Better Together
News from the Clarke County School District • 10/1/21
Immunization Deadline Extended Until November 1
Due to technical issues with the Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services (GRITS), CCSD is extending the proof of immunization deadline to Monday, November 1. No CCSD student will be unenrolled before then due to their immunization status. Parents do not need to turn in any forms to the school -- school nurses will be able to view updated immunizations electronically.
Immunizations are still available at:
- The Clarke County Health Department
706-389-6921 (choose option 5 for immunizations) - The Hilsman Health Center (by appointment only)
870 Gaines School Rd, Athens, GA 30645
706-546-7463 - Your regular medical provider
Links to the current immunization schedules:
Calendar Reminders
Click to view the 2021-22 Academic Calendar. Important dates:
- October 6: Asynchronous Learning Day
- October 7-8: Parent/Teacher Conferences (Student Holiday)
- November 1: CCSD Deadline for Up-to-Date Immunizations
E-SPLOST Referendum November 2
The Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for Education (E-SPLOST) is a one-penny sales tax that Georgia school systems may use for capital improvements and/or long-term debt reduction from previous bonds. Click here to read an overview of E-SPLOST and past referendums and major CCSD projects.
E-SPLOST Facts
- Clarke County voters approved E-SPLOST five times since 1997. If approved, E-SPLOST 6 will raise an estimated $120,000,000 over five years.
- This is not a new tax. It continues the same penny tax that has funded new classrooms, new technology, new buses, and more for Clarke County students.
- Projects funded by the E-SPLOST 6 would benefit every school in Clarke County.
- The one-penny sales tax is paid by all who shop, stay, dine or receive services in Clarke County, including outside visitors (almost 60% is paid by people who visit Athens).
ATHFEST Educates Announces
"We are fortunate to have an extremely supportive Arts community, and through opportunities like AthFest Educates annual grants, CCSD students are afforded unique and inspiring experiences that help our teachers focus on teaching the whole child," states Dan Smith, CCSD Fine Arts Curriculum Director.
Thank you, AthFest, for your continued commitment to the Arts – in our schools and across Clarke County! Read the AthFest Educates Grants press release detailing the awards provided to CCSD schools.
Volunteer to Support the AthHalf Runners!
The AthFest Educates grants are made possible in part by the AthHalf Half Marathon & 5K fundraising race. The 2021 AthHalf, scheduled for October 23 & 24, is still in need of volunteers and would be so grateful for your support. There are plenty of opportunities to help! Please sign up today to support the AthHalf and AthFest Educates at: https://athhalf.com/athhalf-volunteers
FREE Boys & Girls Club After-School Program
Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) offer students a broad array of services, programs, and activities designed to complement the regular academic program.
Elementary students are served through the Boys & Girls Club locations, and middle school students are served at their middle school. Activities include youth development activities, counseling programs, arts, music, physical fitness, wellness, financial literacy, environmental literacy, career, and technical programs.
Applications are being accepted now!
- Boys & Girls Club (Westside at H.T. Edwards) - 706-357-5368
- Boys & Girls Club (Eastside at Joel E. Smilow Club) - 706-546-5910
"Did You Know" Video Series
View this curated playlist of videos (in English and Spanish) containing important information about the Clarke County School District, including Family Engagement Centers, transportation, language services, and Class Dojo.
Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month!
From September 15 to October 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. View a calendar of events celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month from the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Institute at UGA.
ACC Leisure Services Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on all the services and programs offered by ACC Leisure Services in their electronic newsletter "Leisure Pursuits."
YMCA Fall/Winter Programs
Online registration begins October 4 for fall/winter after-school programs at the Athens YMCA. Programs include basketball, swimming, basketball cheer, STEAM club, teen fitness, and more. Registration for Thanksgiving and Winter holiday day camps also opens on October 4. Financial aid is available.
We Want You On Our Team!
There’s never been a better time to sign on as a Substitute Teacher or Paraprofessional in Athens! Throughout the year, we’ve been recruiting great people to lend their passion and talents to the students and staff here in the Clarke County School District.
Now, we’re sweetening the offer with daily pay increases and monthly bonuses! How about an ADDITIONAL $19 per day and then an EXTRA $300 after 20 days worked?!?!
Learn more by visiting https://tinyurl.com/CCSDSubstitutes, calling our partners at ESS at 877-983-2244, or viewing this video that beautifully introduces the importance of caring professionals serving in substitute roles in our classrooms: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHGpwJEDnZg.
Community Food Resources
211 – Get Connected. Get Help.
211 is United Way of Northeast Georgia’s health and human service helpline. It is a free and confidential program accessible to anyone. By calling 211, texting your zip code to 898-211, or visiting the online database here, people can be connected to local resources to meet their immediate needs. 211 connects people in Northeast Georgia with community-based resources like food distributions, rent assistance, electric assistance, job search programs, healthcare, and more.
COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Information
CCSD recommends that all eligible students and staff get vaccinated against COVID and testing for anyone who has symptoms of COVID. Watch this important message from Tionya Lawrence, a Nurse Practioner at the Hilsman Health Center -- she and her team help CCSD be "Healthy Every Day!"
- View COVID vaccine information and make an appointment through the Georgia Department of Public Health.
- PCR testing appointments are available throughout the community at The Hilsman Health Center (for CCSD students, families, staff): 706-546-7463.
- View GaDPH COVD-19 FREE Testing Sites (100% FREE testing for all participants)
Are You Eligible for a Tax Credit?
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit that may give you a significant refund at tax time or lower the federal taxes you owe. Click here to learn about the tax credit and other benefits.
Please Remember Your Mask
We want all our students to learn in a safe and healthy environment, which is why the Clarke County School District is committed to maintaining public health and safety guidelines.
Per CDC Guidelines, the Clarke County School District requires that ALL individuals wear a mask in our buildings, regardless of vaccination status. Please remember to wear your mask if you are inside a CCSD building. Thank you!
CCSD COVID-19 Reporting Tool
To provide additional clarity and real-time data regarding the number of cases of COVID in our schools, a CCSD COVID-19 Dashboard is available on the district website containing automatic hourly updates.
BOE 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, October 14 at 6:00 p.m. (in-person and broadcast on the CCSD YouTube channel). Click to read the "Board Brief" meeting overview.
- 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.
Clarke County School District
Website: www.clarke.k12.ga.us
Location: 440-1 Dearing Extension, Athens, GA, USA
Phone: 706-546-7721
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClarkeCoSchools
Twitter: @clarkecoschools