June 12, 2025

NOTES FROM SPARTAN LANE

JOHN THORSEN, HEAD OF SCHOOL

Happy summer to each of you! We are in our second week of summer camps and it is fun to have energy and activity on our campus. We’re happy to have volleyball, basketball, football, cross country and baseball teams engaging in summer workouts and practices. Earlier this month, our leadership team had a productive two-day retreat at Memorial Hall on UGA’s campus. We covered a lot of ground, including campus safety, generative AI, parent education and partnership, academic programming, teacher feedback and support, strategic planning and more. Many of our colleagues are also working on their craft, whether they are reading AP exams with the College Board, participating in professional development activities on and off campus, or looking ahead to conferences and workshops. 

Over the last month, we have had a number of funerals in our community. These are certainly sad and sobering occasions for all of us. I have shared repeatedly how amazing the Athens Academy community is in supporting our own. It is impressive to see our students, alumni, faculty, parents, alumni parents and grandparents taking care of one another. One such loss was Mike Callinan, who will be celebrated on Thursday, June 19, at the Catholic Center. Each of these losses is difficult, and it is heartening to see the love, support and engagement we have for each other during these difficult times. Read more.

CALENDAR CHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING SPRING BREAK 2026

SPRING BREAK MOVED TO MARCH 9-13, 2026

Due to a recent change in the University of Georgia’s academic calendar, Athens Academy will be adjusting our spring break dates to continue to align with theirs. Our spring break will now take place the week of March 9–13, 2026, rather than the originally scheduled week (March 2-6). We understand that this change may require a change of plans for some families, and we apologize for any inconvenience. Please be in touch with your child's division director with any specific questions or concerns. Thank you for your support and understanding.

SUMMER LEARNING WEBSITE (rising K3-12)

REQUIRED & CHOICE SUMMER LEARNING INFORMATION

The Summer Learning website is now live! Please note that some content will continue to be updated over the next few weeks. Check back frequently for summer reading and other assignments. Questions? Contact your child's division office directly.

CLASS OF 2026 SENIOR PORTRAIT INFORMATION

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 Wednesday, July 30, and Thursday, August 7. 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.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2025-26 DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR

With summer just around the corner, we wanted to share the schedule for new and returning student orientations beginning on Monday, August 11. Click here for details on these events as well as the first day of school and other activities. Questions? Contact your child's division office directly. Thank you, and have a great summer!

TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES FOR UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS

GERMANY/OCTOBER 2025 & SPAIN/JUNE 2026

We are currently in need of a few more host families for the visit from our German sister-school (ESG) students this fall, October 21-31, 2025. Host students will have the opportunity to travel to Gütersloh, Germany, over spring break 2026. Current students in grades 8-11 are eligible to apply. Email Russ Hovater for more information.

Next year's summer travel program is to Spain, June 1-10, 2026. Interested students (current grades 8, 9, and 10) can sign up here.

PURCHASE PHOTOS FROM COMMENCEMENT 2025

Photos of the Class of 2025's commencement exercises, including the class photo and individual shots of graduates receiving their diplomas, are available for purchase from Bentley Photography. Click here to view photos. For more information, contact Bentley directly by email or at 770-867-2853.

YOUTH SPORTS UPDATE FOR 2025-26

We are currently working on the details for our afterschool activities for 2025-26, including expanded Extended Day and Enrichment opportunities as well as the introduction our new Developmental Youth Sports programming.

Lower School: Developmental Youth Sports will be open to Lower School students (grades 1-4) and will offer four 12-week options each semester.

Fall Semester:

• Flag Football (Skills)
• Speedy Spartans Running
• Basketball (Preseason Skills)
• Baseball (Preseason Skills)

Spring Semester:

• Strength & Conditioning
• Tennis (Preseason Skills)
• Volleyball (Preseason Skills)
• Soccer (Skills)

More information, including pricing and scheduling, will be announced later this summer.

Middle School: For grades 5 and 6, we will continue to offer Tackle Football, Speedy Spartans, and Girls on the Run. This year we will also add a Football Cheerleading option for grades 5 and 6. The Enrichment programming for Middle School will also be expanded. Students in grades 7 and 8 will continue to participate in the Middle School athletic program, with 21 teams to choose from throughout the year.

**We are also excited to offer two new Flag Football teams for students in grades 1 and 2.** These teams will compete in the local private school league, and volunteer coaching opportunities will be available. More information and a registration link will be sent to these families directly later this summer.

More details on Extended Day, Enrichment, and Developmental Youth Sports will be shared as they become available. If you have specific questions, would like to volunteer to coach or are interested in running an enrichment program, please email Thad Mathis, director of Auxiliary Services.

DONATE TO THE COMMUNITY CLOSET: AN ACAD CAPSTONE PROJECT!

As part of her Capstone project on sustainability in fashion, senior Sloane Turner is organizing a drive to collect girls' gently used, dress-code-appropriate clothing and shoes. She plans to collect the clothing during June and July in preparation for a pop-up Community Closet in August. Sloane's goal is to promote fashion recycling while helping to offset the cost of new school clothes for Upper School students--especially rising ninth graders, who no longer wear school uniforms and may need to augment their wardrobe. If you have clothing you would like to donate, a blue drop-off bin is located in the Chambers Center reception area. Stay tuned for dates and times for the Community Closet, coming in August! Questions? Email Sloane Turner.

Looking for last-minute summer plans? We've added seven exciting new camps to Summer at Athens Academy, perfect for students in rising grades 2-8! Whether your child loves crafting, designing, or diving into digital media, we have something for everyone!

Bead & Bling Jewelry Making - Color Splash Tie-Dye Design

DIY Spa Lab Bath & Body - Tote-Ally Creative Art Camp - Arts & Crafts Adventure Stitch & Style Embroidery Creations

Plus Sports Media & Digital Broadcasting for Middle Schoolers!

Click here for more information and to register TODAY!

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO MAKE A GIFT!

Click here to make a gift to the Annual Excellence Fund before the fiscal year ends on July 31! Athens Academy's fiscal year runs August 1-July 31, and we appreciate your annual participation! Every gift helps to support our students, teachers, and programs here on Spartan Lane. Click here to pay with PayPal, Google Pay, Venmo, or credit card today. Questions? Email DeDe Guest.