Better Together
8/25/23 • News from the Clarke County School District
Community Conversations: Safety in Our Schools
The safety and security of our students and staff at all of our schools is the No. 1 priority of the Clarke County School District. Join CCSD Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, at Cedar Shoals High School, and 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6, at Clarke Central High School, for a conversation on school safety and the district's commitment to providing a safe and welcoming learning environment for all.
Scenes around CCSD
Students at Howard B. Stroud Elementary (pictured above) were all smiles during the school's annual Picture Day. See more photos here and check out more photos of activities from the past week around the district below. And, as always, be sure to follow us (@clarkecoschools) and all of our schools on social media for many other photos!
Book Shoppers
Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary's library has been retiring some older, heavily used books to make room for new additions to its collection, and OAES students have been more than happy to pick out books to take home and keep.
Family Day at the Park
J.J. Harris Elementary staff, students, and families had the chance to connect outside of school with their Family Day at the Park event at Walker Park. Special thanks to the Classic City of Athens Rotary Club for cooking the food and providing the refreshments!
Happy Birthday!
Fowler Drive Elementary principal Pam Garcia celebrated her 40th birthday with smiling students all around.
Caught Red-handed?
Students at Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle got a little red on their hands during an agricultural science experiment!
Show Your Work
Students in Ms. Jennifer Schmidt's and Dr. Khanh Bui's Algebra I classes at Cedar Shoals High worked on solving inequalities on the vertical whiteboards, allowing them to collaborate with each other and allowing the teachers to track their thinking in real-time.
Parent University at Classic City
Classic City High held its first Parent University, where school and district staff and families discussed how they will work together this year to support student attendance and achievement.
Become a Clarke County Mentor and Make a Difference
The Clarke County Mentor Program is seeking adult volunteers in the community who are willing to commit to at least one full year of making a difference in the life of a CCSD student. Mentors visit their assigned “mentee” at school, ideally once each week during the school year, for a meal, game, academic help, school program, and conversation.
Click here to learn more about the program requirements, expectations, and the application process.
Save the Date! Alps Road, Chase Street Renaming Ceremonies
Student Spotlight
Students Take Advantage of Agricultural Education Opportunities
Students involved in FFA at CCSD schools continue to take advantage of agricultural education opportunities outside the classroom and win awards as shown in the photos below.
- Coile Middle seventh-grader and FFA officer Noah Gamiz-Perez competed in his first goat show at the Clarke-Oconee Cattlemen's Association Youth Livestock Show on Aug. 12 and got to experience that moment with his sister, Cedar Shoals High sophomore Alessandra Perez-Garcia. Being a livestock exhibitor requires hours of daily care and practice. Both siblings will compete again Sept. 2 at the University of Georgia Livestock Arena.
- At the same youth livestock show on Aug. 12, Clarke Central High seniors Kathleen Dykes and Emily Crooms won multiple awards. Kathleen took home top honors, earning third overall Senior Showman, third overall Hampshire Breeding Gilt, and champion overall Market Hog, prize money, and a few ribbons along with a custom belt buckle. Emily won a first-place ribbon and some prize money on top of that.
- Meanwhile, Coile Middle seventh-grader and FFA officer Emilie Adams attended the State Floral Design Training event last weekend was able to apply advanced floral design skills by designing a table arrangement, two bud vases, a boutonniere and pocket boutonniere, a corsage, and a headband/crown. Emilie will represent Coile at the North Region Area 2 Career Development Event in Floral Design in September.
Student Opportunities
ACCGov Invites High School Students to Apply for Mayor's Youth Council
The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) is seeking applications by Monday, Sept. 4, from students in grades 10-12 who are interested in taking part in the Mayor's Youth Council. The goal of the council is to encourage effective youth engagement in Athens-Clarke County and to provide an opportunity for youth voices to communicate directly with local government leadership. The council will encourage civic engagement and community service while also building a working understanding of how local government works.
Council members will attend monthly meetings and give, at minimum, five hours per week to the council. Members will also work on small group projects throughout the year and present the projects to Mayor Kelly Girtz and other county leadership in May 2024.
Applications should be submitted online at www.accgov.com/youthcouncil. Find more information here.
Seniors: Apply for Internship with UGA Student Advertising Agency
Talking Dog, UGA's student-led advertising and public relations agency, is now accepting applications for its 2023-24 internship program from high school seniors through Thursday, Aug. 31.
