Better Together
4/26/24 • News from the Clarke County School District
Scenes around CCSD
CCSD Joins the Fight Against Cancer
CCSD had 16 schools and the District Office field teams for last week's Greater Athens Area Relay for Life event at Oconee County Middle School and has raised nearly $23,000 and counting to go toward the fight against cancer. Team Timothy Road, led by captain Jenny Grogan, was the top fundraiser for our district with at least $6,852 raised! Thank you to everyone in the community who has donated, volunteered, and contributed to this effort! And even though this year's event is over, you can still donate to support Relay for Life and make a difference!
Fun with Parachutes
Even with Milestones testing in full swing, Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary still had opportunities for fun student enrichment, including Parachute Day! Students of music teacher Sydney Prince are pictured.
Enjoying Nature
First-graders at Cleveland Road Elementary enjoyed a trip to Sandy Creek Nature Park.
District News and Events
ACCA Pathways Achieve Industry Certification!
Over the past week, three pathways at the Athens Community Career Academy earned industry certification, affirming the exceptional work done by our instructors to prepare students for jobs and careers in their field. The awards followed final site visits, interviews, and delivery of final reports by representatives from the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) and other entities.
The Patient Care and Allied Health and Medicine pathways (led by teachers Catherine Douylliez and Haley Nowell, respectively) received awards for the completion of Industry Certification Standards for Georgia Healthcare Services Education Programs. This recognition, reassessed every five years, ensures the quality of instruction provided in the pathway is credible in preparing students for the industry they are planning to enter. The final report was provided by local healthcare professionals and celebrated as a great achievement for the pathway in its organization and preparedness to teach students who will soon enter the healthcare profession.
In addition, ACCA's Audio and Visual Technology and Film Pathway, led by instructor Michael Bosby, was granted industry certification from GaDOE and the New Media Education Foundation of Georgia. This award followed a final review which included interviews of Mr. Bosby, some of his students, pathway advisory committee members, ACCA administrators, and Dr. Tomás Ramirez, CCSD's Director of Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education.
Thanks to all who made this possible, from our hardworking instructors and administrators to our business and industry partners for the support they have provided!
LSGT Election Results Are In!
CCSD thanks all who voted in last week's local school governance team elections for contested vacancies at Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary, Whitehead Road Elementary, Hilsman Middle, and Cedar Shoals high schools.
Click here to see the election results.
Give Your Input on Future Academic Calendars!
We know you like to plan early, and we do, too! CCSD invites families to share their feedback about the district academic calendar by completing this survey (available in English and Spanish). The input received will be used to inform the Academic Calendar Committee, which is currently tasked with creating academic calendars for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years that will be presented to the Superintendent and Board of Education for approval. Please note that the 2024-25 academic calendar has already been finalized and approved and can be found here.
The survey is open through May 5. Parents/guardians of multiple students may complete one survey per student using their child’s student number. Those who are both parents/guardians and school-level or district staff members may complete the survey once for each category.
Join Us in a Farewell to Current CMS Building
Community members: Did you attend school in the current Clarke Middle School building? CMS and CCSD invite all alumni and the community to a special "Evening of the Arts" event on Wednesday, May 8, from 5:30-7 p.m. as we celebrate the building that has been rooted in Athens since 1959.
The event will include student performances, speakers, art presentations, and opportunities for fellowship and trips down Memory Lane. Join us as we say goodbye to our old building and celebrate a bright future to come in the brand-new CMS, set to open this August!
Nominate an Employee of the Month for May!
It's your last chance this school year to nominate a CCSD Employee of the Month!
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 April 30 for your nominee to be considered for the May Employee of the Month award. Click here for more information and to get started!
Student and Staff Spotlights
First-grader Wins State Young Georgia Authors Competition
Congratulations to Ava Bell, first-grade student at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary, who was named the first-grade winner for the entire state in the 2024 Young Georgia Authors Contest! Ava had already previously been announced as the CCSD and Northeast Georgia RESA regional winner for her story, "It's Not Easy Being a Big Sister." She is pictured above with her teacher, Megan Moye.
BHL Students Advance to National Competition for Social Studies
CCSD was well represented by middle school students last weekend in the Georgia National History Day Competition at LaGrange College and had some exciting awards and accolades to show for it.
