Albany Track-Tacular Fundraiser This Saturday
Please come for a great new community event supporting our AHS Track Team! Concession stand will be open with snack and lunch selections. Stay local, enjoy Cougar Field, and RUN! Contact coach Jack for more information: jackwallace2980@gmail.com
Date: This Saturday, April 20
Registration: Opens at 9:30 am, April 20
First Event: 11 am -- The Masters Mile (40+ age--Let's show these kids who's still got it!)
Kids' Events!
11:45 am Kids' Fun Run (100 meter dash)
12:00 Kids' Treasure Hunt (candy hunt)
National Ocean Sciences Bowl Team Victorious in DC
Congratulations to the AHS National Ocean Sciences Bowl team for bringing home our second(!) national title.
Evan Zhong, Nathan Skinner, Ruby Tang, James Hort, and Maria-Sophia Fedyk returned home late Sunday night from Washington DC... victorious... as National champs! Thanks also to their coach, and AHS alum, Andy Marsh.
To qualify for Finals, our team had to first win their regional competitions. In total, more than 365 teams (made up of approximately 1,825 students representing 33 states) participated. At the National Finals, 24 teams went round after round in a double-elimination tournament.
The NOSB tests students' knowledge of ocean science topics, including cross-disciplines of biology, chemistry, policy, physics, and geology. Buzzer-style multiple choice and longer, critical thinking-based questions covered cross-disciplinary ocean science knowledge as well as topics relevant to the theme, Observe the Ocean, Secure the Future. These questions tested students on their knowledge of the technology needed to observe the ocean, how and why scientists gather ocean data, the challenges of processing such huge data sets, and how ocean observations address societal needs.
Teams also presented science recommendations on a piece of legislation in the Science Expert Briefing (SEB), a mock congressional hearing that enhances the critical thinking elements of the competition and focuses on real-world skills. Our team got first place in that too!
For their first-place win, the AHS NOSB team was awarded a special behind-the-scenes trip to Monterey Bay this summer, where they will visit many of the nearby oceanographic institutions and learn about local scientific and conservation efforts. And they got a big trophy.
Students: Voice Your Priorities for our New Superintendent
Albany Unified School District is searching for a new Superintendent as current Superintendent, Valerie Williams, will retire at the end of this school year. Please visit Superintendent Search 2019 to see more information about the search process and timeline. An essential part of the process is engaging with the Albany community to develop a profile of the most important qualities, skills, and characteristics for the new Superintendent. To that end, an extensive series of public stakeholder engagement meetings will be held on March 19, 20, and 22. Students, you are invited to participate on Wednesday, March 20 from 3:00 – 4:00 pm in the AHS library.
Message Regarding Recent Events in New Zealand
Dear Albany High School community,
We are sadden by the recent events in New Zealand and our hearts and healing thoughts are with the victims, families and community during this difficult time. Hate acts and violence such as this can be countered with compassion and by promoting an understanding of empathy, social justice and efforts towards global acceptance for all people, faiths and beliefs. AHS has counselors should students need additional support during this time. For more information on talking to students about these issues, please visit the following link:
https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/finding-resolve-after-the-new-zealand-mosque-shootings
Take care,
Alexia Ritchie
Principal
AHS PTSA-Sponsored AP Classes Information Night
When: Tuesday 3/12 7-9p.
Location: AHS (TBD)
Albany High School offers Advanced Placement (AP) classes in many subjects, and AP classes are popular with AHS students. But some AHS students make themselves miserable by trying to take as many AP classes as they can—often in subjects that don't interest them—in the mistaken belief that this is the only way that they will be admitted to a "good" university. Other AHS students assume that AP classes aren't for them or for "students like them," and either don't sign up for AP classes or don't do the things they need to do early on to prepare for AP classes in their final years of high school. In this information session, AHS Principal Alexia Ritchie, AHS Coordinator of Alternative Education Darren McNally and AHS Teacher Kevin James will discuss how to help your student decide whether to take AP classes (and how many), and the things your student should do to prepare for AP coursework.
pFAB Chipotle Fundraiser This Saturday
Albany Performing and Fine Arts Boosters (pFAB) is holding a fundraiser on Sat., 3/9 from 4-8pm at Chipotle in El Cerrito. If you bring in the flyer or show it on your phone, 33% of your purchase will go toward funds for theater at Albany High School.
Come eat with us before or after you attend the Theatre Ensemble’s performance of “Little Shop of Horrors.” Don’t forget to show them the flyer!
PTSA March Fundraisers
The First Annual AHS PTSA Mattress Fundraiser
Need a mattress? Look no further, AHS PTSA for the rescue! We are partnering with CFS (Custom Fundraising Solutions) to bring the best deals to your doorstep (AHS GYM)!!! This is an AHS PTSA fundraiser, all the funds raised go towards supporting students education and overall experience at AHS! Have a question? Ask your friendly AHS PTSA board at ahs-ptsa@ausdk12.org .
AHS PTSA Giving Fund
AHS PTSA supports AHS clubs, AHS theater program, AHS Senior Grad Night, teachers (via mini grants),and many other initiatives. Our sole purpose is to help create and maintain the support and safety net our AHS students need. Please consider donating here.
Performing and Fine Arts Boosters
Theatre Ensemble presents “Little Shop of Horrors” 3/7 – 3/9 at the Albany High School Little Theater. Don’t miss out on this amazing show. Buy your tickets now before the sell out at Brown Paper Tickets.
At the performances, we will be auctioning off tickets to shows at Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Shotgun Players as well as some smaller items.
Please also sign up to help feed the cast and crew during their late night rehearsals 2/25-3/4
We look forward to seeing you at a show!
Albany Athletic Boosters
Join the Athletic Boosters upstairs at Club Mallard on Thursday, March 7th from 4-7p. Come mingle and have drinks and snacks with community and friends. 50% of proceeds will go to supporting our athletic programs and student-athletes.
Online School Spirit Store Closes in Two Weeks
The Albany school spirit store is only open for 2 more weeks. Please visit the link below to place your orders:
SchoolCARE needs your help!
Spring into Action - Volunteers needed to distribute SchoolCARE brochures
Help SchoolCARE kick-off our district-wide spring fundraising campaign! We need your help to raise much-needed funds for Albany schools for the coming school year.
Our district is facing budget cuts that threaten Albany’s schools and staff. With your help we can meet our ambitious goal of raising $325,000. Together we can educate the community by leaving a SchoolCARE brochure at every Albany home.
This is a perfect active volunteer opportunity for families, community members and high school students!
The SchoolCARE brochures will be ready for pick up in Albany on Friday, March 22 after 3:00 pm. We need 35 volunteers who will be able to leave brochures at Albany homes on either Saturday March 23 or Sunday March 24. Maps and routes will be provided upon pick-up.
If you are interested, please email AlesiaAlonso@yahoo.com with your name and contact information.
THANK YOU!!