With more than 500 participants andgrowing, School News Notifier is provid-ing a great new way for families and com-munity members to keep up to date withwhat’s happening in school and across theCity School District of Albany.

Albany SNN provides updates in 19categories, including news and eventsfrom individual schools as well as district-wide information such as transportation,athletics and Board of Education updates.

Most information comes via e-mail.Text alerts, limited to 140 characters, aresent out regarding school closings, delaysand other time-sensitive emergencies.

You can choose to sign up for this “opt-in” service, and can unsubscribe at anytime.

Sign up by clicking the Albany SNN

icon on the www.albanyschools.orghome page. You can choose to receive no-tifications from as many or as few cate-gories as you would like.

Text messages are free to people whohave unlimited text-messaging services;cell-phone carriers may charge a fee topeople who don’t.

Check with your provider if you’re notsure of the terms of your plan.

Albany High School is rais-ing expectations – for every stu-dent, every staff member andevery family.

Thanks to a $7.5 million fed-eral grant, Albany High will di-vide into four smaller learningcommunities beginning with the2011-12 school year.

The new structure will allowthe school to focus on increasingacademic rigor for all students,reducing racial isolation, meetingstudents’ social-emotionalneeds and enhancing profes-sional development.

Students will have an opportunity tochoose one of the four academies througha lottery this winter (a date was not deter-mined when Capital Education went topress). Families will receive more informa-tion about the new structure and selection

process later this fall. Visit www.albanyschools.org for the

most current news and information.The U.S. Department of Education grant

supports an integral co mponent of the dis-trict’s 2008 strategic plan, “A Vision for To-

Albany High SchoolFour new academies. One great education.

FALL 2010

Academics, the arts and ath-letics: Albany High School’sJulia Steppich does it all, andshe does it all well.

She’s a semifinalist (alongwith classmate Megan Mur-phy) for a prestigious NationalMerit Scholarship, meaningshe’s in the top 1 percent of the1.5 million U.S. high-schoolstudents who took the qualify-ing test for the scholarship.

She’s also enrolled in thehigh school’s academically rig-orous International Baccalau-reate program.

She’s a gifted vocalist whoearned a perfect score in aNew York State School MusicAssociation (NYSSMA) com-petition. Her performanceearned her a spot as an alternate inNYSSMA’s state choral group.

She also plays piano and guitar and hasacted in two Theatre Ensemble productions.

She’s been on the varsity swimmingteam for the past two years.

All those interests might leave otherstudents conflicted about which path topursue. Not this one.

“I’m really into math and science atschool,” she said. “And I’ve always had aninterest in science and medicine.”

Her teachers at Albany High havehelped channel those pursuits, she said,particularly science teachers Patricia Con-ley and Deb Carson, and math teachersMargot Plumadore and Varada Pandya-Vaughan. She also said she appreciatesthe variety of courses available.

“At Albany High there’s so much diver-sity in the programs. You can really do

whatever you want to,” she said.Steppich’s conundrum now is which

math and science career to pursue whenshe enters college next fall.

She has her sights set on the acceleratedseven-year physician-scientist program runjointly by Rensselaer Polytechnic Instituteand Albany Medical College. A summer in-ternship at Albany College of Pharmacy andHealth Sciences – she researched blood-thinning drugs – piqued her interest, too.

“Deadlines are looming and I’m work-ing on those applications,” she said.

Steppich knows that there’s a nationalpush to get more young women interestedin careers in science, technology, engi-neering and math – STEM. She offersthese words of encouragement.

“If it’s something she’s interested in, ifshe’s willing to put in the time, there’s noth-ing that should stop her,” Steppich said.

www.albanyschools.org

Julia Steppich puts her focus on math and science.

Student achievement

A senior for all seasons

A great new way to get school news

Starting next September, Albany High School will be di-vided into four smaller learning communities. A wintertimelottery will determine where students are placed.

A composer, a newspaper publisher anda Broadway actress were among the 14people inducted into the City School Dis-trict of Albany’s Hall of Fame this fall.

The members of the Class of 2010 werehonored during Homecoming weekendwith a dinner reception, Wall of Fame in-duction and halftime ceremony during theannual football game at Bleecker Stadium.

The members of the Class of 2010 are:• The late John J. Bach – teacher, guidancecounselor, principal, district superintendent• Eleanor P. Bartlett – teacher, principal,district deputy superintendent, author• The late Ben Becker – principal, boxingcoach, Class of 1925 (Philip SchuylerHigh School)• Carolee Carmello – Broadway actress,Class of 1979 • Robert J. Danzig – journalist, author,publisher, Class of 1950• Adolphus C. Hailstork – musician, com-poser, college professor, Class of 1959

• Rebecca Gottstein Holden – athlete,Class of 1998• The late Milton E. Horne Sr. – athlete,coach, Class of 1969 (Philip SchuylerHigh School)• The late Robert Koonce – athlete, stu-dent advocate, Class of 1982• Wayne Morris – district employee, Boardof Education member, community volunteer• The late Larry T. O’Neill – athlete,teacher, coach• Josephine Sano – teacher, union leader• Ron Sontz – teacher, coach, administra-tor, Class of 1951• John Velie – drama teacher, director

Visit www.albanyschools.org to learnmore about each of these amazing people,and to read more about the Hall of Fame.

