Athens Drive Newsletter

Dear Athens Drive Families,

I hope that all have enjoyed a great weekend. We have much to celebrate as many of our Jaguars were hard at work!

Congratulations to Varsity Cheer on winning the Wake County Championship for the 4th year in a row! Varsity Cheer took 1st place in Small Co-ed, Small Co-ed Game Day, and all around Traditional!

Congratulations to the Athens Drive Marching Band on a great performance at the Cary Christmas Parade.

Congratulations to our Varsity Basketball Teams on wins against East Chapel Hill High School.

Congratulations to this year's Dodgeball Champions, EDM Theta. Our Student Council raised $430 to support our Athens Drive Backpack Buddies program.

Congratulations to our Orchestra students on a great winter concert this past week.

Fall Exams will be held the week of January 13th. School will dismiss for students at 12pm for students during this week. As a reminder, seniors are exempt from all non-state exams if they have an A or B in the class and 10 or fewer absences. There are no exemptions to the senior exam policy.

This week at Athens Drive:

Tuesday: Winter Chorus Concert in the Auditorium at 7pm

Thursday: Winter Band Concert in the Auditorium at 7pm

This is the last week of school prior to the Winter Break. Students return on Monday, January 6th.

Support our Athens Drive Marching Bands by shopping at Dewey's Holiday shop at Waverly Place this season in the new location beside of Whole Foods. The store is open from from 10am-6pm Monday-Saturday and from 12pm-5pm on Sundays through Christmas Eve.

As a reminder, students should only be picked up and dropped off from carpool in the Carpool Loop off of Avent Ferry. Students should not be dropped off or picked up on Athens Drive, in the Special Transportation Loop, or Jaguar Park Drive. This is impeding the flow of traffic and creating an unsafe situation for our pedestrian students and student drivers.

Seniors and Senior Parents: One important key to financial aid and scholarships is the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). FAFSA opens Sunday, December 1st. Both the student and parent need a FSA ID (Federal Student Aid ID). Get those FSA IDs now so you'll be ready December 1st! Need help/have questions: Contact our Financial Aid Advisor, Audrey Lee at Anlee@wcpss.net

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association has included a new attendance requirement to be eligible for participation in sports beginning in the Spring. Students must be in attendance at least 85% of days in order to be eligible. This includes any absences, excused and unexcused. (Maximum of 13 absences excused/unexcused per semester.) Other eligibility rules regarding academics remain the same.

Go Jags!

Amanda Boshoff, Principal

Athens Drive Magnet High School

Class of 2025. This is just a reminder to sign up using the codes below for Remind 101 as well as utilizing the links to search for scholarships during your senior year.

Mr. Grabiec would like to invite you to join my Remind Scholarship group. Mr. Grabiec will be sending periodic reminders along with posting and announcing scholarship opportunities throughout the year. Additional information for seniors below as the application season draws near. Please join by using the request for Remind 101 below. Thanks!

Students A-CL: Text @a-cl to 81010

Students Co-Ha: Text @co-ha to 81010

Students He-Mc: Text @he-mc to 81010

Students Me-Sam: Text @me-sam to 81010

Students San-Z: Text @san-z to 81010

The complete and comprehensive scholarship information is in the link below. Please utilize this link as it contains the largest selection of local, state, and national scholarship information.

WCPSS Complete Scholarship Listing

Learn the keys to maximize scholarship money and make an affordable college choice. Attend the “10 Keys to College Affordability Webinar” hosted by Advantage College Planning . Register here

• Families and individuals who were approved to volunteer during the 2023-24 school year received an email on July 1 outlining the quick and easy volunteer renewal process for the 2024-25 school year. The renewal window will be July 1-Oct. 1. Visit Volunteering in WCPSS to learn more about volunteer renewal or apply to be a first-time volunteer.

Want to get one of your back-to-school items off your list today?

Join the Athens Drive PTSA using our store in GiveBacks: https://athensdrive.givebacks.com/store

• Parent & Community Memberships are $20
• Faculty & Student Memberships are $15

PTSA memberships run from July 1 - June 30, so you must join every school year. Show your support for our programs which support ALL the staff and students at the Drive! We can do more together!

Help Us Raise $10,000 this year!

