Register For Spring Sports by This Thursday
Parents are reminded to register their students for spring sports (baseball, softball, boys' tennis, boys' golf, swimming and track and field) by THIS Thursday. Athletes must be cleared on the www.familyid.com website to tryout when practice begins Monday February 10th.
Albany Unified School District Opens $9.8M High School Addition with Eight Modern Classrooms, Including a Design+Build Workshop
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ALBANY, CA - The Albany Unified School District (AUSD) will celebrate the opening of the newly constructed Albany High School (AHS) Addition on February 8, 2020. This new 10,900 square foot, two-story classroom building adds eight large, modern classrooms to the school, including a double-high Design+Build Workshop. AHS Technology teacher Jeff Castle states, "I am excited that our new addition includes a 2,100 square foot Design+Build Workshop and adjacent computer lab. To me, the project ushers in a realistic and challenging vision of 21st Century Learning-one in which practical trade skills and core academics are not mutually exclusive. We have already created a University of California-approved course, Engineering & Design Principles, to take advantage of the new space. In just its second year, the pilot version of the class has twice as many sign-ups as it does room for enrollment. Indeed, the future looks bright for the dozens, if not hundreds, of Albany High Students who dream of-or perhaps don't know about-careers in engineering, architecture and advanced manufacturing."
The new facility effectively utilizes the last expansion space available at the high school site. Designed through a highly collaborative process involving school design and construction professionals, teachers, administrators, and community members, the adaptable modern building has a small footprint, yet meets multiple needs. The Alten Construction/LCA Architects team creatively adapted areas adjacent to the project site, transforming the campus center. The redesigned courtyard, a favorite gathering place for students, provides much-needed large and small group spaces for learning and social activities. Principal Alexia Ritchie notes, "We are very grateful for the support from our Albany community with this critical need for educational space for our students to learn, explore, and thrive."
AUSD is a leader in setting high environmental standards for school buildings. The District has committed to the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) standards, the first green building rating program for K-12 schools. The AHS Addition is Net-Zero Energy Ready, electrically powered, and fitted to receive a 81kW solar photovoltaic array. The new classrooms have abundant natural light and ventilation. Environmentally-friendly wall and ceiling finishes, paints, and flooring, were used throughout to provide a healthy learning environment for students and staff. Bioswale plantings will absorb rainwater and reduce run-off while providing biological and engineering learning opportunities. The project will be submitted for CHPS verification, receipt of which guarantees that all of the project's sustainability goals were met during the construction process.
Although the new addition is designed for permanent use as a high school facility, its first students will be much younger. The third, fourth, and fifth graders of Ocean View Elementary School (OVES) will use the AHS Addition as their temporary school while OVES is completely renovated and reconstructed. OVES will officially close on Feb. 14, 2020 and is scheduled to re-open as a flagship example of excellence in elementary school design in August 2021. The current school was built as a middle school in 1975, which has led to persistent challenges for teachers and students. OVES Principal Terryl Georgeson notes, "Our new building will be beautiful and exemplifies an ideal 21st century learning environment, with adjustable and changeable classroom features for all students to collaborate and work independently. Our new facility will make a difference for our kids, and we all are excited."
This move into the AHS Addition is the last step of Ocean View's temporary relocation plan. OVES kindergarteners were welcomed onto the campuses of Cornell and Marin Elementary Schools at the beginning of the 2019/20 school year. OVES first and second graders have been using a portion of the Albany Middle School Annex, which opened in June 2019, as their temporary school. Classes will begin at the AHS Addition on February 22, 2020 for OVES third, fourth, and fifth graders, immediately after the District's mid-winter break.
The AHS Addition is funded entirely from school bond Measures B and E, which were passed by Albany voters in June 2016. It is the second project to be completed in a slate of four major school construction projects. The first project, the Albany Middle School Annex, was finished on schedule and under budget in June 2019. The AHS Addition continues that record of success--it was completed in less than a year while maintaining a high standard of quality construction. The final project will be rebuilding Marin Elementary School, now in the final stages of the design process.
All are welcome to the Grand Opening of the new Albany High School Addition on February 8, 2020, 1:30 pm, 603 Key Route Boulevard, Albany, CA. Join community leaders, teachers, administrators, staff, LCA Architects, Alten Construction, Inc., and students from both Ocean View Elementary and Albany High School to celebrate the opening of this valuable new facility. Programs include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, open house, and self-guided tours.
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This press release is also published on the AUSD website: www.ausdk12.org
Help Needed: Challenge Day Volunteers
Would you like to make a positive impact on teenagers in our community in only one day? You can! Challenge Day is coming back to Albany High School next week and we need some adult volunteers on Tuesday, February 4th and Wednesday, February 5th. Challenge Day is an all-day interactive assembly designing to build empathy and community within the sophomore class. All sophomores will have the opportunity to participate in Challenge Day on February 3rd, 4th or 5th 2020. We need adult volunteers, who do not have a child in the 10th grade, to make this powerful experience happen.
