The Raider Nation Newsletter

Dear Atholton Families,

Let me first begin by saying what a great Homecoming weekend we had (or should I say weekends). With the dance and game rescheduled due to weather cancellations, I regrettably was unable to attend either event due to a previously scheduled trip to Minnesota (which is why we had rescheduled Homecoming in the first place), but I was checking in on social media and getting updates from my team about how it was going. Many thanks to our SGA sponsors, staff and parent chaperones, and PTSA for making the dance a huge success. Kudos as well to our football team for thir big win, the marching band for their first official halftime show, JROTC color guard for the pre-game presentation, and cheerleading & poms for the spirited performances during the game and halftime. We appreciate all of the efforts by our students, staff, and families to make all the Homecoming events a special celebration for everyone!

With Homecoming behind us, there's a realization that sometimes happens when students and parents begin to focus a little more on grades. Ever since HCPSS stopped distributing interim reports, I find it's easier, especially with an early Homecoming, to lose track of how our students are doing academically. We're a little over halfway through the first marking period, so if you haven't checked your student(s) are doing, it might be a good idea to jump on Canvas/Synergy and take a look. If you have been keeping tabs on little Johnny's history grade all this time, great. If you go on and see something that concerns you, here's some advice on how to respond:

1. Have a conversation with your child about their classes and what they plan to do to improve their grade.
2. Discuss with your child how they can advocate with their teachers about opportunities for assistance, retakes, or other ways to improve their grade. One of the best skills we can teach our students is the ability to self-advocate. It's part of growing up, graduating, and moving on in life.
3. If your student's efforts to self-advocate are met with what you may perceive as "unreasonable resistance," you should definitely reach out to the teacher(s) to seek clarification about grades and ways you can support your child.
4. When there are multiple courses (grades) that concern you, you should work with your child's counselor to schedule a conference with these teachers. You need to understand if there are trends in behaviors across multiple classes and you may need to provide insights about events happening outside of school that could be impacting your child's acadmeic performance.

The marking period ends October 31st. No grade is set in stone at this point, but it will take a change in habits and behaviors to turn things around. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or suggestions regarding this (or any) topic.

Sincerely,

Nick Novak

Principal

October is the start of National Bullying Prevention Month! We wanted to use this opportunity to share with our students, parents, guardians, and families some information and definitions to better help you understand bullying. It is important that you understand what bullying is to ensure you are able to report it when you see it or are told about it. Thank you for helping to ensure our school a safe place for all students!

How do I know if something is bullying?

Conflict between students is inevitable, but it’s not always easy to identify whether the conflict is bullying or mean/rude behavior. Understanding the difference is important so we know how to respond. Here are a few key points to consider when determining if something is bullying:

• Bullying - Repeated, harmful, and involves an unfair power match

• Mean - Hurt is intentional/purposeful, but not part of a larger pattern or a mismatch

• Rude - Accidentally hurting another person’s feelings

All of these behaviors require attention. Addressing mean/rude behavior early can help prevent a student from turning their behavior into a pattern of bullying.

What are some of the different types of bullying?

Bullying can appear in many different forms. Below are a few examples.

• Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things. Verbal bullying includes:

• Teasing

• Name Calling

• Inappropriate sexual comments

• Taunting

• Threatening to cause harm

• Social bullying, sometimes referred to as relational bullying, involves hurting someone's reputation or relationships. Social bullying includes:

• Leaving someone out on purpose

• Telling other children not to be friends with someone

• Spreading rumors about someone

• Embarrassing someone in pubic

• Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. Physical bullying includes:

• Hitting/kicking/pinching

• Spitting

• Tripping/pushing

• Taking or breaking someone’s things

• Making mean or rude hand gestures.

• Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets.

• Most common places cyberbullying occurs are: social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tik Tok, text messages, direct messaging, chat rooms, emails and online gaming communities.

• Includes sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.

• At times can cross the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.

• More information on Cyberbullying can be found on the Stopbullying website.

How do I report bullying?

