Raider Nation Newsletter

Week of September 28, 2020

Small Group In-Person Instruction

Dear Atholton Families,

As we continue to navigate and adjust to our virtual environment, in the coming weeks, HCPSS will begin providing face-to-face support to small groups of students. Identified students and staff have been invited to complete an interest survey. If you did not receive a survey, it is because your child has not yet been identified for in-person support.

All students who receive special education services will receive an email with directions to complete a survey. If your child receives special education services, and you have not received an email by Friday, September 25, then please reach out to Ann Scholz (ann_scholz@hcpss.org) from the Office of Special Education Compliance, Non-Public Services, and Family Support. More information about the HCPSS In-Person Support initiative can be found here: https://www.hcpss.org/2020-2021/small-groups/ .

The One Book One Atholton community had its first meeting this past week. It was a great turnout where the discussion began surrounding the “R” word -- RACE. Below is more information. I hope you can join us on October 29th for our next meeting.

What book will we be reading this year?

This year’s book is Stamped: Anti-Racism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi.
Stamped is a “remix” of Kendi’s National Book Award-winning novel Stamped From the Beginning geared towards a youth audience.

How can I join?

To join the One Book One Atholton Student Community, please complete this Google Form.
Start reading now! You can start now by purchasing Stamped online at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, or through IndieBound.org from your local independent bookstore such as Loyalty Bookstore.

Want to know more about the book?

WATCH CBS This Morning’s 7min interview with both authors explaining the mission of the book.
WATCH a short 53 second clip of Reynold’s talking about the book.

I have some exciting news to share with you! Atholton High School is thrilled to announce that SEVEN of its students have been recognized as National Merit Semifinalists.

Each year, over 1.5 million juniors enter into the National Merit Scholarship program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT. To qualify as a semifinalist, these seven, now seniors, represent less than 1% of ALL U.S. high school seniors! Furthermore, our seven students are among the highest-scoring in the state of Maryland!

Please join me in congratulating:

Nikki Farnham
Peter Frazier
Lucas Howarth
Richard Hu
Stone Li
Alexander Nguyen
Jaikrishna Raghavan

We are so very proud of their achievement and wish them all the best as they strive to become National Merit Finalists!

As you are aware, schools and offices are closed on tomorrow, September 28, 2020. On Tuesday, September 29th, teachers should will the assignments for the week with a due date of October 5th.

Lastly, for those in our community celebrating Yom Kippur -- G’mar chatima tova.

Wishing you all a fantastic week!

Warmest Regards,

Robert A. Motley

Principal

Middle School Memory Books

MHMS Memory Books: The 2019-2020 MHMS Memory Books have finally been delivered!!!! MHMS will distribute yearbooks on Thursday, October 1st from 1:30-3:00 p.m. and on Friday, October 2nd from 10:00-12:00. When you arrive at MHMS, please call the main office (410-880-5897), and a staff member will bring your Memory Book to your vehicle. If you did not order a Memory Book, but would like one, we have additional copies for sale. Hard copies will be sold for $25.00 and soft covers will be sold for $20.00. Only cash or checks made payable to MHMS will be accepted.

LKMS' 2019/20 yearbooks have arrived and are available for pickup at LKMS. Parents must call our school prior to picking up the yearbook so that a safe pick-up may be orchestrated.

AHS MEDIA CENTER -- Contactless Book Pick Up / Drop Off

Students will place requests for materials using this form, called I NEED A LIBRARIAN/MEDIA SPECIALIST.
Students will receive an email message to their preferred email address when their holds are ready for pick up on WEDNESDAYS.
Books will be placed on the cart outside the front entrance for student pick up. They will be wrapped in brown paper sleeves with the name of the recipient identified on the spine.
All returned books will sit in quarantine for seven days before circulating back out to households. The latest guidance can be found here (Links to an external site.).
Books can be returned ANY DAY to a cart provided outside. PICKUPS will only be outside on WEDNESDAYS.

Athletics Seasons for 2021

SEASON 1 - Winter Sport Season

February 1 - February 21, 2021 - Sport Season Practice and Reconditioning

February 22 - March 27, 2021 - Sport Competition Season

SEASON 2 - Fall Sport Season

March 15 - April 4, 2021 - Sport Season Practice and Reconditioning

April 5 - May 8, 2021 - Sport Competition Season

SEASON 3 - Spring Sport Season

April 26 - May 16, 2021 - Sport Season Practice and Reconditioning

May 17 - June 19, 2021 - Sport Competition Season

HCPSS 2020 Seasonal Flu Vaccine Clinics

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, obtaining a vaccine for seasonal influenza (flu) is even more important this year than ever. HCPSS Health Services is continuing its partnership with the Howard County Health Department (HCHD) and the Maryland Partnership for Prevention (MPP) to offer several regional seasonal flu vaccine clinics for HCPSS students and staff during the month of October. The clinic dates are October 7-14. The clinics will be held at 24 school sites, outdoors, from 4:00-6:00 pm, and ANY HCPSS student or staff may attend any clinic they wish; pre-registration with appointments will be required.

The dates and sites are as follows:

Wednesday, October 7 – AHS, CHS, DLES, SFES

Thursday, October 8 – GHS, WLHS, JHES, ARL

Friday, October 9 – MRHS, HOHS, LWES, HMS

Monday, October 12 – RHS, MHHS, BWES, CRES

Tuesday, October 13 – OMHS, HCMS, LES, DRES

Wednesday, October 14 – RHHS, LRHS, GCES, LES