AISD staff starts school year

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany ISD teachers and support staff started the school year on Wednesday with staff meetings and training.

Required professional development and meetings will continue through next Wednesday, with the first day of classes set for Thursday, Aug. 17.

Meanwhile, the Albany PTO is helping welcome school employees back by stocking the employee workrooms at both campuses with snacks and drinks.

“We have a great staff at Albany ISD, and we want to show them they are appreciated by stocking the teachers’ lounge at both schools,” PTO president Ragan Riley said. “We are also purchasing ice machines for both lounges, although we are still working on how to get water to that room at the high school campus.”

Riley said that an Amazon wish list has been set up for parents to select items to purchase, or they can buy snacks and drinks such as bottled or flavored water, coffee pods, or tea to deliver to the schools or to a PTO officer.

“We haven’t had a big response yet, and classes are just a week away,” she said. “Parents or businesses can also contact me or another officer to make a donation.”

Both campuses will conduct professional development sessions from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10.

A staff “comp” day is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 10. Teachers who have completed the required professional development hours during the summer do not have to attend on Friday.

Staff members will be on their own campuses on Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 14 -16 from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Monday will be another staff development day, with Tuesday and Wednesday designated as teacher workdays to prepare for the first day of classes.

Meet the Teacher sessions will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 15 from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the elementary and from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the secondary campus.

Classes will start at 7:55 a.m. at Nancy Smith and at 8:00 a.m. at the junior/senior high campus on Thursday, Aug. 17.

— —