Ariana Browner and Kaydon Jones, eighth-graders at Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle, finished second in the Junior Group Documentary category, and their project, "Let's Reach for New Heights and Fight for Women's Rights," qualified to advance to the national competition at the University of Maryland in June!
In addition, BHL student Jay Braswell received third place in the Junior Individual Performance category for “Dear Mr. President…” Jay will be an alternate if the first- or second-place finishers cannot attend nationals.
Lastly, BHL seventh-grade teacher Justin McCalla received the NHD Classroom Award, which is a $500 cash reward used to meet classroom/school NHD program needs. Way to go Mr. McCalla!
Ariana Browner (left) and Kaydon Jones
Jay Braswell
Justin McCalla
Elementary School Students Shine in Young Scientist Fair
The annual CCSD Young Scientist Fair this past weekend at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary was a true celebration of our elementary school students grades K-5 and their work. The event featured science project/art displays and interactive, on-site activities, and competitions. Awards were handed out in several categories for Science Fair Project, Science Art, Science Olympiad, and the Clarke Invents competition. Click here to see the complete list of results!
Graduating Seniors to Receive Fine Arts Diploma Seal
More than 30 seniors from Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals high schools will receive the Georgia Department of Education Fine Arts Diploma Seal when they graduate next month. This honor is given to students who complete a fine arts pathway of three courses plus an additional fine arts course, were involved in fine arts extracurriculars, complete 20 hours of fine arts-related community service, and submit a presentation that summarizes their involvement in the fine arts during their studies in CCSD.
Congratulations to all of these students!
- Clarke Central Music: Devin Ware, Michael Tenner, Genesis Casas-Gaona, Roselyn Attipoe, Taylor Sims, Emmanuel Thompson, Trinity Barnes, Cristian Paez, and Michael Obi-Okoye.
- Clarke Central Theatre and Film: Mya Hudson, De’Taizae Moses, and Eleanor Robinson
- Clarke Central Visual Art: Shelby Meeks, Chloe Wallace, Abigale Bishop, Zaylen McDaniel, Stefanie Rivas-Nava, Sanchez Binns, Adeline Baugh, Irina Robinson, and Brooke Sheppard
- Cedar Shoals Dance: Sabriyu Adams and Danielle Sanders
- Cedar Shoals Music: Macie Knight, Carswell Hickey, Noe Ventura-Castillo, Mason Hardy, Chloe Smith, Stephanie Trigueros, and Kamiyah Jackson.
- Cedar Shoals Visual Arts: Jamyria Wise and Samantha Goldberg.
Clarke Central Fine Arts Seal Recipients
Cedar Shoals Fine Arts Seal Recipients - Music
Cedar Shoals Fine Arts Seal Recipients - Visual Arts and Dance
Student-athletes Recognized for Work, Character on and off the Field
CCSD student-athletes continue to be recognized not only for their accomplishments on the field and court, but also for their hard work in the classroom and high character.
This week, football players Nehemiah Jones of Clarke Central High and Anthony Hubbard of Cedar Shoals High were recognized at the University of Georgia's National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Banquet as outstanding student-athletes and received the $2,000 Play It Smart Scholarship for their academic and athletic excellence.
Also, Ethan Greene, a senior on the Cedar Shoals boys' soccer team, has been named the "East Atlanta" regional winner for the Positive Athlete Award. Positive Athlete is a recognition program that celebrates high school student-athletes and coaches who have overcome difficult circumstances, given back to their schools and communities in a significant way, or are regarded as having an infectious positive attitude that makes everyone around them a better person.
This is the third year in a row that a Cedar Shoals player has won the regional award for boys' soccer! Ethan is now eligible to be considered for the statewide award, which will be announced in May.
Congratulations to these outstanding young men!
Football Award Winners
Pictured, from left to right, are Cedar Shoals head football coach and Associate Athletic Director Leroy Ryals, Anthony Hubbard, Nehemiah Jones, and Clarke Central Athletic Director Dr. Jon Ward.
