• December 4 - AMS & AHS Progress Report Day
• December 20 - 1st Semester Ends
• December 23 - Winter Holidays begin
• January 6 - Teacher Work Day (no school for students)
• January 7 - Professional Learning (no school for students)
• January 8 - Welcome Back/2nd Semester Begins

ACS Progress Reports will be available on Wednesday, December 4. View ACS progress and report card schedule at acs-k12.org/reportcards.

PowerSchool Parent Portal is a web-based platform and app that parents/guardians can use to access information such as student grades, attendance, assignments, class announcements, class schedule and more. Parent Portal is accessible from any device with internet access (i.e. computer, tablet, smartphone) or download the app for free. Learn more about PowerSchool Parent portal at acs-k12.org/powerschool. If you have any questions, please contact your school.

The Alabama State Department of Education recently released the 2023-2024 State Report Card for schools and districts across the state. The report card reflects components such as academic achievement, academic growth, chronic absenteeism, graduation rate, college and career readiness, and more.

ACS proudly earned the following:

• Athens City Schools - B/86
• Athens High School - B/83
• Athens Intermediate School - B/83
• Athens Middle School - C/76
• Athens Renaissance School - A/92
• FAME Academy at Brookhill Elementary - A/97
• HEART Academy at Julian Newman Elementary - A/97
• iAcademy at Athens Elementary - A/92
• SPARK Academy at Cowart Elementary - C/74

Athens City Schools has a long history and reputation for academic excellence. Our schools provide academically challenging learning environments that ensure students develop 21st-century skills and are college and career-ready. Dedicated teachers and staff, combined with involved parents and a supportive community, contribute to the success achieved by our students.

Check out the December breakfast, lunch, and snack menus. Special thanks to our Child Nutrition Program for preparing delicious and nutritious meals for our students each and every day. View and download at acs-k12.org/menu.

Inclusive Schools Week celebrates the progress schools have made toward ­implementing practices that ensure quality education for all levels of learning, exceptionalities, and abilities. Learn more at www.inclusiveschools.org.

The Full Tummy Project of Athens and Limestone County will host a drive-up food distribution for children and families in Athens and Limestone County on Saturday, December 7. This special event will be held in the Athens Middle School Parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM or until resources run out. The Full Tummy Project is a non-profit organization working to combat youth hunger in our community. Full Tummy connects schools with churches, businesses, and organizations that purchase, pack, and fill weekend food bags for children throughout the school year. Learn more about Full Tummy at fulltummyal.org.

• Saturday, December 7 at 7:00 PM
  
• Athens Performing Arts Center/Athens High School Auditorium
  
• Admission is free. Please bring a toy for the Lincoln-Bridgeforth Park Committee Annual Toy Drive
  

• Tuesday, December 10 at 6:00 PM
  
• Athens Performing Arts Center/AHS Auditorium
  

• Thursday, December 12 at 6:00 PM
  
• Athens Performing Arts Center/Athens High School Auditorium
  

• Teachers return January 6
• Students return January 8

Check our latest progress of our HEART Academy at Julian Newman Elementary School! Athens City Schools broke ground on the construction site of the new JNES in March 2024. The state-of-the-art building will encompass more than 85,000 square feet and house over 700 students.

We look forward to welcoming our HEART Academy at JNES students to their new home in the fall of 2025! Check out the progress at acs-k12.org/progress.

Our 20,000-square-foot construction project at Athens Intermediate School is almost complete! This addition includes 8 classrooms and a multi-use gymnasium with a storm shelter for our 4th and 5th grade students, faculty, and staff. Check out the progress at acs-k12.org/progress.

This annual community tradition will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

Athens High School JROTC will host the Jingle Bell Jog Fun Run on Saturday, December 7 at 8:00 AM. For more information, including registration, visit link below.

The 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay & Art Contest, sponsored by The City of Athens, Limestone County, and Limestone NAACP, is going on now! This contest is open to Athens and Limestone County students in grades 2-12. Entries are due by Monday, January 6, 2025. Winners in each category will read their essays and discuss their artwork during the MLK program on Monday, January 20, 2025. Art will be on display at the Veterans Museum and Mayor's Office. The first, second, and third place winners for both essay and art will receive a cash award and plaque. If you have any questions, contact Benard Simelton at (256) 426-6406 or (256) 426-6406. Please refer to the flyer for grade-level divisions, themes, and more information.

