July 28, 2022
GREETINGS FROM SPARTAN LANE
Before we know it, all of us will be celebrating another academic year on Spartan Lane. Many of our teachers engaged in professional development over the summer, and I know they are eager to put this work to good use with our students. This includes two teachers who traveled to Phillips Exeter in New Hampshire to learn about the Harkness method; a cohort of Lower School teachers who completed a week-long writing institute conducted by Teachers College of Columbia University; and ten teachers who participated in three days of virtual training in STEAM and robotics conducted by Tufts University. In addition, nine teachers collaborated on three projects as part of Athens Academy’s Summer Curriculum Development Program. Our teachers are first-rate, and I am thrilled to welcome them back to campus for a positive year ahead.

As you may have already read, several campus projects have been completed and a few others are still underway as we move closer to opening day. It has also been fun seeing a number of young alumni on campus, as they drop by before they head to various colleges and universities across the country. Again and again, we hear how prepared they are for the work that awaits them in college. This is no small feat, since the majority of the schools to which they are matriculating are rated at the Competitive, Very Competitive, and Most Competitive rankings.  Read more.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL EMAIL COMES OUT TOMORROW!
Be on the lookout for an important email for all parents regarding back-to-school details, including key dates, letters from Mr. Thorsen and the division directors, schedules, and more. If you do not receive this email, please be in touch with your child's division director as soon as possible. Thank you!
BUS SERVICE 2022-2023
Click here for routes, pricing, and registration for bus service for the 2022-2023 school year. Your responses are important in helping us determine safe and efficient routes for your child(ren). Questions? Email Transportation Coordinator Ron Parks or call the Facilities office at 706.433.2542. Thank you!
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
RSVP DEADLINE IS TOMORROW!
NEW FAMILY & COMMUNITY GATHERING
FRIDAY, AUGUST 12 / 6:00 PM / FARMER FIELD HOUSE
Current families and faculty and staff are invited to help us welcome new families at the New Family and Community Gathering on Friday, August 12. Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. followed by the football scrimmage against Westminster. The Varsity Food Truck will be serving hamburgers and hotdogs.
**Please Note: You must RSVP to rsvp@athensacademy.org by TOMORROW (Friday, July 29) in order to get dinner from the Varsity. Tickets are $12.25/person (new families and faculty/staff eat free but everyone must RSVP). We hope to see you at this fun, casual event!

WELCOME NEW FACULTY & STAFF!
Please click here to learn more about our new faculty and staff members for the upcoming school year!
FALL SPORTS YARD SIGNS & RESERVED FOOTBALL PARKING
ORDER DEADLINE IS AUGUST 1
The Athletic Department is excited about the upcoming school and athletic year. We look forward to seeing Spartans of all ages cheering at cross country meets, football games and volleyball matches! Please click here to purchase sport-specific yard signs and reserved parking for home varsity football games. The deadline to order signs and to reserve a parking space is Monday, August 1. Questions? Email Virginia Stutsman.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: BACK-TO-SCHOOL DATES (UPDATED!)
The 2022-23 school year will be here before we know it, so you may want to go ahead and mark your calendar for some of these important back-to-school events. Questions? Contact your child's division office directly. Have great summer and we'll see you in August!

SUMMER LEARNING WEBSITE (RISING K3-12)
REQUIRED & CHOICE SUMMER LEARNING INFORMATION
The Summer Learning website outlines all the summer reading, mathematics, and other learning requirements for fall for each grade level/class. Questions? Contact your child's division office directly.

SENIOR PORTRAIT INFORMATION (CLASS OF 2023)
Athens Academy uses Bentley Photography exclusively for all senior drape/tuxedo yearbook photos. As a courtesy to our families, we are offering rising seniors the option to schedule a brief on-campus photo session this summer in the Chambers Center boardroom. Times are available on Tuesday, August 2, and Wednesday, August 10. Click here to register for an on-campus photo appointment. The on-campus sitting fee is $35 and can be paid by cash, check, or credit card. Families may also opt to schedule a photo session at the Bentley Photography Studio in Winder (770-867-2853, bentleyseniors@gmail.com). If you have any questions, please contact Bentley Photography directly.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 / 1:00-6:00 PM / SINKWICH SPARTAN CENTER
Athens Academy and the Oconee County Rotary are pleased to co-host an American Red Cross blood drive. To make an appointment to donate, go to redcrossblood.org. We hope to see you there!
UPCOMING EVENTS
School Store Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
On-Campus Senior Portraits (Class of 2023) - August 2 & 10 in the Chambers Center Board Room (see above for details and sign-up form)
Uniform Resale - Wednesday, August 3 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the Chambers Center Lower Level
New Student Orientation, Grades 10, 11 & 12 - Wednesday, August 10 from 2:30-4:00 p.m. in the Myers Gallery
Grade 9 Orientation - Wednesday, August 10 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall
Preschool New Family Orientation - Thursday, August 11 from 9:30-10:00 a.m. in the Harrison Performance Hall
Preschool Orientation (All PS families) - Thursday, August 11 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the Harrison Center
Lower & Middle School New Family Orientation - Friday, August 12 from 9:00-10:30 a.m. in the Harrison Performance Hall
Back-to-School Drop-In, Grades 1-8 - Friday, August 12 from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in teacher classrooms
New Family & Community Gathering - Friday, August 12 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Farmer Field House (see Back-to-School link above for details--RSVP required)
First Day of School - Tuesday, August 16
Lower School Parent Afternoon - Sunday, August 21 from 1:00-2:15 p.m. in the Harrison Performance Hall
Middle School Parent Afternoon - Sunday, August 21 from 2:30-4:15 p.m. in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall
Back-to-School Parent Coffee - Tuesday, August 23 from 8:00-9:15 a.m. in the Farmer Field House
Upper School Parent Evening - Monday, August 29 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall
Parent Education: "Positive Parenting for Behavior Change" with Leigh Ellen Magness - Tuesday, September 20 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Farmer Field House
Red Cross Blood Drive - Thursday, September 29 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. in the Sinkwich Spartan Center
Athens Academy Holiday Market 2022 - Wednesday, November 16 (Preview Night) from 5:30-7:30 p.m. & Thursday, November 17 from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. in the Sinkwich Spartan Center
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Athens Academy seeks excellence with honor in the educational and personal experience of each student.