Hello Families!
It is hard to believe we will welcome the month of May this week! Hopefully the spring weather will start to show itself on a more continual basis now. There are nine very busy weeks left of the school year! I hope you will encourage your children to work hard and complete homework assignments, as this impacts their academic standing. Time and again, failing averages are the result of incomplete or missing assignments. Please encourage your children to finish the year strong!
New York State computer-based English Language Arts testing finished last week 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 will administer state math tests this Tuesday (tomorrow) and Wednesday (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.
This year's budget vote and Board of Education elections will be Tuesday, May 20. If approved, the $342.4 million budget would continue to support programs and services that students need and deserve while also minimizing the impact on taxpayers.
You can visit our Budget section to learn more about the items voters will consider and get a calendar of in-person and online budget forums in the coming weeks.
! You’ll receive a paper copy in the mail with your student’s third-quarter report card, as well.
! She and our school district's two other school resource officers were recognized last week at the ALERT Partnership's 2025 Â鶹ӰԺ Bridge Builders Awards Ceremony.
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 that was the week that was!
Now for our 'Don't Snooze and Lose News'
- New York State test schedule for 2025:
- Math: Tuesday and Wednesday, April 29-30
- NYSESLAT Speaking: May 1-9
- Science: May 13
- NYSESLAT Listening, Reading and Writing: May 12-22
- 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.
- 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.
- Attention eighth-grade families: Â鶹ӰԺ will host a Spring Open House on Thursday, May 29 from 5:30-7 p.m. Incoming ninth-graders and their families are invited to Â鶹ӰԺ 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.
Important reminders
- Join our team! The City School District of Â鶹ӰԺ 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.
Hackett corner quotes
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant." – Robert Louis Stevenson
