It was an evening of transition at CCSD on Thursday, Oct. 6, as Dr. Robbie Hooker was sworn in as the district's next Superintendent during a called Board of Education meeting. Dr. Hooker took his oath, administered by Superior Court Judge Eric Norris, with his wife, Karen, by his side.

As we prepare to welcome Dr. Hooker to work on Monday, Oct. 10, and begin a new era of leadership, we are also celebrating the wonderful, three-decade-plus career in education of outgoing Superintendent Dr. Xernona Thomas, whose final day of work was Friday, Oct. 7.

The community is invited to a retirement celebration for Dr. Thomas on Sunday, Oct. 9, from 3-5 p.m. at the University of Georgia Continuing Education Center's Magnolia Ballroom, 1197 Lumpkin St., Athens. RSVP to the celebration by scanning the QR code below.

All tips are anonymous by default, but you do have the option of including your name and contact information. Once received, your tip will be investigated by the CCSD response team.

To submit a tip, please enter the tip in the text box, the category most closely aligned with what it falls under, and the location. You can also call in your tip by dialing 706-229-7243.

Click here for more information on to use the tip line and where to access it on the district and individual school websites.

This year, the organization is awarding $46,901 to local K-12 educators and youth development specialists. Grant amounts include $26,431 for music and arts programs and experiences for young people, $750 for educator professional development, and $19,720 for instruments and equipment. These grants bring the total of AthFest Educates grants awarded to date to $579,000.

Funds for the grants come from individual donations from community members and grants to the organization, including a Georgia Council for the Arts grant — as well as profits from the annual AthFest Music & Arts Festival and AthHalf Half Marathon & 5K.

Click here for a full list of grant awardees.

The University of Georgia has partnered with the CCSD to expand an after-school academic tutoring and sports mentoring program designed to advance middle school students’ success in the classroom and on the athletic field.

Building on the success of a pilot program conducted last spring with 45 students at Hilsman Middle School, UGA President Jere W. Morehead has provided funding to continue the program at Hilsman and extend it to Clarke Middle School this school year.

Read the article from UGA's news service on the expansion here.

The University of Georgia Office of Public Service & Outreach recently announced the inaugural Bobbi Meeler Sahm Service and Outreach awards, which will benefit several local projects.

Awards that will directly impact CCSD students include:

• the University of Georgia Medical Partnership Grant, in partnership with CCSD and the Athens YMCA, in which project partners will create interactive medical simulations to introduce K-12 students from underrepresented populations to the study of medicine.
• and the UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, where funds will support virtual-reality learning experiences to educate students in CCSD schools and at Sandy Creek Nature Center on the importance of Georgia’s coastal environment.

Click here for more on the awards.

The students also received a surprise visit from CCSD Superintendent Dr. Xernona Thomas.

Clarke Middle Community School Organizer Stephanie Anderson partnered with Cofer's Home and Garden Showplace to provide mums and pansies for CMS students to plant in their outdoor classroom green spaces.

This activity was part of the CMS Greenspace Restoration initiative, led by teacher Audrey Hughes and PTA parent Rinne Allen. The students planted over 300 pansies, eight large mums, and other miscellaneous plants while learning about soil, plants, and teamwork. Athens Community Career Academy school counselor Ariel Gordon arranged for a group of her students to assist in their community service project.

The Clarke County Board of Education welcomes community feedback. Here are ways you can share your voice:

• Contact BOE Members: Click here to view a list of the BOE members and their contact information.
• Attend a Meeting: Next regular meeting is Thursday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m. (in-person and broadcast on the CCSD YouTube channel).
• Board Briefs: Click to read the "Board Briefs" overview from meetings.
  
• Public Comments: Click here for information on how to sign-up to speak at a regular BOE meeting.
• Review Policies for Review: View and comment on district policies pending public review.

The Athens Hip Hop Harmonic invites all CCSD students, families, faculty, and staff to its fall show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, at the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center, 230 River Rd., Athens. The event is free and family-friendly, and no tickets are required.

Launched in August 2021, the Athens Hip Hop Harmonic is a multi-year collaboration between the local Hip Hop community and the UGA Hodgson School of Music, supported by UGA’s Arts Lab.

This special show will feature several local hip-hop artists, including Clarke Central High School alums Ishues, Cassie Chantel, and Ngeve. The emcee will be Cedar Shoals High School social studies teacher and peer leadership mentor William "Montu" Miller.

Each artist was paired with a UGA composer to co-create new music together. The show features UGA's Jazz Combo, African-American Choral Ensemble, Wind Symphony, and Contemporary Chamber Ensemble performing their co-creations.