Better Together
8/11/23 • News from the Clarke County School District
Scenes around CCSD
The first eight days of the school year have been filled with fun as students have been settling back into their classroom routines and fully engaged with learning. Below are a few snapshots from the week around the district. Be sure to follow CCSD (@clarkecoschools) and all of our schools on social media for many more photos!
Book Lovers
Students in Ms. Shervel Anderson's kindergarten class at Chase Street Elementary found a nice chair to read in on International Book Lovers Day.
Presenting the Colors
Clarke Central High JROTC cadets presented the colors at the inaugural Georgia Chamber of Commerce Congressional Luncheon at The Classic Center in Athens.
'Four Houses, One Home'
J.J. Harris Elementary students were full of excitement as kindergarteners and new students learned which of the four "houses" they will belong to during their time at the school through fifth grade.
Being Resourceful
Cleveland Road Elementary kindergarteners jumped right into STEM learning by creating pencil boxes for leftover school supplies.
Floral Design
Agricultural education students at Clarke Central High went outside and scouted for plant and flower parts to create their own boutonnières.
Safety Patrol
Safety Patrol ambassador training began at Whitehead Road Elementary as the school recruits students to lead the way in ensuring the safety and success of "Koala Nation."
Student Spotlights
Cedar Shoals, Clarke Central Students Named Finalists in National Agriscience Fair
Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central high schools will be well-represented this fall at the National FFA Convention & Expo as seven students and four projects have received National Finalist designation in the National Agriscience Fair.
Congratulations to these students who were named finalists and will compete for their national awards Nov. 1-4 in Indianapolis, Indiana!
- McKinzie Johnson, Clarke Central (Class of 2023 graduate) - Social Science Division 5
- Max Burnham and Juliana Hardman, Clarke Central (sophomores) - Animal Systems Division 4
- Michael Kent and Luna Patterson, Cedar Shoals (juniors) - Plant Systems Division 4
- Nathan Knight (senior) and Anthony Thornton (junior), Cedar Shoals - Power, Structural, and Technical Systems, Division 6.
Congratulations also go out to Clarke Central senior Susannah Holbrook-Hill, Clarke Central sophomores Leo Pendley and Copper Callahan, and Cedar Shoals sophomores Chizoba Emegwam and Derianna Smith, whose projects received a Bronze designation in the competition.
Jaguar Cheerleaders Named to FCA All-American Team
Congratulations to Cedar Shoals High cheerleaders Aniyah Bolton, McKenzie Nuckles, Makenzi Carter, Danielle Sanders, and Dashanni Echols, who were named to the FCA All-American team and will cheer at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl this December with the rest of the team!
Coile FFA Gets Boost from National Grant!
Congratulations to the Coile Middle FFA chapter, which has been awarded $4,200 as part of the nationwide Grants for Growing Program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Co. and administered by the National FFA Organization. The program provides grant funds to local FFA chapters to support the development or improvement of agricultural education projects that enhance the classroom experiences for students through chapter engagement activities.
The Coile FFA chapter plans to engage in leadership development and agricultural literacy through chapter-designed programs. Funding will support the expansion of the chapter, leadership opportunities for members, chapter recruitment initiatives, and the hosting of community awareness events to engage local community members.
Student Opportunities
Be a Part of Dr. Hooker's Student Advisory Council
All 11th- and 12th-grade students interested in serving on this year’s Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council are invited to complete the online application by Friday, Aug. 25.
Through participation in the council, students will learn about CCSD initiatives and be invited to share their perspective on being a CCSD student with Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker. All students will also have a chance to develop their leadership and advocacy skills.
The council will meet five times over the course of the year; students are asked to commit to attend all meetings. Questions? Contact Emily Boness, CCSD's Director of Strategic Projects, at bonesse@clarke.k12.ga.us.
Apply for the State Superintendent's Student Advisory Council, Too!
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.
Interested in Joining the Military? Come to Service Academy Day
U.S. Rep. Mike Collins will host his 2023 Service Academy Day event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 19, at Prince Avenue Christian School, 2201 Ruth Jackson Rd., Bogart. Representatives from the nation's five military service academies will be in attendance to discuss their requirements for admission and familiarize students and their families with the application and nomination process. Students and their families should click here to register.
Students must first receive a nomination from at least one member of their state's congressional delegation, the Vice President, or the President of the United States in order to be considered for admission. Students seeking Rep. Collins’ nomination should submit a completed application package to his office by Friday, Oct. 20. Visit his website to access the application and learn more about the nomination process.
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.
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
Join Sirius Cross Country
Registration for the Athens-based Sirius Athletics fall cross-country season is now open to children ages 6-15. The first practice is set for Monday, Aug. 14.
Visit siriusathletics.org for more information and to register.
Register for Fall Baseball, Softball with Athens, East Athens Little Leagues
Registration for the fall baseball and softball seasons of both Athens Little League and East Athens Little League is open.
Athens Little League player evaluations will be Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12-13, except for Senior League baseball evaluations, which are scheduled for Aug. 26. East Athens Little League player evaluations will be Aug. 21.
All players in both leagues make a team, and financial assistance is available for those who need help with the registration fees. Visit both leagues' Facebook pages and websites for more information and to register.
Not sure which league you should be signing your child up for? Visit this link to find your league.
Water Safety Information
Georgia House Bill 402, which was passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp earlier this year, requires public school systems to provide information on water safety resources to families and students.
Go to this page for tips on water safety and local resources for swim lessons.
Georgia Museum of Art Monthly Family Day Schedule
The Georgia Museum of Art, located at 90 Carlton St., Athens, will host its next free monthly Family Day event Saturday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to noon. See the schedule for the next six months below, and learn more about the August event here.
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.
Discounted Internet Service Available for CCSD Families
Families of CCSD students may be eligible to receive free or discounted internet service under the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The ACP provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households. The benefit also provides up to a $100 per household discount toward a one-time purchase of a computer, laptop, or tablet if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase through a participating broadband provider.
Because CCSD participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), all families with children enrolled for the 2023-24 school year are eligible.
Click here for more information on eligibility and steps for applying for discounted Internet service.
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.