Better Together

News from the Clarke County School District • 2/17/23

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Celebrating Andrea Cutts, CCSD's Support Person of the Year

Every day at Cleveland Road Elementary, Andrea Cutts is breaking the mold and redefining what it is to be a custodian. She leads her team in going beyond the traditional responsibilities of keeping the building clean, safe, and presentable to visitors, and her love of children and people shines brightly as she makes the school a home for its students and staff.


CCSD is proud to present this appreciation video of our 2022-23 Support Person of the Year, Ms. Andrea Cutts.

https://youtu.be/Dyrs3k39bJ4
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Hear More about Registration on 'Education Matters'

This week, Karen Higginbotham, Director of CCSD's Office of Early Learning, joined the "Education Matters" program presented by MEU Radio-Athens to talk about the registration process and pre-K programming.


Hear the full program in the YouTube video below. The program will also air throughout the next week on WXAG Radio, 92.7 FM, in Athens, starting at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18. It will also air on the MEU Radio website at that same time.

CCSD Early Registration 2023 ft. Karen Higginbotham
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Scenes around CCSD...

Fun, engaging, and meaningful educational activities are happening in classrooms and on campuses every day at CCSD! Here are just a few recent snapshots, including:
  • Fourth-graders at Cleveland Road Elementary learning about the water cycle and applying their knowledge with presentations about weather and climate in cities around the world.
  • Students in Ms. Holli Stouffer's history class at Classic City High participating in an interactive spy museum virtual workshop.
  • Students in Ms. Jessica Colquitt's chemistry class at Cedar Shoals High learning about pressure and conducting an experiment with soda cans.
  • Chase Street Elementary's Tree Frog Club training for the upcoming "Race for Chase: 5K.
  • Students from Barnett Shoals Elementary and Fowler Drive Elementary participating in the Georgia Music Educators Association Statewide Elementary Honor Chorus event last weekend at The Classic Center in Athens.
  • A Black History Month "Museum Walk" at Whitehead Road Elementary, where fifth-grade students gave presentations that highlighted historically prominent African-American artists, musicians, scientists, political figures, and athletes.


Follow CCSD on Facebook, and also be sure to visit each school's page for more photos of activities from around the district.

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STAR Students Announced, Cedar Shoals' James Xiao Named Local System Winner

CCSD is pleased to announce James Xiao of Cedar Shoals High and Carolina Turner of Clarke Central High as the district’s 2022-23 STAR Students!


In addition to winning at Cedar Shoals, James has been announced as the STAR Student for the Clarke County “system,” which includes both public and private schools. James will now compete in the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Region 4 contest for the chance to advance to the state competition. The region winner will be announced March 20 at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education.


James selected Cedar Shoals math teacher Mr. Greg Huberty as his STAR Teacher, while Carolina selected Clarke Central social studies teacher Drew Wheeler as hers. Click here to read more about these exceptional students and teachers, all of whom were recognized this week at the Classic City Rotary Club weekly luncheon. The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the local STAR awards.

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Watch and Listen: Special Valentine's Day Episode of 'Studio 595'

In case you missed it earlier this week, check out this special Valentine's Day edition of CCSD's "Studio 595" podcast in the video below!


In this episode, hosts Kalli Samaltanos and Dillon Ross talk everything Valentine's Day — from the best ways to celebrate (even if you don't have a "special someone") and giving out valentines around the District Office. (Be sure to watch the video for the footage!) Plus, updates from the district and from the world of pop culture.

Studio 595, Episode 7: Valentines for All SPECIAL
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3 CCSD Students to be Featured in Black Children's Book Week Author Showcase

In celebration of Black Children's Book Week, CCSD is collaborating with Friends of Athens-Clarke County Library, Books for Keeps, and Joy Village on a virtual Black Author Showcase on Feb. 28 and March 1.