Adult volunteers will need to arrive at 7:45 for a brief training. (Adult volunteers will be prompted and supported throughout the day's activities - you don't have to remember everything from the morning meeting!) Then students arrive and the program runs from 8:25 to 2:45. There is an adult meeting at the end of the day, but everything should be wrapped up by 3:15pm. A catered lunch and snacks will be provided for all. Challenge Day will be held at the Veteran's Memorial Building in Albany; it is adjacent to Albany High School's campus. Volunteers can sign up here: bit.ly/AHSchallenge2020
If you haven't heard about Challenge Day, it is a powerful, high energy program designed to unite the members of the school and to empower them to carry the themes of the program into their school community. This program is essential as part of our Social-Emotional Curriculum, promoting community, compassion and empathy. Last year’s sophomores report positive feedback feeling more connected and empathetic to their classmates.
Grand Opening Celebration of the Albany High School Addition!
Date: Saturday, February 8
Time: 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Location: 603 Key Route Boulevard
Opening Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting at 1:30 pm
Open House between 2:00 - 3:30 pm (come and go at your convenience)
Self-Guided Tours begin at 2:00 pm
Come and see the eight modern classrooms and redesigned courtyard of the new Albany High School Addition! Step into the double-high Design+Build Workshop, adjacent computer lab and the redesigned courtyard between the three high school buildings and the Aquatic Center. Pick up a self-guided tour sheet to see how the Addition and three portable classrooms will be a vibrant temporary home for Ocean View students during the reconstruction of their school. The AHS Addition is Net Zero Energy Ready and was built to high standards of "green" school construction -- environmentally friendly paints, flooring, walls and ceiling finishes were used throughout to provide a healthy learning environment for students and staff.
Raise a non-alcoholic toast to cheer the opening of our building that provides new high-tech learning opportunities, healthy environments, and much-needed classrooms for Ocean View students during temporary housing. All ages are welcome!
Volunteers needed at the AHS Library
Albany High students love using our library to study, use a computer, check out a book, or just chill. Students eat lunch in the library and are very respectful and responsible. They so value this opportunity and we want to support them. But we need help!
We need help in the library at lunchtime! Are you available on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays to volunteer in the library during AHS lunch hour (1-2 on Tues & Thurs, or 12-1 on Fri)? You’ll greet students and be a smiling face as they enter the library, visit with friends and do homework. Please email Ms. Scheuer if you can help out: mscheuer@ausdk12.org
AAB Spotlight on Success - Week of
Congratulations to all our teams and athletes!
BASKETBALL
The AHS girls basketball teams had an exciting night Friday, sweeping Richmond at Cougar Gym! After the JV won a thriller, Julianne Ivtchenko and Maggie Paulovich hit clutch shots in the final moments of the varsity matchup to lead Albany to a 40-33 win, avenging an earlier season loss to the Oilers...Go Cougars!
The Cougars will honor seniors Moxie Evan and Julianne Ivtchenko this Friday, as the Cougars conclude their home schedule against DeAnza. The Senior night ceremony will begin at 6:45 with the game following at 7pm.
SOCCER
The Cougar boys soccer team defeated John Swett on Friday to set up a first place showdown at Vallejo this Monday 1/27...Go Cougars!
The boys soccer team will honor their seniors Friday at Cougar Field prior to their 6pm match against Hercules.
The Cougar girls soccer team honored their seniors last Friday, then played an inspired match, defeating Pinole Valley 2-0!
WRESTLING
The Albany boys wrestlers defeated Athenian and Hercules in dual meets Thursday!
AAB Spotlight on Success – Week of 1/18
Congratulations to our teams and athletes!
BASKETBALL
Boys varsity basketball pulled out an exciting 45-41 heart-stopper Tuesday against rival El Cerrito. AJ Gilbert hit a clutch jumper and free throw to secure the Cougars first TCAL win!
Boys frosh basketball enjoyed a big win on the road, playing tough defense in defeating SPSV 49-46.
Girls varsity basketball defeated Vallejo 32-30 with senior team captain, Moxie Evan hitting important clutch free throws to nail down the win.
Girls JV basketball had a big night at DeAnza, stepping up for their first win of the season with a 42-34 win.
SOCCER
Boys varsity soccer had a busy week, defeating Salesian 4-0, tying Jesse Bethel 2-2, and dropping a well-played 1-0 squeaker to rival St. Mary's on Saturday. JVs lost to SM 2-1.
Girls soccer played with determined effort in a competitive 2-1 loss to El Cerrito.
WRESTLING
The boys competed in a double dual on Thursday vs Vallejo and Stewart Hall. Albany 10 vs Vallejo 57, Albany 30 vs Stewart Hall 24. Their current league dual record is 4-2.
The boys also competed at the Kermit Bankson Invitational Varsity tournament. Congratulations!
5th Place: James Hogan, Isaac Salzman
6th Place: Josh Ambrosio, Alex Ferguson
The girls competed at Berkeley High in a league double dual vs Castro Valley and Berkeley. Albany 27 vs Castro Valley 42 and Albany 42 vs Berkeley 9.
The girls current league dual record is 3-1...Go Cougars!
Register for Spring Sports by February 6th
Parents are reminded to register their students for spring sports via the www.familyid.com site. Deadline to register is February 6th; spring sports (swimming, track and field, boys tennis, softball and baseball) begin practice February 10th.