
CatoosaCONNECTS

Blooming into Summer: A Look Back and Ahead
Dear Families, Faculty, and Staff,
In the mid-1500s, English poet Thomas Tusser wrote what has now become a popular way to describe the cycles of nature, “April showers bring May flowers”. As the final stretch of the school year unfolds, we find ourselves reflecting on the incredible journey we've shared. Just as April showers nourish the earth, the challenges and triumphs of the past months have fostered remarkable growth within our students, our educators, and our entire community.
A Year of Growth and Achievement
This year has been filled with countless moments of learning, discovery, and achievement. From engaging classroom projects and inspiring artistic performances to thrilling athletic competitions and meaningful community service initiatives, our students have blossomed in so many ways. We've witnessed their resilience, their creativity, and their unwavering commitment to excellence. We celebrate the dedication of our teachers and staff who have tirelessly cultivated this environment of growth, providing the guidance and support necessary for every student to reach their full potential.
Looking Towards a Bright Future: Graduation on the Horizon
May brings with it the much-anticipated culmination of years of hard work and dedication for our graduating seniors. The air is filled with excitement as we prepare to celebrate their achievements and send them off to embark on new and exciting chapters. We eagerly anticipate celebrating this significant milestone with our students and their loved ones.
April Showers Bring May Flowers": Embracing Growth and New Beginnings
Our theme for May, "April showers bring May flowers," perfectly encapsulates this time of year. The metaphorical "showers" of hard work, perseverance, and even moments of struggle have paved the way for the beautiful "flowers" of accomplishment, learning, and new beginnings. As we move into the warmer days of May, let us embrace the spirit of growth and look forward with optimism to the opportunities that lie ahead.
Stay Connected
Don't forget to visit our websites and follow us on social media for the latest news, updates, and photos showcasing the wonderful things happening across our schools. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the students of Catoosa County. Together, we are cultivating a future filled with growth and opportunity.
Graduation Ceremonies for Catoosa County Public Schools
May 5th-9th is National Teacher Appreciation Week
State of the System 2025 Video
CCPS Special Olympics 2025
CCPS High Schools Named 2025 AP Honor Schools
Catoosa County Public Schools is proud to announce that Ringgold High School and Heritage High School have been recognized as 2025 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools by the Georgia Department of Education. These prestigious designations highlight the district’s ongoing commitment to offering rigorous academic opportunities that prepare students for college and career success. “These honors reflect the hard work of our students, the dedication of our educators, and the district’s focus on academic excellence,” said Chance Nix, Superintendent of Catoosa County Public Schools. “We are incredibly proud of Heritage and Ringgold High Schools for this outstanding achievement.”
Finance Department Recognized by the Board
At this month’s board meeting, the Catoosa County Board of Education formally recognized the Finance Department, led by Director Austin Carter, for their continued excellence and dedication to financial integrity. Thanks to the department’s diligent work, Catoosa County Public Schools has received multiple consecutive years of outstanding audit results — all with zero findings and has maintained our low risk status. This achievement reflects the Finance Department’s commitment to transparency, accuracy, and sound fiscal management. Director Carter said “The work of our Finance Team often goes unseen, but it is the core of our success”.
CCPS Special Education Receives Perfect Score
Superintendent Nix, Dr. Butler and the Board of Education recognized the Special Education Department at the April Board Meeting.
Catoosa County Public Schools Meets Requirements of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Superintendent Chance Nix said, “I am very proud that our special education department not only “meets requirements,” but CCPS received a 100% score on all compliance indicators. This is a significant accomplishment for Special Education Director Amanda Oxford and her team.” Superintendent Nix continued, “These exceptional results show that our special education department and all of our schools are focused on success for every student.”
RHS Wins First Annual Catoosa Golf Cup
CCPS High Schools Compete for a Great Cause
May 1st is National School Principals Day
Student Voice Matters
Student voice matters! The Superintendent's Student Council provides a direct line between students and district leadership, ensuring their perspectives influence the daily operations of our schools. Each year, this council travels to the State Capitol in Atlanta during the legislative session, offering students a unique opportunity to meet with local legislators, explore civics in action, and witness democracy firsthand. This experience allows them to engage in meaningful conversations, observe legislative processes, and develop a deeper understanding of their civic responsibilities. The Superintendent's Student Council exemplifies our district's commitment to valuing student input, recognizing that their insights are crucial for creating a positive and supportive learning environment.
May 2nd is National School Lunch Hero Day
Helping Hands Ending Hunger Tiger Creek Elementary Spotlight
May 7th is National School Nurse Day
Spotlight on our Schools
HMS Earns Statewide Recognition for Academics
Catoosa County Public Schools is proud to announce that Heritage Middle School has received the 2024 Bronze Award for Greatest Gains from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) as part of the state’s Single Statewide Accountability System (SSAS) awards. This prestigious recognition is awarded to schools that exhibit high academic growth over a three-year period, placing them among the top 7% of schools in Georgia. Heritage Middle School is one of only 29 schools statewide to receive the Bronze Award in the Greatest Gains category. “This honor reflects the tireless efforts of our teachers, staff, students, and families,” said Chance Nix, Superintendent of Catoosa County Public Schools. “To be recognized as one of the top schools in the state for academic growth speaks volumes about the quality of education at Heritage Middle and the collaborative culture they’ve built.”
