October 14, 2026

Principal's Message

Hello Red Hawk Community,

It is hard to believe that we are approaching the final week of the first quarter. At this point in the semester, students should be well into the rhythm of their classes, with new units underway and additional assessments approaching. This is a great time to reflect on progress, stay focused, and continue building strong academic habits as we move deeper into the semester.

We are also digging deeper into our character work and what it means to live our Athens core values: Be Thoughtful, Act with Integrity, and Make an Impact. Each week, our Motivational Mondays and Character Message Fridays give us an opportunity to reinforce those values and challenge our students to think about how they show up in the classroom, in our hallways, and throughout our community.

As our fall athletic season begins to wind down, congratulations to all of our teams on their wonderful and competitive seasons. A special congratulations to our Boys Tennis team on an 11th-place finish at the MHSAA State Finals!

We hope to see everyone at Red Hawk Stadium for our final scheduled home football game of the season. Come out to support our football team, band, cheerleaders, and dance team, enjoy our second-to-none concession stand, and help us fill the stadium as we cheer our Red Hawks to victory.

Let’s finish the first quarter strong and continue living Above the Line!

Keep Pointing Positive, Go Red Hawks!

News You Can Use

Tickets cost $15 for adults, and $10 for students & seniors. Tickets can be purchased online at: https://athenstheatrecompany.ludus.com/200551260

Click here to sign up

Changes to the Work Permit Process - Effective October 2, 2026

A new Michigan law (Public Act 196 of 2024) is changing how work permits for minors are processed. Currently, schools are responsible for issuing and revoking work permits. However, starting October 2, 2026, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) will take over this responsibility.

Key Changes:

New Online System: Minors and employers MUST use LEO’s free registration website to apply for and process work permits.

Work Hour Restrictions:

14- and 15-year-olds may only work between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. from June 1 to Labor Day and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. the rest of the year.
During the school year, work is limited to 3 hours per day and 18 hours per week.
16-year-olds and older have more flexibility. Rules can be found at the bottom of the work permit below.
When school is not in session, minors may work up to 40 hours per week.

Work Permit Process

Step 1: Create Your YEPP Account
Enter your:

Personal and parent/guardian information
School information, including school start and end times
Employer information, including address, and manager’s name

Step 2: Employer Completes Their Section
YEPP will notify your employer. They will enter your job duties, wage, work hours, and shifts.

Step 3: State Review
The State of Michigan reviews the information submitted by you and your employer.

Your school does not need to approve the permit.

Step 4: Permit Approved
Once approved, you and your employer will be notified. Your work permit will be active in YEPP.

More details on the new system will be available as the transition approaches. For more information, visit Michigan LEO's website

Helpful Resources:
Michigan LEO - Work Permit Information
Michigan LEO - Youth Employment

Log in to your College Board account here

Log in to Total Registration here to submit payment by November 3rd

Attendance Reporting with VisitU

VisitU is our attendance management system for reporting absences, late arrivals, and early dismissals. Please keep these important reminders in mind:

Report attendance through VisitU: Families should use VisitU to submit attendance information.
Select the accurate reason: Please choose the reason that most accurately reflects why your student will be absent.
Reporting does not automatically mean excused: Submitting an absence through VisitU notifies the school, but the absence must still meet Troy School District guidelines to be considered excused.
Excused absences: Examples may include illness, religious observances, family bereavement, mandatory court appearances, college visits, or circumstances approved by a building administrator.
Unexcused absences: Absences that do not meet district criteria will be recorded as unexcused, even when reported by a parent/guardian through VisitU.

Please review the graphic below for additional information about reporting attendance and excused absences.

Beginning this year, the attendance voicemail line will no longer be available. All attendance reporting must be submitted through the VisitU mobile app.

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.visitu.vid

Apple (iPhone): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/visitu-mobile/id1454044111

Click here to donate to the PTO

PTO President: athenspto.pres@gmail.com

PTO Vice President: athenspto.vp@gmail.com

Purchase a $25 “Red Hawk Riches” raffle ticket and be automatically entered into a monthly

drawing from October 2026 to June 2027. Click here to order

Winners will be posted on the Athens PTO Facebook page, the Athens Newsletter (in the PTO section) and winners will also be emailed. Drawing will be held at Athens High School during the PTO meetings with the exception of December and March, which will be held at the PTO board meeting.

10/29.................End of Quarter 1

10/30.................No School

11/6......................Fall Play | Almost Maine 7:00 pm

11/7......................Fall Play | Almost Maine 7:00 pm

11/8......................Fall Play | Almost Maine 2:00 pm

11/25....................No School | Thanksgiving Break

11/26....................No School | Thanksgiving Break

11/27....................No School | Thanksgiving Break

Student Celebrations

Staff Spotlight

1. What is your role at Athens and how long have you been here?

PE/ Health Teacher, year 1 at Athens.

2. What is your educational background?

Albion College, Wayne State, MAT PE/Health

3. What do you enjoy most about working with our students and staff?

I truly love being able to come into our school every day and find people ready to work hard and improve. Everyone has come in very welcoming and open and that’s been nice as well.

4. What is one accomplishment or part of your work you are most proud of?

I think I’m most proud of the amount of students/athletes that have graduated high school and have done great things as young adults. Being able to be a small part of their story of success is something to be proud of.

5. What is something you enjoy outside of school (hobby, interest, or fun fact)?

Outside of school I love everything sports, coaching football or wrestling is always the most fun.

6. What makes the Athens community special to you?

My first coaching job was here back in 2010. Being able to come back and finally teach here is a homecoming for me. To be able and see so many of the same faces work so hard and improve this school/community is amazing to see. Seeing families or staples of our community continue to show up and support in so many ways helps show how special it is here.