Raider Nation Newsletter
Week of February 5, 2023
February is Black History Month
Dear Atholton families,
I am so excited to begin this week’s newsletter with the fantastic news of our Varsity Cheerleading squad capturing the Howard County Winter Cheerleading title. Coach Butler and the entire team worked so hard this year and are now reaping the rewards. Please join me in congratulating them. You may read about their win here.
In keeping with our celebration of students, I want to congratulate Lucy Wang and Jessica Zhou for being selected to apply to the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. This prestigious program recognizes some of the best high school students in the country. We wish them all the best as they complete their applications and compete with students from all over the country.
As you all know, I spent ten days in Guatemala with the Lifetouch Memory Mission, helping to build a school. To be more specific, a recycled bottle school. This type of school is a third of the cost as it uses recycled bottles to help the environment. Our school site was three hours west of the capital, Guatemala City, in the mountains near the city of Tecpan. In addition to building the school, the sponsoring company, Lifetouch, took pictures of students and presented them with their portraits on the last day of our trip. This experience was humbling and inspiring all at the same time. As I said to our students upon my return, I hope they appreciate the amenities they have and never take for granted their education. The village's children walk four miles to school each day and were on their summer vacation to help us build the three-room addition to THEIR school. I have tried to capture the experience in a photo montage below. Enjoy!
Lastly, February is Black History Month. Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today.
President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Today, Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans across U.S. history and society—from activists and civil rights pioneers such as Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks to leaders in industry, politics, science, culture and more.
I am excited about the upcoming Black History Month School-wide assembly at the end of the month. The Black Student Union has been working hard in preparation for an exciting show! Additionally, Atholton is hosting a Black History Month Door Decorating Contest with the theme of 21st Century Innovator.
At Atholton, we strive to create an inclusive, accessible, diverse, and equitable school community for everyone. Always remember that our stories and histories unite us and make us better.
Additionally, our Parents of Black Students Association (PBSA) will provide a write-up each week for your information. This week, they invite you to visit our Atholton High School Neighbor --
Did you know that the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center (HTCC) is right in our school’s backyard? To kick off Black History Month, we invite you to visit the HTCC. The Harriet Tubman School opened in 1949 as Howard County’s only all-black high school until it was closed through desegregation in 1965 and was used by the Howard County Public School System for more than 50 years. The new center has space for different kinds of programs, including a museum. There, visitors will find a replica classroom filled with newspaper articles about the school and Black life in Howard County. The HTCC also features an exhibit area, classrooms, a gym, a library, and rental spaces.
Address: 8045 Harriet Tubman Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
https://www.visithowardcounty.com/listings/harriet-tubman-cultural-center/10036/
Have a fantastic week!
Warmest regards,
Robert A. Motley
Principal
Class of 2023 Information
Coffee and Tea with Mr. Motley – NEW DATE -- February 7 at AHS
Come get to know Mr. Motley and the members of the AHS administrative team! Enjoy a drink, a snack, and some casual conversation. Parent questions or concerns will be addressed, and Mr. Motley will explain how to navigate the AHS administrative system. February 7th @ 7 pm in the Media Center.
Registration is requested but not required.
MVA Testing
Guatemala Bottle School Pictures
Alex 1 and Alex 2 helping out on the wall
Finishing the last row on this wall
Making sure the bottles are all lined up
Lining up and securing bottles
What a finished wall looks like
A memento of what is behind the wall
Mark Your Calendar
February 20 -- School Closed--President's Day
Atholton High School
Click Below for Boosters' Organization News
Email: Robert_Motley@hcpss.org
Website: www.ahs.hcpss.org
Location: 6520 Freetown Road, Columbia, MD, USA
Phone: (410) 313-7065