Raider Nation News
Week of January 28, 2019
New Semester
Dear Atholton Families,
The end of midterm exams marks the end of the second marking period. As a result, Monday will be a three hour early dismissal to allow teachers to close out grades and prepare for the start of the third marking period on Tuesday. Report cards will be issued next week (February 6). Next week also is the opening of registration for Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Please see below.
As we have officially reached the half-way point of our school year, I ask that you pay particular attention to the information in this newsletter regarding selected populations. There will be more information this latter part of the year relating to seniors, AP students, students taking state-mandated tests, ARL students, and other groups as well. The newsletter links may be found on our school website.
Finally, I spent a lot of time with our students this weekend. First, I had the honor to spend a part of this past Saturday with Atholton’s Robotics Team (Space RAIDers) as they prepared for the FIRST competition. While we can all agree that the level of engineering and computer programming these students perform is remarkable, what was more impressive was the strategy and project management aspects that are just as integral to the team’s success. Our students are engaged in real-world problem-solving that will undoubtedly give them a leg up on other students as they transition beyond high school. If your child has even the smallest interest in engineering and/or computer science, I encourage you to have them take a look at this club. Thank you to the entire Robotics Team for taking time explain your work to me. I cannot wait for your competition in March. Best of luck!
This morning, I had the honor to attend the MLK Memorial Breakfast sponsored by the Alpha Foundation of Howard County and the Kappa Phi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. With me were young men from Atholton High School who are members of our Alpha Achievers Program. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen delivered remarks along with County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball. The keynote speaker was Dr. David Thomas, President of Morehouse College. In a room full of young men from all twelve HCPSS high schools, their families and community members, the message of not only service but service with sacrifice was the emphasized.
Wishing everyone a fantastic week!
Warmly,
Robert A. Motley
Principal
Important Information
Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA)
The pilot Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) will be administered to identified Juniors this week on January 29 and 30, 2019. For those juniors who did not take the Bio HSA as a freshman, taking the MISA Pilot is the science test requirement for the current Junior class. In 2019/20, passing the MISA will be a junior level test requirement (for the current Sophomore class).
Next week, we will be posting testing groups so students can see if they test in the morning or afternoon. The MISA consists of five sections which will be administered over the period of two days. Students who attend ARL in the morning (and test in the morning) will remain at school. Students testing in the afternoon should eat A lunch and then report to the testing rooms.
If you were wondering about the timing....we identified after mid-term exams as a best practice. The County has suggested the testing window as now since it is a Pilot year and will not interfere in our Spring testing calendar (more good news!)
More information on the MISA can be found at http://mdk12.msde.maryland.gov/assessments. Please contact your student's school counselor or Mrs. Lisa Veslany (lisa_veslany@hcpss.org) for specific questions.
Important Senior Information
This is a reminder that Balfour, Atholton’s vendor for caps/gowns/announcements and other graduation-related items, will collect orders during all lunch shifts on Wednesday, January 30, Thursday, January 31, and Friday, February 1. Orders can also be placed online at www.balfour.com. Please take care of placing orders as soon as possible, as the price of the cap/gown/tassel package will increase by $10 on March 1. Catalogs and order forms were distributed at the senior meeting on January 16. Additional information from this meeting can be found on the AHS website, ahs.hcpss.org, under Graduation 2019; this page will continue to be updated. Posted details include how students can audition to speak or perform at the commencement ceremony; how students can ensure their names are spelled correctly on their diplomas by submitting the Diploma Signature Form; and how those whose parents are permanent HCPSS employees can request that their parent(s) present the diploma by submitting the Request Form.
Registration Opens Next Week!
AP students will be receiving their 2019 AP Guide for students and parents and registration instructions on Monday, 1/28. Registration opens on February 2 via student Naviance Accounts. Each exam is $94.00, payments can be made by check payable to Atholton High School or you may pay by Credit Card. Students should print their online Naviance Survey and bring it to the Student Services Office along with their check, or online credit card payment receipt. If you have any questions please contact Nina Dix or Yvonne Rogers in Student Services.
HCPSS G/T Advisory Seeks Nominations for Educator Recognition
· Submit the GTAC Educator Recognition Form by February 15.
Mark Your Calendar
January 29 -- First Day of Second Semester Courses
February 5 -- School Closed for Students
February 6 -- Report Cards Issued
Atholton High School
Click Below for Boosters' Organization News
Email: Robert_Motley@hcpss.org
Website: www.ahs.hcpss.org
Location: 6520 Freetown Road, Columbia, MD, USA
Phone: (410) 313-7065