The district will accept nominations forthe Class of 2011 until Feb. 1. Applica-tions are available in the Hall of Fame sec-tion of the district Web site.

District toasts second Hall of Fame class

FALL 2010 1

Pictured above from the Hall of Fame Class of 2010 are: front row, from left, CaroleeCarmello, Eleanor Bartlett, Josephine Sano and John Bach (son of the late John Bach). In theback row, from left, are John Velie, Augustus Hailstork, Wayne Morris, Kevin O'Neill (son ofthe late Larry O'Neill), Angela Koonce (wife of the late Robert Koonce), Patricia Becker(daughter of the late Ben Becker) and Ron Sontz.

(continued on page 3)

Sch Disct Albany Fall2010_68270_Newsletter 11/10/10 10:18 AM Page 2

Our vision for AlbanyHigh School is taking shape.

Last June I let you knowthat dramatic changes at thehigh school would be evidentwith the start of the 2010-11school year.

Some have been immedi-ately apparent. The new floor-ing in the building makes fora brighter, cleaner school.SMART Boards and other ad-vanced technology operate

throughout the building. Students have more physical-ed-ucation options. The school day has fewer periods.

Other changes are less obvious. Student attendance at the high school has increased.

This is important because poor attendance in prior yearswas cited as the leading factor in poor student perform-ance at Albany High.

Average attendance rose from 85 percent for the 2009-10 school year to 90 percent in October. Progress, yes,and we will continue to work toward our goal of 95 per-cent attendance.

We are working with our community partners – themayor’s office, police, probation officers, mental-healthprofessionals and family court – to identify and work withstudents who miss too much school. Albany High is nowa closed campus, meaning students can no longer leaveschool grounds during the school day.

Also helping was our district-wide back-to-schoolcampaign, “Every Day in School Counts.”

Most importantly, students are responding by takingcharge of and responsibility for their own behavior. Theyhave incentives to follow the rules, and they have conse-quences when they choose not to.

All these changes are necessary to bring Albany Highto where it should be. These efforts will be greatly en-hanced by a $7.5 million federal grant that will allow usto remake the high school into four smaller learning com-munities (see related story, page 1). This transformationwill begin next school year.

In short, we are on our way toward meeting the goalsfor Albany High that are outlined in “A Vision for Tomor-row,” the strategic plan we adopted in 2008.

It would be a luxury to relax and rest on our laurels. Italso would be short-sighted. We would be fooling our-selves if we were under the impression that we havesolved Albany High’s problems.

We know we need to do much more. But we are moti-vated to make change and make sure every student gets anexceptional education.

We look to parents and the community to continue tosupport us in these efforts. We urge you to encourage stu-dents, whether in kindergarten or their senior year, to at-tend school each day.

Students – do your homework, hand it in on time andask for help when you need it. Parents -- monitor youryoungster’s progress and come to parent conferences.

Be our partners. We need your assistance

Raymond Colucciello, Ed.D.Superintendent

FALL 2010

Grades served: Prekindergarten-5Students: 424 | Teachers: 35 | Total employees: 53Breakfast begins: 8:30 a.m.School day begins: 9:05 a.m.School day ends: 3:35 p.m.After-school program ends: 5:30 p.m.

Points of distinction:• The only district school offering bilingual educationfrom prekindergarten through grade 5

• Gifted and Talented Program that focuses on advancedliterature in a small-group setting

• Delaware Reads 1,001 Books Program that encouragesand rewards reading for students from pre-K throughsecond grade

Programs and partnerships:• After-school child care• Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences• Albany Public Library• Boy Scouts• Catholic Charities• Chess Club• Community Garden Club• First Niagara Bank School Banking Program• Full-day prekindergarten and kindergarten• Future Leader Program• Gifted and Talented Program• Hispanic Outreach Services• Junior Achievement• Mentoring• Parent classes and information sessions

• Penny Harvest• PTA• Readers Inc. Program• Retired Seniors Volunteer Program• Safety Patrol• Seal-A-Smile Dental Care• Siena College• The College of Saint Rose• University at Albany• U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants

What makes our school special?

