PSAT This Week
Dear Atholton Families,
Fall has certainly arrived as we endure our first few days of significantly cooler weather. Congratulations to our varsity football team on their 14-7 victory over River Hill last Friday night. We wish them all the best as they continue their undefeated season.
This Wednesday is HCPSS PSAT Day. Every 9th, 10th, and 11th-grade student in HCPSS will take the PSAT. The PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized test that students take in October. Like the SAT, it measures the knowledge and skills in reading, writing, and math students learn in the classroom—the same knowledge and skills your child needs to succeed in college and career. Please be sure your student gets a good night’s rest, has a healthy breakfast, and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, arrives ON TIME to school this Wednesday.
As for our seniors, as I have mentioned in the past, they are encouraged to use this Wednesday as a discretionary day to engage in college and career research opportunities. For those seniors taking advantage of this opportunity, please email our attendance secretary, Ms. Weinberg, at Mona_Weinberg@hcpss.org to inform her of your use of a discretionary day of absence (which is excused). Additionally, we will offer an opportunity for our seniors during the school day in the senior cafeteria from 7:30 am - 10:30 am to work uniquely on senior tasks. English teachers will be available to help you with your college essay, resume, and application. A guidance counselor will be available to answer any CommonApp, Naviance, transcript, or application questions.
Last week, we welcomed in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In support of breast cancer awareness month, AHS volleyball will be going pink for its games against Long Reach on October 13th. Also known as Dig Pink, the theme is a tradition that raises awareness about breast cancer.
The players will be wearing pink jerseys and other pink gear, and they will be asking family and friends who will attend the game to do the same. The players will be making posters to decorate the gym as well.
The AHS volleyball players are appreciative of your support as we host Dig Pink to honor those taken, support those who are fighting and celebrate those who have survived breast cancer.
Believe it or not, Homecoming is FAST APPROACHING – Saturday, October 29! I met with the SGA sponsor, Mr. Stuppy, and the SGA Executive Board to finalize all of the fun activities of the week leading up to Saturday. Here are the plans:
o Theme – Cartoons
o Spirit Days
§ Oct. 19 – HCPSS Unity Day (wear orange)
§ Oct. 20 – Day 1 – PJ Day
§ Oct. 25 – Day 2 – Baggy Outfit Day
§ Oct. 26 – Day 3 – Pink Day
§ Oct. 27 – Day 4 – Dress Like A Parent Day
§ Oct. 28 – Day 5 – Class Color Day
o Homecoming Dance (Sat., 10/29) – Indoors (gym) Time – 7 pm - 10 pm
Lastly, I must bring to your attention a significant change in the Maryland attendance policies for students. Research is clear that showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic and social success, starting from kindergarten and continuing through high school. Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school, or even facing social challenges.
Missing 10% (or about 18 days of a school year) can drastically affect a student’s academic success.
By the 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that can indicate if a student is at risk for dropping out of high school.
In the 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th-grade test scores.
Student attendance is a major point of focus for the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Starting THIS SCHOOL YEAR, MSDE lowered the chronic absenteeism rate from 20% to 10%, which means that at 10%, a student should be receiving support and interventions to improve their absenteeism.
Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) believes that attendance is key to student success. Per Policy 9010, HCPSS defines exemplary attendance as a final attendance rate of 96% or more of the student year.
In support of achieving Exemplary Attendance for all students, we are sharing with you a comprehensive approach for attendance supports and interventions.
If a student has missed 5% of their monthly attendance days (as few as 1-2 days a month), parents will receive a Care and Concern Phone Call and letter from their school. This step will allow staff members to coordinate with families to determine how the student can be supported for better attendance.
If a student has missed 10% of their monthly attendance days (this is defined as chronic absenteeism by MSDE), parents will receive a 10% Chronic Absenteeism Attendance Letter. Parents and students may be scheduled for an attendance conference. Other interventions and supports may also be used in an effort to assist the student.
If a student has missed 15% of their monthly attendance days, in addition to the interventions and supports at 5% and 10%, these students may require an attendance support plan. Students may also be referred to the Central Attendance Team.
If a student has missed 20% of their monthly attendance days, parents will receive a 20% Emergency Chronic Absenteeism Letter or Habitual Truancy Letter. Students may be referred to Project Attend and may be referred to the State’s Attorney’s Office for habitual truancy.
With the collaborative effort of HCPSS parents, staff, and students, we are confident that all students can have successful attendance. This will improve student success in school and in future life.
Thank you all for your continued support, and please keep our neighbor, River Hill High School, in your thoughts as they endured a very scary situation last week. We will be reviewing with students and staff our expectations and procedures for lockdown situations and engaging in a drill this coming week.
REMINDER – school pictures this week. See below.
Warmest regards,
Robert A. Motley
Principal
Atholton High School
Click Below for Boosters' Organization News
Email: Robert_Motley@hcpss.org
Website: www.ahs.hcpss.org
Location: 6520 Freetown Road, Columbia, MD, USA
Phone: (410) 313-7065