Raider Nation Newsletter

Dear Atholton Families,

As we approach our beginning of school next week, September 8, I wish you a wonderful new year. If you are new to Atholton, I send a warm welcome and can’t wait to get to know you. If you are returning to a new grade, that’s pretty exciting too! New teachers, new friends, new adventures and new challenges await. Even though we are beginning our school year virtually, it is exciting to contemplate a year of growth and learning ahead.

You will find critical information in this newsletter regarding our upcoming school year. Please read carefully and make a note of the dates. Just a reminder that we will be holding a mass distribution of necessary materials THIS Friday, September 4. This mass distribution will include any essential textbooks, packets, supplies, Chromebooks, etc. for the first day of school on Tuesday, September 8. Our distribution schedule will be as follows:

Friday, September 4, 2020

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM -- Last Name A - M

10:15 AM - 12:15 PM -- Last Name N - Z

We recognize that not every family will be able to pick up materials next Friday. We will hold another distribution date in mid-September. We will also publish a schedule that will allow families to stop by the school the week of September 8 to retrieve items. You will find information regarding our upcoming school year here. Additionally, HCPSS has outlined expectations for students and teachers regarding virtual instruction. You may access those here.

Please be sure to log on and COMPLETE your Family File information. We need current contact information!

I am wishing you all a fantastic week! Please stay safe and healthy! I am looking forward to seeing many of you during our distribution this Friday!

Warmest Regards,

Robert A. Motley

Principal

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)

The school system will be proceeding with hosting the upcoming Saturday administrations of the SAT/ACT. The schools registered for upcoming dates are listed below. Most colleges have gone “test optional” during COVID, but are still favoring admissions that have an SAT or ACT score. Supporting these Saturday administrations will provide an opportunity for students to participate.

SAT Saturday Test Dates

September 26, 2020

Centennial, Glenelg, Oakland Mills, and Reservoir

October 3, 2020

Centennial, Glenelg, Hammond, Mount Hebron, Oakland Mills, Reservoir, River Hill, and Wilde Lake

October 24, 2020

Wilde Lake

ACT Saturday Test Dates

September 12, 2020

Glenelg and Wilde Lake

September 19, 2020

Wilde Lake

September 24, 2020

Wilde Lake

PSAT/NMSQT - College Board is now offering a January administration of the PSAT/NMSQT. The HCPSS is canceling the October 14 administration and planning for the January 26 option for juniors. The January administration will still act as a qualifier for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The Assessment Office will be in touch with STCs to provide additional details. Contact Tim Guy in the Assessment Office with any questions.

The Canvas Student Orientation video is ready. As we begin our virtual school year, please view this video to familiarize yourself with our Canvas instructional platform. There are 2 parts to the video. Part 1 reviews the global navigation settings and Part 2 reviews the course structure.

If a student still has an "Incomplete" from last year, they were given the opportunity to complete a recovery of learning packet to earn credit. Packets are due by September 15.

Students/Families must confirm packet submission by completing this Google form or by calling 410-313-1526 to confirm submission. Families and students needing language support to submit the Google form may call the HCPSS Call Center.

Completed packets can be submitted one of three ways:

• mailed to the central office, care of “ROL return”

• place the packet in the “ROL return” box at the Board of Education,

• scan and email completed packets to rolreturn@hcpss.org.

Please direct all questions to rolreturn@hcpss.org.

• Free and Reduced Meals Program: The coronavirus pandemic is causing a lot of hardship for many of our friends and neighbors. Many HCPSS families have been impacted financially by the pandemic, and may be eligible now to receive benefits through the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program. Qualifying families can take advantage of a wide range of additional resources and discounts, including testing fees, tuition, internet and more. Click here to learn more or to apply. Please share this information with your community.

• Technology accounts for new students: Beginning August 10, 2020, families with students new to HCPSS and whose registration has been finalized will receive an email from noreply@hcpss.org with the subject “Technology account information for new HCPSS student.” The email will be sent to the email address used during the student registration process. The email contains personalized and important information regarding new students’ technology accounts. If you have a child new to HCPSS and do not receive the email and/or cannot locate the email in the junk/spam folder of the email account you used during registration, you can use the Forgot Password or Username button on the hcpss.me student landing page to retrieve both your child’s username and password. Directions for Account Self Service directions are posted online.

• Family File now available for the 2020-21 school year: Parents can now access and complete the Family File for the 2020-21 school year. Parents must complete the Family File every year, even during virtual learning, to ensure HCPSS has the most current information for each child. Once logged in, parents/guardians will be asked to verify, or update the following information: Student Information, Parent/Guardian Contact, Emergency Contact, Medical Information, Arrival/Dismissal Procedures (for when in-person classes resume), Photo Approval, Data Confidentiality, PTA/PTSA Directory

PTSA Officers Needed

As the 2020-2021 school year begins, the Atholton PTSA is looking for volunteers! Thank you for all of those who are returning for another year in their PTSA volunteer positions.

See below the list of open positions for the 2020-2021 school year. See the link below for position descriptions - https://forms.gle/gSKGuVfGTbUeaz768

• 2nd Vice President
• 1st Vice President
• Recording Secretary
• Corresponding Secretary
• Membership Chair
• PTACHC Delegate 2
• Website administrator
• After Prom Chair
• New Student Orientation Chair
• Newsletter
• Community Connections Chair

If you are interested, please see this link (https://forms.gle/gSKGuVfGTbUeaz768) to
complete the volunteer form or contact Amber Coleman at amberrph@msn.com. Incoming new families are WELCOME!!! Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the school community and to stay connected, especially through these unprecedented times.

For more information about the Atholton PTSA and becoming a member, visit http://atholtonptsa.org.

September 1 -- Deadline for Early Graduation Application

September 1 -- Schedules visible to students and families in Synergy

September 3 -- New Student VIRTUAL Orientation (9th Graders / Redistricted Students / New students to Atholton) -- 9:00am (Pre-recorded video). Class visits begin at 9:35am

September 4 -- Materials / Textbook distribution

September 4 -- Teachers will publish courses in Canvas by the end of day

September 8 -- First Day of School for Students

September 10 -- Virtual Back To School Night (more details coming...)

Click Below for Boosters' Organization News

PTSA

Athletic Boosters

Drama Boosters

JROTC Boosters

Music Boosters

Technology Boosters

Click for Community News and Programs Page

Email: Robert_Motley@hcpss.org
Website: www.ahs.hcpss.org
Location: 6520 Freetown Road, Columbia, MD, USA
Phone: (410) 313-7065