Jag News

Upcoming Events at CSHS:

• 4/4: Hot Rodders Car Show at Cedar Shoals
• 4/6-10: Spring Break (No School)
• 4/14: 11th Grade ACT Test Day
• 4/15: FAFSA Night
• 4/16-18: Cedar Theatre Presents: The Wiz
• 4/24: Prom
• 4/25: Free Sports Physical Day
• 4/30: Decision Day
• 5/8: Dance Recital

Clarke County School District Updates:

• Link to CCSD Newsletter:English/Español
• Link to the CCSD Academic Calendar
• Link to the High School Lunch Menu

The Cedar Shoals Counseling Department recently shared important information with our Class of 2027 students during the 11th Grade Class Meeting and Junior Family Day. Families and students can review the presentation slides for key updates on graduation requirements, post-secondary planning, and important senior-year preparation steps. Access the presentation here. Please reach out to the Counseling Department if you have any questions!

All juniors will take the ACT at Cedar Shoals on Tuesday, April 14th. Please refer to the official ACT Information for Examinees which contains test preparation resources, a practice test, and information about what to expect on test day.

If your student missed advisement on has not yet created their ACT account, please use the slides provided for step-by-step instructions. Access the slides here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1d81unfw0kS_ahcpWeep4JjQFtkrRz0ZT0lj4gzfhaiU/edit?usp=sharing

Please reach out to the Counseling Department if you have any questions.

End of Course (EOC) testing is quickly approaching. Please review the attached EOC letter for important details about testing procedures and expectations. EOC Letter Students should arrive on time, be well-rested, and be present on their testing days!

Testing Dates:

May 4 – Literature & Composition (Section 1)

May 5 – Literature & Composition (Sections 2 & 3)

May 11 – Biology (Sections 1 & 2)

May 12 – U.S. History (Sections 1 & 2)

May 13 – Algebra (Sections 1 & 2)

The Wiz is here! Come out and support Cedar Theatre and Mrs. Rosemary Milsap’s final show after 30 years at Cedar Shoals. Come out and help us celebrate her legacy!

Showings are from April 16-18 at 7 pm and April 19th at 3 pm in the Cedar Shoals Fine Arts Theater. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults. Tickets will be on sale outside the cafeteria Monday-Friday and can also be purchased on Cedar Shoals GoFan: https://gofan.co/app/school/GA4880

This week is also The Wiz Spirit Week, featuring trivia, a photo booth, and a surprise pop-up performance during the week! Class of 2026 seniors will be recognized at the Saturday night showing

Get ready for an exciting evening of rhythm and movement! The Cedar Shoals High School Dance Department proudly presents “Dancing Through the Decades” on May 8th. This year’s spring recital will take audiences on a journey through time, celebrating the evolution of music and dance while honoring influential artists who have shaped the sounds we love today.

Join us as our talented dancers bring energy, creativity, and passion to the stage in a performance you won’t want to miss. Tickets are available now—scan the QR code on the flyer to purchase! Need service hours? Email Mrs. Midgette @midgettec@clarke.k12.ga.us

The Cedar Shoals Counseling Department recently shared important information about Dual Enrollment opportunities with 10th and 11th grade students and families. Dual Enrollment allows eligible students to earn both high school and college credit while taking courses through partnering colleges and universities. Access the Dual Enrollment slides here.

Families are encouraged to review the presentation slides for details on:

• Eligibility requirements
• Application steps and deadlines
• Participating colleges and course options
• Important expectations for student success

For questions or support with the application process, please contact the Counseling Department.

We invite our families of students receiving special education services to participate in the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Special Education Parent Survey. Click here to access the survey: 2026 GaDOE Parent Survey Link

Your feedback is extremely important and helps our school and district improve services, supports, and communication for students and families. The survey is now open and will remain available through May 31, 2026. You can also view additional information clicking the flyers below: English Flyer / Spanish Flyer

All students who plan to participate in sports at Cedar Shoals during the 26-27 school year are encouraged to attend the Free Sports Physical Day on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

• Students should arrive at the CSHS gym by 9:00 am (Report to the bus at the front of the gym) Students will be bussed over to Piedmont Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
• Physicals take approximately one hour. Students will need to be picked up from Cedar Shoals after all students have received physicals. Students will be back at Cedar Shoals at 12:00 noon.
• Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
• Students must bring a physical form, including the completed health history portion signed by a guardian (have the first three pages filled out and signed by a guardian on Saturday morning). You can print a copy, or pick up a physical form from your coach or in the front office. For any questions, please contact your coach.

Cedar Theatre is proud to present The Wiz! Join us for this vibrant and exciting production as our talented students bring this classic story to life on stage. Performances will take place April 16–18 at 7:00 PM and April 19 at 3:00 PM in the Cedar Shoals Fine Arts Theater. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased on Cedar GoFan or by scanning the QR code below. We hope to see you there as we celebrate the creativity, dedication, and hard work of our Cedar Theatre students.

