Better Together
10/20/23 • News from the Clarke County School District
Scenes around CCSD
Student-led Conferences
Amid a successful parent-teacher conference week around CCSD, students at Barnett Shoals Elementary had the opportunity to lead their own conferences and share their educational journeys so far this school year directly with their families.
Pumpkin Patch Volunteers
The Cedar Shoals High School Hispanic Organization Promoting Education (HoPE) club volunteered at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church last Sunday afternoon, helping to unload and organize pumpkins for people to purchase.
'50s Fashion
Pre-K and kindergarten students at Timothy Road Elementary celebrated the 50th day of the school year in style by wearing their best 1950s fashion.
Georgia Studies
Students in Ms. Kourtney Barnett-Williams' second-grade class at Timothy Road Elementary had Georgia on their mind recently with their Georgia map project.
Next School Safety Community Discussion Event Announced
CCSD will host another community discussion on school safety from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the District Office, 595 Prince Ave., Athens.
The event follows the community forums with CCSD leaders that were held in September and will be the same format as the community discussions that were held earlier this month at Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central high schools. The discussions will provide attendees an opportunity to brainstorm ideas and solutions to promote safety at CCSD schools. Participants will share in small groups their experiences and have a chance to hear from each other as well as district staff.
The event is free and open to the public. Please click here or scan the QR code below to confirm your attendance!
Student and Staff Spotlights
Check Out Clarke Central Drama Club's One Act Play Performance This Weekend!
Students in the Clarke Central High Drama Club had the opening performance of their one-act play, “Elephant’s Graveyard,” on Thursday, Oct. 19, and will be performing it again Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20-21, at 7:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at the school's Mell Auditorium, 350 South Milledge Ave.
The performances are in preparation for the students to compete in the area One Act Play championships Oct. 25 at Heritage High School in Conyers. The state championships will take place next month.
Tickets are $7 for general admission and can be purchased on GoFan. Read more about the club's preparations in the Odyssey Media Group's article here.
(Photo courtesy of Odyssey Media Group)
Cedar Shoals JROTC Raider Teams Finish as Region Runners-up
Congratulations to the JROTC Raider teams at Cedar Shoals High, as both the male and female teams finished second place in their region and will compete at the state championships in Griffin on Oct. 28. Good luck and Go Jaguars!
Clarke Central Ag Students Excel at Georgia National Fair
Clarke Central High agriculture students competed and brought home several awards at the Georgia National Fair in Perry last week. Among the highlights:
- Emily Crooms won first place for her floral design exhibit, second place for her live plant exhibit, and won second and third place in class in the Goat Exhibition for her two goats, Gumball and Darwin.
- Kathleen Dykes won third place in the Hampshire Gilt Exhibition.
- Dalila Duarte-Ulloa, Leslie Delgado, and Anahi Rodriguez all won second place for their floral design exhibits.
- The Nursery Landscape Junior Team finished third as a team, while Colin Boyle won Overall High Individual and Eudora Dawson won Second High Individual.
- The Nursery Landscape Senior Team finished third as a team.
Congratulations to all of these students!
FFE Announces 2023 Classroom Grant Winners
The Foundation for Excellence in Public Education in Clarke County has announced the winners of its 2023 classroom grants and is awarding a combined $10,000 to 18 teachers for classroom initiatives around CCSD.
Starting in August, the foundation invited CCSD teachers and staff to apply for various grants to be used directly with students. The winners were selected from among more than 100 applications, which were evaluated by a volunteer panel of judges. You can read more about each grant here. Congratulations to all of the winners!
Nominate an Employee of the Month for November!
Our Employee of the Month program, sponsored by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce and local businesses, recognizes and rewards staff members for their service and dedication to CCSD students and families.
Any member of the CCSD community (parent, staff member, student, community member) may nominate any full-time CCSD employee who has been with the district at least one year for the award. Winners for each month are recognized at the monthly Board of Education meeting.
