Jag News

Upcoming Events at CSHS:

• 10/13: Fall Orchestra Concert
• 10/13: CCSD Pink Out
• 10/14: Early Release @ 1:30 pm
• 10/14: Parent Conferences from 1:50 pm-7:30 pm
• 10/15: Student Holiday
• 10/15: Parent Conferences from 10:00 am-3:30 pm
• 10/16 & 19: Student & Staff Holidays
• 10/22: 10th Grade PSAT
• 10/22: AP/Dual Enrollment Night
• 10/23: Make-up Picture Day
• 10/24: Saturday School
• 10/29: ACCA Future Student Fair
• 10/29: Safe Trick-or-Treat

Clarke County School District Updates:

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

October is National Principals Month, and we’re proud to recognize Principal Dr. Makeba S. Clark for her steady, intentional leadership at Cedar Shoals High School!

Dr. Clark embodies the spirit of “One Cedar” every day. Whether she's visiting classrooms, attending school events, or cheering from the sidelines, her presence reflects her commitment to student safety, strong instruction, and meaningful partnerships with our school community.

Thank you, Dr. Clark, for leading with intention, inspiring with purpose, and setting the tone for a school environment where every student has the opportunity to learn and thrive. We appreciate your unwavering commitment to our students, staff, and Jaguar PRIDE!

Jaguar Families! Fall Parent Conferences will be held next week on Wednesday, October 14th and Thursday, October 15th. Advisers will review students’ grades, progress toward graduation, and other important information to help support student success. Students are expected to attend all conferences, and some conferences at Cedar Shoals will even be student-led!

• Wednesday, October 14th: Early dismissal at 1:30 p.m. with conferences from 1:50–8:00 p.m.
• Thursday, October 15th: Student holiday with conferences from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
• Friday, October 16th and Monday, October 19th: Student and staff holidays.

Advisers will be reaching out to families to schedule conferences. If you do not have a conference scheduled, please email your student’s adviser or Ms. Reese at reesec@clarke.k12.ga.us.

Our annual Parent Portal student information update window is now open and runs through Friday, October 23. Families will need to complete this update during this window to continue being able to use the various functions in the portal.

Upon logging into Parent Portal, parents/guardians will be asked to review and update the following for their student/students:

• Health information: General updates and new diagnoses.
• Consents and releases: Google consent and media release forms.
• Contact details: Address changes, new phone numbers, and email addresses.
• Emergency contacts: Add/remove household and non-household emergency contacts.

Don't have a Parent Portal account? Now is a great time to set one up ahead of the update window! Having an account allows parents and guardians to access attendance records, class schedules, grades, and assignment information for their students. Go to www.clarke.k12.ga.us/portalhelp for more information.

In order to park in the student parking lot, vehicles must have a current, valid student parking pass. Students with parking passes must park only in their assigned space (the space number is listed on the parking pass). Vehicles without a current, valid student parking pass are subject to towing. Please make sure none of the documents are expired. Detailed information regarding student parking passes for the 2026-27 school year can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zzxZVoB6J1gUh1hCAZpn2YBMXRsY2ZsqTjw6NOSdANE/edit?usp=sharing

Help Us Show Appreciation for Our Cedar Shoals Teachers and Staff! On Wednesday, October 14, the Cedar Shoals Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) will provide dinner for our teachers and staff during evening parent-teacher conferences.

We are asking our Cedar Shoals families and community to help make this possible by donating food or beverages or volunteering to help set up, serve, or clean up. All food and beverage donations should be dropped off with Mrs. Barnett in the main office by 2:00 p.m. on October 14.

• Sign up to contribute: https://docs.google.com/.../1BA8X460Y27wFz0Z2F9By2Eq.../edit
• Make a monetary donation: https://www.paypal.com/donate/...

For additional ways to help, contact cedarshoalspto@gmail.com. Thank you for supporting our teachers and staff and helping us show appreciation for their hard work and dedication!

We are proud to announce that Mr. Montu Miller has been named one of just three finalists for the 2026–27 Clarke County School District Teacher of the Year! Selected from 22 school-level Teachers of the Year across the district, Mr. Montu is representing Cedar Shoals High School in this prestigious recognition. Congratulations, Mr. Montu! We are proud to have you representing Jaguar Nation!