Ethan Greene
Winterville Teacher Wins RESA Award for Work with DHH Students
Congratulations to Winterville Elementary fourth-grade teacher Sheldon Easterlin for winning the Positive Partnership Award from the Northeast Georgia Regional Education Service Agency (RESA). This award celebrates school-level teachers and staff who partner with RESA Shared Services in a meaningful way to meet the needs of students.
Ms. Easterlin was honored for her collaboration with RESA's DHH team that works with students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and was surprised with the award at school last week. Click here to read more about her work that earned her this honor!
Sports Updates
Clarke Middle's Brooks Wins State Title
Congratulations to Jackson Brooks of Clarke Middle School, who won first place in the boys' 800-meter dash last weekend during the Georgia Middle School State Track and Field Championships at Parkview High School in Lilburn! Brooks finished second in the 100-meter hurdles to help the Owls in the top 10 in overall team points.
Also making the podium for CMS were the girls' 4x200-meter relay team (third place), the boys' 4x400-meter relay team (fifth), the boys' 4x200 (seventh), Zoe Campbell (eighth in girls' high jump), and Paul Nowell (eighth in boys' discus).
High School Sports Results
Track and Field
Several Clarke Central athletes qualified for the GHSA Class 5A state sectionals with their performances over the weekend in the Region 8-AAAAA championships.
- Junior Breanna Williams won the girls' region championship in the high jump and was followed by teammate Claire Bruner, who finished tied for second in the event. Ty'Asia Brown finished fourth in the 200-meter dash and teamed up with Williams, Bruner, and Xzaria Hanks to finish third in the 4x200-meter relay.
- On the boys' side, the 4x200-meter relay team of Tra Browner, Leon Tate, Jaylen Jackson, and Derrion Richardson won the region title. Browner, Jackson, Derrion Richardson, and Davion Richardson finished fourth in the 4x100-meter relay to qualify. JD Daniel finished second in the 1,600-meter run and third in the 800-meter run; Waylon Vaughn finished fourth in both the 1,600-meter run and 3,200-meter run; AJ Lonon was fourth in the discus; and the 4x800-meter relay team of Torrin Trotter, Harper Rowell, Jonathan Cuevas, and Ryan Marshall finished fourth.
The state sectionals will be held May 4 at Greenbrier High School. Athletes who place in the top eight in their event will qualify for the state championships, scheduled for May 9-11 at Carrollton High School.
Other Sports
- The Cedar Shoals boys' soccer team pulled off a 2-0 win on the road over Region 5 champion Pace Academy on April 19 in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs! The Jaguars (12-3-2) were scheduled to visit Northwest Whitfield for their Sweet Sixteen matchup on Friday, April 26, at 6 p.m.
- All-Region 8-AAAA soccer teams were announced this week, and Cedar Shoals had great representation on the boys' and girls' sides. For the boys, Luis Martinez and Wilbert Pena were first-team selections; Fernando Vera-Rubio and Kevin Soliz were named second team; and Damon Davis, Jovany Tapia, Jose Lopez-Hernandez, Ever Barrera, and Hank Ruder received honorable mention nods. For the girls, Zulma Valdivieso-Gutierrez was named to the first team; Alyssa Weiszer was a second-team selection; and Daniela Ortiz-Martinez earned honorable mention.
- The Clarke Central boys' and girls' soccer teams, Clarke Central boys' tennis team, and Clarke Central Esports teams all saw their postseason runs come to an end over the past week, but we congratulate all of these student-athletes and their coaches on having terrific seasons.
Coaching Position Openings at Cedar Shoals, Clarke Central
Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central high schools have several coaching positions open for the 2024-25 school year.
Current openings at Cedar Shoals include head volleyball coach, head cross country coach (of boys and girls), head swimming coach (of head boys and girls), head girls' soccer coach, and head track and field coach (of boys and girls). Current openings at Clarke Central include head wrestling coach and an assistant baseball coach position.
Candidates will be required to be employed by the Clarke County School District in a certified or classified position in order to be a coach. Starting with the 2024-25 school year, classified employees are allowed to be head coaches. Interested candidates for any of the Cedar Shoals positions should email Athletic Director L'Dreco Thomas at thomasl@clarke.k12.ga.us. Those interested in one of the positions at Clarke Central should email Athletic Director Dr. Jon Ward at wardjo@clarke.k12.ga.us.