The internship runs from September through April, and interns will be expected to meet for approximately one hour every Wednesday at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Each intern will be placed on a team of 6-8 UGA students who will be assigned to a national or local client. Interns should be prepared to work in a fast-paced team environment and will complete the internship having gained experience in various areas such as: project management, advertising, public relations, digital media production, photography, research, and copywriting.
Click here to apply and for more information.
Apply for the State Superintendent's Student Advisory Council
State School Superintendent Richard Woods seeks students in grades 10-12 to serve on his 2023-24 Student Advisory Council. Students will meet with Superintendent Woods to discuss the impact of state policies in the classroom and other education-related issues. They will serve as the Superintendent's ambassadors to their respective schools.
Applications must be submitted by Friday, Sept. 8, at 5 p.m. Learn more here and apply here.
High School Latinx Students: Register for ¡Sígueme! UGA
The University of Georgia Students for Latin Empowerment will host ¡Sígueme! on Friday, Sept. 15, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event will bring Latinx high school students to UGA's campus and pair them with current UGA students. High school students will have the chance to see what a typical day looks like for a UGA student and will have the opportunity to interact with current Latinx students who will share their personal stories, achievements, and involvement in the community. Event highlights include a campus tour, academic showcases, a Latinx student panel, student organization fair, and a networking lunch. Register here.
AAHRC Scholarship Applications Open
The scholarship season for the Athens Area Human Relations Council, Inc. (AAHRC) is now open. For more than 40 years, the AAHRC has sought to uplift and enrich the lives of the youth in Athens-Clarke County and the surrounding area. Each year, the council awards scholarships to area high school seniors to aid them in their quest to attend college.
Applications will be accepted through Sept. 29. Seniors must also submit an essay, two recommendation forms from unrelated adults, and a copy of their transcript or an official document noting their grade-point average.
Click here to access the application and more information, or download the PDF file directly below.
Sports Updates
Classic City Championship Crown Stays with Clarke Central
Clarke Central won for the fifth consecutive year in the Classic City Championship series, defeating Cedar Shoals 28-7 last weekend in both teams' season-opener. The game was a tight, one-score battle most of the way before the Gladiators pulled away with a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter. See more photos from Saturday here.
Both teams will be back in action at 7:30 p.m. today (Friday, Aug. 25), as Clarke Central hosts Oconee County and Cedar Shoals visits Monroe Area. Good luck to the Gladiators and Jaguars the rest of the way!
CCHS Boys' Cross Country Wins Northeast Georgia Championships Meet
Coming off a state runner-up finish last fall, the Clarke Central boys' cross country team got the new season off to a strong start last weekend, winning the Northeast Georgia Championships meet at Athens Christian School. The Gladiators had five runners finish in the top 14 to claim the low team score among the 12 schools that competed. Sophomore James Daniel finished third overall out of 111 runners, while his teammates senior Beck Wolf-Hardy and junior Ryan Marshall rounded out the top five. Sophomore Waylon Vaughn placed ninth, while junior Karl Ritzler finished 14th.
Clarke Central will be back in action Saturday, Aug. 26, in the North Georgia Championships at East Jackson High School.
Clarke Central Tops Cedar Shoals in Softball
Cedar Shoals second baseman Amelia Hembree tags out Clarke Central's CA Cederbaum during a game between the two teams last weekend. The Gladiators prevailed and were off to a strong 9-1 start entering play this weekend. See more photos from the game here.
Middle School Volleyball Teams in Action
The volleyball teams from Coile, Clarke, Burney-Harris-Lyons, and Hilsman middle schools competed against each other in a round robin-style invitational at Clarke Central last weekend. See more photos here!
CCSD Event Attendance Update
Effective immediately, no middle school or elementary school students may be dropped off and left unattended at any CCSD event — including athletic events, performances, or other school events. All elementary and middle school students must be accompanied by an adult who is expected to remain with them for the entire event.
This decision has become necessary to make sure that all students and families are able to participate in and enjoy events without disruption.
Download the Free CCSD App!
- receive important alerts from the district
- view the latest district and school news
- access school and district info
- view district and school calendars
- and more!
Scan the QR code below with an iOS or Android device, and you will be taken to the appropriate location to download the app.
Calendar and Other Reminders
Calendar Reminders
Click to view the 2023-24 Academic Calendar.
Important dates:
- 9/4: Student and staff holiday (Labor Day)
- 9/5: Student holiday (district professional learning day)
Update or Create Parent Portal Account
Follow these directions for updating the contact information in your Parent Portal account. Don't have an account yet? Follow these directions to set one up. Having a Parent Portal account allows parents and guardians to access attendance records, class schedules, grades, and assignment information for their students. If you already have an account but forgot your password and need a reset, use the links on the login page to reset your password or username or to request help. You may also email campus@clarke.k12.ga.us for additional assistance.
