News and events - 10/7/24

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Cooler temperatures, turning leaves and shorter days! Harvest season seems to have finally arrived, and I hope everyone had a chance to get out and about this weekend to notice the beautiful changes in foliage!

NWEA reading assessments continue to be administered to students in grades 6 through 8. These assessments help us monitor our students' academic progress in reading as well as provide teachers with information to help them guide instruction in the classroom.   

Last week's “Friday Fun Day” theme was “Dress Like a PE Teacher Day." Staff and students really showed their school spirit by wearing combinations of sweatshirts and shorts in honor of their phys ed teachers. This week's theme will be "Wear Pink," so we look forward to seeing a wide range of pink shades as we show support for breast cancer awareness and research during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We will continue to celebrate each Friday in a different way in order to add a little fun and freedom to our day. This is a great way to build healthy relationships and look forward to the weekend!  

Our Extended Day Program begins today, and we hope to encourage more students to enrich their afternoons by signing up! Applications are available at the attendance desk in the main foyer. Programs include swimming, cooking, judo, cosmetology, dance, arts and crafts, yearbook and more! The after-school program takes place Monday through Thursday from 3-5:15 p.m. and includes a free snack and free door-to-door transportation home. Completed forms should be returned to the guidance office, and any specific questions should be directed to Ms. Lewis at dlewis2@albany.k12.ny.us. The program will run through Friday, June 13.

For any interested parent/guardian, the City School District of Albany's Special Education Department will host a virtual parent information session at 7 p.m. on Tuesday (tomorrow) called, "Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders." Learn more and link to the meeting here.

Please note, October's PTA meeting was rescheduled from last week to this Wednesday beginning at 7:15 p.m. in Room 112. Those who are unable to attend the meeting in person may join us virtually by at this Google Meet link. Also, first-quarter interim grades close this Friday, Oct. 11, so please discuss with your child and, if necessary, your child's teacher(s), whether all assignments are being handed in. I will repeat this many times during the year, but missed assignments have a huge impact on grades.

Also on Friday, all Albany City School District schools will dismiss 15 minutes early to participate in the annual Go Home Early emergency preparedness drill. All after-school programs and activities will be canceled, including modified sports practices. Athletic competitions at the modified and high school levels, however, will continue on their regular schedule. Check with your team's coach for detailed information. There will be no after-school programs in district buildings, so if you must arrange to pick up your child(ren) from school 15 minutes before dismissal (2:45 p.m.). Students normally attending after-school programs at agencies not located in our schools will be transported to their scheduled after-school drop-off location.  

As a final note, Hackett Middle School continues its fire drill emergency response procedures. In addition, speed cameras on Washington Avenue in front of Albany High School and on Western Avenue in front of Eagle Point Elementary School and All Saints Academy will begin issuing $50 fines for violators today. Speed cameras on Whitehall Road in front of Albany School of Humanities, near Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School will switch from warning letters to fines beginning Thursday. Speed cameras on Delaware Avenue near Hackett and Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology will switch from warning letters to fines later this month. Please help keep our school communities, students and staff safe and observe the 20-mph school zone speed limit. You can visit our website to read more.

... and that was the week that was!  

Now for our 'Don't Snooze and Lose News' 

• Our next PTA meeting will be held on Wednesday at 7:15 p.m.
• First quarter interim grades close on Friday, Oct. 11.
• Our annual "Go Home Early" emergency dismissal drill will be Friday, Oct. 11, when school will dismiss 15 minutes early. The State Education Department requires all schools to conduct this test each year. Learn more.
• There will be no school on Monday, Oct. 14 in observance of Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day.
• Students will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16 so that staff can participate in professional development. Students who ride a bus will take their usual transportation home, but at an earlier time.
• School pictures will be taken on Wednesday, Oct. 16 and Thursday, Oct. 17. Pictures are taken during the student's regularly scheduled phys ed classes. Once photographed, each child will receive a photo information sheet with directions on how to view their pictures online.  There are no order forms.  Although portrait purchases are completely optional, each child is required to be photographed in order to be included in the Hackett Middle School yearbook. Retakes will be taken at school the morning of Friday, Nov. 15.  
• Please consider signing up for a concession stand shift during the fall athletic season. In addition to student-athletes, the Albany Booster Club funds author visits, our food pantry, marching band, robotics, indoor percussion, Junior ROTC and many more organizations and groups that make our district special!
• Sign-ups for modified winter sports begin on Friday, Oct. 25.         
• Parent-teacher conferences will take place Thursday, Oct. 24 from 4-7 p.m. and Friday, Oct. 25 from noon-3 p.m. Teachers will begin calling home to schedule a time to meet.
• Save the date! Hackett's Halloween Teen Night will take place on Friday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. Costumes are welcome for this event! Teen Nights provide an opportunity for Hackett Middle School students to participate in various activities and connect and relate in a positive and fun manner in a safe environment.

Hackett corner quotes ...

"No one is perfect. That's why pencils have erasers." – Wolfgang Riebe