District employee and three students earn human rights kudos

ALBANY, N.Y. (Jan. 31, 2012) -- The Albany Human Rights Commission will recognize three district students and a district employee on Feb. 1 at a special ceremony at City Hall.

Albany High School psychologist Liz Gialanella, Ph.D., an Albany resident and district parent, wears several hats at Albany High. Besides being the school psychologist, she is the faculty advisor to the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance and the Chess Club. She also is a member of the committee that evaluates and advises on improving the climate at Albany High.

In addition, Gialanella currently helps disabled students at Albany High set up and operate a school store, giving those students real-world experience in retail operations. She also initiated an effort to recognize teachers who make a difference in the lives of students.

The three students who will be recognized are Jamie Curcio, an eighth-grader at William S. Hackett Middle School, Jaden Tesch, a third-grader at New Scotland Elementary School and Tamera Thomas, a sixth-grader at Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School.  Each was a winner in the city’s 2011 “What Juneteenth Means to Me” essay and poster contest.

The event is scheduled from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the City Hall rotunda, and the public is welcome.

The Sheridan Preparatory Academy chorus will perform at the event. The Albany Fund for Education, the non-profit group that supports Albany’s public schools, also will be recognized for their efforts.

The mission of the City School District of Albany is to educate and nurture all students to be responsible citizens, critical thinkers and lifelong learners to successfully compete in the global community by providing an academically rigorous and safe environment in partnership with parents, students and the community. The district serves about 8,700 students in 15 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.