The Raider Nation Newsletter

Dear Atholton Community,

As we prepare to leave for Thanksgiving Break, we are taking an opportunity tomorrow to meet with each grade level and review some behavioral expectations for all students and share some updates on procedures for addressing cell phones and tardiness to school. You can review the slides here to see what we are emphasizing with students regarding some of the major aspects our behavioral expectations and disciplinary procedures: Student Reminders/Updates

The updates of note include the following:

• Bathrooms: Like many schools in the county, Atholton has received locking mechanisms to keep the doors to bathrooms open. Students still have the privacy of stalls and other areas of the bathroom, but the open door gives staff a better view of potential issues with fighting, vaping, and vandalism.
• Cell Phones: The information that was shared with students at the start of the school year was vague in specifying that 3rd, violations and beyond will result in "administrative intervention." We are aligning practices with other schools and will be implementing confiscation at levels 3-5. The 3rd violation is confiscation for the period; the 4th violation is for the rest of the day; and the 5th violation will be confiscation until a parent/guardian picks it up.
• Tardy to School: We have been somewhat lax in not assigning consequences for students who are habitually late. The presentation outlines how we will look at the number of tardies for the week and assign appropriate consequences including detention and Friday school.

We are emphasizing these behavioral expectations and implementing these changes to address some of the biggest concerns we have here at Atholton. We appreciate your support and welcome any questions or feedback you may have. Thanks.

Sincerely,

Nick Novak

Principal

Did you know that we are always collecting used clothing? The yellow Planet Aid bin in front of the school is always available for donations. The school gets money back for the clothing collected and the donations are repurposed within the local community. The current Planet Aid drive info can be found here.

SAT Boot Camps at Atholton HS - $199

**These prep classes will prepare students for March 8, May 3, and June 7 SATs.**

• M/W Jan. 13 & 15 from 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm (in person)
• T/Th Feb. 18 & 20 from 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm (in person)
• Sun., March 2 from 9 am - 1 pm + M/W March 3 & 5 from 7 pm - 9 pm (virtual)
• M/W July 7 & 9 from 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm (in person)

Live, Virtual ACT Boot Camps (offered monthly) - $199

**These prep classes will prepare students for Dec. 14, Feb. 8, and April 5 ACTs.**

• Sun., Dec. 8 from 9 am - 1 pm + T/Th Dec. 10 & 12 from 7 pm - 9 pm
• Sat., Jan. 4 from 9 am - 1 pm + Weds., Jan. 8 & 15 from 7 pm - 9 pm
• Sat., March 22 from 9 am - 1 pm + M/W March 24 & 26 from 7 pm - 9 pm

Live, Virtual College Admissions Crash Courses (offered monthly) - $199

• Sat./Sun., Jan. 4 & 5 from 9 am - 1 pm
• Fri., Jan. 31 - March 21 from 5 pm - 6 pm
• See website for the full schedule of monthly crash courses.

Small group college counseling teaches students everything they need to know about the complicated, confusing, and competitive world of college admissions in order to best support their own application and college success. Recommended for 10th & 11th graders.

Each college prep class is only $199,* or choose a Premium Bundle and save up to $500. AHS PTSA earns a portion of student tuition! Visit www.theanswerclass.com to view the full class schedule and to register your student.

To date, more than 1,210 AHS students have benefited from the prep and $32,900+ has been donated to AHS PTSA! 95% of students would recommend the course to a friend!

*Early Bird Discount: Register one week ahead of your course & SAVE $20!

Regular tuition is only $219/class OR $522 for the SAT/ACT, College Admissions Crash Course, and College Essay Workshop Bundle!

Register today at: http://www.theanswerclass.com

HCPSS has announced the window for the Class of 2025 high school graduations as Monday, May 19-Friday, May 30, 2025. No graduations will be held on weekends or on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.

HCPSS makes the early announcement of the graduation window to accommodate planning by parents, students, schools and community members. Specific information regarding the dates and times of each graduation ceremony will be finalized in collaboration with Merriweather Post Pavilion and provided by mid-April.

Ceremonies will be held in person at Merriweather Post Pavilion, except for Cedar Lane School, which will hold its graduation ceremony at the school.

Senior Families! We don't have a graduation date yet or a window of time, but we know that graduation will be happening for the class of 2025 this Spring. We do know though that it is time to begin ordering your graduation regalia from our official provider--Josten's! Information regarding packages, pricing, and ordering can be found in the link below.

Josten's Atholton HS Graduation Ordering Link

Demand for the Atholton HS food pantry is growing and we need to make sure our inventory can keep up with the demand. Please consider purchasing items from our wish list below to help out. The food gets delivered directly to AHS, so you don't have to drop it off yourself. Here's the link to purchase through Amazon:

Food Pantry Wish List

11/25 11:35am Dismissal-Evening Conferences

11/26 11:35am Dismissal- Afternoon/Evening Conferences

11/27 No School for Students- Conferences

11/28-29 Schools and Offices Closed for Thanksgiving

12/3 Career Cafe during lunch

12/5 Dance Concert

12/6 Dance Concert

Atholton PTSA

Atholton PBSA

Atholton Boosters

Atholton Drama Boosters

Atholton JROTC Boosters

Atholton Music Boosters

Atholton Robotics Boosters