AHS PTSA is proud to publish the weekly newsletter that showcases our school, opportunities for engagement, and updates for our AHS community. This is one of the many ways your PTSA Membership supports our community. Thank you for your support. 

• AHS Updates
  • This Week at AHS
  • AHS PSAT & SAT 2025 - 10/8
  • September IB Community Meeting Recap
  • IB Statement of Intent
  • SGC - Value Added Flexibility Proposals: Public Comment Window Open
  • Alpharetta High School Foundation (AHSF)
  • Save the Date! 2nd Annual Evening of Excellence
  • Fall 2025 Final Exam Schedule
  • Hispanic Heritage Month Upcoming Events
  • Past ENN Links
• Counseling Updates
  • October National Bullying Prevention Month
  • Juniors Class of 2027
  • Juniors & Seniors
  • Seniors Class of 2026
• AHS PTSA Announcements
  • AHS PTSA Membership Drive - Let's hit 100% Funding Goal! We're Almost There!
  • Media Center Volunteers - We Need you
  • Reflections - Submissions Due Oct. 3rd
• Class of 2026 Senior Announcements
  • Senior Events Dues: Pay by October 1 Deadline
  • Mandatory Graduation Fee -- Fee Goes Up October 1 
• AHS Clubs & Organizations
  • AHS Science Fair - 12/3
• Stay Informed
  • Principal Scheifflee's Friday Morning Message
  • AHS Video Morning Show
  • Raiders Information Hub
  • FCS School Calendar 
• SGC Public Comment

* The SAT will start at 12pm for Seniors who registered. Additional details will be emailed soon.

It was great to see so many folks for the September IB Community Meeting! Missed it? Want to look back over the info?

The slide deck is available on the IB webpage!
Our next Community Meeting will be October 29 from 6:30-7:30pm with an in-depth look at CAS and how IB awards the Diploma.

Have questions? Want to schedule a meeting with Mr. Fortunato? Click here.

Sophomore Students and Parents: this year’s IB Statement of Intent is now live! If you intend to pursue the full IB Diploma, please complete and submit your Statement of Intent by January 15 for first consideration.

Want to get a feel for IB classes? Our annual Day of Shadowing is coming up in October. Sign up here to participate (students’ @fcstu.org logins required for signups)!

Not sure? Have questions? Schedule a meeting with Mr. Fortunato to chat!

1. Review the proposed Value-Added Flexibility Waivers.
   • Alternative Evening Program
   • International Baccalaureate (DP) Magnet
   • Senior Blended Learning
   • Standards-Based Credit Recovery
   • Study Skills
   • Theory of Knowledge
2. Submit any comments you have via the Public Comment Form. Feedback/comments will be accepted until 11:59pm on October 5, 2025. 

AHSF is a dynamic 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with the entire Raider community – including the PTSA, Athletic Association and School Governance Council – to support the four pillars of Alpharetta High School and foster a culture of excellence.

Through inclusive fundraising initiatives, AHSF is able to provide meaningful resources for students, staff and the school community, including:

• scholarships for continuing education;
• instructional grants and professional development for educators;
• staff recognition to support retention;
• impactful school-based programming; and
• enhancements to campus facilities and equipment.

Presently, the Foundation has openings for new Board members. Parents, grandparents, and guardians of AHS students or alumni, and community members with skills which may lend themselves to the organization, are invited to visit the AHSF website at alpharettahighschoolfoundation.com for more information.  The commitment is several hours a month with current Board members available for questions at raiderfoundation@gmail.com.  

We would be happy to speak with you about the opportunity!

Mark your calendars! November 11 beginning at 6:30pm is this year’s Evening of Excellence sponsored by the AHS Foundation. This interactive and informative evening showcases the excellent teachers and classes at AHS and will provide families with engaging and hands-on opportunities to experience what AHS offers!

• New Meal Payment Platform
• AHS Athletics Season Pass
• AHS Spiritwear Store

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. 

