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Better Together
4/12/24 • News from the Clarke County School District
![Better Together 4/12/24 • News from the Clarke County School District](https://cdn.smore.com/u/72fe/651bdd3ac597fe0485f8aea72b451f60.jpg)
Scenes around CCSD
The Big Event in the Sky
'Brown v. Board' Brought to Life!
Eighth-grade students from all four CCSD middle schools visited the historic Morton Theatre in downtown Athens this week for an interactive viewing of the play, "Brown vs. Board of Education: Sixty Years Later." The show reflects on the Supreme Court case that outlawed segregation in public schools with a unanimous decision and recounts the effects of the decision on the families who participated in the case as well as its impact on school systems then and now. An AthFest Educates grant helped make this opportunity possible for our students.
Linnentown: The Musical
CCSD faces are prominent in this week's production of the new Hattie Thomas Whitehead production, "Linnentown: The Musical" at The Classic Center in Athens. The musical depicts the historically significant African American community in Athens and features several current and former CCSD teachers and other alumni. Many of our elementary, middle, and high schools had the chance to catch a special viewing this week before its public premiere. See more photos on our Facebook page and click here for tickets to the Friday, April 12, and Sunday, April 14 performances.
Student and Staff Spotlights
Congratulations to Candida Chaffin, first-grade teacher at Gaines Elementary School, for being selected as CCSD's Employee of the Month for April! Ms. Chaffin is in her 22nd year with CCSD and fifth with Gaines after spending her first 17 years at Whitehead Road Elementary. She was nominated by a fellow teacher who said Ms. Chaffin tirelessly puts forth every effort to make sure her students are making growth and "will not only put every ounce of her heart and soul into her classroom, but she will also go out of her way to make sure those not in her classroom also feel the joy and dedication that radiates from her very being."
Ms. Chaffin was surprised at school with the award by Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker and recognized at the Thursday, April Board of Education meeting.
As a reminder, anyone in the community (parent, staff, student, community member) can nominate any full-time CCSD employee with at least one full year of service for Employee of the Month. Nominations for May Employee of the Month will be accepted through April 30. Click here for more information and to get started!
Superintendent's 2023-24 Student Advisory Council Wraps Up Its Work
This year, the group discussed ideas about how to improve school safety, increase youth development programming, and thoughts on how to improve the transition from eighth to ninth grade for all students. The council members also asked several questions and learned more about CCSD operations and policies, and we were grateful for their time and willingness to be honest and thoughtful in their discussions. An early congratulations to the seniors who will be graduating next month, and we look forward to continuing the council next year with both new and returning members!
2023-24 Council Members
- Clarke Central: Jon Millians, Chloe Johnson, Amya Hopkins, Aza Khan, Brooke Sheppard, Chloe Wallace, Adaline McCullick, Maya Clement, ShaNiya Shade, Kiareiyah Paschal, Maurlena Thomas, Mekelle Ezekiel, Riley Wares, Royce Barham, Temprince Battle, and Zaila Brown.
- Cedar Shoals: Alejandra Cerron-Palomino, Kennedi Eades, Layne Dyer, Mia McDonald, Nayla Villafana, Ni'Zeah Carter, Alyssa Weiszer, Annie Johnson, Azariah Taylor, Maria Payne, Mercy Thang, and Ryan Xiao.
District News, Events, Family Reminders
CCSD Announces New Burks Elementary Principal, Learning Center Director
At its Thursday, April 11 meeting, the Clarke County Board of Education approved the appointments of Matthew Snow as principal of Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School and Dr. Utevia Tolbert as the Director of the CCSD Learning Center, which provides alternative education for middle and high school students.
Read more about these long-time CCSD educators here!
Slight Revisions to 2024-25 Academic Calendar
At its Thursday, April 11 meeting, the Clarke County Board of Education approved a few slight modifications to the 2024-25 academic calendar.
- Oct. 9 will be an early-release day and Oct. 10 will be a student holiday for elementary and middle school students only due to fall parent-teacher conferences. High school students will be in school on regular schedule both of those days. Oct. 11 and Oct. 14 will remain district-wide student holidays.
