Welcome to a new school year!

  • Posted August 16, 2024
Info graphic from Albany High School Principal Jodi Commerford

The following is an important message from Albany High School Principal Jodi Commerford. Families also will receive the message and other important information via U.S. mail next week.                        

Dear Falcon Families:

Welcome to the start of a new school year! As the first days of school approach, we would like to provide you with some important information to help you prepare for the year ahead.

SCHOOLTOOL AND SCHEDULES

Student schedules will be available on Tuesday, Sept. 3 in SchoolTool, our online student information system. Students can access their schedule in SchoolTool using their student ID number. Parents and guardians can create and log in to a SchoolTool Parent Portal. We strongly encourage parents and guardians to stay connected to student progress by checking SchoolTool regularly to review grades, attendance, announcements, and other important information.

A change in grading policy will take effect this year. The minimum marking period grade assigned to a student will be 55%, except for the final marking period. The final marking period grade will be the actual grade.

WELCOME BACK DAY: THURSDAY, SEPT. 5

All students are invited to a special, optional, all-day event in preparation for their first day of school.

Schedules, ID badges, and locker assignments will be available to pick up, and additional services and activities will be offered by local vendors and school resources, such as first-day haircuts from the Cosmetology Department and first-day outfits from the Falcon Boutique.

The event will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, and students can come through the main entrance on Washington Avenue. Those who are unable to attend can pick up their schedules, IDs, and locker assignments at their academy office on Monday, Sept. 9.

CDTA tripper buses will not be available for this event on Sept. 5. However, our trippers will be in operation beginning Friday, Sept. 6 for our ninth-grade orientation. All students may ride CDTA buses for free through Friday, Sept. 20. Beginning Monday, Sept. 23, only eligible students with an activated student ID swiper card will be allowed to ride CDTA buses for free. Please visit the Transportation section below, and our Transportation webpage, for more information.

FRESHMEN FIRST ORIENTATION DAY: FRIDAY, SEPT. 6

Ninth-graders only are invited to an all-day orientation Friday, Sept. 6 so they can tour the building, meet staff, learn about everyday procedures and resources, and access all the information and supplies they will need for their first day of class, including Chromebooks and IDs.

Students should arrive at 8 a.m. to allow time to proceed through a routine security check.

As noted above, CDTA tripper buses will be in operation Friday, Sept. 6. All students may ride CDTA buses for free from Sept. 6 through Friday, Sept. 20. Beginning Monday, Sept. 23, only eligible students with an activated student ID swiper card will be allowed to ride CDTA buses for free. 

FIRST DAY OF CLASSES FOR ALL STUDENTS: MONDAY, SEPT. 9

  • Student arrival is between 8-8:30 a.m.
  • Classes start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m.
  • Free breakfast and lunch are served daily to all students. Check out menus.
  • Students have five minutes to transition between classes. All students must have a hall pass if they are in the hallways during instructional time. No hall passes are issued during the first and last 10 minutes of class.

ENTRY AND IDs

  • Doors open at 8 a.m. at the main entrance on Washington Avenue for all students except those arriving by bus. Students arriving by bus will enter Building 3, Tower 3.
  • All students must present their ID and go through routine security procedures, including bag check and metal detection.
  • As of the first day of class, students must have their ID badges with them at all times. IDs must be visible to enter the cafeteria or the library during designated lunch times. Students are required to present their IDs to any staff member upon request.
  • Students should not bring any weapons, drugs or other illegal items to school. Prohibited items will be confiscated, and students will face consequences outlined in the Code of Conduct.

LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS

  • Albany High School is a closed campus. Students are not allowed to leave campus for any reason without parent/guardian permission. This includes lunch and study hall.
  • Students who leave campus without permission will not be allowed to re-enter without parent/guardian contact.
  • Parents and guardians must contact their student’s academy office to provide permission to leave for medical appointments, family emergencies, etc.
  • All students must be signed out by a parent or guardian in order to leave school grounds.
  • All students are required to take the bus to and from Abrookin Career and Technical Center for any classes to ensure safe and timely arrival and to avoid repeated security screenings. Students who do not take the bus will not be allowed to re-enter without parent or guardian contact. The bus is available at Building 2, Stair 2-2, and at the Abrookin entrance.  

PARKING AND DROP-OFF

Students are not allowed to park in the parking lots without a parking permit. Applications for parking permits are available at the main office. Spaces are limited and application approval is granted on the basis of seniority. The student drop-off area is directly in front of the school, on Washington Avenue.

