended this programming experience using the Valiant Roamer Robots. They have worked in groups to program these "turtle" robots to move in specific shapes, along pre-programmed paths and even form letters.
The boys would like to thank the Parents Association for its grant that allowed the funding of the Valiant Roamers and made this extension of our curriculum possible.
The fourth grade girls will have an opportunity to work with the Valiant Roamers this spring.
Students become teachers of Mayan culture
Pictured (left to right) are Nkosi Boulware (Form III), Pratheek Kura '18, Alex Steele '18 and Mason Slovak '18; Jake Miorin (Form III) and Nkosi; and members of the 3rd grade class on the West Campus.
Mrs. Howard's 3rd grade Mayan experts were recently asked to teach Mr. Centofranchi's 9th grade students about the Mayan culture.
The boys taught their older counterparts about the importance of corn, the Mayan calendars, recreation, mathematics, appearance, and the Spanish conquest. The 9th graders asked great questions, solved Mayan math problems and took notes.
The 3rd graders were pleased that they had such an attentive audience and are waiting to hear how the 9th graders performed on their Mayan test.
LOWER SCHOOL LOOK AHEAD CALENDAR
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS COME TOGETHER TO SHOW SUPPORT
Academies students come together for Ronald McDonald House
|
|
Students at the Academies will continue the annual Heart Sale to benefit Ronald McDonald House through March 13.
Special thanks to all of our students for participating in this important project to give back to the community.
Pictured (left to right) are Ankit Baghel '15, Steven Strait '15, Tycho Niessen '15 and Gordon O'Brien '15. |
A study on media literacy
The 7th & 8th grade students on the East Campus are currently completing a media literacy study. A centerpiece of the study has been watching the movie "Who Killed the Electric Car" and analyzing it.
The makers of the movie have a clear bias, and the girls -- in an effort to find and present independent evidence to support or oppose that view -- have prepared for a mock trial. The accused are American automobile manufacturers, batteries, oil companies, government, consumers, California Air Resources Board (C.A.R.B.), and the hydrogen fuel cell car.
The 8th grade girls have prepared to defend or prosecute each of the accused. Meanwhile, the 7th grade girls -- acting as the jury -- will decide on the guilt of each defendant after hearing all testimony.
The trial will take place this week and next week in the East Campus Activities Room.
To be or not to be... that is the question!
Pictured (left to right) at the 8th grade Hamlet readings are Dillon Flood (Form II); Jordan Lilly (Form VI); and Milan Saitia (Form II).
8th grade students on the West Campus performed dramatic readings from Shakespeare's Hamlet this past Monday in Caird Chapel.
The boys have been working diligently with Jordan Lilly (Form VI) on their readings and were very impressive with their performances. The goal of the project was to get the students more comfortable with Shakespeare and to develop a love of his work.
MIDDLE SCHOOL LOOK AHEAD CALENDAR
UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS COMMENDED FOR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY
Blood Drive a huge success!
Pictured (left to right) are students at the Blood Drive; Marty Cole (Form VI), Fine Arts Chair & Blood Drive coordinator Dana DeYoung and Jimmer Bennett (Form VI); and Eliza Dropkin '09 getting ready to give blood.
The Blood Drive that took place this past Tuesday in the West Campus Student Center was a tremendous success for the American Red Cross.
More than 50 donors showed up to give blood, smashing the goal of 35 by more than 120%. The American Red Cross estimates that almost 130 potential lives were saved thanks to our students' efforts.
Special thanks to Jimmer Bennett (Form VI) and Marty Cole (Form VI) for organizing the blood drive.
Academies students to perform for new dance company
Five Academies students -- Julie Anne Kamath '12, Kristina Militar '10, Zoey Patack '11, Arielle Steele '12 and Michaila Stevens '10 -- will be performing for the new Modern Dance company Nacre on Saturday, February 28 at 2 & 8 p.m. at The Egg in Albany.
Nacre features works inspired by the Modern Dance pioneers Doris Humphrey, Isadora Duncan, Ted Shawn, Anna Sokolow, Donald McKayle, David Parsons, Danny Buraczeski, and 2008-2009 guest artist Vanessa Paige Swanson.
For tickets, call (518) 473-1845.
This is a tremendous honor for the girls and we hope that you come out to support them!
A day of wellness at the Academies
Pictured (left to right) during Wellness Day 2009 are presenter Jennifer Pallazzo from the Albany County Department of Children, Youth & Families' Children's Mental Health Clinic in the East Campus Activities Room; students listening to Dr. Frank Doberman in the Wrestling Room on the West Campus; and Dr. Doberman.
Wellness Day 2009 provided Upper School students with the chance to take part in a wide variety of holistic activities on February 4, including mental health awareness; sexual and physical awareness; the importance of sleep and nutrition; anger management; therapeutic movement; and leadership.
Special thanks to Albany County Mental Health, Dr. Frank Doberman, Dr. Siobhan Kuhar (mother of Hannah Kuhar '09), Equinox Youth Outreach Center, Planned Parenthood and Rich Kuperberg for taking part in the program.