Get your nomination in by Oct. 31 for your nominee to be considered for the November Employee of the Month award. Click here for more information and to get started!
Student Opportunities
Check out the ACCA Open House on Nov. 2!
Any students who will be in grades 10-12 during the 2024-25 school year and are interested in attending the Athens Community Career Academy are invited to attend an open house at the academy on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and be the first to apply for next school year.
RSVP to attend at bit.ly/ACCA2425.
Join the Georgia Urban Ecologists Program
Registration for the Georgia Urban Ecologists 2023-24 program through Georgia Audubon is now open. The program includes monthly sessions from October through May and offers hands-on outdoor learning programs for students in grades 8-12.
The program cost is $300, but don't let cost be a barrier. Payment options and scholarships are available. Click here for more information.
Fundraisers
Support Agricultural Education Programs through Mixed Vegetable Box Fundraiser
The Clarke County Agricultural Education Mixed Vegetable Box Fundraiser is now open and runs through Nov. 10. Support the ag programs at Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central high schools and Burney-Harris-Lyons, Clarke, Coile, and Hilsman middle schools by purchasing a 20-pound box of fresh vegetables for $30. Boxes will be delivered to Clarke Central for pickup on Nov. 15. You also have the option to donate to the Athens Area Community Foundation with your purchase.
Click here for more details.
Order Your Christmas Tree, Decorations from Clarke Central Baseball Team
Want to go ahead and plan for your Christmas tree and decorations a little early? Check out the annual Clarke Central Baseball Christmas Tree and Greenery Sale! Now through Oct. 31, place your order and members of the baseball team will deliver your tree to your home (Athens area) for free on Sunday, Nov. 26.
The trees are Fraser Firs, and sizes range from 5 to 11 feet tall. Wreaths (ranging in size from 16 to 32 inches) are also available, and you can also purchase 25 feet or 75 feet of Fraser Fir or White Pine garland.
Proceeds will benefit the CCHS baseball team, and 20% of the money raised will go toward an indoor batting cage for both the baseball and softball programs.
Click here to order with a credit card or check or through Venmo. To order with cash, or for questions regarding the sale, email cchsbaseballtreesale@gmail.com.
Calendar and Other Reminders
Calendar Reminders
Click to view the 2023-24 Academic Calendar.
Important dates:
- 11/7: Teacher Planning Day (no students)
- 11/20-24: Thanksgiving Break
Update or Create Parent Portal Account
Follow these directions for updating the contact information in your Parent Portal account. Don't have an account yet? Follow these directions to set one up. Having a Parent Portal account allows parents and guardians to access attendance records, class schedules, grades, and assignment information for their students. If you already have an account but forgot your password and need a reset, use the links on the login page to reset your password or username or to request help. You may also email campus@clarke.k12.ga.us for additional assistance.
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.”
Download the Edulog App for Bus Info
Parents/guardians of students who ride a bus to and/or from school can use the Edulog page on the district website or download the Edulog Parent Portal mobile app to find information about their student’s bus.
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Check out our monthly breakfast and lunch menus and find more school nutrition information here.
Take Advantage of our School-based Health Centers!
- The Clarke Middle Health Center (CMHC) is a free clinic that serves students and staff and is an extension of the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership’s mobile clinic. Click here for hours, contact information, and more.
- The Hilsman Health Center, the first school-based health clinic to open in northeast Georgia, is a partnership between CCSD and the Athens Neighborhood Health Center and is a comprehensive medical office. It is staffed by a nurse practitioner, dentist, and support staff. Click here for a list of services provided, hours, contact information, and more.
Board of Education News
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: The board's next scheduled meeting is Thursday, Nov. 9, with the work session beginning at 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m. All meetings are held in the Vernon Payne Meeting Hall at the CCSD administrative offices building, located at 595 Prince Ave. in Athens. The public is invited to attend meetings in person. Meetings are also streamed live and are available for on-demand viewing on the CCSD YouTube channel. Click here for the board meeting schedule.
- Agendas: Click here to access board meeting agendas.