Jaguar, Gladiator Youth Football, Cheerleading Fall Registration Open
Registration for the fall season of Jaguar and Gladiator Youth Football and Cheerleading through the North Georgia Youth Football Association is now open and runs through May 17.
The league is open to CCSD students ages 6-12. The registration fee is $50 for football and $30 for cheerleading. Click here for registration and more information on Jaguar Youth Football and Cheerleading and here for registration and more information on Gladiator Youth Football and Cheerleading.
Registration Open for Gladiator Youth Summer Sports Camps
Registration for the 2024 Gladiator Youth Summer Sports Camps at Clarke Central High School is now open! Camps offered include soccer, basketball, baseball, flag football, cheerleading, football, and track and field. Camps are four days each and are half-day in the mornings. The cost is $120 per camp.
Click here for additional information and here to start registering.
Family and Community Reminders
Spots Still Available for Two ACCA Summer Pathway Camps
There are still spots available in a couple of the Athens Community Career Academy's free summer enrichment camps for rising CCSD ninth-graders! The camps are designed to introduce students to pathways they'll be able to enroll in starting in 10th grade while attending their home high school.
Spots are available in:
- Healthcare: Learn about potential careers in healthcare and key body systems and perform hands-on experiments! Utilize some tools of the trade and learn how to check a patient's vitals.
- Teaching as a Profession: Get an early glimpse into a possible future career as a teacher, learn about classroom management, and create fun and engaging educational activities designed for children.
Both camps will be held June 3-6 from 8 a.m. to noon daily. Breakfast/lunch and transportation will be provided! Sign up at bit.ly/accasummer9.
Spots Still Available for CCSD 21st Century Middle School Summer Camps
Registration for CCSD's 21st Century elementary summer camps is full, but there are still spots available for our middle school summer camps! The camps are open to all CCSD students who will be entering grades 6-8 and will be held from June 3-18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily Monday through Thursday of each week. They will include an introduction to middle school for incoming sixth-graders, music education, field trips, and other activities.
The camps will be held at each of our four middle schools. Current middle school students should sign up for the camp at the school they already attend, while rising sixth-graders should sign up for the school they will be zoned for. Register here.
For questions, please email phillipsa3@clarke.k12.ga.us or call 706-546-7721, Ext. 79413.
Write a Letter to a Graduating Senior
High school graduations are fast approaching, and Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central high schools invite the community and friends and families of the Class of 2024 to write congratulatory notes and letters of encouragement to graduating seniors that will be given to them prior to the ceremonies. You can submit letters electronically or hand-deliver them to the schools.
Cedar Shoals will accept letters through May 1. Click here to submit your letter.
Clarke Central will accept letters through May 10. Click here to submit your letter.
School Choice Application Window Now Open
CCSD's School Choice application period for the 2024-25 school year is now open. Now through April 30, parents/guardians of current CCSD students can apply for a transfer to a school outside their attendance zone, provided that space is available.
Schools Choice transfers are only available at schools where the district has determined there is available classroom space after all assigned students have been enrolled. This is based on a maximum class size formula provided by the Georgia Department of Education. Once a school’s maximum class size is reached, the school will be closed for School Choice enrollments.
Click here for more information.
Calendar and Other Reminders
Calendar Reminders
Click to view the 2023-24 Academic Calendar.
Important dates:
- 5/22: Last day of school (High schools will dismiss at 12:45 p.m. on May 21 and 22.
- 5/23: Cedar Shoals High School graduation (9 a.m.) and Classic City High School graduation (5 p.m.)
- 5/24: Clarke Central High School graduation (9 a.m.)
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, May 9, 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
Museum of Art to Host Family Day Event April 27
The Georgia Museum of Art, 90 Carlton St., Athens, will hold its monthly free Family Day event Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to noon.
April is Earth Month, with Earth Day taking place on April 22. Explore environmental works of art in the galleries, complete art cart activities, and create your own work of art inspired by our green planet.
For those who cannot attend in-person, Family Day to-go kits will be available for pick-up starting at 1 p.m. Saturday through the end of day Sunday, while supplies last.
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.
Teen Newsletter from ACC Library
Click to view the latest ACC Library Teen Newsletter.
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.