News and events - 9/15/23

Albany High School Falcon logo

Greetings, Falcon families!

News of the week

  • Sign up for Signal Vine – Students are encouraged to sign up to receive important information via text from the guidance office using Signal Vine. Learn more.
  • Required school vaccines – New York State law requires every student attending public, private or parochial school to be vaccinated against certain diseases like polio. (Get a complete list of required vaccinations here.) We have reached out to our families with students who need the required vaccinations, but we still have some students who are missing theirs. By law, district students who do not have their required vaccinations by Thursday, Sept. 21 will not be able to attend school starting Friday, Sept. 22. Students cannot return to school until their parent or guardian can document that vaccinations are up-to-date and that they have made appointments for any follow-up doses. We want all our students to continue their education without interruption! If you are among those families we’ve contacted, or you’re not sure of your student’s vaccination status, please call the nurse at your student’s academy.
  • Support our theater program as a sponsor – Besides ticket sales and their yearly budget, our award-winning Theater Ensemble relies on donations from the community to continue their amazing work. Support them at one of four levels! Learn more.
  • DeStefano top runner – Congratulations to Annabelle DeStefano! The sophomore cross country runner placed first in Tuesday’s home meet against Niskayuna and Ballston Spa!
  • First PTSA meeting Sept. 26 – Our Parent-Teacher-Student Association – PTSA –will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 26. Join online here. If you want to discuss something, have an idea or want to learn more about anything, please fill out this form.
  • Falcon blood drive Sept. 27 – Albany High will do its part to help overcome a critical blood shortage nationwide when it holds a blood donation drive on Sept. 27. The drive will be held in the library from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Students, staff and community members are invited to donate at the drive, the first of the three the school will hold this school year. Learn more.
  • Sophmores, juniors can take PSAT – Students in grades 10 and 11 will have the opportunity to take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT) on Friday, Oct. 27. The PSAT is a national test that measures students’ abilities in science and math. Cost is $18, and students sign up to take the test in the main office. Learn more.
  • Volunteer at our concession stand – Does your student play a JV or varsity sport? If so, please sign up to volunteer at the concession stand during home games. Just sign up and show up!
  • Bulbs for sale – Support our amazing partners at the Vegetable Project with a purchase of bulbs for your garden

Upcoming events

  • Monday, Sept. 25 – No school, Yom Kippur
  • Tuesday, Sept. 26 – First PTSA meeting of the year, library or attend remotely, 5:30 p.m. 
  • Wednesday, Sept. 27
    • Blood drive, library, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Learn more.
    • 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.
    • JV girls' soccer vs. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, 9 a.m.
    • Varsity girls' soccer vs. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, 11 a.m.
    • Tailgating party, noon
    • Varsity girls' tennis vs. Mohonasen, 2 p.m.
    • Football game vs. Mohonasen, 2 p.m.
    • Homecoming dance, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 1 – Falcon 5K Fun Run/Walk, 9:30 a.m. Sign up here
  • 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
    • PSAT for sophomores and juniors. Learn more.

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.