With winter weather is upon us! Check out these reminders to ensure you are prepared for the cold temperatures. Learn more at weather.gov/safety/winter.

VERONICA BREAKFIELD

iAcademy at Athens Elementary

MELISSA PENIA

FAME Academy at Brookhill

HANNAH BUCHANAN

SPARK Academy at Cowart

BROOKE HUMPHRIES

HEART Academy at Julian Newman

STUART DUNCAN

Athens Intermediate School

BETH HORN

Athens Middle School

AMANDA GUDMUNDSSON

Athens High School

HOLLY HARGROVE

Athens Renaissance School

SUMMER NEELY

Renaissance Virtual School

Take a moment to get to know each of our amazing Teachers of the Year in this special video presentation.... and even hear special messages from some of our students!

Oh, what a night! The Athens City Schools Foundation Teacher of the Year Gratitude Banquet is such an amazing celebration of our ACS Teachers of the Year! Check out scenes from this special evening. This event would not be possible without the generous support of the Athens City Schools Foundation Teacher of the Year Gratitude Banquet Sponsors!

Special thanks to our Athens City Schools Foundation Teacher of the Year Gratitude Banquet Sponsors.

Stuart Duncan, Elementary Teacher of the Year

Athens Intermediate School

Amanda Gudmundsson. Secondary Teacher of the Year

Athens High School

We wish Mr. Duncan and Mrs. Gudmundsson the best of luck as they represent Athens City Schools in the State Teacher of the Year competition.

This Giving Tuesday, make a difference in the lives of students today, tomorrow and for years to come by giving to the Athens City Schools Foundation. Donate at acsf.acs-k12.org/donate. The mission of the Athens City Schools Foundation is to serve as an advocate in mobilizing community support for resources to enhance learning opportunities for students in the Athens City School District and to support teachers with initiatives that supplement the basic revenues of the school system. Founded in 1997, ACSF is guided by a volunteer board that works to raise funds through individual and corporate sponsorships that can be used in the classrooms to support the academic goals of the school system as well as emergency student financial needs. Athens City Schools Foundation proudly sponsors annual programs such as Third Grade Violin Program, Teacher of the Year recognition and Teacher Grants. Learn more about the Athens City Schools Foundation at acsf.acs-k12.org.

This holiday season, give a special commemorative brick from the Athens City Schools Foundation Legacy Brick Project. Brick prices start at just $50. Order online at acsf.acs-k12.org/bricks. Thank you for supporting the Athens City Schools Foundation.

iAcademy at Athens Elementary School invites you to become a permanent part of their new campus by purchasing a commemorative brick to recognize students, teachers, family, and friends in the Athens community. The bricks are incorporated into the design and displayed at the entrance area to the beautiful new school. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to support our teachers and students at iAcademy at Athens Elementary School. Two brick options are available: 4” x 8” - $50 (includes up to three lines with 21 characters per line) and 8" x 8" - $100 (includes up to six lines with 21 characters per line).

• To place your iAcademy at Athens Elementary brick order, visit www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/athenses.
• To pay for your brick, you can either drop off payment at iAcademy at Athens Elementary School or visit website at aes.acs-k12.org and click the "Pay Fees" button.

Thank you for supporting iAcademy at Athens Elementary!

• January 6 - Teacher Work Day (no school for students)
  
• January 7 - Professional Learning Day (no school for students)
• January 8 - Welcome Back/2nd Semester Begins

It's time for Hoops Season! Passes are available on the GoFan app or at gofan.co/app/school/AL109.

*Basketball Season Pass $55

*AMS/AHS Student All Sports Pass $35
*AMS/AHS Adult All Sports Pass $75

Be sure to check out the information below related to our ACS Athletic Facilities. Thank you for supporting our Athens Golden Eagles!

The following bags are permitted inside Athens City Schools Athletics Facilities:

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC that do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" (tote bags, fanny packs, cross-body bags, etc.)
  
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziplock type bag or similar)
  
• Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5" x 6.5" (approximately the size of a hand).
• Please note that individuals are limited to (1) clear bag plus (1) small clutch.

Fans are welcome to bring cameras, binoculars, and small seat cushions/pads, however, cases are not allowed. Know before you go. Learn more at acs-k12.org/athletics.

