Dear Parents and Guardians:
I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend and took a moment yesterday to remember and honor America’s veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the good of our nation. We also thank our Hackett service members for their valor and sacrifice.
Last week, we celebrated Friday "Fun Day" with a Team Color theme. Students and staff represented their grade level by wearing their team color (blue for grade 6, white for grade 7 and gold for grade 8). This Friday will be 'Hat Day' and we hope to see everyone showing off their favorite hat! We will continue to celebrate each Friday in a different way in order to add a little fun and show our school spirit. This is a great way to build healthy relationships and look forward to the weekend.
As I mentioned last week, grades for the first quarter of school closed Friday, Nov 8. I am hopeful that students are up to date with their work and have been handing in all assignments. Also, as a reminder, if you have recently moved, please be sure to stop by the Central Registration office located at 75 Watervliet Avenue at your earliest convenience to update your address. This will ensure that you are receiving mail pertaining to your child and that we have updated contact information for you in case of emergency.
Visit our Facebook page to take a look at a typical day of learning from Rohan Graham’s second-period ELA class last Friday! Students continued their collective reading of Jerry Craft’s "New Kid," focusing on identifying themes of giving, receiving and kindness.
School picture retakes will be this Friday morning (Nov. 15). As a reminder, please be sure to enter your child’s access code to find your photos at ismilestudios.gotphoto.com. If you have any questions or do not know your code, please contact iSmile Studios directly at (518) 435-1146.
Remaining performances for "SIX the Musical" will be held this Friday and Saturday, (Nov. 15 and 16). Shows start each night at 8 p.m. in our auditorium, and tickets can be purchased online by going to cur8.com. This is the Teen Version and is rated PG. Our cast is comprised of students from Hackett, Albany High School, North Albany Middle School, Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School, Albany School of Humanities and other Capital Region schools.
Signups for modified winter sports continue. You can register your child here. Be sure to contact our health office at (518) 475-6482 to make sure your child meets the proper physical exam requirements. Tryouts begin Nov. 25 and please note that the mandatory winter sports meeting has been rescheduled for this Thursday (Nov. 14) at 6 p.m. in the Albany High School auditorium.
This month, we are proud to recognize National Native American Heritage Month and the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of lands that now make up the United States. We celebrate the traditions, languages, and stories of Native Americans, and also honor veterans who have served the nation. Learn more about the heritage, culture and contributions of Native Americans.
This Thursday, Hackett will host the next in-person Parent University event at 7 p.m. featuring the topic of "Social Media and Your Child's Digital Footprint." The featured speaker will be School Resource Office Nick Schuler, who will offer information on how to keep our kids safe on social media. Please park behind school and enter through the cafeteria doors.
We continue to accept applications for our Extended Day Program, 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.
Hackett Middle School continues its fire drill emergency response procedures. Holding practice drills is crucial to our overall emerngecy planning, and we will continue to conduct planned drills.
Speed cameras are in operation on Delaware Avenue near Hackett and Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology (TOAST). The city has switched from warning letters to $50 fines, so please observe the 20-mph school zone speed limit and help keep our students saft. You can visit our website to read more.
Now for our 'Don't Snooze and Lose News'
- School picture retakes are scheduled for the morning of Friday, Nov. 15.
- There will be no school Wednesday, Nov. 27-Friday, Nov. 29 for Thanksgiving Recess.
- Eighth-graders have until Thursday, Nov. 28 to submit their lottery application to attend one of Albany High School's four academies. The drawing will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
- Our December PTA meeting will be held Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. in room 112. Can't make it in-person? You also can attend virtually via this Google meet link.
- Hackett's Winter Concert and Dessert Auction will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m.
- Our first-quarter Honor Roll Ceremony will be held Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 8:30 a.m. in our auditorium.
- Holiday Recess will take place Monday, Dec. 23-Wednesday, Jan. 1, with classes resuming on Thursday, Jan. 2.
