We hope you enjoy the many works of art from our talented students, including the one pictured here by Barrow Elementary fourth-grader Nico Oviedo de la Cruz.

Hazel now advances to the state competition, which will take place in late April/early May.

Nominations are now open for the 2023 Foundation for Excellence in Public Education in Clarke County teaching and staff awards!

The deadline for nominations is April 11 at 11 p.m. Click on this link to get started on nominating a teacher/staff member for one of the awards. Find out more about each of the awards here.

During this time, individuals interested in serving a two-year term (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025) can complete a Declaration of Candidacy Form. The declaration window will remain open until April 12, and voting will take place April 19-26.

Click here for more information.

CCSD is partnering with The Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) to support the development of a new five-year strategic plan for our district and schools. This work begins with hearing from the community to understand its vision for the future of our school district.

We are planning four public listening sessions, beginning in April. Sessions are scheduled for:

• 6 p.m. Monday, April 17 - Clarke Central High School media center, 350 South Milledge Ave., Athens
• 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 - Cedar Shoals High School cafeteria, 1300 Cedar Shoals Dr., Athens.

The other two sessions will be announced as soon as the dates and locations are finalized. We hope you will join us and provide your input!

The Clarke County Work-Based Learning Program is an educational option that uses academic and workplace learning related to a student’s career goal to aid in the transition to the workforce and postsecondary education. The instruction and learning at school, at the work site, and through independent projects further enhance the personal, professional, and career development of the student.

Here are the admission requirements for students:

• Must be at least 16 years of age or older, entering 11th or 12th grade, and on track for graduation
• Must have previously taken or be concurrently enrolled in a CTAE course
• Must have three recommendations (two current teachers and your counselor)
• Must have reliable transportation
• Disciplinary and/or excessive absences may result in a student not being admitted.

Click here to get started on your application!

Click here for more information.

This month, CCSD is offering the sale of five pallets of surplus technology items to local organizations and individuals, including computers, monitors, printers, and other accessories and is now accepting bids on those items.

All pallets are sold as a whole pallet; item(s) cannot be picked out of a pallet to purchase individually. The five pallets range in starting price from $1,500 to $5,000. Items also are sold as is.

Organizations/individuals have until 3 p.m. Friday, March 31, to submit their bids using this form.

Click here for more information about the sale.

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, April 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.

Athens Peer Court, a partnership between the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development at the University of Georgia and the Athens-Clarke County Juvenile Court, is now accepting youth volunteers.

The program is free and open to all Clarke County students, grades 8-12. As part of the program, youth volunteers serve as the lawyers, judge, and jury in sentencing hearings for fellow youth who have been charged with misdemeanor offenses. These youth volunteers receive training on leadership skills, public speaking, and how restorative justice promotes behavioral change and reduces recidivism.

All volunteers are required to attend the following two training sessions:

• Thursday, March 23, from 5:30-8 p.m. (dinner included)
• Saturday, March 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (lunch and refreshments included)

The trainings are held at the Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, located at 1240 South Lumpkin St., Athens. After the training concludes, volunteers are expected to serve at least one Tuesday evening per month. Hearings are held at the courthouse in downtown Athens, 325 East Washington St., and typically last from 5:15-7:30 p.m. at the latest.

Students interested in volunteering should click here or scan the bar code for more information.