Delaware Community School is among a select fewschools in the region offering a bilingual education pro-gram – the Dual-Language Program. The program inte-grates native English-speaking students and nativeSpanish-speaking students for instruction in two lan-guages. By teaching students in English and Spanish, theprogram’s goal is to have students be able to read, writeand speak in both languages. One-third of the school’sstudents are in the Dual-Language Program. However,students throughout the building benefit from the valu-able opportunities for multicultural awareness.

Did you know?Delaware Community School holds a Morning Programevery Thursday for the entire student body, faculty, staffand members of the community. The program highlightsthe work of a student, class or educator, or activities orevents in the school.

www.albanyschools.org

Voices Q: If you could do one thing to change the country, what would it be?

From the superintendentThe transformation has begun

At a Glance: Delaware Community SchoolThe former Public School 18 on Bertha Street was torn down and rebuilt as Delaware Community School, whichopened in January 2007. It is home to the Spanish-English immersion Dual-Language Program.

2

Capital Education is published by the City School District of Albany.

Please direct comments about the newsletter,story ideas and questions toRon Lesko at (518) 475-6065

or rlesko@albany.k12.ny.us, or

Lisa Angerame at (518) 475-6066or langerame@albany.k12.ny.us.

City School District of AlbanyAcademy Park

Albany, New York 12207

I would minimize the amount of pollu-tion. I would invent a new way to run cars,factories, planes, boats, trains, houses andother things that blacken our skies, ruinour health and trash our communities. Ifchimneys no longer spread smoke acrossour landscapes, if exhaust pipes spewedoxygen instead of the sulfurous steam that

can suffocate people, the world would be filled with joy.

–Adam Aleksic, fourth gradeEagle Point Elementary School

I would fix the economy, because peo-ple are losing their jobs and can’t supportthemselves or their families. It is sad. Peo-ple don’t have a roof over their heads.People live on the streets and in shelters.Also, taxes are going up on soda, food andsnacks – even hospital visits. It is so dis-appointing. I hope Barack Obama helps

people get jobs and get off the streets.

–Tatyana Beatty, sixth gradeWilliam S. Hackett Middle School

Our country is very diverse, and thatcomes with challenges. I would like to seeour country do a better job at fostering asociety that values our many differencesand appreciates the value in learning fromthem. If the government, media, educa-tional systems, employers and individualsmade a top priority of experiencing differ-

ent areas of the country, different cultures and different ways ofthinking and doing things, I think the United States would be amuch more peaceful, understanding, forward-thinking and suc-cessful nation.

– Kristen Bruce, kindergarten teacherThomas O’Brien Academy of Science

and Technology (TOAST)

If I could change one thing it would beto have more jobs for our citizens. Manypeople got laid off and a lot of people arestruggling. This affects students, too,since there are fewer part-time jobs avail-able. Also, I would have people workfewer hours but pay them more to workthose hours. This could also create more

jobs since the hours could be spread out among more people.

–Salena Chandi, juniorAlbany High School

Nothing can teach us more about lifethan learning from each other’s differencesand embracing every variance as beauti-ful. If I could change one thing about theworld, it would be to make people put theirprejudices aside and learn to love one an-other for the one thing that is universal: thefact that we are all human. Maya Angelou

said, “If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, youwill have succeeded.”

–Colin Kather, seniorAlbany High School

It would be to make prices lower. Ithink prices should be lower so peoplecan replace things and you can stay awayfrom being homeless. My first exampleis: I lost my jacket that could not be re-placed because it cost too much money.My second example is: I think that ifprices were lower, then people would

live in houses and not on the streets.

–Jahvriah Lipscomb, fourth gradeNorth Albany Academy

I would teach people how to savemoney. Saving money is a big issue in ourcountry, and state and national govern-ments don’t have enough because theydon’t save enough. Just think about whatcould happen if we don’t save money. Ifwe don’t save enough money soon, wecould all be helpless and poor. We could

be in another depression like the Great Depression. If we work to-gether, we can collect more money and save more money.

– Eugene Lorini, seventh gradeStephen and Harriet Myers Middle School

It would be to ensure that every childin the inner city has an equal opportunityto get an education and a better qualityof life. Many of these children comefrom single-parent homes or are beingraised by a grandparent, foster parent orin group homes. I would hope that everyone of these kids would be encouraged

and know that even though they are coming from tough circum-stances, they are still more than capable of being successful.

–Gazell Scott, teaching assistantPine Hills Elementary School

Sch Disct Albany Fall2010_68270_Newsletter 11/10/10 10:18 AM Page 3

FALL 2010 www.albanyschools.org

3

morrow,” said Superintendent RaymondColucciello, Ed.D.

“This will allow us to provide new and bet-ter resources for all students at all levels,” hesaid. “It is a major step forward for us in ourwork to restructure Albany High School.”