HHS Senior Named Georgia Scholar
Catoosa County Public Schools is proud to announce that Anderson Sasada, a senior at Heritage High School, has been recognized as a 2025 Georgia Scholar by the Georgia Department of Education. This prestigious honor is awarded to graduating seniors who have demonstrated excellence in both their academic pursuits and community involvement. Anderson's dedication to academic achievement and his active participation in extracurricular and community activities exemplify the qualities celebrated by the Georgia Scholar program.
CCA Students Build Computers
The Catoosa County Public Schools (CCPS) Board proudly recognized 14 students in the Cybersecurity program at the College and Career Academy this week for their outstanding contributions to public safety. These talented students built the computers that are now in use at the Catoosa County 911 Center — technology that is helping save lives every day. This impactful project was made possible through a collaboration between Scott Czerneski of Catoosa County Government and Bryan Ratliff, Cybersecurity teacher at the College and Career Academy. Their partnership provided students with a hands-on opportunity to apply their technical skills in a real-world setting, while also giving back to the community in a powerful way. The CCPS Board commends the students for their dedication, innovation, and community service, noting that their work is a testament to the strength of career and technical education in Catoosa County.
New Bus Traversa MyRide K-12 Parent App
Dear CCPS Bus Rider Families,
We are excited to announce a new bus-tracking app called Traversa MyRide K-12. The district wide app launched in March. CCPS Parents will have access to our new app, MyRide K-12. Please scan the QR code shown in this article with your smartphone's camera to download and sign up for our new CCPS Bus app.
Changing over to Traversa offers a more advanced and user-friendly platform designed to improve the safety and efficiency of our student transportation. Key benefits include:
Improved Efficiency: Streamlined processes and real-time updates.
- Enhanced Safety: Advanced features to ensure student safety.
- Better Communication: Timely notifications and updates through the MyRide K-12 Parent App, allowing you to track your child’s bus with:
- Estimated arrival times
- Potential delays or route changes
- Notifications for specific events (e.g., bus approaching)
- Data Privacy: Rest assured that student data is protected and the app adheres to all privacy regulations.
After scanning the QR code, you will be directed to download the app and create an account using your student ID.
Please click here for directions to download MyRide K-12 App
We encourage all CCPS Bus rider families to participate in the new Bus app program. We are particularly interested in your comments regarding the accuracy of bus pick-up and drop-off times displayed in the app. You will be able to track your student 30 minutes prior to and post pick-up time.
Please share your thoughts and suggestions with:
Mr. Ernie Ellis, CCPS Director of Transportation: eellis@catoosa.k12.ga.us
Mrs. Mary Lanham, CCPS Transportation Manager: mlanham@catoosa.k12.ga.us
Or call our Transportation Office @ 706-965-2913
All comments are welcome and appreciated. We look forward to our new MyRide K-12 Program and all it can offer by way of accuracy. We look forward to partnering with you to make our transportation system the best it can be.
Sincerely,
Mr. Ellis
CCPS Transportation Director
Heritage High School
LFO FIne Arts Theater
RHS Fine Arts Theater
Important Safety Public Announcement from CCPS
Cyber Safety Tips for Parents and Guardians
Infinite Campus Parent Portal
Click on the photo for information about Child Nutrition's new payment system
An Important Message From the CCPS Child Nutrition Department
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Information
5 CCPS Schools Qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2024-2025 School Year.
What is the CEP Program?
CEP is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and allows qualifying schools to provide meals to all enrolled students at no charge. Students at Cloud Springs, LMS, LFO, West Side, and Tiger Creek will receive school meals for the 24-25 school year at no cost and without needing to complete the free/reduced meal applications.
Do all schools qualify for the CEP Program?
Not all schools within CCPS qualify for CEP. This is due to the number of students qualifying for free/reduced meals in each school. CCPS is closely monitoring all numbers and will add schools as they qualify.
Can students not in the CEP Program still recieve free/reduced meals?
Students at all other CCPS schools may still receive free/reduced-priced meals, if they qualify, by using the meal application found online by clicking here.
For additional information, please visit the Child Nutrition page on the CCPS site by clicking here.
Please call the Child Nutrition office if you need any assistance, 706-965-2414.
Please click here to watch a video tutorial about how to apply for meals
Important Links for our Parents and Community
Every child, every day, without exception.
We value your input. If you would like to ask us a question please use the email address provided below in our contact information.
Email: questions@catoosa.k12.ga.us
Website: www.catoosa.k12.ga.us