Phillip Cohen | Last names A-C | Phillip_Cohen@hcpss.org

Dana Meledick | Instructional Team Leader | Last names D-H | Dana_Meledick@hcpss.org

Erin O'Connor Rudman | Last names Me-Sb | Erin_Oconnor_Rudman@hcpss.org

Melissa Cheadle | Last names Ho-Md | Melissa_Cheadle@hcpss.org

Kelly Warner | Last names Sc-Z | Kelly_Warner@hcpss.org

John Henderson | College and Career Readiness Counselor (CCR) | John_Henderson@hcpss.org

Kevin Lee | PPW | Kevin_Lee@hcpss.org

Amanda Ganoe I School Social Worker I Amanda_Ganoe@hcpss.org

Katrina Montgomery | Data Clerk | Katrina_Montgomery@hcpss.org

Jennifer Nelson | Registrar | Jennifer_Nelson@hcpss.org

Mike O'Shaughnessy | School Psychologist | Moshaughnessy@hcpss.org

Allison Sultan | Registrar | Allison_Sultan@hcpss.org

Anne Handy | Student Services Secretary | AHandy@hcpss.org

Mark Sturdivant I Black Student Achievement Program Liaison I Mark_Sturdivant@hcpss.org

Jessie Moore I Alternative Education I Jessie Moore@hcpss.org

Justin Riggin I Alternative Education I Justin_Riggin@hcpss.org

• For students that have last minute questions before submitting their applications, remember to visit the senior folder for FAQ. The FAQ provides specific information about your school AND general information about the application process. Congratulations and good luck to all our seniors applying to college.
• FAFSA 2024-2025 Changes: Visit studentaid.gov for the most up to date information. Check out this article for the most significant changes to the FAFSA. Additionally, there are several webinars and upcoming information sessions linked here. We highly recommend attending multiple sessions to gain a greater understanding of the process.
• Mid-Year Reports: All Howard County Public Schools will send mid-year reports to all colleges for which students have requested a transcript. This will be done in February and will include 1st Quarter, 2nd Quarter, and mid-term exam grades.

We enjoyed visiting you in December through your English class. We reviewed the many resources and the technology that is used at Atholton such as Naviance, Canvas, and Synergy.

Upcoming lessons will include information on the World of Work requirement for graduation and Post-Secondary Planning.

We enjoyed visiting you in December through your English class. We reviewed the many resources and the technology that is used at Atholton such as Naviance, Canvas, and Synergy.

We will be visiting the classrooms soon. We look forward to meeting with you!

Teachers will be reviewing materials and communicating the format of the assessments with students.

HIGH SCHOOL SEMESTER EXAM SCHEDULE

JANUARY 2024

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 (A Day)

• Period 1 Exam; Bell Schedule #1

• Full day of school

• No extracurricular activities, including practices, rehearsals, events, etc.

• AM & PM ARL Classes in Session

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 (B Day)

• Periods 2 & 3 Exams; Bell Schedule #2

• All schools close 3 hours early

• No extracurricular activities, other than 90 minute conditioning practices which may begin at 3:05 PM

• No PM ARL Students

Thursday, January 18, 2024 (A Day)

• Periods 4A & 5 Exams; Bell Schedule #2

• High schools close 3 hours early

• No extracurricular activities, other than 90 minute conditioning practices which may begin at 3:05 PM

• No AM/PM ARL Students

Friday, January 19, 2024 (B Day)

• Periods 4B & 6 Exams; Bell Schedule #2

• High schools close 3 hours early

• All extracurricular activities resume at 3:05 PM

• No AM ARL Students

January 2 Student and Family CCR Weekly

-Follow us on Instagram: HCPSS_CCR

-Subscribe to our Google calendar for all postsecondary events

-Visit our scholarship document

-Visit our enrichment program document

-Attend our March2Future Sessions

FAFSA for the 2024-2025 school year is now open. HCPSS FAFSA document provides information and resources. There are also a few upcoming FAFSA webinars listed in our upcoming opportunities below.

Course registration for the 2024-2025 school year is quickly approaching. Families should take time to learn about all the opportunities available to students and also discuss possible postsecondary requirements prior to selecting classes.. Check out our 24-25 Course Registration Google Site for information on graduation requirements, course options, creating a 4-year plan, special programs, and more.

