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Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The Albany Academies e-newsletter
Week of June 14
It has been an incredible year at The Albany Academies -- Albany Academy for Girls & The Albany Academy -- with the welcoming of a new Head of School; the celebration and recognition of the rich histories and identities of our almost 200-year-old schools; and the many achievements of our students & faculty in academics, the arts, athletics & community service.
Thank you to our parents for your support and dedication in the educational journey of your children during this past school year.
Have a wonderful summer and we will see you in the fall!
AAG & AA hold commencement ceremonies
Students, parents, alumni/ae, faculty, administration and special guests formally bid goodbye to the Albany Academy for Girls & The Albany Academy Classes of 2010 this past Monday and Tuesday.
Dr. Ellen Cole, the wife of Head of School Dr. Douglas North and a renowned psychologist who has taught at Alaska Pacific University for the past 15 years and just this year was elected Professor Emerita by her peers, spoke to the AAG students about the bond that they shared as women and the importance of continually taking on new challenges in life and growing as a person.
Meanwhile, decorated serviceman Captain Jeffrey L. Quinn, a Federal Coordinator for the National Disaster Medical System since 2004, discussed the core values that he lives by as a member of the New York Air National Guard such as commitment to excellence, service to others and being a strong leader by example.
We wish all of the graduates of the Class of 2010 the very best as they enter this exciting next chapter in their lives.
Join us for Legacy of Dreams this Saturday!
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Legacy of Dreams is just days away, and this is your last chance to register to attend!
Please join us this Saturday, June 19 at the Fort Orange Club in Albany for an evening of camaraderie, fun, great food and the opportunity to bid on some terrific auction items -- all to benefit the athletic programs at The Albany Academies.
For more information or to register for Legacy of Dreams, please contact galluccp@albanyacademies.org or collins-schroedera@albanyacademies.org. Hope to see you there! |
Seniors celebrate AAG tradition
The annual Senior Tea was held on June 11 for senior girls in the AAG Courtyard. Families, students, faculty and special friends gathered to honor the girls and give them a special gift of congratulations.
Thank you to the junior girls and their moms for helping to decorate the gift baskets for each student.
AAG & AA Middle School Ceremonies
Our 8th grade girls and boys prepared for their move to the Upper School next year at the AAG Middle School Moving Up Ceremony & AA Middle School Closing Ceremony on June 11 in the Auditorium & Caird Chapel, respectively.
Family, faculty and friends joined an outstanding group of young women at the AAG ceremony -- featuring remarks from Head of School Dr. Douglas North, AAG Preschool through Grade 8 Director Susan Rimkunas, AAG Associate Head of School Wendy Muhlfelder '67, and the students themselves.
Ms. Muhlfelder discussed the transition that the girls can expect moving into the Upper School, and faculty member Jane Conway shared a special poem about the 8th grade students.
Following a welcome from Dr. North at the AA ceremony, AA Pre-K through Grade 8 Director Jeffrey Brown distributed awards to members of the class excelling in a wide range of areas -- including writing, world language, theater, arts, music, service, athletics and literature. The event was followed by a reception outdoors.
We look forward to a successful transition for all of our students as they move up next year.
AAG & AA Lower School Closing Ceremonies
Our 4th grade girls and boys -- along with the rest of the AAG & AA Lower Schools -- prepared to move up to a new grade level after the AAG & AA Lower School Closing Ceremonies on June 11 in the Auditorium & Caird Chapel, respectively.
Students on each campus performed a variety of songs for attendees, and awards were given in different categories. A special video presentation was shown at the end of each ceremony; we extend sincere thanks to the 4th grade parents for putting these together. They were heartwarming and a wonderful way to conclude the events.
Middle School Field Day
Our AAG & AA Middle School students had the opportunity to join one another for a variety of games and activities as well as a barbeque and talent show at the Middle School Field Day on June 10.
Special thanks to our Physical Education faculty members for organizing the events for the students.
Seniors complete outstanding month of May Projects
Pictured (left to right) is Kristina Militar '10 with the dresses that she created during her May Project placement at Lady Cher Stitch Studio; Kyle DiCaprio (Form VI) with a poster of the work that he did at Ellis Hospital; and Megan Lewis '10 & Chloe Mahoney '10 with a poster detailing their experience at the Times Union.
Senior girls and boys displayed their work and discussed their experiences as part of the May Projects Fair held on June 9 in the Silipigno Athletic Facility.
The program provides an educational experience for seniors during the month of May in an internship that pertains to an area of study that they intend to pursue in college. Thank you to our parents, faculty, staff and alumni/ae that hosted students and shared their expertise and skills!
Senior/Faculty Dinner
Pictured (left to right) are Max Yanover (Form VI) speaking during the Senior/Faculty Dinner; faculty members Caroline Welch, Mark Wimmer & Dr. Ken Ebert with Matt Rakoczy (Form VI); and faculty member Deborah Bischoff sharing some inspiring words with the seniors in attendance.
The special relationships and respect between our faculty and students is what makes an Academies education such a special one. This was evident on June 9 when our faculty and seniors came together for a dinner in The Buttery on the AA campus to celebrate their journey together.
Faculty members Robert & Deborah Bischoff shared some inspiring words with the group, and Max Yanover (Form VI) & Chloe Mahoney '10 expressed their gratitude to their teachers at both AA and AAG.
