Better Together
11/17/23 • News from the Clarke County School District
A Message from the Superintendent
Dear CCSD families,
As we approach the season of gratitude and reflection, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who contributes tirelessly to the success and well-being of the Clarke County School District — including our students, staff, and families.
As a staff, our commitment is to fostering and maintaining an environment where students can thrive, learn, and grow into the individuals they aspire to become. We are privileged and honored to work every day toward the betterment of our student achievement. I want to thank our students for all of your hard work to this point in the school year and thank our families for your encouragement of your students and continued support of our district.
As a reminder, all schools and district offices will be closed next week for Thanksgiving Break. I hope that you all will take the time to recharge and that students and staff will return on Monday, Nov. 27, ready to finish out the first semester of this school year on a strong note.
I wish all of you and your loved ones a joyous and restful Thanksgiving, and may this season bring you warmth, happiness, and an abundance of blessings.
With sincere appreciation,
Dr. Robbie P. Hooker
Superintendent
Scenes around CCSD
Construction Milestone at New Clarke Middle
A "topping-out" luncheon was held Nov. 10 for the contractors and subcontractors working on the new Clarke Middle School (slated to open next school year) as we formally celebrated the structure of the building coming into place! John Gilbreath, CCSD Director of Facility Planning and Construction, Troy Bassett, CCSD Construction Project Manager, and CMS principal Dr. Amanda Gorham and assistant principal Eric Blake also gave Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker and Board of Education members a tour around the facility. Check out more photos here!
New 'Kicks'
Through a partnership with Truist and the Classic City Collective, all students at Gaines Elementary received a free pair of athletic shoes and socks on Thursday, Nov. 16. During the giveaway, coordinated by the non-profit organization Samaritan's Feet, University of Georgia athletes and other volunteers fitted every student for the shoes and provided them with a gift bag that included the shoes, socks, and a "hope note" message from volunteers. See more photos here!
Two-time Pulitzer Winner Visits Cedar Shoals
Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead visited Mr. Montu Miller's AP African American Studies class at Cedar Shoals High to answer questions from students about his writing process and background. Mr. Whitehead also signed copies of his novel, "The Underground Railroad," for which he received a Pulitzer in 2017. See more photos here!
Community Food Events
Community Food Giveaway at Clarke Middle School
Clarke Middle, Bettye H. Holston Elementary, and Clarke Central high schools are partnerning with City of Refuge and UGArden for a Thanksgiving Break food giveaway on Friday, Nov. 17, in the CMS parking lot, 1235 Baxter St. The event will start at 4:30 p.m. and last until all food is distributed. Anyone in the community who is in need of food assistance is welcome.
Click here for a list of other upcoming food events in the community that families in need can attend over Thanksgiving Break.
'Studio 595' Podcast - Thanksgiving Edition!
In the newest episode of CCSD's "Studio 595" podcast, Owen, Jules, and Producer Alex look ahead to Thanksgiving by celebrating a Thanksgiving tradition. Family dinner? The Thanksgiving Day Parade? Football? Nope! The National Dog Show. The hosts look at the most iconic dog breeds in the world to not only decide Best in Show, but to decide which breed is the epitome of dogs everywhere.
Also, the hosts attempt to break a world record (through a technicality) with nothing more than a camera and three minutes. All this with the normal news and updates from across CCSD and the community to end the week and head into Thanksgiving Break. Enjoy watching/listening to the episode in the video link below!
Student and Staff Spotlights
Clarke Middle Cheerleaders Participate in Food Drive
Clarke Middle's entire cheerleading team was in the Thanksgiving spirit last weekend as the Owlets participated in a community food drive organized by Hill Chapel Baptist Church.
Great job by these students becoming involved in community service!
Cedar Shoals, Clarke Central Students Win Awards, Recognitions at National FFA Convention
Congratulations to the Cedar Shoals High and Clarke Central High FFA chapters for their awards and recognitions at the recent national FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana!
For Clarke Central, Max Burnham and Juliana Hardman placed sixth in their Agriscience Fair division of Animal Systems. Clarke Central alum McKinzie Johnson placed eighth in her division of Social Systems.
