News and events - 10/15/24

Dear Parents and Guardians:

I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend as we celebrated Columbus Day/Indigenous People's Day on Monday. As you know, Columbus Day is a holiday commemorating Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas. Indigenous Peoples' Day, on the other hand, is a holiday that celebrates Native American customs and heritage. We honor the Indigenous People – who were here long before colonization of the Americas began – for their resilience and strength and the positive impact they have made on American society.

Last week, we continued administering the NWEA reading assessments 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 Friday's "Fun Day" theme was "wear pink." Staff and students really showed their support for breast cancer awareness and research month by wearing pink. Check out a Facebook photo album to see how great we looked. This week's theme will be "twin day," so we look forward to twice the fun as we anticipate Friday's groups of dazzling duos! 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.

Picture Days are this Wednesday (tomorrow) and Thursday and will take place during your child's physical education class. 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 on the morning of Nov. 15, which is a Friday.

Also, please note that Hackett Middle School will be implementing the first of our early release days this Wednesday (tomorrow). Students will be released at 12:30 p.m. so that staff can take part in professional development 1:15-4 p.m. Classes will operate on a modified bell schedule allowing students to report to all nine class periods, with class time reduced by several minutes each period. Classes will return to normal on Thursday.

Our first round of parent-teacher conferences will take place on Thursday, Oct. 24 from 4-7 p.m. We will continue parent-teacher conferences Friday, Oct. 25, from noon-3 p.m. Please note that there is no school for students on Oct. 25.

Our Extended Day Program had a great week, 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.

Our next PTA meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 6 in room 112 at 6:30 p.m. If you can't attend in person, you can join us virtually via this Google Meet link.

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'

• Reminder: 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.
• Reminder: School pictures will be taken this Wednesday and Thursday during the student's regularly scheduled phys ed classes.
• 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.
• Eighth-graders will visit Albany High on Thursday, Oct. 31 from noon-2 p.m. This field trip is designed to give our students an opportunity to tour the building and learn more about the four different academies. All students will be given an opt-out form to bring home on Monday, Oct. 21. Students will only need to return the form to school if their parents/guardian DOES NOT want them to participate in this trip.
• 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.
• There will be no school on Monday, Nov. 11, which is Veterans Day.