Better Together

While they are friendly rivals at home, members of the Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central high school soccer teams were teammates over spring break in a memorable trip to England and Wales.

More than 60 players from the two schools — led by Cedar coaches Benoît D’Astous and Conor Naughton and CCSD English Learner Programs Coordinator Dr. David Forker — spent nine days abroad, training with the Wolverhampton Wanderers and FC Airbus professional clubs and playing three matches against local youth clubs. They also toured London, Chester and North Wales, attended an FA Cup quarterfinal at West Ham United, a League Championship match between Coventry City FC and Sheffield Wednesday FC, and visited the stadiums of Manchester City, Wrexham, and Liverpool.

Read more about the trip, and view a full gallery of photos!

As we continue our observance of Financial Literacy Month, this week, we're taking a look at CCSD's participation and recent successes in the Georgia Stock Market Game. The Stock Market Game (SMG) is an exciting simulation that gives students in grades 4-12 the opportunity to invest a virtual $100,000 for 10 weeks in real stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. At the end of the 10 weeks, teams with the highest total equity are eligible for a variety of prizes and awards.

The Clarke Central High School team of Henry Abbe, Paolo Calabria, Jacob Page, Noah Stewart, and Lake Smith were the districtwide winners for CCSD. They finished sixth among high school teams in the 10th Congressional District and were among the top 100 teams out of the 4,402 teams across the state that participated in the competition this spring. They grew their portfolio to $107,716.38, posting a 12.9% return above the S&P 500 growth.

Meanwhile, Team "Perfectly Pickley" at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary (Mia Clark, Annabelle Collins, Clara Crim, and Jordan Cole) won first place among all elementary school teams in the 10th Congressional District and have earned an invitation to the annual SMG Awards Luncheon at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta next month, where they will receive a pennant, certificate, and medals. During the competition, this team achieved an 11.1% return on their investments, growing their portfolio to $105,804.67.

While not mandated at CCSD, we have seen an increased participation across all levels of the Stock Market Game the last two years. It's one of many fun and educational tools we use to prepare students for future success.

As noted on the SMG website: "Economic education is about more than financial literacy. It’s also about the larger economic forces that impact everyone’s financial circumstances in the present and future. With equity markets as the model, the Stock Market Game™ is designed to give Georgia teachers a tool for showing students how scarcity, trade, opportunity cost, voluntary exchange, price incentive, specialization, productivity, and many other economic concepts play out in financial institutions they hear about in the news almost daily. Unlike real equity markets, the Stock Market Game™ offers students a safe and pain-free place to learn that the lessons of market economics can sometimes be costly."

Cedar Shoals High School was one of only 26 high schools nationwide — and the only one in Georgia — recently announced as a 2025 School of Excellence by ACT’s American College Application Campaign for its efforts in helping students successfully apply for college and pursue other postsecondary opportunities.

The award is given to schools that effectively increase the number of first-generation college students and students from under-resourced communities pursuing a college degree or other higher education credential.

Led by Cedar Shoals college and career advisor Kelly Medina, Cedar Shoals held more than 300 one-on-one student meetings related to college applications last fall and has had 150 one-on-one spring check-ins. Approximately 235 students have completed one or more college applications, and 90 have completed three or more. Approximately 130 have applied for federal financial aid (FAFSA), and the school has met individually with 95 families on the college application process.

Congratulations to Cedar Shoals on their hard work in this effort, and thank you to Ms. Medina for being a shining example of CCSD's districtwide efforts to help students "find their E" for after high school and complete this leg of their educational journeys!

Looking for something fun to do this weekend while also supporting our Thriving Students and the arts in schools? Check out Cedar Shoals Theatre's production of "The Wiz" in the school auditorium, 1300 Cedar Shoals Drive!

The show premiered Thursday, April 16, and additional performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 17-18, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 19. Tickets are $11 for adults and $6 for students and can be purchased on GoFan.

CCSD middle school students (grades 6-8) are encouraged to take part in a free math event being hosted by the University of Georgia Department of Mathematics on Saturday, April 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event will include instructional activities, networking opportunities, and a pizza lunch.

• Find more information about the event.
• Register at this link.

