Fifth grade students fromNancySmithElementary School spent Monday-Wednesday, Nov. 4-6, at CampGradySpruceatPossum Kingdom Lake studying natural science of the area, with 29 students and fiveadultsmakingthetrip. “It’s basically the same program they have every year,” said NSES teacher Leslie Neve. “They had lakeology, where they see the health of the lake. That was new to some of the kids.”

The junior high one-act play brought home third place last week from the district contest in Stamford, also earning individual honors, including best performer. The cast and crew presented the comedy “The Love of Three Oranges” at the UIL contest.

Nancy Smith Elementary School students can winaturkeyforChristmas dinner Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the school’s inaugural Jingle Run.

The fourth annual Albany FCCLA Turkey Teacher Contest was still undecidedheadingintoits final days this week. As of Monday, Nov.

Students and faculty at AISD will be treated to an entire week off this year forThanksgivingholidays. After dismissal on Friday, Nov. 22, the holiday week will begin, running from Monday, Nov. 25 through Friday, Nov. 29, with classes resuming Monday, Dec. 2.

Entries for the annual Lighted Christmas Pa ra d e set for Nov. 30 sponsored by the ChamberofCommerce arecoming in well, but more participants are being sought to “make this the best parade ever,” according Chamber manager Brandi Lehew.

A special Trail Driver Cooking demonstration is planned this Saturday, Nov. 23, at Fort Griffin State Historic Site, with all ages invited.

TheAlbanyschoolboard met in back-to-back meetings onTuesday,firsthearing a report on district’s foundationaccountduring a short meeting for that board, followed by the regular monthly meeting. The trustees reviewed a financial report from the Albany ISD Education Foundation that is managed by the Community Foundation Board of Abilene.

TheAlbanyCityCouncil met last week on Nov. 13 to address a range of community matters.

FiveShackelfordCounty 4-H members placed Nov. 14 at the District 7 Food Show in Abilene.