GREETINGS FROM SPARTAN LANE

I hope your 2023 is off to a fantastic start! It has been a busy time on campus, and that is a good thing. Students are actively working and engaging in their school which makes for many positives. The fourth grade is performing their class play Thwacked! today and tomorrow, and it is always fun to see our students on stage. I hope we have a big crowd in attendance for the students tomorrow morning. A huge thank you to Morgan’s Message and Nuci’s Space for leading a meaningful and important assembly for our Upper School students this morning. We are also looking forward to Junior College Night on Monday evening, a host of sporting events, and gearing up for the Middle School play, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, in early February. Our Board of Trustees is also in the midst of their committee meetings as they prepare for their third meeting of the year. This one is of particular importance, because this is when next year’s budget and tuition are set. Athens Academy has a long history of being very good stewards of our tuition and philanthropic dollars, and I am confident that this trend will continue.   

Over the long weekend, I was speaking with a couple of alumni parents who were so happy to share several Athens Academy success stories. They continued to go on and on about our graduates and the amazing things they are doing in the world of business, entrepreneurship, law and medicine. Two recent examples include Bobby Pinckney, Class of 2016, who was recently named to Forbes Magazine’s “30 Under 30” list in the consumer technology category, and Peter Leary, Class of 1996, who was sworn in as the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia in December. On a more regular basis, it is fun to see the success of Landmark Properties, whose president and CEO is Wes Rogers, Class of 1995. We are proud of all of our alumni and the good work they continue to do locally, around the country, and across the globe. It’s time to start working on our spring magazine Accent, so please be sure to share your class notes with us, so we can keep up with your accomplishments. Read more.

ALL GRADES OPEN HOUSE

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25 - 9:00 A.M.

MYERS GALLERY / SCIENCE & ART BUILDING

Parents of prospective students for the 2023-2024 school year are invited to join us for a casual and informative open house on January 25. We'll talk about the admission process and the Athens Academy program and hear from current parents and administrators before touring the campus and seeing our teachers and students in action. Click here to reserve your space. Questions? Email Mary Catherine Jernigan or call 706.433.2599.

SPARTAN 5K & SPRINT | FEBRUARY 11, 2023

REGISTER BY JANUARY 30 FOR DISCOUNT!

Sparty's back and ready to run the 38th Annual Spartan 5K! This year the Spartan 5K and Spartan Sprint will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023. A favorite race of runners across the Southeast, the 5K has a super fast one-mile downhill finish and beautiful handmade pottery awards by r. wood studio. New this year: we're excited to offer RFID chip timing! Click here for the early registration rate of $25 (deadline is January 30, 2023). Click here to download the race form to register for the family discount. Questions? Email Sarah Gilbert.

The classroom/homeroom (K3-Grade 8) with the highest percentage of participants in either the Spartan 5K or the Sprint will receive a donut party, so be sure to sign up TODAY!

SPARTAN 5K VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

If you are interested in volunteering for the 38th annual Spartan 5K/Sprint, please click here and sign up today! The races are scheduled for Saturday, February 11, but there are volunteer spots open for Friday and Saturday. Questions? Email Sarah Gilbert. Thank you!

YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 @ 7:30 PM

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 @ 7:30 PM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5 @ 2:00 PM

BERTELSMANN PRESENTATION HALL

Mark your calendar to join us for the Middle School Drama Department's presentation of the musical comedy You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Tickets are $2/students and $5/adults and can be purchased by clicking the links for each show listed above. Questions? Email Katie Townsend.

FATHER*-DAUGHTER DANCE | FEBRUARY 10, 2023

On Friday, February 10, the Athens Academy CARE Club will sponsor the Father*-Daughter Dance in the Middle School Old Gym. The night will be filled with music, dancing, a photography booth, and a candy/dessert bar. Registration is $25.00 per couple for Pre-first through Grade 6. Additional siblings are $10.00 each. Proceeds from the event will benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and supply the funds for our annual PJammin’ event. Click here to purchase tickets. *Girls may bring dad, grandpa, uncle or a special guest. Questions? Email Nikki Chester.

Mark you calendar for the return of

FESTIVAL DAY 2023

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

12:00-3:00 PM / BASEBALL FACILITIES

We're excited to bring back Festival Day after a four-year hiatus! This Earth Day-themed event will offer fun and games for children of all ages. It's also a great chance to invite your friends to join us on campus to see what Athens Academy is all about, so mark your calendar and spread the news! More information on purchasing wristbands and T-shirts will be available soon.

AED DEVICES ON CAMPUS

The unfortunate health scare that took place in the NFL earlier this month has several in our community asking about cardiac arrest and safety measures. Athens Academy provides training for our faculty and staff in CPR and basic first aid on a rotating schedule each year. We also have nine automated external defibrillator (AED) devices on our campus. They are located in the Track House, the Farmer Field House, the Sinkwich Spartan Center, the Science and Arts Building, the Chambers Center, the Bertelsmann Building, the Middle School office, the hallway of the Middle School gym, and the Harrison Center. If you are concerned about your own health or that of a colleague, please notify someone and never hesitate to ask for help. If you need to call 911 while on campus, remember that the Athens Academy campus is located in Oconee County and ask for that specific dispatcher. Thank you!  

UPCOMING EVENTS

School Store Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 8AM-4PM; Tuesday/Thursday, 8AM-3PM

Fourth Grade Class Play - Friday, January 20 at 8:45 a.m. in the Harrison Performance Hall

Junior College Night - Monday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. (optional: arrival time at 6:30 - mingle and socialize) in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall

Parent Education with Leigh Ellen Magness: "Introducing New Skills & Teaching a Growth Mindset" - Tuesday, January 24 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Farmer Field House

All Grades Admission Open House - Wednesday, January 25 at 9:00 a.m. in the Myers Gallery

PSO Uniform Resale - Wednesday, January 25 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the Chambers Center Lower Level

Second Grade Class Play - Friday, February 3 at 8:45 a.m. in the Harrison Performance Hall

Middle School Play: You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown - February 3 & 4 at 7:30 p.m. and February 5 at 2:00 p.m. in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall

Upper School Winter Dance - Saturday, February 4 from 8:30-11:00 p.m. in the Reigle Baseball Facility

Ninth Grade College Night - Monday, February 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall

Father-Daughter Dance - Friday, February 10 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Middle School Gym

38th Annual Spartan 5K & Sprint - Saturday, February 11

First Grade Class Play - Friday, February 17 at 8:45 a.m. in the Harrison Performance Hall

Faculty Development Day (No School) - Monday, February 20

Preschool & Lower School Family Science Night - Thursday, February 23 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in Barrett Hall

Rising Ninth Grade Night - Monday, February 27 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall/Science and Art Building

Festival Day - Saturday, April 22 from 12:00-3:00 p.m. at the Baseball Facilities