Better Together
News from the Clarke County School District • 5/12/23
Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker and CCSD staff surprised Mr. Bell with the award at school on Thursday, May 11, and he was also recognized at the Board of Education meeting Thursday evening.
One more thank you to all the members of the CCSD community who nominated more than 150 of our employees across the district throughout this school year, and one more congratulations to the nine winners this school year.
And finally, thank you to the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce and all the local businesses that support the program every month. We look forward to receiving many more nomination messages from the community when the nomination period reopens in August!
School Start, End Times Won't Change for 2023-24
After receiving feedback from hundreds of staff members, students, parents, other caregivers, and members of the community at large on the two proposals that were put forward, the district has determined that the issue requires more research and deliberation before any potential changes are made. We will continue to study the problems related to bus driver shortages, bus routes, and instructional time missed due to transportation issues and will continue to seek public input throughout the process. However, our school start and end times will remain the same for the upcoming school year, as shown below.
We thank all of those who took the time to provide thoughtful input and potential solutions for the issues our district faces with regard to school schedules and transportation. We appreciate your feedback and support as we work to best meet the needs of our students, staff, and families.
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
Thanks to all in the community who participated over the past week in our appreciation by spotlights by emailing in your stories about your favorite CCSD educators, past and present.
Check out our spotlights from the past week on Facebook and Instagram!
Department of Education Recognizes 7 CCSD Schools for Whole-child Strategy Implementation
The DOE presented the award to Soraia Felgenhauer, CCSD's Director of Family and Community Engagement, during a reception Thursday, and Ms. Felgenhauer in turn presented the award to Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker at Thursday night's Board of Education meeting.
Congratulations to these schools! Read more here.
Board of Education Approves Three District Leadership Hires
Read more here.
CCSD Announces New Principal of Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary
At its Thursday, May 11 meeting, the Clarke County Board of Education approved the hire of O’Marr Curry as the new principal of Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary, effective July 1.
Mr. Curry has over a decade of education experience — including nine years in the Clarke County School District — in both the classroom and administrative roles at the elementary school level and is currently in his third year as an assistant principal at Whitehead Road Elementary.
Read more here.
'Studio 595' Season Finale
In the 12th and final episode of season 1, our soon-to-be graduates Kalli (Clarke Central) and Dillon (Cedar Shoals) say goodbye with a retrospective on their favorite moments of the show, the advice they would give to others, and the most influential moments of their lives in school and life as they prepare to venture out into adulthood.
Sports Updates: Cedar Shoals Soccer
Congratulations to members of the Cedar Shoals High varsity soccer teams who received postseason honors recently!
- For the boys, Fernando Vera-Rubio was named to the All-Region 8-AAAA first team, while Luis Martinez made second team and Wilbert Pena, Gustavo Ortiz, Kevin Soliz, and Jovany Tapia garnered honorable mentions.
- For the girls, Zulma Valdivieso-Gutierrez was named first-team all-region, while Alexa Ruiz made the second team and Megan Wise made honorable mention.
- In addition, Wilbert Pena was named a regional winner for the 2023 Georgia Positive Athlete Award, and Luis Martinez and Kevin Soliz have been selected to the DiVarsity Georgia High School Soccer All-Star Game.
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.
21st Century 6th Grade Transition Camp Set for June
The camps will be held from June 5-29 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday each week) and will include several activities for students — hands-on scientific activities, robotics, broadcast journalism lessons, therapeutic drumming, yoga and meditation, weekly field trips, and more!
The camps will also provide middle school introductory resources to parents along with information on other school and community resources.
Click here to register. For more information, email grantg@clarke.k12.ga.us (BHL site) or atkinsont@clarke.k12.ga.us (Hilsman site).
Cedar Shoals, Clarke Central to Hold Freshmen Transition Camps in July
The Cedar Shoals camps will be July 24 and July 25 from 1-4 p.m. Register for one of the days here. For questions, contact Courtni Reese, Cedar Shoals family engagement specialist, at reesec@clarke.k12.ga.us.
The Clarke Central camps will be July 24 and July 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register for one of the days here. For questions, contact Christian Barner, Clarke Central family engagement specialist, at barnerc@clarke.k12.ga.us.
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 Approves Tentative Budget, Sets Millage Rate Public Hearings
At its Thursday, May 11 meeting, the board gave tentative approval to a fiscal year 2024 budget of $214.1 million, based on maintaining the current millage rate of 18.8 mills. As required by state law, the board will conduct three public hearings, starting later this month:
- 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 23 – budget presentation and millage rate hearing
- 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 24 – budget presentation and millage rate hearing
- 5 p.m. Thursday, June 1 – millage rate hearing.
All public presentations and hearings will be held in the Vernon Payne Meeting Hall of the CCSD administrative building, located at 595 Prince Ave., Athens. Anyone who wishes to speak may contact Lisa Palmer, executive assistant to the superintendent and board manager, at palmerli@clarke.k12.ga.us in advance, or sign up at the door before the meeting begins.
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, June 1, at 6 p.m. (in-person and broadcast on the CCSD YouTube channel). This will be a combined work session and regular meeting. Starting in July, the board will meet only once a month through at least the remainder of 2023, with a work session beginning at 5 p.m., followed immediately by the regular meeting.
- 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.
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.
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