Tuesday was the first official day of school for the more than 1,700 teachers, staff and administrators in the City School District of Albany, and Superintendent Kaweeda G. Adams urged them to be “All in for Albany!”
Speaking at the annual Superintendent’s Convocation, Mrs. Adams spoke to a crowd that included employees from every school building and program, all Board of Education members, city and county officials, community partners and more.
Keynote speaker at Convocation 2018 was Chance W. Lewis, Ph.D., professor of urban education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s School of Education. Lewis challenged every staff member to strive for and expect excellence, and emphasized the vital role that all employees play in meeting students’ academic and social-emotional well-being.
Superintendent Adams echoed Lewis’ call for excellence. She stressed the important role every district employee plays in educating the children of Albany and encouraged them to believe in the possibilities of every student. Click here to see her presentation, which also discussed priorities for the 2018-19 school year .
“It takes all of us working together for each of us to ensure that every one of us is successful," Mrs. Adams said. "Together, we are ALL in for Albany!"
District students were involved in Convocation 2018, as well. Albany High School seniors Ben Morton and Sarah Seymour welcomed guests and introduced speakers. Members of the Albany High Junior ROTC color guard presented the colors, with Montessori Magnet School first-grader Maya Bridgewater leading the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Albany High senior Annabelle Duffy sang the national anthem, and later belted out “Good Morning Baltimore,” reprising her award-winning role in the Theatre Ensemble’s production of “Hairspray” last spring (and receiving a standing ovation).
Before Mrs. Adams spoke, Albany High senior Sam Weinstein and Albany High alum Johron Lee performed a scene from “Blaq Boi,” a student-written play that performed to rave reviews in the spring. The scene dovetailed to a key part of Mrs. Adams message: the need for cultural relevance and respect in all dealings with students.
And Abrookin Career and Technical Center administrative assistant Lori Lawson and Leadership Academy Assistant Principal Nicole Newman sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” accompanied by her husband, Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School science teacher Lewis Lawson.
Click here for a look at the video finale from Convocation 2018, featuring some of the district’s 1,700 staff members as well as community partners and student performers from the event along with pledges of “All in for Albany!” from across our district and around our city.
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The mission of the City School District of Albanyis to work in partnership with our diverse community to engage every learner in a robust educational program designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for success. The district serves about 9,500 students in 18 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.
