SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

NOTES FROM SPARTAN LANE

JOHN THORSEN, HEAD OF SCHOOL

It would seem that Helene has different plans for us this week, and we will adapt and get through this storm with one another’s support. We will postpone several events and bring our community together to support one another when it is safe to do so. Even with the change of plans, Homecoming week has been terrific. I’ve enjoyed seeing our students come to school in jerseys or “tacky” styles. Homecoming is about school spirit and community, but it is also having the confidence to be yourself, be a little silly and have fun. I think this perspective also helps when a hurricane is heading in our direction and we need to respond to adversity. Thank you for allowing us to be a positive and safe environment for our students, where they can have some fun with their friends and teachers.

In a recent parent education meeting with Beau Seagraves and Carrie Smith, the topic of regulating screen time came up, and I thought this article from CNN had some helpful information to share. Yesterday, another group of parents heard from Dr. Jerry Kane about the realities of Generative AI and its future trajectory. The power of technology is influencing the world, and we need to learn as much as we can along the way. This article on parenting in the age of Gen AI is also worth a look. Parents need to engage in meaningful conversations with their children and inculcate a strong value system that will be with them for life. We offer these speakers and resources to help our community reflect on important topics and raise children in 2024 and beyond.  Read more.

Preschool students celebrated Dot Day on Thursday, September 20, after learning all about Dot Day and Peter Reynolds in their art, library, and music specials for the past few weeks. 

Last week was likely the athletic department’s busiest week for athletics on and off campus so far this school year. 

October is shaping up to be a very busy month for the college counseling office. 

In her book The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, Lisa Damour asserts that “emotional health” is having the right emotions for the specific situation, lasting for an appropriate amount of time, while also knowing how to effectively handle those emotions. 

SCHOOL CLOSED FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

Due to the anticipated severe weather conditions, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and Homeland Security have advised all schools in the state to close on Friday, September 27. Athens Academy will be closed and all Friday Homecoming events are postponed or canceled. As of Thursday afternoon, the football game vs. Oglethorpe County High School has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 28, at 12:00 p.m. If the power is out on campus on Saturday, the football game will be postponed. Stay tuned to Instagram (@spartanathletic & @athens_academy) for updates.

ALUMNI CELEBRATION/HOMECOMING COURT/HONORING FRED BRIDGES

RESCHEDULED TO FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11

We have rescheduled the Alumni Association dinner, recognition of the 2024 Homecoming Court, and the event to honor Fred Bridges for 50 years of service to Friday, October 11, during the football game vs. Providence Christian. Alumni: be on the lookout for a new invitation and RSVP information. Everyone: please join us on October 11--kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. on Slaughter Field! GO SPARTANS!

SIXTEEN SENIORS RECOGNIZED BY NATIONAL MERIT

Athens Academy is pleased to announce that sixteen members of the Class of 2025 have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation: twelve students as Semifinalists and four as Commended Students.  Of the private schools in the state of Georgia, Athens Academy has the second highest number of Semifinalists, just behind The Westminster Schools of Atlanta.

 Locally, although Athens Academy’s Class of 2025 comprises approximately 5% of the seniors in Clarke and Oconee County schools, these twelve students comprise almost half (48%) of the total Semifinalists across both counties. Totals for each local school include Athens Academy (12), Clarke Central High School (4), Oconee County High School (3), North Oconee High School (3), Cedar Shoals High School (2), and Prince Avenue Christian School (1), for a total of 25 Semifinalists. No other school in these counties had students scoring at the highest level for National Merit recognition. Read more.

BOOK FAIR, GRADES K3-8

SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 4 / LOWER SCHOOL DISCOVERY CENTER

ONLINE NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 4

Join us for the fall book fair from September 30-October 4 in the Lower School Discovery Center. The fair will run from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Friday. We are excited to partner with Literati again this fall. Click here to order online. You can also purchase gift cards for students to use when shopping at the book fair (instead of cash) or for teachers to use to order books for their classrooms. We are also in need of volunteers to help work the fair, so if you're interested, please click here to choose a time that works for you.

ARTSCAPE 2024 OPENING RECEPTION

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 / 4:00-7:00 PM

MYERS GALLERY

Please join us as we honor our student artists and their work from the 2023-24 school year. This show, which features artwork across all four divisions, will hold an opening reception in honor of the artists on Thursday, October 3, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. in the Myers Gallery. Everyone is invited to attend, and we hope you will join us as we celebrate the arts at Athens Academy!

OPEN TO ALL: FIRST FRIDAYS PRAYER GATHERING

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 / 8:15 AM / SINKWICH SPARTAN CENTER CLASSROOM

We will be hosting the first prayer gathering of 2024-25 on Friday, October 4, beginning at 8:15 a.m. in the Sinkwich Spartan Center classroom. (Please note that this meeting will usually be held 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.

FLU VACCINE CLINIC FOR STUDENTS & FAMILIES

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9

As a service to our community, we have partnered with a local pharmacy to offer an on-campus flu vaccination clinic on Wednesday, October 9, in the Chambers Center boardroom. You can sign up directly with the pharmacy by clicking here. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to submit the consent form, enter your insurance information, and cancel your appointment if needed. More details:

• Please fill out a consent form for each person getting vaccinated (the pharmacy’s form is secure and HIPAA-compliant).
• Available for ages 3 and up. Ages 3-12 must have a guardian present.
• If you are planning to send your 13-17 year old student to the clinic unaccompanied, you must fill out the consent form within 72 hours of the appointment even if it was already filled out at registration.
• Any insurance or self-pay is accepted. Please bring your insurance card with you to your appointment. Questions? Contact Rabun Neves (706) 543-7386.

QPR TRAINING: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15

8:30-11:30 AM / CHAMBERS CENTER BOARD ROOM

Our next QPR (Suicide Prevention Program) Training will take place on Tuesday, October 15, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Chambers Center Board Room. Athens Academy is fortunate to have established a partnership with Nuci's Space, a local non-profit organization that seeks to help young people get paired up with local mental health workers. With our ongoing partnership, representatives from Nuci's Space will once again provide this training to our community. While this intensive program requires three hours of time, participants will learn how to help someone who is considering suicide. Space is limited so please reserve your space before it fills up again. Questions? Email Bob Sears. 

WINNING FAMILY CULTURE: CREATING A FAMILY CULTURE THAT DEVELOPS GREAT PEOPLE

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 / 8:15 AM & 2:15 PM / FARMER FIELD HOUSE

Please join us for "Winning Family Culture: Creating a Family Culture that Develops Great People" presented by Juan and Karla Vereecken. Juan is the president of Maxwell Leadership Mexico and is an inspirational coach, speaker, and podcaster. He and wife Karla will share their insight on what it takes to raise young leaders in today's world. Two sessions are offered for your convenience; both will be held in the Farmer Field House. Questions? Email Brian Olson. We hope you will join us for this enlightening presentation!

SCREENAGERS: ELEMENTARY EDITION

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21 / 8:15 AM & 5:30 PM / HARRISON PERFORMANCE HALL

Athens Academy is pleased to present two showings of the new film Screenagers: Elementary School Edition. This documentary is suggested for families with children in Preschool through Grade 6, although everyone is welcome. Childcare will be available during the 5:30 p.m. screening. Please click here to RSVP and to register for childcare. On November 13, we will host a follow-up session with a panel of Upper School students sharing their own experiences and perspectives with parents of younger students. We hope you will make plans to attend and please bring a neighbor or a friend--everyone is welcome!

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.

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 2024 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.