Raider Nation Newsletter

Week of December 20, 2021

Winter Break Begins This Week

Dear Atholton Families,

We have arrived at the final three days of school in 2021. As we reach the close of this calendar year, Atholton, as a large part of the country, has experienced a significant increase in positive COVID-19 cases. We must continue to follow our protocols to ensure we are all safe and that learning continues to take place. I have received several inquiries regarding sending students to school this week. As always, families are given three discretionary days to use as they see fit.

On Thursday, December 16, the Board of Education made adjustments to midterms and finals for this school year. The Board voted to suspend midterms for the 2021-2022 school year. Additionally, the Board voted to make the final exam worth 10% of the course final grade. Previously, midterms and finals were each worth 5% of final course grades.

The Board also eliminated finals from semester-long courses that occur in either semester of the 2021-2022 school year.

For a 1.0 credit high school course, the final grade components will be:

Q1 – 22.5%
Q2 – 22.5%
Q3 – 22.5%
Q4 – 22.5%
Final exam – 10%

For a 0.5 credit high school course, the final grade components will be:

Q1 or Q3 – 50%
Q2 or Q4 – 50%

Additionally, there were decisions made regarding the resumption of activities (see below). If you have any questions regarding these directives, please contact our Athletics and Activities Manager, Mr. Michael Senisi at Michael_Senisi@hcpss.org.

Immediate Resumption of Activities

The following activities and events may resume immediately. Masks must be worn during all indoor activities.

Athletics team practices may occur entirely outside.
Theater, music, and dance rehearsals
Clubs and other extracurricular activities not considered athletics and don’t require travel
Tutoring and academic interventions
Certain field trips communicated by each school
Outdoor events in the community
After school community use of facilities

Activities Resuming on January 3, 2022

The following activities may resume on January 3, 2021. Masks must be worn during all indoor activities except when student-athletes are actively participating in practices and competitions indoors or outdoors.

Indoor athletics practices
Dance performances
Music concerts and performances
Travel for extracurricular activities

Congratulations to our PTSA Reflections winners. The AHS PTSA Reflections committee has forwarded three entries on to the County level of competition for the 2021-2022 theme " I will change the world by..." contest. The winners for the AHS competition are listed below. Each has received a certificate of achievement.

Film Production- Mason Coleman 10th grade
Music Composition- Stephen Sullivan III 12th grade
Visual Arts- Jayson Clarke 9th grade

Lastly, with winter break and the accompanying holiday season and new year on the very near horizon, I am eager for this collective time of reflection and renewal. This newsletter will resume in the new year. As always, I wish you peace, understanding and contentment in 2022. May we each have opportunities to continue to learn and work in productive and satisfying ways, and to give and receive in equal measure.

Have a restful winter break and see you next year!

Warmest regards,

Robert A. Motley

Principal

School Counselor Assignments

Ms. Wade -- 9th Grade ONLY (Kim_Wade@hcpss.org)

Mr. Cohen -- Last Name A - E / Grades 10 - 12 (Phillip_Cohen@hcpss.org)

Ms. Meledick -- Last Name F - Kj / Grades 10 - 12 (Dana_Meledick@hcpss.org)

Ms. Clearfield -- Last Name Kk - P / Grades 10 - 12 (Lisa_Clearfield@hcpss.org)

Ms. Wright -- Last Name Q - Z / Grades 10 - 12 (Keturah_Wright@hcpss.org)

Leadership U 2022

Is your student looking to build their confidence, strengthen their leadership and problem solving skills, and learn how to network? Does your student want to make a difference in our Howard County community? Consider joining the Leadership U Class of 2022! Leadership U is an exciting, experiential leadership, teambuilding, and community service opportunity for current high school sophomores. This unique four-month program involves a week-long summer program of hands-on activities, as well as involvement in a team community service project. This program is for students with leadership potential, a desire to learn with others, and for those with an interest in the community. Come to learn more and speak to some of our grads at one of our information sessions being conducted from 7-8pm on the following evenings: January 26 (virtual via Zoom), February 10 (HCLS-Miller Branch), March 1 (HCLS-Miller Branch). Both parents and students are highly encouraged to attend. Students must register on our website to attend. Additional information is available at http://www.leadershiphc.org/leadership-u-2/ or email Sasha Butler sbutler@leadershiphc.org. Applications are due March 10, 2022.