Jag News

Upcoming Events at CSHS:

• 1/14: FAFSA Completion Night
• 1/14: PTO Meeting
• 1/15: Report Cards Go Home
• 1/16: Cap & Gown Orders
• 1/20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- Student/Staff Holiday
• 1/22: ASVAB Testing
• 1/29: Letter Jacket Orders

Clarke County School District Updates:

• Link to the CCSD Academic Calendar
• Link to the High School Lunch Menu

Jag Nation, please be reminded that in order to ensure the safety of all students, food deliveries through parents or third-party vendors such as DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, etc., are NOT permitted.

If your student does not eat school lunch, we kindly ask that they bring their lunch with them at the start of the school day. We greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Together, we can ensure a safe and smooth school experience for all students!

Seniors & families- Need help completing your FAFSA? Join us for the 2nd FAFSA Completion Night on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the CSHS Media Center!
Bring these documents:
• SSN
• Driver’s License (if applicable)
• Parents’ 2023 Federal Income Tax Return (IRS 1040)
• Records of Money Earned

Don’t forget to create your FSA ID beforehand at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch

For more questions, reach out to our college adviser Ms. Rodriguez at rodriguezlopeza@clarke.k12.ga.us Let’s get your financial aid ready for college! See you there!

It is time for the Class of 2025 to get geared up for graduation! Cap & gown packages are $86.40 (including taxes and shipping) You can purchase with cash, money order, or debit/credit card. You can also purchase a cap & gown online here: Cedar Cap & Gown Order

A representative from Herff Jones will be at Cedar Shoals outside of the lunchroom during all 4 lunches on the following dates for in person orders:

• Thursday, January 16th
• Thursday, February 6th
• Monday, March 3rd

All cap and gowns will be delivered to the school for student pick up on Friday, May 2nd.

All parents of a Cedar Shoals High School student are invited to join the Parent Teacher Organization. The PTO will have their first meeting of 2025 on Tuesday, January 14th at East Side Cali N Titos at 6:00 pm.

Communities in Schools at Cedar Shoals High School invites you and your students to become part of our supportive community. Our mission is two-fold: to create and nurture a culturally diverse, collaborative community partnership that focuses on the whole family, and to surround students with the support they need to stay in school and succeed in life.

Communities in Schools focuses not only on academic success and attendance, but also on meeting basic needs and providing family support. We strive every day to bridge the gap between our schools and communities.

As we begin a new semester, we encourage you to click here view to the following presentation and click this link to become a part of our CIS family: https://www.cognitoforms.com/CommunitiesInSchoolsOfGeorgia/AthensParentConsent

Shaun Hemly with AMG Brands will be in the main gym at Cedar Shoals on Wednesday, January 29th from 4:00-6:00 pm to take letter jacket orders. You must have payment ready at the order. Please see the order form attached for pricing: Letter Jacket Prices!

The Georgia Department of Education has partnered with Varsity Tutors to offer a series of statewide virtual tutoring sessions. Don’t miss these upcoming sessions!

•College Admissions 101 - 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23. Intended for students in grades 8-11, parents, families, and counselors. Learn what colleges look for, how to build strong transcripts and extracurriculars, navigate school research and visits, and track important deadlines.

•Habits of Successful Test Takers - 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12. Intended for students, parents, counselors, and educators. This session is designed to help students and parents discover tools to improve test performance and build confidence, including effective study techniques, using answer choices strategically, overcoming mental blocks, managing time, and reducing test anxiety.

Visit this link for additional information and to register for one or both of the sessions: https://www.varsitytutors.com/school-solutions/georgiadoe

The Cedar Shoals track and field program is raising funds to provide our student-athletes with:

• Snacks and drinks for meets
• Updated track equipment and uniforms
• Sponsorships for our hardworking athletes
• A much-needed track tent for competitions

Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference in helping our Jaguars excel on and off the track. Donate today at here on GOFAN to show your East Side pride and support the our student athletes!

The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) Test will be administered on Wednesday, January 22nd at 9 a.m. at Cedar Shoals High School. The test is computer based. You will need to arrive by 8:45 a.m. More information will be shared about the testing location closer to the test date.

Anyone interested in taking the ASVAB test on Wednesday, January 22nd should register here: ASVAB Registration Link for January 22nd Test

Students and families can purchase senior recognition ad space in the 2025 yearbook.

• 1/8th page - $65

• 1/4 page - $80

• 1/2 page - $105

You can click here to use our publisher Jostens' online tools to design the ad or you can e-mail images and text to Mr. Ginsberg (ginsbergm@clarke.k12.ga.us) and pay via cash or check (to Cedar Shoals) at the school. The deadline for senior recognition ads is January 31, 2025. Examples are attached. The ad spaces will go toward the end of the book in front of the index section.

Cedar Shoals High School will be strictly enforcing the parking permits. All students who park on campus must register their vehicle and provide proper documentation to prevent the vehicle from being towed. 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 24-25 school year can be found here or in the main office.

The end of the semester is coming soon and grades will be finalized in December. Pathways to Success After-School Program (PSP) provides academic tutoring for any student with an academic need after school each week.

