Middle School News

This Friday, August 13th (lucky day!), we will be hosting an orientation for students joining the Athens Academy family this year. Parents can drop their new students off at the Middle School turn-around at 10:00 a.m. and pick them up at 12:00. Sorry parents, this is students-only :)
Students will meet up with other new and returning students, take a tour of the Middle School, meet their teachers, and locate their lockers. We look forward to seeing you all on Friday!

Posted by Mrs. Olson at 9:41 AM | Permalink

Middle School summer mailing was mailed to all Middle School students on Wednesday, July 21. You will find some important information regarding the upcoming school year in your packet. We have also added to the Middle School webpage some other important information you will want to look at.
Key DatesDownload file
Transportation InformationDownload file
Lunch ProgramDownload file
Extended DayDownload file
Magazine SalesDownload file
Medication AuthorizationDownload file
Parents DayDownload file
6th Grade Immunization InformationDownload file
8th Grade Fall Retreat LetterDownload file
7th Grade Laptop RolloutDownload file
Absence StatementDownload file
7th and 8th Grade AthleticsDownload file

Posted by Mrs. Sanford at 2:18 PM | Permalink

With only a few weeks of summer vacation left, your thoughts might be turning to anticipation of school. I wanted to alert you that you will be receiving a summer mailing in the next few days. In it you will find key dates for the coming school year and some important forms to complete. Also, you will want to check the Middle School web page for other information. Be sure to look under your grade level and in the general information section.

You will notice that you are not receiving a homeroom list in the mail. At this point, we are still finalizing our class rosters and will give the information to parents at the Parents Day event on Sunday, August 15. Sixth grade will have a special homeroom sorting event on the first day of school--a new tradition for this class!

Be sure to take full advantage of the long, lazy summer days! I look forward to seeing you on August 16.
Mrs. Klein

Posted by Mrs. Klein at 9:20 AM | Permalink

A new opportunity for Middle School students: If you are interested in participating in an Athens Academy Upper School and Middle School Equestrian team, an organizational meeting is coming up. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 28 at 6:30 PM at Four Seasons Farm in Madison. For directions or more information, you may call Kat DeMas Mulkey at 706-474-8490 or check out the website at www.fourseasonsfarm.com.

Please see the attached flyer. Download file

Posted by Mrs. Klein at 12:20 PM | Permalink

“Are you a human or an alien?” This was the question that was posed to the 6th grade class recently. “My brother says I’m an alien,” was the first response blurted out by an eager 6th grader in the back of the class. During a recent FAB Friday the 6th grade class had the opportunity to put this one brother’s hypothesis to the test. A group of Upper School students taking evolutionary genetics, taught by Mrs. Chester, approached Mr. Brantley about the opportunity to share with the 6th graders some of the unique things they have been learning about genetics and DNA.

To provide a basic introduction of DNA, the upper school students compared Justin Bieber to a dog. After a riveting and laugh-filled introduction to DNA, the Upper School students engaged the 6th graders in an experiment. During this hands-on activity, the 6th graders took DNA samples by swabbing the inside of their cheeks. The Upper School students each worked with a small group of 6th graders to teach them how to use pipettes, mix a chemical with their DNA sample, spin their DNA in the centrifuge, and heat and cool their samples. All of these steps will help determine if the students contain a small section of DNA that ALL humans contain. This small portion of DNA will not reveal any individual unique genetic features.

The Upper School students are analyzing the samples. They will then be using a video to reveal their conclusion of the true number of aliens in the 6th grade! Our estimations are between 30% and 40%!

Drew Brantley, 6th grade science teacher

Posted by Mrs. Klein at 8:48 AM | Permalink

Of the candidates who qualified and participated in this year's Duke TIP 7th Grade Talent Search, nineteen 7th grade students from Athens Academy then qualified for State Recognition. To be eligible, these students must have scored at or above the national average of high school juniors or seniors who tested on at least one part of the SAT or ACT. These students are invited to a special recognition ceremony. Congratulations Spartans!

Posted by Mrs. Olson at 2:54 PM | Permalink

Recently the fifth grade had the opportunity to research and experience Newton’s three laws of motion as they designed and launched their Athens Academy bottle rockets. They used an interactive website to determine the weights needed for the rocket’s nose, body, and wings in order to design their own bottle rocket. Launch day was a success and the students took pride in their designs.

Posted by Mrs. Sanford at 10:02 AM | Permalink

During the month of January, we will continue in the tradition of Dr. King by focusing on Civil Rights and Service to the Community. We have community leaders scheduled as guest speakers for chapel programs and on January 29, all Middle School grade levels will watch a video from the "Teaching Tolerance" series on Civil Rights. Afterward, students and teachers will reflect on the videos and discuss the destructiveness of hateful behaviors.

Click here to learn more about Teaching Tolerance and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

We encourage our Athens Academy families to volunteer over the MLK weekend!

