Welcome back to school!
I hope everyone had a safe and restful week off. Winter Recess held true to its name as the weather system certainly brought plenty of wintery cold temperatures, snow and ice our way! Hopefully, you were able to find time to rest, relax and enjoy time with family and friends.
It is hard to believe that as we are returning from our break, we are nearing the middle of the third quarter marking period. In approximately six weeks, we will begin a heavy dose of testing including the 2025 New York State Assessments, Regents and Spring NWEA (see state assessment schedule below). The next several weeks provide us with no interruptions to the learning schedule prior to the start of assessments and will play a critical role in our ability to prepare our students for a long testing period. It is my hope that attendance will be high over the next several weeks. However, your child should bring a note following any absence and be sure to complete any missed work. Grades close for the third quarter interim report card period on Friday, March 7.
Please note: This Wednesday, Feb. 26, we will be implementing the fourth of our early release days. Students will be released at 12:30 p.m. and staff professional development will take place for the remainder of the afternoon. Students will follow a modified bell schedule which allows them to report to all nine class periods, with the exception being that class time will be reduced by several minutes per period.
This week's Friday Fun Day theme will be "spring fever," so we will look ahead to the warmth of spring by dressing in our favorite spring colors and apparel! We look forward to celebrating each Friday in a different way in order to add a little fun to our day and show our school spirit. This is a great way to build healthy relationships and look forward to the weekend.
We are days away from the start of Music in Our Schools Month! For 40 years, March has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education as Music in our Schools Month. It is a time when music education becomes the focus of schools and communities and a time to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children. Each year, we are proud to showcase our district's top choral, orchestra and band students through our All-City concerts. Please see our concert schedule below and consider joining us for one or all of these exciting events to celebrate music in our schools! Performances are free and open to the public!
As we wrap up Black History Month, dedicated to the accomplishments of Black Americans, it is my hope that we continue to reflect on the past and look toward the future beyond just one month in a year.
As a final note, Hackett Middle School continues its fire drill emergency response procedures. Holding practice fire drills, as well as lockdown drills, is crucial to our overall emergency planning, and we will continue to conduct planned drills throughout the school year.
... and that was the week that was!
Now for our 'Don't Snooze and Lose News'
-
Spring sports update: All students in grades 7-8 who want to play a spring sport are encouraged to attend an informational meeting with a parent or guardian on Tuesday, March 4 at Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School from 6-8 p.m. The modified spring sports season starts April 1. Learn more about spring sports.
-
Save the Date! Our Honor Roll Ceremony for the second quarter will be held Wednesday, March 5 at 8:30 a.m.
- All-City Concert dates are as follows:
- All-City Strings: Wednesday, March 5 at North Albany Middle School at 6:30 p.m.
- All-City Chorus: Wednesday, March 19 at Albany High School at 6:30 p.m.
- All-City Band: Wednesday, April 2 at Albany High School at 6:30 p.m.
-
Our next PTA meeting will be held Wednesday, March 12 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 112. For those employees, parents and guardians who are unable to attend the meeting in-person, you may join virtually by using this Google meet link.
-
There will be no school on Monday, March 31 in celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
- New York State test schedule for 2025:
- English Language Arts: April 8-11
- NYSESLAT Speaking: April 21-25
- Math: April 29-May 2
- NYSESLAT Listening, Reading and Writing: May 12-22
- Science: May 13
- Science make-ups: May 14-16
Important reminders
- Extended Day Program 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 June 13.
- Speed cameras are up and running, and $50 fines are being imposed on drivers exceeding the 20-mph school zone speed limit on Delaware Avenue and in several other school zones throughout the city. Please drive safely and avoid these fines by being mindful of the school zone on your daily route. You can visit our website to read more from earlier this school when the city launched the school speed zone safety program.
Hackett corner quotes
"It isn't where you come from; it's where you're going that counts." – Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald: Did you know?
- She was the first African-American woman to win multiple Grammys
- She was one of the first stars to perform during the Super Bowl halftime show.
- She was the first African-American woman to headline the famous Copacabana nightclub.
- Her final performance was at New York City's famous Carnegie Hall.
- She has been dubbed "The First Lady of Song"