Each new academy will have about 600students divided into teams of up to 150. Thestudent body in each academy will mirrorthat of the entire 2,400-student population interms of race, gender and class year.

Each academy will offer the same re-quired core courses and also will challengeall students to participate in the many col-lege-level courses Albany High offers. Elec-tives will be arranged according to eachacademy’s unique theme.

Students will have some limited opportu-nities to take electives outside of their acad-emy in grades 9-10; they will be able toexplore Albany High’s full curriculum ingrades 11-12.

Certain electives, such as music and art,will be available to all students no matter theiracademy or grade level.

The main goal is to build a tighter networkto ensure that all students receive the supportthey need to be successful and take advantageof the great educational opportunities avail-able at Albany High, said Assistant Superin-tendent for Secondary Education TresaDiggs, Ed.D.

“We want all of our students to believe inthemselves,” Dr. Diggs said. “That is the key

to all of this, and we think that the resourcesprovided through this grant will allow us tocreate the environment that will help themmove in that direction.”

While students still will be able to take ad-vantage of the school’s full curriculum, elec-tives will be grouped by academy accordingto themes. The themes also will be empha-sized throughout each academy’s curriculum.

The grant will allow the high school tobuild on its role as a Capital Region leader inadvanced coursework, such as AdvancedPlacement and the International Baccalaure-ate and Early College High School programs.

Additional features the grant will supportinclude:

• Summer transition camps to prepare

eighth-grade graduates for success as fresh-men

• Summer enrichment camps to allow stu-dents in grades 9-11 to begin preparing forthe following school year’s work in core sub-ject areas

• Pre-Advanced Placement curriculum ingrades 7-10

The bottom line? More support for everystudent.

“With these smaller learning communities,our relationships with students are going tostart to grow,” said Principal David C. Mc-Calla, Ph.D. “And as a result, in a matter of 2-3 years our community will see significantchanges in the achievement of our students.”

Albany High School(continued from page 1)

Expansive school renovation project endsFinis!The decade-long project to rebuild or renovate ele-

mentary and middle schools in the City School Districtof Albany is complete.

The facilities project ended with this fall’s reopeningof Arbor Hill Elementary School, which was markedwith an Oct. 14 ribbon-cutting celebration.

“This facilities project has proved that there is nolimit to the things we can achieve for our children whenwe work together,” said Board of Education PresidentDaniel Egan.

Thanks to the support of the community, the districtnow features 13 completely rebuilt or renovated elemen-tary and middle schools, each one energy-efficient andproviding state-of-the-art learning tools for studentscity-wide.

“The intent of the facilities plan was to reshape edu-cation in Albany by providing equitable resources for allof our students,” said Superintendent Raymond Coluc-ciello, Ed.D. “Every school now has the resources nec-essary to support learning and be a source ofneighborhood pride.

“We are grateful to our community for its outstand-ing support, both at the outset of this effort and through-out the decade. The result is one of the most impressivecollections of school facilities anywhere in New Yorkstate.”

Students and staff were housed in temporary space dur-ing the renovations, and Dr. Colucciello commended themand their families for their patience and perseverance.

Visit www.albanyschools.org to learn more aboutthis exciting project and its history.

The district now is turning its focus to the future. “While we celebrate a significant milestone with the

completion of this facilities project, we continue ourwork to build a school district that meets the needs ofevery single student,” Egan said.

In addition to programmatic improvements for high-school students and students in alternative-educationprograms, the district also is focused on Albany HighSchool.

“Any plans for a new high-school facility will comeabout only after a long and open dialogue with the com-munity about our academic needs and the best strategiesto serve all students in the decades to come,” Egan said.“We need and want our community’s help in creating avision for this important project.”

Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School, located offWhitehall Road, opened in 2005.

Pine Hills Elementary School – formerly P.S. 16 – opened onNorth Allen Street in 2007.

The former P.S. 21 on Clinton Avenue was renovated and expanded. It opened as Philip Schuyler Achievement Academy in 2004.

Montessori Magnet School was located in a former Catholicschool in downtown Albany until its new facility was built atthe site of the former P.S . 26 on Tremont Street.

The former P.S. 18 on Bertha Street was torn down and rebuilt as Delaware Community School, which opened in 2007.

Sheridan Preparatory Academy on Sheridan Avenue openedin 2004.

Sch Disct Albany Fall2010_68270_Newsletter 11/10/10 10:18 AM Page 4

Albany High School cheerleaders stoke up the crowd at the school’s first pep rally Oct.7. The event kicked off Homecoming weekend, which included the annual Hall ofFame inductions, football game and dance.

Delaware Community School joined schools around the globe to celebrate InternationalDay of Peace on Sept. 21. Here, third-graders Shymere Jones and Gabriel Adams observea moment of silence during the celebration.

