The Raider Nation Newsletter

Dear Atholton Families,

No, this isn't a promo for Alice in Wonderland (but make sure you save the date for opening night on 11/16). Anyway...as I shared with students today, we've had some changes with bell schedules and changes with the tardy to school procedure, but we need to be clear that students are required to be in their 1st period class (not walking into school) at 7:50am.

Since the 10 minute adjustment to the start of the school day, buses have been consistently getting students to school between 7:20 and 7:40am. The two drop off zones have been pretty smooth in getting cars through the lots and off-campus without significant delays to bus traffic and other drivers. Please note that if you are pulling onto the campus after 7:40am, there is a good chance your student will be late to first period.

Students have been told to report directly to first period when they arrive between 7:50 and 8:00am. There is no ten-minute "grace period." They will be marked late if they don't have a note. Teachers will mark them tardy excused if they have a valid note. Starting at 8am, all students must report to the attendance window to check in. Their attendance will be entered there and students will receive a pass to class.

Thanks for helping ensure your student is on time and ready to learn. If you have any questions or concerns about lateness to school, feel free to connect with your child's administrator, me, or the attendance secretary (ahsabsence@hcpss.org). Thanks.

Go Raiders!

Sincerely,

Nick Novak

Principal

In-person and live, virtual, eight-hour college prep classes are being offered in partnership with Atholton, Centennial, Hammond, Howard, Marriotts Ridge, Mt. Hebron, Reservoir, and Wilde Lake High Schools and are open to students from all high schools. Families are also welcome to take advantage of our newly launched Personalized College List Service.

• In-Person Prep for the Paper SAT in Partnership with AHS PTSA: M/W Oct. 16 & 18 from 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm will prepare students for the Nov. 4 and Dec. 2 SAT.
• Virtual Prep for the ACT in Partnership with AHS PTSA: Nov. 11 & 12 from 9 am - 1 pm will prepare students for the Dec. 9 ACT and winter ACTs.
• Digital SAT prep classes will prepare students for the inaugural Digital SAT on March 9, 2024.
• The Answer Class Personalized College List Service will provide your student with an individualized list of 20-25 schools that match their background and interests and your family's financial ability.

AHS students can participate in ANY Answer Class offering and AHS PTSA will continue to earn the 20% donation. Visit www.theanswerclass.com to view the full class schedule and to register your student.

On Thursday, October 19, the French Honor Society will be holding their induction ceremony from 3 to 4 pm in the Media Center. Congratulations to the new members! Felicitations aux nouveaux membres!

The Reflections Art Program is back and I hope you/your student will participate. As we shared in a previous newsletter, the Reflections Program is a National PTA program that provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts. The 2023-2024 theme is: “I am Hopeful Because…”. The flyer below contains important details on the submission categories, criteria, and program deadlines. Good luck to all the students making submissions!

Atholton offers FREE drop-in tutoring from teachers on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-5pm. Math is offered both days. Social Studies, English, and Science are Thursday only. Students should go to the media center to get help. Transportation will run to specific pre-determined spots. If you have any questions about transportation or other aspects of the program, please contact the Beyond School Hours program coordinators--Emily DeFilippo or Imani Hinson.

We are pleased to announce that Atholton will be continuing to offer permit testing at school. The next MVA Driver’s Permit Test will be on Tuesday, December 5th at 2:50 p.m. in the media center. Students must be 15 years old and 9 months on December 5 to complete the driver’s permit test. Students must return a signed parent permission form. Permission Forms (hard copy only) will be available starting October 5. Forms can be found on Mrs. Bopst's classroom door (room F182) or the front office. Drivers' manuals are also distributed by Mrs. Bopst, the front office, or the media center. Permission forms must be returned to Mrs. Bopst by November 28 \ and late forms cannot be accepted. Students are registered for the MVA Permit Test on a first come first serve basis when the signed permission slip is returned. Spots are limited. If your child needs to use accommodations for the test, then please visit your local MVA branch for support.

*Disclaimer - when your child passes the MVA Permit Test at school, YOU MUST make an appointment with the MVA branch to obtain the actual permit and pay the fee. The paper given to your child when they pass is only a piece of paper and DOES NOT SERVE as their learner’s permit.

October is the start of National Bullying Prevention Month! We wanted to use this opportunity to share with our students, parents, guardians, and families some information and definitions to better help you understand bullying. It is important that you understand what bullying is to ensure you are able to report it when you see it or are told about it. Thank you for helping to ensure our school a safe place for all students!

How do I know if something is bullying?

Conflict between students is inevitable, but it’s not always easy to identify whether the conflict is bullying or mean/rude behavior. Understanding the difference is important so we know how to respond. Here are a few key points to consider when determining if something is bullying:

• Bullying - Repeated, harmful, and involves an unfair power match

• Mean - Hurt is intentional/purposeful, but not part of a larger pattern or a mismatch

• Rude - Accidentally hurting another person’s feelings

All of these behaviors require attention. Addressing mean/rude behavior early can help prevent a student from turning their behavior into a pattern of bullying.

What are some of the different types of bullying?

Bullying can appear in many different forms. Below are a few examples.

• Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things. Verbal bullying includes:

• Teasing

• Name Calling

• Inappropriate sexual comments

• Taunting

• Threatening to cause harm

• Social bullying, sometimes referred to as relational bullying, involves hurting someone's reputation or relationships. Social bullying includes:

• Leaving someone out on purpose

• Telling other children not to be friends with someone

• Spreading rumors about someone

• Embarrassing someone in pubic

• Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. Physical bullying includes:

• Hitting/kicking/pinching

• Spitting

• Tripping/pushing

• Taking or breaking someone’s things

• Making mean or rude hand gestures.

• Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets.

• Most common places cyberbullying occurs are: social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tik Tok, text messages, direct messaging, chat rooms, emails and online gaming communities.

• Includes sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.

• At times can cross the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.

• More information on Cyberbullying can be found on the Stopbullying website.

How do I report bullying?

1. When you believe bullying has taken place, you should report it through the Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimidation (BCHI) reporting form. Reporting can take place in one of three ways:

1. Complete a BCHI online reporting form

2. BCHI paper reporting form (available in the main office, staff workroom, school counseling office, media center, and health services office

3. An oral report to a staff member

2. It is important to note that policy states “in the event the reporting party does not complete a BCHI Reporting Form, school administrators/supervisors will take the appropriate steps to address and document the incident.” Therefore, if you or someone else makes an oral report, it then must be documented (i.e. through a BCHI reporting form) by the administrator.

Atholton will be hosting a "Career Fair" during the half-day on November 20. This event will be an opportunity for all students to explore various careers they may be interested in. We are in the process of identifying speakers to talk with our students that day. If you would like to participate by sharing your profession with our AHS students, please complete this form. As we get presenters and as we approach November, more information will be shared with families.

10/17 Online PTSA Meeting (Details on Website)

10/18 PSAT for Grade 10/11 Students; College Essay Workshop for Grade 12 Students

10/20 No School for Students

10/31 End of First Marking Period-11:35am Dismissal

Although there isn't a link to a website below for you to follow, I want to make sure you were aware of the existence of the PBSA. This group of committed Atholton parents works with school staff to support the 500+ students who identify as Black/African-American. You can find them on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram and use their Link Tree to join the organization and access some great resources.

Atholton PTSA

Atholton Boosters

Atholton Drama Boosters

Atholton JROTC Boosters

Atholton Music Boosters

Atholton Robotics Boosters