The AHS Theatre Ensemble presents Peter and the Starcatcher!
This Tony Award-winning Peter Pan origin story is a wildly theatrical romp about the joy of make-believe, the adventures of being young at heart, and the power of storytelling to bridge the generations. Mixing pirates, orphans, and one heroic girl with music and a Monty Python sensibility, Peter and the Starcatcher is the perfect bedtime story for people of all ages.
The play runs from Thursday March 8th through Sunday March 11th. Tickets and show times available through https://starcatcher.brownpapertickets.com/
A play by Rick Elice
Based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Music by Wayne Barker
Directed by Erin Merritt
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
www.MTIShows.com
Principal Ritchie's 3rd Quarter Letter
Dear Albany High School Community,
As we move into the spring semester of the school year, I would like to take this time to connect you with some of the important work that is happening at our school and in AUSD. Albany has been my professional home for 25 years and I am always amazed at the brilliance of each and every student I work for. I am also heartened by the ways in which creative and compassionate minds come together and critically push us to improve our services to students and families. Below are just a few of those efforts Albany High School is focusing on this semester.
Our hearts and thoughts are with the students, staff and families of Douglas High School in Florida. Albany High plans for and practices multiple drills each year to prepare for emergency conditions. I am always impressed at how quickly our students and staff network during these drills to ensure the safety of all our school members. One of the strongest partners we have is our own PTSA who helps fund emergency supplies for every classroom. Becoming a member helps us sustain these supplies and many other direct supports for all students. For more information please visit the AHS PTSA page on our website.
Albany High school will be looking at ways to support goals and action steps found in our Single Plan for Student Achievement (complete SPSA) and with the self study connected to our upcoming WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation visit in 2018/19. For example, one goal from our Single Plan is to develop a school wide commitment to restorative practices which includes professional development focusing on implementing these values and action steps. In the fall, our math teachers from AHS and AMS partnered to look at social justice math practices. In February, we had Social Studies teachers, counselors and administrators attend the Museum of Tolerance educators workshop and, our entire staff is looking at social emotional competencies and how they relate to academic achievement and student engagement. I am very proud of the continued inquiry and growth mindset of our school community and invite you to join us next year in our WASC accreditation opportunities for parents/caregivers and students.
Please stay connected with Albany High by subscribing to our daily newsletter found on our website http://ahs.ausdk12.org/ and with our Powerschool online gradebook. I look forward to sharing the countdown to the class of 2018’s graduation ceremony on Friday, June 15 and in partnership with our community, moving AHS forward with efforts that benefit all students.
Sincerely,
Alexia Ritchie
Principal
Good Eggs Fundraiser for AHS
Hello Parents!
Welcome back from mid-Winter break...
In March and April, Good Eggs will donate 10% back to Albany High School every time you shop. Good Eggs is an online grocery market in the Bay Area bringing extremely fresh groceries straight to your door. Enroll in the fundraiser by visiting schools.goodeggs.com and entering the code 603. 10% will go back to Albany High starting on March 1, but you can enter the code ahead of time to enroll early. If you’ve never tried Good Eggs before, you’ll get $15 off your first order when you enroll!
We have a wonderful opportunity to help fund our students’ clubs and school projects requested by teachers! Thanks to Jackie Buchan, to our Principal and our dedicated Board for giving it a go! Hope you do too!
Cheers,
Tracey Brown
VP, Albany High PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association)
P.S. Interested in other fundraising ideas/efforts? Please join us on the first Monday @ 7pm for the PTSA meetings!
Three New Courses at AHS Next Year
Currently in the throes of course selection? Perhaps we can make your decision easier (or, more difficult, sorry.) AHS will offer two new electives and one new non-credit course next year: Business Management, CAD and Lifeguard Training. Descriptions follow:
Business Management
General Elective | Grades 9-12 | UC & CSU approved
Learn all the skills you need to be an entrepreneur: how to do your accounting, create effective marketing campaigns, write a business plan, and even how to file your taxes. Class includes a number of field trips to exciting local businesses with interesting business models. Practice your new skills by starting and running a small enterprise on campus. Social entrepreneurs welcome! This course is a great complement to your study of culinary arts, visual arts, web design or other fields where most people are self-employed. It could even lead to starting your own business or getting a job in sales or accounting right out of high school.
Take this course if... you are interested in starting your own business.
For more information: Send an email to mwalden@ausdk12.org or visit Ms. Walden in Room 202.