- Nov. 20 and 21 will be early-release days and Nov. 22 will be a student holiday for high school students only. This will, in effect, give high school students a six-day Thanksgiving break.
- The high school conference days originally scheduled for Feb. 10-13 have been moved to March 10-13 and will take place the same week as elementary and middle school conferences. High school students will be on a normal schedule Feb. 10-13. Feb. 14 and 17 will still be student and staff holidays for all schools.
The rest of the 2024-25 academic calendar originally approved by the board will remain the same, and the updated version can be viewed here. The school year will begin Aug. 1 and end May 21, 2025. Thanksgiving break will be Nov. 25-29, and Winter break will be Dec. 20 - Jan. 3, with teachers returning Jan. 3 for a planning day and students returning Jan. 6. Spring break will be April 7-11, 2025.
Young Scientist Fair Set for April 20
CCSD's annual Young Scientist Fair for elementary school students will be held Saturday, April 20, at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School, 1150 Oglethorpe Ave., Athens.
School-level winners from each of our 14 elementary schools will have their science fair projects on display, and awards will be given out in multiple categories. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in on-site competitions and activities.
There will be a public viewing of projects in the OAES cafeteria from 10:30-11:30 a.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 11:30 a.m.
Celebrate Exceptional Children's Week April 15-19!
CCSD's Special Education Department invites everyone to join in celebrating Exceptional Children's Week, April 15-19. The Council for Exceptional Children initiated the annual event to educate the public about children with exceptionalities and garner support for special education. Since its inception, the event has served to spotlight the capabilities of children and youth with exceptionalities and the programs that support them in their communities.
This year's theme for Exceptional Children's Week is "Championing Tomorrow: Embracing Inclusive Technology for All Students," and all students are encouraged to wear different festive attire each day. See the flyer below for more information.
Local Employers: Participate in Our 'Better Together' Job Fair
CCSD, in partnership with the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce and YouthForce (a program of the Boys & Girls Club of Athens), will host the "Better Together" Hiring Fair on Wednesday, May 1, and invites all local companies looking to hire recently-graduated or current high school students to participate.
The goal of the event is to help meet the workforce needs of Athens-area employers and provide opportunities for CCSD students. Some students will be graduating next month and are seeking potential full-time employment opportunities, while non-graduates will be looking for opportunities that can be used for traditional part-time work or for school credit through CCSD's Work-Based Learning Program.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Athens Community Career Academy, 440-1 Dearing Extension, and will give employers and hundreds of students from our high schools opportunities to connect. Interested employers should sign up at bit.ly/accacareerfair.
CCSD Accepting Bids for Sale, Relocation of Ellard Hall
CCSD is currently accepting sealed bids for the purchase and relocation of Ellard Hall, a century-old residential structure on the campus of the district administrative offices building located at 595 Prince Ave. The two-story, 4,585 square foot house with 819 additional square feet of porch space, is being sold “as is," and the successful bidder will be required to remove the house from the property.
Click here for more details.
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.
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.
ACCA to Offer Summer Pathway Camps to Rising Ninth-graders
The Athens Community Career Academy will host free summer enrichment camps in six of the pathways it offers to high school students for rising ninth-graders. The weeklong camps will be held daily at the ACCA campus, 440-1 Dearing Extension, Athens, and are intended to introduce incoming to ninth-graders to pathways they'll be able to apply for and start taking classes in starting in 10th grade.
Camps being offered this summer include:
- Advanced Manufacturing, June 3-6
- Cosmetology Basics, June 3-6
- Culinary Arts, June 3-6
- Healthcare, June 3-6
- Teaching, June 3-6
- Film, June 17-20.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided at no cost, and transportation will also be available. Space is limited. Sign up by April 22 at bit.ly/accasummer9.
Coile FFA to Hold Spring Plant Fundraiser
The Coile Middle School FFA will host its spring plant sale starting Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and continuing April 15-19 from 4:15-6:15 p.m. daily at the school, located at 110 Old Elberton Rd., Athens.
