Better Together
News from the Clarke County School District • 5/5/23
Scenes around CCSD...
Decision Day
Visit to the Morton Theatre
Future Educator Signing Day
Special Day at Foley Field
CRES Wax Museum
Oglethorpe Avenue Student Research Showcase
District to Again Provide School Supplies for All PK-8 Students in 2023-24
Each school will communicate with their families the process for picking up supplies. Several of our schools also have supply closets for families needing additional support.
As a reminder, for schools requiring uniforms next school year, uniforms will need to be purchased. Schools will provide additional guidance and details about uniforms in the coming weeks.
CMS SEAT Team Wins State, National Awards Again
Under the motto, "Energized Kids Leading the Way," the team spent the past year promoting energy education and natural resource protection in their school and throughout the community. Among their activities, the team made presentations at local festivals and events, created energy and conservation films for the Ripple Effect Film Festival, created art and ornaments for local charities, and wrote poems with conservation themes. The team also organized family
STEM Nights at CMS and Alps Road Elementary, and members conducted a school energy audit, created a conservation plan, and advocated for future energy-efficient changes.
The SEAT team has once again been invited to the Youth Energy Conference and Awards, scheduled for next month in Washington, D.C. The team is sponsored by CMS teachers Audrey Hughes and Javan Winston.
Read more about the team's work over the past year in the PDF link below!
CCSD Students Win Numerous Awards in State Agriscience Fair
CCSD had strong representation in the state agriscience fair at the state FFA convention in Macon last week with several award-winning projects.
The Clarke Central High chapter had five first-place-winning agriscience fair projects, which was the highest number of state-winning projects out of all high schools in Georgia. State winners included Kathleen Dykes and McKinley Dykes (Animal Systems Division 6); Max Burnham and Juliana Hardman (Animal Systems Division 4); Quinn Pendley and Copper Callahan (Environmental and Natural Resource Systems Division 4); McKinzie Johnson (Social Systems Division 5); and Susannah Holbrook-Hill (Food Products and Processing Division 5).
Meanwhile, the Cedar Shoals High chapter had four first-place projects: Delysia Griffith and Rachel Huff (Food Products and Processing Division 6); Michael Kent and Luna Patterson (Plant Systems Division 4); Nathan Knight and Anthony Thornton (Power Structural Technical Systems Division 6); and Derriana Smith and Chizoba Emegwam (Social Systems Division 4). And Emilie Adams and Noah Gamiz-Perez from Coile Middle placed first in Power Structural Technical Systems Division 2.
These first-place students will move on to compete at the National FFA competition in Indianapolis in October.
Other top-three placers from CCSD included:
- Alessandra Perez-Garcia and Lawrence Hodges of Cedar Shoals, second place, Environmental Systems Division 4
- Nizia Ventura-Ortiz and Jonathan Martinez-Lopez of Cedar Shoals, second place, Environmental Systems Division 6
- Genesis Rodriguez-Hernandez of Cedar Shoals, second place, Food Products and Processing Division 3
- Karisma Muhammad and Kasandra Hernandez-Gutierrez of Cedar Shoals, second place, Power Structural and Technology, Division 4
- Kim Huu Vo and Genesis Casas-Gaona of Clarke Central, second place, Food Products and Processing Systems Division 6
- Hannah Westfall and Maddie Gilreath of Clarke Central, second place, Social Systems Division 4
- Madisah Craft of Coile Middle, second place, Food Products and Processing Systems Division 1
- Jonathan Heredia Marcos and Steve Koonce of Coile Middle, second place, Food Products and Processing Systems Division 2
- Jasmine Bridges of Hilsman Middle, second place, Social Science Division 1
- Deyanara Ramirez-Mancel of Cedar Shoals, third place, Animal Systems, Division 3
- Dalila Duarte-Ulloa of Clarke Central, third place, Social Systems Division 3
- Donte’ Robles-Parrott and Clarice Buril of Clarke Central, third place, Food Product and Processing Systems Division 4
- Cheyenne Lane and Lauren Lane of Clarke Central, third place, Plant Systems Division 4
- Taraji Peek and Akiyah Watson of Coile Middle, third place, Social Sciences Division 2.
