Abbott Qualifies for CIF State Cross Country Championship Meet
Congrats to Calder Abbott who just qualified for next week’s state meet. Calder is only the third male runner ever to qualify for State from Albany High!
His time of 15:49.8 at the NCS Championships on Saturday, Nov. 18th puts him third on the all-time list for that course and 2nd overall on NCS race day.
Riley Harmon finished sixth overall, but unfortunately she was just edged out for the final individual qualifying spot at State (by nine seconds). We still look forward to seeing Riley during the track season…and, no doubt, running for a college team!
GO COUGARS!
City of Albany looking for community advisors
The City of Albany is seeking people to apply for advisory bodies. This is a wonderful opportunity to have your voice heard on a variety of issues, serve your community and learn about local government. There are currently seats available on the Community Media Access Committee (CMAC) and the Social and Economic Justice Commission (SEJC) as well as the Alameda County Transportation Commission Paratransit Advisory and Planning Committee (PAPCO).
CMAC is undergoing review of their purpose at this time; however one of their main tasks in the organization and running of the Albany Film Fest. They also provide recommendations regarding the allocation of funds from the franchise 1% Public Educational and Governmental Access Channel (PEG) support fee and are considering the development of a program for adult community media volunteers to create and edit video content to be utilized via City media.
The charge of SEJC is to research, analyze, discuss and evaluate a broad range of data and opinions on social and environmental issues affecting the welfare of the residents of Albany. Recently they have made recommendations to the City Council for the implementation of the Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax, the Community Resource Center, and a Rent Review program.
The mission of the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) is to plan, fund and deliver transportation programs and projects that expand access and improve mobility to foster a vibrant and livable Alameda County. Community advisory committees make recommendations to Alameda CTC, keep a close eye on transportation improvements and engage project sponsors and community members.
I am happy to discuss any of these opportunities with you at your convenience, pmcquaid@albanyca.org. For more information on all City advisory bodies and the application process please see http://www.albanyca.org/government/boards-commissions-committees
Thank you for considering joining one of our advisory bodies; I am sure you will find participating in local government very worthwhile. Your personal commitment to our City is a wonderful example for your children of the value you place on community service.
Peggy McQuaid
Albany Mayor
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
AHS Theatre Ensemble Presents Bustown—Five Shows This Week!
The AHS Theatre Ensemble presents Bustown written by Lachlan Philpott and directed by Erin Merritt.
Enjoying the safety of their junkyard town, the people of Bustown happily wait for The Driver to return. But Axel and Cressida cant stop thinking about Otherness. With a chain of keys in close reach, how long will they continue to wait?
A vibrant exploration of that time of transition between childhood and adulthood, Bustown explores the tensions between parents trying to hold on to their relationships with their kids and keep them safe, and teens' need to discover and define their futures for themselves.
Tickets at the door or at bustown.brownpapertickets.com
Thursday Nov 9 7p
Friday Nov 10 8p
Saturday Nov 11 2p & 8p
Invitation to Albany Middle School Annex Groundbreaking Ceremony
Dear AUSD Staff, Parents, Students, & Community Members,
You are cordially invited to attend the Albany Middle School Annex groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. The ceremony will be held at the Albany Middle School Annex site at 601 San Gabriel Ave.
The ceremony is a very important part of celebrating your Bond Measures B & E at work. The flyer below outlines the schedule for the Albany Middle School Annex site construction.
Please join us!
Val Williams, Superintendent
The project timeline is as follows:
- Monday, November 13, 2017 4:30pm – Groundbreaking Ceremony
- November 2017 – Soil Treatment and Removal (Truck activity)
- December 2017 – Construct Foundation (Truck activity)
- January and February 2018 – Underground Utilities\
- March and April 2018 – First Floor Structure
- April and May 2018 – Second Floor Structure
- June 2018 – Roof Installation
- July to December 2018 – Interiors
- Grand Opening – Early 2019
Cougars Dominate at TCAL Championships
Congrats to the Albany boys cross country team for a clean sweep of the Frosh/Soph, JV and Varsity Boys races at the TCAL championships this past Thursday!!! That makes it “three years” in a row that our boys have won a championship banner!!!
Also, special congrats to Riley Harmon and Calder Abbott for “winning” the Varsity races in speedy times of 19:23.8 and 16:37.9 respectively! Riley successfully defended the title she won last year!!!
