Better Together
News from the Clarke County School District • 2/25/22
2022 CCSD STAR Students Named
Congratulations to Treasa McHugh of Clarke Central High and Jackie Wright of Cedar Shoals High for being named CCSD’s 2021-22 STAR Students!
The STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) program, sponsored by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE), recognizes the senior at each high school with the highest score on any single test date of the SAT who is also in the top 10% of their class based on grade-point average. Each STAR Student selects their favorite teacher to be named STAR Teacher.
Treasa and Jackie also were selected co-winners for the Clarke County “system,” which includes both public and private schools, and will compete in the PAGE Region 4 contest March 17 for the chance to advance to the state competition.
Treasa plans to attend the University of Georgia and study landscape architecture. During her time at Clarke Central, she has been actively involved in the school orchestra among numerous other activities. Treasa selected Dr. Eunice Kang, CCHS Director of Orchestras and Fine Arts Department Co-Chair, as her STAR Teacher.
At Cedar Shoals, Jackie Wright has emerged as a talented, young journalist, serving as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the school’s student magazine, BluePrints. While she is still finalizing her college decision, she said she plans to study journalism and/or political science. She credits her STAR Teacher, Cedar Shoals English teacher and journalism adviser Marc Ginsberg, with helping her realize her journalistic talents and inspiring her to further pursue her craft.
On Monday, Feb. 21, Treasa and Jackie were recognized by the Classic City Rotary Club during its weekly luncheon.
Clarke Central STAR Student and Teacher
Cedar Shoals STAR Student and Teacher
Celebrating Black History Month: UGA Women's Basketball Coach Visits CMS
Coach Taylor, the first Black head coach in program history and the first Black woman head coach in the history of UGA athletics, spoke about the impact basketball has had on her life and gave the students some sound advice for realizing their goals and dreams.
COVID-19 UPDATE: Masks Optional Beginning Feb. 28
Beginning Monday, Feb. 28, masks will be optional on all CCSD campuses except for at the Early Learning Center. Visitors will be welcomed back to school campuses for scheduled meetings and events. We ask you to contact your student’s school before visiting.
Mask wearing will continue to be required at the Early Learning Center per guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Mask wearing on school buses will continue to be determined by the directive from the CDC. At this time, masks are required on all buses per this directive.
The district may reinstate mask-wearing at a school for a temporary period based on that school’s positivity rate.
Masks will be strongly encouraged at any large school-based events or gatherings.'
As of Feb. 25, the highest seven-day positivity rate at any school is 0.5% and the district-wide average is 0.2%. The 14-day district-wide positivity rate is 0.3%, and the positivity rate over the last 30 days is at 1.9%.
Get Involved: LSGT Candidate Declaration Period Now Open
Candidate declarations for CCSD's Local School Governance Teams are now open through Friday, March 25. Voting will take place April 11-15.
Click here for more information on how to get involved at your/your child's school — working alongside school leadership on the school’s strategic plan, budget approval, school-based flexibility solutions, and more.
Update from the Department of Community Schools
Books for Keeps and Howard B. Stroud Elementary have teamed up to bring fun and literacy to some of our kindergarten and first-grade students.
Books for Keeps received an AthFest Educates grant to develop and execute the 10-week program designed to strengthen literacy skills through music. Books for Keeps partnered with Allegro Music for Kids to create the curriculum for the program.
The first session was held Tuesday, Feb. 22. Everyone had a fantastic time singing, dancing, and reading.
Be Pro Be Proud Event at ACCA Postponed
We hope to have the event rescheduled and provide an update once a new date has been determined.
BBQ Fundraiser for Foundation for Excellence
We know we are “Better Together” because of our partnerships with community organizations such as the Foundation for Excellence in Public Education in Clarke County, Georgia. In addition to supplying cash awards for our Teacher/Parapro of the Year programs, FFE awards thousands of dollars to encourage and celebrate CCSD staff.
Support FFE through their BBQ fundraiser. Click here to place an order (deadline March 3) for pickup on March 10. Contact: Tad MacMillan / tadmacmillan@gmail.com / 706-338-1047
Cedar Shoals Band Mattress Fundraiser
Looking to replace a bed or buy another one? The Cedar Shoals High School band program will host a one-day mattress fundraiser Saturday, Feb. 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the CSHS band room, 1300 Cedar Shoals Dr., Athens. Proceeds will support the band program.
There will be 25-plus different styles of beds on display for customers to try. The beds are new, brand name, made to order, available in all sizes, and are available at discounted prices. In addition to beds, there will also be premium pillows, luxury sheets, and even adjustable power bases available for purchase.
Delivery and financing options are available. As a thank-you, all CCSD faculty and staff will receive a 10% discount on their purchase.
Help Wanted: Part-time Receptionist
CCSD is currently hiring for a part-time receptionist position at the district office. We are looking for a friendly personality to help welcome visitors to the building. Interested candidates can click here to apply.
Calendar Reminders
Click to view the 2021-22 Academic Calendar. Important dates:
- 3/7-11: Elementary and Middle School Parent/Teacher Conferences
- 4/4-8: Spring Break
Athens Wellbeing Project
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, March 17, 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
- February 11 through March 11 (rotating schools)
- View dates/locations and registration link
Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from 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:
- Limit of one order per residential address;
- One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests;
- Orders will ship free as tests come in.
- USPS will only send one set of 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests to valid residential addresses.
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
New Teen Newsletter from ACC Library
Search for Jobs in Athens-Clarke County
Community Food Resources
211 – Get Connected. Get Help.
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.
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