Albany High School crowned Homecoming king Devin Beckett, left, and queen MeredithParmalee, second from left, during halftime at the Oct. 9 football game. Members of theHomecoming court included princess Nierra Carter, second from right, and prince AngeloSatterwhite, right.

Sheets of rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm at New Scotland Elementary School’sWalk to School Day on Oct. 6. Dodging drops and puddles are, from left, Juliette Geraghty,Connor Joslin, Nick Joslin and Matt Milligan.

Everyone likes ice cream, right? At least that was the consensus of the 150-plus people whocame to the annual Montessori Magnet School Ice Cream Social on Sept. 14. From left,second-grader Jlaila Johnson, third-grader Montanna Palmer and second-grader RaolVanness pal around during the celebration.

FALL 2010www.albanyschools.org4

WE CHOOSE

William S. Hackett Middle School students got a chance to kick back and get to know eachother at a barbecue at school. Here, seventh-grader Addie Thompson gets her burger to go.

Sch Disct Albany Fall2010_68270_Newsletter 11/10/10 10:18 AM Page 5

www.albanyschools.org 5

North Albany Academy students, staff and neighbors took part in the school’s annual HomecomingParade and Picnic on Sept. 25. Leading the parade down North Pearl Street, from left, are JasminGoss, Joel Gordon, Noraya Pettiway, Desire Oliver, Christian Forbes, John Droz and Dawn Dinh.

Albany High senior Rashad Avery rockets down the field during the Oct. 9 Homecom-ing game against Colonie at Bleecker Stadium. The Falcons fell to Colonie 21-14when the Raiders scored with 54 seconds left.

Lichtmatroos – or “ordinary sailor” – Eleanor Newberg scopes out the Hudson Rivershore from the rigging of the ship Half Moon. She, three classmates and a teacherfrom Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School spent a week in September crewingon the ship, a replica of the original that Henry Hudson sailed in 1609 (see page 7 forrelated story).

Schuyler Achievement Academy third-grader Judea Johnson gets some exercise from doing thechicken dance at the school’s annual Health Fair at Bleecker Stadium on Oct. 2.

Students at Arbor Hill Elementary School perform the ceremonial ribbon-cutting at the school’s rededication ceremony Oct. 14(see page 3 for related story). Making the cut, from left, are Exziar Ranger, Jennifer Castillo, Adamaris Castillo, China Harris,Harmony Thompson and Taliah Maye.

Albany High School JV girls’ soccer forward JenniferCriscione attacks the Catholic Central defense duringthe Maple Hill Tournament on Oct. 11.

Giffen Memorial Elementary School first-graderNevaeh House tries to see eye-to-eye with a bird at thepetting zoo at Giffen’s annual Back-to-School Celebra-tion on Sept. 25.

FALL 2010

ALBANY SCHOOLS

Sch Disct Albany Fall2010_68270_Newsletter 11/10/10 10:18 AM Page 6

Check us out online!We have created an Online News Center to provide you as much news as possible about the great people and programs of the City School District of Albany. Visit www.albanyschools.org and click the Online News Center/Photo Gallery link in the right-hand column to read more about any of these stories and additional articles, including:

You also can check out our District News section!

FALL 2010www.albanyschools.org6

SCHOOL NEWS

• The first quarter in photos: around the district and special events in thePhoto Gallery

• Cross-country and volleyball athletes earn Big 10 kudos

• Fall sports roundup

• Albany High School tops blood-donation record

• Albany High School students pledge tolerance

Albany High School students have moreoptions and flexibility to fulfill their phys-ical-education requirements this year.

Old standards like football and volley-ball are now paired with more contempo-rary fitness activities like pickleball – atennis-type game played with wooden pad-dles and a plastic ball – and speedball – acombination of soccer, rugby and football.

Students now have the option to chooseone of two options during each unit. Phys-ical-education electives are paired andchange quarterly. Choices include:

• Track and ultimate Frisbee• Volleyball and tennis• Badminton and pickleball • Football and basketball• Soccer and speedball

• Handball and basketball• Fitness and dance• Basketball and volleyball• Tae Bo, kickboxing, yoga and dance• Floor hockey and basketball• Pickleball and bowling• Ultimate Frisbee and basketball• Softball and football• Cross country and soccer

Swimming is no longer a high-school re-quirement in physical education. The districtwill offer an intramural swimming programfor high-school students who want moreswimming instruction or opportunities.

The district also will put more emphasison swimming and water safety in elemen-tary and middle school.

Albany High gym classes get a jump-start

Where does De-pression-era Kansasmeet Albany circa2010?

In the auditoriumat Albany HighSchool. And you’renot likely to notice adifference.

The award-win-ning Albany HighTheatre Ensemble istaking on WilliamInge’s AcademyAwa r d - w i n n i n gSplendor in the Grassfor its annual fallplay, scheduled toopen Nov. 18.

