Raider Nation Staff Newsletter
Week of February 10, 2020
Happy Valentine's Day!
Hello Raider Nation,
This Friday is Valentine’s Day! This “holiday,” traditionally associated with love, reminds me of a lesson I observed while rolling around the building. It was an English classroom (shout out to Emily Dalton) and the topic being discussed was love. The teacher explained to students that ancient Greeks believed in several types of love. One of the types of love was philia. The hallmark of philia, or friendship is shared goodwill. Aristotle believed that a person can bear goodwill to another for one of three reasons: that he is useful; that he is pleasant; and, above all, that he is good, that is, rational and virtuous. Friendships founded on goodness are associated not only with mutual benefit but also with companionship, dependability, and trust. I will let you discover the other types of love as defined by ancient Greeks -- just speak to Emily!
Now that we are into the second semester, our second quarter Honor Roll Ice Cream celebration will take place on Friday, February 28 during lunch shifts. Please mark your calendars and come down to help out and get some ice cream!
This weekend (Friday - Sunday), I am attending the TIME TO THRIVE conference of the Human Rights Campaign on behalf of NASSP. I am moderating a panel of principals known for creating inclusive schools for their LGBTQ+ youth. Additionally, I am looking forward to attending several sessions and learning how other schools make their learning environment inclusive for all.
Lastly, just to keep you all in the loop: the administrative team and student services will be visiting our redistricted schools at the end of the month. The visit, to introduce ourselves to our incoming students, will also provide an opportunity for them to ask questions and address any concerns they may have. We will be visiting Oakland Mills High School on February 26 and Hammond High School on March 4. The visits will take place during their “Scorpion and Bear Time” on Wednesdays (equivalent to our RaiderTime).
Just a reminder that we have a faculty meeting tomorrow after school.
Robert
Important Information
Denial of Credit Information
As we enter the third quarter, the discussion of denial of credit may begin to surface. I want to share the Denial of Credit process that the school system has put in place. This process is intended to afford multiple opportunities for intervention for student attendance in order to avoid any student being in the position of being denied credit for a course. Teachers, counselors, and administrators are asked to take specific steps to document student and parent notification and engagement prior to requesting denial of credit from the principal. The steps in the process are:
- Student/Teacher Conference (one each quarter)
- Parent Notification (one each quarter)
- Denial of Credit Warning Letter sent by teacher (before end of Quarter 3)
- Conference held with student, parent, counselor/administrator documented in the form of a contract
- Denial of Credit Recommendation Form submitted to principal (3 weeks prior to last student day)
Student Support Team Information
If you have concerns about a student, please reach out to the various supports we have in place to assist. See below how to access information to support students in need of assistance:
Link for Tier 1 Interventions Document.
This can be found on the Atholton High School Canvas Page. Click on 'Student Support'. Link located under 'Student Support Team'
THIS WEEK
Meetings
Monday -- Faculty Meeting (Media Center)
Wednesday -- 9th Grade Team
Thursday -- Book Study (after school)
Thursday -- ITL Meeting -- 6th period
Mark Your Calendar
February 17 -- School Closed -- President's Day
February 28 -- Honor Roll Ice Cream Celebration (during lunch shifts)
Atholton High School
Email: rmotley@hcpss.org
Website: ahs.hcpss.org
Location: 6520 Freetown Road, Columbia, MD, USA
Phone: 4103137065