Jag News

Upcoming Events at CSHS:

• 9/25: Senior Sunrise
• 9/25: ACCA Future Student Fair
• 9/30: Financial Aid (FAFSA) Information Night
• 10/3: Homecoming Football Game
• 10/4: Homecoming Dance
• 10/6-9: Parent Conferences
• 10/7: Fall Orchestra Concert
• 10/10 & 13: Student & Staff Holiday (No School)
• 10/15: Financial Aid (FAFSA) Completion Night
• 10/17: Football/Cheer/Band/JROTC Senior Night
• 10/23: PSAT
• 10/24: Makeup Picture Day

Clarke County School District Updates:

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

September is Attendance Awareness Month! Did you know that strong attendance in high school is one of the biggest predictors of graduation and future success? Jags who miss more than 10 days of school each year are at a much greater risk of falling behind academically. Consistent attendance helps students:

• stay on track with their coursework
• build positive relationships with teachers and peers
• develop the habits that lead to success beyond high school

Currently 27% of our students have missed more than 10% of enrolled days. Let’s work together to make every day count, because showing up is the first step toward crossing the graduation stage!

All students are invited to attend PSP to work on homework, make up grades, or receive additional academic assistance. We will be hosting our Pathways to Success Program (PSP) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00–5:30 p.m. this semester. Tuesdays will be for Language Arts and Social Studies support. Thursdays will be for Math and Science support.

Sessions will be held on the following dates:

• September: 23, 25, 30

• October: 7, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30

• November: 6, 11, 13, 18, 20

• December: 2, 4, 9, 11, 16

Congratulations to the Cedar Shoals High School 2025 Royal Homecoming Court! The court will be recognized at half time during our homecoming football game on October 3rd vs. East Forsyth. Go Jags!

We are excited to announce the first senior event of the year- Senior Sunrise! Please join us on Thursday, September 25th from 6:30 am to 8:00 am on the Cedar Shoals football field. Seniors are encouraged to bring comfy clothes and blankets. Breakfast will be provided. To attend, students must be on track to graduate. We are also welcoming volunteers and donations to help make this event a success. Parents or seniors who would like to contribute or assist with cleanup after the event are encouraged to reach out. Please email Ms. Thornton at thorntonv@clarke.k12.ga.us if you are interested.

We will be giving the PSAT to all sophomores on Thursday, October 23, 2025 during the school day. The PSAT is an important test that provides many benefits that can help students along the path to college. If your child is a junior, the PSAT offers students the opportunity to enter competitions for scholarships to help pay for college and is also great practice for the SAT. All sophomores will automatically be registered for the test. Please click here to read the PSAT letter for more information.

FRESHMAN & JUNIOR SIGN UP- Ends 9/26:

Freshman and juniors will have the opportunity to take the PSAT, but registration ends on September 26, 2025. Signing up for this test is OPTIONAL for freshmen and juniors. CSHS 9th & 11th graders and homeschool students (all grades) can elect to take it by paying the $20 registration fee. To pay the registration fee, please use the Cedar Shoals online payment feature on our website. Choose "P4 - other/donation" as the payment code and then in the comments make sure it has the student's name and grade. You will then be able to pay by debit/credit card or ACH banking information. This option can be used immediately. Link to pay: https://biller.accelerate.ar.synovus.com/ebpp/CedarShoals/

The Cedar Shoals Student Government Association is excited to present this year’s Once Upon a Time themed Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 7:00–10:00 PM. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, and will be available to purchase through GoFan. Purchase Tickets Here!

We are excited to welcome Ms. Medina as our new College and Career Adviser at Cedar Shoals! She is here to support students with their post-graduation plans—whether that’s college, trade school, the military, or entering the workforce. Seniors are required to meet with her at least once this year to ensure they are on track for success after high school.

Ms. Medina can help with:

• College applications & financial aid

• Scholarships & SAT/ACT registration

• Career advising & more!

Schedule an appointment: calendly.com/cedarshoalsadvising/30min

Attention, high school seniors and senior parents/guardians! The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) window is scheduled to open on October 1, 2025. Completing the FAFSA form allows you to be considered for federal student aid. In addition, states and colleges use FAFSA information to award their own grants, scholarships, and loans. But, since some aid is limited, you have to meet the deadlines!