The originalstory takes place inthe Dust Bowl al-most 100 years ago.But its characters grapple withsomething that transcends generations andcultures: What happens when you’re a teen-ager in love?

“The play is timeless,” said teacher-di-rector Ward Dales. “It’s about teen-agechoices. It’s about sex and gender roles andexpectations of women and men. It’s aboutadults who get caught in their own agendasand aren’t honest with their children.”

Suicide, date rape and mental illness arejust some of the subjects that characters con-front – sensitive issues that continue to res-onate and can be uncomfortable to talk about.

That’s the idea.

“If people have the chance to talk aboutthese things, they get more information,”Dales said. “If they try to make decisionsin isolation, then they make bad choices.”

The play is thought-provoking and talk-provoking. Ninth- and tenth-graders willsee it performed during school and have achance to discuss the issues in small-groupforums moderated by experts.

Community members also will have achance to talk about the issues in forumsfollowing each public performance.

“I cast it non-traditionally so no one can bepigeonholed,” Dales said. “The audience willbe forced to consider the issues as they are.”

Theatre Ensemble presents Splendor in the Grass

Students help shape plans for convention center

Two Albany High School seniors arehelping bring to life a vision for one of themost significant construction projects pro-posed for Albany in decades – the NewYork State Convention Center.

Ali Attiyah and Zach Mantica, both inthe high school’s Senior Engineering Ca-reer Explorations internship program,spend six hours a week at the Albany Con-vention Center Authority offices helping toconstruct a model of the proposed facility.

Attiyah, an aspiring aerospace mechanic,and Mantica, who plans to be an architect,work under the guidance of Albany Highgraduate Shawn Hamlin ’85, a member of theconvention center’s master planning team.

Their project involves building a 3-Dscale model, about 5 feet by 3 feet, of theplanned 297,500-square-foot conventioncenter and the surrounding area. The modelwill show how the convention center willfit into downtown Albany.

Plans call for the convention center to bebuilt in a largely vacant area near whereBroadway meets Hudson Avenue. Adov-cates believe it will be a boon to the down-town economy.

“The amount of foot traffic will increasebecause there will be huge sidewalks and alot of open space,” Mantica said.

Hamlin said he immediately thought ofAlbany High’s Career Explorations pro-gram when the authority first consideredbringing on student interns to help build thescale model.

“I could speak definitively for the pro-gram and the students,” said Hamlin, whoalso has mentored other Career Explo-rations interns in the past.

The project is the first of several educa-tion-related projects in which the authorityhopes to involve City School District of Al-bany students, said Duncan Stewart, the au-thority’s executive director.

Markus and Chris are a couple of 12-year-olds growing up in Albany. They’rebest friends, but they’re slowly startingdown different paths.

The City School District of Albanyhopes the lessons these two fictitious boyslearn along the way will help other kidsmake good choices on their own journey toadulthood.

The LEADership Project (officially, theLegal Enrichment and Decision-MakingProgram) is designed to give fifth-gradersthe tools to help them steer clear of gangs,vandalism and other law-breaking behavior.

It is a partnership between the schooldistrict and United States Attorney for theNorthern District of New York Richard S.Hartunian, Mayor Gerald Jennings, PoliceChief Steven Krokoff and other federal,state and local law-enforcement agencies.

LEADership Project sessions began thismonth and will be held three more timesduring the school year. They are being held

in every fifth-grade classroom district-wide. The sessions will include scenarios of

real-life situations that confront Markusand Chris. Students will have the opportu-nity to participate by roll-playing the sce-narios for the rest of their class.

More than 50 volunteer instructors, allfrom agencies in and related to law en-forcement, will teach the sessions for thedistrict’s approximately 565 fifth-graders.The volunteers will lead group discussionson decision-making, peer pressure, restitu-tion, reparative justice and consequences ofactions.

The LEADership Project complementsthe Gang Resistance Education and Train-ing (GREAT) program the district offers allsixth-graders in middle school, as well asLegal Lives program that Albany CountyDistrict Attorney David Soares offers toseveral fifth- and sixth-grade classes in el-ementary schools.

New program helps kids choose the right path

Architect Shawn Hamlin, left, and Albany High School seniors Ali Attiyah, center, and Zach Mantica, right, make adjustments to a model of the proposed New York State Convention Center. Albany High School junior Christian Golson, left, takes his cues from

Theatre Ensemble director Ward Dales during a rehearsal of Splendorin the Grass, which opens Nov. 18.

Sch Disct Albany Fall2010_68270_Newsletter 11/10/10 10:18 AM Page 7

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

FALL 2010 7

SCHOOL NEWS

Senior selected for state ensemble Albany High School senior Robert Cosgrove will be the lead mallet percussionist

in the New York State School Music Association’s (NYSSMA) All-State Conference or-chestra concert this December.

