Alternative locations for O’Neal elementary, special education students

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Albany International Center elementary students, Dual Language Program prekindergarten students and Edmund J. O’Neal School of Excellence self-contained special education students will return to in-person instruction in alternative locations beginning next Wednesday.

Albany International Center students in grades 6-12 and Dual Language students in grades K-5 will remain in distance learning through next week while the City School District of Albany finalizes alternative in-person locations for those students. 

Work is continuing at O’Neal to clean and repair spaces affected by the third-floor water leak that happened during spring break. The extent of the damage caused by the water leak, and necessary mold remediation, will require work crews to remain in the building through the week of May 16-20.

As a result, beginning next Wednesday and continuing through May 20, O’Neal students will attend school in-person at the following alternative locations:

  • Albany International Center (grades K-5) – Delaware Community School, 43 Bertha St.
  • Dual Language Program (prekindergarten only) – Delaware Community School, 43 Bertha St.
  • Self-contained special education students – Two classes will attend Albany High School, and two classes will attend Albany High’s Abrookin Career and Technical Center.
    • Abrookin campus – Students in Ms. Anziano’s and Ms. Gaines’ classrooms
    • Albany High campus – Students in Ms. Harris’ and Ms. Yanson’s classrooms

Please note that there will be no instruction – virtual or in-person – for these students on Monday as faculty and staff move into and prepare their new learning environments. 

These alternative building assignments are for May 4-6 and the weeks of May 9 and May 16. There is no school for students district-wide on the following days:

  • Tuesday, May 3 – Eid al-Fitr
  • Tuesday, May 17 – Budget vote

Transportation

All students currently receiving First Student transportation will continue to ride the same buses, which will be routed to the alternative location. Those buses will continue to pick up and drop off on the same schedules.

For elementary students not currently eligible for transportation, the district will operate a shuttle bus from O’Neal to the alternative location each morning and afternoon. These students should continue to arrive at O’Neal at the regular time each morning. The shuttle bus then will transport students to the alternative location for the school day, and will return to O’Neal in the afternoon at the end of the regular school day.

  • Shuttle bus leaves O’Neal for alternative location – 8:40 a.m.
  • Shuttle bus returns to O’Neal after school – 3:50 p.m.

The district will have more transportation information for Albany International Center students in grades 6-12 and Dual Language students in grades K-5 once an alternative location is finalized.

AIC grades 6-12/Dual Language K-5

The district is working with several community partners on temporary alternative locations for Albany International Center secondary students and Dual Language students in grades K-5. 

We will share those details as soon as they are finalized. In the meantime, students in those programs will remain in distance learning through Friday, May 6.

State 3-8 math testing update

Albany International Center students in grades 3-5 will take the state math test in-person at Delaware Community School on Thursday, May 5 and Friday, May 6.
 
Because all students taking state exams must be in-person, Albany International Center students in grades 6-8 and Dual Language students in grades 3-5 will not be required to take the exam due to their distance learning assignment. 

However, any parent or guardian of students in these grades who would like their student to take the state math exam in-person should contact Principal Rachel Stead at (518) 475-6600 or rstead@albany.k12.ny.us prior to the end of the school day next Wednesday, May 4.

The exam for these students will be given in-person at Tony Clement Center for Education, 395 Elk St., on Thursday and Friday next week. Transportation will not be available for students opting-in to take the state math exam in-person May 5-6.

Should any of this information change, we will provide updates as soon as possible. We appreciate all of your patience and understanding as we work through this together.