Raider Nation News

Week of December 9, 2019

Winter Sports!

Dear Atholton Families,

This past week was marked by the release of important information related to redistricting. Below you will find all pertinent information regarding exemptions and deadlines. If you have any questions, please contact the school and we will assist you with this process. Please be assured that there will be frequent communication regarding this process to help everyone navigate smoothly.

I had the pleasure of joining five our students and their families last week at the Leadership U graduation ceremony. The five juniors, Drew Kassmas, Suhani Khosla, Robert Sangvic, Christian Verastegui and Michael Zhao. The program, sponsored by Leadership Howard Howard County, affords students the opportunity to engage in leadership activities that benefit our county. Students fundraised for the NICU at Howard County General, assembled craft kits for kids visiting the hospital, and even created a student volunteer fair for nonprofits seeking volunteers. Our students did an outstanding job for our community and represented our school well. Congratulations to each of them and their families. It was great spending time with all of you.

Last week was the start of the winter sports season. It began with a wrestling match against Mt. Hebron on Thursday and ended with boys and girls basketball Friday evening. The administrative team was so thrilled to be out supporting our athletes. Additionally, Friday night was the AHS Got Talent Show. Congratulations to all of the acts -- it was very hard judging such talented students. I am looking forward to the performing arts winter concerts this week and next. Whether in sports or performing arts, Atholton HAS TALENT!

On a more serious note, we have experienced an increase in theft in our locker rooms. Students are failing to lock their items in the lockers and leaving their personal belongings out on the bench or unlocked. Please have a conversation to remind students to secure their items.

Lastly, on Tuesday, I have been asked to represent the voice of the nation’s principals and speak at a congressional hearing on vaping. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro from Connecticut will host this Member Forum on the Youth Vaping Epidemic at 1:30pm. I am told it will be televised on C-SPAN.

Wishing everyone a fantastic week!

Warmest Regards,

Robert Motley, Principal

Important Information

Redistricting Information

The official website site for information regarding this process may be found here.

Exemptions to the redistricting process:

On November 21, 2019, the Board of Education voted to adjust school boundaries. The decision included exemptions eligible for transportation:

Current 4th graders
Current 7th graders
Current 10th graders
Current 11th graders
Current River Hill High School and Oakland Mills High School students formally enrolled in the 30-credit or 60-credit structured JumpStart program.

Per Policy 9000, current students with IEP/504 plans (as of 11/21/2019) and those with at least one parent who is active duty military are permitted to stay. No transportation is provided for this exemption (except special education students with specialized transportation).

Students enrolling AFTER 11/21/19 are not eligible for exemptions.

Timeline for exemptions:

December 4 - All families are notified the exemption process is going on by email and on the website.
December 5 - Families eligible for an exemption receive an email & text notification.
December 9 (AM) - Families eligible for an exemption who have not completed the form receive a second email & text notification.