Raider Nation Newsletter

Week of June 14, 2021

Happy Summer!!

Dear Atholton Families,

PHEW! We survived this school year! It is hard to believe that we have reached the last Sunday newsletter of the 2020 - 2021 school year. It seems only yesterday that I was writing about our virtual start to the year without ever thinking we would move to a hybrid in-person model yet alone an in-person graduation! We have come a long way this year. It goes without saying that we could not have survived this year without coming together as a community. My gratitude to our students, families, teachers, and staff for making the Atholton High School community even stronger -- WE ARE ATHOLTON!

The end of a school year always brings change. Whether moving to another state or retiring, it is a time to say goodbye to some members of our family:

Retirements – Ms. Natalie Kelly (Media Specialist), Ms. Donna Merson (Paraeducator), Ms. Yvonne Rogers (Counselor)

Transfers and Moves – Mr. Alex McCoy (Health Teacher) to Murray Hill MS, Ms. Tara Salvati (ESOL Teacher) to Long Reach HS, Ms. Nicole Payne (English Teacher) leaving Maryland, Ms. Nicole Coke (English Teacher) taking leave, Ms. Katie Impedulgia (Teacher Academy) taking leave.

Please join me in wishing everyone a successful transition to their new stations in life and thank them for their service to the Atholton community.

I am thrilled to report that our Band Director, Mr. Eric Posner, was selected as the 2021 Howard County Arts Council Outstanding Arts Educator! A well-deserved honor for Mr. Posner, who works tirelessly to provide an exemplary band and marching band program at Atholton. A huge thank you to our Music Boosters for their support in the application process.

Just a few housekeeping items as we close out the year. First, families should have received a list of courses for the next school year last week. It was a listing of what your child has registered for the 2021 - 2022 school year. If there is an error in the courses listed, please reach out to your child’s counselor. The counselor assignments are below. Second, in the area of athletics. It was a busy weekend for Raider Nation. Regionals for Track and Field and Baseball as well as the Howard County Invitational Swim Meet. Congratulations to all of our Raider athletes for their outstanding accomplishments this weekend. We wish our qualifying track athletes the best of luck next week and our baseball team safe travels and all the best as they travel to Berlin, MD to face Stephen Decatur HS. Finally, please continue to check our website for updates regarding fall sports and tryouts in August (the tryout schedule is posted). If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Senisi at Michael_Senisi@hcpss.org.

As we begin preparations for next school year, our PTSA needs your help! Please see the information below.

Lastly, I wish everyone a relaxing and productive summer. I am excited to begin next school year in person and hopefully back to normal. I have posted important dates for the beginning of our 2021 -2022 school year below -- mark your calendars!

Have a wonderful summer and see you in August!

Robert A. Motley

Principal

Half-Day Schedule for June 14, 15

High School Schedules (7:45-11:30)

7:45-8:30 -- Period 1

8:35-9:20 -- Period 2

9:25-10:10 -- Period 3

10:15-11:00 -- Period 4

11:00-11:30 -- Grab & Go lunch distribution

At 11:00, virtual students are dismissed. In-person students remain with their Period 4 teacher.
Classes are sent to the cafeteria in shifts to pick up grab & go lunches.
ARL students will remain in their home school during the ARL period on these days.

Atholton PTSA NEEDS YOU!!

The Atholton HS PTSA needs to fill critical Executive Board positions for the next school year (2021-2022).

The PTSA thanks those who have already stepped up for an Executive Board or Committee Chair position, but we are looking for more amazing parents.

We still need to fill both the PTSA President and Treasurer positions. (Our amazing President and Treasurer have both reached their term limits, and these positions are required for the PTSA to continue to function.). We also have Secretary and a few other Committee Chair positions.

Interested? Contact Amber Coleman at amberrph@msn.com.

You can also attend the Atholton PTSA Meet and Greet on Monday, June 14th, 2021 @ 7:30 pm to hear more about open positions and meet other Atholton parents. RSVP here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44ADAF2EA1FD0-atholto

New to Atholton HS? No worries, we welcome all parents to get involved! Seasoned Atholton PTSA parents are here to support you.

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

HCPSS Technology Device Usage -- Summer 2021

Access to technology devices that connect to the internet can open doors to many educational opportunities outside the traditional school setting. Students who will be returning to school for the 2021-2022 school year may keep their assigned HCPSS devices over the summer. HCPSS encourages continued learning during the summer months by using devices to access HCPSS applications like Lexia and Dreambox, and to take advantage of online opportunities, such as those offered by the Howard County Library System.

It is important that parents and guardians continue to monitor their child’s device use and remind students of the expectations around proper care and usage, and any family agreed upon limitations. While the Chromebooks have an internet content filter installed, parents/guardians may find it helpful to review their child’s web browsing history to learn more about how the device is being used.

Families who do not wish to keep their student’s assigned device over the summer may return it to their child’s school or an HCPSS Technology Support Center. Schools will distribute devices at the start of the 2021-2022 school year to students who returned their devices or who are new to the school system.

Student Technology Support

Families can use the directions for connecting a Chromebook to Wi-Fi to connect a Chromebook to their home network. Students who forget their username or password can use the Account Self Service directions to retrieve their account credentials. A variety of common self-help resources can be found on the Student Technology Resources Canvas community. If you or your child has questions on how to use access instruction or is having technical issues, please email your child’s summer programs teacher or administrator.

Families should review the HCPSS Student Mobile Technology Duties and Obligations to learn more about the school system’s policies and guidelines that govern the devices. Should an HCPSS Chromebook become broken over the summer, students/parents should bring the broken device to an HCPSS Technology Support Center. A current list of sites and hours of operation can be found online.

Atholton Gear

Please check out the Athloton items on sale from our school store. Need a sweatshirt, water bottle, car magnet, etc. Get them here:

Atholton Gear Online

Have You Moved or Planning to Move?

If you have moved or are moving soon, please notify us as soon as possible. We will update your address to ensure that you are receiving all communication promptly. If your move will take you outside of the Atholton district our registrars will partner with your student's new school to make the transition as smooth as possible.

If you have an address change, please fill out the attached fillable Address Change Form (below) and email it back to us along with your new deed or lease and a utility bill. This way we can update your address, electronically verify your school district, and provide assistance in cases where your student may be transitioning schools. If you have any questions, contact our registrar, Allison Sultan, at allison_sultan@hcpss.org.

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