Congratulations, Seniors! from the AHS Dance Department
The AHS Dance Department would like to congratulate 2020 on their graduation and wish all Cougars a safe and happy summer! Enjoy this video from our Advanced Dance 2 class.
AHS Student and Parent Team Up to Support SchoolCARE
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaskUpWithAlbanyCA
100% of the proceeds from these masks made by Rashi & Renu DaSilva go to SchoolCARE. Use coupon code MASKUP2020 for pick up only (please do not use if you would like your items shipped); we will let you know where to get your order when it’s ready. Mask up, drink up, AND support our schools!
Thank you for your support!
Rashi & Renu
AHS Virtual Art Show 2020!
Please join us in celebrating the work of our fantastic advanced level Cougar artists. These students have found inspiring ways to express their individual experiences over the past few months and we are proud of them.
AHS Reads—Making The Most of the Public Library
Now that the school year is coming to an end, we want to make sure you have plenty of resources to keep reading (and listening!) over the summer. Following is detailed information for getting e-library cards for Albany Public and Berkeley Public Library, as well as listings of their digital resources and links to get help. We included a list of the most popular apps needed to access the digital resources.
You may also want to participate in Albany Public Library’s summer activity program, “Kind, Connected Summer.” It kicks off on June 15th, and there will be prizes! Registration is not required for the program, which is open to all ages, youth through adult. Find more information on the library’s website: https://guides.aclibrary.org/summer
One more important thing - this has been a year like no other. It feels strange to give you a generic “have a safe and happy summer” message. Instead, we hope this summer brings justice, peace and healing.
Ms. Riemer and Ms. Scheuer
Albany Public Library
How to get a card:
Sign up for an e-card at https://alam1.aclibrary.org/selfreg - be sure to check your spam folder if you don’t see the confirmation email right away
Find instructions here to set or reset your pin: https://answers.aclibrary.org/faq/263091
Forget what your library card number is? Use the Live Chat feature on the library’s homepage to ask for help: https://www.aclibrary.org/home
Find an A to Z listing of all of the library’s digital resources here: https://guides.aclibrary.org/az.php
Have other questions?
When you’re looking for the Albany Library on your device, it’s often listed under “Alameda County Library” because it’s part of that system
Check out the FAQ’s https://answers.aclibrary.org/
Get help via Live Chat text from the library’s homepage https://www.aclibrary.org/home
If they’re offline you can text your question to (510) 686-3998
Berkeley Public Library
How to get a card:
Sign up for an e-card at https://catalog.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/obr/ - be sure to check your spam folder if you don’t see the confirmation email right away
Any California resident may apply for a Berkeley Public Library card
Find all of the library’s digital resources here: https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/explore/elibrary
Have more questions?
Use the library’s contact form: https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/about/contactus/contact-us-form
Here are a few electronic resources we recommend:
For e-books to read on a tablet: Libby App
For e-books to read on a Kindle: OverDrive
For audiobooks: Libby App
For comics: Hoopla
For magazines: RB Digital
For the New York Times: click on E-Mags or E-Newspapers from the library’s home page
Drive-thru Celebration For Seniors
Hey seniors!! Please stop by the drive-thru celebration on Tuesday, June 9th between 1-3pm to pick up your free Senior Swag Bag & T-shirt!! We want everyone to get one so please spread the word. It’ll be the last chance to pick up a lawn sign as well. All happening in front of AHS on Key Route Blvd. See you there!!
- AHS PTSA
2020 Yearbook Purchasing & Distribution
Go online to https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/ and enter AHS Job #12564. The cost is currently $95 and your purchase will be immediately recorded.
If you already purchased a book, yearbook distribution/pick-up is likely to take place the second week of August. Please stay tuned for further information.
Questions? Reach out to Yearbook Adviser Juliet Radford at jradford@ausdk12.org
Black and Latinx Graduation
You are cordially invited to the Black and Latinx Graduation Ceremony for AHS's class of 2020. It will be held via Zoom on June 10th at 4pm. As a show of unity this year, we have decided to celebrate our Black and Latinx seniors in a joint graduation ceremony.
There will be speeches, performances, and the like. Please contact Mrs. Jorden-Swan ASAP if you would like to participate in the ceremony to honor these wonderful young people.
Seniors and their families will "attend" the ceremony via Zoom and KALB will stream the event live for the community. Links and additional information still to come.
Certificates, stoles, and celebratory masks will be provided for the seniors. These items will be distributed on June 9th with the rest of the items in the Seniors' Swag Bags (more info to follow from the PTSA.) Cali Alley will cater the event for the seniors and their families. A family meal will be provided for all participating seniors ready for curbside pick up at a local restaurant.
Seniors, if you want to participate in and/or "attend" the ceremony, please contact Mrs. Jorden-Swan at CJorden-Swan@ausdk12.org by June 6th.
AHS Reads – Pride!
In honor of Pride Month, this week’s list features books with LGBTQIA+ people at the center. The books cover a range of genres including realistic fiction, historical fiction, fantasy and nonfiction. Each title is available online through Overdrive/Libby or Hoopla, or you can purchase print copies (with free shipping!) from Books Inc. As always, if you have questions or would like more recommendations, please get in touch with me at criemer@ausdk12.org.
