Better Together
News from the Clarke County School District • 3/11/22
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.
Cedar Shoals, Clarke Central Media Groups Rack Up Awards at Regional Student Press Convention
Thirty-three staff members from the Cedar Shoals High student magazine BluePrints and 33 staff members and students from the Clarke Central High Odyssey Media Group, iliad literary magazine and Journalism I class attended the 2022 Southern Interscholastic Press Association convention in Columbia, South Carolina, March 4-6 and earned several group and individual awards and recognitions.
Click here for more on the Cedar Shoals recognitions and here for more on the Clarke Central recognitions.
Cedar Shoals BluePrints staff
Clarke Central Odyssey Media Group and iliad staff
CCSD Celebrates Read Across America Day
On March 2, Clarke County schools and schools across the country celebrated Read Across America Day, part of a long-running initiative by the National Education Association, aimed at fostering children’s love of reading through schools. The day is celebrated annually on the birthday of Dr. Seuss or the school day closest school day to it.
From the official White House proclamation on Read Across America Day 2022:
“Reading ignites imagination, insight, and inspiration. It nourishes a child’s creativity and curiosity, and inspires a passion for lifelong learning. Books can challenge and inspire. They can teach important lessons, reveal new worlds, and enrich our understanding of our own — of different people, perspectives, and cultures. On Read Across America Day, we celebrate the joy of learning and give thanks to the parents, caregivers, educators, librarians, authors, and community members who invest in our Nation’s children.”
CCSD had book readings across its campuses on March 2, including at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary, where Soraia Felgenhauer, Director of Community Schools, read to Ms. Natasha Dorfman’s pre-K class.
CCSD Translation Team Offers Services to Families
Did you know? ¿Sabias que?
Under federal law, every family has the right to receive information about their child’s education in a language they can understand. The CCSD Office of the Translator within the Department of Community Schools works to connect CCSD families and staff with translation and interpretation services to ensure all families have the access guaranteed by law.
The CCSD translation team is proud to support the district’s mission to develop life-long learners and globally-minded citizens by helping staff, students, and families overcome barriers to communication. As we learn to listen to each other, we all benefit from the richness of each other’s culture and experience.
Please visit the CCSD YouTube Spanish section to learn more about our school district. You can find videos about ASP, registration, transportation, family support resources, and more.
And for assistance, please reach out to our Bilingual Translation and Interpretation Assistants:
Ana Camacho
706-546-7721, Ext. 79404
Katie Greenwood
706-546-7721 Ext. 79405
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.
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.
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.
Coffee Fundraiser to Benefit Clarke Central JROTC
The Clarke Central High JROTC is partnering with Jittery Joe’s Coffee on a coffee fundraiser.
Now through March 18, click here to place your order. The JROTC program will receive $4 of support for every can of coffee sold. No orders will be accepted after March 18.
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, March 17, 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 14 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
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.
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