Important Community Alert from Albany Police Department
Suspicious Male Approached Two Female Juveniles October 30, 2018
On 10/29/2018, at approx. 7:30am, in the 900 block of Key Route Blvd., a female juvenile on her way to meet a friend saw several people in the area trying to corral a loose dog. A short time later the friend saw a male subject holding onto the dog by the collar who appeared to then let the dog go in the same area. Both juveniles began to run after the loose dog. While partly down the 900 block of Key Route Blvd., the same male subject, now driving a newer model, full size, white truck with camper shell, pulled up alongside the two juveniles and said, “Get in”. The juveniles declined, and the male drove away. The reporting parties described the male adult as having a light complexion, approx. 27-32 years old, 5’6” – 5’8” tall, medium build with straight posture and a squared shaped face, unshaven, and short dark brown hair. They added that he was possibly wearing faded blue jeans.
Several minutes later as the two juveniles were walking on Key Route Blvd. near Washington Ave., the same male drove up alongside them again and said, “Hi girls”. They juveniles immediately ran away and called a parent.
If you have additional information about this incident, please call the Albany Police at 510-525-7300.
These events are a good reminder that we need to engage in conversation with our family members about being aware of their surroundings and not talking to strangers or approaching vehicles if the occupants attempt to engage them in conversation.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children www.missingkids.com and the Polly Klass Foundation http://www.pollyklaas.org/ offer resources parents and family can consult to find ways to keep children safe.
Message Regarding the Killings in Pittsburgh
Dear Albany High School Community,
Our hearts and thoughts are with the families of those killed and injured at the Tree of Life Synagogue, and for the entire Jewish community of Pittsburgh. As we respond to these unconscionable acts with compassion, empathy and education, please know that we have counselors and other resources available for students, staff and our community.
Take care of yourselves and each other,
Alexia Ritchie, Principal
School Board Candidate Forum This Monday
This is a reminder that the final AUSD School Board candidate forum takes place this Monday, October 29th from 7-9p in the Little Theater. Attendance was really low at the last forum. We really hope people will come out to this one and educate themselves about the candidates!
*This is an updated version of the flyer we sent out last week. We apologize for the grammatical mistakes on the previous version; it was not an accurate representation of the quality of our forum.
All New, Expanded College Night For Juniors and Seniors – This Wednesday
Please join the Albany High counselors for our annual College Night this Wednesday, October 24th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Hear from admissions reps and experts on a variety of topics, including some of particular interest to juniors and seniors:
College 101 for 11th graders – what every Junior should be doing now to prepare for life after high school
College testing, including an overview of changes to the SAT
Writing the College Essay – tips for telling your story
Other session include:
College 101 for 11th graders – what every Junior should be doing now to prepare for life after high school
PTSA and AHS Counseling Department pairing up to discuss pathway options beyond a 4 year college: Community College transfer and career/certificate options
University of California and California State University admissions and campus life
Special programs at SFSU. Our local area campus offers some great support and academic options including METRO Academies, a ‘school within a school’ with smaller classes in a cohort model as well as dedicated advising and tutoring
Private liberal arts colleges Cal Arts and Howard University – thinking outside the UC/CSU systems
College testing, including an overview of changes to the SAT
Writing the College Essay – tips for telling your story
Coast Guard representative discussing their experience, opportunities and job placement within the military and as a civilian
Alternative career pathways - Public defender and Photographer sharing their experiences.
The event starts at 6:30 with an introduction in the Little Theater, followed by two 45-minute breakout sessions allowing attendees to hear from their choice of 2 different speakers. Hope to see you there!
Final School Board Candidate Forum
Want to cast a more informed vote, and hear your school board members thoughts on the issues you care about? Come to School Board Candidates Forum on the 29th from 7-9pm!
New at the AHS Library
Are you looking for a new book to read? Check out some of our newest titles at the AHS Library. Stop by or send Ms. Scheuer an email (mscheuer@ausdk12.org).