The PTSA is the one organization at the Drive that supports ALL our students and staff. To continue our PTSA programs, we need your financial support. When you donate to the Athens PTSA, you support these programs:

• Classroom supply grants for our staff
• Staff appreciation and hospitality
• Athens Achievers, which is a monthly character recognition program for our students
• Backpack Buddies, which sends food home with students in need
• Honors Recognition ceremonies in the Spring
• Reflections program, an art competition open to all our students
• care and improvement of school grounds

You can also donate to our Senior Breakfast, which occurs in April.

Our goal is to raise $10,000 by Oct 15. You can donate through our GiveBacks store https://athensdrive.givebacks.com/store

Another way to give is through your company matching programs. Some businesses, such as IBM, Lenovo, and others, will match your donation. Contact your Benefits department to see if this is possible at your workplace.

We cannot succeed without your support!

We are excited to share that the Class of 2025 will graduate at the Raleigh Convention Center on Saturday, June 14th at 12pm.

Families of rising Juniors and Seniors who are planning to take the SAT or ACT and would like to get a jumpstart on test preparations can register today. Any questions? Contact Chris Remaley (cremaley@wcpss.net)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EqenWN_GblwurnQioRFabudM85Q6M2WI/view

Please note that the only carpool entrance is on Avent Ferry Road. Please utilize this designated carpool loop to drop off and pick up students. This loop is one-way only.

Utilizing Jaguar Drive and Athens Drive to drop off and pick up students creates a dangerous situation and impeding the traffic flow of over 500+ new drivers attempting to leave the campus. Please also note, that the other Athens Drive entrance is reserved for Special Transportation only at drop-off and dismissal. It should not be utilized as a carpool drop-off or pick-up area.

We encourage all to utilize the designated carpool lane in the interest of student safety.

Please note that our community partners have begun towing illegally parked student cars that are on their property. Students should not park at the church on Athens Drive, at the Lake Johnson Pool or Nature Center, or at neighboring apartment complexes.

Please consider joining the PTSA this school year. The PTSA is a program that supports the entire staff and students. Hospitality, Senior Scholarships, Gardens and Grounds, Athens Achievers and Classroom Supply Grants. The Fall Membership Drive is the fundraiser for the PTSA. You can sign up, make a donation and/or learn more at this link:

https://athensdriveptsa.com/join-athens-drive-high-school-ptsa/

PTSA Facebook Groups:

Class of 2025 https://www.facebook.com/groups/520790015923241

Class of 2026 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1436009150248819

Class of 2027 https://www.facebook.com/groups/838489971343584

Class of 2028 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1027847085249886/

Please also check out the ABCs of Athens Drive that was created by our PTSA team:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VVJTUcWf-_hz5cUkUsIvzqtOV6h83-Rq/view?usp=drivesdk

The 2025 yearbook is now on sale. Books can be purchased online at athensdriveyearbook.weebly.com.

• Setting Up and Completing Scholarship Searches: Below are two scholarship sites to help you get started. Remember, many scholarship applications are open now and some are even due in August and early September.
  • Complete Scholarship Listing - http://www.scholarshipplus.com/wake/
  • Supplemental Scholarship Site with Additional Resources - https://www.wcpss.net/Page/50874

• College Application Essay Writing: The College essay prompts for 2024 – 2025 applicants have been released. It’s a good idea to spend some time starting your essay over the Summer so you can edit and finalize your best draft in September/October. Hint: Essay prompt #2 is often utilized the most on applications.
  • Common App Essay Prompts - https://appsupport.commonapp.org/applicantsupport/s/article/What-are-the-2024-25-Common-App-essay-prompts

• Completing Residency Determination for In-State Tuition: This is extremely important if you plan on attending College or Community College in North Carolina. This will allow you to pay In-State Tuition costs when you complete and show proof of your residency. You will pay Out-Of-State Tuition if not completed. Hint: This process should be completed with a parent or guardian.
  • Residency Determination - https://www.ncresidency.org/

• Setting Up and Learning How to Use Common App and CFNC for Transcripts and Applications: Almost all post-secondary institutions will require their applications be completed on the Common App or CFNC. Hint: You can begin the applications starting this Summer. The first stage of the Common App is lengthy and requires a lot of information to be entered. Best to complete this stage as early possible.
  • Common Application – For NC colleges as well as out-of-state colleges https://www.commonapp.org/
  • CFNC – Only NC colleges and community colleges https://www.cfnc.org/

SENIORS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE MENINGOCOCCAL BOOSTER VACCINATION: North Carolina law requires all rising 12th Grade students to receive a Meningococcal Vaccine Booster before starting 12th Grade. Please know that the vaccination must be done before the 2024 – 2025 school year begins. Families will need to provide a copy of their student’s immunization record showing proof that the Meningococcal Vaccine has been completed prior to the first day of school. This is a 2-dose immunization; the 1st dose was required in the 7th Grade in the WCPSS. Please click here for more information. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Carrillo, our Data Manager, at acarrillo@wcpss.net, contact our Student Services Department at 919-233-4050, or fax your immunization updates to 919-670-4457. Thank you for taking care of this required vaccine! Students who do not have proof of vaccination on file will be excluded from school after the first 30 days until they have documentation of vaccination per state law.

MR. REMALEY’S REMIND MESSAGE GROUP FOR THE CLASS OF 2025: Mr. Remaley, our Senior Class Advisor, shares important information with our Senior Class and Senior Class families throughout the school year. It is imperative that all Seniors and their families join this Remind Message Group! Students and their families certainly do not want to miss any announcements during your Senior Year! Here are the two ways sign-up for this Message Group:

1. If you are using the Remind App, then enter class code: @theremaley
2. If you prefer an SMS text message, then text the message: @theremaley to 81010

Seniors and your families, thank you for taking care of this important step for your Senior Year! It will be awesome!

WCPSS is preparing Transportation for the 2024 – 2025 school year. You can view your student’s 2024 – 202 5Transportation status via your student’s Homebase/PowerSchool account around July 7th. Your student’s A.M. and/or P.M. Transportation codes will display “Y” (yes) or “N” (no) for the 2024 – 2025 school year until routes are posted. Routes usually are posted approximately 10 days before the start of the school year. If your student’s code is “Y” and your student will be using transportation next school year, no action is required. If your student’s code is “N” and you would like for your student to use transportation next school year, please submit a transportation request. If your student’s code is “Y” and your student will not be using transportation next school year, please submit the decline bus form at www.wcpss.net/declinebus. If you are not currently registered for transportation but would like service next school year, you must request transportation by July 17th to ensure service on the first day. Please only request service if you plan for your student to be a regular rider. Students who don’t ride consistently will be removed from bus rosters. To register, please go to www.wcpss.net/busrider.

*****We are currently sold out of parking passes for the remainder of the semester in the Junior & Senior Lots. We expect more spaces to open up for second semester as our mid-year graduates turn in their passes. Note that mid-year graduates will be reimbursed for the second semester parking fee when they return their pass.

PARKING PASS: The Parking Pass application process for Juniors and Seniors in good standing for the 2024 – 2025 school year will be online again this year with links to have students download the required documents and read and accept the Parking Rules and Regulations. Students interested in securing a Parking pass for the 2024 – 2025 school year should carefully read and follow the guidelines on the application. Parking passes costs are $200 for the 2024 – 2025 school year. There will also be a link to process payment on the Online School Payment Portal. Parking Tags should be ready for pick-up in the Main Office beginning Monday, August 5th. Please remember that Parking Passes and Off Campus Lunch Passes are two separate applications. Sophomores will be allowed to purchase parking passes beginning October 1st as space allows.

OFF-CAMPUS LUNCH PASS: Off-Campus Lunch Pass applications for Juniors and Seniors in good standing for the 2024 – 2025 school year will also be available online again this year. A Junior or Senior student cannot leave campus during Lunch without having an authorized Off-Campus Lunch Pass. Freshmen and Sophomores are NEVER allowed to leave campus during the school day, unless on an approved school trip. We will be announcing Off-Campus Lunch Pass distribution dates soon, as we are still working with our school photographer to finalize our Off-Campus Lunch Passes. Please know that a completed application and $10.00 fee must be provided before we can create an Off-Campus Lunch Pass for a student. Please remember that Parking Passes and Off Campus Lunch Passes are two separate applications.

Students who qualify for Free and Reduced Price Meals need to apply to obtain these benefits. Parents can complete a meal benefits application online at https://www.myschoolapps.com/. Paper applications will also be available at all schools. More information can be found at WCPSS Free & Reduced Meals. Thank you for taking care of this important responsibility so that we can ensure that our eligible students can take advantage of this benefit.

Throughout the year, I will be providing weekly messages to our school family members, posting the message on our website under the Principal Message icon, and the PTSA will provide a link to my message on their Athens Alert newsletter. I hope you find this an informative weekly update. There are many happenings and lots of news at the Drive. If you hear about these messages but are not getting them through email and/or text, please contact our Student Services office (919-233-2050 then press 1) to update your contact information in PowerSchool. Please do not forget to check the Athens Drive website for continual updates and information regarding our school family.

