Happy Monday to all!
I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween and is in good spirits today (pun intended)! We also welcome November – a month filled with warmth and reflection, a time to embrace gratitude and a time to express thanks for our own journey. May we all have the chance to pause and count our blessings, both big and small, during this time. As you know, over the weekend we turned our clocks back one hour for daylight savings time, which better aligns with our internal clocks and gives us one extra hour of much-needed rest. This month also kicks off the hustle and bustle of the holiday season!
Attention eighth-graders and families: Albany High School academy lottery applications are available! The deadline to apply for admission into one of the school’s four themed academies is Tuesday, Nov. 25. Last week, our eighth-graders toured Albany High, giving students a better understanding of how each academy works before they make their selection on where to apply. Guidance counselors will begin visiting classrooms and assisting students in completing this application.
We have a PTA meeting scheduled this Wednesday (11/5) at 6:30 p.m. in room 112. Can't make the meeting in-person? You can Your involvement helps support the well-being and educational success of our children as well as our school community. We hope you will consider attending one of our upcoming meetings and sharing with us your thoughts about providing all students with a safe and supportive learning environment.
This Friday's (11/7) Fun Day theme is jerseys! Students can show their school spirit by wearing a shirt or jersey representing their favorite sport, athlete, school or college! We will continue to celebrate each Friday in a different way to boost school pride and add a little fun to our week.
Teen Night is coming this Friday (11/7) from 6-8 p.m. The theme will be Halloween and costumes are welcome! There will be a DJ/dancing in the foyer and multiple activity rooms upstairs with games or a movie. Admission is $4 and covers the DJ and free snacks and drinks. A cash-only concession stand will also be open, with all proceeds benefiting students through the Hackett PTA. The event is open only to Hackett students, and students must bring their school ID to enter. The PTA counts on adult volunteers to help the event run smoothly. . You also can (click on the "open donation" icon) that will allow the PTA to buy bulk snacks and drinks to sell.
The last day of the first quarter is this Friday (11/7). Please be sure your child has submitted all missed work, including assignments missed during an absence.
If your student is playing a winter sport, make sure you or they turn in the required forms before Nov. 24. Get more information here.
Stay connected!
Check out our website and in addition to my weekly emails. You also can reach out to us at (518) 475-6475.
Now for our 'Don't Snooze and Lose News'
Besides the items listed above, please make a note of the following information:
- There will be no school on Tuesday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
- School picture retakes will take place the morning of Friday, Nov. 14.
- District middle- and high-school performers will take to the stage this month in four performances of “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” trying their hand at opera, Greek myth and a modern twist on a timeless tale. Fallen Chandelier Productions will present performances on Friday, Nov. 14; Saturday, Nov. 15; Friday, Nov. 21; and Saturday, Nov. 22. All performances are at 7 p.m. in the Hackett auditorium. The show will feature students from Hackett, Albany High School, Albany School of Humanities and North Albany Middle School, along with students from other area schools. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students. or at the door. Questions? Email fachastage@gmail.com.
- Our next Friday Fun Day will take place on Nov. 21 and the theme will be hats! Let's show our school spirit by wearing our favorite hat to school! We will continue to celebrate each Friday Fun Day in a different way in order to boost school pride and add a little fun to our week.
- There will be no school Wednesday, Nov. 26-Friday, Nov. 26 for Thanksgiving break. School will resume on Monday, Dec. 1.
- Next month's PTA meeting will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. Can't make it in person? . Your involvement helps support the well-being and educational success of our children as well as our school community. We hope you will consider attending one of our upcoming meetings and sharing with us your thoughts for providing all students with a safe and supportive learning environment.
- Join us to celebrate the sounds (and tastes!) of the season at our annual Winter Concert and PTA Dessert Auction on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m.
- Interim grades for the second term close on Friday, Dec. 12.
Important reminders
Attention student skiers, snowboarders and those who want to learn either or both! Ski Club is preparing for the upcoming season. Interested students can pick up the paperwork in room 112. Year after year, our students benefit from building confidence and new skills, enhancing social skills and improving their overall physical fitness. Ski Club also offers a more affordable way to enjoy skiing and snowboarding through our group discounts.
Our Extended Day Program has begun! This after-school program takes place Monday-Thursday from 3-5:30 p.m. and includes a free snack and free door-to-door bus transportation home. Programs include swimming, cooking, judo, cosmetology, dance, arts and crafts, yearbook and more! Applications are available at the Attendance Desk in the main foyer. Completed forms should be returned to the Main Office, and any specific questions should be directed to Ms. Lewis at dlewis2@albany.k12.ny.us. The program runs through June.
Our school district recently joined with Mayor Sheehan and transportation partners to announce stop-arm cameras on all First Student (yellow) buses, an important new initiative to improve traffic safety for our students and our community. will issue citations for violations captured on the bus cameras, with fines as much as $300 being paid to the city.
We have new rules in place about student cell phone use in school. You can get more information about the rules here.
As a reminder, speed cameras are operational and intended to help enforce the city's 20 mph speed limit in school zones. Fines are $50 per offense. Please help keep our school communities, students and staff safe and adhere to these speed zones on your daily commute.
We will hold emergency response drills throughout the school year. The safety of everyone in our school community is extremely important. Holding these practice drills, including lockdown drills, is crucial to our overall emergency planning. Before we practice a drill, we teach students, faculty and staff about the procedures to follow in an emergency.
Hackett Corner Quotes
"When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around." – Oprah Winfrey