Parents of Alumni/ae Reception
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Parents of our seniors enjoyed a beautiful reception prior to the May Projects Fair at a Parents of Alumni/ae Reception (formerly known as the Life Member Reception) on June 9 in the Drawing Room on the AAG campus.
Hosted by the Albany Academies Parents Association, the event is an opportunity to meet other senior parents and parents of alumni/ae who continue to be so supportive of our school.
Special thanks to Susan Sneeringer '72 for coordinating the event.
Pictured (left to right) are AAPA Vice President Mary O'Connor P'11, Katherine Callanan P'10 & Ms. Sneeringer. |
Rock band films video at The Albany Academy
Albany pop-punk trio Young & Divine -- featuring JP Clark '04 (pictured in middle of center photo) on vocals/bass; Jake Mai on guitar/vocals; and Joe Bortscheller on drums -- visited The Albany Academy on June 9 to film a video for their new song titled "Weekdays."
Academy students, faculty members and administration were used as extras on the shoot, which took place in a variety of locations such as Caird Chapel & The Buttery. The two-year old band was influenced by The Police, Daft Punk, Green Day, Sugarcult, Oasis and Thrice. Dr. Ellen Cole, the wife of Head of School Dr. Douglas North, had the opportunity to play the role of "Head of School" as part of the video.
AA & AAG Lower School Field Days
The AA & AAG Lower School Field Days on June 7 & 8, respectively, featured exciting games, activities and learning opportunities throughout the AA & AAG campuses.
The students were joined by our Physical Education faculty members for the activities, which included a cheering contest, race and more!
Celebrating our star readers!
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Twenty five star readers from the AA Lower School gathered on June 10 for a pizza lunch and ice cream cake celebration in the AA Lower School Library.
The boys earned the party by meeting the requirements of the AA Lower School Library's Reading Badge Program, an exciting, year-round literacy incentive program.
Each month, the children earn an embroidered cloth badge by reading a predetermined number of books within a selected genre. Those who meet their reading goal every month for the school year earn Star Reader status. The badges earned are put on a white painters cap; the more books read, the more badges on their hats.
Congratulations to the students for this great accomplishment! |
Help support AAG fundraising efforts
The AAG Class of 2014 will be collecting General Mills boxtops for Education as part of their fundraising efforts. We encourage all families to collect these boxtops during the summer and drop them off with Katie Conroy in the AAG Main Lobby.
If you have any questions, please contact Deborah Bischoff at bischoffd@albanyacademies.org.
3rd grade boys view masterpiece
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Our 3rd grade boys went on a hiking trip to Overlook Mountain and Opus 40 in Saugerties on June 4 led by their teacher Sara Howard.
The incredible earthworks masterpiece Opus 40 was created by Harvey Fite -- a Professor of Fine Arts at Bard College -- by hand, by himself, over a period of 37 years.
Opus 40 is acres and acres of hand-quarried, dry fit blue stone with galleries, pools and platforms and the obelisk at its center, perfectly mirroring the Overlook Mountain topography that frames the piece.
Pictured are the 3rd grade boys at Opus 40. |
AAG community honors beloved nurse
Pictured (left to right) are AAG School Nurse Nancy Lozman with her husband, Dr. Lozman; Pratima Sampler P'21 & Ms. Lozman; and Lower School students performing a special tribute to Ms. Lozman in the Auditorium.
Taking care of headaches. Giving out band aides. Comforting us when we don't feel well. These were just some of the reasons expressed by the Lower School students as to why "Nurse Nancy" has been such a beloved member of the Academies community and will be missed greatly when she retires this year.
A special ceremony was held in the Auditorium in honor of Nancy Lozman, who served as the AAG School Nurse for so many years; she was joined at the event by her husband. Parents also presented Ms. Lozman with a special framed portrait of Albany Academy for Girls painted by Daniella Zeman '10. Best wishes to Ms. Lozman – she will be missed by all of us!
Stay tuned for summer mailing
Be on the lookout for a summer mailing in July. Many items for the start of the 2010-2011 school year will be posted to our Academies website over the next month.
2010-2011 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
2010-2011 UPPER SCHOOL SUMMER READING & MATH ASSIGNMENTS
2010-2011 MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER READING & MATH ASSIGNMENTS
2010-2011 LOWER SCHOOL SUMMER READING & MATH ASSIGNMENTS
VIEW THE 2010-2011 HEALTH FORMS.
New website coming this fall!
Plans are underway to launch a new Academies website this fall that will include many more features and easier navigation! More details will be forthcoming, so watch your mail later this summer.
Track results
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Jelanie Currie (Form IV) & Zach Nelson (Form VI) of the AA Varsity Track & Field Team did an outstanding job at Track & Field States on June 11 at Vestal High School in Vestal, NY.
Jelanie was the Small School champion in the triple jump with a 45'8" and taking fourth place in the high jump at 6'2"; Zach placed sixth in the 3000 meter steeplechase with a personal best of 9:55.
Pictured (left to right) are Zach, AA Varsity Track & Field Head Coach Jim Poole '68 & Jelani at States. |
NYS Golf Championship update
Tim DiStefano (Form VI) of the AA Varsity Golf Team finished 26th out of 99 golfers at the New York State High School Golf Championship this past weekend at the Robert Trent Jones Course at Cornell University. He shot a two-day total of 161 (84-77) and was the number two finisher on the Section II team.
Tim played very well in terrible conditions in the first round and then struggled on the last few holes. Showing the kind of competitor he is and the kind of character that he posseses, Tim came back on day two and shot one of the best rounds of the day.
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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