GREETINGS FROM SPARTAN LANE

Happy Thanksgiving!  Have a well-earned holiday with your loved ones. I know that the vacation comes at a good time after such a productive start to the school year. Yesterday, the seventh graders successfully completed their Coming to America event. Today is another busy day on campus with our eighth Holiday Market in full swing. The Preschool will enjoy another tradition with their harvest festival class parties tomorrow.

One of the best things of this school year has been the number of attendees at various events. We have seen healthy crowds joining us for almost everything we are hosting. I loved seeing so many in the Farmer Field House last Friday for our parent meeting on supporting students’ mental well-being. Our senior class hosted a Special Olympics event that attracted one of the largest crowds in the Sinkwich Spartan Center in the last several years, and I know it brought a lot of happiness to many. Our annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day was once again a joyous occasion for all. One grandparent pulled me aside and asked why more of our families do not participate in the Georgia Tuition Tax Credit. He said, “This is free money!” and he asked me to scream it from the rooftops. The short version is taxpayers can send their hard-earned dollars to the state or they can allocate a portion of their tax liability to a school like Athens Academy. These dollars benefit everyone in the form of revenue that is not tuition or philanthropy, and we hope you will click here to learn more about this great program. Read more.

CONSIDER PARTICIPATING IN THE GEORGIA TUITION TAX CREDIT PROGRAM

BENEFITING ATHENS ACADEMY'S STUDENTS, FACULTY & PROGRAMS

**DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 15, 2022**

Rare opportunities come up from time to time, and the Georgia Tuition Tax Credit Program provides a compelling one. Georgia taxpayers can choose to direct money toward an independent school, like Athens Academy, or have it go to the state’s tax revenues. Georgia has been running surpluses of late, which is great, and this gives more credence to redirecting your tax liability to Athens Academy. Click here to learn more.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Georgia FIRST Lego League State Robotics Tournament

Saturday, December 3

Athens Academy is excited to host the Georgia FIRST Lego League Regional Robotics Tournament this year, on Saturday, December 3! In addition to welcoming twelve teams from the area, we also need six judges and six referees/scorers to help support the tournament. No prior knowledge or experience is required--just a desire to work with an amazing group of talented children! If you are interested in volunteering or learning more click here or email Keira Digel Drake. Thank you!

CASH BACK PROGRAMS AT HOLIDAY TIME

Cash Back Programs provide funds for our students. Amazon, Box Tops for Education, Kroger and Publix are working with Athens Academy to provide funding for school projects. The Athens Academy community has shown tremendous support for these programs, and our goal this year is to have as MANY parents as possible participating! With the holiday season approaching we would love for you to sign up for these programs, because it's a free way to help Athens Academy! So please sign up before you go get those groceries for your holiday meal(s) or order gifts:

• Amazon Smile
• Box Tops for Education
• Kroger Community Rewards
• Club Publix

PLEASE DONATE SCHOOL UNIFORMS

If your child has outgrown their school uniforms, or if you just enjoy cleaning out those closets, please consider donating gently used Lands End uniforms, outerwear, and accessories to the PSO. The next Uniform Resale is scheduled for Wednesday, January 25, 2023, so we hope to replenish our inventory over the next two months. Your help is greatly appreciated! Drop-off bins are located in the Chambers Center, the Sinkwich Spartan Center, and the Lower and Middle School division offices. Questions? Email Sarah Gilbert. Thank you!

SPARTAN 5K & SPRINT | FEBRUARY 11, 2023

Sparty's back and ready to run the 38th Annual Spartan 5K! This year the Spartan 5K and Spartan Sprint will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023. A favorite race of runners across the Southeast, the 5K has a super fast one-mile downhill finish and beautiful handmade pottery awards by r. wood studio. New this year: we're excited to offer RFID chip timing! Click here for the early registration rate of $25 (deadline is January 30, 2023). Click here to download the race form to register for the family discount. Questions? Email Sarah Gilbert.

UPCOMING EVENTS

School Store Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 8AM-4PM; Tuesday/Thursday, 8AM-3PM

Thanksgiving Holiday (No School) - Classes dismiss at 3:20 p.m. (Extended Day available as usual) on Friday, November 18 and resume at 8:10 a.m. on Monday, November 28

PSO Holiday Decorating - Tuesday, November 29

Holiday Celebration (Senior and first grade parents invited) - Wednesday, December 7 at 9:30 a.m. in the Sinkwich Spartan Center

Middle & Upper School Bands Winter Concert - Thursday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall

Third Grade Class Play - Friday, December 9 at 8:45 a.m. in the Harrison Performance Hall

Classes Dismiss for Winter Break - Friday, December 16 at 11:30 a.m. (No Extended Day); classes resume on Tuesday, January 3 at 8:10 a.m.

38th Annual Spartan 5K & Sprint - Saturday, February 11

COVID GUIDELINES FOR 2022-23

Click here for the updated guidelines regarding COVID-19 for the upcoming school year, including what to do when a student tests positive for the virus.