Black Parent Advisory Group Scholarship Fund
The Black Parent Advisory Group (BPAG) for Albany USD, celebrates and supports the students and families in our schools with various activities throughout the year. One endeavor is a scholarship fund for graduating seniors. This year, we will be able to award two students with scholarships thanks to the generous donations of our community partners. Please consider a one time or sustaining donation to this critical need and help support our efforts to provide a quality education and a bright future for our students.
Link to the Black Parent Advisory Group Scholarship Fund
On behalf of our BPAG leadership, thank you.
Alexia Ritchie
Recommended Reads From AHS Library - Romance
Now that you have different ways to access electronic materials, I’ll be posting recommended reads by genre available on different platforms. If you still need a library card, you can get one from Albany Public Library. Berkeley Public Library is now also offering an e-card, apply for that one here. Albany, Richmond and El Cerrito residents (actually, anyone living in California) can apply.
As always, you can get in touch with me at criemer@ausdk12.org if you have questions or need more recommendations.
Ms. Riemer
Here are a few suggestions for romance books. Note: Each of these titles is available through the regular library catalog, not Hoopla.
E-Books
This Is My Brain In Love, by I.W. Gregorio - Jos Wu and Will Domenici are working together to save Jos’s family’s struggling restaurant. Despite enjoying some success, Jos only sees the problems Having been in therapy for anxiety, Will recognizes signs of depression in Jos. Will and Jos are attracted to each other but realize they have to manage their mental health issues before they can have a relationship. Both are children of immigrants; stigmas around dealing with mental health issues in communities of color make it more complicated.
The Perfect Escape, by Suzanne Park - Scholarship student Nate Kim meets wealthy Kate Anderson when they both work at the Zombie Laboratory escape room. Nate’s family struggles financially and although Kate’s does not, her father uses money to keep Kate on a leash. Kate asks Nate to be her partner in the Zombiegeddon weekend-long survival challenge; the big cash prize could change both their lives.
Graphic Novel
Check Please!, by Ngozi Ukazu - Eric “Bitty” Bittle trained as a figure skater then began playing hockey on a co-ed team in his southern town. He goes to college up north and joins the men’s team. He has to adjust to a new style of play while keeping up his baking vlog - and his romance with a teammate.
Audiobooks
Opposite of Always, by Justin A. Reynolds - When Jack goes on a college tour, he falls for his tour guide Kate. He learns she has a serious medical condition and tries to save her life. Somehow he finds himself living their meeting and the subsequent weeks over and over. The circumstances are different every time as he tries again and again to save her.
When Dimple Met Rishi, by Sandhya Menon - Dimple loves coding, and can’t wait to enter a hack-a-thon at San Francisco State. Rishi has plans to study at MIT, but first wants to finalize his engagement to Dimple, as arranged by their parents. Problem is, no one told Dimple; she has zero interest in thinking about marriage. After a really awkward meeting, Dimple and Rishi must figure out what if anything they do about each other.
Upcoming AP Exam Resources
Nervous about AP Exams? Confused on how to successfully take the test at home? Check out this organized list of useful links and resources for AP Exams, compiled by your AHS student Leadership team! You can also check out the Leadership Instagram (@albany.leadership) or go to the College Board website itself to find this information.
Recommended Reads From AHS Library – Comics On Your Device
What if you want to read comics on your computer or mobile device without a library card or having to download an app? You can! There are lots of webcomics in a variety of genres that you can read in your browser. As always, contact me at criemer@ausdk12.org if you have questions or need more recommendations.
Ms. Riemer
Here are a few suggestions:
Agents of the Realm, by Mildred Louis - https://agentsoftherealm.com/
College freshman Norah Tanner and four other first year students stumble across brooches with strange gems. A mentor from an alternate dimension brings the young women together and helps them discover their powers. They learn they’ve been chosen to protect both our world and a sister universe that was once connected to earth.
DeadEndia, by Hamish Steele - https://tapas.io/series/DeadEndia
The only attraction at Pollywood Amusement Park that sees lots of activity is the Haunted House - that’s because it’s also a portal to the underworld. As employees of the Haunted House, Norma, Barney and Barney’s dog Pugsley find themselves fighting assorted demons and undead when they’re not giving tours.
