The Raider Nation Newsletter

Dear Atholton Community,

The fourth marking period is here and it's time to finish strong. For seniors, they will only be at Atholton for 16 more school days. Students in grades 9-11 have a little longer to go--36 days. We have some half days and days off in May and June, but with limited time here, it's important to make the most of every minute.

If you/your child needs a specific grade 4th marking period to pass the class, you should be monitoring the gradebook regularly and checking with the teacher to ensure your child can take advantage of every opportunity for help possible. Turn in every assignment. Spend time with the teacher to review for upcoming quizzes/tests. And, stay in contact with the teacher as well as your/your child's counselor.

If summer school is a possibility you might need to plan for, you definitely want to connect with your child's counselor ASAP. For students in Biology and/or Government, 20% of the final grade is based off of the MCAP assessment, so doing well on the test is crucial to overall success in the course.

Sincerely,

Nick Novak

Principal

Get ready for AHS Drama Double Good Popcorn virtual fundraiser! This is a 100% contactless event, and the product ships directly to the buyer. Use this link to purchase some delicious popcorn snacks and support the The Atholton Drama Boosters: https://s.dgpopup.com/49mkw26w

ATTENTION, PARENTS AND STUDENTS!

I am thrilled to let you know that your student has been specially selected to join in an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime educational trip to ITALY! We are now offering our trip in 2026 to give families more time to plan for this adventure.

What’s in store:

• Venice: Step into the past as you wander through the enchanting canals and immerse yourself in Venice's timeless traditions.
• Florence: Experience the vibrant heartbeat of Florence, where art and history come alive in a city that has inspired countless masterpieces.
• Rome: Stroll the historic streets of Rome, soaking in its rich history and architectural heritage. Marvel at iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and the Vatican.

Dates: March 2026 (over Spring Break) Open to: Howard County high school students!

Mr. Brenfleck will host an INFORMATIONAL MEETING on May 15th at 6:30PM in the Media Center.

Next steps: Please have one parent or guardian register to attend our information session by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4iJmLUS Those who register will qualify for a $300 tour discount! We can’t wait to tell you more!

There will also be an in-school INORMATIONAL MEETING on May 14th for students during RAIDER TIME in Mr. Brenfleck's room, F180. Contact Mr. Brenfleck with any questions. This is more than just a trip – it’s a hands-on lesson and experience that travelers will remember for a lifetime. (Please note that this is NOT an HCPSS trip.)

Attention all 9th - 12th graders interested in becoming a teacher:

Check out the FREE Towson University Summer Scholars Institute!

Info here: http://bit.ly/4cQKl09

Event: Books in Bloom

Date: Saturday, May 10th, 2025

Rain date: None. This event is outdoors rain or shine.

Event Time: 10:00am – 4:30pm

Volunteer Arrival Time: 8:15am

Volunteer Departure Time: 5:00-5:30pm

Location: Color Burst Park

Location Address: 6000 Merriweather Drive, Columbia, MD 21044

(Color Burst Park is located next to Symphony Woods and Merriweather Post Pavilion in the new Merriweather District.)

Parking Information: Parking is free and available at (3) separate locations.

Volunteer Check-in Location: Look for the VOLUNTEER CHECK-IN tent set up at Color Burst Park. We will be near Toastique.

Responsibilities: Volunteers will be responsible for greeting guests, assisting with kids crafts and giveaways, assisting Busboys and Poets with popup bookstore, general assistance throughout the festival.

Split shifts available: No. You must be able to stay from volunteer arrival to departure time.

Food available for volunteers: Yes. Water, sandwich, and snacks will be available for volunteers. (When registering to volunteer, please let me know if you are vegetarian, vegan or have any food restrictions.)

What to wear: Dress for the weather with comfortable shoes. Volunteers will be given t-shirts to wear/keep. Bring a raincoat for inclement weather.

NHS/SSL Hours Available: Yes. A letter highlighting volunteer responsibilities and hours served will be distributed at volunteer check-out.

Registration deadline: April 25th or until volunteer slots are filled

To register: cathyvsmith@outlook.com

Event Coordinator: Cathy Smith, 410-302-4662,

For more information about Books in Bloom, please visit https://merriweatherdistrict.com/books-in-bloom/

Atholton HS Best Buddies will be participating in the Maryland Chapter's Annual Best Buddies Walk on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

We would love to have you participate in the walk. If you would rather make a donation, you can click here: Join Me In Support Of Best Buddies

Leading up to our walk Best Buddies will be hosting a Spring spirit week, please join us each day with wearing:

• Monday, April 28- wear blue for Autism Awareness Month
• Tuesday, April 29 -wear orange for Unity and Anti-Bullying initiatives
• Wednesday, April 30-wear green for the upcoming mental health awareness month
• Thursday, May 1- Wear mismatched (unique) socks to show your support for Down Syndrome families and friends
• Friday, May 2- wear Tie Dye today to support and celebrate how our world is made up of many different types of people

Hello Atholton,

We invite you to be a part of the “Uplifting Lives Initiative,” a donation based organization dedicated to empowering youth, transforming lives and making a positive impact in our community. Your support will help provide essential resources and meaningful assistance to those who need it most. Together, we can create a lasting change and uplift our community! Get involved and make a difference today. For more information, check our instagram page @ahsgreendrop.

Want to get involved? Donate: clothes and shoes / backpacks and purses / games and toys / books and media. Place your items in the green boxes located throughout the school from Tuesday, April 22 until Friday, May 9.

SAT Boot Camps at Atholton HS - $199

**These prep classes will prepare students for the May 3, June 7, and Aug. 23 SATs.**

• M/W April 28 & 30 from 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
• M/W Aug. 11 & 13 from 5 pm - 9 pm
• Interested in live, virtual prep? See website for all of the upcoming classes!

College Essay Writing Workshops in HoCo - $199

**These highly-rated, limited-enrollment workshops take students from idea generation to outline, to a complete draft of their Common App main essay.**

• M/W June 23 & 25 from 5 pm - 9 pm
• M/W Aug. 4 & 6 from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
• See website for the growing list of workshops, including live, virtual options, too!

Each college prep class is only $199,* or choose a Premium Bundle and save up to $500. AHS PTSA earns a portion of student tuition! Visit www.theanswerclass.com to view the full class schedule and to register your student.

To date, more than 1,210 AHS students have benefited from the prep and $32,900+ has been donated to AHS PTSA! 95% of students would recommend the course to a friend!

*Early Bird Discount: Register one week ahead of your course & SAVE $20!

Register today at: http://www.theanswerclass.com

Now that we have a graduation date, we have been able to plan for all of the other great activities, including exams, rehearsals, and awards ceremony. You can access the senior end of year schedule here. Please note the following:

• Seniors will meet during Raidertime on 4/30 to review plans for their last month in HS
• The senior crab feast will be on May 13th.
• The awards ceremony will take place on May 19th at 6:30pm.
• The last day seniors will be in the building will be Tuesday May 20th.
• Graduation is May 29th at 11am (school closes at 9:50am that day).

4/29 Orchestra Concert

4/30 Student Member of the Board Election/Senior Class Meeting during Raidertime

5/1 Shelter in Place Drill-Period 3

5/1 Band Concert

5/3 Athletics Car Wash

5/5 AP Exams Begin

Atholton PTSA

Atholton PBSA

Atholton Boosters

Atholton Drama Boosters

Atholton JROTC Boosters

Atholton Music Boosters

Atholton Robotics Boosters