Raider Nation News
Week of May 20, 2019
Senior Farewell
Dear Atholton Families,
It is hard to believe that this is the final week for seniors and GRADUATION is this FRIDAY! Where has the year gone?? As I roam the halls with my rolling desk, my conversation with seniors is one encouraging them to FINISH STRONG. I am looking forward to the several events this week, including the senior picnic tomorrow afternoon. There are some new developments below for senior parents. Graduation tickets will be distributed on Wednesday. Please check with your senior to make sure all obligations are settled in order to receive tickets. Just a reminder that school will close at 9:45am this Friday, May 24 for graduation.
Spring sports are coming to an end as well. I am thrilled to report that just as in the fall and winter, our Raider athletes have left their mark at the county, regional, and soon to be state levels. Congratulations to the varsity baseball team for making it to the Regional Championship game. They played well to get to the championship. More importantly, I was so impressed by the level of support from our parents and students that came out on Friday to support the team. On Saturday, I spent the morning and early afternoon supporting our tennis team at Regionals held at the Wilde Lake Tennis Center. Congratulations to brother and sister Sahil and Nikita Patel for their come from behind victory over a tough Centennial team to capture the 3A Mixed Doubles Regional Title! Congratulations to Benjamin Guo in boy’s singles and Elisabeth Ake and Victorea Sangvic in girl’s doubles for reaching Regionals. Last but certainly not least is the awesome showing of our track and field athletes at Regionals. Congratulations to our Lady Raiders Track Team for taking home the 3A Regional Title – beating out Reservoir and Mt. Hebron! Good luck to everyone at States! In addition to our of our success at the Regional level, I want to take a moment to recognize the hard work our other teams put into their spring season – boy’s and girl’s lacrosse, and softball – not to mention all our junior varsity players as well.
Atholton junior, Maryam Beg, has started an Operation Smile Project. Community service and helping those in need are qualities that deserve being recognized. Maryam’s project, which could use your support, can be found at the following link. Also, senior, Peter Kotz, who is part of the EMT program at ARL, was honored and recognized as VALEDICTORIAN at the EMT graduation. Congratulations to Peter. I have had several conversations with Peter about the work he does and we should all be proud, grateful, and thankful someone like Peter is out there to assist during an emergency.
As the end of the school year approaches, several requests have come in regarding taking final exams early. HCPSS policy DOES NOT allow for exams to be early. If a student has an excused absence and is unable to sit for the final exam, the exam must be taken over the summer. Please work with teachers to coordinate.
Lastly, I want to congratulate those students involved in our dance program for an outstanding display of talent this weekend in the Spring Dance Concert. Kudos to Ms. Haffey for putting together such a terrific program.
A REMINDER-- As the 2018-2019 school year comes to an end, it is time to begin thinking about new leadership of our PTSA. Our current president, Kim Lowe, has done an outstanding job leading this year, but as the parent of a senior, we need to find someone to take her place. We have several senior parents and need others to take over for next year! Please contact our PTSA if you are interested or know someone interested.
Have a fantastic week!
Warmly,
Robert A. Motley
Principal
Class of 2019 IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Graduation Parking
Parking in the Merriweather vicinity is extremely limited. Carpooling is best. In order make the parking process as smooth as possible, we also ask that families and guests be aware of the following:
1. Follow the map (below) to the assigned lots. The team at MPP has a plan in place that provides for guests to arrive as other lots are still vacating, but it will only work if guests go to assigned lots. The map can also be accessed via https://www.hcpss.org/commencements/. Turn-by-turn directions to each lot can be found via https://www.merriweathermusic.com/parking/.
2. Expect to walk, rain or shine. Even the ADA accessible parking in Lot 1, reserved for those with state-issued tags or plates, is located some distance from the seating. For guests with mobility issues, the use of the drop-off area on Merriweather Drive (labeled as Merriweather Way on the map) is encouraged.
4. MPP Event Staff are there to assist. Plan for the unexpected. Drive towards the specified lot(s); however, vehicles may be redirected by parking staff as lots fill. The event staff truly wants every guest to arrive on time and has up-to-date knowledge of available spaces. Please respect the direction they provide.
Graduation Reminders
Tassels for those students who are wearing an older sibling’s or friend’s cap/gown have arrived at Atholton and can be purchased for $9. Exact cash is strongly preferred. Please see Ms. Bonomo-Thomas in room C154.
The school system will be livestreaming each graduation ceremony online via https://www.hcpss.org/commencements/, and each will be available on demand within minutes of each ceremony’s end. HCPSS also will broadcast the ceremonies within 24 hours on HCPSS TV, cable channels 42 (Verizon) and 95 (Comcast) in Howard County. HCPSS will not offer DVD services for the 2019 commencements.
With questions about commencement, please email Ms. Bonomo-Thomas, Commencement Coordinator, jeannette_bonomo-thomas@hcpss.org. With questions about other senior events, please contact the appropriate sponsor. With questions about caps/gowns/announcements/etc., please call 410-321-4433.”
Mark Your Calendar
May 24 -- School Closes at 9:45am for ALL students
May 24 -- GRADUATION @ 12 noon
May 27 -- School Closed -- Memorial Day
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