| |
Thursday, April 02, 2009
The Albany Academies e-newsletter
Week of March 30
KUDOS
Academies student selected for prestigious scholarship
|
|
Jake Gao (Form VI, pictured at left with Director of College Counseling Jak Bestle) learned this week that he has been selected as a Jefferson Scholarship recipient at the University at Virginia -- an honor granted solely on the basis of merit that provides full financial support for four years of study at UVA.
Jake traveled to UVA on March 25 with 100 other top students from around the world to tour the campus, visit some classes and learn more about the university.
"Being a Jefferson Scholar is a huge deal and means that I am able to compete with the top students in the country," said Jake. "The finalists for this scholarship are the best of the best. It was an amazing environment being at UVA. When you have so many people of such a high intellectual level, it is just great to get to interact with them." |
Jake was also accepted to Princeton this week and is on the waiting list at Harvard. He plans on studying civil & environmental engineering.
Stay tuned next week for a special update on college acceptances; they are still coming in and the list is very impressive!
Felicitaciones!
Nine Academies students -- Kalyna Apkarian '11, Christine Barry '11, Matthew DeVito (Form IV), Zach Nelson (Form V), Jenny Wicks '10, Livia Rossi '10, Christian Miller (Form IV), Brian Mellin (Form IV) and Dana Gough '11 -- have been accepted into the Spanish National Honor Society.
The organization recognizes high achievement in Spanish to promote continuity of interest in Hispanic Studies. Congratulations to the students for this tremendous honor!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Celebrate a love of reading!
April 17, 3-7 p.m.
|
|
Our first-ever Children's Book Festival is shaping up to be a wonderful community event that will bring together more than 20 authors and illustrators at the Academies to discuss and sign their books.
Hands-on activities for the kids, special book readings by community leaders and refreshments will all be a part of the afternoon and evening.
This event is open to the public so bring your family and friends and plan to join us on Friday, April 17 from 3-7 p.m. Books will be available for purchase (cash or checks please).
Look for our Book Festival display in the window of The Book House in Stuyvesant Plaza!
|
If you would like to volunteer or make a contribution to the event, please contact Deirdre Nakushian at (518) 452-3904 or dnak@nycap.rr.com.
Pictured (left to right) are parents Kathleen McNamee and Amy Freinberg-Trufas at The Book House in Stuyvesant Plaza preparing materials for the window display.
Head of School Search Committee meetings
April 2, 5:30-6:15 p.m. & April 3, 8:15-9 a.m.
As mentioned in recent correspondence, the Board of Trustees has initiated a search for a Head of School who will ultimately lead our school in implementing our newly adopted strategic plan. A search committee was formed during the school break that represents a cross section of constituents that comprise our school community.
To assist us through the process, we have hired Chris Arnold from Educational Directions, one of the oldest and most experienced educational consulting firms working with independent schools and a company very familiar with our school.
We invite you to join Mr. Arnold and his colleague Mr. Lawson today from 5:30-6:15 p.m. in the Trustees Room on the West Campus or tomorrow, April 3 from 8:15-9 a.m. in the Drawing Room on the East Campus. This will provide you with an opportunity to learn more about this important process and decision.
Spring Gathering is upon us...
April 18, 5:30 p.m.
Pictured (left to right) are some of the auction items that will be available at Spring Gathering, including Yankees tickets from behind homeplate; baskets of assorted items; and a one-week Timeshare at Orange Lake in Kissimmee, FL.
Spring Gathering 2009 -- An Evening of Music & Magic is fast approaching and you won't want to miss this spectacular community event! Make your reservations today to attend on Saturday, April 18 at The Franklin Terrace Ballroom, located at 126 Campbell Avenue in Troy (the former Mario's Restaurant).
There will be wonderful musical and dance performances by our Academies students, delicious food and exciting auction items -- truly something for everyone!
Here is a sneak preview of auction items:
****One-week stay at Vero Beach, FL condo
****Box at Saratoga Race Track & Dinner at Saratoga Prime
****One-week Timeshare at Orange Lake in Kissimmee, FL
****1891 Watercolor Painting by Ernest Arthur Rowe
****Four lower-level tickets to Bruce Springsteen at Times Union Center
****Yankees tickets -- behind homeplate!
For more information, contact Director of Annual Giving Susan K. Tobin at (518) 429-2448 or tobins@albanyacademies.org.
Learn more about hosting an international student!
April 16, 6 p.m.
Are you interested in hosting an international student for the 2009-2010 school year or do you know someone who might be?
Our Admissions Office will be offering a Host Family Information Session on Thursday, April 16 at 6 p.m. on the West Campus. Make sure to attend this event to answer any questions you may have about the process! Information materials will be provided.
Please contact Associate Director of Admissions Drew Lentz at (518) 429-2300 or lentza@albanyacademies.org with any questions.
