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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.

High school staff and students are officially ready for the start of the new school year. Registration for all grades was last week. Both South Albany and West Albany high schools said registration numbers showed an increase in student enrollment. Official enrollment counts will be available after school starts.

Registration day allowed students and their parents to take care of business for the new year. They picked up schedules, paid fees, had student ID photos taken, received locker assignments and were given school t-shirts to officially welcome them.

Parent and community volunteers staffed registration stations and helped the day run smoothly.

Pictured are incoming students during freshmen registration day on Thursday, Aug. 25.

GAPS kicks off the start of each new school year with a motivational staff rally. This year, the event will begin with an optional walk from West Albany High School to South Albany High School.

The 2.6-mile walk is intended to be a team-building and wellness activity. It will start at Memorial Stadium, proceed on the right side of the road on Pacific, turn south on Columbus and continue on the left side of the road.

Staff may walk the whole route, drive to SAHS or hop on one of the buses that will wait at the 34th Street fire station for staff who want a lift at the halfway mark.

The regular staff program will start at 9 a.m. at South. Buses will shuttle staff back to West Albany High School after the event at approximately 10:30 a.m.

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.

Thank you to Red Canoe Credit Union for delivering more than a thousand pounds of schools supplies to the District FACT office today. FACT is the District’s Families and Communities Together program, which provides support for families in need.

Supplies were dropped off by (from left) Angie Stempson and Carey Mackey of Red Canoe Credit Union, Erin Hull, Tracie Johnson, and Gene Vey from FACT.

FACT staff is sorting the supplies now and expect to distribute supplies and backpacks to students next week.

Red Canoe staff said they received donations from several community partners, including backpacks from Costco and donations from community members.

“We are not the only ones who give out school supplies,” said Amy Davis, Vice President of Marketing at Red Canoe Credit Union. “A big thank you’s to St. Mary’s and St. Vinnie’s and to Love Inc. as well as the others who offer clothing and supplies. I’m sure there are many others we don’t even know about. We live in a generous community,” she said.

In addition to the school supplies, Red Canoe Credit Union said they will match the pounds of school supplies collected with a check. She estimated that the check would be available next week. It will help support families served by FACT.

“Red Canoe has partnered with us for several years now and we so appreciate them and all those who generously give for kids,” said Jim Haggart from the District. “Oftentimes you can hear the relief in the parents’ voices when they know they have somewhere to go to get help for school supplies.”