Help us show Mr. Montu some Jaguar love!

Students, families, staff, and community members are encouraged to submit a message of congratulations and support by Friday, October 16. Selected messages will be featured leading up to the awards ceremony. Click here to leave Mr. Miller a Message of Support here.

Class of 2027- Senior Kickoff Week is almost here! Join us Monday, October 12, for Zoom Day, then Tuesday, October 13, recreate your favorite childhood photo at the morning Senior Sunrise at Water-Wilkins Football Stadium from 6:45–8:30 a.m. We encourage all seniors to participate in the themes and come out for Senior Sunrise as we celebrate the Class of 2027 and kick off the year together. Cedar Family- Donations are also welcome to help make the morning extra special. Contact Ms. Thornton for more information!

Cedar Shoals High School will administer the PSAT/NMSQT on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 9:00 AM–1:00 PM. The PSAT provides students with valuable SAT preparation, academic feedback, and opportunities to explore college and career pathways.

• All 10th-grade students will test FREE of charge and are automatically registered.
• Interested 9th- and 11th-grade students must register and pay the $20 testing fee by Friday, October 16. Fee waivers may be available for eligible juniors.Register Here (9th & 11th Grade Only)

Students should arrive by 8:30 AM. ACCA students will report to Cedar Shoals for testing, and transportation will be provided for afternoon ACCA classes. There will be no make-up testing date. Students can prepare at collegeboard.org/psatpractice. For questions, contact Mr. James Price, Associate Principal and Test Coordinator, at priceja@clarke.k12.ga.us or 706-546-5375, ext. 21204.

Attention AP Students and Families! The deadline to register for AP exams for fall courses is Friday, November 6, 2026. Students taking full-year, online, or virtual AP courses must also register by this deadline.

AP exam registration requires TWO steps:

1. Register and pay for AP exams through Total Registration.

2. Join your teacher’s AP Classroom and enroll in the corresponding exams through College Board's My AP.

Both steps MUST be completed for exams to be ordered! Students who have already joined AP Classroom should verify their enrollment.

Exam Fees: CCSD and the Georgia Department of Education cover the cost of up to two AP exams per student, with a $9 administrative fee per exam. Additional exams cost $99 each.

Families are encouraged to complete registration early to avoid missing the deadline. Incomplete or unpaid registrations will be canceled, and exams will not be ordered.

Need some extra help with a class or assignment, or just need time to get caught up? PSP (Pathways to Success Program) is available to all Cedar Shoals students! Snacks are provided, and evening bus transportation is available. PSP meets from 4:00–5:30 PM on select Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tuesdays focus on Language Arts & Social Studies, while Thursdays focus on Math & Science. Students who need a bus ride home after PSP must complete the bus sign-up form in their CCSD email from Ms. Reese. Questions? Contact Ms. Richburg at richburgk@clarke.k12.ga.us. Take advantage of the extra help when you need it!

• Upcoming PSP Dates: October 13, 20, 22, 27 & 29; November 5, 10, 12, 17 & 19; December 1, 3, 8, 10 & 15.
• Saturday School is also available from 8:00 AM–12:00 PM on October 24, November 7, and December 5.

In partnership with our Leader In Me program, our school will be administering the Measurable Results Assessment (MRA), a survey and reporting system designed to provide insights into the progress of our school. In order to provide a holistic picture of what is going on in our school, the MRA includes three different surveys; 1) one completed by all school staff, 2) one completed by students in grades 4 and above, and 3) one completed by the families of students in all grades.

We hope you will participate so we can use the feedback to make our school an even better place for students and families. If you have any questions about the surveys or wish to see a list of questions, please contact the school’s front office. The survey is now available for you to take through December 4, 2026. Survey: MRA Fall Family link 2026

CCSD students and staff are encouraged to wear pink on Tuesday, October 13, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Families are invited to participate in our "Pink Out" as we show support for survivors, honor loved ones, and raise awareness across our community.

