Greetings, Falcon families!
News of the week
‘Pastors on Patrol’ to help welcome students
Clergy members from the Albany Police Department’s “Pastors on Patrol” initiative are partnering with Albany High School to help welcome back students for the new school year.
Pastors on Patrol will be on hand Thursday morning to greet ninth-graders as they enter the building at the start of the day. They’ll also be on campus next Monday, the first full day of classes for all grades, at arrival and dismissal.
Launched in 2020 by Bishop Avery Comithier, pastor of the Elijah Missionary Church in Albany, Pastors on Patrol was established to enhance the police department’s relationships and build trust with the community.
Bishop Comithier reached out to Albany High to volunteer a reassuring community presence for students and families and support for the school’s staff to start the new school year. We are grateful for the partnership!
Administrative changes to start the new year
We would like to let you know about a few changes in our administrative leadership structure to start the new school year.
Kandie Antonetti is moving from her role as Citizenship Academy principal to our building-wide operations principal position. She is taking over for Joseph Slichko, Ed.D., who will be the new principal for the programs associated with our Abrookin Career and Technical Center.
This year, along with our Culinary Arts and Barbering CTE pathways, programs located at Abrookin will include technology and special education classes that have been relocated from the old academic building, which is under construction and renovation.
Emily Lawyer will move from her role as our Abrookin CTE administrator to serve as the new Citizenship Academy principal. Also as a reminder, the Citizenship Academy office has been relocated to a new section of our building near the main office, in the long hallway connecting the north and south ends of our building, while the old academic building is under construction.
Schedule reminders for our first days
A reminder that Albany High will start the new school year with a staggered start by grade level on Thursday and Friday.
On Thursday, only ninth-graders (full day) and seniors (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) will attend. There is no school for these students on Friday.
On Friday, only sophomores (8:30-11:30 a.m.) and juniors (12:30-3:30 p.m.) will attend. There is no school for these students on Thursday.
Our first full day for all students is next Monday, Sept. 11.
Be prepared for the heat
With the heat index forecast to be in the 90s on Thursday and Friday, we would like to recommend that students wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing to school on our first two days.
If the forecast holds, we will be limiting or canceling outdoor activities during the school day Thursday and Friday as a precautionary measure.
Football home opener Saturday
Our Falcon football team kicks off the home portion of the new season this Saturday against Schenectady. Game time is 1 p.m.
Our girls’ tennis team also has a home match against Guilderland at 11 a.m. Saturday.
We invite you to come out Saturday to support our student-athletes and cheer them to victory!
Upcoming events
- Thursday, Sept. 7 (no school for sophomores and juniors)
- Freshman orientation full day, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Arrive at 8 a.m. to allow for entry
- Senior orientation meeting, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Arrive at 10:30 a.m. to allow for entry
- Friday, Sept. 8 (no school for freshmen and seniors)
- Sophomore orientation half-day, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Arrive at 8 a.m. to allow for entry
- Junior orientation half-day, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Arrive at noon to allow for entry
- Monday, Sept. 11 – All students back to school
- Thursday, Sept. 14 – Short Play Festival auditions, A04 at Abrookin Career and Technical Center, 4-6 p.m. Learn more.
- Friday, Sept. 15 – Short Play Festival auditions, A04 at Abrookin Career and Technical Center, 4-6 p.m. Learn more.
- Monday, Sept. 25 – No school, Yom Kippur
- Tuesday, Sept. 26 – PTSA meeting, library or attend remotely, 5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 27 – Open house, 5:30 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 29 – Pep rally, gym, 2 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 30 – Homecoming/Hall of Fame weekend
- Hall of Fame induction ceremony, 9 a.m.
- Tailgating party, noon
- Football game vs. Mohonasen, 2 p.m.
- Homecoming dance, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 7 – SAT exam, 7:45 a.m.
- Monday, Oct. 9 – No school, Columbus/Indigenous Peoples' Day
- Friday, Oct. 13 – Signups for winter sports begin
- Tuesday, Oct. 24 – PTSA meeting, library or attend remotely, 5:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 26 – Parent-teacher conferences, 4-7:30 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 27 – No school for students, parent-teacher conference day
Important reminders
- Leaving school – Albany High School is a closed campus. Students are not allowed to leave campus for any reason without parent permission. This includes during lunch and study hall. If a student has an appointment, i.e. doctor, medical, family matter, etc., they must have a note or phone call from a parent giving permission to leave. All students also must be signed out by a parent in order to leave school grounds. Students who leave campus without a valid reason will not be allowed to re-enter without parent contact.
- Traveling to and from Abrookin – All students must take the bus to and from Abrookin Career and Technical Center and the main campus for any classes. This will prevent students from being late and having to go back through security, and ensure student safety. Students who do not take the bus will not be allowed to re-enter without parent contact. The bus is available at Building 2, Stair 2-2 and at the Abrookin entrance.
