Capital Education -- Winter 2008-09

We hope you will enjoy the Winter 2008-09 edition of the City School District of Albany's quarterly newsletter.

You can read each story individually by clicking the links below, or download the full version in .pdf format (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader; click here to download a free copy from the Adobe Web site).

From the superintendent -- Keeping our focus in these critical times

Middle school enrollment -- Feeder model, neighborhood zones set for 2009-10

Student Achievement: Meet Ariel Hellwitz '09

Alumni achievement: Meet Shawn Hamlin '85

Leading the Way: Meet Jeremy Dudley, Giffen Memorial Elementary School fifth-grade teacher

Voices -- Tell us about your favorite book

At a Glance: Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle  School                                                                       Albany High School senior Ariel Hellwitz.

We choose Albany public schools because ...

• 'New' New Scotland Elementary returns home

• Hackett teacher 'changing minds'

• Albany High Students learn leadership skills

• Learning is in bloom at Giffen

• Keeping it moving behind the scenes

• Eagle Point Caldecott club

• NYS first lady visits Albany schools

• 'Maniacs' excel at robotics event

• Academy of Engineering new next fall

• ASH recycling makes an impact

• Distance learning course at Albany High

• Elks contest lets freedom ring

• Giffen students help fight hunger

• 'Kids of the Week' at ASH, Myers

• Making a difference at Albany High

• Montessori hosts Russian educators

• Talking with Tonko at North Albany

• The 'bear' facts about geography

Enrollment section

• Middle schools

  • 2009-10 feeder groupings

    • Hackett

    • Myers

  • Albany's public middle school options

    • Hackett

    • Myers

    • North Albany Academy

• Information for parents of students with disabilities

• 2009-10 non-public transportation deadline

Strategic planning section

• Charting a course for the district's future

• Read the full strategic plan

• Action plans

  • Strategy #1 -- We will design and implement a more effective way to engage parents and families in the education of their children at home and at school.

    • Action team members

    • Final action plan

  • Strategy #2 -- We will ensure the emotional and physical safety and well-being of our students in collaboration with community and family partners.

    • Action team members

    • Final action plan

  • Strategy #3 -- We will assess and redesign all aspects of the high school with the community to ensure academic rigor and high-level student performance.

    • Action team members

    • Final action plan

  • Strategy #4 -- We will improve education in grades 6-8 in partnership with our community to address academic rigor and the disparity in academic achievement.

    • Action team members

    • Final action plan

  • Strategy #5 -- We will develop and implement more effective communication, ensuring input from all district stakeholders about matters affecting the well-being of our students.

    • Action team members

    • Final action plan

  • Strategy #6 -- We will use all assessment data to drive academically rigorous instruction, pre-K-12, to improve the performance of every learner.

    • Action team members

    • Final action plan

  • Strategy #7 -- We will develop a variety of ways for ensuring every student's access to all school education and extracurricular activities.

    • Action team members

    • Final action plan