One Athens Connects

Mark Your Calendars with important dates to remember during the month of July. View the full academic calendar at acs-k12.org/calendar.

Athens City Schools will be closed on Thursday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. View the district calendar at acs-k12.org/calendar.

Free and Reduced Lunch Applications are now open. 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.

2024-2025 ACS Student Daily Lunch Pricing:

• $2.75 - PAID (Family does not qualify for free or reduced lunch)
• $0.40 - REDUCED (apply to see if your family qualifies)
• $0.00 - FREE (apply to see if your family qualifies)

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.

Be ready for the first day of school. Apply to see if your family qualifies today!

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity* and sexual orientation*), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: 1. mail: U.S. Department of AgricultureOffice of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or2.fax:(833)256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or3.email:program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal-opportunity provider.

*The enclosed “nondiscrimination” language herein was added pursuant to the May 5, 2022, USDA memorandum. However, although included as currently required for audit compliance by the USDA, the State of Alabama objects to its inclusion, applicability, and application of this language due to currently pending legal challenges in the matter of THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, ET AL. V.USDA, ET AL., Case No. 3:22-cv-00257, and may be subject to change or removal.

Returning Student Registration (Re-Enrollment) is going on now for rising 1st - 12th grade students. Please check your primary email for a snap code from PowerSchool and follow the provided instructions. You will receive a separate snap code email for each student currently enrolled in ACS. If you have any questions, please contact your school or the ACS Central Office. Learn more at acs-k12.org/reenrollment. Be ready for the first day of school - complete returning student registration by Monday, July 15.

Check out the ACS Back to School Hub for school supply lists, important dates, district calendars, free and reduced lunch applications, and more. Visit acs-k12.org/backtoschool and check back often for updates. Be sure to follow your schools on Facebook and visit them on the web for more information.

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

If you need bus service for your K-8th student, you must sign up through Returning Student Registration (Re-Enrollment) or New Student Registration. Learn more at acs-k12.org/transportation. Reminder that bus service is not available for Athens High School or Athens Renaissance School students. If you have any questions, contact ACS Transportation at (256) 233-6637.

We are excited to welcome Mr. Toby Harrison to the Athens City Schools Board of Education. Mr. Harrison assumed his new role in the District 4 seat at the June 13 ACS Board of Education meeting. Learn more about Mr. Harrison and the ACS Board of Education at acs-k12.org/board. We are grateful to all of our ACS Board Members for their willingness to serve our students, schools, and community!

Athens City Schools Board of Education Central Office will be open Mondays -Thursdays from 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM from May 28, 2024 - July 25, 2024. Call us at 256-233-6600 or visit us on the web at www.acs-k12.org.

Get a jump start on Back-to-School shopping. View shopping lists at acs-k12.org/supplies. The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday weekend will be held Friday, July 19 through Sunday, July 21.

Explore the possibilities of joining the one Athens family! Visit acs-k12.org/careers and apply through HireTrue, the new Alabama State Department of Education Applicant Tracking System. Athens City Schools is currently seeking teachers (elementary, high school, and special education), bus drivers, child nutrition, instructional aides, custodians, substitutes, and more. Learn more at acs-k12.org/careers.

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 on March 20, 2024. The state-of-the-art building, designed by McKee and Associates and built by Lee Builders, Inc., will encompass more than 85,000 square feet and house over 700 students.

Features include:

• 29 Standard Classrooms

• 3 Special Education Classrooms

• 6 Shared Classroom Spaces

• 1 Music Classroom

• 1 Art Classroom

• HEART Lab

• Cafeteria

• Media Center

• 2 Storm Shelters for students, faculty and staff

• 2 Renovated Gymnasiums

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.

As you drive by Athens Intermediate School, you will notice that our 20,000-square-foot construction project is well underway. This addition will include 6 standard classrooms, 2 special education classrooms, and a multi-use gymnasium with a storm shelter for our 4th and 5th grade students, faculty, and staff. We anticipate this project to be completed by January 2025. Check out the progress at acs-k12.org/progress.

Are you interested in learning more about opportunities related to military service and academies after high school? If so, then please mark your calendars to attend Military Service and Academy Day, hosted by Congressman Dale Strong. This event will provide the opportunity to speak with representatives from West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, Marion Military Institute, JROTC, Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force/Space Force, and Coast Guard. You will also have a chance to learn more about service academy eligibility requirements and congressional nominations.

Military Service and Academy Day

August 17 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Huntsville High School Gymnasium

RSVP to dylan.smith2@mail.house.gov

Athens City Schools has recently been awarded Cognia ® Accreditation! Cognia is a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers. Cognia, formerly AdvancED, nationally recognizes districts that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation that meets the needs of learners, and effective leadership. This achievement underscores our commitment to providing high-quality education and continuous improvement.

Cognia conducts a rigorous evaluation that includes a comprehensive review of educational practices, leadership, and performance standards. Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Parents and interested community members can learn more about Cognia Accreditation at cognia.org.

Athens City Schools is proud to be a progressive, high-quality school system that is committed to empowering all students for lifelong success in a rapidly changing world. This highly regarded accreditation is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the hard work of our students, and the support of our community.

Athens City Schools has partnered with SecondLifeMac (SLM) to offer our one Athens family and community the opportunity to purchase refurbished iPads and Macbooks at a discounted rate. SecondLifeMac will fill orders on a first-come, first-served basis.... while supplies last. To access the SLM Community Sale, please visit go.secondlifemac.com/AthensCity. Use promo code ATHENS24 and receive $20 off and free shipping! All orders must be placed by August 2. If you have any questions or need assistance, please email SecondLifeMac at hello@secondlifemac.com.

The Full Tummy Project of Athens and Limestone County, in partnership with the Church of the Highlands, will host a drive-up food distribution for children in Athens and Limestone County on Saturday, July 13. This special event will held in the Athens Middle School parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis from 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM or until resources run out. Full Tummy bags will consist of two breakfast items, lunch items, dinner items, snacks, and fruit cups. 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.

The Athens-Limestone Public Library Foundation and the Athens Storytelling Festival is proud to host storyteller Carol Cain at the Athens-Limestone Public Library! Carol Cain will take you around the world with her folk tales, own tales, and wacky songs that celebrate libraries and a love of reading.

Thursday, July 18

• 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Let the Adventure Begin
• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Student Story Workshop
• 6:00 PM Family Night

Friday, July 19

• 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM - More Adventures With Carol Cain

Honor a graduate of the Class of 2024 with 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, click here or 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!

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!

Download the Athens City Schools app today for access to school news, calendars, notifications, quick links, and more! The ACS App is available for free in the Apple App Store or Google Play. Search for “Athens City Schools”. Be sure to set your "phone" settings to RECEIVE/ALLOW notifications. Once you download the ACS app, click "Follow Your School" to receive notifications from the district and your selected school(s).

Check out acs-k12.org/camps for dates, details, and registration. Register today!

Mark your calendars for Friday Night Lights!

• Homecoming will be held on September 27
• Senior Night will be held October 25

Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company offers affordable Student Accident Insurance Coverage. View the documents below to learn more and enroll.

Did you know that the Dental Hygiene Clinic at Calhoun Community College offers FREE teeth cleaning for children under 17? Adult teeth cleaning services are also available at a discounted rate of $30. Cleaning appointment includes exam, x-ray, and fluoride. Call 256-306-2815 or scan the QR code to schedule your appointment. Learn more about the clinic at http://calhoun.edu/.../dental.../dental-hygiene-clinic-2

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 click here or email Christy.Hubbard@acs-k12.org.

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