November 19, 2020
GREETINGS FROM SPARTAN LANE
Sixty-seven days of awesome teaching and learning are in the books! Thank you to our Athens Academy community for allowing us to accomplish so much under difficult and surreal circumstances. Please enjoy a well-earned holiday and recharge for our quick dash to the winter holidays, which will begin on December 18 after an 11:30 a.m. dismissal.

Since last week, we have zero new COVID cases to report among our students and employees. This is welcome news, and we applaud everyone for their positive efforts to keep our community healthy and functioning at a high level. I know our teachers are especially grateful.

If you are traveling over the holiday or looking at a potential trip over the winter holidays, this risk assessment tool may be of interest. The pandemic continues to spike, and we can validate this trend within our own Spartan community, especially among our parents—we know of at least 15 who have had positive tests in the last ten days. We wish everyone well and encourage you to follow health protocols even away from Spartan Lane. We want everyone to remain safe and healthy! We also look forward to a safe return to in-person learning after Thanksgiving. If you missed our Monday message with a few reminders and suggestions, you can find it here. Read more.
Students in grades 3-8 complete the first of two ERB Benchmark Assessments this week.
Updates on Drama Club, Lower School music class, and the second grade strings program!
Celebrating fall sports; seniors signing for college athletics; and information on the November 27 football game.
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS IN THE TIME OF COVID
PRESENTED BY DR. RICH SLATCHER
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 - 7:00 P.M. (virtual)
We are living in a challenging moment, with the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically affecting people and their communities throughout the world. This talk will describe findings from the Love in the Time of COVID Project, an international collaboration that has surveyed over 5,000 participants from around the globe. The project was designed to assess how various social factors (Zoom vs. in-person) and people’s personalities and coping styles are influencing their happiness and well-being during the pandemic. What kinds of people are doing okay right now? Who's struggling most? And what can you do to survive—and even thrive—for the remainder of the pandemic? These questions and others will be addressed to illustrate ways that we can all get through this difficult time a little bit happier and a little more socially connected. To RSVP please email Bob Sears.

STATE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS: NOVEMBER 27
The Spartans will host a first-round Class A Private State playoff game next Friday, November 27 (opponent TBD). The school is not planning to increase or change the current spectator policy for the playoffs. All player and cheerleader parents and siblings may purchase tickets along with two additional tickets to be shared at the player/cheerleader's discretion. Admission is $8 per ticket. Please note that regular season season passes are not valid for the state playoffs. This means everyone two and older must pay the $8 admission fee.
We are currently pre-selling tickets for the November 27 game in the Sinkwich Spartan Center athletic office. Please note that the athletic office will be open as follows: November 19 (8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.); November 20 (8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.); November 23-24 (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.); November 25-26 (Closed); November 27 (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.).
Please note that masks will be required at all times for all spectators in the stadium. This is due to the increased number of cases in our region and within our own Spartan community. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. As always you can watch the game live on NFHS Network. To access the game, go to the Athens Academy homepage, click "Webcasts" in the upper right hand corner, select the date/game you want to watch on the calendar, and click the link under "Description." GO SPARTANS!

PRESCHOOL ADMISSIONS 2020-2021
SPACE IS LIMITED SO APPLY NOW
As we wind down November, the Athens Academy Admission Office is busy with the 2020-21 admission season for Preschool and Grade 1. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we will not be able to host our annual Preschool Open House; instead, we will be offering individual tours/information sessions to interested families. If you are interested in learning more about admission for Fall 2021, we encourage you to click here to reserve your tour now (space is limited). Please also share with your friends who may be interested. Questions? Email Mary Catherine Jernigan.
REMEMBER TO USE AMAZON SMILE FOR YOUR ONLINE HOLIDAY SHOPPING!
When customers shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers. Click here for information on selecting Athens Academy as your AmazonSmile organization. Get your holiday shopping done and give back to Athens Academy at the same time! Questions? Email Cashback Committee Chair Julie Rhodes.
ON SALE NOW:
20% OFF UNIFORMS AT LANDS' END
Click here for savings on all uniform styles at Lands' End, now through November 27, 2020. See website for details. Questions? Email Natalie Luke.
Do you pay Georgia taxes?
Would you like to send that money to Athens Academy instead?

Please consider participating in the Georgia Tuition Tax Credit Program!
For more information, go to our website or contact Greta Covington.

Deadline to pre-register for 2021 is December 15, 2020.
To sign up now, click here!
The Annual Excellence Fund is Athens Academy's most important fundraising effort! We need YOUR support to make a positive difference. All gift dollars are tax deductible and support our people and programs.  

Participation is EXTREMELY important so please join us!
CLICK HERE to support our Spartans TODAY!
Questions? Contact Charlotte Mullen or DeDe Guest.
UPCOMING EVENTS
School Store Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Artscape Exhibit (All Grades) - October 30-December 18 in the Myers Gallery
Athens Academy Holiday Market - Thursday, November 19 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. in the Sinkwich Spartan Center
Thanksgiving Holidays - Classes dismiss at 3:20 p.m. on Friday, November 20 and resume Monday, November 30 at 8:10 a.m.
Holiday Program - Wednesday, December 2 at 9:00 a.m. in the Sinkwich Spartan Center (senior and first grade parents invited to attend)
"Social Relationships in the Time of COVID" presented by Dr. Rich Slatcher - Tuesday, December 8 at 7:00 p.m. (virtual)
Winter Break - Classes dismiss at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, December 18 and resume Monday, January 4 at 8:10 a.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day (School Holiday) - Monday, January 18, 2021
Junior College Night - Monday, January 25 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. (virtual)
PREPARATION PLAN 2020-2021
Please click here for information on school re-opening, safety guidelines and protocols, and other important details for the upcoming school year. Thank you for your partnership and support. (Last updated August 14, 2020)
COVID-19 HEALTH RESOURCES

TIPS ON STAYING HEALTHY & REDUCING RISK
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
  • Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill.
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Athens Academy seeks excellence with honor in the educational and personal experience of each student.