One Athens Connects

Welcome "home" to parades, football, floats, friends, and all of the festivities that encompass Athens High School Homecoming Week. We truly hope you catch and share that Golden Eagle spirit of community, connections, and traditions.

View all of the 2024 Homecoming activities at acs-k12.org/homecoming.

• BBQ & Soccer Monday - Dress like a BBQ Dad or Soccer Mom
• Tomorrowland Tuesday - Dress like aliens/futuristic
• Wild West Wednesday - Dress Western
• We the People Thursday - Dress like our founding fathers in red, white, and blue
• Eagle Pride Friday - Wear Black and Gold

View all of the 2024 Homecoming activities at acs-k12.org/homecoming.

The 50 Seasons of Athens Stadium Celebration event planned for Friday, September 27, at 5:00 PM has been postponed. We will announce a new date soon to celebrate this golden milestone. Stay tuned for updates. It's great to be a Golden Eagle!

Friday Night Lights at Athens Stadium - Home of the Golden Eagles, have been shining bright with Golden Eagle Pride for 50 seasons. Join us as we celebrate this golden milestone on Friday, September 27, at 5:00 PM at the west side stadium entrance. Special guest speakers include Greg Young, AHS 1975 Football Championship Team Member, Jimmy Woodroof, Black and Gold Circle Founder, and Larry McCoy, Athens High School Champion Coach ('66-'75 ) who led the Golden Eagles to a 12-1-1 3A state victory in 1975. Following the celebration, our Golden Eagles will take on Hazel Green at Homecoming 2024. Pregame begins at 6:25 PM with kick-off at 7:00 PM. Tickets are available on the GoFan app or at the gate.

Come out and cheer on your Golden Eagles at the Black Light Pep Rally on Thursday, September 26, at Athens Stadium - Home of the Golden Eagles! Activities and games, provided by AHS School Clubs, will begin at 7:00 PM followed by the Black Light Pep Rally at 8:00 PM. Dress in neon and/or white!

View all of the 2024 Homecoming activities at acs-k12.org/homecoming.

The annual Homecoming Parade will be held on Friday, September 27, at 2:00 PM. Make plans to come out and cheer on all of our Golden Eagles in this cherished tradition of floats, music, spirit, royalty, and more!

Homecoming Parade Early Dismissal Schedule

• 11:15 AM - Pre-K
• 11:30 AM - Athens High School
• 11:45 AM - Elementary (K-3)
• 11:50 AM - Athens Intermediate School
• 12:00 PM - Athens Middle School
• 12:00 PM - Athens Renaissance School

Buses will be released according to the school's early dismissal time. Please make plans for your bus rider to arrive home earlier than usual. Latchkey will NOT be available.

View all of the 2024 Homecoming activities at acs-k12.org/homecoming.

The parade will step off from Athens High School and travel down Pryor Street to Shaw Street. to Hobbs Street to Jefferson Street. It will loop around The Square via Market Street, Marion Street, Washington Street, and back to Jefferson Street. The parade will then continue down Jefferson Street and end near the Athens Public Library and Hometown Grocery.

View all of the 2024 Homecoming activities at acs-k12.org/homecoming.

We are looking forward to having our AHS Alumni back in the Athens Stadium for Homecoming! We have something extra special planned for the class of 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004 & 2014! If your class is interested in participating, please contact Nicole.Taylor@acs-k12.org.

View all of the 2024 Homecoming activities at acs-k12.org/homecoming.

Our Athens Golden Eagles will take on Hazel Green at 7:00 PM on Friday, September 27. Pregame begins at 6:25 PM and will feature a performance by the Athens High School Golden Eagle Marching Band, followed by special recognition of our 2024-2025 Mr. & Miss Athens High School and '64, '74, '84, '94, '04 and '14 alumni. At the end of the first quarter, we will celebrate the 2024 Athens High School Softball State Champions. Halftime will include the presentation of the Homecoming Court and the crowning of the 2024-2025 Athens High School Homecoming Queen. Postgame will feature a performance by our Athens High School Golden Eagle Marching Band. Tickets are available on the GoFan App or at gofan.co/app/school/AL109.