Anger is a Gift, by Mark Oshiro -- Set in Oakland, this story is a great follow-up to The Hate U Give or The 57 Bus. Racial profiling, police brutality and discrimination impact teen Moss and his friends, but this is also a sweet love story with memorable characters.
Aru Shah and the End of Time, by Roshani Chokshi -- This new series is a great choice for fantasy fans, especially readers who loved Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson books, as Aru Shah enters the world of Hindu mythology to save the world from destruction.
Fly Girls: The Daring American Women Pilots Who Helped Win WWII, by P. O’Connell Pearson -- This book explores the forgotten heroines of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), a group of over 1,000 young women who transported planes, towed supply gliders behind enemy lines and served as flight instructors. Pearson highlights the courage and tenacity that bound them together, as they endured gender discrimination and harassment throughout their service.
Racial Profiling: Everyday Inequality, by Alison Behnke -- Examining both historic roots and current events, Behnke takes a clear stance that “whether implicit or explicit, individual or institutional, racial profiling leaves deep psychological scars among its victims, hinders the social and economic opportunities of people of color, and creates deep mistrust and fear at all levels of society.”
Solo, by Kwame Alexander -- The summer after graduating high school, Blade Morrison is determined to find his own path away from his troubled rock-star father. Reeling from his girlfriend’s betrayal and his family’s secrets, Blade sets off for Ghana in search of his birth mother. This novel in verse reverberates with the music that fills Blade’s heart and soul, pulling readers into his emotional journey of self-discovery.
Wildcard, by Marie Lu -- This fast, intense sequel to Lu’s popular Warcross jumps right into the action. Will Emika Chen be able to stop a NeuroLink algorithm that takes control of average people and turns them to crime? This high-stakes thriller will appeal to gamers and sci-fans alike.
Message From Principal Ritchie Regarding Recent Vandalism
Dear Albany High School Community,
Yesterday afternoon we discovered a racist and anti-Semitic message written on the wall, over the weekend, inside the construction zone. We notified our superintendent, Albany police, and staff, removed it early this morning and are continuing our investigation to determine the persons responsible. If you have any further questions, concerns or information to share, please notify one of our counselors or any one of our administrators. Counseling staff is always ready to help students individually if needed.
Take care,
Alexia Ritchie
Principal
AHS Students Guaranteed $50K in Travel Abroad Scholarships
Albany High has been chosen again as a Global Navigator GOLD school, which means our students are guaranteed at least $50,000 in scholarships if we have 30 applicants. The last two years our students were awarded scholarships totaling $180,000 to live and study abroad in diverse countries such as Germany, Japan, Spain, Bonaire, and Africa.
Learn more about the CIEE Global Navigator Scholarship Program on Thursday, October 11th from 4-6p in the Albany High Library. Kelly Britt (CIEE rep), Profe Lim-McAlister (World Languages Department Chair), and AHS scholars who have spent summers abroad will present information and answer questions.
Message Regarding Today's Rally
Dear Albany High School community,
Today, student leaders organized a rally to support victims of sexual assault and to oppose the current nominee for the Supreme Court. School staff were there to help supervise and as mandated reporters, followed up with several students in need of support. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to any one of our administrators or counselors.
Best regards,
Alexia Ritchie
Principal
AHS Library Celebrates Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month
The AHS Library is celebrating Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month, featuring authors from throughout the Latin American and Hispanic community. Our students are drawn to a wide range of genres, from memoirs to fantasy to realistic fiction. Here are just a few of the books we recommend:
Becoming Dr. Q., by Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa
Burn Baby Burn, by Meg Medina
Daughter of Fortune, by Isabel Allende
Mexican Whiteboy, by Matt de la Pena
My Beloved World, by Sonia Sotomayor
The Poet X, by Elizabeth Acevedo
Stop by the library or check out our Goodreads Latinx shelf to explore more books our students are reading & recommending.
If you haven’t had a chance to donate to our fundraiser yet, please go to https://www.titlewish.com/1091894 to securely donate by credit card. All donations will be used to purchase high-interest books for our students.
Mary Ann Scheuer
AHS Librarian