Cosgrove beat out hundreds of other percussionists from around the state to earn thespot. He also was chosen as an alternate timpanist and percussionist.

Senior Julia Steppich (featured in the Student Achievement story on page 1 and inthe article below) also was selected as an alternate soprano vocalist.

Percussion includes various drums, bells, cymbals and other instruments that makesound when hit and keep rhythm. Cosgrove either will play the xylophone or the vibraphoneat the All-State Conference, depending on the musical selections chosen by NYSSMA.

National Merit Scholarship semifinalistsTwo Albany High School seniors have been named as semifinalists in the competi-

tion for prestigious National Merit Scholarships, ranking them among top students inthe United States.

Megan Murphy and Julia Steppich are among the 1.5 million students nationwidethat took the 2009 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Theirstellar scores place them in the top 1 percent of students in both New York state and theUnited States.

National Merit Scholarships will be awarded in the spring.Five other Albany High students also were recognized as National Merit Scholar-

ship Commended Students: Leigh Gialanella, Lauren Ha, Brook Nichols, SamuelPurcell and Madeline Ringwald. They are among the top 5 percent nationally.

Myers students sail the Hudson Four students and a teacher from Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School spent a

week this fall sailing the Hudson River in a full-scale replica of the Dutch ship HenryHudson sailed in the 1609 voyage that led him to what is now Albany.

Teacher Cheryl Backman and students Kevin Boisseau, Eleanor Newberg, MylahChandler and JerryAngelo Torres journeyed in the 2010 Fall Voyage of Discovery, partof the Half Moon traveling museum that conducts programs about the former Dutchcolony.

They and their crewmates from four other schools sailed one of two legs that paral-leled Hudson’s expedition. Students kept logs and were active members of the crew thathelped sail and maintain the ship.

The New Netherland Museum – the non-profit educational institution that ownsand operates the Half Moon – worked with New York state educators to integrate intothe journey history, math, science and writing lessons that meet state standards.

Myers Middle School crewmates are, from left, eighth-grade students Mylah Chandler, KevinBoisseau and Eleanor Newberg, teacher Cheryl Backman and eighth-grader JerryAngelo Torres.

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Percussionist Robert Cosgrove does mallet magic on an Albany High School xylophone.

Delaware Community School fifth-grader Felicia Thomas gets a hug from her dad, Robert,during “Dads Take Your Child to School Day” this fall. The annual event was part of a na-tional effort to encourage men to be more active in their children’s education. Seven districtschools and hundreds of Albany dads and father figures participated.

Artist-in-residence inspires a villageAll eyes in the fifth-grade gym class at

Montessori Magnet School focused onAlan Weeks.

“One-two-three-four-f ive-six-seven-eight – raise the roof!” Weeks called as heled the students in a series of rigorousdance and aerobic warm-ups.

Weeks, a City School District of Albanydrama and dance teacher, is a full-timeartist-in-residence at Montessori. He, staffand students from prekindergarten throughfifth grade are creating an original produc-tion, “An African Village.”

Students from every grade have a role,ranging from studying animal migrations tolearning Swahili to making masks out of re-cycled materials.

“We’re touching on all disciplinesthrough the arts,” Weeks explained.

His work at Montessori will concludewith a Dec. 1 performance. Weeks then will

serve as artist-in-residence at AlbanySchool of Humanities (ASH) for threemonths and finish out the school year atThomas O’Brien Academy of Science andTechnology (TOAST).

Each school’s production will be unique.Before coming to Montessori, Weeks

taught at Albany High School and the for-mer Philip Livingston Magnet Academy.

His impressive pre-teaching resume in-cludes performances in Broadway’s “Ain’tMisbehavin’,” “Funny Girl” and “TheWiz,” television’s “Fame,” and “Dallas” andthe big screen’s “The French Connection”and “Shaft.”

He also directed and choreographed atCapital Repertory Theatre.

As a teacher, he never stops encourag-ing, instructing or moving.

“The world is in your grasp,” Weeks tellshis students. “Reach for it, really reach for it.”

Teacher and performer Alan Weeks and his students at Montessori Magnet School stretch theirmuscles and their imaginations.

Sch Disct Albany Fall2010_68270_Newsletter 11/10/10 10:18 AM Page 8

Q&A

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Alumni achievementAdolphus C. Hailstork '59

Leading the wayMeet Brent Cady Technology teacher, Albany High School

Q:What does a technology teacher teach?A: When I ask students what they think of when theyhear the word technology they always answer “com-puters,” and I think that’s what most people think. Buttechnology education is much broader than that. It’sthe study of how people alter their world by usingknowledge, innovation and resources, and the result-ing impact of all those things.

