Raider Nation Newsletter

Week of November 7, 2022

Thank You for Your Service!

Dear Atholton Families,

This coming Friday is Veteran’s Day. This is a day where we take time to reflect and respect our brave men and women for what they have done for our nation in times of peace and in times of war. From the Army to the Air Force, the Navy and Marines, and those in other service areas, we have these courageous people who renounce their own safety for the protection of our freedom and let us live in peace. Please be sure to recognize and thank a veteran today!

We are now at the beginning of the second marking period. Parent conferences are approaching in a couple of weeks and will be an excellent opportunity for you to discuss your child’s progress thus far. Just a reminder that tomorrow November 7, at 8 a.m., ten school days before conferences begin, scheduling will open to everyone at all schools. More information may be found below regarding parent conferences.

By now, every parent should have received a notification from their child’s English teacher regarding the new HCPSS policy regarding inclement weather days. Please take some time to familiarize yourself and your student(s) with this new policy. You will find the expectations of students, how work will be graded, and attendance procedures during these days.

A few weeks ago, I sent out information regarding the Maryland State Department of Education attendance policies. As a result, our system automatically generates letters to be sent home to families. We are keenly aware of extenuating circumstances and will work with our families regarding these instances. Please communicate with your child’s counselor and our attendance secretary, Ms. Weinberg.

As the fall sports season comes to an end, I want to remind everyone that students staying after school MUST be under the supervision of an adult. We cannot have students unsupervised in the building. If your child does not walk or ride a bus, please make arrangements to have them picked up at dismissal if they are not under the supervision of an adult. Students are not permitted to “wait at school” for the start of any athletic or performing arts event.

We are a week away from our winter athletics tryouts! Please be sure to review the information below regarding the process. You may reach out to our Activities and Athletics Manager (AAM), Mr. Senisi, at Michael_Senisi@hcpss.org.

It is hard to believe that we are in process of preparing for our senior class activities! First and foremost, I want to let all of my senior parents know that graduation dates are not released until after spring break – that’s mid-April! This is a process that is done centrally between HCPSS and Merriweather. Second, we DO have a prom date and location. The junior/senior prom will take place on May 19, 2023, and will be held at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve in Hanover, MD. We are looking for parents to be a part of the After Prom committee – both junior and senior parents! Please reach out to our PTSA President, Jessica Cade, at sandjcade4@yahoo.com if you are interested in helping. Finally, in January, we will hold our first senior class meeting to discuss graduation, prom, and other important information. More information will be forthcoming.

Lastly, just a reminder that the AP registration deadline is fast approaching -- November 11. Payments for AP exams are due by 11/11/22. Payment can be made online by paying the invoices sent through My School Bucks or by dropping off a check made payable to AHS to Ms. Finkelston in Student Services. If you think you qualify for reduced fees, please contact Kerri Finkelston at Kerri_Finkelston@hcpss.org as soon as possible. Students who receive Free and Reduced Meals (FARMs) qualify for AP exam fee reductions.

All students who have joined the AP Portal for their classes are registered for the exam. An invoice has been automatically generated by MySchoolBucks and sent to parent/guardian email addresses in Synergy. Please fill out this form to opt out of an exam and have the invoice for that exam deleted from MySchoolBucks. Please allow 24-28 hours for MSB to update. Exams that are marked as YES but not paid for will be automatically canceled and changed to NO on 11/11/2022. The unpaid exams will not be ordered, and invoices will be deleted. Students who have not used the join code issued by the teacher for their AP class and therefore have not joined the portal for their class will remain unregistered for the exam.

Remember to get out and VOTE this Tuesday, and that SCHOOL IS CLOSED.

Have a great week!!

Warmest regards,

Robert A. Motley

Principal

Parent Conference Information

On Monday, November 21, conferences will be in-person only. Teachers will hold all conferences in person at Atholton, and parents may only attend their scheduled conferences in person.

All conferences will be held virtually on Tuesday, November 22, and Wednesday, November 23. Parents will only have the option to attend conferences virtually.

Wednesday, November 23, conferences will be held virtually as well. Please note that most teachers elect to conduct evening conferences on Monday and Tuesday in lieu of holding conferences on Wednesday.

Winter Athletics Tryouts Information

TRYOUTS: Participants are expected to be at ALL tryouts beginning November 15th. Practices will begin immediately after teams are selected. Participants MUST have all forms filled out completely prior to tryouts. The last day to submit paperwork will be on November 13th.

SCHEDULE: Click here for the tryout schedule.

WINTER ATHLETIC FORMS: The HCPSS Office of Information Technology has developed a portal through HCPSS Connect Parent Access to submit your Winter Athletics Forms.

Parents/guardians can now fill out required forms, upload physicals and proof of residency documents, and complete the eligibility process just by following this link: HCPSS Connect. Click here for step-by-step directions on how to submit forms online. Forms can be uploaded to the HCPSS Connect parent portal at this time.

• Parent Permission: include insurance company and #

• Physicals: dated after April 1, 2022

• Residency: (BGE, tax bill, water bill, lease) must be dated within 45 days of the tryout date

• Concussion Awareness & Testing: signs and symptoms, sign both documents

• Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA): signs and symptoms

• COVID-19: New release form that needs to be signed by parents and players

FALL TRYOUTS FORMS: If you tried out for a sports team in the fall, all you will need is a new parent permission form indicating sport and an updated residency bill. All other forms will carry over.

PHYSICALS: Wellness visits are NOT considered physicals. Physicals can be taken at the doctor’s office, CVS, Target, or Patient First. Please bring HCPSS paperwork with you. The athletic boosters have partnered with a local Urgent Care to provide affordable physicals. You can use this link to register for a physical. Physicals must be taken after April 1, 2022, and must have a doctor’s signature and stamp.

For more information, please contact the Athletics and Activities Manager, Mr. Senisi, at Michael_Senisi@hcpss.org