Raider Nation Newsletter

Week of September 21, 2020

Settling In...

Dear Atholton Families,

We are settling into our virtual routine as we enter the third week of school. There were several discussions regarding grading and small group in-person student supports at the last Board of Education meeting. You can find information on small groups here and grading policy changes below.

It is our intent to make all of our resources available to students as they continue their virtual learning. Kudos to our outstanding media specialists, Ms. Kelly and Ms. Pilcher, who have set up a way to make our media center available to our students. Below you will find information regarding a contactless book pick up for those who would like to make use of our media center resources.

Hopefully, you received the information regarding the plans for athletics for this school year. Just to recap, The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA), which oversees high school athletics, has finalized its plan for a two-semester return to athletics. As part of the plan, athletic practices and competitions will not resume until the second semester. According to the MPSSAA’s plan, the fall, winter, and spring sports competition and championship seasons will be administered in modified formats. Five weeks of interscholastic athletic competition will be available for each season. Please see the schedule below.

The administrative team met with seniors last Monday to discuss virtual expectations and the first of senior events -- senior pictures. Here is the information:

When: October 6, 7, 8, 9 AND November 9, 10

Time: 2:00 pm - 9:00 pm each day BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Where: Atholton HS Auxiliary Gym

Appointments at: www.prestigeportraits.com

You are able to make appointments at the above website NOW. Postcards are being mailed home with this information but please feel free to make your appointment ASAP. Additionally, if you are having your senior pictures done by a different photographer, please communicate with our yearbook sponsor, Mr. Mackechnie at Christopher_Mackechnie@hcpss.org to ensure we have a yearbook photo for you. Also, the PTSA is sponsoring a virtual workshop on “How to Pay for College” this week. Please see the information below.

Lastly, I want to remind you that our parent organizations STILL need your support! Our PTSA and various Booster organizations rely heavily on membership and fundraising. These organizations support all the activities of the students and families of our Atholton community and need your help in fulfilling this goal. Therefore, if you haven’t joined PTSA or a Booster group (see below on this newsletter), please do so. You can never have enough Raider spirit wear and each group would love to be able to sell you some Raider swag. Please check out the various websites below and support them!

Wishing you all a fantastic week!

Warmest Regards,

Robert A. Motley

Principal

College Scholarship Strategies

How to pay for college without breaking your bank! Shari Chase will host two virtual workshops on college scholarship strategies on Tuesday, September 22nd at 6:30 pm and Thursday, September 24th at 6:30 pm. Please clickon this link http://atholtonptsa.org/shari-chase-seminars/ to register and pay for the seminar or the DVD. Attendees will be sent a Zoom link to attend the workshops. Please click on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGlJrlvDyhI&feature=youtu.be for Shari’s YouTube video for details on what she will cover in her seminars.

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

Grading Policy Changes

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09 10 2020 COVID 19 Grading and Reporting Implications SY 20-21 Policies 8010 and 8020 ppt.pdf

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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