GREETINGS FROM SPARTAN LANE
It has not been a smooth transition into 2022, and I am sorry that this is the case. We have averaged nearly 90 absences a day since our return to school. I realize all of this is not COVID-related, but it does not make it any easier for our teachers to pivot within their classrooms. We continue to welcome back students and faculty from quarantines, but we are still seeing too many going into quarantine. As a result of these numbers and local positivity rates, which are currently 39% and 34% for Oconee and Clarke Counties respectively, we will continue masking indoors on our campus through February 4, 2022.
I realize this will be met with mixed feelings, but the purpose of this is to keep our community healthy and in school. As of Wednesday, January 19, we have had 87 cases thus far this month alone. It is important to realize that our worst month to date had been 26 cases in December 2020, so this is a tremendous jump. Our work is to keep normalcy for our students, and the best way to do this is to help mitigate the spread of the virus. Along those lines, as we shared three weeks ago, cloth masks are not as effective, so please consider using a KN95 mask or a disposable medical mask. As you may have heard in yesterday’s news reports, high-filtration masks should be available at no cost from local pharmacies and community health centers beginning late next week.
To bring this period of masking to a close, we are going to take Monday, February 7, as a teacher appreciation day off of school. The hope is that people can take this day to catch up on work, exercise or sleep, and simply take a day to recharge. Our people are doing fantastic work, and I hope this day will help keep us moving in the right direction and help maintain a high level of energy on campus. Read more.
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UPDATE: NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Please note that we are going to take Monday, February 7, as a teacher appreciation day off of school. The hope is that families will take this day to catch up on work, exercise or sleep, and simply take a day to recharge. Our people are doing fantastic work, and we hope this day will help keep us moving in the right direction and help maintain a high level of energy on campus. Thank you!
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Congratulations to senior Daniel Huang and junior Simms Murray, both of whom have been selected for the GMEA 2022 11/12 All-State Orchestra! |
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The winter sports season is going well, and all of the teams are quickly approaching their region and state competitions. |
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Happy New Year from the College Counseling office! Click the link for reminders and other important information for all Upper School students and families. |
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I know [our graduates] are prepared...They all report they know “how to do school” because they learned how to do it at Athens Academy. |
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SPARTAN 5K & SPRINT: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12
EARLY REGISTRATION ENDS FEBRUARY 3!
So many choices for the 37th Annual Spartan 5K! This year we will run the Spartan 5K in person in its usual format on Saturday, February 12, 2022--but runners may also opt for the virtual version, running the 5K on their own between February 5-12 and submitting their time (click here for more details). We'll be running the Spartan Sprint one-mile race as usual too, so be sure to sign up the whole family! Download the form or register online. Deadline for registration is Monday, February 3, 2022. Questions? Email Sarah Gilbert.
SPARTAN 5K VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
As one of our favorite (and busiest) events of the year, the Spartan 5K requires lots of helping hands to make it happen! Whether it's working the registration table, monitoring the course/finish line, or assisting with the awards ceremony, there are many different options for the whole family to get involved. Click here to sign up today! Questions? Email PSO Coordinator Sarah Gilbert.
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THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE
Friday, February 4 & Saturday, February 5 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 6 @ 2:00 PM
The Middle School Drama Department proudly presents The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, February 4-6, in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall. Don't miss this beautiful performance of the classic novel by C.S. Lewis (adaptation by Don Quinn), directed by Tyler Dale. Ticket purchase information will be available soon.
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FAMILY EDUCATION EVENT: BIRDS & BEES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8 / 3:30-5:30 PM
FARMER FIELD HOUSE
Kids are supposed to be curious and ask questions, that’s part of healthy child development. Of course, just because it’s normal doesn’t mean it’s easy to answer those questions! Birds & Bees offers simple, practical strategies to help you tackle the talk. The goal is to equip and empower parents to start conversations about sexual development with their young children and continue the conversations as they enter adolescence. The program will be led by the Athens Academy Counseling Team. This two-hour program for families with children ages 1-10 includes video segments and a family notebook. Space is limited so click here to reserve your spot by Tuesday, February 1. Childcare will be available. Questions? Email Morgan Jones.
RIDE THE SLIDE @ ATHENS ACADEMY
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022
Athens Academy's Preschool is pleased to host their annual Ride the Slide event for prospective K3, K4, and pre-first students on Friday, February 18. Students and their parent(s) are invited to this informal playground time to interact with other preschoolers, meet our teachers, and take a look around our campus. Playground times are:
- K3 - 9:30-10:00 a.m.
- K4 - 10:00-10:30 a.m.
- Pre-first - 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Please encourage your friends with preschool-age children to join us! For more information or to RSVP for the event, please email Mary Catherine Jernigan or call 706-433-2599.
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DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11 / 7:00-8:30 PM
The Upper School CARE Club is excited to host their annual Daddy Daughter Dance! This dance is for students in pre-first through sixth grade and their special guest (dads, uncles, grandfathers, family friends, all are welcome!). The night will be filled with music, dancing, a photography booth and a candy/dessert bar in the Middle School Gym. Registration is $25.00 per couple; additional siblings are $10.00 each. Click here to register or for more information. Questions? Email Nikki Chester.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
School Store Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Junior College Night - Monday, January 24 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall
Uniform Resale - Wednesday, January 26 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the Chambers Center Lower Level
Middle School Play - Friday, February 4 (7:30 p.m.), Saturday, February 5 (7:30 p.m.), and Sunday, February 6 (2:00 p.m.) in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall
Upper School Winter Dance - Saturday, February 5 from 8:30-11:00 p.m. in the Reigle Indoor Baseball Facility
No School/Teacher Appreciation Day (Grades K3-12) - Monday, February 7
Ninth Grade College Night - Monday, February 7 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall
Second Grade Class Performance - Friday, February 11 at 8:45 a.m. in the Harrison Performance Hall
Daddy Daughter Dance - Friday, February 11 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Middle School Gym
37th Annual Spartan 5K & Sprint - Saturday, February 12
Luminaria (Upper School Celebration of the Arts) - Thursday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m. (Location TBA)
Ride the Slide at Athens Academy - Friday, February 18 at 9:30 a.m. (K3), 10:00 a.m. (K4) & 10:30 a.m. (pre-first) on the Harrison Playground
Middle School Dance (Grades 7 & 8) - Friday, February 18 from 8:00-10:00 p.m.
Student Holiday (No School/Faculty Development Day) - Monday, February 21
Family Science Night (Pre & Lower School) - Thursday, February 24 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in Barrett Hall
Re-enrollment Due - Tuesday, March 1
Preschool & Lower School Conference Day (No School, Grades K3-4) - Wednesday, March 2
Grandparents & Special Friends Day - Friday, April 29
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UPDATED COVID-19 GUIDELINES
Click here to read the latest COVID-19 campus guidelines, updated January 3, 2022.
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Athens Academy seeks excellence with honor in the educational and personal experience of each student. |
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