Acting Superintendent Brannon Gaskins announces Dr. Donna Elder as the district’s new Executive Director of Federal Programs, effective Monday, January 24. Dr. Elder has served as the principal of Winterville Elementary School since 2016. Dr. Melanie James, Winterville’s current Assistant Principal, will serve as Principal until a permanent replacement is hired.

“While I am sad to be leaving the Winterville community, I look forward to lending my voice to serving all students and families in Clarke County,” states Dr. Elder. “I will miss the wonderful Winterbee students and dedicated staff, but I know they are in great hands with Dr. James.”

Dr. Elder received a BS in Science and MA in Adult Education from the University of Georgia and her doctorate in School Improvement and Educational Leadership from the University of West Georgia. She has served as Special Educational Coordinator and Assistant Principal at Cleveland Road and Timothy Road Elementary Schools.

“Dr. Elder’s vast experience in educational leadership made her the perfect fit for this critical role in our district,” states Gaskins. “We will promptly begin the search for a new principal at Winterville Elementary and work with the Winterville Local School Governance Team to select a leader who will continue to uphold the school’s excellence in leadership and achievement.”

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available for children ages 5 and above. Booster doses were recently approved for children ages 12 and older.

CCSD continues to host vaccine clinics at our schools as a convenience for students, families, and staff.

• Students, family members, and staff may receive the first, second, or booster dose at any clinic. Appointments are not required.
• A parent/guardian must be present for their student to receive the COVID vaccine at school. A DPH consent form is required and may be completed at the clinic.

February Clinics

• 2/9/22: 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. @ Coile Middle School
• 2/9/22: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. @ Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School
• 2/10/22: 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. @ Clarke Central High School
• 2/10/22: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. @ Clarke Middle School
• 2/11/22: 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. @ Cedar Shoals High School
• 2/11/22: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. @ Hilsman Middle School

Additional Community Vaccine Opportunities

Clarke County Health Department

345 North Harris Street

Athens, GA 30601

• Call for an appointment: 706-389-6921
• Book an appointment with DPH online: https://gta-vras.powerappsportals.us/en-US/

Clarke Central High School graduate Roxy Pena-Pineda enlisted in the Air National Guard before graduating in May 2021. She recently completed Basic Military Training (BMT) as the Honor Graduate (#1 in the class) of Flight 094, 324th Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas.

"We are extremely proud of Airman First Class Pena-Pineda," states William "David" McMickle, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired), Senior Army Instructor, JROTC at CCHS. "Completing basic training is hard enough. To be at the top of the class is an amazing accomplishment! She is truly one of America's finest!"

Airman First Class Pena-Pineda is en route to her technical school (Munitions Systems) at Sheppard AFB, Texas, and should complete her training this spring. She will be assigned to The 165th Airlift Wing, a unit of the Georgia Air National Guard, at Savannah Air National Guard Base, Savannah, Georgia. She intends to pursue kinesiology at Augusta University after her military training.

Clarke Central High School nurse Iveta Rabb has been nominated for the 2021-2022 national LifeChanger of the Year award. LifeChanger of the Year recognizes and rewards the very best K-12 educators and school district employees across the United States who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence, and leadership. Rabb was nominated by her colleague, David Ragsdale.

“Nurse Rabb is, without a doubt, a LifeChanger. I have had the pleasure of working with her for the past few years and witnessed her work ethic, professionalism, and dedication to our staff, students, and community on a daily basis. She is an energetic, dynamic leader who genuinely cares about people.” ~ David Ragsdale

“Nurse Rabb is a true superstar and anchor at Clarke Central. She manages one of our busiest school health clinics and supports a diverse mix of complex medical needs while building trusting relationships with her students and staff. CCHS is lucky to have Nurse Rabb, and if asked, I know she would respond that she feels just as fortunate to serve them. She loves her job, and she approaches every day with an unparalleled level of heartfelt dedication that everyone in her presence notices.” ~ Amy Roark, Director of Student Nursing

Early registration for 2022 pre-k and kindergarten will be held:

• February 21-26, 2022
• 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• 595 Prince Avenue, Athens, GA 30601
• 706-546-7721
• Click here for registration information

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, February 10 at 6:00 p.m. (in-person and broadcast on the CCSD YouTube channel).
• Board Briefs: Click to read the "Board Brief" overview from each meeting.
  
• 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.

Due to the current increase in COVID cases in the community, we recognize parents are concerned about sending their child to school in person. If you have concerns regarding your child attending school in person, please contact your child’s principal.

Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Fill in this form with your contact and shipping information to order your tests.

Here’s what you need to know about your order:

• Limit of one order per residential address;
• One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests;
• Orders will ship free starting in late January;
• USPS will only send one set of 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests to valid residential addresses.