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

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




Hear More about Registration on 'Education Matters'
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.


Scenes around CCSD...
- 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.

STAR Students Announced, Cedar Shoals' James Xiao Named Local System Winner
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.
Cedar Shoals STAR Student and Teacher James Xiao and STAR Teacher Greg Huberty | Clarke Central STAR Student and Teacher Carolina Turner and STAR Teacher Drew Wheeler | Group Photo STAR students and teachers with CCSD Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker (center) and principals Antonio Derricotte of Cedar Shoals and Dr. Swade Huff of Clarke Central |

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

3 CCSD Students to be Featured in Black Children's Book Week Author Showcase
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.

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

In Case You Missed It: Read Dr. Hooker's First 100 Days Report
Read the full report (available in English and Spanish) here, and watch the accompanying video here.


Several Spots Still Available for Student Trip to Peru!
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.





Family and Community Engagement Updates





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!

Interested in a Career at CCSD?

Calendar RemindersClick to view the 2022-23 Academic Calendar. Important dates:
| How to Address Questions, Concerns Have a question or concern that you'd like to address? CCSD has put together a matrix of who to reach out to depending on the situation. Please click here to view this information. You can also go to CCSD's main site at clarke.k12.ga.us, go to the "I Want To" tab at the top of the page, and select “Ask a Question/Submit a Concern.” | We Want You On Our Team!Sign on as a Substitute Teacher or Paraprofessional in Athens! Lend your passion and talents to the students and staff here at CCSD. Daily pay increases and monthly bonuses! Click here to learn more or call ESS at 877-983-2244. |
Calendar Reminders
Click to view the 2022-23 Academic Calendar. Important dates:
- 2/20: Student/staff holiday
- 3/6-3/10: Pre-K-8 Conference Week
- 3/8: Asynchronous learning day (pre-K-8)
- 3/9-3/10: Student holidays
How to Address Questions, Concerns
We Want You On Our Team!
Sign on as a Substitute Teacher or Paraprofessional in Athens! Lend your passion and talents to the students and staff here at CCSD. Daily pay increases and monthly bonuses! Click here to learn more or call ESS at 877-983-2244.

Board of Education News
Cognia Review Update - February 2023
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.















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.





211 – Get Connected. Get Help. 211 is United Way of Northeast Georgia’s health and human service helpline – a free and confidential program accessible to anyone. Call 211, text your zip code to 898-211, or visit the online database. | Community Food Resources Visit ACC Community Food Resources to view dates/times of food distributions in Athens-Clarke County. | Search for Jobs in Athens-Clarke County |
211 – Get Connected. Get Help.
Community Food Resources
Search for Jobs in Athens-Clarke County
Teen Newsletter from ACC Library Click to view the latest ACC Library Teen Newsletter. | Library PLAY Card The PLAY Card account provides each CCSD student with free materials (books, magazines) and online resources from the public library to help your child succeed in school, along with fun resources to support a lifelong love of reading. | ACC Leisure Services E-Newsletter |