Pre-register To Vote?

Yes. That's right. Californian teenagers can pre-register to vote at age 16.

From Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction: “This is a terrific opportunity for educators to talk with high school students about the critical importance of voting, prepare them to participate in elections, and pre-register online,” said Torlakson, who started his public service career as a high school science teacher and coach. “Working together, we can educate and encourage our young citizens to register to vote and turn out at the polls to ensure their voices are heard in 2017 and beyond.”

For more information, and to pre-register, click here.

First Site Council Meeting of the Year

Our first School Site Council meeting of the year will be this Monday, 9/18 from 5:30-6:30p in the main office conference room. Parents and students who are interested in serving on Site Council are encouraged to contact Ms. Reimuller via email (ereimuller@ausdk12.org) Thank you!

PSAT Information

Albany High School will be offering the PSAT on Saturday, October 14 from 8:00 to Noon. The cost is $25. Please pay for the test on the MySchoolBucks website. After paying online, students should pick up a PSAT Student Guide from the Book Room any day between 8a and 1p. Students can also pay for the test with exact change (or a check payable to AUSD with the student’s name on the memo line), outside the Book Room window during the last half hour of lunch beginning on Monday, Sept. 25.

Schedule for purchases by grade level:

• Juniors have priority- Monday, Sept. 25 to Thursday, Sept. 28.
• Sophomores- Friday, Sept. 29 to Tuesday, October 3.  
• All other students-  Wednesday, Oct. 11 and Thursday, Oct. 12.  

If you have financial need, you can request a fee waiver from Ms. Reimuller or your counselor.

AHS Online Library Fundraiser

September 13 through October 14, 2017

Please help support your student’s love of reading and learning by donating to the AHS Library fundraiser.

Go to http://www.titlewish.com/1090944 to securely donate by credit card. All donations will be used to purchase high-interest reading-for-pleasure books and books and DVDs that support AHS curriculum.

Thank you for your support!

Jewish Parent Engagement Group (J-PEG) First Meeting of the Year

J-PEG, the Jewish Parent Engagement Group of Albany school district families inaugurated in June of 2017, wishes a "Shana Tovah" (good year) to those celebrating Jewish New Year! The first meeting of the new school year is on Sunday, September 17th from 9-10:30am at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington Street, Albany. We will discuss the impact that the recent national and local rise in anti-Semitic activity is having on the lives of our own families. Mayor Peggy McQuaid will also take about 10 minutes to talk about the Albany Education Fund. Questions can be directed to JewishParentsGroup@gmail.com.

J-PEG is a group of self-identified Jewish families that will: (1) have a collective voice in the current efforts to address racism, anti-Semitism, and any other form of bias or hate (2) educate the school community about the facts of Jewish history, culture, and religion (3) ally with other parent engagement and community groups to help create an affirming and safe environment for all students and families (4) provide mutual support within our group around Jewish identity and anti-Semitism (5) embrace all Jewish identities (e.g. secular, interfaith, Jews of color, LGBTQ, all levels of observance).

Principal's Message, Fall 2017

Dear Albany High School Community,

The beginning of the school year is a time to reflect on previous experiences in preparation for future goal setting and actions. As a dedicated learning community, we have jumped into the work of connecting with students, family and community members to strengthen relationships, explore goals for student achievement and to align action steps with school practices that provide an equitable focus when targeting supports and services. All of our departments continue to examine course content, instructional strategies and assessment methods that reaffirm and encourage critical and compassionate thinking skills that are student driven. Some of the additions that we are now exploring for staff and students include:

• The Identity, Health and Society (IHS) social justice content for all 9th graders.
• Our newly formed Ethnic Studies course.
• Social Justice Math Study groups for teachers.
• Assistant Principals who share responsibility for discipline, curriculum and student supports.
• Reviewing and revamping the Crisis Response Plan to strengthen our school and District readiness capacity.
• A robust and expanded alternative education program.
• Professional development for all staff that includes work on unconscious bias, creating a space to discuss identity and race with each other and students, in order to develop a shared vocabulary and facilitate ongoing  equity discussions.

In partnership, families can work with Albany High School to sustain home-school connections and community ownership of school outcomes. Having honest and courageous conversations in the classroom and at home regarding identity, race, or social media responsibilities, are essential when paired with our curriculum that already emphasizes empathy and appreciation for differences.

I invite you to join this important work by stepping into shared governance roles in our school and District which includes our PTSA, School Site Council and the recently formed Albany Coming Together (ACT) committees that are in place to lead policy shifts and equitable resource allocations. Please contact me or find information on our website http://www.ausdk12.org/ to learn more about program and student goal initiatives both at Albany High School and within AUSD.

Thank you in advance for your time and collective contributions this year.

Alexia Ritchie, Principal

Back to School Night, Wednesday 9/13

Back to School Night will be next Wednesday, 9/13 from 7-9pm. Students will bring home copies of their schedules for parents to use as a guide as they travel from one classroom to another.

Board of Education Open Forums @ AHS

The Albany Board of Education, which includes both student and elected members, will be hosting a series of forums to discuss important issues with students and staff. These forums will be held in the Albany High school atrium from 1-2p on the following days:

• Sept 14
• Nov 16
• Jan 18
• April 5
• May 7 

Come meet your Board of Education members to share ideas, concerns or questions you have and let's work together to support all students in Albany!

PowerSchool Registration for Parents

Parents, please expect an email on or before 9/5 that contains detailed information about registering for access to the PowerSchool portal.

In preparation, the District Office has prepared a document to help you understand what PowerSchool is, and how it differs from Aeries.

Volunteer at the Solano Stroll—Get Fed (and Maybe Paid)

The Solano Avenue Stroll / Solano Avenue Association is looking for student help at this year's Stroll on Sunday, September 10th. It's a great opportunity to gain volunteer experience and entry-level leadership skills. There are a handful of paid positions, and plenty of food vouchers to share. Get in touch with us from the link below. We hope to see you there!

Click here for more specific information about volunteering.