Congratulations to the Winterville Elementary School girls' and J.J. Harris Elementary boys' teams on winning the 2026 CCSD Elementary Soccer League championships! Winterville outlasted Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary, 5-3, in the girls' final, while J.J. Harris used a strong second-half run of goals to top Timothy Road Elementary, 3-0, and capture the boys' crown.

A great job all around by all of these teams on a successful season. View more photos from the championship matches and other postseason tournament action on the CCSD Facebook page!

• Congratulations to the Clarke Central High School boys' soccer team on winning the GHSA Region 8-AAAAA championship! The Gladiators put the finishing touches on an undefeated regular season this week with a win over Apalachee and are ranked second heading into the state playoffs. They'll host South Effingham in the first round on April 22. The Clarke Central girls also qualified for the state playoffs with a fourth-place finish in the region. They'll face Greenbrier High School in Evans in the first round on April 21.
• The Clarke Central boys' tennis team captured its third consecutive region title, while the Gladiator girls finished fourth in the region and also qualified for state. Both teams are scheduled to play in the first round of the state tournament on April 23.
• Good luck to the Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central track and field teams who will be competing in their region championship meets next week. The Jaguars will be in the Region 8-AAAA championship meet at North Oconee on April 21, while Clarke Central will take part in the 8-AAAAA championships at Loganville High School on April 23.
• Congratulations to the Coile Middle School boys and Clarke Middle School girls on winning the 2026 county middle school soccer championships! The Cougars won their eighth title in a row and 11th overall, while the Lady Owls also repeated as county champs and won their 10th title in the last 11 seasons.

Nominations are open for CCSD's Employee of the Month award for May! Anyone in the community may nominate any full-time CCSD employee with at least one full year of service for the award. The winner will be surprised at their school or building, publicly recognized at the May 14 Clarke County Board of Education meeting, and presented with a gift bag from the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce with contributions from several local businesses.

Submit a nomination at bit.ly/CCEmployeeAward or fill the form out directly below!

The window for parents/guardians and teachers/staff to declare their candidacy for their school’s Local School Governance Team (LSGT) is now open! From April 1-29, eligible individuals may submit their Declaration of Candidacy.

CCSD believes in the power of collaboration between schools, families, and the community. That’s why we invite parents, guardians, and teachers to take an active role in shaping the future of our schools by declaring their candidacy for a seat on their school's LSGT! These teams work with school principals and the community to make data-driven decisions that help play a critical role in school decision-making and strategies that directly impact student achievement.

Elections will be held May 4-8, and results will be announced by May 13. Elected members will serve a two-year term.

Learn more about LSGT elections, including a school-by-school list of available seats at this link.

CCSD is proud to once again partner with the Athens YWCO on its Summer Girls Club, which will be held June 1 through July 10 at Howard B. Stroud Elementary School!

Registration is now open for girls who will be entering grades K-7 for the 2026-27 school year. The camp will offer S.T.E.M., reading, swimming, music and dance, sports and games, arts and craft, and career exploration activities as well as educational field trips. lt will be held every weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.. The cost is $50 per week ($60 for extended care before or after hours) with a $25 registration fee.

Click here for more information and to register! A full PDF flyer is also attached below in English and Spanish.

Registration is now open for the Athens Community Career Academy's Summer Career Exploration Program for rising ninth-grade students. Students will have the opportunity to participate in one of the following three-day camps (June 15-17) introducing several of the CTAE pathways they can begin taking courses in as early as 10th grade:

• Advanced Manufacturing and Welding
• Entertainment, Sports, and Event Management
• Cosmetology (currently full, waitlist only)
• Culinary Arts
• Film and Broadcast Production
• Healthcare (currently full, waitlist only)
• Fire/EMT
• Teaching as a Profession.

Transportation, breakfast, and lunch will be provided. Apply by May 1 at bit.ly/ccsdsummerprograms. The form is available in English and Spanish. For more information, contact Halo Smart, CCSD Workforce Development Coordinator, at smarth@clarke.k12.ga.us.

The CCSD Family Advisory Board will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, April 22, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Coile Middle School, 110 Old Elberton Rd., Athens.

The Family Advisory Board exists to promote discussion and development of a shared vision of the educational needs of all CCSD students and is made up of representatives from every elementary, middle, and high school in the district. Its purpose is to advise district administration on issues related to the overall success of the district.

