Better Together
News from the Clarke County School District • 11/11/22
Mr. Lowery, who has been with CCSD since June 2021, is the tech services point of contact for our staff at Barrow, Chase Street, Cleveland Road, Fowler Drive, H.B. Stroud, J.J. Harris, and Timothy Road elementary schools. He also assists with the live-streaming of school events and Board of Education meetings.
Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker surprised and presented Mr. Lowery with the award on Thursday, Nov. 10, and he was recognized that evening at the Board of Education meeting. He also was presented with the Employee of the Month gift bag, which is sponsored every month by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce and contains gifts from numerous local businesses.
As a reminder, any member of the CCSD community (a parent/guardian, student, staff member, community/business leader) may nominate an employee for Employee of the Month. Click here for more information.
Scenes from Around CCSD This Week
Among them:
- STEM/STEAM Day activities at Howard B. Stroud and Cleveland Road Elementary schools, among others, which gave our students hands-on learning experiences in the fields of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics.
- Thanksgiving family lunches at several of our schools, including Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary and Whit Davis Elementary.
- Pajama Day and Family Literacy Night at Whitehead Road Elementary.
Enjoy these photos, and remember to follow all of our schools on Facebook for more!
Two More Town Halls with Superintendent Coming Up Next Week
Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker held his second of six fall town hall meetings Monday, Nov. 7, at the Rocksprings Community Center and has two more coming up next week — Monday, Nov. 14, from 6-7 p.m. at the Nellie B. Community Center, 200 Zatella Ln., Athens, and Thursday, Nov. 17, from 6-7 p.m. at the Cedar Shoals High School Auditorium, 1300 Cedar Shoals Dr., Athens.
You can ask questions live or submit them in advance for the town hall you plan to attend by scanning the bar code in the graphic below or by following this link.
Clarke Middle Health Center Ribbon-Cutting, Grand Opening Held
It was an exciting day at CCSD on Thursday, Nov. 10, as we held the ribbon-cutting and grand opening for the new Clarke Middle Health Center, located between the campuses of Clarke Middle and Alps Road Elementary.
This free clinic, a collaboration with the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership, will increase access to healthcare services for our students, staff, and families. In addition, free legal, counseling, and Spanish-language counseling services are offered at the clinic through partnerships with UGA's Community Health Law Partnership Clinic, ASPIRE Clinic, and La Clínica in LaK’ech.
Click here to read more about and see more photos from Thursday's event!
ACCA Holds Future Student Fair, Encourages Students to Apply Now!
The ACCA admissions application for CCSD high school students who will be in grades 10-12 in the 2023-24 school year opened Thursday afternoon. Interested students are encouraged to apply soon, as the popular pathways tend to fill up quickly.
Click here to apply. After students apply, they should regularly check their emails beginning in January for follow-up tasks and acceptance notifications.
Click here to learn more about ACCA and its high school and college pathways.
CCHS Boys’ Cross Country Team Finishes as State Runners-up
The Clarke Central High boys’ cross country team turned in an impressive performance Saturday, Nov. 5, in the GHSA Class 5A state meet at Carrollton High School, finishing as state runners-up!
The Gladiators finished just five points behind team champion Decatur and had three runners place in the top 12 out of 221 who competed in the race. Junior Beck Wolf-Hardy led the way for Clarke Central, finishing third overall with a time of 17:04.10, while senior Max Carlson finished fifth (17:11.64) and freshman James Daniel placed 12th (17:34.46). Sophomore Ryan Marshall (24th place, 17:58.37) and freshman Waylon Vaughn (58th, 18:46.41) also contributed to the Gladiators’ point total. Senior Solomon Nackashi and freshman Noah Kilpatrick also competed in the state meet.
Congratulations to the Gladiators on a terrific season, which also included a Region 8-AAAAA team championship and an individual region title for Wolf-Hardy!