At 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, a panel of five local student authors, including three CCSD students, will discuss books they have written and answer questions during an event streamed live from Gaines Elementary. Scheduled panelists from CCSD include:

  • Avery Lewis, a seventh-grade student at Clarke Middle. Her first book, March, March, March!, was published during her fifth-grade year at Timothy Road Elementary through Leap for Literacy, a non-profit organization founded by Stan Tucker.
  • Arieyonna Flint, a kindergartener at J.J. Harris Elementary. Arieyonna is the author of Butterflies Can Draw Everything.
  • Kyrie Daniel, a kindergarten student at Gaines Elementary. He is the author of My Mom and Dad and a Tree.


Click here for more information.

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AthFest Educates Grants Fund Mural Projects at Clarke Middle, Barnett Shoals Elementary

Local nonprofit AthFest Educates is a long-running partner of CCSD and is continuing its efforts toward sustaining and advancing music and arts education for K-12 youth in Athens Clarke County through grants to arts and music programs and activities in our schools.


Recently, two more grants helped fund mural projects at Clarke Middle, where eighth-grade collaborator Christopher Schell worked with students to paint hallway murals, and Barnett Shoals Elementary, where local artist Marisa Leilani Mustard painted an "affirmation mural" and worked with fifth-grade students during their public art unit.

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In Case You Missed It: Read Dr. Hooker's First 100 Days Report

CCSD publicly released on Friday, Feb. 10, Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker's First 100 Days Report. The report summarizes the key objectives that have guided his work since he took over the position in October 2022 and outlines his key findings and the 2023-24 strategic priorities that will serve as a guide for his ongoing collaboration with the Board of Education, district and school staff, and the community in developing long-range plans to drive CCSD toward excellence in all areas.


Read the full report (available in English and Spanish) here, and watch the accompanying video here.

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Several Spots Still Available for Student Trip to Peru!

Clarke Central High teacher Dr. Lynne Sparks will be taking up to 10 students to Peru in June 2024, and several student spots are still available. The trip is open to all CCSD high school students.


A final discount for this year will be offered to those who sign up before March 30.


For a slideshow with details about the trip, scan the QR code below.


There will be one more in-person meeting about the trip, which will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 16, at Clarke Central High, in Room 390. For those who are interested but cannot attend the in-person meeting, a Zoom meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 18. Click here to access the Zoom meeting.


For questions, please email sparksl@clarke.k12.ga.us.

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Family and Community Engagement Updates

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Bus Drivers Wanted!

CCSD is now hiring bus drivers. Hourly pay ranges from $18-$26, and we offer part-time and full-time schedules, a $1,500 signing bonus (for full-time employment), and full benefits. It's a rewarding and flexible career move.


Click here to see what's waiting for you behind the wheel!

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Interested in a Career at CCSD?

Fill out the short Google form below, and a CCSD Human Resources will follow up with you.
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Board of Education News

Cognia Review Update - February 2023

CCSD has released the findings from the latest Cognia Monitoring Review Report, which indicate continued progress toward full accredited status. The district’s accreditation status remains Accredited Under Review following the Monitoring Review Team's December 2022 site visit, but Cognia noted that the district and Board of Education have made meaningful strides in initiating the directives identified in its December 2021 site visit.


Click here to read the full press release and here to read the full report.

Board Contact Information, Meetings

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, March 9, 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.
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Georgia Museum of Art Presents 'Teen Studio: Object Stories'

The Georgia Museum of Art, 90 Carlton St., Athens, will host "Teen Studio: Object Stories" on Thursday, March 2, from 5:30-8 p.m. Teens ages 13-18 are invited to this studio-based workshop led by local artist and educator Kristen Bach.


Visit the exhibition, Object Lessons in American Art: Selections from the Princeton University Art Museum, and then create your own objects inspired by stories from the exhibition. This program is free and includes a pizza dinner from DePalma’s Italian Cafe. Seats are limited. Email gmoa-tours@uga.edu to register.

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