Additionally, Kathleen Dykes of Clarke Central was one of 24 students in the state awarded a Washington Leadership Conference Scholarship, while Kim Huu Vo, McKinzie Johnson, and Jackie Cuevas of Clarke Central and Nizia Ventura-Ortiz of Cedar Shoals also received state FFA degrees, the highest degree in FFA that a student can earn in high school.
Congratulations to all!
Clarke Central FFA Students and Sponsors
Cedar Shoals First-place Winners and Sponsor Julie Throne
Coile First-place Winners
ODYSSEY Media Group Wins National Awards, Recognitions
During the National Scholastic Press Association/Journalism Education Association's Spring National High School Journalism Convention last month in San Francisco, California, the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine staff won fourth place in Best of Show for schools with enrollments of 1,800 or more students. The iliad literary-art magazine finished in fifth place Best in Show, and the OMG website finished in sixth place Best in Show for schools with enrollments of 1,800 or more students.
ODYSSEY students also won numerous individual awards from the NSPA convention and at Ball State University's J-Day competitions.
Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary Students Among State Winners in Georgia Stock Market Game
Congratulations to the 2023 first-place CCSD Stock Market Game team from Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary for being named a winner in the state competition!
Sponsored by the Georgia Council on Economic Education, the Stock Market Game (SMG) gives participating students in grades 4-12 the opportunity to invest a virtual $100,000 for 10 weeks in real stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. At the end of the 10-week period, teams with the highest total equity are eligible for a variety of prizes and awards.
The first-place team from OAES, consisting of fourth-graders from the school's Spectrum program, was one of 82 state winners (out of 3,427 participating teams), only 23 of which came from elementary schools. Team members included Dakariana Hall (captain), Teagan Raylinsky, and Harvey Crenshaw. They are pictured above (left to right) with their Spectrum teachers and SMG sponsors Cessany Montcriol and Gillian Hull. The team built a portfolio with a total equity of $102,969.48, surpassing 2,872 other teams!
CCHS JROTC Cadet Receives 4-year Scholarship
Sports Updates: Track and Field, Soccer
Congratulations to the following members of the Clarke Central High track and field teams for their performances in the GHSA Region 8-AAAAA Championships:
- Boys’ 4x100-meter relay (Braylen Fleming, Chris Goss, Bartez Gillespie, Shavique Bascus), region champions
- Shavique Bascus, boys’ region champion in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes
- James “JD” Daniel, boys’ region champion in the 800-meter run and runner-up in the 1,600-meter run
- Beck Wolf-Hardy, boys’ region champion in the 3,200-meter run and fourth place in the 1,600-meter run
- Breyanna Williams, girls’ region runner-up in the high jump
- Claire Bruner, girls’ region runner-up in the high jump
- Mikell Bell, boys’ region runner-up in the high jump
- Braylen Fleming, third place in the boys’ 110-meter hurdles and fourth place in the 300-meter hurdles.
- Boys’ 4x800-meter relay (Eliu Flores, JD Daniel, Ryan Marshall, Beck Wolf-Hardy), third place
- Anthony Lonon, fourth place in the boys’ discus.
These athletes will compete in the Class 5A sectionals meet at Jefferson High School on Saturday, May 6. Those who finish in the top eight in their event at sectionals will qualify for the state championships, scheduled for next week in Columbus.
Cedar Shoals Track and Field
Congratulations to the following members of the Cedar Shoals High track and field teams for their performances in the GHSA Region 8-AAAA Championships:
- Tumari Collins, boys’ region champion in the 100-meter dash
- Boys’ 4x200-meter relay team, region champions
- Boys’ 4x400-meter relay team, region champion
- Destiny Strickland, runner-up in the girls’ long jump and third place in the triple jump
- Toby Bolton, third place in the boys’ 100-meter dash
- Tybais Lay, third place in the boys’ 300-meter hurdles
- Devin Hester, third place in the boys’ long jump
- Iriyana Sewell, third place in the girls’ shot put
- Devin Harper, fourth place in the boys’ 110-meter hurdles
- Chase Rucker, fourth place in the boys’ triple jump.
