The following is an important message from William S. Hackett Middle School Principal Michael Paolino. The information also was sent to families on Aug. 1 via U.S. mail.
Dear Hackett Middle School Families:
It is hard to believe that it is August and the beginning of a new school year is right around the corner. I hope your summer vacation has been enjoyable, and like myself you are eager for the start of school in September. The first day of school for all returning Hackett Middle School students will be Friday, Sept. 6. Breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the school day will begin at 8 a.m. For students not eating breakfast at school, the main entrance will open at 7:40 a.m. The school day will conclude at 3 p.m.
The Hackett Middle School Summer Orientation for all grades will be Thursday, Aug. 22 from 6-8:30 p.m. Orientation will begin with a general session in the auditorium to review our academic expectations. This is an excellent time for parents, guardians and family members to learn more about changes being implemented at Hackett Middle School and to ask questions. Families also will have ample time to tour the school, meet with teachers and begin preparing student lockers.
Student schedules and locker assignments will also be provided at orientation. Please note that schedules for all students and their parents or guardians who are unable to attend orientation will be provided on the first day of school. During orientation, parents, guardians and students will have time to become better acclimated with various school-related activities, including updating pertinent school information, signing up for extended-day programs, meeting with representatives from CDTA, becoming a member of the Hackett Middle School PTA, learning more about our various school-related committees and more.
Fall Modified Sports
Registration is now open for students in grades 7-12 who are interested in trying out for a fall sport.
During the fall 2024 athletic season, the City School District of Albany will offer:
- football
- girls' volleyball
- boys' and girls' soccer
- boys' and girls' cross country
- girls' tennis
- girls' swimming and diving
- cheerleading
A list of coaches, as well as a link to Final Forms which must be used for registration, can be found on the Athletics page of the district website. You also can find more information about the fall 2024 sports season (including registration requirements).
Proof of an up-to-date physical is required. The district will offer free physicals on Aug. 20 and Aug. 27 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Albany High School. Pre-registration is not required. You can also make an appointment at any of our school-based health centers.
Football tryouts begin Aug. 19. All other high school sport tryouts begin the week of Aug. 26. Modified (grade 7-8) tryouts/practices begin Aug. 29.
Transportation
Students continue to be eligible for transportation to and from school based on the district’s standard criteria: all students living 1.5 miles or more from school, and all students whose Individualized Education Plan (IEP) requires specialized transportation. Students receiving specialized transportation will ride school buses operated by First Student. All other eligible middle and high school students in the district ride CDTA.
Students eligible to ride CDTA buses will have their student ID activated to use as their bus pass. CDTA also allows a two-week grace period at the start of each school year (through Friday, Sept. 16th this year) when all students are allowed to ride. CDTA will continue to provide tripper buses for our students in the morning and afternoon; eligible students also can ride any regular CDTA bus using their activated student IDs. Student ID badges will be provided to all students on the first day of school.
Student Supply Lists
Available on our school’s page on the district website.
Summer Transition Camp
The Summer Transition Camp is a three-day program open to all students entering grades 6-7 at Hackett Middle School. The camp is designed to help students get off to a smooth start to the school year. The Summer Transition Camp will be held Aug. 19-21 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. each day.
Students will have opportunities to learn strategies to enhance study skills and note-taking abilities as well as engage in various team-building activities designed to promote a safe and secure learning environment. We hope that all incoming sixth and seventh graders take advantage of this fun opportunity.
Students who have not yet submitted an application to participate in the Summer Transition Camp can still register by reporting to the cafe entrance of school on the first day, Monday, Aug. 19.
Back-to-School Barbecue
Similar to previous years, we would like to celebrate the start of the school year by hosting an outdoor barbecue for our students on Friday, Sept. 20. Students will receive a hamburger or hot dog, bag of chips, fresh fruit, milk and an ice cream sundae courtesy of Stewart’s Shops. To ensure a successful barbecue, we encourage parents and guardians to volunteer to assist in preparing the lunches. If you are interested, please contact the Hackett Middle School PTA at hackettpta@gmail.com.