Federal Deadlines

The FAFSA form must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central time (CT) on June 30, 2027. Any corrections or updates must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on Sept. 12, 2027. Please note the 2025-26 window has already opened.

College and Career/Trade School Deadlines

Each college and career/trade school may have its own deadline. Check with the school you’re interested in attending. You may also want to ask about the school’s definition of an application deadline. For example, the deadline could be the date your FAFSA form is processed or the date the school receives your processed FAFSA data. Students in Georgia are encouraged to begin applying on Oct. 1.

Please check in with the college and career advisor at your high school or see your school counselor for more information. You can also click here for more information about FAFSA.

The final date for senior portrait makeups will be November 7, 2025 in the CSHS Auditorium. To schedule your appointment, visit bit.ly/cedarseniornovember26

Don’t miss this opportunity to capture this special milestone! Please reach out to Mr. Ginsberg at ginsbergm@clarke.k12.ga.us with any questions.

High school students who are interested in taking classes at the Athens Community Career Academy (ACCA) are invited to a Future Student Fair from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at the ACCA building, 440-1 Dearing Ext.

ACCA is open to CCSD high school students in grades 10-12 and offers courses in more than a dozen high school and college level career pathways as part of CCSD's Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program. The Future Student Fair is designed to introduce students to these pathways and allow them to tour the building and learning spaces. Be on the lookout later this school year for information about applying to ACCA!

The first progress reports of the semester have been released. These reports provide families and students with an update on academic performance so far this school year. Please take time to review your student’s progress, celebrate their successes, and discuss any areas that may need improvement. Staying on top of grades early helps ensure a strong finish to the semester!

Every student who drives to school is required to have a valid parking pass. We understand that students may receive their driver’s license at different times throughout the year; therefore, parking passes are available for purchase year-round. Towing will begin on Monday for unauthorized vehicles.

Parking passes are $30 and may only be purchased by students who are at least 16 years old, hold a valid driver’s license, and provide proof of insurance. Please note that students are not permitted to drive to school with a learner’s permit. Students must park only in their designated parking spaces. Any vehicle on campus without a valid parking pass will be subject to towing.

To register your vehicle, you must provide a paper application that signed by a guardian, $30.00 (cash, check to Cedar Shoals High School or paid online here) a drivers license, and proof of insurance to Ms. Link in the front office. A link to the application with parking permit guidelines for the 25-26 school year can be found here or in the main office.

Senior portrait makeups will be October 24, 2025, in the CSHS Auditorium. To schedule your appointment, visit bit.ly/cedarsenioroctober26

Don’t miss this opportunity to capture this special milestone! Please reach out to Mr. Ginsberg at ginsbergm@clarke.k12.ga.us with any questions.

Huge congratulations to our Raider teams who competed this weekend at the Madison County High School Raider Meet! The mixed team took 1st place, the females placed 3rd, and the males placed 4th. We are proud of the hard work, dedication, and teamwork shown by everyone. Let’s celebrate these results, learn from the challenges, and keep working hard to come back even stronger at the next raider meet.

Cedar Shoals FFA Livestock Show team had a good day at the Gwinnett County Fair Goat Show last week! Alessandra Perez placed 6th in Senior Showmanship and 4th in quality class with her 80 lb. wether. Noah Perez placed 6th in 9th grade showmanship and 5th in quality class with his 98 lb wether. Angel Jones won 11th grade showmanship and placed 3rd in quality class with her 82 lb wether.

Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year and Support Professional of the Year! Mrs. Stephanie Lewis, special education teacher, has been named the Teacher of the Year. Mr. Arnulfo Flores, front office receptionist, has been named the Support Person of the Year. We are lucky to have such a wonderful staff full of people who dedicate their time to teaching and leading our Jaguar students and community. Go Jags

Cedar Shoals hosted the College Probe Fair this morning! We welcomed 49 college representatives from Georgia and beyond to our old gym. Juniors and Seniors had the opportunity to connect with reps, ask questions, and learn more about their future options after graduation. Go Jags!

