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Raider Nation Newsletter

Week of January 25, 2021

Raider NationNewsletterWeek of January 25, 2021
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Hybrid Learning Arriving Soon...

Dear Atholton Families,


The surprise press conference of Governor Hogan and the order for schools to have a hybrid model in place by March 1 has sent the entire school district into a frenzy. The plans to bring back small groups and the changes to the virtual schedule for the third quarter have all been put on hold as HCPSS scrambles to comply with this new directive. Dr. Martirano was directed by the Board of Education last week to develop a hybrid model for its consideration. This model will be unveiled and discussed at the Board of Education work sessions tomorrow and Tuesday with the hopes of a vote on Tuesday. I encourage you to follow along and stay abreast of the news here.


Last Wednesday, a mid-week email was sent to Atholton families regarding two very important upcoming issues. The first is the end of semester collection of materials taking place all this week. In order to be ready for the beginning of the second semester, we NEED to collect the first semester items. Parents and students have all of this week to drop off their items in the front of the school (in bins) from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. You may use the provided form below or simply write on a sheet of paper your name, teacher, and subject of the items you are returning. More detailed information may be found below. Also, although the PSAT has been canceled for our juniors on Tuesday, PSAT Student Guides will be available for Juniors while supply lasts. Students Practice Guides include two PSAT Practice Tests and information regarding the College Board National Merit Scholars Program. We encourage families to take one per junior. They will be located on a cart inside the first set of doors of the building.


The second upcoming event is our effort to get underclassmen's school pictures taken. We have a sign-up for our 9th - 11th graders for the following dates. More information below.

  • Shoot Date Arrival Start Time End Time Location

  • 2/10/2021 7:00 AM 8:30 AM 4:00 PM Auditorium

  • 2/11/2021 2:30 PM 4:00 PM 9:00 PM Auditorium

  • 2/16/2021 2:30 PM 4:00 PM 9:00 PM Auditorium


For the Class of 2021, we will hold our first graduation meeting tomorrow during Flex / Raider Time at 10:50. Representatives from Balfour will provide information on cap and gown orders and other graduation materials (announcements, etc.). Additionally, information about auditioning for graduation performances and speakers and voting for the Teacher of the Year will take place. For parents, the information will be uploaded to our website after the meeting so that you may be informed. Please encourage your senior to attend this important meeting.


Also, for our freshmen, we will hold a Freshman Success Series tomorrow during Flex/Raider Time. Please see more information below.


Please remember that our schedule for this week has changed from what was originally published at the beginning of the semester. Our schedule this week is as follows:

January 25 -- Regular School Day (Full Day Schedule)

January 26 — Regular School Day (Full Day Schedule) -- NO PSAT for Juniors

January 27 — Follow the asynchronous schedule

January 28 — Early Dismissal Schedule (see below)

January 29 -- NO SCHOOL for Students. Teacher Work Day


Lastly, I hope you had the opportunity to view Atholton’s Drama Production, coVAUiDEVILLE, this past Saturday. Mr. Rosen and his students did an outstanding job. I want to assure everyone that Mr. Beaker is purely fictitious! LOL. If you did not get a chance to see the production, you may view it here.


Have a fantastic week and don’t forget to return your first semester items!!


Robert A. Motley

Principal

Early Dismissal Schedule (Thursday, Jan. 28)

Student Day: 8:30-12:15


  • 8:30-9:15 – Period 1
  • 9:30-10:15 – Period 2
  • 10:30-11:15 – Period 3
  • 11:30-12:15 – Period 4

Collection of 1st Semester Items

In September, many students received materials for their Semester 1 classes. These included textbooks, musical instruments, art supplies, and so on. As the semester winds down, we need to recollect those items that will be needed for Semester 2 classes.


There are some materials that do NOT need to be returned. These include packets (papers) your teachers may have provided to you. Art supplies you received are yours to keep. There are some courses that will be allowed to keep their textbooks. This will be discussed by each teacher that is having students hold onto these materials.