The 27 medal winners include:
Varsity Boys: (6)
Calder Abbott—1st overall
Cairo DaSilva—2nd overall
Henry Burditt—4th overall
Sage Sherman-Howell—5th overall
Gus Brown—6th overall
Ethan Maches—13th overall
Varsity Girls: (3)
Riley Harmon—1st overall
Ellery Renger—8th overall
Natalia Porras—10th overall
JV Boys: (8)
Joseph Rees-Hill—2nd overall
Kai Girard—4th overall
Rakesh DaSilva—6th overall
Patrick Hwang—8th overall
Jared Williams—9th overall
Daniel Park—10th overall
Joseph Doyle—11th overall
Jakob Seidner—13th overall
JV Girls: (3)
Lisa Gildisch—8th overall
Averly Sheltraw—12th overall
Carolyn Lee—14th overall
Frosh/Soph Boys: (7)
Julian Johnson—3rd overall
Joshua Bernard-Pearl—4th overall
Nicholas Chen—5th overall
Alex Jung—10th overall
Kai Weiner—11th overall
Sam Joffe—12th overall
Victor Zhang—13th overall
Albany Jewish Parent Engagement Group meeting
The next meeting of the newly formed AUSD Jewish Parents Engagement Group (J-PEG) will be Sunday Nov. 5 from 4-5:30 @ St Alban’s Church in Albany. This group is open to any interested community members who identify as Jewish or are raising Jewish children.
The next meeting of the newly formed AUSD Jewish Parents Engagement Group (J-PEG) will be Sunday Nov. 5 from 4-5:30 @ St Alban’s Church in Albany. This group is open to any interested community members who identify as Jewish or are raising Jewish children. Join us to discuss how we can lend our voice to the Albany Community. Bring a snack or drink to share if you can. If you cannot attend but are would like to be added to the private Google group and or Facebook page to receive notifications, please email JewishParentsGroup@gmail.com:
The purpose of this organization is to create a group of self-identified Jewish families that would (1) have a collective voice in the current efforts to address anti-Semitism, racism, sexism and any forms of bias or hate in the Albany public schools (2) educate the community about 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 in Albany (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)
Winter Sports Are Just Around The Corner
Below is some important information that will help you prepare for the upcoming winter sports season.
Online Registration (CLOSES Nov. 2nd @ 3pm)
Registration for Winter sports will close on Thursday, Nov. 2nd @ 3:00pm. Late registration will take place between Nov. 6th - Nov. 9th ONLY. Late registrants will not be cleared to tryout/practice until Monday, Nov. 13th. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Please be sure to follow all instructions on the athletic registration webpage. Online registration can be found here.
Medical Clearance Forms
Students are required to have a physical examination certifying that the student is fit to participate in extracurricular athletics. The Medical Clearance Form must be completed and signed by a physician each school year on or after July 1st. Any Medical Clearance form signed by the doctor before July 1st (June 1st-Football only) cannot be accepted. Medical Clearance Forms must be uploaded to your online athletic registration account in order to be cleared. No hard or email copies will be accepted.
Medical Clearance Forms can be downloaded and printed here.
Tryout Information
Winter Sports tryouts are scheduled to begin on Monday, Nov. 6th after school. For exact tryout/practice locations and times, you should contact your respective coach directly. Coach contact information can be found here.
Winter Sports Parent Meeting (Tuesday, Nov. 14th @ 7pm)
Our Winter Sports Parent Meeting will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 14th at 7:00pm in the AHS gym. All parents of students participating on a winter sports team are expected to attend this informative meeting. Please make it a priority to attend!
Albany Athletics Website
Be sure to visit the Albany Athletics website @ GoAlbanyAthletics.org. Please be sure to use this new site to find all Albany Athletics related information. Most information will no longer be available on the AHS website.
GO ALBANY!
AHS Athletics Fundraiser This Thursday at Club Mallard
Come join us in celebrating Homecoming Week, building community and raising funds for sports, at our Athletics Boosters Fall "Happy Hour" Fundraiser.
Thursday, October 26th @ Club Mallard from 4:00-7:00pm.
Remember that 50% of all proceeds will directly benefit Albany Athletics Boosters, which supports the athletic teams at Albany Middle School and Albany High School. Be sure to invite all friends, family, co-workers and community members to join in on the fun! Finger food, pool tables and great raffle prizes will also be provided!
Clarification of Town Hall Meeting Sessions
Dear AUSD Parents, Staff, Students, and Community Members:
Due to a structural deficit created by the State of California, the Albany Unified School District needs to reduce ongoing expenditures by $1.15 million dollars beginning with the 2018-19 school year. We are faced with making important decisions about reducing programs and personnel. To learn more about the District's budget and to provide your input, we invite you to attend a town hall meeting this Saturday at the Albany Middle School Gym.
Repeated sessions will begin at 1:15 pm and again at 2:00 pm, 2:45 pm, 3:30 pm, and 4:15pm so people can choose the best time to attend one of the sessions.
For more information: https://goo.gl/GoiKok
Valerie Williams, Superintendent