Hoping that everyone is well and enjoying the sudden cool air drifting into Albay as autumn settles in.  It is the time of year that we start to explore and get out of Albany before the winter snow hits.

 Although notes will go home regarding these announcements, we are tying to encourage people to utilize this website for information, updates, and announcements.  New technology will allow us to more easily e-mail flyers home, regular blog posts will be updated, and newsletters will start to be distributed the first week of each month starting in October.

Yom Kippur -- No School

In observance of Yom Kippur, The Free School (and all Albany City Schools) will be closed on Monday, September 28th.

Grafton

We will start a weekly outing to Grafton three weeks of every month on Thursdays, as weather allows, in order to participate in programming that our Grafton caretakers, Dan Yacobellis and Liz Wagner, will offer to kids of all ages.  Keith will coordinate these outing and will sedn home information and post on this website specific information about our trips, necessary weather appropriate clothing, and and fees associated with children attending. You no longer need to send in your child with a lunch -- our Kitchen has made bagged lunches possible this year and wil provide all lunches for outing unless otherwise stated and notices sent home. Stay tuned for more Grafton outing details as the weeks unfold!!!!

Bowling & Swimming

Bowling is optional for all Downstairs (1st - 8th grade) kids every Tuesday. Bowling costs $2.50 and kids are allwoed to purchase one snack at the bowling alley (recommended .25 - .50 cents a kid if possible). Bowling can be paid for in monthly allottments for regulars bowlers!

 Swimming has been scheduled for Downstairs kids (1st - 8th grade) every Friday afternoon for .25 cents each. We will only swim int he warmer months and break once the cold winter weather hits until Spring comes around. Please be sure your child has a swimsuit, a towel, and a quarter as school does not have extra clothes to offer.  ***Upstairs (Pre-K - Kindergarteners) do not yet have a scheduled day for Swim.  We will notify families once a day has been confirmed.

Upstairs Adventures

The delightful and adventurous Upstairs kids are planning to make Friday's their outing day. This gives our youngest students the chance to explore the greater Capital Region and get chances to go to Grafton, museums, plays, go hiking, and visit attractions for part of or the whole day.  Notices will be posted regularly and reminders notes e-mailed or sent home with details. Be sure if you send your child in with a car or booster seat that is is clearly labled with a name. Lunches for these outings are hereby provided by the kitchen.

CONFERENCES!!!!! October 2nd

For parents/guardians of all Kindergarten and Elementary, October 2nd is our Beginning of Year Conferences. These are intial conversations about your child and their experiences at school, as well as a chance to ask questions.  School will not be in session that day so that we can offer hours from 8am - 7.30pm for Conference appointments. Please call your child's teacher to set-up an appointment or sign-up on our Conference Calendar in the hallway at school starting Friday, September 25.  We ask that you please understand that staff is available during these times for conferences and although appointments can be made for extenuating circumstances at other times in some cases, we have to ask that you do everything possible to make yourself available for a 30 minute conversation on October 2nd during our 8am - 7.30am schedule.  We understand finding time during a busy workday is difficult, but these intial conferences need not be long and are designed to give you a an initial dialogue about your child at the Free School.  Questions or appointment calls can be directed to your child's teacher 434-3072

RAINBOW CAMP OVERNIGHT!!

IT"S AUTUMN which means Overnight at Rainbow Camp for Downstairs Kids! That's right, for every 1st - 8th grade student, we will head out to Grafton on Monday, October 5th in the morning and return by 2.30 Tuesday, October 6th.  Please be sure your child brings the following:

Sleeping Bag / pillow if needed

$3 gas money

Toothbrush / toiletries

chance of clothes / an extra pair of trousers

Warm outwear and appropriate shoes or boots

It is chilly in Grafton, so be sure your child packs appropriate clothes and an extra pair in case of extreme play!  But, we have limited space so make sure what they bring is what they can carry. We will provide all meals and snacks.  We would appreciate the following kind offering of parents interested in helping us carpool to Grafton. So many kids and only one van makes group travel difficult, so any mini-van carpool offerings to get us to and from Grafton is greatly appreciated. Carpool arrangements can be directed to Bhawin 434-3072

 We can't wait! Questions? Contact your child's teacher 434-3072