Gokushufudou: The Way of The House Husband, by Kousuke Oono - https://mangadex.org/chapter/114999/1
Immortal Tatsu retires from the Yakuza and leans into his life as a house husband, but can’t leave some of his old habits behind. (This is a manga so remember to read the panels right to left.)
Witchy, by Ariel Slamet Ries - https://www.witchycomic.com/
In a kingdom where the length of your hair determines whether you’re valued or seen as a threat, a young witch must decide if she’ll join the Witch Guard - who are complicit in her father’s death - or take the greater risk of standing up for her ideals.
SchoolCARE Still Cares!
Dear Albany Community,
On March 13, SchoolCARE volunteers picked up stacks of brochures, intending to deliver one to every home in Albany--as we’ve done every spring for years. The brochures never got there, because that was when the schools closed and launched us all into unknown territory.
It’s too early to know what’s going to happen to our district, although the forecasts are tough to take in. But we’re already reevaluating our fundraising and how we can best support our kids--and the people who teach them--during this crisis and beyond.
Because here’s what we do know: This cloud will lift eventually, and our schools will reopen. When that happens, we want to be ready. Ready to fund threatened positions. Ready to ensure access to art, drama, dance, and other enrichment Ready to open our school libraries. Ready to support the counselors helping students navigate what adults can barely comprehend.
In the upcoming weeks, we’ll reach out with suggestions on how we can all help each other and our community. We’ll continue our unwavering mission to support the people who support our kids And we’ll finally be (safely) dropping off our brochure! (For a sneak peek, check out the digital version below. We hope it reminds you of the amazing work we’ve accomplished together.)
If you’re missing the faces of Albany community members, teachers, and kids, watch our SchoolCARE video. When we finished it just a few months ago, it was a much more optimistic time—but we truly believe we can get there again, together.
Finally, we understand that this crisis affects many in our community, but if you’re in a position to help the people who help our kids, a donation of any amount is deeply appreciated.
Thank you, as always, for your support. We are so grateful. We hope you and your family are well.
All of our best during this different and difficult time,
The SchoolCARE Board of Directors
Friday Night Lights: Honoring the Graduating Class of 2020
In honor of the Albany High School and MacGregor High School Graduating Class of 2020, Superintendent Wells will begin Friday Night Lights at Cougar Field at 2020 hour(s) (military time = 8:20 pm).
Every Friday night beginning tomorrow, May 1st, through June 12th, the lights at Cougar Field will be turned on at 2020 hours for 20 minutes and 20 seconds (8:20-8:40pm).
In order to ensure the safety of our community, we ask that all health precautions for Alameda and Contra Costa County are followed by everyone. Large gatherings are still not allowed on Cougar Field at this time.
Please note: this is not in lieu of graduation; these plans are still being firmed up by Albany High Principal and Staff, so please stay tuned for more information on that.
Recommended Reads From AHS Library
This week I’m highlighting audiobooks - yes, listening to books counts as reading! AudiobookSync is a program which offers free downloads of audiobooks which are yours to keep. Each week from April 30th through July 29th you can get two new titles.
Here’s how you do it:
Go to https://www.audiobooksync.com/ scroll down and enter your email address.
Once you‘ve done that, go to the App Store or Google Play and download the Sora app.
Open the app and click on “I have a set up code”; enter audiobooksync at the prompt.
On the next screen sign in with your email address and you’re all set!
Sign up for text alerts so you’ll know when new books are available. The alerts include instructions on how to download audiobooks onto your device. Remember, each pair is only available for one week, so once you get the alert, download them as soon as you can. Each week’s selections are listed below. As always, contact me at criemer@ausdk12.org if you have any questions. Happy listening!
Ms. Riemer
Albany Responds COVID-19 Food Drive
AHS students are organizing a food drive for our neighbors in need. Because of Covid-19, the food drive is completely online. All proceeds benefit the Alameda County Food Bank, which is experiencing a huge surge in demand. Please visit: https://www.vfd-accfb.org/grouphome.aspx?ID=7372, and donate as part of Albany High School, or an AHS club/sports team. If you're interested in having your club/team participate, please email fionamo21@ausdk12.org. Donations of all sizes are much appreciated. Thank you for helping our community during this challenging time!