All plants and vegetables are student-grown and will be $1 apiece. The chapter is steadily adding inventory and posting updates to its Instagram profile.
Sports Updates
High School Postseason Schedules Fire Up
Several CCSD high school sports teams will begin postseason play next week. Here's a roundup of the upcoming action.
Soccer:
- The Clarke Central girls' team will play their first-round GHSA Class 5A state playoff match on the road against Villa Rica High School on Tuesday, April 16, at 7 p.m. The Gladiators posted their highest regular-season winning percentage in the past 12+ years with a 9-5-2 overall record and a 4-2 mark in Region 8-AAAAA play, which earned them the No. 3 playoff seed in the region. It's their second playoff appearance in four years and the fourth in program history.
- The undefeated, second-ranked, region champion Clarke Central boys' team (14-0-2) will host Lithia Springs at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, in the first round.
- The Cedar Shoals boys will take on Pace Academy in Atlanta on Friday, April 19, in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs. The fifth-ranked Jaguars (10-3-2) finished in a three-way tie for second place but were seeded fourth for the playoffs after a tiebreaker.
Tennis:
- The Clarke Central girls will head to Atlanta to face Midtown High School in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs on at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 16. The Gladiators are the No. 4 seed out of Region 8.
- The Clarke Central boys (pictured above), who won the Region 8 championship, will play host to Chapel Hill at noon Wednesday, April 17, in their first round matchup.
Track and Field:
- The Cedar Shoals girls' and boys' teams will compete in the 8-AAAA championship meet at North Oconee High School on Tuesday, April 16. Events will start at 9 a.m. See the full meet schedule here. The top four finishers in each event will advance to the May 4 state sectionals.
- The Clarke Central girls and boys will compete in the 8-AAAAA championship meet at Loganville High School on Saturday, April 20. Field events will start at 10:30 a.m., followed by the running events at 2:30 p.m. You can find the full schedule here.
Esports: The Clarke Central gold and red team will be competing in the spring season state playoffs, starting Monday, April 15. The top four finishers in each event will advance to the May 4 state sectionals.
Good luck to all of these teams next week!
Elementary School Soccer Playoffs Start Next Week
The CCSD Elementary Soccer League playoffs will take place next week, starting with first-round matches on Monday, April 15. Pairings and match locations for the first round were set to be determined after the final regular-season matches on Friday, April 12.
The semifinals will be played Tuesday, April 16, and the championship matches will be Thursday, April 18. All semifinal and championship matches will be played at Holland Youth Sports Complex, 250 Vincent Dr., Athens.
Follow the CCSD Youth Development Initiative Facebook page for the latest scores, updates, and scheduling.
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.
Adapted Football Team in the News!
Students at the University of Georgia Carmical Sports Media Institute visited the Classic City Dawgs inaugural game on March 23 and covered the team and reported on general information about AAASP and adapted sports in the first portion of their recent edition of Sportsource! The roughly five-minute segment can be found in the video below and starts at the 0:30 mark.
The team is still looking for new players. The program is free to join for all students grades 1-12 in northeast Georgia. Anyone interested can contact area oordinator Chris Aiken at aikenc@clarke.k12.ga.us.
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
Called Meeting to Receive Initial Budget Presentation
The Clarke County Board of Education will hold a called meeting on Tuesday, April 16, to receive an initial presentation on the Superintendent’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025).
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the District Office, 595 Prince Ave., in the Vernon Payne Meeting Hall. Board meetings are open to the public and are livestreamed and available for on-demand viewing on the CCSD YouTube channel.
Click here for more information.
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
Georgia Museum of Art Presents Teen Studio: Through Lines
Youth ages 13-18 are invited to this studio-based workshop led by local artist and educator Kristen Bach on Thursday, April 25, from 5:30-8 p.m. Visit the exhibition, “Nancy Baker Cahill: Through Lines” and make your own work of art inspired by the show. This program is free and includes a pizza dinner from DePalma’s Italian Cafe. Seats are limited; email gmoa-tours@uga.edu to register.
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.
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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.