Tutoring Schedule:

• Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:45 PM – 5:45 PM

• Zero Period for E2020 students: Monday–Friday from 7:45 AM – 8:45 AM (Room D104)

Students are encouraged to attend PSP to receive additional academic support. Transportation is provided for students who attend PSP. Please complete this form for transportation.

We are excited to announce that Cedar Shoals High School's Graduation for the Class of 2025 will take place on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 6:00 pm. The ceremony will be held at the Akins Ford Arena at The Classic Center, located at 300 N Thomas Street, Athens, GA 30601.

Please note the following important details:

• Graduation Rehearsal:
  Date: Wednesday, May 21st
  Time: 4:00 pm
  Location: Akins Ford Arena at The Classic Center

• Graduation Ceremony:
  Date: Thursday, May 22nd
  Time: 6:00 pm
  Location: Akins Ford Arena at The Classic Center

Admission is free and open to all, and there is no limit on the number of guests for each graduate. We look forward to celebrating this important milestone with you all! Should you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ms. Reese at reesec@clarke.k12.ga.us

Congratulations to these Cedar seniors who have been selected to receive an Athens Area Human Relations Council, Inc. (AAHRC) scholarship. These Jaguars will be recognized at the 46th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Banquet. Congratulations to Sara Whitehead, Fallon T. Green, Siniyah Huntley, Alyssa Weiszer, Kameran Brown, Aya Ibrahim, and Zakayli Naomi Tyrell!

Congratulations to Cedar Shoals seniors Delia McElhannon and Genesis Rodriguez who will be attending Duke University as QuestBridge Scholars! These Jaguars are 2 of only 113 students nationally who matched with Duke University, earning a full-ride 4-year scholarship that covers books, tuition, housing, and food.

They were among 2,627 finalists across the country selected for the QuestBridge scholarship, and their hard work has paid off in an amazing way! We are incredibly proud of Delia and Genesis. Go Jags!!!

Congratulations to this month’s JAG PRIDE Faculty Award winners! These staff members have been chosen by their colleagues for their hard work and dedication to Jaguar Nation. We are grateful for our amazing staff here at Cedar Shoals!

Prepared: Heather Stewart

Respect: Roquez Walker

Integrity: Kim Sweetser

Dedicated: Jesus Reyes Rodriguez

Engaged: Julie Throne

Congratulations to our December Student Athletes of the Month! Deston Foote (Varsity Basketball), Harmony Smith (JV Basketball), Ky’Esha Gainer (JV Basketball) and Kayla Harris (Varsity Basketball) were nominated by their coaches below. Check our their nominations below:

• Deston Foote - Varsity Basketball (Nominated by Coach Thomas): Deston led us in every statistical category through our 1st 5 games this season. He has emerged as a leader on our basketball team.

• Kayla Harris - Varsity Basketball (Nominated by Coach Wall): Kayla is currently leading the Lady Jags basketball team in points scored, rebounds, and steals. She is determined to help the team win and her energy on the floor helps to uplift her teammates.

• Harmony Smith - JV Basketball (Nominated by Coach Prince): Harmony is being nominated for her dedication to the team, hard work in games and practices, and her great sportsmanship. Not only does she excel in the classroom, but she is coachable and continues to improve her game each day.

• Ky’Esha Gainer - JV Basketball (Nominated by Coach Prince): Ky’Esha is being nominated for her hardwork and determination to get better. She also pushes her teammates to be better. She is a great team player, coachable, and willing to learn for improvement.

Seniors can receive a seal on your diploma and a black & white honor cord if you:

• Complete a Fine Arts Pathway

• (3 Fine Arts Credit in a Content Sequence (for example, Band I, Band II, Band III)

• Complete a 4th Fine Arts Credit

• (same area as pathway or different)

• Complete 2 Extracurricular Fine Arts activities in 2024-25

• 20 hours of Arts-related Community Service in 2024-25

• Complete a capstone presentation of Fine Arts experience in CCSD (Here is the Fine Arts Seal Capstone Template)

If you are approved, you will receive a seal to be applied to your diploma and black and white honor cord to wear at graduation. This distinction will honor and recognize your dedication and achievement in the CCSD Fine Arts. Please see the following presentation and attached flyer for more information. Please submit all required information to Dan Smith, Fine Arts Curriculum Coordinator no later than April 12, 2024, at 3 p.m.

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

Volunteer Opportunities:

Please consider volunteering in support of any of the 24-25 events:

February : Counselor Appreciation Week

March: Conference Week — providing dinners for teachers during student conferences

May: Teacher Appreciation Week

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/shop/mens/tops-t-shirts

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.

Congratulations to Cedar Shoals first ever girls flag football team on completing their season! The Lady Jags finished strong with at 7-9 record. We are looking forward to next season already!

Support the Jaguars! Students can purchase an all-sport pass here for $45 and adults can purchase an all-sport pass here for $60. This pass will admit one person to every regular season home athletic event - Freshman/Junior Varsity/Varsity.

Please be reminded that CSHS has a clear bag policy at all sporting events. This policy will be similar to policies in place at college and professional stadiums and coliseums. There will be no entrance into sporting events without a clear bag (this includes bookbags). The following types of bags are permitted inside of CSHS sporting events: Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12”x6”x12”, one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags, small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5”x6.5” Please see the graphic attached for examples of approved and prohibited bags.

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