As we move through this important time of the school year, we want to make sure you have access to helpful information and resources. Please use the following website as your go-to resource for all senior information, including important dates, graduation details, and next steps: Cedar Shoals Senior Website

This site is designed to keep both students and families informed and organized as we prepare for the end of the school year and graduation. We encourage you to check it regularly for updates. If you have any questions or need additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Ms. Reese at reesec@clarke.k12.ga.us

Let’s show the class of 2026 that they are special to us and that we acknowledge their achievements! Continuing the "Blue Letter" tradition, we are giving relatives, friends, community members, and teachers an opportunity to honor Seniors by sending them a special letter of congratulations on their May 2026 graduation.

We will carefully keep cards and letters for each student and distribute them at Graduation Practice to students who have completed graduation requirements. Every graduate will receive a large blue envelope containing these messages and well wishes. All cards and letters, including those on this Google Form, must be received at school by Friday, May 1, 2026. We encourage you to send your letters as early as possible.

Submit letters here: bit.ly/CEDletters26 Letters submitted here will be printed and will be added to students' envelopes. Letters can be sent to the school at the following address:

Cedar Shoals High School

℅ Senior Letter for (senior first and last name)

1300 Cedar Shoals Drive

Athens, GA 30605

Cedar Shoals High School is excited to host a transition camp for rising 9th graders this summer! Freshman Camp is free and offered to any student who will be a 9th grade student at Cedar Shoals next year. Camp is a one day experience offered on Monday, July 27th from 9:00 am-2:00 pm at Cedar Shoals High School. Transportation will be provided. This will be an opportunity for rising 9th graders to be introduced to campus, meet classmates, learn the responsibilities of high school, and more! The deadline to register is May 20, 2026. Please contact Courtni Reese with any questions at reesec@clarke.k12.ga.us Registration: bit.ly/FreshmanCamp26

As we begin planning for Decision Day, we invite you to support our senior Jags by donating or sharing our wishlist. Decision Day is a special annual celebration of our seniors’ postsecondary plans — whether college, military, or career.

Many of our students are preparing for college, and dorm/living essentials make a big difference in their transition. If you’re able, please consider purchasing an item from our Amazon wishlist or dropping off donations to the counseling office. Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/KL4M894DLDIM?ref_=wl_share

We are sharing important information regarding Junior Dues for the Class of 2027 and Senior Dues for the Class of 2026. Prom will be held on April 24, 2026 at The Classic Center. Please review the details below carefully, as dues support prom and several end-of-year activities.

Junior Dues: $150: Junior dues cover: Junior prom ticket, Senior prom ticket, End-of-year junior celebration, All senior year gifts and activities (senior breakfast, picnic, t-shirt, legacy gift, and more). Paying junior dues now helps reduce additional costs during senior year!

Senior Dues: $155: Senior dues cover: Senior prom ticket, All senior year gifts and activities (senior breakfast, picnic, t-shirt, legacy gift, and more)

Important Notes:

• Prom date tickets must be purchased separately.

• A form must be completed to bring a guest from another school.

• Dues may be paid in multiple payments.

• All dues must be paid by March 31, 2026.

• Refunds are not available, as dues are used for prom deposits and senior activities.

How to Pay: Dues can be paid online through the Cedar Shoals website under Online Payments (Linked Here), or in person to Ms. Thornton with cash, check, or money order made out to Cedar Shoals High School. If you have questions or are unsure about your payment status, please contact Ms. Thornton at thorntonv@clarke.k12.ga.us

This week, we celebrated the culmination of the tremendous, trailblazing work of the 2025-26 cohort of the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council! These 24 juniors and seniors from Cedar Shoals High School and Clarke Central High School met several times this school year with Interim Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Scott to not only learn more about district operations and decision-making but also discuss ideas and develop proposals relevant to improving the overall student experience in CCSD. They wrapped up their work today with their final presentations to district and school leaders at the District Office. Proposals revolved around improving student wellness, safety, and connectedness and included the introduction of emotional support animals on school campuses, making period products more readily accessible for students, the installation of vape detectors, streamlining information for students about school events and opportunities, and providing more collaboration opportunities for students at all three of our high schools. District leaders will use these presentations to explore opportunities to make these ideas actionable. Congratulations to each of these students on their work throughout the year! Information about serving on the 2026-27 council will be provided at the start of the school year.

This week we held first official gameday of James Holston Field at Cedar Shoals High School, with a field dedication ceremony that featured many family members, friends, and former players under Coach Holston's leadership.