Lower School Open House
April 7, 9:30-11 a.m.
|
|
Please spread the word to a family member, friend or colleague about our Lower School Open House set for Tuesday, April 7 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. This will be a great opportunity for families to learn more about our Preschool through Grade 4 program at the Academies.
The schedule is as follows:
9:15 a.m. Registration, West Campus
9:30 a.m. Welcome, West Campus Lower School Library
9:35 a.m. Lower School Program Overview/Storytime for young visitors attending the event
10:15 a.m. Proceed to Lower School Assembly
10:30 a.m. Lower School Assembly, Caird Chapel, West Campus
11 a.m. Lower School Tours Available, East & West Campuses |
Click here for the Lower School Open House flyer.
True hoops champs to be determined
April 16, 6:30 p.m.
|
|
Two sides will battle it out for supremacy when the Senior Boys vs. Faculty Basketball Game takes place on Thursday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the AA Field House Gym.
Come out and cheer on our students and faculty as they engage in this exciting contest. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, concession stand and bake sale! Tickets are just $3 per person; Lower School students (10 years old and under) are free. |
Click here for the Senior Boys vs. Faculty Basketball Game flyer.
Class of '57 Lecture Series
April 30, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
|
|
Dr. Martin P. Seligman (pictured at left), a very accomplished American psychologist who writes self-help books, will address the Academies community on Thursday, April 30 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Caird Chapel on the West Campus as part of the Class of '57 Lecture Series.
Dr. Seligman is the Director of the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania. He will be sharing findings in positive psychology and authentic happiness as they apply to adolescents and in school settings.
A postcard will be mailed out soon with more details about the event. |
Evening of the Arts
April 28, 6 p.m.
The annual "Evening of the Arts" celebration will be held on Tuesday, April 28 beginning at 6 p.m. in the East Campus Auditorium.
The event will feature an art exhibition along with performances from the Dance group and Upper School Mixed Chorus. Please make plans to attend.
Spring Flower Sale underway...
|
|
Order your spring flowers now and help support the Visiting Artists Series! Flowers will arrive just in time for Mother's Day.
Flower pickup will be on Friday, May 8 from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 3-4 p.m. in the Standish Pool Lobby on the West Campus. The order deadline is Friday, April 27! |
Click here for the 2009 Spring Flower Sale flyer and order form.
Grandparents & Special Friends Day
May 8, Noon-2 p.m.
Join us for a special celebration in honor of Grandparents & Special Friends Day on Friday, May 8 from noon-2 p.m. on the East & West Campuses.
You'll enjoy classroom tours, a musical performance and the chance to see a student art exhibition. We look forward to seeing you!
Please respond to Director of Annual Giving Susan K. Tobin at (518) 429-2448 or tobins@albanyacademies.org with the name of Grandparent(s) or Special Friend(s), mailing address, email address and student's name & grade.
Get ready for the best summer ever!
The weather is getting warmer, the birds are chirping and the sun is shining... that can mean only one thing. It is almost time for Summer Camp 2009 at the Academies. Camps begin on June 8!
This year's Summer Camp features reduced costs, increased exciting options and extended time for LEAP Camp. Our full-color brochures are now available along with online registration.
Click here to register online for Summer Camp 2009.
Click here for the Summer Camp 2009 brochure.
Click here for more information.
OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
Illinois school officials visit the Academies
|
|
A group of six teachers and a film crew from the Springfield, IL Public School District -- representing more than 15,000 students -- spent the day at the Academies this past Wednesday to observe some classes and discuss the topic of single-gender education.
The Springfield school district is looking to create a single-gender boys and girls academy as an additional educational option for students in that region.
The group is putting together a video about single-gender education to better educate their Board of Education and the community. The Albany Academies and an all-boys school in the Bronx were the only two schools invited to be a part of the video. Thank you to the faculty, students and parents who participated in the filming.
Pictured at left are Lower School Director Susan Rimkunas and our guests visiting the East Campus. |
Mock Trial Team prepares for competition
The Albany Academies Co-ed Mock Trial Team is ready to battle CBA in the semifinals of a single elimination tournament today.
The team defeated Voorheesville and Loudonville Christian in the preliminary rounds of the tournament and Shaker in the quarterfinals.
The team includes Molly Moltzen '09, Adah Keegan '10, Hollis Puig '10, Sydney MacAlister '10, Tyler McCarthy (Form V), Jane Ramage '10, Darcy Benson '10, Jin Yeon Kim '10, Rachel Ruller '11, Lizzy Robinson '10, Nick Rotundo (Form IV) and Hannah O'Connor '12.
The team is led by Coach Dr. Stephen Brown and attorney coaches Erin Reese and Casey Weafor '95. Best of luck to the team today!
AAPA seeking board volunteers
The Albany Academies Parents Association is seeking board volunteers for the 2009-2010 school year. Nominations are due by Friday, April 10.
Click here for the AAPA parent volunteer nomination form.
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
|
|
