Letter from the MC Principal

Hello MC families,

I’m excited for the beginning of the school year! Last week our teachers were hard at work getting ready for the first day of school. Last week began with our all-school retreat, and then teachers thoroughly engaged in the professional learning sessions that happened throughout our week of pre-planning. It was great to see the enthusiasm in the building, teachers working hard to get themselves ready, and people reaching out to help each other as needed. Additionally, it was great to see many of you yesterday at our orientations and meet and greets! Sixth grade families got familiar with the building and 7th and 8th grade students caught up with their friends and compared schedules. Seeing the children and seeing our families is always a great energizer heading into the year.

By the time you’ve read this your children will have already begun their first day of school for the ‘24-’25 school year. It’s going to be a great day and we look forward to your children being able to share some great first day stories with you.

For those with students interested in fall sports here are some updates:

• For students interested in Cross Country the first practice will be Thursday 8/1 after school from 3:10-4pm. Practices will continue next week, and moving forward, from 3:10-4pm on Mondays and Thursdays.
• For students interested in Girls’ Volleyball, there will be an optional volleyball clinic on Tuesday 8/6 from 3:15-4pm. The purpose of the clinic is to allow players to brush up on their skills, but the clinic has no bearing on whether someone makes the team. Volleyball tryouts will be on Tuesday 8/13 (3:15-4:30pm) and Thursday 8/15 (3:15-5pm) after school in the gym.
• The first day of Flag Football tryouts will be on Tuesday 8/6 from 3:30-4:45 at the Warren Boys and Girls Club (790 Berne St SE, Atlanta, GA 30312).
• Ultimate Frisbee tryouts will be the week of August 12th. Those details will be posted in my next Courier letter.

I’ll close with a few reminders:

• Our building opens at 8:00 AM so do not drop your student off before then. From 8:00 – 8:25 we have morning recess.
• We dismiss at 3:10pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and we dismiss at 2:00pm on Wednesdays (so that starts tomorrow).
• After Care goes until 6:00pm and After Care will be available after school on the first day of school.
  • Office Hours DO NOT start until next week (beginning Monday, August 5th) and the schedule is as follows:
    • Mondays and Thursdays – I&S, L&L, PHE, and Spanish
    • Tuesdays and Thursdays – Arts, Design, Math, and Science
• If your student is going to be absent, whether they are sick or it’s a planned absence, you can report that to us via this link (Attendance Reporting Form 2024-2025). Do not send an email, please use the link.

As always, if you have any questions please feel free to reach out.

Kind regards,

Mark

Mark Sanders

Mark Sanders began teaching at ANCS in 2011. Before coming to the school, Mr. Sanders worked in New York City. He spent three years teaching 7th and 8th grade mathematics at Middle School 50 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and two years at Harlem Village Academies teaching Geometry and Algebra 2/Trigonometry. He taught 8th grade Math/Science/Technology at ANCS for five years.