CAD (semester)
Applied Art Elective | Grades 9-12 | UC & CSU approved
Learn about the design process as it relates to engineering, architecture and industrial manufacturing. Use powerful software to create 2D drawings and 3D models of functional and artistic pieces. This is a hands-on class: we study a particular need; we make stuff; we break stuff (for Science, of course.) This semester-long class will be offered twice next year: once in the fall, and once in the spring. Students who take it fall semester may have an opportunity to take an advanced second semester in the spring, but this is not guaranteed. This is one of just two technical electives available for freshmen and sophomores (and our first new one in over ten years!)
Take this course if... you are good at visualizing things in three dimensions and like the idea of using a computer to design tools, buildings, furniture, appliances and more.
For more information: Send an email to jcastle@ausdk12.org or stop by Room 109B. Read more about the software we'll be using by searching for "Autodesk Fusion 360."
American Red Cross Lifeguard Training (semester)
Non-credit Course | Grades 10-12
Acquire the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. Being a lifeguard carries a significant professional responsibility, but lifeguarding also offers opportunities for professional growth. Experiences as a lifeguard can help one develop professional and leadership skills that will last a lifetime—through college, career and family. Gain practice creating a personalized job resume. Discuss and practice interview questions. Become a more confident candidate for agencies who are hiring. Special requirements: Must be 15 years of age. Must have the ability to swim 300 yards Freestyle and Breaststroke. Must be able to complete the following in less than 1:40sec: Jump in water, swim 15 yards, recover a brick from 13ft depth and swim back to wall while carrying brick.
Take this course if... you want to want to be a lifeguard. Duh.
For more information: Contact your counselor.
Girls Wrestling Wins NCS; Boys Place Strong at Tournament
Congratulations to the Albany High School Girls Wrestling team on winning the 2018 NCS Championship on Saturday, Feb. 10th at Albany High School. The team will now compete at the CIF State Championship Tournament on Friday/Saturday, Feb. 23-24 at the Visalia Convention Center! Congratulations to Coach Jason and Coach Melinda on a job well done!
The Albany boys deserve some recognition too—they placed 4th at the NCS Championship tournament on Friday/Saturday, Feb. 9-10 at Newark Memorial H.S. The team will now compete in the NCS Championship tournament on Friday/Saturday, Feb. 23-24 at James Logan H.S. Congratulations Coach Rose and Coach Manny!
AUSD Summer School
AUSD Summer School is currently enrolling students. This 4-week, free program will be held from June 25 - July 20 with a holiday taken on July 4. The program will be held at Cornell Elementary School. The courses being offered are English and History. Students who have failed an English or History class and need to make up those credits in order to graduate will be given priority enrollment. Students who have received a D in English or History may also request an opportunity to improve their grade in summer school, but enrollment to these students will be given on a first-come, first-served basis based on space in the program. Registration forms are now available in the counseling office.
The deadline to register for AUSD Summer School is Friday, May 4 or before. If you need to make up credits for English or History classes that you've earned a D or F in, please turn in your registration forms by May 4 or before. Early registration is encouraged as changes can me made up to the day Summer School begins. Enrollment space is limited. Forms are in the counseling office.
Spring Sports Late Registration Period (2/5 - 2/8)
Did you miss the Spring sports Registration Deadline on Feb. 1st? If so, do not worry because our Late Spring Sports Registration will take place beginning Monday, Feb. 5th at 8:00am and will run thru Thursday, Feb. 8th at 6:00pm. All student-athletes that register during the Late Registration period will be cleared to begin practicing on Friday, Feb. 9th. Please be sure to upload your updated Medical Clearance Form to your online athletic registration. Hard or email copies cannot be accepted! If you have any questions, please contact the AHS Athletics Office or visit our registration webpage for step-by-step instructions on how to complete your registration (see link below).
http://www.goalbanyathletics.org/page/show/2811225-registration
Two Ways to Help AEF and Albany Schools
The generous owner of Little Star continues to donate 10% of what you spend on the first Monday of each month to the Albany Education Foundation. Join us at 1181 Solano Avenue. Or call 526-7827 for take out. Either way, Albany schools will benefit.
Our major fundraiser for the year, our annual Chocolate and Champagne Gala, will be held on Saturday, February 10th at Northbrae Community Church (941 The Alameda in Berkeley) Tickets at $30 each are available. Child care for toilet-trained children is available with advance reservation, and a donation of $5 per child is requested. Contact AEF President Dianne McNenny at 527-8476 for tickets and child care. Proceeds from that event will be split with the Albany Community Foundation.
Thank you from AEF
Eat Pizza, Help Support AHS Theater Ensemble
The Albany High School Theater Ensemble will be having a fundraiser on January 25th at Zachary's Berkeley location (1853 Solano Ave.) The money will help with the production of "Peter and the Starcatcher", our Spring musical. In order to take part, people must show this flyer when paying.