News

Albany Options horticulture visited South Shore Elementary School this week, where they partnered up with a second-grade class to do some landscaping projects around the school.

Students spread mulch and wood chips, weeded, removed blackberry bushes, and trimmed the bushes. The second graders were partnered with the high school students to complete the tasks. After they finished the work, the AOS students joined the second graders for lunch in the cafeteria.

Staff at both schools said the students enjoyed the partnership and look forward to working together again in the future.

The School Board continues to review facility needs for a possible bond proposal for next spring. The District will host a series of community meetings in October to gather input about community priorities, which will help the Board develop a final bond proposal for next May

A proposal could include:

• Projects to upgrade existing schools for instructional programs
  Safety and security projects
• Maintenance projects to protect the community’s investments in school buildings
• New elementary schools to relieve overcrowding and manage growth
• Reconstruction of buildings that need large-scale repair and renovation

Please join us and share your input. All meetings are planned for 6-7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 5: Timber Ridge
• Oct. 12: Oak Grove Elementary
• Oct. 20: West Albany High School
• Oct. 26: South Albany High School

GAPS submitted water samples for lead testing at all schools and facilities this summer. The labs are returning results as fast as possible but have high demand from school districts around the state.

We are repairing and then retesting all fixtures with elevated lead levels. Any fixture with tests showing elevated lead levels will be kept out of service until tests show that they no longer exceed allowable lead levels set by the EPA.

Read the latest update about water tests for each school.

The annual back-to-school staff rally included a first-ever walk from West to South this morning. Superintendent Jim Golden planned the event in an effort to emphasize wellness and start the year in a fun way.

It also gave staff a chance to connect with their peers. “Staff need to talk,” he said. “Walking and talking go well together.”

All GAPS licensed and classified staff made the 2.6 mile hike between schools. GAPS employs about 1,050 staff members. In addition, School Board members Jerry Boehme, Sandy Gordon, Micah Smith and Lyle Utt attended.

The event ended at the new South Albany High School cafeteria, which was the first look at the finished space for most staff. The group gathered in the commons area to hear brief motivational speeches by Superintendent Jim Golden, Albany Public Schools Foundation President Bob Stalick, School Board Chair Micah Smith and Sue McGrory, President of the Greater Albany Education Foundation.

Stalick recognized the community and business contributions that helped make the new cafeteria possible. Board Chair Smith stressed preparedness for readying students to succeed in school and post graduation and in reference to a potential spring bond measure to renovate schools and add classroom space.

“This is a pivotal year in Greater Albany Public Schools,” he said. “We must prepare for the demands of tomorrow’s education. We have a growing district, and we must prepare as students, parents, business owners and stakeholders. It’s going to be an action-packed school year, and it begins today.”

Sue McGrory wrapped up the speeches. She thanked the school board for working in a collaborative partnership, and she shared basic beliefs about education in the district. “I believe every student in Albany, regardless of family income, deserves a quality education,” she said.

South Albany High School staff are back at work organizing their classrooms, including the culinary arts and music teachers who are moving into rooms in the new cafeteria.

The building is ready for the new school year, and the SAHS community is ready to show it off. This new building will be a source of pride for the school and the entire district.

The public is invited to two open house events:

Sept. 7 from 6-7:30 p.m. 

Sept. 24, 9-11 a.m.
Donors to the Albany Public Schools Foundation South Albany High School Fire Fund will be honored and thanked for their donations. Area leaders, including local legislators, have been invited.