Numbers edge up as students register

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany Independent School District is on track to have 491 students enrolled district wide for the 2020-2021 school year.

AISD director of student services Leigh Lowe said administrators are still expecting at least 14 more students at the elementary school and 23 at the secondary school to register for this school year.

The 491 figure is well below the 522 first-day-of-school count from August 2019, but is more than the 483 students who came to school on the first day in 2018. 

“If families still need to register, we encourage them to call the administrative office or their campus office as soon as possible so we can get them in the system,” Lowe said. “With school starting Wednesday, Aug. 19, we are beginning to run out of time to be prepared before school starts.”

Lowe added that the district has been waiting on information from the state that was not announced until the first week of August, but things are getting completed and put in place.

“The year is going to be great,” Lowe said.

Orientation Schedule

Nancy Smith Elementary students will not have a traditional “Meet the Teacher’ event this year, but principal John Gallagher said to expect a phone call from homeroom teachers at the end of this week.

Gallagher said that children entering pre-K and kindergarten, along with other students new to the district, will be invited to schedule a time to come to campus to meet their teachers in person and see the campus.

The secondary campus began its individualized orientation on Wednesday for seventh through 10th grade students.

Orientation will continue Thursday, Aug. 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for eighth and ninth grades, and Friday, Aug. 14 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for 11th and 12th grades.

Students who haven’t already need to go online at the school’s website, albanyisd.net, to sign up for a time slot. 

Students with reserved times will need to enter the building through the front doors just to the right (west) of the practice gym.

Lowe explained that forms that students need to complete for orientation can be found at the high school main doors.

“There are packets taped to the door for students to pick up,” Lowe said.

Each packet includes a laptop agreement, vehicle permit, random drug test permission form, and the student handbook.

Lowe said the forms need to be filled out, signed, and brought along with the $25 laptop deposit when the student arrives for orientation.

“If the student has everything needed, the process only takes five minutes,” Lowe reported.

Once all required information has been checked off, each student will receive a laptop, charger, and school schedule.

If there are issues with schedules, students will be able to see counselor Jenny Scott during orientation.

Questions regarding registration or orientation can be directed to the district office at 325-762-2823.