• Monday, 10/6 wear Blue and #FCSBeKind 
• Week of 10/29 Make Friends w/Someone New 
• Week of 10/6 Stand Up for Others 
• Week of 10/20 No One East Alone 
• Week of 10/27 Include Everyone

Junior Class of 2027

On October 22^nd in the Media Center, Counselors will be giving the Junior Advisement Presentation & Bridge Bill Lesson during 11^th graders scheduled ELA period. 

• A virtual presentation for juniors will be sent out to 11^th grade parents. The link will also be shared with students, and we encourage discussions at home regarding the information provided.
• Bridge Bill Lesson:  Mandatory lesson on Dual Enrollment and College and Career Readiness. Students will complete essential activities in SchooLinks, including a College and Career Searches.
• After the presentation, students will gain access to book their Junior Advisement meeting.

Junior Advisement Meetings: Starting October 23rd, counselors will meet individually with juniors to discuss their academic progress, graduation status, and post-secondary options. QR Codes for scheduling these meetings will be provided after the Bridge Bill lesson. Attendance is mandatory for students and optional for parents.

Juniors & Seniors

2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program

Do you know a student with a passion for leadership and public service? The 2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn directly from our nation’s leaders in Washington, D.C.

The 2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program application window is open from August 11 to September 30. High school juniors or seniors may apply, provided they meet all program qualifications outlined by the U.S. Senate Youth Program. The application, program criteria, and informational brochures are on the Excellence Recognitions USSYP webpage at www.gadoe.org/USSYP. Applications are due by September 30 at 5:00 p.m.

Application Link: 2026 USSYP Application

Verification Forms: Click Here

Student Application Guidance: Click Here

National USSYP Brochure: Click Here

SENIORS

Hello Class of 2026!

Important Reminder for Early College Applicants

Fulton County Schools' Fall Break is scheduled for October 10–14. Many of you are applying to colleges through Early Action or Early Decision, with a student application deadline of October 15. Please note: School Counselors will not process college application requests during Fall Break.

To ensure your application is complete and submitted on time, all students applying early must:

• Add your counselor to your college application portal (e.g., Common App, Coalition).
• Submit your completed Brag Sheet to the Counselor Canvas page by October 3.

Keep in mind that Counselor Materials—including your Official Transcript and Letter of Recommendation (LOR)—are typically due two weeks after the student deadline.
For example:

• UGA Early Action Deadline: October 15
• Counselor Materials Deadline: October 29

Thank you for planning ahead and helping us support your college goals!

 Please see https://alpharettahs.fultonschools.org/academics/school-counseling/college-career and https://alpharettahs.fultonschools.org/academics/school-counseling/college-career for College and Career resources and the senior presentation.

Georgia Match

GSFC/GAfutures will mail GEORGIA MATCH letters the first week of October to the current seniors – Class of 2026! Seniors can also use this page https://www.gafutures.org/college-planning/georgia-match to review FAQ’s to answer questions and navigate to their GAfutures Student Dashboard to view a PDF of their letter and list of colleges that are on their letter.

All seniors are required to attend a 1-on-1 meeting with their assigned counselor. Counselors’ calendar links will go live after the Senior Advisement Meeting.

Federal Student Aid

The 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is now available to everyone. You can complete the form to apply for financial aid for attendance at college or career school between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027.  Start a 2026–27 FAFSA® Form

Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines

Please login to Schoolink via Classlink for a comprehensive list of scholarships. Try their scholarship matching tool. Also visit https://alpharettahs.fultonschools.org/academics/school-counseling/scholarships

Current Progress (as of 9/26): 80%.....Let’s turn up the heat and fill the thermometer! 

We’re in the final stretch of our PTSA membership drive, and we need YOU to help us reach 100%! Your membership directly supports:

• Student Enrichment: Events like Exceptional Children’s Week & International Night
• Campus Upgrades: Small but mighty improvements inside and out
• Mini-Grants: Classroom innovation for students and staff
• Raider Hospitality: Celebrations for staff, students, and families
• Communications & Volunteers: Keeping our Raider Nation connected

Whether you join at Maroon ($50) or go big with AHS VIP ($500), every membership fuels the programs that make Alpharetta High School thrive.