Posted by Mrs. Olson at 1:34 PM | Permalink

Several Middle School teachers volunteered at the 1st Annual Food Pantry to supply food for those in need.

Posted by Mrs. Olson at 12:23 PM | Permalink

Please check your Meal Pay Plus account to ensure that it does not carry a negative balance. Meal Pay Plus accounts that have an outstanding balance as of 12/18/09 will be transferred to your child’s school billing account plus a 15% service charge. You may log on to www.mealpayplus.com to bring your account current, mail payment to the Business Office or bring money to the Tillman Center during lunch hours. If you have any questions, please contact the Business Office at (706) 549-9225.

Posted by Mrs. Klein at 1:25 PM | Permalink

Ask your student where everyone sits during lunch and I bet they can tell you which "group" sits at what table. Well, today students were assigned random seats in the Tillman Center and asked to work on an activity together. The point of all of this is to encourage the students to cross social boundaries and sit and talk with people they may not know all that well in a safe and supportive environment.

Posted by Mrs. Olson at 1:42 PM | Permalink

Please refer to the school policies handbook which states: "No student should arrive before 7:40 a.m., except for a scheduled appointment with a faculty member."

We request your cooperation in following this policy. Thank you.

Posted by Mrs. Klein at 9:19 AM | Permalink

Athens Academy Homecoming Week is approaching and Middle School students are excited to participate in activities! Each grade is designing and creating a banner for the homecoming parade. On Friday, November 6, all students will gather for the parade followed by a pep rally in the stadium. For this special spirit event we encourage students to wear their Spartan colors to school. Students may wear the special homecoming t-shirt or any Athens Academy t-shirt with jeans or school shorts or pants. They may also wear their green or white polo shirts with school sweatshirts or Sunshine outerwear.

Parents are welcome to join us for the pep rally! Hope to see you cheering on the Spartans at the game at 7:30 that evening.

Posted by Mrs. Klein at 9:10 AM | Permalink

Middle School students are completing the first quarter of school on Friday, October 16. Report cards will be mailed to parents on Wednesday, October 21. Please review the report with your child and return the signed slip to the homeroom teacher.

The faculty and I congratulate the students on their strong beginning of school. They are doing good work!

Posted by Mrs. Klein at 10:23 AM | Permalink

News flash! NASA will be landing in Athens on Sunday evening. Dr. Lester Morales of NASA will spend the week with us, working with students and faculty. On Wednesday, October 14, the school will host a Family Night program with him. Dr. Morales will share information on NASA missions, past and future, and we will have the opportunity to view the moon rocks from the Apollo landing.

All parents, students, and teachers are invited for this special program on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Presentation Hall of the Bertelsmann Foundation Building. Hope to see you there!

Posted by Mrs. Klein at 10:29 PM | Permalink

On Wednesday morning the Middle School student body honored Mr. Frank McKinley for his 42 years of service to the school. Mr. Chambers recalled memories of Mr. McKinley's dedication to Athens Academy emphasizing his integrity and commitment to "excellence with honor." Students recalled their memories in a letter which they read to him and then presented a card signed by students in each grade. They referred to Mr. McKinley as "one of the greatest Spartans" and concluded the program with a robust singing of the Spartan Fight Song, honoring him. To read the students' letter click on the attached link.

Download file

Posted by Mrs. Klein at 2:35 PM | Permalink

Magazine Sales Kickoff!

Friday, August 28th was the official “kickoff” day for the annual magazine sales drive. Money earned from magazine sales plays a major role in supporting the Middle School. For 5th and 6th grades, the money allows us to purchase technology and lab equipment to aid instruction. Items purchased with Magazine proceeds include printers, classroom projectors and speakers, and science lab equipment. Starting with 7th grade, the money earned will be placed in a grade level account to be used for student activities such as dances, homecoming, and grade level service projects.

As we tell the students during the kickoff presentation, parents are an important part of the success of this fundraiser. Please assist your children in getting the word out that we are able to offer our family, friends and businesses discounted magazines from QSP Readers Digest and make a 40% profit on each renewal or new subscription purchased. That 40% goes directly into your child’s class budget to pay for important class activities!

The deadline to have all magazine sales materials returned is September 25. If you would prefer to order online, follow this link: QSP Inc.. Enter Athens Academy as the School/Organization.

We appreciate all of your help in making this a successful fundraiser for your students!

Posted by Mr. Walton at 10:27 AM | Permalink

Recently, the Executive and Associate Headmaster’s Councils, after carefully considering input from teachers and researching peer institutions, have taken steps to enhance the security of Athens Academy’s network and promote greater consistency in the classroom by enabling only school-issued laptops to access the school’s internet and network connections. Please read more by opening the attachmentDownload file

Posted by Mrs. Sanford at 11:23 AM | Permalink