OCTOBER 24, 2024

NOTES FROM SPARTAN LANE

JOHN THORSEN, HEAD OF SCHOOL

The days are getting shorter, yet the list of activities and accomplishments on Spartan Lane continues to grow with each passing day. As I often share, we are a busy place and we need your engagement to ensure our positive outcomes in the future. It was fun seeing a good crowd at the Granite Bowl in Elberton last Friday evening for another win for Spartan football. We had good attendance at all three shows of the one-act play, The Circus Train. I hope the same is true this afternoon as we host the region cross country meet and for our regular season finale against Rabun County in Ferguson Stadium. Our fourth graders traveled to Atlanta last week to visit the Fernbank Museum and explore the Atlanta zoo overnight–a great opportunity to learn and grow with classmates. The Middle School is busy this week collecting diapers as part of a service project to benefit the Athens Area Diaper Bank, and we hope you will consider donating between now and next Monday.

As I mentioned in my last eSpartan, Athens Academy has worked with the diaper bank for the past two years, even receiving an award from their national organization in September. This commitment to serving our community is one of our four pillars (Academics, Athletics, Fine Arts, and Service and Leadership). From our youngest preschoolers through the Upper School, our students are actively involved in meaningful service projects that help them understand the value of giving back. These experiences not only foster a spirit of generosity but also teach our students the importance of being responsible citizens who contribute positively to the world around them.  Read more.

Violinists Declan Brooks '28 and Berdie Bridges '29 auditioned and passed to the state-level round of GMEA's 2025 All-State Orchestra on October 19.

The cooler air we’re experiencing is well received by the cross country, football and flag football teams!

In just under two weeks, our country will have a new leader. Regardless of who that is, we the people will most likely remain divided, and we will continue to be at odds with each other over various topics. 

As we move into the second half of October, we will find that most of our seniors have applied to at least one college, and families are starting to ask, “What happens next?”

ACAD DIAPER DRIVE - OCTOBER 21-28

Athens Academy is excited to announce our support again this year of the Athens Area Diaper Bank and their efforts to spread diaper need awareness with a school-wide diaper drive, October 21-28. In the U.S., about one of every three families struggles with diaper need. In the Athens area alone, over 8,000 children are in need of diapers. The Athens Area Diaper Bank is a tremendous resource to area families needing help to keep their children clean, dry, and healthy. For families interested in supporting our efforts, please consider donating diapers of any size (open boxes or packs are accepted) at any division office or the Chambers Center. 

FASHION SHOW FUNDRAISER 2024

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 / 3:00-5:00 PM / THE FOUNDRY

Athens Academy is pleased to announce the return of the Fashion Show, to be held Sunday, October 27, 2024 at The Foundry in Athens. Proceeds will benefit the Athens Area Homeless Shelter, Miracle/CHOA and Project Safe. As part of the show, students are selling raffle tickets for a $1,000 gift certificate and a $500 gift certificate to Heery's. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. Raffle winners will be announced at the show, but you do not need to be present to win. There are also numerous silent auction items, from local artists and businesses. Admission to the event is $50; corporate/group admission packages can be purchased for groups of 10 and cost $450. All ticket purchases include one raffle per admission. Click here to purchase admission tickets and/or raffle tickets. This year's fashion show is being organized by seniors Janie O'Neill, Anya Patel, and Charlie Sanderlin. Live jazz will be provided by the Erik Olson Trio. Questions? Email Brian Olson.

BENEFIT PERFORMANCE: CIRCUS TRAIN

OCTOBER 29 / 7:30 PM / BERTELSMANN PRESENTATION HALL

Join us for a special performance benefiting The Performing Animal Society (PAWS), whose mission is the "protection of performing animals, to providing sanctuary to abused, abandoned and retired captive wildlife, to enforcing the best standards of care for all captive wildlife, to the preservation of wild species and their habitat and to promoting public education about captive wildlife issues." The benefit show will be held on Tuesday, October 29, in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall at 7:30 p.m.

PSO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Volunteers are needed for several upcoming events. Click the links below if you are interested in helping out. Volunteer will receive a free raffle ticket for each Holiday Market shift they sign up for! Questions? Email Sarah Gilbert. Thank you!

• Grandparents & Special Friends Day, November 8
• Holiday Market, November 20 & 21

OPEN TO ALL: FIRST FRIDAYS PRAYER GATHERING

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1 / 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.

HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF EFFORTS

The needs of those affected by Hurricane Helene continue to shift frequently, and Athens Academy has been gathering information and resources in order to help in a meaningful way. Under the guidance of our school accountant, we have set up a restricted fund for hurricane relief donations to support local volunteers (including one of our colleagues) who are currently helping the town of Barnardsville, North Carolina, and its outlying communities. This is a strategic effort to make a difference in a small community. None of these gift dollars will benefit Athens Academy in any way. If you would like to make a donation to this fund, please click here. You can also send in a check (please note “Hurricane Relief” in the memo line) with your student.

FENTANYL DANGERS AND AWARENESS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28 / 12:00 PM / BERTELSMANN PRESENTATION HALL

We will hear from Angela King, who lost her son Jack O'Kelley to a fentanyl poisoning lass than a year ago. She and retired DEA Agent Armando Roche will talk about the danger of fentanyl, the importance of access to Narcan, and what parents can do to educate themselves and their children. They will also talk with Upper School students earlier in the day. Everyone is welcome to attend this event, so please share with your friends and neighbors. We hope you will join us for this important presentation.

SCREENAGERS FOLLOW UP: STUDENT PANEL

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13 / 8:15 AM / FARMER FIELD HOUSE

Parents: please join us as we hear from a panel of Upper School students as they reflect on their own perspectives and experiences with regard to screen time, video games, texting, social media, and more. Everyone is welcome, so please bring a friend or neighbor.

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

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.

Athens Academy seeks excellence with honor in the educational and

personal experience of each student.