For Cedar Shoals, Michael Kent and Luna Patterson placed eighth in Plant Systems, and Nathan Knight and Anthony Thornton placed ninth in Power, Structure, and Technical Systems. Meanwhile, Cedar Shoals alum Derrick Brown (pictured with Cedar Shoals FFA faculty advisor Julie Throne) earned the FFA American Degree, the highest degree an FFA member can earn. This is based upon their Supervised Agriculture Experience Project, FFA involvement, and agriculture education classes from their middle school and high school careers. Only 2% of the National FFA membership earn their American Degree!
Clarke Central Orchestra Students Receive Superior Ratings
Several Clarke Central High Orchestra students performed at the GMEA District 14 Solo/Ensemble Festival last weekend at BHL Middle and several received Superior ratings:
- Aidan Woodward, solo
- Kate Hinger, solo
- Andreas Dillies, solo
- Kate Hinger/Andreas Dillies, duet
- Justin Lee/Samuel Lorenzini, duet.
Congratulations to each of these students!
CCSD Director of Transportation Receives Recognition from Magazine
Congratulations to Mr. Shurod Swift, CCSD's Director of Transportation, for being named a 2023 Rising Superstar by School Transportation News!
The recognition is for student transporters who are displaying leadership or innovation in their local school bus operation, but who may have not received the public or industry-wide recognition that they deserve.
Thank you, Mr. Swift, for all of the hard work you and your team put in to get our students to and home from school safely every day!
REMINDER: Vote for CCSD Social Worker in 'Hidden Heroes' Campaign!
Angela Gay, a CCSD social worker serving families from Cedar Shoals High and Howard B. Stroud Elementary, has been nominated for the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) Hidden Heroes campaign.
Hidden Heroes is a crowd-sourced campaign that invites community members to nominate educators who have made a difference in their own life or the lives of someone they love. The top three vote winners from each of GLISI's three regions will be awarded cash prizes.
Ms. Gay has served CCSD families for nearly 30 years and has also been involved in volunteering with numerous other organizations in Athens-Clarke County. Her mission is to give back to the community that she says provided so much to her growing up through the impact of dedicated educators, mentors in her life, and having a supportive family. Her goal is to ensure that our students and families have the same level of support as she experienced.
Voting is now open and runs through Monday, Nov. 27! You can vote one time per day. Mobile devices work best for voting. Click here to get started!
Nominate an Employee of the Month for December!
Our Employee of the Month program, sponsored by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce and local businesses, recognizes and rewards staff members for their service and dedication to CCSD students and families.
Any member of the CCSD community (parent, staff member, student, community member) may nominate any full-time CCSD employee who has been with the district at least one year for the award. Winners for each month are recognized at the monthly Board of Education meeting.
Get your nomination in by Nov. 30 for your nominee to be considered for the December Employee of the Month award. Click here for more information and to get started!
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.
Upcoming Events around CCSD
Hilsman Holiday Market Accepting Donations
Hilsman Middle School is now accepting donations for its holiday market through Friday, Dec. 8.
As you are preparing for your holiday breaks, shopping, and house cleaning, please consider purchasing and/or donating gently-used/like-new items that our students would like to “purchase” for their families at the market. This is a student incentive where students can spend points they earn for positive behaviors so that they can go holiday shopping for their loved ones with no cash required.
Some items of interest include, but are not limited to: toys, games, electronics, books, jewelry, small stuffed animals, dolls, gloves, hats, scarves, mugs, candles, balls, fidgets, dishes, vases, ceramics, journals, art supplies, holiday decor, photo frames, bath and body products, fleece blankets, homegoods, reusable water bottles, make-up, gift cards, crafts, ornaments, and art.
You can also donate by purchasing items off the school's Amazon Wish List. For more information, contact Conor Naughton at naughtonc@clarke.k12.ga.us.
Next CCSD Community Resource Fair Set for Dec. 12
Principals and counselors from the schools that serve the Nellie B community will be on hand to answer questions about students’ credit-earning process, scheduling, attendance, and other topics of concern to caregivers, while representatives from various district departments will also be present to provide information, answer questions, and offer assistance to caregivers. CCSD Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker and Athens Housing Authority CEO Connie Staudinger will also be on hand to answer questions.
Food will be provided for the public at the event.
