Dear Atholton families,

This week is midterms week!

As students begin their midterms, I offer one very important piece of advice: Do not skimp on the sleep! Students might be tempted to pull an all-nighter, but a good night’s sleep is key to their success. Help them have a healthy sleep routine so that they may reap the benefits of a fresh mind on exam day. The exam schedule is at the bottom of this newsletter. Tomorrow (Tuesday, 1/17/20) is a FULL school day. Students will have their FIRST PERIOD exam. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are early dismissal days with two exams each day.

This afternoon, I had the opportunity to attend the The Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission (MLK) Celebration at Howard Community College. The HoCo MLK Commission was established by order of the Howard County Executive to encourage and coordinate appropriate ceremonies and activities honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. I am so thrilled to report that Atholton High School was recognized as the WINNERS of the commission’s food drive! Thank you to everyone in our community who contributed to our school-wide food drive. The recognition by Dr. Calvin Ball for the hard work of our community was a fitting recognition for everything our community has accomplished. In addition, Atholton’s own James Obasiolu won 1st Place in the MLK High School Oratory Contest. He was recognized at the event as well. It was truly an Atholton PROUD moment for our school. Once again, congratulations to you– the Atholton community, the Principal’s Advisory Committee (led by Georgia Martin’s School Service Committee), and to James! Finally, the in-school winner(s) of our food drive contest were announced. Believe it or not, we had a TIE! Congratulations to Mr. Harriman and Ms. Rhee’s third-period classes. They won the drive with each class having donated 172 individual items!

Tomorrow marks the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Schools and offices close on this day, but people must remember that MLK Day is about more than having another day off. The day has come to be recognized as a day of service nationwide, so take these 24 hours to do something that honors King’s values and his revolutionary place in American history. It is a day of service, after all — but make sure that giving back to the community doesn’t begin and end with January 18th. It is no secret that volunteer opportunities during the pandemic can be difficult. Therefore, start by searching for volunteer opportunities on MLK Day of Service near you at www.MLKDay.gov.

The PTSA Coffee and Tea with Mr. Motley has been RESCHEDULED for February 7th at 7pm in the AHS Media Center. Please see the information below and sign-up!!

Lastly, I leave Tuesday for Guatemala for the Lifetouch Memory Mission to build a school in a remote village. I promise to share my experience upon my return. I will be there for ten days so there will not be a newsletter next week. Ms. Fairley, assistant principal, will be the contact person should you have any immediate questions or concerns. I look forward to seeing you all upon my return!

Wishing everyone a fantastic week!

Warmest regards,

Robert A. Motley

Principal