Principal's message to our community
November 14, 2017
Dear Albany HIgh School families and friends,
As we complete and reflect upon the end of our first quarter, I would like to take this time to share with everyone my gratitude and pride for our school. Being the principal of this incredibly resilient and thoughtful learning community reminds me that our purpose of preparing students for college and career readiness is complemented by supporting the whole child with social emotional competencies and tools to be productive digital citizens. Please allow me to share a few highlights from the opening of the 2017-18 school year:
First quarter grades are now available to view on Aeries. You can also monitor attendance on the parent/student portal. Ongoing grade updates can be viewed using your PowerSchool (Haiku) portal where you can also access class activities, assignments and contact information for all teachers. Please visit the website below for more information on your student’s Aeries and PowerSchool accounts. http://ahs.ausdk12.org/#qg-powerschool-aeries
The high school staff participated in very meaningful and sustainable professional development this summer and fall with a focus on equity, unconscious bias and culturally responsive teaching practices. We are also beginning to develop an awareness of social emotional and social justice competencies that we expect all students and staff to demonstrate in partnership with academic rigor in all courses.
Our updated Freshman orientation and homecoming activities included a greater emphasis on community building and inclusion while maintaining tradition and school spirit.
Student and community led advocacy groups which include STAND, SPEAK, SEAC (Students for Equitable Access Committee) and ACT (Albany Coming Together), have fortified our commitment to create a legacy of service through shared governance and by strengthening student agency as a force for positive change in our District.
Academic supports including lunch-time drop in tutoring is available for all students, for all subjects Monday-Thursday. We are fortunate to have so many students helping others with academic encouragement and skill building and are always looking for more help. Please contact our Coordinator of Alternative Education Darren McNally at dmcnally@ausdk12.org for more information.
Digital citizenship is always an important competency to teach and build into the structure of our school courses. Families play a pivotal role in supporting these expectations. Please click here to review our AUSD Internet Acceptable Use policy for all students and staff.
On behalf of my staff, we wish you and your family a peaceful and restorative holiday season. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to partner with our school community this year.
Alexia Ritchie, Principal