TRANSPORTATION

Students who meet the district’s standard criteria are eligible for transportation to and from school: all students living 1.5 miles or more from school, and all students whose Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan requires specialized transportation.

Students receiving specialized transportation will ride yellow buses operated by First Student. All other eligible high school students ride CDTA.

Students eligible to ride CDTA will have their student ID activated to use as their bus pass. CDTA allows a two-week grace period at the start of each school year, when all students are allowed to ride free. As of Monday, Sept. 23, students without activated IDs must pay regular fare.

CDTA offers tripper buses that run direct routes to and from Albany High. Eligible students also can ride any regular CDTA bus using their activated student ID.

LOCKERS

Due to ongoing campus construction and building expansion, we encourage students to use their lockers. Many students pack their belongings for the morning and swap out materials at lunch. Students should not share lockers or give their combinations to others. Lockers are provided upon request; students can submit their locker requests here.

CHROMEBOOKS AND SUPPLIES       

All students should bring their district-assigned Chromebook, fully charged, to class with them each day. New students will receive Chromebooks at orientation. Students should bring standard supplies such as pencils, pens, notebooks and folders. Most teachers include a specific supply list in their course syllabi, which are distributed in class.

UPDATING CONTACT INFORMATION

You can officially change your address online, by mail or in-person at our Central Registration office at 75 Watervliet Ave., or by contacting your academy office. Bus transportation eligibility is based on the address on file at Central Registration.

Please make sure all of your contact information is correct and up-to-date. Our SchoolMessenger communication platform relies on the contact information for parents and guardians in SchoolTool. If your email information is correct and up-to-date in SchoolTool, you automatically will receive SchoolMessenger email notifications. You also can opt-in for SchoolMessenger text messages, which also rely on the information on file in SchoolTool.

Please return the enclosed Photo/Media Release Form only if you do not want your student to appear in photographs, video or interviews used in district publications, print and digital marketing materials, and media.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students are more likely to succeed academically when they attend class consistently. Automated daily calls are made to the primary number listed in SchoolTool to notify parents and guardians of absences. Please strive for fewer than five absences a year – excused or unexcused! 

  • Excused absences include:
    • Illness or death in the family
    • Unsafe travel conditions
    • Religious observance
    • Medical appointments
    • Participation in a school-sponsored activity
    •  Approved college visits, cooperative work programs, etc.
    • Academic enrichment
    • Required court appearance

All other student absences, tardiness reports or early dismissals will be considered unexcused. Parents and guardians may send a note in with students or email/call your academy office to provide an excuse. Excuses must be submitted within five school days, specify the date and reason for the absence and contain a working phone number for verification.

Academy offices will update SchoolTool as soon as possible after the excuse is received.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT AND DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT

During the first few weeks of school, our administrative team will provide all students with an overview of the expectations and opportunities at Albany High and other important information through our annual Falcon 101 Assembly.

DASA is a federal law that impacts how schools identify and address bullying, intimidation and harassment. We will make sure that students have a clear understanding of what constitutes a DASA issue, how they can prevent bullying, intimidation and harassment, and the consequences for students who engage in behavior that violates DASA, to ensure a safe and orderly learning environment for all.

CONTACTING/VISITING SCHOOL

Link to a copy of the Family School Calendar. For all questions and concerns relating to your student’s progress or welfare, please contact their academy office and/or guidance counselor for informed and individualized assistance:

  • Citizenship Academy – (518) 475-6220
  • Discovery Academy – (518) 475-6230
  • Innovation Academy – (518) 475-6240
  • Leadership Academy – (518) 475-6250
  • Guidance offices – (518) 475-6260
  • Abrookin Career and Technical Center – (518) 475-6400

Outside visitors are limited at school to ensure the safety and well-being of students, faculty and staff. If you need to meet with staff, please contact your student’s academy office to make an appointment. All visitors must present ID, receive a visitor’s pass and pass through routine security. Please note that school hours are 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, for both contact and visits.

NEWS ABOUT ALBANY HIGH

SchoolMessenger provides options for parents and guardians, employees and community members to receive school and district communications, along with weather-related and other emergency updates. Please be sure that the preferred email and phone information we have on file in SchoolTool is correct. 

Follow Albany High on Facebook @AlbanyHighFalcons and on Instagram @albanyhighschoolny.

Thank you for your time and attention as you review this important information. We are excited to welcome all our Falcons for a new and successful school year!