Raider Nation News

Back To School Edition

Welcome Back to School!

Dear Atholton Family,

I hope this newsletter finds you well and enjoying the holiday weekend with family and friends. Moreover, I hope you enjoyed your summer and it was full of reading, resting, staying active, and just having fun! On behalf of the Atholton Staff, I would like to welcome you to the 2019 – 2020 school year. To our returning families, thank you for making the 2018 – 2019 school year such a success! Our students excelled academically, athletically, and in music and the arts.

For the newest members to Raider Nation, we are pleased to welcome you to our family. Our school community truly feels like a family and you are going to love it here! I enjoyed meeting many new students and families this past week at New Student Orientation. I hope you had a chance to pick up some Raider gear.

It is hard to believe that another school year is upon us. I know everyone has been anticipating the weekly newsletters once again! In case you were not aware, our first day of school will be this coming Tuesday, September 3, 2019.

As usual, the staff has been working hard to get ready for the new school year. In addition, and setting up classrooms, many have continued their own learning through classes, workshops or professional reading in an effort to maintain the very best possible learning environment for your children. Please join us for Back To School Night this Thursday, September 5 at 6:30pm.

There are a couple of very important TO DO items for parents:

· Update Your Family File Information Before School Begins! Even if nothing has changed, you must indicate so! We are seeking 100% completion.

o HCPSS uses Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information. Parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child, and can do so by logging in to HCPSS Connect and selecting the Family File tab and then clicking on Family File.

o Once logged in, parents/guardians will be asked to provide or update the following information:

· Student information

· Parent/guardian contact

· Emergency contacts

· Medical information

· Arrival/dismissal procedures

· Media release (photo approval)

· Data confidentiality

· Join our PTA! Please help support the school by joining our PTSA. I am excited to be working with our new President, Monica Lewis. The PTSA affords us the opportunity to offer many activities and school events through your participation. We are seeking 100% participation! You may join online here.

We have had a busy summer. We expect just under 1500 students at the start of the school year. The administrative team promises to build on Atholton’s long-standing commitment to excellence, so that EVERY student is academically challenged, experiences success, and feels valued and cared for by our staff members. Additionally, you will find information in the following places:

· Atholton High School Website

· Twitter: @hcpss_ahs

· Atholton PTSA Website

On a personal note, on August 1, 2019, I assumed the position of President-Elect of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). I am humbled that colleagues from across the country have put their trust in my ability to represent them on the national level. I want you to know that my commitment to Atholton is steadfast! As President-Elect, my responsibilities are few. My responsibilities increase during the 2020 - 2021 school year when I assume the presidency. However, in conversations with Dr. Martirano and NASSP, they support my commitment to Raider Nation and serving as principal. You can read more about the appointment here.

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend and we are looking forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday!

Warmest regards,

Robert A. Motley, Principal

Important Information

Schedule Changes

By now, all students should have received their schedules for this school year. Please be advised that after August 30th, schedule changes will only be made for the following reasons:

student is missing a class
student passed a summer school course and needs to update their schedule
student is taking a class at HCC and needs to update their schedule (prior approval is required)
student needs a course to graduate and it is not included in their schedule.

Senior College Information Night

Atholton High School Student Services will be hosting a Senior College Information Night on Monday, September 9th at 6:30pm in the auditorium.

You may attend with your high school senior or attend on your own. The event will include a presentation on the HCPSS college application process, a presentation on getting started with the financial aid process, and a Q&A panel with local college representatives from University of Maryland College Park, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Towson, Salisbury, Johns Hopkins, McDaniel, and Howard Community College.