View all of the 2024 Homecoming activities at acs-k12.org/homecoming.

PowerSchool Parent Portal is a web-based platform and app that can be used 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.

September is Attendance Awareness Month. Let’s help our students build a habit of being on time and in school each and every day. Learn more about the ACS attendance policy at acs-k12.org/handbook.

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!

Friday Night Lights in one Athens brings excitement, tradition, community, pride and lots of Golden Eagle Spirit Be sure to check out our very own Athens Golden Eagles in the special Beyond the Lights series. Episodes drop each Thursday night throughout the season and are available on the WAFF 48 Sports Zone app or visit waff.com/sports/beyond-the-lights.

Passes are available on the GoFan app or at gofan.co/app/school/AL109.

*Football Season Pass $55
*Volleyball Season Pass $55
*AMS/AHS Student All Season Sports Pass $35
*AMS/AHS Adult All Season Sports Pass $75
*Varsity Football Gold Seats $60

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!

Lots of delicious options for concessions! Remember, the Athens Golden Eagle Band Concession Stand is cashless. Thank you for your support!

Watch our Athens Golden Eagles HOME games this fall 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.

The Office of Congressman Dale W. Strong invites you to participate in the 2025 Congressional App Challenge. This competition, for middle and high school students in the 5th Congressional District, is an opportunity to show off your coding and creativity using any platform and coding language. Learn more at strong.house.gov/students/congressional-app-challenge. Register at bit.ly/registerforcac. Deadline is October 24.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS Athens High School Wrestling will host the annual Father-Daughter Dance on Saturday, October 19, from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm in the Athens High School Cafeteria. This fundraising event is open to PreK-6th Grade. Tickets are PRE-SALE ONLY and are available on the GoFan app or visit gofan.co/app/school/AL109. If you have any questions, contact Andrew.Campbell@acs-k12.org or denitramitchell222@gmail.com. Learn more at acs-k12.org/wrestling.

The Full Tummy Project of Athens-Limestone County is currently collecting School Hygiene Closet items for students who may not always have access to basic personal care items at home. Let's help Full Tummy stock the closet with items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, Band-Aids, wipes, Chapstick and hand sanitizer. If you would like to donate items toward this mission, please drop items off at:

• Engel and Volkers, 209 W. Washington Street
• Athens Activity Center, 912 Pryor Street West
• Athens City Schools Central Office, 455 US Highway 31 North

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. If you have any questions, reach out to The Full Tummy at hello@fulltummyal.org. Learn more about Full Tummy at fulltummyal.org.

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.

CONGRATS to the ACS Fine Arts August Artists of the Month!

*Morgan Shepherd, AHS Choir

*Juan Tum, AHS Band

*Nate Bennett, AHS Theater

*Bailee Barnes, AHS Visual Art I

*Lilly Weeks, AHS Visual Art III

*Thea McCaleb, AMS Visual Arts

*Adalynn Naylor, AMS Choir

*Jessie Laird, AMS Band

*LJ Saulsberry, AIS Band

*Adoriun Stinnett, AIS Art

*Ellie Brister, FAME at BES Art

*Brelyn Thompson, FAME at BES Music

*Aidyn Jones, iAcademy at AES Art

*Mary Brents Tanksley, iAcademy at AES Music

*Daniel Wesson, HEART Academy at JNES Art

*Mary Hand, HEART Academy at JNES Music

*Hannah Hipolito, SPARK Academy at CES Music

*Alice Bearden, SPARK Academy at CES Art

Special thanks to our awesome ACS Fine Arts teachers who teach, encourage, and inspire these young artists!

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.

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.

We love sharing about all of the amazing things that are happening in our schools and in the lives of our outstanding students and employees! Do you have a story, event, award/ recognition or something cool going on with your student that you would like to share with our #oneAthens community? Please contact Christy.Hubbard@acs-k12.org.

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