Principal Newsletter

Welcome back! I am so excited to begin another year of learning, growth, and community at Albany Community School. Last year, we focused on building strong systems for our middle school, strengthening relationships with students, and creating more consistent, age-appropriate ways to teach and support positive behavior. This year, we will continue building on that foundation by creating an even stronger sense of connection and belonging. When students feel known, valued, and connected to the adults and peers around them, they are more likely to engage in learning, take positive risks, ask for help, and contribute to their school community. I look forward to continuing this work with our students, staff, and families as we strive toward our vision: Every student known, supported, challenged, and inspired. I am especially excited to welcome our new fifth-grade students and families to Albany!

Building strong relationships with families is also an important priority for me this year. You know your children best, and your ideas, questions, and perspectives help us better support them. I hope you will feel comfortable reaching out, stopping by, attending school events, or sharing ideas for ways families can become more involved. Joining the PTC is one great way to connect with other families and support our school. Families interested in volunteering during the school day or chaperoning field trips may complete the district’s fingerprinting and background-check process. I would love to welcome more regular volunteers into our building, and I look forward to partnering with you throughout the year.

Thank you for trusting us with your children each day. I know that starting a new school year can bring both excitement and questions, and I want families to know that my door is always open. Please do not hesitate to reach out to celebrate a success, share a concern, ask a question, or simply introduce yourself. Strong school-family relationships begin with open communication, and I look forward to getting to know each of you better this year.

Wendy is often the first friendly voice you will hear when you call Albany Community School. She answers the main office phone, shares important updates with families, and helps students feel welcomed, cared for, and supported throughout the school day. Wendy is a wonderful resource for questions about attendance, transportation, schedules, and general school information. Please contact her as early as possible in the morning if your child’s dismissal or transportation plans change so we have enough time to communicate the update safely and accurately. We appreciate Wendy’s kindness, organization, and dedication to our students and families!

Contact Wendy: 802-755-6168 | wlittle@ocsu.org

First Day: Wednesday, August 26

• Student drop-off begins: 7:30 a.m.
• Students will go to the gym for breakfast and to meet with their friends!
• School begins: 7:50 a.m.
• Students will usually transition to advisory. The first day we will have an assembly to welcome everyone back. They will be dismissed by advisory so they know where to go.
• 5th Grade: Mrs. Collier Rm 106
• 6th Grade: Ms. Deonigi and Ms. Nicolette Rm 117
• 7th Grade: Ms. Phun Rm 118
• 8th Grade: Ms. Lillis Rm 119
• There will be a school provided fruit or vegetable snack in the morning. Students are welcome to bring a snack from home that is nut free.
• Lunch is at 11:20 a.m.
• Dismissal: 2:50 p.m.
• Please contact Wendy as early as possible regarding attendance or transportation changes.
  
  

Please be on the lookout for first day paperwork being emailed to you. We are no longer doing paper packets.

Student drop-off begins at 7:30 a.m., and school starts promptly at 7:50 a.m. This is a change as we work to align schedules across our middle schools. Dismissal is at 2:50 p.m.

During dismissal, buses will leave first. Families picking up students should wait along the side of the parking lot until buses are called. Once buses have departed, please pull forward to the walkway in front of the school. Students will come outside and enter vehicles at the curb. For safety, students should not walk across the parking lot.

Regular attendance and arriving on time help students begin each day successfully and remain connected to their learning.

One of our Continuous Improvement Plan goals this year is to reduce chronic absenteeism because being in school consistently is essential for students’ learning, relationships, and overall success. Vermont has updated how chronic absenteeism is calculated. A student is now considered chronically absent when they miss 10% or more of the school days they have been enrolled, rather than being identified by a set number of missed days. This calculation includes all absences, both excused and unexcused. We understand that students may need to miss school for illness, appointments, or other important reasons, and we will work in partnership with families to support strong attendance whenever possible. More information and guidance will be shared soon by our Home-to-School Coordinator.

A special thank-you to our 8th-grade leadership team for helping us rebuild our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system for middle school students. Together, students and staff developed our schoolwide PACK Agreements:

• Persevere
• Own Our Actions
• Support Our Community
• Seek Knowledge
  
  

At the beginning of the year, we will teach and practice what these agreements look and sound like throughout the school. By using consistent language, recognizing positive behavior, and providing reteaching and support when needed, we can create a safe, predictable learning environment where every student can thrive.

Jessica Thomas, Principal
Albany Community School
802-755-6168 | jthomas@ocsu.org