Other textbooks and materials are expected to be returned to Atholton. We will be having a material drop off between January 25, 2021, and January 29, 2021. This will be available to families from 9:00 am until 7:00 pm on those days. Families will be asked to do the following:

  • Place all materials in a bag (plastic grocery type bag for example).
  • Complete the attached STUDENT MATERIALS FORM (or write down the information on a sheet of paper -- name, teacher, subject) and include it inside of the bag. FORM IS BELOW.
  • During the drop off period, deliver materials to Atholton High School. There will be containers for materials underneath the overhang at the front door. (If there is inclement weather, the containers will be placed inside of the front doors. Please do NOT try to enter through the second set of doors. There will be clearly marked signs showing where to go in order to maximize safety and promote social distancing.)
  • Leave items in the containers. Atholton staff will remove items from the containers throughout the day. Howard County Public School System and CDC guidelines require that we then quarantine these materials for a period of time to reduce the risk of potential COVID-19 exposure.


A few additional thoughts:

  • Please do NOT leave Chromebooks or other electronic devices. We can’t be responsible for electronic devices that are lost or stolen.
  • Please drop off your materials and leave the area promptly so that others may then drop off their materials. This reduces possible exposure for everybody.
  • Staff will not be available to answer questions during this time. Please email appropriate staff as needed.
  • You must wear a mask if you are out of a vehicle.


If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Richman at Samuel_Richman@hcpss.org

School Pictures (9th - 11th Grade)

Lifetouch Studios will be taking pictures for any 9th, 10th, and 11th grade student who would like their picture taken on February 10th, 11th, and 16th in the auditorium of Atholton High School. Students will need to use the Sign-Up Genius link to register for pictures. Our number one priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of every student and staff member. Please abide by the procedures identified below.


Dates:

Wednesday, February 10, 2021, from 8:30 am-4 pm

Thursday, February 11, 2021 from 4pm-8:45pm

Tuesday, February 16, 2021 from 4pm-8:45pm

Location: Auditorium

Link to register for pictures: Sign Up Genius for Underclass Pictures


GENERAL AND COVID 19 PROCEDURES:

• Students can only signup for one spot and must adhere to this reservation.

• Only students will be allowed in the school to take pictures.

• Students must wear masks at all times, except for when taking the picture.

• Students must adhere to social distancing guidelines throughout the process by remaining at least 6 feet apart at all times. Distances will be noted with blue tape marks in the hallway and in the auditorium.

• Parking for pictures will take place in the junior lot (auditorium area).

• Entrance for the pictures will take place at the auditorium side doors- closest to the math hallway. Entrance will be marked ENTRANCE TO SENIOR PICTURES.

• Students must arrive at their designated picture time. Any students who arrive early will be asked to wait in their cars.

• No Walk-Ups, confirmed appointments only.

• Atholton staff will check students in by the auditorium.

• Sanitizing wipes and sprays will be used on all setup materials and equipment.

• During photography, equipment used or touched by staff/students will be sanitized.

• Pre-moistened alcohol wipes will be used on the cameras.

• Hand sanitizer will be frequently used by photographers’ throughout the day.

• The picture process will take less than 1 minute for each student.

• EXIT: Signs will be posted for students to exit the auditorium. Students will exit the auditorium through the doors marked EXIT.

• Students must go to their cars and vacate the parking lot immediately.


If you have any specific questions, please contact Mr. Senisi at Michael_Senisi@hcpss.org

Administrator Assignments

Ms. Nasir -- ALL 9th Grade AND Last Name Sm - Z Grades 10 - 12 (Adrienne_Nasir@hcpss.org)

Ms. Veslany -- Last Name A - H Grades 10 - 12 (Lisa_Veslany@hcpss.org)

Mr. Richman -- Last Name I - Sl Grades 10 -12 (Samuel_Richman@hcpss.org)

School Counselor Assignments

Ms. Wade -- 9th Grade ONLY (Kim_Wade@hcpss.org)

Mr. Cohen -- Last Name A - E / Grades 10 - 12 (Phillip_Cohen@hcpss.org)

Ms. Meledick -- Last Name F - Kj / Grades 10 - 12 (Dana_Meledick@hcpss.org)

Ms. Clearfield -- Last Name Kk - P / Grades 10 - 12 (Lisa_Clearfield@hcpss.org)

Ms. Rogers -- Last Name Q - Z / Grades 10 - 12 (Yvonne_Rogers@hcpss.org)

Mark Your Calendar

January 25 - 29 -- First Semester Textbook Collection / Return Items

February 4 -- BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT (2nd Semester)


January 25 -- Regular School Day (Full Day Schedule)

January 26 — Regular School Day (Full Day Schedule) --NO PSAT for Juniors

January 27 — Follow the regular asynchronous schedule

January 28 — Early Dismissal Schedule (see above)

January 29 -- NO SCHOOL for Students. Teacher Work Day