University of Georgia officials notified CCSD this morning that Stegeman Coliseum will not be available for our high school graduation ceremonies due to repairs that will require the venue to be closed until further notice. As a result, this year’s graduation ceremonies for Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central must be relocated.

CCSD is working with the administration at both schools to make alternative arrangements for the ceremonies and will announce the new information as soon as it is finalized.

The Classic City High graduation ceremony remains scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, May 25, in the Vernon Payne Meeting Hall at the CCSD District Office, 595 Prince Ave., Athens.

Please continue to visit our website — www.clarke.k12.ga.us — and Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.

In the essay contest, student journalists are asked to focus on the importance of the First Amendment to all Americans, freedom of speech, and, particularly, freedom of the press for student publications.

The students won $100, $75, and $50 prizes individually as well as additional matching cash prizes for BluePrints.

Sponsored by the Georgia Language Arts Supervisors (GLAS) and the Georgia RESA Network, with support from the Georgia Department of Education, the competition is aimed at encouraging students across the state to develop an enthusiasm for and expertise in their writing. CCSD had a record number of entries in the contest this year. Grade-level winners' entries will now be judged by a regional panel of RESA judges later this month, and winning entries will advance to the statewide competition.

CCSD grade-level winners:

• Kindergarten - Sybil Vangsnes, Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary
• 1st Grade - Ramon Carlos Caringal, Timothy Road Elementary
• 2nd Grade - Hazel Temples, Chase Street Elementary
• 3rd Grade - Vada Lanham, Barnett Shoals Elementary
• 4th Grade - Eloise Chalmers, Timothy Road Elementary
• 5th Grade - Trinity Simmons, Whit Davis Elementary
• 6th Grade - Inza Kamagate, Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle
• 9th Grade - Megan Miller, Clarke Central High
• 10th Grade - Maya Shrivastav, Clarke Central High
• 11th Grade - Ava Vanhull, Cedar Shoals High
• 12th Grade - Alejandra Cuicar Rios, Clarke Central High.

As part of CCSD's celebration of Women's History Month in March, our "Studio 595" podcast team (CCSD communications interns Kalli Samaltanos and Dillon Ross and Digital Communications Specialist Alex Marchante) has dropped a new episode, which can be found in the video below!

In this episode:

• "Producer Alex" gives the keys to the show to Kalli to celebrate Women's History Month, as Kalli gives her perspective on what it's like being a girl in America today.
• Kalli asks friends, family members, and others for their opinions on what it's like to be a woman.
• The hosts list their top five most influential women in their lives.

Enjoy the episode!

The event will include displays and judging of K-5 entries in the Elementary Science Fair, Elementary Science Art Exhibit, and Clarke Invents competition as well as several other hands-on educational activities for students in grades K-5. The full schedule of events can be found in the image and PDF link below.

In order to compete in the K-5 Science Fair, Art Exhibit, or Clarke Invents competitions, projects must be dropped off at Alps Road Elementary between 4-6 p.m. on Friday, March 24. The registration form to compete can be found here and is due by Friday, March 17.

Our Educator Career Fair is the perfect opportunity to speak with many of our current teachers and principals to hear more in detail about their schools and the positions they are hiring for. At the event, you may be invited to interview with school teams and potentially offered a teaching position on the spot! CCSD Human Resources representatives will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Space is limited, so reserve your spot today by registering here! For more information on what to expect at the fair, what you'll need to bring with you, what you'll need to wear, etc., visit our FAQs page here!

CCSD is now hiring bus drivers. Hourly pay ranges from $18-$26, and we offer part-time and full-time schedules, a $1,500 signing bonus (for full-time employment), and full benefits. It's a rewarding and flexible career move.

Click here to see what's waiting for you behind the wheel!

The Athens Area Human Relations Council will hold a "Youth Pow Wow" for middle and high school students from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 11, at Clarke Central High School, 350 South Milledge Ave.

The event is designed to promote dialogue with and among young people in the community to discuss current events and challenges that impact them. The event will include several guest speakers and breakout workshop sessions.

The event is free and open to the public, but you must be a middle or high school student to participate, and registration is required. Please click here to register and for more event information.