Better Together
News from the Clarke County School District • 3/18/22
Here is what her colleague who nominated her for the award said: “Anna always reminds you to find the good in everyone and everything, and she models that in her everyday behavior as a colleague, teacher, and friend. I think one of the greatest things about Anna is that her job doesn’t stop after her students leave pre-K. She follows her students throughout their entire school journey, continuing to celebrate all of their accomplishments and support them in their triumphs.”
CCSD Conducting Communications Surveys
The Clarke County School District is committed to strengthening communication with all of our stakeholders as we work to provide the best possible education for our students. Based upon the feedback CCSD received in a recent survey, the district is now working with the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) on a comprehensive review of our communication efforts to assist us in better meeting your communication needs.
As part of this communications audit, CCSD is administering the SCoPE (School Communications Performance Evaluation) Surveys dedicated to evaluating the effectiveness of our communication with staff, parents/families, and our community.
Beginning Monday, March 21, click on the appropriate links below to get started. The surveys will take less than 15 minutes to complete. The deadline is April 1.
SURVEY LINKS
Family Survey: https://bit.ly/3pXxLox
Community Survey: https://bit.ly/3CAPpDs
Staff Survey: https://bit.ly/3t6BvWS
Gaines Elementary ASP Students Treated to Aquarium Visit
Harold Faison, ASP co-coordinator at Gaines Elementary School, works hard to ensure the students in the After-School Program are exposed to high-quality enrichment activities.
Mr. Faison recently took the entire ASP student body to the Georgia Aquarium. He says that when he first began as a coordinator of ASP in August, he knew then that he wanted to help the Gaines students experience something they may not have otherwise had access to, at no cost to their families.
To ensure the trip would be free of cost, Mr. Faison applied for a grant through the Georgia Aquarium’s website and worked in conjunction with his school to cover the cost of admission and meals for the students. Leading up to the trip, he could tell how excited the students were as they would stop him in the hallway and ask many questions and tell him that they were “counting the days” until the trip.
The students rode "in style" on a charter bus to the aquarium, adding more fun to the daylong adventure. Mr. Faison noted that he thoroughly enjoyed planning this trip and hopes to make this an annual tradition.
CCSD Celebrates Youth Art Month with Online Gallery
March is Arts in Education Month, recognized across the country as Youth Art Month, Music in our Schools Month, Theatre in Schools Month, and Dance in Schools Month.
Once again this year, our student artists and art teachers have contributed to our online CCSD Youth Art Month Online Exhibition, which can be found at the link below.
We hope you enjoy the work of our fabulous artists who have continued to make art through our unique times. CCSD is proud to be part of a great Arts community here in Athens.
Get Involved: LSGT Candidate Declaration Period Now Open
Candidate declarations for CCSD's Local School Governance Teams are now open through Friday, March 25. Voting will take place April 11-15.
Click here for more information on how to get involved at your/your child's school — working alongside school leadership on the school’s strategic plan, budget approval, school-based flexibility solutions, and more.
Apply to Be a Part of VILLA
Volunteer Instructional Leadership Learning Academy (VILLA), a new, annual program developed by the Georgia School Board Association (GSBA), is coming to CCSD next month and will offer CCSD parents the opportunity to learn more about the school district and its operations.
The program will cover:
•CCSD’s governance model and the role of school board members
•the school district’s strategic priorities and day-to-day operations
•discussions regarding curriculum, instruction, finance, and human resources
•visits to elementary, middle, and high school and district offices.
The 2022 VILLA program is open to 42 participants (two from each CCSD school). Parents of current CCSD students are invited to apply. Parents are asked to complete the VILLA application or contact your school’s principal. Participants will be notified of their selection for the class. The first meeting will be April 13 at the district office, 595 Prince Ave., Athens. Meeting times will be announced at a later date.
For more information or questions, please contact Heather Penland at penlandh@clarke.k12.ga.us or Soraia Felgenhauer at felgenhauers@clarke.k12.ga.us.