Important Dates and Events
Finally, I would like to share the following dates for various important school events. Please be sure to mark these dates on your calendars:
- No school (Labor Day) – Monday, Sept. 2
- No school (professional development days) – Tuesday, Sept.3 - Thursday, Sept. 5
- First PTA Meeting – Wednesday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m.
- PTA Meeting – Wednesday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
- No school (Rosh Hashana) – Thursday, Oct. 3
- No school (Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day) – Monday, Oct. 14
- Picture Day – Tuesday, Oct. 16 and Wednesday, Oct. 17
- Halloween Teen Night – Friday, Nov. 1, 6-8:30 p.m.
Once again, I am excited and looking forward to the start of the school year. Please feel free to contact the school should you have any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Michael Paolino, Principal
- boys' and girls' cross country
- girls' tennis
- girls' swimming and diving
- cheerleading
A list of coaches, as well as a link to Final Forms which must be used for registration, can be found on the Athletics page of the district website.
Proof of an up-to-date physical is required. The district will offer free physicals on Aug. 20 and Aug. 27 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Albany High School. Pre-registration is not required. You can also make an appointment at any of our school-based health centers.
Football tryouts begin Aug. 19. All other high school sport tryouts begin the week of Aug. 26. Modified (grade 7-8) tryouts/practices begin Aug. 29.
For more information about the fall 2024 sports season (including registration requirements), please visit the Athletics page on the district website.
Transportation
Students continue to be eligible for transportation to and from school based on the district’s standard criteria: all students living 1.5 miles or more from school, and all students whose Individualized Education Plan (IEP) requires specialized transportation. Students receiving specialized transportation will ride school buses operated by First Student. All other eligible middle and high school students in the district ride CDTA.
Students eligible to ride CDTA buses will have their student ID activated to use as their bus pass. CDTA also allows a two-week grace period at the start of each school year (through Friday, Sept. 16th this year) when all students are allowed to ride. CDTA will continue to provide tripper buses for our students in the morning and afternoon; eligible students also can ride any regular CDTA bus using their activated student IDs. Student ID badges will be provided to all students on the first day of school.
Student Supply Lists
Available on our school’s page on the district website: /schools/hackett/index
Summer Transition Camp
The Summer Transition Camp is a three-day program open to all students entering grades 6-7 at Hackett Middle School. The camp is designed to help students get off to a smooth start to the school year. The Summer Transition Camp will be held Aug. 19-21 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. each day.
Students will have opportunities to learn strategies to enhance study skills and note-taking abilities as well as engage in various team-building activities designed to promote a safe and secure learning environment. We hope that all incoming sixth and seventh graders take advantage of this fun opportunity.
Students who have not yet submitted an application to participate in the Summer Transition Camp can still register by reporting to the cafe entrance of school on the first day, Monday, Aug. 19.
Back to School Barbecue
Similar to previous years, we would like to celebrate the start of the school year by hosting an outdoor
Barbecue for our students on Friday, Sept. 20. Students will receive a hamburger or hot dog, bag of chips, fresh fruit, milk and an ice cream sundae courtesy of Stewart’s Shops. To ensure a successful barbecue, we encourage parents and guardians to volunteer to assist in preparing the lunches. If you are interested, please contact the Hackett Middle School PTA at hackettpta@gmail.com.
Important Dates and Events
Finally, I would like to share the following dates for various important school events. Please be sure to mark these dates on your calendars:
● No School (Labor Day) – Monday, Sept. 2
● No School (Professional Development Day) – Tuesday, Sept.3 - Thursday, Sept. 5
● First PTA Meeting – Wednesday, Sept. 11, 7:00 p.m.
● PTA Meeting – Wednesday, Oct. 2, 7:00 p.m.
● No School (Rosh Hashana) – Thursday, Oct. 3
● No School (Columbus Day) – Monday, Oct. 14
● Picture Day – Tuesday, Oct. 16 and Wednesday, Oct. 17
● Halloween Teen Night – Friday, Nov. 1, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Once again, I am excited and looking forward to the start of the school year. Please feel free to contact the school should you have any additional questions.