Welcome home, Cedar Shoals Class of 2025 graduate and proud Marine, Devion Colbert! After completing boot camp, Devion stopped by Cedar Shoals today to say goodbye to the teachers who supported him along the way. Tomorrow, he heads to North Carolina for Marine Corps training- Jag Nation is so proud of you!

Mrs. Blumenstock has shared a Jag Brag on Cedar senior, Ky’Esha Gainer! She says, “Ky’Esha as a classroom leader. Every day she writes the date, learning intention, and agenda on our board. She is finding creative ways to incorporate positive messages and school spirit.” Check out Ky’Esha and her board for the day!

Last week, University of Georgia students who are part of Dream On 3 surprised Cedar senior Donovan Collins with a customized VIP Georgia Football package, where he got to have field access to stand on the sidelines of Sanford Stadium at Saturday’s game and a limo ride to a hotel and dinner Friday night with the Georgia football team! Despite living with the many challenges brought on by a stroke, Donovan continues to be a proud Jaguar and shows up to school every day with determination and a smile. Way to go, Donovan!

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!

Cedar Shoals Athletics is going cashless! For the 2025-2026 athletic season, all ticket purchases will be available exclusively through GoFan- no cash accepted. Stay prepared and download the GoFan app today!

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.

CCSD's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Writing and Art Contest is now underway and open to students in grades K-12! We will be sharing contest details and guidelines with students and families. The submission deadline is Monday, Nov. 3. Schools will submit their winners' work in the district contest, and district winners will be announced later this fall. District winners will be showcased in a special video and are invited to attend the annual Freedom Breakfast at the University of Georgia in January and will also be honored at a Clarke County Board of Education meeting.

High school seniors are invited to apply for the 2025-26 Athens Area Human Relations Council scholarship by Friday, Sept. 26. A completed application will consist of the following items:

• the completed scholarship application form (attached below).
• an essay
• two (2) recommendations
• Copy of high school transcript.

A detailed description of requirements can be found on the application itself. For more information, email scholarships@humanrelationscouncil.org.

Regeneron STS is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science competition for high school seniors, providing an important forum for original research that is recognized and reviewed by a national jury of professional scientists. Alumni have made extraordinary contributions to science and have earned many of the world’s most distinguished science and math honors, including thirteen Nobel Prizes. Annually, nearly 2,500 high school seniors from around the country accept the challenge of conducting independent science, math or engineering research and completing an entry for the Regeneron Science Talent Search. The competition recognizes 300 student scholars and their schools each year and invites 40 student finalists to Washington, D.C. to participate in final judging, display their work to the public, and meet with notable scientists and government leaders. Each year, Regeneron STS scholars and finalists compete for $3.1 million in awards.

• Learn more about the competition and review the General FAQs
• Read the Application FAQ
• Writing a recommendation for a student? Read the Recommender FAQ!
• Questions? Email our team at sts@societyforscience.org

Congressman Mike Collins, who represents Athens-Clarke County, will host his 2025 Service Academy Day from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 16, at Prince Avenue Christian School, 2201 Ruth Jackson Rd., Bogart. Designed to familiarize students with the application and nomination process for the nation’s five military service academies, the event will feature representatives from the United States Military, Naval, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and Air Force academies.

Students and their families may register by emailing their name, phone number, school, and grade to GA10Noms@mail.house.gov. Please provide names (note relationship) for each person attending with you.

Students who are admitted to our nation’s military service academies must first receive a nomination from at least one member of their state's Congressional Delegation, the Vice President, or the President of the United States. Students seeking Congressman Collins’ nomination should submit a completed application to his office by Friday, October 10, 2025.

Click here to learn more about the nomination process and access the application.

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. We will communicate directly with seniors and families regarding additional information on the ceremony, including rehearsal dates and times and other details at a future date.

We wish all of our seniors a great year and we look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 in May!

The CCSD Family Advisory Board (FAB) is made up of representatives from every elementary, middle, and high school in CCSD. Its purpose is to advise the administration on issues related to the overall success of the district. The board invites families to share their feedback and concerns by completing this form. You can learn more about the FAB at www.clarke.k12.ga.us/fab.

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