Register for the Joshua Sampson Memorial 5K Run/Walk
Cedar Shoals High School will host the second annual Joshua Sampson Memorial 5K Run/Walk in honor of the late CSHS teacher at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at the school, 1300 Cedar Shoals Dr.
There are three ways to register:
- online registration here
- mail in the attached PDF form (make checks payable to Fleet Feet Athens)
- or on-site, which will begin at 7 a.m. on the day of the event in the school gym.
Registration is $20 if received by Jan. 18 and $25 after that date. Only participants pre-registered by Jan. 18 will be guaranteed a T-shirt. Awards will be provided to overall Male/Female, Masters Male/Female and first, second, and third places in standard five-year age groups.
For more information, contact Dustin Shinholser at 706-207-5054 or dustin@fleetfeetathens.com or Carole Black at classicraceservices@gmail.com.
Calendar and Other Reminders
Calendar Reminders
Click to view the 2023-24 Academic Calendar.
Important dates:
- 11/20-24: Thanksgiving Break
- 12/19-12/20: High school early dismissal days (12:45 p.m.)
- 12/20: Last day of term
- 12/20 - 1/7: Winter Break (Students return Jan. 8)
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.
Take Advantage of our School-based Health Centers!
- The Clarke Middle Health Center (CMHC) is a free clinic that serves students and staff and is an extension of the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership’s mobile clinic. Click here for hours, contact information, and more.
- The Hilsman Health Center, the first school-based health clinic to open in northeast Georgia, is a partnership between CCSD and the Athens Neighborhood Health Center and is a comprehensive medical office. It is staffed by a nurse practitioner, dentist, and support staff. Click here for a list of services provided, hours, contact information, and more.
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, Dec. 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
Music Teachers Sought at Elementary Schools
Bettye H. Holston and Howard B. Stroud elementary schools are both seeking a music teacher to join the faculty starting in January 2024. Interested candidates can click here for Holston position or here for the Stroud position, or they can send resumes, cover letters, or questions to Christopher Pendley, CCSD's Director of Career Development, at pendleyc@clarke.k12.ga.us.
Interested in a Career at CCSD?
Community Information and Resources
Northeast Georgia Hockey Association Winter Registration Open
Looking for an opportunity for your child to participate in ice hockey in Athens? Registration for the Northeast Georgia Hockey Association winter youth ice hockey season is now open! The co-ed program is for players ages 4-18. Players don't need any previous experience, and players can come out and try hockey for two weeks for free before committing to the whole season. The season runs Nov. 25 through Feb. 26, and practices and games are held at the Classic Center Pavilion in Athens.
For more information, contact Dr. Kellie Templeman (templemank@clarke.k12.ga.us) or
visit www.NEGAhockey.org for additional information on schedules, equipment (loaner gear is available to new players at no cost), and registration. Please note: You will need to create a free account on the website to register.
CCSD Students to Perform in Concert at Morton Threatre
The Morton Theatre Corporation, in collaboration with local nonprofit HEART Music, is excited to present "SHINE! Celebrating Our Youth Through an Inclusive Concert," an event that will see the best CCSD students from the district's band, orchestra, and guitar programs performing different genres of music written primarily by Black composers as well as the premiering of a new composition written by Atlanta artist Nicole Chamberlain.
The event will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, at the Morton Theatre, 195 West Washington St., Athens. The event is free and open to the public. There are suggested donation amounts of $10 for adults and $5 for students. The event also has funding support from the Georgia Council for the Arts and Heyward Allen Toyota.
County Extends Deadline on North Avenue Improvements Input Survey
The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government is asking residents and users of the North Avenue corridor to provide input on how to use a $25 million grant to redesign North Avenue for the future.
Share your concerns and provide input on how to improve the design of North Avenue by completing the survey at accgov.com/northavenue by Sunday, Nov. 19.
Get Help with Superior Court Forms
Need help with Superior Court forms such as divorce, financial affidavits, or legitimation? The Athens-Clarke County Superior Court offers a Court Navigation service from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Monday and third Wednesday of every month in the ACC Courthouse Law Library, 325 East Washington St.
Walk-ins are welcome, but you can also request an appointment by emailing courtadmin@accgov.com or calling 762-400-6102.
*Please note: Court navigators are not your attorney and cannot give legal advice; they can only assist with completing ACC self-help forms. Click here for a complete list of forms.
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.