Recommended Reads From AHS Library
This week I’m featuring comics and graphic novels. You can get them from Albany Public Library through Hoopla Digital. Hoopla also has e-books, videos and music, but its collection of comics and graphic novels is great. Even better, the titles are always available - no waitlists! You can check out up to six items per month.
Set up your Hoopla account here: https://www.hoopladigital.com/ You’ll just need your email address and library card number. You can use Hoopla in your browser, or download the Hoopla app from the App Store or Google Play to use it on your mobile device. Still need a library card? Get one here: https://guides.aclibrary.org/accounts. Please contact me at criemer@ausdk12.org if you have any questions or need more recommendations.
Ms. Riemer
Skyward, by Joe Henderson and Lee Garbett
In a future time, Earth’s gravity has become a fraction of what it is today and everyone has adjusted to low-g life. Not everyone is happy about it - as Willa discovers when she stumbles upon a dangerou plot to bring gravity back.
Runaways, Vol 1: Pride and Joy, by Brian K.Vaughan and Adrian Alphona
Six teens are shocked to discover their parents have been lying to them. Their parents aren’t superheroes, they’re supervillains - and they never let the teens know they had powers of their own.
They Called Us Enemy, by George Takei, Harmony Becker, Justin Eisinger and Steven Scott
Actor and activist George Takei recalls his experience as a child in Japanese internment camps during World War 2, and how those experiences affect him today.
Birding Is My Favorite Videogame, by Rosemary Mosco
This collection of humorous science comics takes a look into the natural world. Among other things, it includes animal dating profiles, defense mechanisms, and a surprisingly cute explanation of the difference between venomous and poisonous animals. It proves that nature’s detailed graphics, global availability and regular release of new content make it the world’s best videogame.
The Life and Times of America Chavez, by Gabby Rivera and Joe Quiñones
America is a former Young Avenger who now leads the Ultimates. When she heads off to college, she has to contend with monsters and strange cults before she can even get to her classwork.
Death Wins A Goldfish: Reflections From a Grim Reaper’s Yearlong Sabbatical, by Brian Rea
Death is notified by the Human Resources Department it has to use up all of its vacation days. This is the journal of everything Death learned and did during its one year hiatus.
End Of 3rd Quarter Update to the Community
Dear Albany High School students and families,
As we end the third quarter of the 2019-20 school year, I am struck by the circumstances we are facing and see it as both a time of loss and growth. I am so impressed with how much our staff, students, families and district have come together to support one another and cope with many mixed emotions, various educational and basic needs, all while sharing a sincere sense of optimism for better days ahead. Let’s combine our virtual efforts to teach and learn through the next nine weeks and ensure that the graduating class of 2020 is revered for the incredibly hard work it takes to be a student during these challenging times.
As you may know, I will be moving into my position as Director of Student Services and welcoming Darren McNally as the new principal of Albany High effective May 1, 2020. It has been such an honor to serve this Cougar community since 2017 and I look forward to continuing my efforts and energy with AUSD, a district that will forever be my home away from home.
Please take a moment to read the important information regarding grades below.
The 3rd quarter ended today, and teachers will be completing grading from this quarter and putting grades into Aeries after Spring Break. Grades for all students can be found in Aeries, and we will be separately notifying anyone that may be in danger of failing a course.
We have been grappling with the issue of grading, along with many others, since school was closed. Because almost all of the 3rd quarter was completed before closing, we are not modifying any of our grading policies for this quarter. We have issued guidelines to teachers to be accommodating of student's situations over the last three weeks so that grades are mostly a depiction of how students were doing before school closed, and their successes since closing.
For semester grades, which are the only grades recorded on transcripts and reported to colleges and universities, we are currently reviewing our grading policies with our faculty and district leadership. Like most high schools and universities, we feel the need to acknowledge how much more difficult teaching and learning is in this unprecedented moment. We also feel the need to acknowledge the successes of our students, and the hard work they and their teachers will continue to do until June. We will send out our revised semester grading policy by the end of the week back from Spring Break, April 17th.
Please continue to reach out to any AHS staff member for support, a pep talk or to find out how to best take care of ourselves and each other. I wish you rest, good health and peace during the spring break and look forward to the day when we celebrate school reopening together.
Best regards,
Alexia Ritchie
AHS Principal