Better Together
News from the Clarke County School District • 8/5/22
Welcome Back to School!
CCSD wishes to thank all of our teachers, principals, support staff, nutrition workers, bus drivers, families, and everyone who played a role in the successful kick-off of a new year of learning.
UGA Athletic Association Distributes Backpacks to Stroud Students
CCSD thanks the University of Georgia Athletic Association and the student-athletes who visited Howard B. Stroud Elementary on Monday, Aug. 1, to distribute backpacks for all Stroud students through the “Learn, Play, Excel” program.
The program was started in 2011 as a way for UGA student-athletes to meet and mentor students about the importance of education, perseverance, and pursuing their dreams. UGA coaches and student-athletes encourage elementary school students with presentations that focus on education, leadership, respecting authority, anti-bullying, and the value of participating in sports.
Check out this Instagram reel of Monday’s distribution.
CCSD Receives Award of Distinction for Excellent Financial Reporting
Congratulations to our Finance and Business Services team for their hard work in helping CCSD receive the Award of Distinction for Excellent Financial Reporting from the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (DOAA) for Fiscal Year 2021!
CCSD won the award after receiving a “clean opinion” from DOAA auditors with no findings and by submitting all FY21 financial statements roughly six weeks in advance of the Dec. 31, 2021, deadline. The district was one of 39 across the state to receive the award.
DOAA auditors presented the audit report to the Board of Education on Thursday, Aug. 4, and presented CCSD Chief Financial Officer Byron Schueneman with the award.
You can view the report here.
Cedar Shoals Alum Named to UGA's '40 Under 40' List
CCSD is proud to have former student and Cedar Shoals High graduate Christina Faust named in the University of Georgia's "40 Under 40," an honor that recognizes and celebrates young alumni who have followed their time at UGA with careers leading their respective fields, serving their communities, and making a positive impact on the world.
Ms. Faust is an ecologist studying infectious diseases and environmental change and was honored for her research that addresses the emergence of zoonotic diseases in human populations.
Click here to read more.
CCSD Staff, Families Asked to Provide Input on Academic Calendars for 2023-24, 2024-25
CCSD’s Academic Calendar Committee is seeking input from families and staff on the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 calendars.
To share your thoughts, please take our 10-15 minute survey by clicking this link or by scanning the QR code below.
All families and staff are invited to complete the survey by Monday, Aug. 15.
Parents, Guardians Asked to Review Approved 2022-23 Code of Student Conduct
Parents and guardians of CCSD students are asked to review the 2022-23 Code of Student Conduct. From the main district website, the code can be accessed from the “For Families” tab at the top of the page. In addition, all schools will have paper copies of the code available in the coming weeks. Printed copies will be available in the front office of each school.
The Code of Student Conduct was approved by the Board of Education at its July 14 meeting, and we ask that you let us know that you have reviewed the code by submitting your signature through the QR code found on page 2 of the document.
CCSD Encourages Families to Update Parent Portal Information
Click here for more information on where to check this information and for how to make updates.
Family and Community Engagement Updates
Family Engagement Academy
Our Family Engagement Specialists will be attending the Family Engagement Academy inaugural session next week. The Academy will kick off with a “Community Scavenger Hunt,” Title I training, and a celebration of the 2021-22 Family Engagement Specialist of the Year.
The Family Engagement Academy will be held monthly and will include professional development by Dr. Jamon Flowers from the University of Georgia, Title I training by Dr. Donna Elder, Executive Director of Federal Programs for CCSD, community guest speakers, FES-led sessions, and more.
Chase Street Safety Plan
This week, Omar Reid, Community School Organizer (CSO) for Chase Street Elementary, met with Athens-Clarke County transportation and traffic engineering officials and representatives of the Boulevard Neighborhood Association and Georgia Bikes to do a “walking audit” of streets and intersections around the school and neighborhood during drop-off and pick-up times.
The audit is part of the second phase of a two-phase project aimed at installing pedestrian-safety improvements around the school.
Book and Bookbag
A parent and pre-K student take out time recently at student registration to pick out a book from Books for Keeps and a bookbag that was donated by Athens Neighborhood Health Center.
We encourage our families to visit our new family engagement specialist hub. This is a one-stop shop with many different resources — including Title I/Crate resources, a directory of family engagement specialists at each school, and other community resources.
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:
- 9/5: Labor Day
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, Aug. 11, 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
Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
Residential households in the U.S. are now eligible for another order of free at-home tests on 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:
- Each order now includes 8 rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
- Your order of 8 tests will come in 2 separate packages (4 tests in each package), each with its own tracking number
- Packages will ship free.
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.
New Teen Newsletter from ACC Library
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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