- 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 BOE meeting.
- Review Policies for Review: View and comment on district policies pending public review.
Careers at CCSD
Interested in a Career at CCSD?
Community Information and Resources
'The Right to Read' Screening at Athens-Clarke County Library
The Athens-based Sheats Social Services Rainbow Reading Collective will host a screening of the documentary film, "The Right to Read," at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Athens-Clarke County Library, 2025 Baxter St.
The film shares the stories of an NAACP activist, a teacher, and two American families who "fight to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of life-long success: the ability to read." To learn more about "The Right to Read," visit the film website.
Updates from ACCGov
Public Input Sought on Growth Concept Plan
ACCGov has begun a series of public input events as part of the Planning Department’s efforts to update Athens-Clarke County’s Growth Concept Plan. Scheduled events will take take place through the end of October.
Residents will have multiple opportunities to share input through a variety of events including interactive group meetings, neighborhood walks, bus tours, and booths at various community events. A public input flyer, online calendar, and map with engagement locations are available at www.accgov.com/compplan.
Public Input Sought on Future North Avenue Improvements
The county Transportation and Public Works Department is seeking public input on potential complete street improvements to help reimagine the North Avenue corridor.
An online survey is available at www.accgov.com/northavenue and will be open through Wednesday, Oct. 25. The website includes background information and a link for subscribing to project updates.
Downtown Parade of Lights Applications Open
The county Leisure Services Department is now accepting applications for the 2023 Athens-Clarke County Downtown Parade of Lights. The parade will be held Thursday, Dec. 7, starting at 7 p.m., and the deadline for entry applications and payment is Tuesday, Nov. 7, at 5 p.m. The theme is "An Art Filled Holiday."
Online applications may be completed and submitted at www.accgov.com/parade. Late applications will not be accepted. The parade application fee is $40, and payment can be made online or by check payable to "Athens-Clarke County." A parade map is available at www.accgov.com/parade.
Questions? Call 706-613-3800 or email paradeoflights@accgov.com.
Sheriff's Office to Host 'Trick or Treat' Fall Festival Oct. 27
The Clarke County Sheriff's Office will host its annual "Trick or Treat" Fall Festival from 5-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at the Sheriff's Office Training Center, 2900 County Farm Rd.
The event will include games, hot dogs, trick-or-treating, face-painting, hay rides, a haunted house, and other activities. The event is free and open to the public, but attendees are asked to bring a canned good to donate to local organizations.
Overflow parking and shuttle service will be available at the Athens-Clarke County Tag Office and Jail, 3015 Lexington Rd.
ACCPD to Present 'Scare-A-Bration' Oct. 28-30
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department invites the community to its "Scare-A-Bration" event Oct. 28-30. The event will feature a Haunted House Oct. 28-30 and a Trunk or Treat on Oct. 30, both at the ACCPD headquarters, 3035 Lexington Rd. at Jail Road.
Click here for more information on the Haunted House, including times and age recommendations for each time slot. Please note: For those with photosensitivity issues, the Haunted House display will include flashing/strobing lights and loud noises. The cost to attend the Haunted House is free, but ACCPD does recommend bringing canned goods for the department to donate to local food banks and nonprofits.
The Trunk or Treat event is also free and will be held from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 30 and will include games, treats, and prizes.
Other agencies participating in the "Scare-A-Bration" event include the University of Georgia Police Department, National EMS, The Cottage, and the Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office.
Teen Newsletter from ACC Library
Click to view the latest ACC Library Teen Newsletter.
Library PLAY Card
As part of a collaboration between CCSD and the Athens Regional Library System, the PLAY Card account provides each CCSD student with free materials (books, magazines, etc.) 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. You and your child can check out materials at the libraries by entering their student ID number.
211 – Get Connected. Get Help.
Community Food Resources
Search for Jobs in Athens-Clarke County
Website: www.clarke.k12.ga.us
Location: 595 Prince Avenue, Athens, GA, USA
Phone: 706-546-7721
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.