In our own community we have seen an increase in COVID cases since last Thursday’s message, especially among our adults. At this point, we have an entire class in the Preschool and one of our varsity sports teams under quarantine. These are not easy decisions, but it is for the greater good as we do our best to keep people healthy and safe. Our COVID task force checks in every week about our school situation and the reality of group quarantines. Since the last eSpartan we have added six confirmed cases: three Upper School students, two faculty (one Upper School and one Preschool), and one administrator.  We also have a number of parents in the community with positive tests, so please be vigilant and let’s do our part to keep our community healthy.

Today’s date is a palindrome (1/21/21), which some suggest is a time to seek gratitude and appreciate all that is around us. It’s a good day to announce that we will be taking Monday, February 1, as a mental health day for the community (no school). I realize this is at the end of many quarantines, but we want to give our teachers a day to catch their collective breath and take care of themselves.  Read more.

The 36th Annual Spartan 5K will be held virtually this year, with the very special theme, "Spartans Roll With It!" Here's your chance to get some exercise AND support your school. Download the form, fill it out, and return it by Monday, February 1, 2021. Then choose your own 5K/3.1-mile course and run it by Monday, February 15. All runners registered by February 1 will receive a "Spartans Roll With It" T-shirt. Click here for more information. Get out there and roll with it, Spartans!

This year's Middle School play, The Bully Plays, is an anthology of ten-minute plays that may be performed in any combination and length. These plays are touching, imaginative, powerful, uplifting, and funny. The premiere screening will be held on campus on Friday, February 5, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Space is limited for this video debut so please email Tyler Dale to reserve your spot (please note that first priority will be given to the families of the performers). The show will also be webcast on Saturday, February 6, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, February 7, at 2:00 p.m. (link available on the Webcast Calendar on the Athens Academy website). Due to copyright restrictions, these three showings are the only opportunity to see this performance, so don’t miss it!

ACAD Cares is a new program run by the PSO that provides a meal to any Athens Academy family in need, including those experiencing a death in the family, surgery, illness, or other trauma. Each family will receive a complete meal, including a pre-made casserole/entrée, vegetable, rolls, and dessert. If you know of an Athens Academy family in need, please email Sue Williams. If you would like to volunteer on the ACAD Cares Committee, preparing and/or delivering meals, please click here. Thank you!

VIRTUAL PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS 

Athens Academy is offering virtual private instruction in band, orchestral stringed instruments, mandolin, ukulele, beginning guitar, and music theory. Students will meet once a week for 14 weeks for a 30-minute private lesson. The virtual lesson fee is $560.00 for the 14 private sessions. Lessons will run the week of January 18 through the week of April 26. Click here for more information.

Please contact the individual instructor to arrange your 30-minute time slot (click here for contact information). For your convenience, we will charge your student account once you have arranged your weekly virtual lesson time with the instructor. 

We're gearing up for another busy admission season at Athens Academy, with the Preschool application process currently well underway. If you know any prospective Athens Academy families, please feel free to share this eSpartan and especially this new campus video created by alumnus John Chester '20. Our current families are often our best references--thank you! For more information on the admission process, please contact Geoffrey Walton or Mary Catherine Jernigan. Go Spartans!

Together we have been approved for nearly $1 million in state tax credits for 2021...redirecting funds that would normally go to the state in taxes to Athens Academy instead.

GREAT NEWS--IT'S NOT TOO LATE! 

If you did not pre-register for the 2021, there are still funds available! The program did not "sell out," so Apogee will continue to take applications until all the funds are depleted.

To apply now, please click here or contact Greta Covington for more information.

School Store Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Junior College Night - Monday, January 25 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. (virtual)

Uniform Resale - Wednesday, January 27 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the Chambers Center lower level

Upper School Parent Night (Second Semester) - Thursday, January 28 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. (virtual)

Mental Health Day (No School) - Monday, February 1

Virtual Spartan 5K - Monday, February 1 (registration deadline) / Monday, February 15 (race deadline) (virtual)

Freshman College Night - Tuesday, February 2 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. (virtual)

Middle School Play Premiere: The Bully Plays - Friday, February 5 & Saturday, February 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 7 at 2:00 p.m.

Rising Ninth Grade Night - Tuesday, February 9 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. (virtual)

Faculty Development Day (No School) - Monday, February 15

Preschool Conference Day (No School, K3, K4 & Pre-first) - Wednesday, March 3 (virtual)

Lower School Conference Day (No School, grades 1-4) - Wednesday, March 3 (virtual)

Spring Break - Classes dismiss at 3:20 p.m. on Friday, March 5, and resume Monday, March 15

Please click here for information on safety guidelines, COVID protocols, and other important details for the 2020-2021 school year. Thank you for your partnership and support. (Last updated December 17, 2020.)

What to Do If You Are Sick (CDC)