Better Together
12/15/23 • News from the Clarke County School District
Happy Holidays from CCSD!
The Clarke County School District wishes all of our families, students, and staff Happy Holidays and a safe and relaxing winter break! As a reminder, students' final day before the winter break is Wednesday, Dec. 20. High school students will be dismissed at 12:45 p.m. on Dec. 19 and 20. Elementary and middle school students will be dismissed at normal times. Check with your child's school about their after-school programming schedule for next week. All district offices will be closed from Dec. 21 through Jan. 2 and reopen on Wednesday, Jan. 3.
CCSD's Department of Public Relations and Communications thanks you for your continued readership of this weekly newsletter. This will be the final edition of 2023, but the newsletter will return on Friday, Jan. 12. Until then, follow us on social media (@ClarkeCoSchools) for all the latest updates and information!
Scenes around CCSD
CCSD Represents at Parade of Lights!
Check out more recent photos from around the district below, and remember to follow us and all of our schools on social media!
Under the Microscope
Seventh-grade life science students at Clarke Middle have been learning about how the human body is organized and used microscopes to compare the structures of cells and tissues and explain how those structures contribute to the overall function of the organ system.
Learning about Mexican Culture
Ms. Yvette Vega's third-grade Dual Language Immersion class at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary was treated to a virtual visit with Mexican-American award-winning author-illustrator Raul the Third and learned how to draw his iconic characters and make luchadores masks.
Holiday Musical
Cleveland Road Elementary music teacher Jackson Arnold and his students put on a fantastic holiday musical, "StarBucks," last week for families.
Appointments Now Required for In-person Registration Visits
As a reminder, CCSD student registration is now fully online! Click here to access the registration application (available in English and Spanish). For those coming to the Student Registration Center in-person for assistance, an appointment must be made. Click here to schedule an appointment.
Additional information about student registration and the required documentation can be found here.
CCSD Seeks Input on Future Health Centers
CCSD currently has two school-based health centers for all CCSD students, staff, and families — the Clarke Middle Health Center and the Hilsman Health Center — and is considering opening clinics at Coile Middle School and on the H.T. Edwards Campus, which includes Classic City High School, the Athens Community Career Academy, and Early Learning Center West.
We would like your help in better understanding our students' and staff's healthcare needs and asks you to complete this brief survey. The survey is available in English and Spanish. Click on the dropdown menu above the introductory text on the screen to select your preferred language. Thank you for taking a moment to share your perspective on this important topic.
New Administrative Hires at Clarke Central, Cedar Shoals Announced
Tamika Henson, Clarke Central
James Price, Cedar Shoals
At its Thursday, Dec. 14 meeting, the Clarke County Board of Education approved a pair of administrative hires, promoting Tamika Henson from assistant principal to associate principal at Clarke Central High School and hiring James Price as an assistant principal at Cedar Shoals High School.
Click here to read the full announcement!
CCSD Shows Improvement in 2023 CCRPI Data
Clarke County School District saw improvement in its 2023 College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores — while achieving significant gains in Progress and Closing Gaps — and remains focused on increasing its performance across all components to further its mission of empowering all students to fulfill their potential.
Click here to read the full press release.
Studio 595 Podcast Bids Farewell to 2023
Check out the newest episode of CCSD's Studio 595 podcast in the video below!
In the final episode of 2023, Producer Alex and hosts Owen and Jules look back at the best of the year. What are the hosts' top video games, movies, and shows of the year? How would they describe the year? What are they looking forward to in 2024? Also, in a flashback to the 2022 finale, the hosts play a round of "Would I Lie to You?", telling real (or fake) stories and answering questions. All of this and more in this semester finale!
Student and Staff Spotlights
Congratulations to Renita Bolton, East Side bus router for the Transportation Department, for being named CCSD's Employee of the Month for December! Ms. Bolton has worked with CCSD for 28 years and was nominated by a colleague for always going above and beyond in her role to ensure that student transportation runs smoothly. She was surprised with the award this week by Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker and recognized at the Thursday, Dec. 14 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 January Employee of the Month will be accepted through Friday, Jan. 5. Click here for more information and to get started!
Coile FFA Members Construct Plant Beds for Senior Living Center
They built two large (4x8 feet) and two small (4x4 feet) raised beds, added soil, then planted eight mums. They also put together a bench to add to the space for members and their families to have when they visit the space and added a trellis and garden flag. The team put a winter flag up for now and donated a summer flag for later. The FFA chapter also donated 20 packs of seeds for the center to plant in the spring.
