Better Together
News from the Clarke County School District • 9/16/22
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Ms. Kate Long's first-grade class and other homerooms at Whitehead Road Elementary helped kick off the celebration on Thursday, Sept. 15, with book readings, video, and more.
Clarke County Mentor Program Breakfast Celebrates Mentors, Students
On Tuesday, Sept. 13, the Clarke County Mentor Program, a key CCSD partner, held its annual breakfast reception.
The Clarke County Mentor Program works with students at all 21 CCSD schools, grades K-12. The breakfast, held for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, is the nonprofit’s most important event of the year and highlights mentors, the students they have made a positive, life-changing impact on, school partners, and other community stakeholders.
Tuesday’s event also focused on informing attendees about the need for more volunteer mentors, as more than 100 students are currently on the program waiting list. In order to become a mentor, you must commit to at least one full year of mentor responsibilities.
To learn more about becoming a mentor and the requirements, click here.
HMS Voted GASC Middle School At-Large
Georgia Association of Student Councils (GASC) representatives recently voted Hilsman Middle the Middle School At-Large for the state of Georgia!
As the lone at-large position on the GASC Executive Board, Hilsman is the liaison and point of contact for all other middle school student councils in the state and works to recruit other middle schools to join GASC. The Hilsman Student Council is focused on leadership and community service.
Hilsman Student Council leaders Kaitlin Paige and Caitlin Smith (pictured with faculty advisor Barbara Gaertig), along with grade-level council representatives (Lucca Fleenor, Laila Nobles, Greta Garrett, Lauren Neace, Evan Greene, Traylon Johnson, Morgan Foster, Riley Pepin, and Nijhay Keyes) and faculty advisor Joshua Truitt, traveled to the state Capitol in Atlanta this week to represent the school at the GASC Conference.
Registration Open for GSBA High School Student Video Contest
Winners will be recognized at the GSBA/GSSA (Georgia School Superintendents Association) Annual Conference in Atlanta this fall, and the first-, second-, and third-place winners will be awarded $1,000, $500, and $250, respectively, for their school's video production program.
Students who enter the competition should create a short video using the theme, "To My Younger Self" with the prompt, "If you could travel back in time and give advice to your middle school self, what would it be?"
The entry deadline is Oct. 14. The GSBA Awards Committee will review and judge the Student Video Awards nominees in November, and the nominees will be notified of the committee’s selections that month.
Click here for more information on the contest, rules and procedures, required forms and documents, and the link to the contest application.
Clarke Middle SEAT Team Holding Fall Flower Power Fundraiser
The award-winning Clarke Middle School Science, Energy and Adventure Team is now accepting orders for its Fall Flower Power Fundraiser. This team of students works in the school and community to educate others about resource conservation. Funds earned from this fundraiser will help the team expand educational outreach efforts and fund field trip scholarships for team members.
The fundraiser will continue through Oct. 15. Flower Power will ship each customer's order to the address that is provided (continental U.S. only).
Click here to get started on your order.
Clarke Central JROTC Apple Sale Ongoing
The Clarke Central High School JROTC Booster Club is holding its annual Apple Sale and is accepting orders through Sept. 30. Varieties available include Fuji, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and Red Delicious.
Order sizes include:
- Peck (8 pounds, 28-32 apples depending on apple size) — $12
- Half bushel (16 pounds, 50-60 apples, depending on size) — $20
- Full bushel (32 pounds, 100-120 apples, depending on size) — $34.
Scan the barcode on the flyer to order, or contact Lt. Col. William McMickle at mcmicklew@clarke.k12.ga.us or any Clarke Central JROTC cadet.
Car Show to Benefit Cedar Shoals Automotive Technology Program
For those interested in entering their vehicle in the show, there will be a $20 vehicle entry fee. Registration starts at 10 a.m. Trophies will be awarded for Best Late Model, Best Muscle Car, Best in Show, and Best Rat Rod.
The show is open to the public and free to attend. There will be music, door prizes, and food vendors on-site.
For more information, contact Dave Darden, Cedar Shoals auto-tech instructor, at 404-769-5095 or dardend@clarke.k12.ga.us.
Family and Community Engagement Updates
Happy Community School Coordinator Appreciation Week!
'Bridging the Gap' Forums Coming Up
- 10 a.m. to noon — Rocksprings Community Center, 285 Rocksprings Ct., Athens.
- 12:30-2:30 p.m. — Rolling Ridge Apartments, 100 Rolling Ridge Dr., Athens.
CCSD administrators and support staff will be on hand to listen to families, answer questions, and offer support in several areas. (See the flyer above for more information.)
These are the initial stops. However, the goal is to reach all areas supported by CCSD. We are doubling our partners, and our collaboration is committed to "making good better."
Upcoming Family University Sessions Planned
Starting this month, the department will resume "Family University" — formerly known as "Parent University" — sessions for the community in person at the CCSD administrative offices building, 595 Prince Ave., Athens.
Upcoming sessions include:
- 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29 — "Student Code of Conduct"
- 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11 — "Trauma"
- 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 — "Restorative Practices"
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:
- 10/3 - 10/7: Parent/Teacher conference week
- 10/5: Asynchronous learning day
- 10/6 - 10/7: Student holidays
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, Oct. 13, 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 will resume shortly, but will not be conducted for the week of Sept. 19-23. An updated schedule with new testing dates will be announced soon. Click here for more information.
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.
CCSD COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
Vaccine clinics will resume shortly, but will not be conducted for the week of Sept. 19-23. An updated schedule with new clinic dates will be announced soon. Click here for more information.
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
Broadband Connectivity Project Survey, Speed Test Open through Sept. 30 for ACC Residents
Part of the research includes a public connectivity and broadband survey available through www.accgov.com/speedtest. Residents are encouraged to take the survey, which is currently live and runs through Sept. 30, at their homes. The survey will help gather information about technology needs, costs related to existing and future Internet services, resident satisfaction with services, and lack of internet options. If a resident is connected to the internet through a broadband connection, the survey will also perform a speed test of their existing connection. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Results of the survey will be part of the SPLOST 2020 Project 22 project concept that is tentatively scheduled for discussion by the Mayor and Commission in November and December. Additional community engagement sessions are being planned for September.
For more information on the SPLOST 2020 Broadband Connectivity Enhancement Project, visit www.accgov.com/broadband, or call 706-613-3025.
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
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