We are thankful to the Holston family for their impact in our community, and for our community in joining us in celebrating and honoring Coach James Holston at the field he contributed so much time, effort, and energy both for the field itself, the players under his leadership, and the school they represented.

We are extremely excited to share that our very own school social worker, Angela Gay, has been named STATE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER OF THE YEAR by the School Social Workers Association of Georgia! Ms. Gay was surprised with the announcement today at SSWAG's annual Spring Conference in Braselton, where she was joined by several of her fellow CCSD school social workers and other district leaders. She was previously named District 9 Social Worker of the Year last fall. Congratulations, Ms. Gay, on this incredible honor, and thank you for your dedication and many years of service to CCSD and Clarke County families!

Cedar students had an amazing time at Sígueme 2026! A huge thank you to Students for Latinx Empowerment at The University of Georgia for providing an incredible experience for our junior and senior Jaguars as they explored a day in the life of a UGA student. Students engaged in a resource fair, heard from inspiring guest speakers, attended a UGA class, and enjoyed lunch at Bolton Dining Commons. Go Jags!

Coach Logan Garrett recently took a group of Cedar Shoals student-athletes to the GHSA Student-Athlete Leadership Conference in Macon, GA! Representing the Jaguars were Reese Pepin, Riley Freeman, Kaley Lopez-Abarca, Kaitlyn Paige, Kathleen Graichen, Perla Ramirez Muralles, and Joshua Malave Guaiquirain.

Students had the opportunity to grow as leaders, connect with athletes from across the state, and bring valuable experiences back to Cedar. They had a special moment seeing Cedar Shoals alum Jay Russell serving as a conference speaker, continuing to inspire the next generation. Go Jags!

Graduation is an exciting time, but moving through one of the most significant moments of your life without your loved ones can be challenging. That doesn’t mean we cannot keep them with us for these moments, even if it is not how we once thought it would be!

Please register for our grief support activity by April 6, 2026 to learn ways to honor your loved one as you prepare for graduation. Once registered, you will receive an email with more information regarding dates and times. We will create tassels that are approved for graduation that you can wear at the ceremony. For more information, reach out to Ms. Wingfield at wingfieldk@clarke.k12.ga.us Seniors should check their CCSD email for the Grief Support Registration Link.

We are excited to announce the dates and times for the Cedar Shoals High School Class of 2026 graduation ceremony! Cedar Shoals High School ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 23, at Akins Ford Arena, 300 North Thomas St., Athens, GA at 10 a.m.

Admission is free and open to all, and there is no limit on the number of guests for each graduate.

The Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) is now accepting applications for its 2026 Youth Advisory Council (YAC).

The YAC is a student leadership program formed by GSBA to give high school students the opportunity to provide meaningful input to school board members and aid them in their decision-making. In addition, YAC members will have the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills and contribute to their community by affecting positive change for students across Georgia.

Applications are now open and will close on April 10. Find more information here, and apply here!

Click here for the information for the Piedmont Athens Regional Teen Volunteer Program summer volunteer program for 16 and 17 year olds. This is a great opportunity for students who have an interest in healthcare and want to know what life in the hospital (from a volunteer/staff side) is like.

Seniors who are interested in volunteering within the hospital, please encourage them to look into our college program (they do not have to be enrolled in college, just college age). We will accept applications for the summer during the first week of March at College volunteers | Piedmont Healthcare.

The ACT and SAT are standardized tests that many colleges use to help determine college readiness. All 11th and 12th grade students are eligible to take the National ACT and SAT. All juniors will take the ACT during the school day in April for free.

If you are interested in taking either test, please schedule an appointment with Cedar Shoals’ College Advisor, Ms. Medina, in the counseling office. She can help with registration, questions, and fee waivers if you qualify. Her email is medinak@clarke.k12.ga.us

Seniors: Even if the college you plan to attend does not require the ACT or SAT, it is strongly recommended that you take at least one test, especially if you plan to apply for the Zell Miller Scholarship. Ms. Medina can also assist with scholarship and college planning questions.

Learn more about the Zell Miller Scholarship here: Zell Miller Scholarship | Georgia Student Finance Commission

There will be a flag football interest meeting on April 2nd during lunch. Tryouts will be May 5th-7th @ Cedar Shoals on the practice field from 4pm to 6:30 pm. Any student interested in playing should fill out this form: https://forms.gle/JXMQH3dmt8NkSMG69

Congratulations to our Student-Athletes of the Month at Cedar Shoals! We are proud to recognize these outstanding Jaguars who have demonstrated leadership, effort, and commitment to their teams.

