Good morning and welcome back to school!
It is finally spring, and it is hard to believe that spring break has already passed! I hope you and your loved ones enjoyed the time off and had a happy Passover and Easter. It won’t be long before Memorial Day is here and the summer months are upon us!
In the meantime, we have many activities coming up in the last few months of school. As we begin the final marking period of this school year, I am asking that you continue to encourage your children to work hard and complete homework assignments, as this impacts their academic standing. This is the perfect time to encourage them to hone their study habits and goals and finish the year strong. This is a very busy time of the year, and it will go by quickly.
New York State computer-based English Language Arts testing resumes this Wednesday and Thursday for all students in grades 3-8. The testing was put on hold at most schools statewide due to technical problems at the state level. We hope to complete all English Language Arts assessments as well as make-up testing.
We also will prepare for the upcoming state math tests on April 29-30 (see the full state assessment schedule below).
It is our hope that students do their best, without feeling pressure, fear or anxiety. These tests serve as a tool for us to measure student learning and inform our instructional practices ensuring that we are providing the best possible education for all our students. Please make every effort to have your child in school and on time, especially during testing days. If you have any questions, please contact my office at (518) 475-6475.
Confused about bus transportation in the City School District of 鶹Ӱ? Want to make sure your kids are signed up for busing in September? Wonder how thousands of 鶹Ӱ kids get bused to and from school every day? Get answers to those questions and learn much more Wednesday (tomorrow) at the next Parent University. This in-person workshop – featuring district Transportation Director Durett Miles – will be held at North 鶹Ӱ Middle School at 7 p.m. The event is open to all district families. Child care and light refreshments will be provided.
This week's Friday Fun Day theme will be “Twin Day.” Let's show our school spirit by pairing up with a friend to dress in coordinating outfits! 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.
Snapchats don't last forever, but yearbooks do! Hackett yearbooks, featuring customizable pages, are now available for preorder! Please visit and enter our school's passcode: 1016488352114359 for details on purchasing and customizing your child's yearbook!
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'
- New York State test schedule for 2025:
- English Language Arts: April 23-24 (updated)
- Math: April 29-30
- NYSESLAT Speaking: May 1-9
- Science: May 13
- NYSESLAT Listening, Reading and Writing: May 12-22
- Confused about bus transportation in our school district and want to know more?
- Our Hackett Jazz Band will be performing on Tuesday, May 6 at the annual "Evening in the Garden" celebration hosted by The Vegetable Project. This year's event, open to all, will be held at New Scotland Elementary starting at 5:30 p.m. Check out the talents of our musicians and learn about this terrific community partner.
- Our May PTA meeting will be held Wednesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. in room 112. Can't make it in person? .
- Our Spring Concert and Art Show will be held on Tuesday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m.
- Fourth-quarter interim grades close on Friday, May 16. Please be sure your child has handed in all assignments for first half of the fourth quarter by then.
- Our third-quarter Honor Roll Ceremony will be held Wednesday, May 21 at 8:30 a.m. in the auditorium.
- 鶹Ӱ High School Spring Open House will be held on Thursday, May 29 from 5:30-7 p.m. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A NEW DATE. Will your student be heading to high school this September? Incoming ninth-graders and their families are invited to 鶹Ӱ High to learn about the school's academic, athletic and extracurricular opportunities. Students can meet administrators and other students, take a tour of the campus and have their questions answered.
- We will have three days off at the end of May: Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day), Tuesday, May 27 and Wednesday, May 28 (recess days for unused snow days). School will resume on Thursday, May 29.
Important reminders
- Join our team! The City School District of 鶹Ӱ is hiring for a variety of positions. A list of employment opportunities can be found on the Human Resources page of the district website.
- 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.