1. When you believe bullying has taken place, you should report it through the Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimidation (BCHI) reporting form. Reporting can take place in one of three ways:

1. Complete a BCHI online reporting form

2. BCHI paper reporting form (available in the main office, staff workroom, school counseling office, media center, and health services office

3. An oral report to a staff member

2. It is important to note that policy states “in the event the reporting party does not complete a BCHI Reporting Form, school administrators/supervisors will take the appropriate steps to address and document the incident.” Therefore, if you or someone else makes an oral report, it then must be documented (i.e. through a BCHI reporting form) by the administrator.

Did you know that October is National Arts & Humanities Month? On behalf of the Atholton HS- PTSA. I am pleased to announce that the Reflections Art Program will kick off in October. It has been a few years since we have sponsored the program at Atholton, but it's back and I hope you/your student will participate. The Reflections Program is a National PTA program that provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts . Data shows that participation in the arts boosts confidence, provides mental stimulation and sets students up for success inside the classroom and in life. The 2023-2024 theme is: “I am Hopeful Because…”. What a great way for students in all grades to express themselves creatively. Please stay tuned for additional details on the submission categories, criteria, and program deadlines.

Morning arrival and dismissal has remained consistently strong and we hope that this level of service continues. If/when there are issues or concerns to report, you are welcome to share the information with the school. If we are unable to resolve your problem, we ask that you use the following form:

HCPSS Office of Student Transportation Contact Form

HCPSS Office of Student Transportation Contact Form - Spanish

• October 14: Navigating the Howard County Public School System
• December 16: Social Emotional Well-Being and Substance Abuse
• January 27: Processes for Parent Empowerment
• March 9: Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships

• October 5
• October 12
• October 20
• October 26
• November 2
• November 9

Office of Multilingual Family Services
Old Cedar Lane
5451 Beaverkill Road
Columbia, MD 21044

Atholton will be hosting a "Career Fair" during the half-day on November 20. This event will be an opportunity for all students to explore various careers they may be interested in. We are in the process of identifying speakers to talk with our students that day. If you would like to participate by sharing your profession with our AHS students, please complete this form. As we get presenters and as we approach November, more information will be shared with families.

Attention senior families! You can begin ordering your caps and gowns! To do so, go to this website, where you will see the various packages that are offered through Jostens. If you do not want to order a package, please scroll down to cap and gown and purchase the cap and gown unit. All cap and gown units include a tassel to be worn on graduation day. If your graduate will be wearing a siblings cap and gown, please order a tassel and complete this form indicating your intentions. If you have any questions, please contact our graduation coordinator: Krista Bopst, Krista_Bopst@hcpss.org

Free Parenting Classes - As educators, we are well aware of the ever-increasing pressures placed on students. The academic demands, social challenges, and rapidly changing world can be overwhelming. Our Guiding Good Choices parenting classes can equip parents and/or grandparents with the knowledge and skills to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs and alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors. These classes are for families with children 9 - 14 yrs. old and held over Zoom.

Medication and Sharps Disposal Take Back Day - October 28 in the Wilde Lake Village Center Parking Lot from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Safely dispose of prescription medication, over-the-counter meds, sharps, vitamins, pet meds, vape devices, inhalers, and more! Also, 100 medication lockboxes purchased by HCPSS will be given away for FREE!

10/4 Winter Sports Tryouts Info during Raidertime

10/5 & 10/6 Senior Portraits Appointments (for those who scheduled w/Lifetouch)

10/6 ASVAB Opportunity for 11th & 12th Grade Students

10/9 No School for Students

10/11 PSAT for Grade 10 Students

10/18 PSAT for Grade 11 Students

10/20 No School for Students

At the GT Student Learning Conference last year, a presenter shared his independent research on parenting styles and the impact they have on students' development. It was a powerful topic and one that made lots of the adults in the room reflect on their own parenting styles. As parents, we don't receive any training or take any courses to prepare us for what we may experience while raising a child. We just do the best we can and hope we don't screw up our kids too much. I offer for you today a little "homework activity" to watch, reflect, and maybe find a takeaway to support your role as a parent/step-parent/guardian/etc.

Atholton PTSA

Atholton Boosters

Atholton Drama Boosters

Atholton JROTC Boosters

Atholton Music Boosters

Atholton Robotics Boosters