In an effort to make all Athens City Schools athletic event experiences GOLDEN for all spectators, fans and families, please take a moment to review the Golden Guidelines. Know before you go. Learn more at acs-k12.org/athletics. Thank you for supporting Athens City Schools Athletics. It's great to be a Golden Eagle!

Watch our Athens Golden Eagles HOME games on the NFHS Network. Subscription required. Visit www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/athens-high-school-athens-al for options. NFHS offers access to LIVE and ON DEMAND events, nationwide. View available events and learn more at www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/athens-high-school-athens-al. Please note that this is the only legitimate and authorized livestream for AHS sports (home games only). If you have any questions, please contact Linda.Moore@acs-k12.org.

We wish all of our Golden Eagles the best of luck this season!

Athens High School has been awarded a matching grant up to $10,000 from The Dekko Foundation to launch Class Piano at Athens High School. This exciting opportunity expands the robust offerings of Fine Arts at AHS. Funds will be used to purchase keyboards, headphones, keyboard stands, and other essential equipment for the lab. The matching grant encourages the local community to invest in our schools, students, and fine arts to make the piano lab a reality. Donations for Class Piano can be made by visiting ahs.acs-k12.org (select “fees”, “Athens High School” and “Fine Arts") or contact Mrs. Teresa Edwards, AHS Choir and Class Piano Teacher, at teresa.edwards@acs-k12.org. All donations must be made by Friday, December 6.

Have that old instrument sitting in the garage or attic? Wanna feel great about helping another musician get their start? Donate your gently used instrument to the AIS 5th grade band! Donations may be dropped off in the AIS front office.

View the 2024-2025 ACS Academic Calendar at acs-k12.org/calendar.

Athens City Schools is currently seeking Special Education Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists, Behavior Specialists and more. If you know of a great candidate who is interested in joining the #oneAthens family, please encourage them to visit acs-k12.org/careers and apply through HireTrue, the new Alabama State Department of Education Applicant Tracking System

Kids and Kin is a FREE statewide program that provides resources and training to grandparents, aunts, uncles, and older siblings who provide child care for the children of a relative. Kids and Kin offers a wide range of helpful topics in a small and supportive group setting. If you have any questions, contact Tammie Hill, Family Guidance Center, at thill@familyguidancecenter.org or call (256) 724-2554. Learn more at www.familyguidancecenter.org. Kids and Kin is provided by the Family Guidance Center of Alabama and funded by the Alabama Department of Human Resources.

ACS has implemented an extra measure of safety for students and parents. The "See Something, Say Something" Tip Line is a new way for students and families to anonymously share a potential safety concern toward an individual or school, including suspicious activity, bullying, and other student-related issues and safety concerns. This tip line is monitored by ACS Administration. Dial or text (256) 206-3065 or visit acs-k12.org/tip.

Lots of exciting things going on in ACS! Be sure to follow ACS and your school(s) on Social Media and download the free ACS app!

988 is now the active phone number that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call, text or chat 988 to be connected to trained counselors who will listen and help, 24/7. This confidential support is for anyone in emotional distress or crisis. Learn more at 988lifeline.org. *The previous Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-TALK) will always remain available for people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.

An easy way to add lunch money to your student account is through MySchoolBucks. Create or log in to your student account and view your student account balance and purchases. Funds can be added to your student's account at MSB on the web or download the MSB app. You may also submit a check to the school lunchroom. All checks must be made payable to Athens City Schools CNP or ACS CNP. Please write your child's name and homeroom on the check or envelope.

Find out if your family qualifies for Free and Reduced Lunch by completing the 2024-2025 Free and Reduced Lunch Application. Only one application is necessary per family. Families must re-apply each school year to potentially receive this benefit. Apply at acs-k12.org/freeandreduced. If you have any questions or need help with your Free and Reduced Lunch Application, contact Dr. Tandy Blackwell, Child Nutrition Program Coordinator, at Tandy.Blackwell@acs-k12.org or (256) 233-6600. Learn more about our ACS Child Nutrition Program at acs-k12.org/nutrition

Learn more at acs-k12.org/nutrition.

Do you have something you would like to see in a future newsletter? Please contact Christy.Hubbard@acs-k12.org.

Click HERE to view a previous edition of the One Athens Family Newsletter.