The Coile FFA was awarded a $1,200 Living to Serve Grant by the National FFA Organization to complete the project. The nationwide program provides grant money to local FFA chapters to support semester-long service-learning projects that address needs related to community safety; environmental responsibility; hunger, health and nutrition; and community engagement during the fall semester.
Great work by Ms. Tompkins and these students!
Clarke Central Vet Science Teams Advance to State Competition
Congratulations to Clarke Central students who competed in the recent Veterinary Science Career Development Event at the University of Georgia Livestock Arena. Students worked in teams to demonstrate their technical competency with small and large animals by completing a written exam, critical-thinking scenario questions, identifications, and hands-on practicums.
The Clarke Central Senior Team finished second overall in their division with Max Burnham and Clarice Buril finishing first and second, respectively, as individuals. The Clarke Central Junior Team also finished second in their division. Kate Hinger was second individually among juniors, while Colin Boyle was fourth.
Both teams will now compete in the state competition in Perry in February.
Sports Updates
Howard B. Stroud Girls, Johnnie Lay Burks Boys Win Elementary Basketball Championships
Congratulations to the Howard B. Stroud Elementary girls' team and the Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary boys' team, who were crowned CCSD Elementary Basketball League champions on Thursday, Dec. 14, following their wins in the tournament finals. Also, congratulations to the Fowler Drive Elementary girls and Howard B. Stroud boys for finishing as runners-up and to all of our schools' players and coaches and the officials and volunteers who made this a successful season.
Clarke Central Football Players Earn All-Region Honors
- Nicholas Paul, offensive lineman
- Muntravic Bankston, offensive lineman
- AJ Lonon, defensive lineman
- Bartez Gillespie Jr.,
- Kendrick Curry, linebacker
- Cooper Evans, kicker
- Corey Watkins Jr., running back
- Jaden Cofer, wide receiver
- Jaylen Jackson, returner.
The following players were honorable-mention selections:
- Alexander Leahy, linebacker
- Jamarion Davis, tight end/defensive end
- Memphis Huff, offensive lineman/defensive lineman
- Nehamiah Jones, wide receiver
- Leon Tate. cornerback.
CCSD Science and Engineering Fair for Middle, High School Students
CCSD's Science and Engineering Fair for students grades 6-12 is set for Saturday, Jan. 20, at Hilsman Middle School, 870 Gaines School Rd. Schools will be supplying students with additional information. See the full schedule for the day's events below!
Student Opportunities
Apply to the Athens Community Career Academy
All CCSD high school students grades 10-12 are now invited to apply to take high school- and college-level pathway courses at the Athens Community Career Academy for the 2024-25 school year.
Students interested in high-school level courses (grades 10-12 for 2024-25) must have at least a cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 and no more than 36 unexcused period absences to be eligible. Students interested in college-level courses (11th and 12th grade only) must have a 2.6 or higher HOPE GPA and no more than 36 unexcused period absences to be eligible.
Go to bit.ly/accacatalog to read more about our pathways and go to bit.ly/accaapp to apply.
Apply for UGA Young Scholars Program
The Young Scholars Program at the University of Georgia is a paid, five-week summer internship opportunity for high school students interested in agricultural, food, and environmental sciences.
YSP aims to expose selected students to college life and encourage them to apply to the University of Georgia. Selected students work 30 hours per week, Monday through Friday, actively engaged in research under the guidance of a faculty mentor on the UGA campus. Young Scholars will be sent home on weekends and on the Juneteenth and Fourth of July holidays.
Learn more about this program by watching this video and viewing this presentation. Apply on the Young Scholars website here.
Calendar and Other Reminders
Calendar Reminders
Click to view the 2023-24 Academic Calendar.
Important dates:
- 12/19-12/20: High school early dismissal days (12:45 p.m.)
- 12/20: Last day of term
- 12/20 - 1/7: Winter Break (Students return Jan. 8)
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, Jan. 11, 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
Northeast Georgia Hockey Association Winter Registration Open
Looking for an opportunity for your child to participate in ice hockey in Athens? Registration for the Northeast Georgia Hockey Association winter youth ice hockey season is now open! The co-ed program is for players ages 4-18. Players don't need any previous experience, and players can come out and try hockey for two weeks for free before committing to the whole season. The season runs Nov. 25 through Feb. 26, and practices and games are held at the Classic Center Pavilion in Athens.
For more information, contact Dr. Kellie Templeman (templemank@clarke.k12.ga.us) or
visit www.NEGAhockey.org for additional information on schedules, equipment (loaner gear is available to new players at no cost), and registration. Please note: You will need to create a free account on the website to register.
Teen Newsletter from ACC Library
Click to view the latest ACC Library Teen Newsletter.
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.
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.