Cedar Shoals, Clarke Central Football Teams Begin State Playoffs
It's postseason time, as the Cedar Shoals High School and Clarke Central High School football teams will compete this week in the first round of the GHSA Class 4A and Class 5A playoffs, respectively. The Jaguars will be traveling to Cedartown High School for a 7:30 p.m. matchup tonight, while the Gladiators visit Cartersville High School on Saturday for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.
Per Georgia High School Association rules, tickets for these games can only be purchased through GoFAN and are $8 apiece. Tickets must be presented on your mobile device either through the GoFAN app or website for entry.
Click here to check ticket availability for the Cedar Shoals-Cedartown game and here for the Clarke Central-Cartersville game. And click here for more information and answers to frequently asked questions on ticket purchases:
Can't go to the games? Watch them via live stream through the NFHS Network. A subscription is required.
Click these links to view the Class 4A and Class 5A playoff brackets.
More Elementary School Basketball Games Coming Up Next Week
Monday, Nov. 14
- Timothy Road Elementary vs. Whitehead Road Elementary, CCSD district gym, 595 Prince Ave., Athens (girls, 4 p.m.; boys, 5 p.m.).
- Barnett Shoals Elementary vs. Fowler Drive Elementary, Whitehead Road Elementary gym, 555 Quailwood Dr., Athens (girls, 4 p.m.; boys, 5 p.m.).
Wednesday, Nov. 16
- Winterville Elementary vs. Whitehead Road Elementary, Whitehead Road Elementary gym (girls, 4 p.m., boys, 5 p.m.).
- Timothy Road Elementary vs. Barnett Shoals Elementary, district gym (girls, 4 p.m.; boys, 5 p.m.).
Thursday, Nov. 17
- Whit Davis Elementary vs. Chase Street Elementary, Whitehead Road Elementary gym (girls, 4 p.m.; boys, 5 p.m.)
College Application Fee Waivers
The Georgia Student Finance Commission has partnered with the University System of Georgia (USG), the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), private institutions, and Georgia Military College to provide application fee waivers to Georgia high school seniors during Georgia Apply to College Month.
More than 40 colleges and universities have agreed to waive their application fees for high school seniors between Nov. 1-30.
Click here to read the full press release and here to see the list of colleges and universities offering waivers, as well as the application links.
4th Annual Cedar Shoals Band Mattress Fundraiser
Family and Community Engagement Updates
Family University: Restorative Practices
The Department of Family and Community Engagement will host its third Family University session of the year from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, in the Vernon Payne Meeting Hall at the CCSD administrative building, 595 Prince Ave., Athens.
The topic is "Restorative Practices," and a live panel of educators, district administrators, and representatives from the Georgia Conflict Center will be on hand to discuss restorative practices and how they are currently implemented in CCSD schools.
The public is invited to attend, but for those who cannot attend in-person, the forum will be streamed live and available later for on-demand viewing on the CCSD YouTube channel.
Monster Mash Dance and Community Restorative Night - CMS
This was a fun night for students to hang out and engaging, informational event for parents. Parents brought their children to the dance and stayed for Community Restorative Night, where they had dinner and participated in restorative circles.
"It was fun and engaging for all!" said Stephanie Anderson, Community School Organizer for CMS.
Bus Drivers Wanted!
CCSD is now hiring bus drivers. Hourly pay ranges from $18-$26, and we offer part-time and full-time schedules, a $1,500 signing bonus (for full-time employment), and full benefits. It's a rewarding and flexible career move.
Click here to see what's waiting for you behind the wheel!
How to Address Questions, Concerns
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.”
Calendar Reminders
Click to view the 2022-23 Academic Calendar. Important dates:
- 11/21 - 11/25: Thanksgiving Break
- 12/19 - 1/4: Winter Break (Teachers return 1/4)
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, Dec. 15, 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 and Vaccine Opportunities
As a reminder, COVID-19 testing and vaccinations are available at the Hilsman Health Center. Call 706-546-7463 to make an appointment. The center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30-11:30 a.m. on Friday.
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
211 – Get Connected. Get Help.
Community Food Resources
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.
Teen Newsletter from ACC Library
Search for Jobs in Athens-Clarke County
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