If we just try to teach students the latest fad in tech-nology every time something new is created, we’llnever keep up. With the swift rate of change in tech-nology, by the time students graduate high school orcollege much of what they learn their freshman year

would be outdated and obsolete.

Q:What is STEM education and why is it important?A: STEM stands for science, technology, engineering andmath. It’s more than that, though. It includes the knowledgeyou get in social studies and what you learn in English. Itincorporates all your subjects into a common theme and al-lows a wall to be broken down to show how everything isinterrelated.

STEM is important because any job in the 21st century is goingto require some kind of technological literacy. Having a back-

ground in science and technology will be crucial, since the major-ity of jobs will be based in science and technology..

Q: How do you make STEM palatable to the average high-school student?A: I use examples they can understand. Just about every kid has acell phone or an iPod or a TV. They see these things in their everydaylife but don’t know how they’re made or how they work.

Q: How does Albany High compare to other schools in terms ofits STEM-related offerings?A: The opportunities are tremendous at Albany High. We have the onlyAcademy of Engineering in the Capital Region. We’re one of five roboticsteams in the Capital Region. We offer senior internships in STEM-re-lated professions through Career Explorations. We have Project Leadthe Way, which is a four-year sequence of engineering courses stu-dents can take for college credit. And we offer summer Academy ofEngineering camps for seventh- and eighth graders interested STEM.

Q:What’s your favorite TV show?A: “Lost” is my all-time favorite show. “Mad Men” is filling its void for now.And anything to do with sports is always on my watch list.

A state test AdolphusHailstork, Ph.D., took inthird grade indicated thathe had an aptitude formusic.

Nice call.Today, Dr. Hailstork is

a renowned classicalcomposer whose workshave been performed byprestigious ensembleslike the Philadelphia Or-chestra, the ChicagoSymphony and the NewYork Philharmonic.

“I was a musicianfrom Day One, long be-fore college, long beforehigh school,” said Dr.Hailstork, a professor ofmusic and eminentscholar at Old Dominion University in Virginia. “I always tell peo-ple it was a calling, not a choice.”

Dr. Hailstork took up the violin in elementary school and soonbegan singing in the men’s and boys’ choir at the Cathedral of AllSaints. Orchestra and chorus at Philip Livingston Junior High fol-lowed, and he added organ and piano to his repertoire.

At Albany High School he learned under the baton of teacherFrank B. Bailey. Orchestra teacher Gertrude Howarth encouragedhim to compose.

“She told me, ‘If you write it, then we will play it, and not onlywill we play it, you will conduct it,’” Dr. Hailstork said.

Thus launched a career that includes three symphonies and nu-merous works for chorus, solo voice, piano, organ, various cham-ber ensembles, band and orchestra.

After graduating from Albany High in 1959, Dr. Hailstork wentto Howard University, then the Manhattan School of Music and theAmerican Institute at Fontainebleau in France. He received his doc-torate in composition from Michigan State University.

He studied under masters like H. Owen Reed at Michigan State,Vittorio Giannini and David Diamond at the Manhattan School ofMusic, Mark Fax at Howard and Nadia Boulanger at Fontainebleau.

He was commissioned to write a piece for the 1976 bicentennial.That piece, “Celebration,” vaulted him into the big time. It’s a fa-vorite of his, along with “Whitman’s Journey,” based on the writingsof Walt Whitman, “Done My Vow,” which professes the hopes ofAfrican-Americans, and “Songs of Love and Justice,” based on thewords of Martin Luther King Jr.

So what kind of music does a world-renowned composer listento?

“I’m pretty eclectic in my tastes,” Dr. Hailstork said. “They rangefrom Gregorian chants to James McMillan (a Scottish avant-gardeartist) to (Polish classical composer Witold) Lutoslawski. I’m alsoa big fan of Ravel and I love the Latin beat and a lot of the stuff thatcomes out of the African diaspora.”

He’s not too interested in most of the music that emanates fromyour average FM dial, though.

“I loved the whole Motown thing, the rich harmonies and thewonderful orchestrations,” he said. “But once they moved awayfrom that, I lost interest in popular music.”

8

Daniel EganPresident

Rose Brandon, Th.D.Secretary

Barbara Gaffuri

Edith Leet

Melissa Mackey

Wayne P. Morris

Raymond Colucciello, Ed.D. Superintendent

It didn’t take Brent Cady too long to figure out that a career in a cu-bicle wasn’t for him. He worked exactly half a day at his first job inan architectural firm and quit after lunch. He did some soul-search-ing and ultimately concluded that he wanted to teach. He startedteaching technology at William S. Hackett Middle School in 2002and moved to the high school in 2004, where he’s been since.

Adolphus C. Hailstork '59

FALL 2010

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