Staff set a welcoming tone at Albany High

I am a proud graduate of Albany High School, class of 1981. If it hadn’t been for my high school guidance counselor at Albany High, I may not have gone on to college.

Recently, I had the privilege of bringing my nephew to Albany High to get his schedule for the new school year. Every single staff member we encountered was smiling, enthusiastic, kind, helpful and truly full of joy as they greeted the students. The teachers we met were happy to take the time to greet their new students and tell them about their class. Many of the teachers said, “we are going to have a great year.” Students were greeted with hugs, encouraged to get to their classes on time, congratulated for working hard all summer and asked if they were going to join clubs this year. One staff member asked a student where his glasses were and encouraged him to wear them to school. The fact that, in a school so large, she remembered this detail was awesome.

As a parent, community member and former student, I commend the staff at Albany High, the leadership and the district as a whole for setting a positive, welcoming and kind tone. I wish everyone in Albany had the chance to experience this atmosphere and the staff who work so hard to make Albany High a school to be proud of. tracie Killar

Albany Class of ‘81 The writer is director of South End Children’s Cafe