Cedar Shoals students have access to FREE online tutoring through GA Tutor! This service connects students with certified teachers who can provide additional academic support and help strengthen their understanding of classroom material. Students interested in receiving tutoring can visit https://bit.ly/gatutor to learn more and follow the instructions to get started. Take advantage of this free resource to support your academic success!

Families of students currently enrolled in a Physical Education (PE) course should review the FIT Georgia Parent Letter for important information about the FIT Georgia fitness assessment.

FIT Georgia is Georgia’s annual fitness assessment for students participating in physical education and is designed to help students and families better understand health-related fitness. Parents and guardians of students enrolled in PE this semester can review the full FIT Georgia Parent Letter here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RUN7N0fyT4HqyCBMIGoNCniDbdnPG8ETugRltTyXq14/edit?usp=sharing

Our Cedar Shoals High School school nutrition professionals worked with Chef John Huff from the Georgia School Nutrition Program for three days in September! The team collaborated to create new recipes, such as a Cuban sandwich (pictured), Roasted Broccoli with house seasoning (pictured), and spiced apple and plum fruit salad (not pictured). We are looking forward to continuing to cultivate a #culinaryculture at Cedar Shoals!

Congratulations to the 2026 Cedar Shoals High School Homecoming Queen and King, Ki’Mora Hall and Reece Rodriguez! A huge thank you to our Student Government Association and their advisers, Ms. Cubbage, Mrs. Bolton, Ms. Gay, Mrs. Wade, and Coach Wall for putting together a wonderful Homecoming Dance and helping make Homecoming Week so special. We also want to thank all of our students and staff who participated in the spirit days, pep rally, game, dance, and all of the events throughout the week!

Relive some of our favorite Homecoming moments through the photo galleries below:

Homecoming Court & Game Photos: Mr. Lee – Photo Link
Homecoming Dance Photos: DSI Photography - Photo Link

Facebook Photos: Pep Rally, Teacher Student Swap Day, Bikers vs. Surfers, Pink Day, Twin Day

We are so proud of three Cedar Shoals teachers who were awarded 2026–2027 AthFest Educates Grants!

-Ms. Chria Midgette, our Dance teacher, received $4,200 to purchase dance and safety equipment for her classes.

-Mr. Aaron Price, our Music Technology and Guitar teacher, received $4,978.01 to purchase electric and acoustic guitars for his students.

-Ms. Jessica Varsa, ESOL teacher, received $562.77 to provide an opportunity for ESOL students to experience art and music at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

That’s $9,740.78 awarded to Cedar Shoals teachers to create more opportunities and experiences for our Jaguars! Congratulations to Mr. Price, Ms. Varsa, and Ms. Midgette, and thank you to AthFest Educates for continuing to support arts education in our schools. We can’t wait to see these grants in action!

Seniors, you have ONLY ONE opportunities left to take your senior portraits for the 2026–27 yearbook. These are the only portrait images that will be used in the yearbook, and no additional sessions will be offered after these dates. These are the FINAL senior portrait dates of the year. Be sure to register for the option that works best for you!

• October 23 —Session Full

• November 13 — Yearbook Portrait Session: Choose this option if you simply want to make sure you are pictured in the yearbook. There is no sitting fee. Students will take their formal yearbook photo (tux or dress/drape) plus ONE casual pose. Photo packages will be available for purchase afterward. Register here: https://form.jotform.com/213274918615056

Calling Cedar Shoals student researchers! The Regeneron Science Talent Search is now accepting applications for its 2027 competition. Students conducting original STEM research can compete for national recognition and a share of $3.1 million in awards, including a $250,000 top prize. Applications are due November 5, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET. Apply here: https://sciencetalentsearch.smapply.org/

Each year, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program honors some of our nation’s most exceptional high school seniors who shine through academic achievement, artistic talent, and career and technical excellence. Established by executive order in 1964, the program has grown to recognize more than 150 students annually, celebrating those whose accomplishments reflect the highest ideals of scholarship, creativity, and leadership.