Technology is not slowing down, and it's easy for families who are trying to keep up to feel overwhelmed. Sign up for a free Parent ProTech account through CCSD, and check out the ProTech Basics video, which provides five practical principles to help parents protect and equip their kids in a world shaped by screens, algorithms, AI, and constant digital influence.

From setting clear boundaries and modeling healthy habits to ongoing oversight and honest conversations, this is a practical starting point for families who want more than fear-based advice. If you have ever wondered where to begin, this video can help you take the next step with confidence.

You can also view the monthly Parent ProTech digital newsletter here!

Every year, each of our schools develop a Family Engagement Plan and Family School Compact to guide how the school interacts with families. Families are encouraged to complete the brief annual Spring Title I Family Engagement Survey. The survey is available in English and Spanish. Please feel free to contact your school’s Family Engagement Specialist with any further suggestions or comments.

CCSD's School Choice application period for the 2026-27 school year opened April 1 and runs through May 9, 2026.

CCSD school assignments are based on the boundaries of the district’s attendance zones; however, under state law, School Choice allows parents/guardians of students currently enrolled in CCSD (including those who do not currently attend but have already enrolled for the 2026-27 school year) to apply for a transfer to a school outside of their attendance zone, provided that space is available. Currently, School Choice transfer space is available at all CCSD schools except for Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary, Timothy Road Elementary, and Clarke Central High schools.

Families have until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, to complete the School Choice application. If the number of applications exceeds the spaces available at a particular school, selections will be made by random lottery. Families will be notified by email by June 9 whether their transfer request is approved. If selected for School Choice, the parent/guardian must accept the transfer by July 22. If a student is approved for a transfer out of zone, guardians are responsible for transportation to and from school, as the district does not provide out-of-zone transportation. Regular school attendance and positive behavior are also required to maintain enrollment.

The School Choice application is available at this link in English and Spanish.

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.
• Find Your Board Member: Use Athens-Clarke County's online voter information tool at www.accgov.com/voterinfo to enter your address and find your BOE member and your other elected representatives.
• Attend a Meeting: The board's next scheduled meeting is Thursday, May 14, 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.

Fill out the short Google form below or here, and a CCSD Human Resources representative will follow up with you.

The Georgia Museum of Art, 90 Carlton St., Athens, will host its monthly free Family Day event from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 18. Celebrate the magic of stories at Family Day in honor of International Children’s Book Day. Play gallery games, enjoy interactive storytime and create your own take-home project that tells a story all your own.

Athens-Clarke County community members are invited to a special Earth Day event on Wednesday, April 22, where the focus will be on utility bills and how to save on energy costs. This free community workshop will be held from 3-5 p.m. at the Athens Community Council on Aging offices, 135 Hoyt St. Representatives from Georgia Power and Southface Institute will be on hand to provide cost-saving tips and answer questions.

Advantage Behavioral Health Systems will host the "Health Meets Hope" 5K Run and Walk on Sunday, April 26, from 3-5 p.m. at Southeast Clarke Park, 4440 Lexington Rd., Athens. Registration for the 5K is $25 per person in advance and $30 on the day of the event. There will also be many free and family-friendly activities for those who don't plan to participate in the 5K but still want to support the event. Click here to register.

The Clarke County Sheriff’s Foundation will host a Vehicle Showcase on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Georgia Square Mall, 3700 Atlanta Hwy., Athens. This is a free, family-friendly event designed to bring the community together in a positive and engaging environment.

Attendees will enjoy a display of classic and modern cars, emergency vehicles, trucks, and motorcycles, along with food, vendors, and activities for children. It’s a great opportunity for families to spend time together and connect with local organizations and community partners.

Vehicle registration is available for those who would like to participate in the showcase for $20 per vehicle. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes, which provide safe, nurturing homes and support services for children in need across Georgia.

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.

Click the links to view the Leisure Pursuits newsletter for April, which contains information about upcoming events and programs in Athens-Clarke County:

• English
• Español

Anyone in the community may sign up for email and/or text notifications from the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government in a wide variety of categories with more than 100 different options. Visit accgov.com/notifyme and select the list you'd like to sign up for.

211 is United Way of Northeast Georgia’s health and human service helpline – a free and confidential program accessible to anyone. Call 211, text your zip code to 898-211, or visit the online database.