UPPER SCHOOL LOOK AHEAD CALENDAR
Visiting Week set for February 18-20
|
|
Visiting Weeks are a great way for prospective families to learn more about the Academies. We will be offering our next Visiting Week from Wednesday, February 18 through Friday, February 20.
Please let your family, friends and colleagues know about these dates and the chance to find out about the tradition of academic excellence that exists at our school.
Click here for the Visiting Week flyer. |
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.
Re-enrollment contracts due by February 27
Please be advised that re-enrollment contracts are due by Friday, February 27. Some classes currently have wait lists, so please get all contracts in as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, contact your Division Director.
A taste of the world... right at the Academies!
Pictured (left to right) are Jamie Yoo '10, Sally Hwang '09 and Ashley Yoo '10; World Languages Chair Donna Keegan; and Xiaoxi Zhang (Form VI) at the International Student Assembly held on February 4 in Caird Chapel on the West Campus.
"The International Taste of the World Festival set for Saturday, February 28 from 3-5:30 p.m. on the East Campus will be the first of its kind at the Academies.
This event was created to serve as a venue to share the diverse cultures represented at the Academies. More than 25 families and student club groups will be sharing food, dance, music, crafts and activities with the community. Today is the deadline to sign up to participate in the festival.
Please plan on attending and celebrating this multi-generational event with us!
We held our International Student Assembly on February 4 in Caird Chapel on the West Campus to give our students the chance to learn more about our international students and the countries that they come from. This event truly showcased the diversity that exists at the Academies and all of the presenters did an outstanding job." -- Donna Keegan, World Languages Chair
Click here to view the International Taste of the World Festival poster.
Click here for the International Taste of the World Festival registration form.
For more information about the festival, contact Madame Keegan at keegand@albanyacademies.org.
Tips for a healthy (and happy) child
Dr. Frank Doberman presented a seminar about "Healthy Habits for Children" on January 30 in the Trustees Room on the West Campus that featured a number of helpful tips for parents, including:
1. Make sure your children receive enough sleep each night
2. Teach your children the importance of developing healthy habits
3. Enjoy the satisfaction that comes from hard work
4. Give your child the gift of feeling the outcome of and responsibility for their decisions
Click here for more information.
Academies to celebrate the joy of reading
|
|
Join us for our first-ever Children's Book Festival on Friday, April 17 from 3-7 p.m. on the West Campus to meet local authors and learn more about them.
There are already 20 authors confirmed to join us for the festival!
| Parent volunteers will be needed in several areas including coordinating activities for children, preparing and baking food for a VIP reception, selling books and helping with the window display for The Book House about the festival.
"We are so fortunate to have such a talented pool of authors and illustrators in this region, and are very appreciative that they are willing to come and share their gifts with our students. We change children's lives forever the moment that they open a book and enter the magic world within." -- Karen Schimmer, West Campus Lower School Librarian
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Blanche Vellano at bvellano@nycap.rr.com.
Click here for the Children's Book Festival flyer.
Cholesterol & your kids...
Most parents probably don't think about what cholesterol means for their children. However, high levels of cholesterol are a major factor contributing to heart disease and stroke, and medical research shows that cardiovascular disease has its roots in childhood.
Our Health Office recently created a cholesterol publication to help educate the Academies community about this important concern. Please take the time to read this important information.
Click here to read the cholesterol publication.
Get ready for the best summer ever...
|
|
In just a few short weeks, you will have the chance to receive our Summer Camp 2009 brochure containing detailed information about the variety of exciting camp offerings for this summer.
Campers will be able to engage in a science camp in partnership with the Children's Museum of Science and Technology, expanded sports camps, SAT Prep courses and other academic enrichment programs. Of course, we will also be offering our Summer Camp favorites such as LEAP, junior, classic day and basketball camps for boys and girls. |
Click here for the Summer Camp online inquiry form.
Click here for the Summer Camp flyer.
For more information, contact Director of External Affairs Ann Wendth at (518) 429-2385 or wendtha@albanyacademies.org.
The importance of giving back...
Many donors see their gifts to the Academies as a means of "giving back" to our school. Others give because they see the value of an independent school education and want to ensure that the 200-year legacy of the Academies continues for future generations of students.
Every gift to the Annual Fund -- whether big or small -- makes a difference and moves us closer to reaching our goal of $810,000 this year. To date, the generosity and support of alumni/ae, parents, faculty and staff, trustees and friends has resulted in more than $500,000 -- getting us very close to our goal.
If you have not yet made your commitment to the Annual Fund, please consider making your gift today. Pledges are payable by June 30.
For more information, contact Director of Annual Giving Susan K. Tobin at (518) 429-2448 or tobins@albanyacademies.org.
Save the Date for Spring Gathering 2009
|
|
Are you ready for an evening of elegance and enchantment? We will be holding our Spring Gathering -- An Evening of Music & Magic on Saturday, April 18 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at The Franklin Terrace in Troy.
Get ready to experience the artistic and musical talents of our students firsthand at Spring Gathering. Proceeds from this event will benefit our scholarship and financial aid funds.
For more information, contact Director of Annual Giving Susan K. Tobin at (518) 429-2448 or tobins@albanyacademies.org. |
Coming next week will be some highlights of the winter sports season to date!
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
|
|