The 2026-27 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program application window is now open through November 1. High school seniors may apply, provided they meet all program qualifications outlined by the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The application, program criteria, and informational brochures are on the Excellence Recognitions PSP webpage. Applications are due by November 1 at 5 p.m. Application Link: https://gadoesa.jotform.com/form/27PSP

Applications are now open for the 2027 Youth Leadership Athens (YLA) class! YLA is open to 10th- and 11th-grade students interested in developing their leadership skills, connecting with students and community leaders across Athens, and becoming more involved in our community. Whether you already consider yourself a leader or are looking for an opportunity to grow and step outside your comfort zone, we encourage you to apply and represent Cedar Shoals! Applications are due November 18, and the 2027 class is expected to be announced in mid-December. Learn more, view the session schedule, and apply at Youth Leadership Athens.

Any boys that plan to try out for basketball- there will be an interest meeting on Monday, October 12, at 4:00PM in the Field House. If you plan to try out and play basketball this season, attendance at this meeting is mandatory. Any players that are in season and have practice are not required to attend. You must have a current physical on file in Rank One to try out.

Any Jaguars interested in joining the wrestling team should attend the wrestling interest meeting October 12th or Tuesday October 13th after school in the Jag Cafe for 15 minutes. Contact Coach Culliver for more information!

October 6th was National Coaches Day! We appreciate each and every one of our amazing coaches. The Cedar Shoals family thanks you for the countless hours, early mornings, late practices, encouragement, discipline, and dedication you pour into our student-athletes. Your impact goes far beyond the scoreboard- you’re helping build confidence, character, teamwork, and leaders. We celebrate YOU and everything you do for Cedar!

Cedar Shoals Volleyball spent the morning earlier this week giving back during Georgia Pre-K Week! Our student-athletes and coaches visited the CCSD Early Learning Center- East, where they joined Pre-K students for breakfast and spent time reading with them. Thank you to our volleyball team and coaches for representing Cedar Shoals so well in our community!

CCSD is pleased continue offering free admission passes to Clarke County residents 60 years of age or older to home interscholastic athletic events hosted by Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals high schools. Passes are available in the school front offices. Please visit either school and present a valid ID to receive your senior pass!

Please note: The pass is only for home regular-season games and does not include postseason games, as the Georgia High School Association sets pricing for state playoff tickets.

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.

Thank you to everyone who attended last week's PTO & Title I Meeting! All members of the Jaguar community are invited to review the presentation and fill out the survey to let us know your feedback on the Title I program at Cedar Shoals High School. The survey will be open through October 15th. You can always find our Title I Presentations, our Family Engagement Plan and the CSHS School-Family Compact in the Title I Resources section of our school's website. Please contact Ms. Reese at reesec@clarke.k12.ga.us with any questions regarding Title I at Cedar Shoals.

• Title I Presentation: CSHS: Annual Title I Meeting- September 2026
• Cedar Shoals Feedback Form: Fall 2026 Title I Feedback Form

School hours are from 8:45 am - 3:35 pm. Students have advisement each Wednesday between first and second block. Students can enter the school building starting at 8:00 a.m. Car riders are to be dropped off at the main entrance. Please see the bell schedule here: CSHS Bell Schedule

The Clarke County School District's Code of Student Conduct can be found online here. Parents/guardians are asked to complete this acknowledgement form after having received and reviewed the Code of Student Conduct.

Starting each day prepared helps set our Jaguars up for success! Please remember to bring your fully charged CCSD laptop and charger to school every day. Having your device ready for class ensures students can participate in lessons, complete assignments, access digital resources, and stay engaged throughout the school day. If you've lost your charger, you can purchase a replacement from the district for $25, or you can buy a compatible charger from retailers like Walmart - $6.99 or Amazon $9.99. Click here to read the full CSHS Chromebook Policy.

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

With the new school year in full swing, now is a great time for families to refocus on their child's technology habits and help them be safe and responsible online.

CCSD is pleased to offer all families a free Parent ProTech account (available in English and Spanish) which allows to you access content designed to equip and empower you with tips, tools, and strategies for playing an active role in promoting online safety for our students.

If you are new to CCSD or haven't already done so, create a free account today and receive informational articles and videos about trending social media and gaming apps, instructions for setting up parental controls, and conversation starter tips for how you can talk with children of any age about screen time, privacy, and digital safety and responsibility.

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

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