Ms. Riemer
Lies We Tell Ourselves, by Robin Talley
Set in 1959, African American Sarah Dunbar faces serious harassment as one of 10 students integrating an all-white high school. When she and White classmate Linda Hairston are forced to work together on a project they try to understand their attraction to each other when there are so many reasons they shouldn’t be together. (Overdrive/Libby)
Ship It, by Britta Lundin
Claire is a superfan of the tv show Demon Heart, and writes queer fanfic about the two leads, Smokey and Heart. At a convention, Demon Heart fans are upset when she is shut down after asking when the men will finally admit they love each other. Claire is asked to join their convention tour and use her social media platform to help clean up the public relations disaster. While on tour she meets fellow fan Tess. As Claire works to help Demon Heart, she works on her own heart as she and Tess grow closer together. (Hoopla)
Cosmoknights, by Hannah Templer
This graphic novel tells the story of a far distant future where princesses are prizes. Wealthy sponsors send mecha-clad warriors into battle to win them - and assets from their kingdoms. A team of queer women fighters infiltrate the game to liberate the princesses and upend this feudalistic patriarchy. (Hoopla)
All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages, edited by Saundra Mitchell
17 acclaimed young adult authors across the queer spectrum contribute stories of LGBTQIA+ teens through history, from the 1300’s to current day. The stories cover a diversity of genres, including romance, fantasy, self-discovery and adventure. (Overdrive/Libby)
This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story, by Kheryn (Kacen) Callender
Nate doesn’t believe in happy endings, especially after his best friend turned girlfriend breaks his heart. Things change when Nate’s childhood best friend Oliver moves back to town and - maybe - he can tell Oliver his true feelings. (Overdrive/Libby)
They Both Die at the End, by Adam Silvera
In this urban fantasy, people are notified of their impending death one day before it will happen. Those people can take advantage of an entire industry of last days services and experiences. Mateo and Rufus connect on Last Friend and make the most of their one day relationship. (Overdrive/Libby)
Bloom, by Kevin Panetta and Savanna Ganucheau
In this sweet graphic novel, it’s summer, and Ari is stuck in the city working in his family’s bakery. He’s tired of it and wishes he could get away. Hector, who loves baking, comes to town and takes a job at the bake shop. Ari begins to see things differently as he and Hector grow closer. (Overdrive/Libby)
Gender Queer, by Maia Kobabe
This graphic novel documents Kobabe’s exploration of eir* journey of self-identity as a non-binary, asexual person. The narrative includes interesting information regarding the biological roots of non-binary people. *Kobabe’s chosen pronoun (Hoopla)
I Wish You All the Best, by Mason Deaver
Queer, non-binary Ben is getting closer to their new friend Nathan. Ben struggles with anxiety but must find a way to manage it if they are to explore the feelings they and Nathan have for each other. (Overdrive/Libby)
Queer, There, and Everywhere, by Sarah Prager and Zoë More O’Ferrall
This non-fiction work contains biographies of 23 queer people throughout history, some well known, some whose contributions have been glossed over. We learn how each of the people whose lives are highlighted here impacted the world. (Hoopla)
AHS Reads - Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
In honor of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, this week’s list features books that center Asian culture. All of these books are available as ebooks through the Alameda County (Albany) Library on their Overdrive/Libby or Hoopla platforms. They are also in print, available through Books Inc.
As always, please get in touch with me at criemer@ausdk12.org if you have questions or need more recommendations.
Ms. Riemer
Realistic Fiction
Frankly In Love, by David Yoon
Two first generation Korean American teens pretend to have a relationship in order to hide their real non-Korean partners from their parents. They have to deal with racism and classism within their own community as they try to balance the American culture they live in with the expectations of their families. (Overdrive/Libby)
This Time Will Be Different, by Misa Sugiura
CJ Katsuyama loves working in her family’s flower shop. A developer swindled her grandparents out of the business when they were sent to the camps during World War Two. After years of work, the shop is back in the Katsuyama’s hands.The business is struggling but CJ is determined to fight back when the same developer’s family tries to buy the building out from under them. (Overdrive/Libby)
I Believe in a Thing Called Love, by Maurene Goo
Desi Lee accomplishes whatever she sets out to do because she always has a plan. The one thing she’s failing at is relationships. In an effort to find love she creates a strategy based on the plots of Korean dramas where, no matter what, the girl always gets the guy. (Overdrive/Libby)
Darius the Great Is Not Okay, by Adib Khorram
Half-Persian Darius Kellner travels to Iran to spend time with his mother’s side of the family. While there, he gets steeped in Iranian culture, something he missed while living in the US. Though dealing with depression, he’s able to connect with a new friend through playing soccer. (Overdrive/Libby)
Fantasy/Science Fiction
The Three Body Problem, by Cixin Liu
Set during China’s cultural revolution, an alien civilization captures signals sent by the military and makes plans to invade the earth. Conflicts arise between those who want to welcome the aliens, believing they will make the world better, and those who want to fight them. (Overdrive/Libby)
Monstress, by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda
In an ancient, matriarchal reimagined Asia, Maika Halfwolf is trying to survive in a world of war, prejudice, and mysterious dangers in this exciting comics series. She works to overcome the trauma of violence while trying to understand her psychic link to an immortal monster. (Hoopla)
Ronin Island, by Greg Pak and Giannis Milonogiannis
After a catastrophe changes 19th century Japan, Korea and China, survivors from the three countries find refuge on a hidden island. They overcome their differences and work together, but their existence is threatened when an army invades with a promise of more dangers to come. An absorbing, beautifully drawn graphic novel series. (Hoopla)
Historical Fiction
Outrun The Moon, by Stacey Lee
In 1906 San Francisco, Mercy Wong is determined to be admitted to a private school that usually accepts only wealthy white girls. She manages to get in only to have everything upended when the 1906 earthquake wrecks the town. Now on her own she must find a way forward for herself and other survivors. (Overdrive/Libby)
Butterfly Yellow, by Thanhha Lai
Hang is separated from her little brother as they try to escape Vietnam during the last days of the war. When she makes it to Texas 6 years later, she finds him but struggles to reconnect when she realizes he doesn’t remember her. (Hoopla)
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, 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.