March2Future January 10 at 7pm: HCPSS has an abundance of opportunities for students, including the dual-enrollment program, JumpStart, with Howard Community College (HCC). JumpStart provides students the opportunity to take classes either at their home high school or on the HCC campus for college credit. In this session, students will learn about the JumpStart program, changes that are beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, the application process, transcript implications and how this experience can connect to students' high school plans. Register here.

Information Class of 2025:

Apprenticeship Maryland Program: Our apprenticeship program continues to grow in type and number of opportunities. Any students in 11th grade that are interested in learning more about apprenticeship opportunities during their senior year are encouraged to attend our information session at ARL on January 9th at 6:30pm.

Additionally, HCPSS is offering field trips for interested students to Lorien, Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) and Legends Barber and to learn about the opportunities. Dates of field trips are:

February 2, 2024 Lorien Health Facilities

February 23, 2024 Independent Electrical Contractors

February 29, 2024 Legends Barber

See your counselor or CRA for more information if you are interested in attending the field trips or applying for a youth apprenticeship.

Upcoming Events:

Visit the postsecondary Google calendar for more information and links to register.

January 9 6:30pm IN PERSON! HCPSS Apprenticeship Info Session at ARL

January 9 5pm uAspire Financial Aid Walkthrough

January 10 7pm March2Future Dual Enrollment Process and Impact on Registration

If you are experiencing barriers to accessing school supplies, please come down to Student Services.

If your family is planning to move it is important that you update your address with the Student Services Office. Please contact Ms. Sultan, Registrar, for more information about what is needed to keep your file accurate.

Atholton's Beyond School Hours (BSH) After-School Academic Support Program

There are support sessions available for the four main content areas in the media center from 3:00-5:00 PM.

· Students with IEPS: Homework club every Tuesday and Thursday

· Math Support: Every Tuesday and Thursday

· English, social studies and science are only on Thursday.

For more information, please contact Imani Hinson (Imani_Hinson@hcpss.org) or Emily DeFilippo (Emily_DeFilippo@hcpss.org)

Online Homework Assistance – Howard County Library

http://hclibrary.org/new-a-main/get-homework-help/

In addition to receiving guidance from HCLS staff, students (K-12) and college-age adults can connect with free tutors for assistance with math, reading, science, social studies, English/language arts, and writing. Both English and Spanish speaking tutors are available seven days a week from 2 pm until 11:55 pm.

HCEA Tutor List

As service to the community, the Howard County Education Association maintains a list of educators willing to tutor. If you are interested in hiring an HCPSS teacher to provide tutoring, please pick up a list of these tutors from the AHS Student Services office.

1. Create a Schedule: Set aside specific times for studying and completing homework. Consistency is key. Designate a quiet, well-lit study space that's free from distractions.

2. Prioritize Tasks: Break down assignments into smaller, manageable tasks. Prioritize based on deadlines and importance. Tackle the most challenging tasks when you're most alert.

3. Use a Planner or Organizer: Write down assignments, deadlines, tests, and extracurricular activities in a planner or digital organizer. This helps you stay organized and ensures you don't miss anything.

4. Set Goals: Establish both short-term and long-term goals. It could be finishing a chapter by a certain date or achieving a certain grade. Goals keep you motivated and focused.

5. Take Breaks: Don't forget to take breaks during study sessions. The Pomodoro Technique (studying for 25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break) can be helpful for maintaining focus.

6. Active Learning: Instead of passively reading or listening, engage actively with the material. Take notes, summarize concepts in your own words, teach the material to someone else, or create flashcards.

7. Avoid Procrastination: Start tasks early to avoid last-minute stress. Break larger projects into smaller chunks and work on them gradually.

8. Seek Help When Needed: Don't hesitate to ask for help from teachers, classmates, or tutors if you're struggling with a subject. Understanding the material early on can prevent bigger issues later.

9. Stay Organized: Keep your study area tidy. Organize notes, textbooks, and materials so you can easily access them when needed.

10. Healthy Lifestyle: Get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly. A healthy lifestyle can significantly impact your ability to focus and retain information.

11. Review and Revise: Review your notes regularly, even if you think you understand the material. Repetition helps reinforce learning.

12. Limit Distractions: Minimize distractions like social media, TV, or your phone when studying. Consider using apps or tools that block distracting websites during study sessions.

Remember, everyone's study habits may vary, so find what works best for you through trial and error. Developing good habits takes time, so be patient with yourself and stay committed to your goals.