By Donnie A. Lucas
With the end of the school year quickly approaching, school officials are asking parents and students to stay the course as the final week of assignments approaches.
Students at both the elementary and secondary campuses are due to turn in all work by Friday, May 15 so that grades can all be finalized by the last day of the semester on Wednesday, May 20.
By Lynsi Musselman
The coronavirus outbreak has forced local teachers, along with others across the nation, to adjust from classroom settings with students to virtual learning with no in-person interaction.
Parents and others who typically honor educators during Teacher Appreciation Week every May are also making adjustments. The way they are giving back to teachers looks a little different this year.
Lynsi Musselman
Albany High School students have recently been sent forms through Google Classroom so they can request courses for the 2020-2021 school year, according to counselor Jenny Scott.
In the absence of a special meeting this year, students will be able to enroll in dual credit and approved advanced placement courses through Google Classroom.
Scott said that College Board pre-approved advanced placement courses are being offered alongside dual credit courses.
By Melinda L. Lucas
The Albany student newspaper, the Lions Roar, was selected for one of only six Gold Star awards announced by the Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC) over the weekend.
Normally, the staff would have attended the ILPC convention originally set for May 2-3 in Austin, but the event was cancelled in early March due to concerns over the coronavirus.
Members of the staff also earned 45 individual achievement awards in the 2A-3A division, along with two Tops in Texas recognitions.
By Lynsi Musselman
The way high school seniors make memories and are honored for their achievements in 2020 is uncharted territory for the students, parents, and administrators.
The academic and athletic honors previously awarded during banquets held in May with students actually in attendance will still be awarded but in a less formal manner.
The Albany Academic Booster Club is awarding students for the top ACT and SAT test scores. The following students have achieved the top scores and will receive money to assist in paying for future school expenses.
The Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) Fort Griffin State Historic Site re-opened for visitors on May 1, offering its regular business hours until further notice.
The site’s grounds will be open daily and available to visitors for walking tours. The Fort Griffin Visitor Center will be limited to six persons at any one time, and the outdoor capacity is 25 people at a time.
The campgrounds are closed, and on-site programming will remain suspended at this time.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Shackelford County chief appraiser Clayton Snyder is again extending the deadline to submit property renditions to the end of the month, May 30, in light of the impact on local businesses by the coronavirus.
The renditions were originally due by April 15.
“Business owners just have a lot to deal with right now,” said Snyder, “so I decided to once again move the deadline back.”
Normally, taxpayers must submit a written request for the extension, but Snyder is lifting that requirement for this year only.
Parents of Albany High School graduating seniors are reminded to gather baby pictures for The Albany News’ upcoming graduation section.
Pictures are due by the end of this week, on Friday, May 8, if at all possible.
Parents need to select a clear, sharp baby picture of their graduate, preferably a face and shoulders close-up under age three or four.
High resolution images for the graduation section can be emailed to news@thealbanynews.net or photos can be brought by the News office to be scanned and returned immediately.
By Kathy Thomson
The Fort Griffin Fandangle board of directors met in person at the Depot the evening of Monday, May 4 and considered various options for the 2020 summer show before officially voting to postpone Fandangle until June 2021.
“I had no doubt that we could have put on a good show; we have a core group of participants with a lot of experience,” said board president Branch Bartee. “But when we talked about the age range of our audience and our cast members, we had to wonder if it would be in their best interest to have the show this year.”
By Melinda L. Lucas
The summer production of the Fort Griffin Fandangle and the October Gala for Friends of Fort Griffin are the latest to be struck down by the coronavirus pandemic.
Also, restaurants will be able to reopen their in-house dining facilities at 50 percent capacity on May 1.
The governor announced this week that hair and nail salons, along with barber shops can open May 8 with restrictions. Gyms and bars will follow the next week.