• Audrey Umble – JV Girls Basketball. Nominated by Coach Richardson

• Kariah Butler – Varsity Girls Basketball. Nominated by Coach Wall

• Jasiah Wymbs – Varsity Girls Basketball. Nominated by Coach Wall

• Hank Ruder – Varsity Boys Soccer. Nominated by Coach Naughton

• Jawon Harper – JV Boys Soccer. Nominated by Coach Naughton

For the 2025-26 school year, CSHS Athletics will be using, Rank One, to store all pre participation forms. All prospective students must complete the required forms on Rank One before being cleared to participate in any CSHS Athletic program. LINK: Pre Participation Forms 2025-26 School Year

All student-athletes must also have a valid physical on file to participate in any CSHS Athletic program. The link to upload it to the Rank One platform is below. A blank copy of the GHSA Physical form is located below also.Students or parents upload a completed physical directly to Rank One here. Here is a copy of a GHSA Blank Physical. Please reach out to your coach for more information!

Support the Jaguars! Students can purchase an all-sport pass here for $49.25 and adults can purchase an all-sport pass here for $80.75. This pass will admit one person to every regular season home athletic event - Freshman/Junior Varsity/Varsity.

The monthly Parent Institute newsletter for high schoolers, available in English and Spanish is intended to:

• help families effectively support their children's education at home
• provide practical, proven information families can act on right away
• offer guidance on a comprehensive array of school success topics
• reinforce the importance of the school-home partnership.

Click here to see the newsletter: https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4638/Ccsd/2813c43b-c692-49e1-ad49-b62d5729d108/highmar26.pdf?disposition=inline

• Cedar Shoals Pathways to Success Program (PSP) is free to all students each Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday is Language Arts/Social Studies tutoring and Thursday is Math/Science tutoring until 5:30 pm. Transportation can be provided upon request.
• Saturday School is free from 8-12 on select Saturdays for 9th grade students and students in EOC or credit recovery classes. Transportation can be provided upon request.
• Varsity Tutoring is free to all our students, and students can log on to the virtual tutoring via our Clever page.
• Equal Education for Athens is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free online tutoring for students in Athens-Clarke County. UGA students and recent alumni oversee the program. Learn more and find the registration form here.
• GA Tutor offers free online tutoring sessions through scheduled Zoom meetings with certified Georgia teachers. Tutoring is available in all high school core content areas. Sessions are scheduled through student's Campus Student Portal accounts. You can learn more and sign up by visiting the GA Tutor website here.

Athens-based nonprofit Casa de Amistad, with support from CCSD federal funds, will be offering FREE English as a Second Language (ESL) classes this spring for family members of CCSD English Learners. Classes will be available at either of the following locations:

• City of Refuge, 565 Tallassee Rd., Athens, on Mondays, starting Jan. 26, from 6:30-8 p.m.
• Country Corners, 1495 U.S. Hwy. 29, Athens, on Tuesdays, starting Jan. 27, from 6:30-8 p.m.

Click HERE or on the button below for more information and to sign up!

As a parent, you can monitor your student’s performance by using Campus Parent Portal. Parent Portal provides current information on course and assignment grades as well as attendance. It can be accessed through a computer or your phone. For instructions on how to create an account, click here. Questions? Email campus@clarke.k12.ga.us.

Cedar Shoals High School's PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) is easy to join and is a great way to show support to Cedar Shoals High School! Any parents interested in joining PTO should join the GroupMe here for communication. Please contact Brandy Justice with any questions at cedarshoalspto@gmail.com

Donate:

You can support our teachers and staff by donating to the PTO! The mission is to fund events that show our appreciation for the hard work and dedication of our educators. Your contributions help us create memorable experiences and provide much-needed support, ensuring our teachers and staff feel valued and motivated. Donate to Cedar Shoals PTO via PayPal here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=JT7YCAS4NYW6L

Do you want Jag Gear? Here is the link to our sideline store where you can get countless Jaguar apparel customized. Check out our Jaguar Sideline Store here!

https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/georgia/athens/cedar-shoals-high-school

This is a friendly reminder that The Georgia Department of Public Health requires all students who are 16 years of age be up to date with the State's Meningitis Immunization requirement. Students who are not in compliance with the State of Georgia's immunization requirements are subject to withdrawal from school. Please contact one of our CCSD School Based Health Centers listed below, or your child’s pediatrician, in order to find out if your child needs an additional vaccination.

CCSD SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS:

HILSMAN HEALTH CENTER: 706-546-7463

COILE HEALTH CENTER : 706-352-9244 EXT 4800

CLARKE MIDDLE HEALTH CENTER: 706-208-1190

CLASSIC CITY HEALTH CENTER: 706-389-1095 EXT 4700

Keep up with all things Cedar Shoals! Please contact us if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

Email: reesec@clarke.k12.ga.us
Website: https://www.clarke.k12.ga.us/Domain/26
Location: 1300 Cedar Shoals Drive, Athens, GA, USA
Phone: 706-546-5375
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CedarShoalsHS
Twitter: @CedarShoalsHS