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Raider Nation Newsletter

Week of March 1, 2021

Raider NationNewsletterWeek of March 1, 2021
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Students Return!

Dear Atholton Families,


Tomorrow will mark the beginning of the return of students to Atholton High School. I am so excited to welcome just over 50 students in Group E. This is a select group of students returning tomorrow.


Please remember that all student schedules will change TOMORROW, for both students returning in-person and those remaining virtual. The new schedule will have an earlier start time than what we have been using during our virtual period. Please be sure to review this with your student(s). Students will not change courses/subjects, however, class times and lengths will change. You can find the general Atholton schedule online here.


While a lot of focus has been placed on our Group E student and their return to school, many of you have inquired about whether your student will be returning in Group A (Mon/Tues) or Group B (Thurs/Fri). I will be sending an email to hybrid families tomorrow afternoon informing them of which Group they have been assigned. Unfortunately, we cannot entertain any changes to groups as we had to balance the number of students in the building, transportation needs, as well as accommodating families with students at the elementary and middle levels. Again, please look for my email tomorrow afternoon.


As we bid farewell to February, the Atholton High School Black Student Union prepared a Virtual Black History Month Assembly video. Under the leadership of mathematics teacher, Robert Thompson, the AHS BSU created an informative and thought-provoking video. Kudos to Mr. Thompson and the entire AHS BSU for a job well done. You may view the video here.


As more and more students return to school, we want to make sure that everyone understands what the expectations are regarding protocols and what to bring upon returning.


Student Expectations:

  • Wear a mask (see funny photo below on proper wearing of masks)

  • Maintain social distancing (6ft!)

  • Follow ALL posted signs (one-way hallways/stairwells, etc.)

  • DO NOT SHARE materials

  • Wash hands/use hand sanitizer frequently

  • Be respectful of others and their personal space and health


What to Bring:

First and foremost, a face mask. In addition to Chromebooks or personal laptops AND power cords, students should come to school fully prepared with any necessary school supplies (e.g. pencils, notebooks, etc.). Students may check with their teachers for any required supplies on a particular day, especially for related arts. HCPSS also recommends students bring to school a water bottle, headphones or earbuds, a book or activity for non-instructional time, and outdoor wear when appropriate.


We will have virtual orientations for Phase 3 (9th, 12th, ARL grade students) and Phase 4 (10th, 11th-grade students) as their respective return dates approach.


Lastly, our fall athletics season is underway. The Atholton HS athletic program will be facilitating a fall sports parent meeting on Tuesday, March 2nd. Due to the maximum number of participants allowed on a google meet, we will have two meetings (Group 1 and Group 2). We are kindly asking that only one device is used per household so that we can allow for maximum participation with all programs. After the athletic program meeting, individual sports will have their own breakout sessions to discuss program specifics. Codes will be provided after the athletic presentation.


Group 1: Cross Country, Cheerleading, Football and Field Hockey

Time: 6:30pm-7:15pm

Login Information: meet.google.com/ecq-ruvu-huo

Phone Numbers: ‪+1 570-599-8483 PIN: ‪714 350 632#


Group 2: Volleyball, Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer, Allied Soccer and Golf

Time: 7:30pm-8:15pm

Login Information: meet.google.com/art-nkgu-wbr

Phone Numbers ‪+1 316-530-5884 PIN: ‪716 060 761#

The agenda will include: COVID 19 regulations, Locker room usage, After school supervision, Schedules (games/practices), Transportation, Spectator Guidelines, Q&A

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to reach out to Mr. Senisi at Michael_Senisi@hcpss.org



Have a fantastic week!


Robert A. Motley

Principal

Student Face Mask Use

PBSA Black History Month Spotlight

Changing from Virtual to Hybrid or Hybrid to Virtual?

The selection process to return to in-person instruction has officially ended. We are now in the process of reviewing all of the data to determine how many of our students have elected to return to a hybrid model and how many have elected to remain in a fully virtual model. As we prepare for the safe return of students, we will use the data to determine how many students we can accommodate and make any necessary adjustments in our classroom and cafeteria set-up. For this and other logistical reasons, we cannot accommodate any changes that add to our in-person learning model. If for some reason you would like to move from the fully virtual model to the in-person hybrid model, you will need to go on a waitlist. We need to determine if we will be able to accommodate additional students in the building. You may access the waitlist here: Atholton High School Hybrid Learning Waitlist.