These athletes will compete in the Class 4A sectionals at Starr’s Mill High School on Saturday, May 6. Those who finish in the top eight in their event at sectionals will qualify for the state championships, scheduled for next week in Albany.
Clarke Central Soccer
Congratulations to the following Clarke Central High soccer players for being selected to the 2023 All-GHSA Region 8-AAAAA teams:
- Boys: Thadd Pruitt, Raul Navarro, Grady Payne, and Uli Silis
- Girls: Bella Yelton, Evin Carvell, and Mya Sims.
State Board of Education Member to Hold Public Hearing at CCSD District Office
State Board of Education member Stan DeJarnett will hold a public hearing for citizens in the 10th Congressional District on Monday, May 8, from 7-8 p.m. at the CCSD District Office, 595 Prince Ave.
The purpose of the hearing is to hear comments from interested citizens and educators within the congressional district, which includes all of Clarke County, regarding K-12 public education. Those wishing to speak should sign in upon arrival. For more information, please contact SBOEadmin@doe.k12.ga.us.
The Georgia Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. Individuals who need assistance or auxiliary aids for participation in this public forum are invited to make their needs known to SBOEadmin@doe.k12.ga.us no later than 72 hours before the scheduled event.
You can read more about Dr. DeJarnett here.
New LSGT Representatives
Spots Still Available for 'Innovate U' Summer Program
"Innovate U” is a free, eight-day summer program on the University of Georgia campus for rising eighth-, ninth-, and 10th-graders. The mission of the program is to empower students to solve real business challenges through innovative problem-solving, with the help of peers and local business professionals.
The summer program is a collaboration between UGA and CCSD, and there are a few slots available for students interested in developing their entrepreneurship and leadership skills! The program dates are June 1-13 (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Meals, transportation, and program materials are available through generous donations from program sponsors.
If you would like to participate, please reach out directly to Emily Boness, CCSD’s Strategic Projects Director, at bonesse@clarke.k12.ga.us, or complete this form to receive additional information.
Clarke Central Youth Sports Camps Scheduled
The camps are available for children ages 6-14. All camps will be held at the school from 9 a.m. to noon with drop-off starting at 8:30 a.m.
Click here for a list of camps and dates and registration information. For additional information, email gladiatoryouthsportscamps@gmail.com.
Calendar Reminders
Click to view the 2022-23 Academic Calendar. Important dates:
- 5/24: Last day of school
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.
Interested in a Career at CCSD?
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, May 11, 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.
ACCGov Seeks Public Input on Potential Sites for East Side Public Library
The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) will host community feedback opportunities and an online survey this month for eight potential sites for the future East Side Public Library.
Public open-house meetings are scheduled for:
- 2-4 p.m. Saturday, May 6 - Athens-Clarke County Library, 2025 Baxter St., Athens
- noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, May 11 - Fire Station #7, 2350 South Barnett Shoals Rd., Athens
- 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 11 - East Athens Development Corporation, 410 McKinley Dr. Suite 101, Athens.
An online survey is also available through Sunday, May 21. Click here for more information.
ACC Residents Invited to Provide Input on Solutions to Affordable Housing Challenges
The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) is seeking resident input on tools and solutions that could help meet Athens residents' increasing housing affordability challenges.
The first of two scheduled community forums was held last week, and the second one is scheduled for Tuesday, May 9, from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Athens Community Council on Aging headquarters, 135 Hoyt St., Athens.
Additionally, residents may provide feedback online via www.accgov.com/arpa through May 31. Click here for more information.
Full AthFest Lineup Announced
AthFest is an annual fundraising festival in downtown Athens. All proceeds from the festival benefit AthFest Educates, the organization's nonprofit that supports high-quality music and arts education for K-12 youth in Athens.
Click here for more information.
UGA Special Collections Library summer events
Free Summer Membership for Teens at Planet Fitness
Click here for more details.
211 – Get Connected. Get Help.
Community Food Resources
Search for Jobs in Athens-Clarke County
Teen Newsletter from ACC Library
Library PLAY Card
Clarke County School District
Website: www.clarke.k12.ga.us
Location: 595 Prince Avenue, Athens, GA, USA
Phone: 706-546-7721
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClarkeCoSchools