The Raider Nation Newsletter

News from Principal Novak: April 29, 2024

Run As One

Dear Raider Nation,

If you missed last Saturday's Raider Roast, you really missed a great event. A huge thank you to AHS Athletics & Activities Boosters, JROTC, Music Boosters, and the PTSA for organizing all the festivities as well as the volunteers who gave up time before the event and during to make the evening a success. It was wonderful to see everyone come together to support Atholton High School and have so much fun doing so! I don't know what the grand totals were for fundraising, but whatever the amount, the support is greatly appreciated, and it's important to remember that FUN-raising is just as important as FUND-raising. Bringing folks out from our different parent groups as well as the various activities that our students participate in reinforces the value of the RUN AS ONE mentality. I hope that feeling carries over beyond the Raider Roast. You don't have to have a kid in Band to come to the concert. You don't have to have a kid on the Lacrosse team to come out to the game. School spirit, community spirit, and #RaiderPride run high when we all get involved. Thanks for your continued commitment to Raider Nation!

Sincerely,

Nick Novak

Principal

Important Information-New

ZUM Bus Cards

Atholton High School will be part of ZUM Transportation's Bus Card Pilot Program. This week, students who ride ZUM buses will receive their individually assigned ID card during their English class. Beginning May 3, 2024 students will use their bus cards to get on and off of the ZUM bus.

Below is a link to HCPSS Transportation's Student RFID Bus Card Pilot program. Additional information for your review such as program details, how to use your card, resources and contact information can also be found here.

Student RFID Bus Card Pilot Program

How to download and use the ZUM app?

HCPSS Office of Student Transportation 410-312-6732

ZUM App Support 855-743-3986; support@ridezum.com

HCPSS Transportation Planning Manager, Paul Bertulis; paul_bertulis@hcpss.org

The Yearbook Needs Your Photos

The AHS Yearbook is in desperate need of photos for the following sports:

1. Boys Varsity Lacrosse
2. Girls Varsity Lacrosse
3. Boys JV Lacrosse
4. Girls JV Lacrosse

Please add details when you upload your photos so we know if they are of JV or Varsity. Click on the link below to upload your photos. Thanks.

https://images.jostens.com/0DKUk5p3lrsf2pAKw_6k7NQLinks to an external site.

Important Information-Reposting

Above and Beyond Awards

As you are thinking of "Staff Appreciation” in the coming weeks (see below for the thank you note link), it is also a good time to think of staff you’d like to nominate for the "Above and Beyond Awards”. See the information below:

Nominate Faculty & Staff Members for Above and Beyond Awards: Parents & Students, every year the PTSA recognizes faculty & staff members who have made a real difference to support students and have gone “Above and Beyond” the normal call of duty this school year. Nominees are recognized in three categories: Academic, Extracurricular, and Student Services/Support (e.g., office staff, Student Services, custodians). You can nominate one staff member in each category.

To submit your nomination(s): Send an e-mail to Michelle Maslan (amaslan@comcast.net) indicating:

-Name of the staff member you are nominating

-The category for the nomination (Academic, Extracurricular or Student Services/Support), and

-A few sentences explaining/supporting your nomination

Nominations will be accepted through Friday, May 10, 2024 and the winners will be announced at the final staff meeting on June 3, 2024.

Theater Company Auditions

Did you take a Theatre class in middle school? Do you want to skip Theatre Arts 1 and go straight to Theatre Company? Attend AHS Drama's Open Auditions Tuesday, April 30th in room B120 from 2:45-3:45. No preparation needed! Join us!

Food Pantry-Save the Date

The next food distribution will be May 15th at 2:45pm in front of the school.

Graduation Updates

If you haven't seen the info on the website, we're steering folks to this document to get the most updated graduation information as we approach May 28th.

The senior calendar of events was also shared recently and we have subsequently been required to change the date of the crab feast from May 13th to May 6th. More info will be shared soon with seniors on how to buy tickets for this event.

Mimi's Outreach Initiative

Hello Atholton! Join the Mimi's Outreach Initiative with a community service project helping a charity called MACONA support communities across Africa with educational, medical, and essential resources. Help make a difference by donating books and toys (April 14-26), clothes and essentials like sanitary products (April 29-May 10), and food and money (May 13-24). Donation boxes will be available around the building for two weeks during each time frame. Your contributions are important to uplifting those in need. Together let's bring hope and opportunity to those in need.

Remember from April 14-26, please donate books and toys. Thank you for your support!

Staff Appreciation

Staff Appreciation Week is May 6th-May 10th and we need your help! One of the best "gifts" staff can receive is hearing the gratitude you have for the support they have provided you/your child this year and/or during their high school career. Take some time over the next few weeks to share these words of appreciation here:

Staff Appreciation Form 2024

It can be a teacher, counselor, coach, paraeducator, secretary,...whoever has done something worthy of your thank you message. Maybe they wrote your/your child's letter of recommendation for college? Maybe they stayed after school every week to help you/your child prepare for quizzes or tests? Maybe they believed in you/your child even when they didn't and this staff member helped you be successful?

Thanks for taking the time to make their day!

Bullying vs Peer Conflict

As we gear up to finish the school year strong, it's important to address student interactions that can affect both individual students and/or our school community. Peer conflict is something that most students will experience at some point in their school career. However, it is essential to understand the difference between conflict and bullying, should bullying occur. By understanding the differences, we can better navigate challenging situations and foster a positive school environment where everyone can thrive. We look forward to continuing to work together to end the school year on a strong and positive note. Thank you for your continued support and partnership!

More information can be found on the HCPSS Stop Bullying website. If you have any questions regarding this policy or its implementation, please contact a school administrator. Here is the online link to report an Instance of Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation and a link to the Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form to fill out and return to your student's school administrator. More information on HCPSS Policy9460 can be found at Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, and Intimidation Involving Students - HCPSS.

HCPSS Hispanic Achievement Program Graduation Sarapes

The HCPSS Hispanic Achievement Program is currently selling sarapes (stoles) to Hispanic and Latino graduating seniors. For these students, wearing the sarape on top of their graduation gown represents their accomplishments, celebration with their families, connection with their cultural roots, and the Hispanic community at large. All students who would like to participate in recognizing their heritage can purchase a sarape through April 26. Purchases can be made by visiting https://osp.osmsinc.com/p/DA601-1 and then selecting the tab “Hispanic Achievement” to initiate the order.