DECEMBER 5, 2024

NOTES FROM SPARTAN LANE

JOHN THORSEN, HEAD OF SCHOOL

Our community brings joy to so many around us. Each of us contributes in our own ways, and it is our collective efforts that make Athens Academy the best school in the state of Georgia outside of Metro Atlanta. Our founders took a tremendous risk when they established a college prep school here on Jefferson Road back in 1967. Dr. Cabaniss donated his family dairy farm and everyone worked to build a school for all who wanted a first-rate education for the children of Northeast Georgia. Earlier this week, I had a parent reach out to volunteer his talents to support our students interested in the field of journalism. On Tuesday, a family opened up their home for a holiday gathering for our parents and we had a nice turnout of about 70. Today, I opened an envelope with a significant gift to support Athens Academy’s future. These acts of kindness, support, and giving make all the difference. 

I am constantly reminded of the reach and positive impact of Athens Academy, whether it is a drive for the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, our students shopping and preparing meals at the Athens Area Homeless Shelter, or the number of parents and students who have received QPR training on campus led by Nuci’s Space. We are a school community that gives back often and to many different organizations. At the same time, we continue to build community here on Spartan Lane. I want to thank our PSO leadership for creating the Spartan Soiree, which will take place on Saturday, January 25, 2025. 1055 Barber is the location and we will hear from the Grateful Dads and have a lot of fun with current and former Spartan parents, grandparents, alumni, and more. You can purchase tickets here. Read more.

The arrival of winter weather has brought excitement to everyone in the Harrison Center.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving break. I would like to highlight and thank our parents for making our Thanksgiving lunch a fun day for our students.

The question of cell phone use on campus has been a topic getting much attention in the news...I'm glad that our Middle School is not a part of this current conversation, as it has been our policy consistently to limit the use of cell phones for many years now.  

As we get closer to the conclusion of Semester One, a few highlights and reminders might be helpful. 

Athens Academy's Days of Giving 2024 is live and will run from December 3 - 10.

Click here to make a gift today!

Today, on Giving Tuesday, we launch our Days of Giving campaign. Giving Tuesday was created with the idea of encouraging people to do good. For this campaign, we encourage you to invest in the Spartans with a charitable gift to the Annual Excellence Fund!

Donations to the Annual Excellence Fund, regardless of the amount, play a key role in supporting Athens Academy's students and faculty directly. Please join us by making your gift today, creating a challenge or offering a matching gift, and by sharing this campaign with your family, friends, and social networks.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! GO SPARTANS!

CHEER ON THE SPARBOTS AT THEIR ROBOTICS TOURNAMENT!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 | 9:30 AM-2:00 PM | BERTELSMANN BUILDING

Athens Academy is excited to host the Georgia FIRST Lego League Regional Robotics Tournament this year, on Saturday, December 7! Our Middle School Green and Silver Sparbots teams will be competing throughout the day in the Bertelsmann Building, with matches running from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The awards ceremony will be held in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall around 1:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to watch as middle school teams from across the region compete!

JOIN US FOR FAMILY NIGHT AT THE ATHENS ROCK LOBSTERS!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 12 | 4:05 PM | AKINS FORD ARENA AT THE CLASSIC CENTER

Athens Academy is excited to host a family night at the January 12 hockey game between the Rock Lobsters and the Carolina Thunderbirds. The Middle School band will play the National Anthem before the game. Click here to purchase your tickets before they're sold out!

LIBRARY CLUB BOOK DRIVE: NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 18

The Upper School Library Club is hosting a book drive for the Athens Area Homeless Shelter. We are seeking new or gently used books for children ages 3 months to 16 years. Books can be dropped off at the Middle/Upper School Media Center through Wednesday, December 18. If you have any questions, email Katie Terry. Thank you!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: HOLIDAY DECORATING TAKE-DOWN

The Parent Service Organization needs volunteers to help take down the campus holiday decorations. Shifts are available on December 20, December 23, and January 2. Click here to sign up. Questions? Email Sarah Gilbert.

CASH BACK PROGRAMS AT HOLIDAY TIME

Cash Back Programs provide funds for our students. Amazon, Box Tops for Education, Kroger and Publix are working with Athens Academy to provide funding for school projects. The Athens Academy community has shown tremendous support for these programs, and our goal this year is to have as MANY parents as possible participating! With the holiday season approaching we would love for you to sign up for these programs, because it's a free way to help Athens Academy! So please sign up before you go get those groceries for your holiday meal(s) or order gifts:

• Box Tops for Education
• Kroger Community Rewards
• Club Publix

PLEASE DONATE SCHOOL UNIFORMS--ESPECIALLY OUTERWEAR!

If your child has outgrown their school uniforms, or if you just enjoy cleaning out those closets, please consider donating gently used Lands End uniforms, outerwear, and accessories to the PSO. The next Uniform Resale is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29, 2025, from 8:00-11:00 a.m., so we hope to replenish our inventory. Your help is greatly appreciated! Drop-off bins are located in the Chambers Center, the Sinkwich Spartan Center, and the Lower and Middle School division offices. Questions? Email Sarah Gilbert. Thank you!

OPEN TO ALL: FIRST FRIDAYS PRAYER GATHERING

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 / 8:15 AM / FARMER FIELD HOUSE

Everyone is welcome to join us for the First Fridays Prayer Group beginning at 8:15 a.m. in the Farmer Field House. Come as you are! All parents and staff are welcome. We will be meeting the first Friday of every month: November 1, December 6, January 10, February 7, April 4, and May 2. If you have any questions, please email Candace Couch.

CAMPUS TRAFFIC REMINDERS

Our number one priority is keeping our families safe, so please be sure to obey the posted speed limit of 25 MPH in the school zone (and 30 MPH everywhere else) on Spartan Lane. Please also remember to use Hwy 441 and Spartan Lane to access Athens Academy rather than cutting through on LaVista or Mason Mill Roads.  

• No cell phone use by the driver while the car is moving in the carline.
• Please do not cross the double yellow lines to pass the cars waiting on Spartan Lane; this is very dangerous as there may be pedestrians crossing the road as well as oncoming traffic. Please wait in the car line until you reach the entrance to the school.
• Please signal when leaving the curb as there may be cars approaching from behind you.
• Note that the speed limit 15 mph on all school roadways.
• No parking in the turnarounds at any time.

Our aim is safety and a smooth drop-off and pick-up experience for all of our families; if you have ideas to share, please feel free to let us know. Thank you!

The Georgia Tuition Tax Credit is a fantastic program that is essentially free money for our school and benefits everyone in our community!

THE DEADLINE TO PRE-REGISTER IS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15!

Spartans, we welcome your participation in the Georgia Tuition Tax Credit Program (GTTC). This program allows taxpayers to easily divert state tax dollars to Athens Academy’s need-based financial aid program. The funds are mandated by state law to be used strictly for student financial aid, based on eligibility criteria that are also prescribed by state law. Your redirected tax payment benefits your child’s education and our school community as well because these funds support our budget and keep tuition costs down for all of our students.

There are three categories of participation: 

1) Companies registered as C-corporations and S-corporations can redirect up to 75% of their State tax liability. The great news is your payment can be deducted as a business expense on the 2025 tax return. The business owner wins!

2) Individuals can redirect up to $2,500 of their State tax liability and married couples filing jointly up to $5,000.

3) Pass-through taxpayers–each business partner, member, or shareholder can redirect up to $25,000 (that’s $50,000 for married filing joint couples with co-ownership!) and can claim their contribution on their personal tax return as a business expense. Read more.