The Raider Nation Newsletter

Dear Raider Nation,

I'm using the "lead story" of my newsletter to bring attention to some final reminders about graduation tomorrow. If you don't have a senior, you can let your senior friends know to check it out or just skip down to the next section.

Please be aware of the following:

Prior to the ceremony:

• Graduating seniors should be inside the Merriweather pavilion for attendance by 2:10pm.
• All clothing worn by graduates must be appropriate for a school sponsored ceremony. Non-school related decorations on caps or gowns will not be permitted.
• Allow sufficient time to find parking and walk to the venue. Parking maps and details are available online.
• All guests, including parents/guardians and family members, must have tickets to enter the venue.

During the ceremony:

• Please refrain from using air horns and other noisemakers. Do not block the aisles or stand up in front of others. Balloons and signs are not permitted. These will be confiscated if you bring them in because they block people's view.
• Limit applause when your graduate’s name is called so the audience can hear the next graduate’s name. This is a wonderful celebration for all families and we don’t want anyone to miss their graduate’s name being read.
• There are to be no protests permitted on Merriweather Post Pavilion property by any graduates or guests. This includes clothing and other ways of expression.
• All ceremonies will be streamed live on the HCPSS website. Videos will remain on the HCPSS website until next year’s graduations, or can be accessed permanently on the HCPSS YouTube channel. Additionally, HCPSS will rebroadcast the graduations on Howard County cable channels 42 (Verizon) and 95 (Comcast). Complete information on watching the ceremonies, including a rebroadcast schedule, is available online.
• At the conclusion of the ceremony, please depart Merriweather in a timely fashion. There are multiple ceremonies per day and the venue and parking areas must be cleared for incoming guests.

Sincerely,

Nick Novak

Principal

The Class of 2024 Awards Ceremony was held on Monday 5/20. In case you missed the program, check out the award winners in the presentation below. Congratulations to all of these outstanding students as well as the entire graduating class!

Juneteenth – Lakefront Live Concert

Columbia Lakefront

Wednesday, June 19th

Volunteer time 5:30pm – 8:30 pm

(15-20) volunteers needed

July 4th Lakefront Celebration & Fireworks

Columbia Lakefront

Thursday, July 4th

Volunteer time 2:45pm – 10:30pm

(40-50) volunteers needed

Registration info below.

The Christian Student Union is hosting a drive this week for the Columbia Pregnancy Center. The Columbia Pregnancy Center is a non-profit that helps and provides for hundreds of expecting and current mothers in need. These mothers urgently need lotion, soaps, diapers, and baby wipes. Please donate by putting these items in the boxes in the front lobby and auditorium entrance. Thank you for your support!

If you have a rising 5th-9th grader at home, make sure you register them for one of the fantastic camps happening this summer. Check out the info on the Boosters website and register today!

In partnership with Backpack Healthcare and Congruent Counseling/Integrative Counseling, HCPSS presents a spring/summer series of "Wellness Workshops and Support for Parents". All HCPSS parents are invited to attend any or all of these free, virtual evening workshops. Sessions are from 6-7 p.m. on a variety of dates. Wellness Workshops and Supports for Parents Flier

Attention LGBTQ+ students!!! Buy a ticket to the HCPSS Pride Prom on June 8th at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center! Tickets are only $30 and include your entry, food, games, and more! Reach out to Ms. Lee with any questions

Ms. Lee is giving away an iPad, a Nintendo Switch, and a digital camera to four lucky students this Pride month! Submit an essay, poetry, magazine design, or trifold project by June 3rd for a chance to win! Follow the contest Instagram @blackstripe2024 for more details and tips along the way!

As we wrap up the school year, I wanted to share a couple of reminders since we've had some recurring issues lately with these two things:

2) After School Expectations-if students are not involved in a supervised activity after school, they should head home as soon as possible after the end of the school day. Students may wait a short time in the lobby for a ride after school, but if their behavior (wandering around the school, goofing off, etc) becomes an issue, we may revoke after school privileges.

Affordable & Convenient Summer SAT & ACT Prep, College Essay Writing Workshops & Admissions Crash Courses in Partnership with Howard County High Schools

Both in-person and live, virtual, eight-hour summer college prep classes are being offered in partnership with Atholton, Centennial, Hammond, Howard, Marriotts Ridge, Mt. Hebron, Reservoir, and Wilde Lake High Schools and are open to students from all high schools.

Virtual ACT Prep: Sun., June 30 & Sun., July 7 from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm

SAT Prep at Atholton HS: M/W July 8 & 10 from 5 pm - 9 pm

College Essay Writing Workshop at Atholton HS: W/Th July 17 & 18 from 5 pm - 9 pm

These workshops are designed to affordably help students craft their Common App personal essay from idea generation, to outline, to the completion of a first draft.

Virtual College Admissions Crash Course: Aug. 5, 7, 12, 14 from 7 pm - 9 pm

Each college prep class is only $199,* or choose a College Prep Premium Bundle and save up to $300! AHS students can register for any Answer Class, at any location or online, – and 20% of tuition will be donated to AHS PTSA! Visit www.theanswerclass.com to view the full class schedule and to register your student.

5/28 Early Dismissal: 1:50pm

5/28 Graduation: 3pm

5/29 Raidertime Returns

5/29 Make-Up State Testing: ELA 10, Algebra 1, & Algebra 2

5/30 Make-Up State Testing: Biology & Government

5/31 SGA Elections

6/3 Incoming 9th Grade Sports & Activities Info Night

6/4 Incoming 9th Grade School Visit

6/5 Underclassmen Awards/11:35am Dismissal

Atholton PTSA

Atholton PBSA-New Website!!!

Atholton Boosters

Atholton Drama Boosters

Atholton JROTC Boosters

Atholton Music Boosters

Atholton Robotics Boosters