The Raider Nation Newsletter

Dear Atholton Community,

We will begin our scheduling process for the 2025-2026 school year next month (yes, I know we just finished the first marking period last week) and I wanted to take a moment to advertise some course offerings/a program of study that folks often feel like they don't know much about--the ARL.

The ARL is the Applications Research Laboratory, a building on Route 108 next to the Board of Education building, where students can take classes over two years in one of the thirteen career academies. Because this is a centralized program that provides access to students from all thirteen high schools, the experience that the ARL provides students is unlike anything they can get at their home school and there is typically a waiting list for the most popular programs at the ARL.

Students take courses in their Junior and Senior Year in one of these thirteen academies:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Agricultural Science
• Animation and Interactive Media
• Architectural Design
• Automotive Technology
• Biotechnology
• Civil Engineering
• Construction
• Cybersecurity Networking
• Finance
• Graphic Design
• Health Professions
• HVAC

If these career options sound appealing to you and/or your child, you should check out one of their upcoming information nights: November 12th or December 11th--both from 6:15-7:30pm.

Check it out here and stay tuned for more info about course options here at Atholton HS!

Sincerely,

Nick Novak

Principal

TRYOUTS: Participants are expected to be at ALL tryouts beginning November 15th. Practices will begin immediately after teams are selected. Participants MUST have all forms filled out completely prior to tryouts. The last day to submit paperwork will be on November 12th

SCHEDULE: Click here for the tryout schedule.

WINTER ATHLETIC FORMS: The HCPSS Office of Information Technology has developed a portal through HCPSS Connect Parent Access to submit your Winter Athletics Forms. Parents/guardians can now fill out required forms, upload physicals, proof of residency documents, and complete the eligibility process just by following this link: HCPSS Connect.. Click here for step-by-step directions on how to submit forms online. Forms can be uploaded to the HCPSS Connect parent portal at this time

• Parent Permission: include insurance company and #

• Physicals: dated within 1 year

• Residency: (BGE, tax bill, water bill, lease) must be dated within 45 days of tryout date

• Concussion Awareness & Testing: signs and symptoms, sign both documents

• Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA): signs and symptoms

• COVID-19: New release form that needs to be signed by parent and players

IF YOU TRIED OUT OR PLAYED A FALL SPORT: If you tried out or played on a sports team in the fall, all you will need is a new parent permission form, indicating the sport and an updated residency bill. All other forms will carry over.

PHYSICALS: Wellness visits are NOT considered physicals. Physicals can be taken at the doctors’ office, CVS, Target, or Patient First. Please bring HCPSS paperwork with you. The athletic boosters have partnered with a local Urgent Care FACILITY to provide affordable physicals. You can use this link to register for a discounted physical. Physicals must be taken within 1 year, and must have a doctors’ signature and stamp.

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY: All students must meet academic eligibility according to 1st quarter grades. Must have a 2.0 and no more than 1 "E"

For more information, please contact the Athletics and Activities Manager, Mr. Senisi at Michael_Senisi@hcpss.org

As we begin our first full week of the 2nd marking period, here are a few reminders from the attendance office to help you navigate absences and tardies. You can consult the HCPSS Attendance Policy for more info:

• The school must receive notification from the parent or physician explaining the absence/tardiness of a student within five (5) school days of the student’s return or the absence/tardiness will be unlawful/unexcused.
  
• Absences for Discretionary Days: A written request for such absences to be lawful/excused should be submitted at least one week in advance to the principal. Such absences may not occur during exam or state-mandated testing periods unless authorized by the principal/designee. For absences of up to three (3) days per year, the principal will determine whether the absences will be lawful/excused or unlawful/unexcused. For absences in excess of three (3) days under this provision, the principal in consultation with the Community Superintendent or designee will determine if the absences will be lawful/excused or unlawful/unexcused.
• Teachers may assist students with make-up work when a student has an unlawful absence, however, students will not receive credit for such assignments.
• Students presently enrolled in public schools are considered lawfully absent from school, including absence for any portion of the day, and may receive make-up work under the following conditions: Bereavement, Illness of the student, Health-related exclusion, Pregnancy and parenting needs, Court summons , Hazardous weather conditions, Observance of a religious holiday, State emergency, Suspension, or Lack of authorized transportation.

Atholton teachers will hold parent teacher conferences Monday, Nov. 25-Wednesday, Nov. 27. Parents may register for conferences via HCPSS Connect Synergy from Friday, Nov. 8 at 8 a.m. through Thursday, Nov. 21 at 4 p.m.

There will be four performances of the Fall play on November 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. Get your tickets now by purchasing on Booktix. Thanks for supporting Atholton Theatre!

The Columbia Association, Downtown Columbia Partnership, Merriweather District and Grassroots are offering several upcoming community activities in November/December in which they are seeking volunteers to support the event. Events include the ColorBurst Park Tree Lighting Ceremony, Family Festive Friday, Holiday Mart Days, and Grassroots Breakfast with Santa.

These events are great opportunities for students to engage in our community, meet students from other schools, gain leadership experience, and have fun! All events provide documentation of volunteer hours served.

Senior Families! We don't have a graduation date yet or a window of time, but we know that graduation will be happening for the class of 2025 this Spring. We do know though that it is time to begin ordering your graduation regalia from our official provider--Josten's! Information regarding packages, pricing, and ordering can be found in the link below.

Josten's Atholton HS Graduation Ordering Link

Demand for the Atholton HS food pantry is growing and we need to make sure our inventory can keep up with the demand. Please consider purchasing items from our wish list below to help out. The food gets delivered directly to AHS, so you don't have to drop it off yourself. Here's the link to purchase through Amazon:

Food Pantry Wish List

The HCPSS Food and Nutrition Service is holding their 1st Regional Food Taste Test Event at the Guilford Park High School cafeteria on November 14 from 6:00-7:00 pm The food taste test is an exciting opportunity for parents and students to try new and currently prepared foods and share their opinions. This event is an authentic method to engage our school community to support and celebrate the value of being willing to try healthy school meals. In addition to tasting samples of food, the event will also be an opportunity to provide participants with relevant information and literature about school food service. Participants are asked to register for the event by November 7 at https://forms.gle/Fypx58DtXWf5vhA7A since capacity is limited to a maximum of 450 persons. Please contact Brian Ralph, Director of Food and Nutrition Service if you have additional questions.

The flyer below includes important details about a free food giveaway happening the week of Thanksgiving. Please take advantage of this opportunity if you need it or pass it in to someone who does. Thanks.

11/11 PBSA Social at Harriet Tubman Center-6pm

11/12 Athletics & Activities Boosters Meeting

11/13 Evacuation Drill-5th Period

11/13 Fall Sports Award Ceremony

11/14 NHS Induction Ceremony

11/15 Honor Roll Ice Cream for MP 1

11/15 Winter Sports Tryouts Begin

11/15 Playoff Football vs MRHS

Atholton PTSA

Atholton PBSA

Atholton Boosters

Atholton Drama Boosters

Atholton JROTC Boosters

Atholton Music Boosters

Atholton Robotics Boosters