Clarke Central FFA Spring Plant Sale Set for March 30 - April 2
Mark Your Calendars for CCSD Family Fun Day
CCSD’s Division of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships will again host the spring Family Fun Day event on Saturday, April 23, from 2-5 p.m. at Holland Park, 250 Vincent Dr., Athens.
Come learn about the different organizations serving the youth of our community and enjoy free food, games, and music, along with a pop-up park, vendors, and prizes. The event will be held at the youth baseball/softball fields at the back of the complex.
For more information, contact Alex Borges, Family and Community Engagement Specialist, at borgesa@clarke.k12.ga.us.
Calendar Reminders
Click to view the 2021-22 Academic Calendar. Important dates:
- 4/4-8: Spring Break
Athens Wellbeing Project
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 in CCSD. Daily pay increases and monthly bonuses! Click here to learn more or call ESS at 877-983-2244.
Board of Education News
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, April 14, 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.
CCSD COVID-19 Testing Clinics
CCSD is providing free COVID-19 testing clinics for students and staff. Clinics will be held in schools across the district. Rapid antigen tests (results in 15 minutes) and PCR tests (results in 24-48 hours) will be available. No appointment is necessary, but registration is required.
Testing Clinic Information
- March 21 through April 15 (rotating schools)
- View dates/locations and registration link
Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
Residential households in the U.S. can order 2 sets of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Fill in this form with your contact and shipping information to order your tests.
Here’s what you need to know about your order:
- Limit of two orders per residential address;
- One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests;
- Orders will ship free as tests come in.
- USPS will only send two sets of 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests to valid residential addresses.
COVID-19 Testing & Vaccination Information
View this message about the importance of receiving the vaccine and testing if symptoms are present.
- COVID vaccine info & appointments
- PCR testing at Hilsman Health Center - 706-546-7463.
- GaDPH COVD-19 FREE Testing Sites
CCSD COVID-19 Reporting Tool
YWCO Summer Girls Club
Family Event at State Botanical Garden of Georgia Set for March 19
Join the State Botanical Garden of Georgia staff, students, and volunteers for the new Georgia Questival on Saturday, March 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alice H. Richards Children's Garden. Participants of all ages will spring into exploration through a series of adventurous activities showcasing Georgia’s natural history and resources.
The gardens are located at 2450 South Milledge Ave., Athens.
Fee: $5 per person/ $20 per family (CCSD Students $1 off ticket price)
UGA Special Collections Family Day Set for March 26
The University of Georgia's Special Collections Libraries will host its Family Day event Saturday, March 26, from 1-4 p.m. at the special collections building, 300 South Hull St., Athens.
The event is free and open to the public and will highlight the new exhibit. "Frankie Welch’s Americana: Fashion, Scarves, and Politics." Explore the exhibit with gallery games and activities. Get crafty and make your own scarf design.
Free parking for off-campus visitors is available in the Hull Street Deck. For more information, contact Jan Hebbard at jhebbard@uga.edu or 706-583-0213.
Children’s Author, Inspirational Speaker Coming to Athens-Clarke County Library
Chris Singleton, a former professional baseball player who turned to inspirational speaking following the death of his mother in the racially-motivated mass shooting at Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015, will be speaking at the Athens-Clarke County Library, 2025 Baxter St., at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 31.
Singleton, who also has become a best-selling children’s author with books geared toward ages 6-9, will be signing 100 free copies of one of his books, available first-come, first-served. Singleton’s inspirational speeches are geared toward children of all ages.
The event is free and open to the public.
International Street Festival Set for April 9
The 2022 festival will be held Saturday, April 9, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Tate Student Center Plaza and Lawns.
Dunta Robinson Foundation 3D Champs Program
New Teen Newsletter from ACC Library
Search for Jobs in Athens-Clarke County
Community Food Resources
211 – Get Connected. Get Help.
Need Help Paying Rent?
Georgia landlords and renters are encouraged to apply for rental and utility assistance through the State of Georgia Rental Assistance program! Nearly a billion dollars has been allocated to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs by the U.S. Treasury to provide help for renters who have fallen behind on rent during the pandemic.
For assistance, email rentalassistance@dca.ga.gov or call (833) 827-7368.
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
Twitter: @clarkecoschools