WE MUST REACH OUR GOAL BY OCT 1 TO KEEP OUR PROGRAMS!

 Join Today at ahsptsa.org

Let’s finish strong, Raiders! 

The Alpharetta High School Media Center is in need of parent volunteers during lunch periods, especially now that we no longer have a paraprofessional supporting the space. Your help makes a big difference in keeping things running smoothly.

Shifts are split into two simple parts:

• Shift 1: 11:00 AM – 12:20 PM

• Shift 2: 12:20 PM – 1:35 PM
  We need 2 volunteers per shift each day.

Please consider signing up to help support our students and staff.

National PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education. The Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life.

Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-created theme. This 50+ year-old program helps them explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence, and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.

The 2025-2026 Georgia PTA Reflections program theme is "I Belong!". The key to the Reflections program is the student interpreting the prompt any way they want to - this is theirs to think about and express however they desire!

The deadline for 2025-2026 AHS PTSA submissions will be Friday, October 3rd.Submissions should be brought to the AHS Media Center and placed in the labeled bin along with a completed Reflections Entry Form.

• GA PTA Student Entry Form - Fillable
• GA PTA Visual-Arts-Rules
• GA PTA Special-Artist-Division-Rules
• GA PTA Photography-Rules
• GA PTA Music Composition-Rules
• GA PTA Literature-Rules
• GA PTA Dance Choreography-Rules
• GA PTA Film-Production-Rules

Follow these pages to stay up-to-date with the deadlines and events planned for the AHS Class of 2026! 

• AHS Sr. Events IG: @ahs.seniors.26

• AHS Graduation IG: @ahsgraduation

• Parent Facebook page: facebook.com/groups/ahsclassof26 

• Class of 2026 email:  alpharettaclassof26@gmail.com

What a great start to the year for the Class of 2026! We've already had some fantastic events and have many more planned.

To fund our year-long budget for all senior activities and celebrations, we need your help. The October 1st deadline for senior dues is fast approaching. Paying these dues ensures we can provide all the fun, memorable activities our seniors deserve.

As an added bonus, this is the only way to receive an official AHS graduation yard sign this spring.

Please pay the senior dues for your student by October 1st to help us reach our financial goals to fund the full year of activities. Thank you! 

Questions? Email: alpharettaclassof26@gmail.com

Class of 2026,

Seniors planning to attend the AHS commencement ceremony in May (date TBD) are required to pay a mandatory graduation fee.

This fee includes:

• venue (Ameris Bank Amphitheatre)
• tickets (total number/student TBD)
• cap, gown, & tassel
• diploma cover
• class pin
• programs and other expenses associated with graduation

(This fee does NOT include the Class of 2026 yard sign, senior snacks, seniors games, etc. Those items are funded by the PTSA Senior Events Dues and can be paid via the PTSA website.)

Take advantage of the current Early Bird price of $190 that is good through September 30, 2025. Beginning October 1, the price goes up to $210. Visit www.3rdascent.com to pay the fee online.

Please note: if you are concerned or unsure your senior will meet the requirements to graduate, you can still pay the grad fee now and request a refund from 3^rd Ascent if they are unable to walk at graduation. Refunds will only be issued to students who did not meet graduation requirements, not to students who choose to not attend the ceremony.

More detailed information about graduation will be shared next semester as we get closer to the big day.

Do you love building, designing, coding, or just figuring out how things work—even if science class isn’t your thing? Then the Alpharetta Science and Engineering Fair is calling your name!

This is your chance to show off your creativity, your tech skills, and present your big ideas to industry experts.

Whether you're into robotics, gaming, environmental solutions, or just love inventing cool stuff, there's a place for you at the fair.
You don’t have to be a science whiz—just bring your passion and curiosity. Remember, you can work with a friend or two as well! Let’s make this year’s fair fun, exciting, and full of innovation. Sign up today and let your imagination lead the way!"

Proudly supporting AHS for over 20 years! 

AHS Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)

3595 Webb Bridge Road, Alpharetta, Georgia 30005

www.ahsptsa.org  |   ahsptsa3595@gmail.com