How to Address Questions, Concerns
Have a question or concern that you'd like to address? CCSD has put together a matrix of who to reach out to depending on the situation. 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.”
Download the Edulog App for Bus Info
Parents/guardians of students who ride a bus to and/or from school can use the Edulog page on the district website or download the Edulog Parent Portal mobile app to find information about their student’s bus.
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Check out our monthly breakfast and lunch menus and find more school nutrition information here.
Nominate a CCSD Employee of the Month!
CCSD Employee of the Month nominations for the 2023-24 school year are now open! The Employee of the Month program recognizes and rewards staff members for their service and dedication to the students and families of the Clarke County School District.
Board of Education News
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: The board's next scheduled meeting is Thursday, Sept. 14, with the work session beginning at 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m. All meetings are held in the Vernon Payne Meeting Hall at the CCSD administrative offices building, located at 595 Prince Ave. in Athens. The public is invited to attend meetings in person. Meetings are also streamed live and are available for on-demand viewing on the CCSD YouTube channel. Click here for the board meeting schedule.
- Agendas: Click here to access board meeting agendas.
- 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 BOE meeting.
- Review Policies for Review: View and comment on district policies pending public review.
Careers at CCSD
Interested in a Career at CCSD?
Community Information and Resources
Updates from ACCGov
Public Comment on Affordable Housing Investment Strategy
The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov), in collaboration with HR&A Advisors, is seeking public comment through Aug. 30 on the recommended strategies to help address Athens residents' increasing housing affordability challenges. The Affordable Housing Investment Strategy provides a roadmap for strategic investments and policy changes to improve the availability of quality affordable rental housing and homeownership opportunities across Athens-Clarke County. The final draft of the plan, a virtual presentation, and an online survey are available at www.accgov.com/arpa. More information is available here.
Public Input on Memorial Park Improvements
ACCGov's Leisure Services Department is seeking public comment through Sept. 3 on upcoming improvements to Memorial Park’s pedestrian and vehicle access, stormwater structures, and pond area. A story map of options, virtual presentation, and online survey is available at www.accgov.com/memorial. Click here for more information.
Submit Your Design for 'I Voted Early' Sticker
ACCGov's Elections Department invites residents to submit artistic designs for an “I Voted Early” sticker to be distributed to voters during early voting for elections that take place in 2024. Design submissions are due by Aug. 27. Click here for more information.
Board of Elections to Vote on Recommended Polling Location, Precinct Line Changes
The Board of Elections is scheduled to vote Sept. 12 on changes to precinct boundary lines and some polling locations that will go into effect beginning with the 2024 Presidential Preference Primary Election set for March 12, 2024. Residents’ voting districts will not change as a part of the process – only the location at which some voters would vote in-person on Election Day. Click here for more information.
Registration Open for 'Kilometer Kids' Youth Track and Field Program
Looking for an after-school program to help your child become more physically active through running? Check out Atlanta Track Club’s Kilometer Kids program, being offered at Bishop Park this fall. The free, 10-week, game-based running program is open to students in grades K-5 and is designed to teach them about goal setting, healthy habits, respect, and community building, all through exposing them to the sport of running.
There is no fee to participate, and the program is for all elementary students regardless of running ability or experience. Practices start Sept. 7 and will be held every Thursday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Bishop Park for the 10-week period. Click here to sign up. Or visit the Atlanta Track Club website to learn more.
Sign up for 'AthHalf' Half Marathon and 5K
Register today for the AthHalf Half Marathon (Oct. 22) and AthHalf 5K (Oct. 21) before they sell out! The events will support Athfest Educates, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting high-quality music and arts education for K-12 youth in Athens and Clarke County.
Click here for registration and other information. Discounted early registration is in effect until Sept. 1.
Teen Newsletter from ACC Library
Click to view the latest ACC Library Teen Newsletter.
Library PLAY Card
As part of a collaboration between CCSD and the Athens Regional Library System, the PLAY Card account provides each CCSD student with free materials (books, magazines, etc.) and online resources from the public library to help your child succeed in school, along with fun resources to support a lifelong love of reading. You and your child can check out materials at the libraries by entering their student ID number.
211 – Get Connected. Get Help.
Community Food Resources
Search for Jobs in Athens-Clarke County
Website: www.clarke.k12.ga.us
Location: 595 Prince Avenue, Athens, GA, USA
Phone: 706-546-7721
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.