WCPSS TRADITIONAL CALENDAR FOR THE 2024-2025 School Year.

NEW ATHENS DRIVE ATHLETICS APP: The Athens Drive Athletics App is now live and available for download on Apple and Android devices, search for 'Athens Drive Athletics'. The App will include schedules, game results, links to purchase tickets, directions to away events, and much more.

ATHLETIC REGISTRATION: All registration for all Athletic teams/sports this year will take place via the DragonFly platform. Please get your student athlete's medical paperwork and permission slips loaded on the platform as soon as possible. The approval process does take up to a week, so please do not wait until the last minute to get registered. You can find the registration link here and directions on how to complete the process here. Thank you for your help in ensuring the safety and well-being of our student athletes!

ATHLETIC SPORTS PASSES: Athens Drive Athletics Sports Passes are now on sale for the 2024 – 2025 Athletic year! All passes this year will be Digital, via the GoFAN platform. We offer four levels of sports passes; Student Pass, Individual Pass, Family Pass, and Go Jags Family Pass. If you purchase a Go Jags Family Pass, a customized Paw Print on the sidewalk outside Jag Stadium is included with your package. To get the Paw Print painted prior to the Fall Season, please make sure you purchase your Athletic Sport Pass by Wednesday, July 31st. If you have any questions regarding Athletic Sports Passes for the 2024 – 2025 Athletic year, please reach out to our Athletic Director, Coach Seese (tseese@wcpss.net). We are looking forward to a great athletic year!

ATHLETIC SPONSORSHIP: One of the ways we raise funds to support our Athletic Department at Athens Drive is by selling Sponsorships to local businesses. If you own a company or work at a company that would be interested in sponsoring Athens Drive Athletics, please contact Coach Seese, our Athletic Director, at tseese@wcpss.net. Our Sponsorship Levels link provides information on Sponsorships. Thank you for your help in finding ways to continue to fund our Athletic Department programs!

JAGUAR PAW PRINTS: Jaguar Paw Prints are on sale again this year for the athlete recognition paws that lead up to Jaguar Stadium. If you purchase a Go Jags Family Pass, it is included with your Pass membership fee. However, if you would like to order a Paw Print separately, please fill out this Paw Print form and we will send more information to you on how to purchase the Paw Print for the 2024 – 2025 school year.

GAME SCHEDULES: We will be releasing the Game Schedules for all seasons on our Twitter page (@athensjags), Instagram page (@athensjags), and our Facebook Pages (@athensjags). Please be on the look-out for the announcements of these athletic events.

LIVE STREAMING OF EVENTS IN OUR GYMNASIUM AND JAGUAR STADIUM: We will be offering Live Streaming again this school year through the NFHS Network. You can purchase the Live Streaming package by visiting the WCPSS Live Streaming Website and clicking on Athens Drive.

JAG CLUB VOLUNTEERS: We are looking for volunteers for our Athletic Booster Club that provides support for our Athletic Teams at Athens Drive. If you are interested in volunteering with the Jag Club, please contact Coach Seese at tseese@wcpss.net.

While our Website has all essential information (www.wcpss.net/athensdrivehs), Athens Drive Magnet High School has a variety of Social Media Accounts that students, staff, school families, and the community can follow to stay abreast of what is happening at The Drive. Here is an updated list:

Instagram:

School Instagram: @AthensHSMagnet

Student Services: @athensdrive_studentservices

The Torch (yearbook): @athens_torch

The Oracle (newspaper): @athensoracle ATV: @atvjagnews

Health Science Career Academy: @adhs_hosa

STEM Academy: @athensstem

Athens Athletics: @athensjags Athens

Jag Club: @adhsjaguars

Blue Crew (Student Section): @adnbluecrew

Twitter/X:

School Twitter: @AthensHSMagnet

Principal Twitter: @AthensBosh

Student Services: @ADHSStudentSvcs

PTSA: @AthensDrivePTSA

The Torch (Yearbook): @athenstorch

The Oracle (Newspaper): @athensoracle

ATV (Morning News Program): @atvjagnews

Athens Athletics: @athensjags

STEM Academy: @AthensSTEM

Health Science Career Academy: @ADHS_HSA

Facebook:

School Facebook: Athens Drive Magnet High School

Athletics: https://www.facebook.com/Athens-Athletics-108865961678322