Above and Beyond Awards EXTENDED to TOMORROW!!

Nominate Faculty & Staff Members for Above and Beyond Awards: Parents & Students, as we end our first semester, the PTSA would like to recognize those faculty & staff members who have made a real difference and have gone “Above and Beyond” the normal call of duty.


Every year the PTSA presents “Above and Beyond Awards” to staff/faculty members who go out of their way and make the extra effort to support students. Nominees are recognized in three categories: Academic, Extracurricular, and Student Services/Support (e.g., office staff, Student Services, custodians). You can nominate one staff member in each category.


To submit your nomination(s):

Send an e-mail to Michelle Maslan (amaslan@comcast.net) indicating:

Name of the staff member you are nominating

The category for the nomination (Academic, Extracurricular or Student Services/Support), and a few sentences explaining/supporting the nomination


Nominations will be accepted through Monday, March 1, 2021, these first-semester winners will be announced and then recognized at the end of the school year along with second-semester winners. Thank you!

School Pictures (9th - 11th Grade)

Lifetouch Studios will be taking pictures for any 9th, 10th, and 11th-grade student who would like their picture taken on:


Dates:

Thursday, March 4, 2021, from 4:00 pm-9:00 pm (MAKE-UP)

Location: Auditorium


GENERAL AND COVID 19 PROCEDURES:

• Students can only signup for one spot and must adhere to this reservation.

• Only students will be allowed in the school to take pictures.

• Students must wear masks at all times, except for when taking the picture.

• Students must adhere to social distancing guidelines throughout the process by remaining at least 6 feet apart at all times. Distances will be noted with blue tape marks in the hallway and in the auditorium.

• Parking for pictures will take place in the junior lot (auditorium area).

• Entrance for the pictures will take place at the auditorium side doors- closest to the math hallway. Entrance will be marked ENTRANCE TO SENIOR PICTURES.

• Students must arrive at their designated picture time. Any students who arrive early will be asked to wait in their cars.

• No Walk-Ups, confirmed appointments only.

• Atholton staff will check students in by the auditorium.

• Sanitizing wipes and sprays will be used on all setup materials and equipment.

• During photography, equipment used or touched by staff/students will be sanitized.

• Pre-moistened alcohol wipes will be used on the cameras.

• Hand sanitizer will be frequently used by photographers’ throughout the day.

• The picture process will take less than 1 minute for each student.

• EXIT: Signs will be posted for students to exit the auditorium. Students will exit the auditorium through the doors marked EXIT.

• Students must go to their cars and vacate the parking lot immediately.


If you have any specific questions, please contact Mr. Senisi at Michael_Senisi@hcpss.org

Administrator Assignments

Ms. Nasir -- ALL 9th Grade AND Last Name Sm - Z Grades 10 - 12 (Adrienne_Nasir@hcpss.org)

Ms. Veslany -- Last Name A - H Grades 10 - 12 (Lisa_Veslany@hcpss.org)

Mr. Richman -- Last Name I - Sl Grades 10 -12 (Samuel_Richman@hcpss.org)

School Counselor Assignments

Ms. Wade -- 9th Grade ONLY (Kim_Wade@hcpss.org)

Mr. Cohen -- Last Name A - E / Grades 10 - 12 (Phillip_Cohen@hcpss.org)

Ms. Meledick -- Last Name F - Kj / Grades 10 - 12 (Dana_Meledick@hcpss.org)

Ms. Clearfield -- Last Name Kk - P / Grades 10 - 12 (Lisa_Clearfield@hcpss.org)

Ms. Rogers -- Last Name Q - Z / Grades 10 - 12 (Yvonne_Rogers@hcpss.org)

Mark Your Calendar

March 1 -- Group E Students Return to Hybrid Learning

March 4 -- 9th - 11th Grade Pictures

March 5 -- Senior Portrait Make-Up