Better Together

There was more great instruction and fun activities centered around reading and literacy over the past week around the district. District Office staff continued their visits to elementary schools to read to students with Chief Financial Officer Chris Griner and his executive assistant, Mindy Jacobs, visiting Howard B. Stroud Elementary. Over at Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School, students in Todd Elihu's seventh-grade social studies class were immersed in Chinua Achebe's all-time classic novel, "Things Fall Apart." Meanwhile, at Cleveland Road Elementary, third-graders were engaged and building strong literacy skills with their Geodes decodable texts, which support reading growth by connecting phonics with knowledge-building topics. And on the staff side, teachers dove into professional learning to deepen their understanding of the science of reading and how it shapes our classroom instruction. This particular session focused on teaching vocabulary – a key component in building strong, confident readers!

CCSD's Pre-K Lottery, K-12 new student registration, and Head Start/Early Head Start registration for the 2025-26 school year is now open! As a reminder, Pre-K Lottery registration runs through Feb. 21 for students to be placed into the lottery, but the Office of Student Registration will continue to process Pre-K registration applications after that date and assign students to seats based on availability. Families who enter their child into the lottery will be notified by April 15 of their child’s status – whether they have been enrolled in a pre-K class or placed on a wait list.

K-12 registration is only required for students who are new to CCSD or are returning from another school district, private school, or homeschooling and runs all the way through the summer. However, we encourage you to get your new student registered now so they will be first-day ready on Aug. 6 for the start of the school year! All students PK-12 are initially assigned to a school based on their attendance zone. Pre-K school assignments may vary based on seat availability.

So what's next?

• Do you have all of your required documentation to get started registering your child? CLICK HERE to access the applications. Please note that the applications for the 2025-26 school year will be listed below those for the current school year on the menu so be sure you are selecting the correct one.
• Do you need to review or need more information about the required documents and the registration process? Go to www.clarke.k12.ga.us/registration.
• Do you need in-person assistance with the registration application or need to resolve an issue on your application? Make an appointment for Pre-K registration assistance HERE or K-12 registration assistance HERE.

Attention Clarke Central High School Class of 2025 and families: In order to ensure an adequate amount of time in between CCSD's scheduled high school graduation ceremonies at Akins Ford Arena on Thursday, May 22, the Clarke Central ceremony has been moved up one hour from its original time to 2 p.m.

The Cedar Shoals ceremony remains scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 22 at Akins Ford Arena. The Classic City High School ceremony will be held at Wednesday, May 21, at 6 p.m. at the District Office.

Admission is free and open to all, and there is no limit on the number of guests for each graduate. Each high school will communicate directly with seniors and families regarding additional information on the ceremonies, including rehearsal dates and times and other details. Also be on the lookout a week before the ceremonies for CCSD's graduation guide, which will be posted on our website at www.clarke.k12.ga.us.

We are pleased to announce the STAR Students from Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central high schools for the 2024-25 school year! The STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) program, created in 1958 by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and now sponsored by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE), recognizes the senior at each high school with the highest SAT score on any single test date who is also in the top 10% of their class based on grade-point average. Every STAR Student also names a STAR Teacher who has influenced them in their academic pursuits.

Sebastian Caillault has been named the STAR Student for Cedar Shoals and has also been announced as the STAR Student for the Clarke County “system,” which includes all public and private schools located within the county. He will now compete in the PAGE Region 4 contest for the chance to advance to the state competition. The region winner will be announced in March during an awards banquet also hosted by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce. Clarke Central had a three-way tie for the STAR Student award. Wyatt Meyer, Luke Schliekelman, and Riley Wares had the same high SAT score and met all of the other criteria to qualify for the designation.

Read more about each of our STAR Students and their STAR Teachers here. These students and teachers were recognized this week at a luncheon hosted by the Classic City of Athens Rotary Club.

Kenia Gonzalez-Chavez, a ninth-grader at Cedar Shoals High School, is among 21 high school students across the state selected for the 2025 Georgia Youth Leadership Awards. The annual awards are given by 21st Century Leaders, Georgia’s premier youth leadership and workforce readiness program for high school students from diverse backgrounds.

Kenia and the other 20 honorees will be recognized next month at the nonprofit's annual fundraising gala in Atlanta where the students will each receive $500 in grant money. In addition to her academic success — she currently holds a 4.0 grade-point average and ranks 13th in her freshman class of more than 400 students at Cedar Shoals — Kenia is being recognized for her extensive civic involvement and community service. In March 2024, she founded the Athens Period Project, which has provided feminine hygiene products to more than 450 individuals in need and baby products such as diapers and wipes to more than 200 infants and toddlers. She is also a member of the Clarke County Sheriff's Office Explorer Program and, at Cedar Shoals, is a student ambassador, staff member for BluePrints Magazine, Model UN member, and a member of the cross country team.

Congratulations to Clarke Central High School junior Moon Uriostegui, who last week won her weight class (120 pounds) championship at the GHSA Area 8 Girls wrestling tournament, making her the first ever Gladiator female wrestler to win an area title! Moon was scheduled to compete in the state sectionals this weekend for a chance to qualify for the upcoming state tournament.

In other action, Clarke Central's boys' team had five wrestlers finish in the top four of their respective weight class in the Region 8-AAAAA tournament to qualify for the state sectionals. Sophomore Griffin Garrett was the region runner-up at 113 pounds, sophomore Bryan Rodriguez-Solis finished third at 157, and senior Jesse Dantzler (165), senior Washington Wilkinson (175), and sophomore Sammy Mueller (190) all finished fourth.

Cedar Shoals advanced two wrestlers to the state sectionals, as sophomore Desmond Moss finished fourth at 175 pounds in the boys' Area 8-AAAA tournament and senior Marilyn Burgos finished fourth at 155 pounds in the girls' Area 8 tournament.

In accordance with federal Title I requirements, every year all CCSD schools develop a Family Engagement Plan and Family School Compact to guide how the school interacts with families and invites families to participate in an input survey. Results of the survey are used to help schools tailor their family engagement programs to families' needs.

Click here to access the 2025 family engagement survey. You may take the survey more than once if you have children at multiple schools. The link to the survey and information about family engagement can be found on the main menu of each school's website under the "For Families" tab.

Make a difference in the life of a child! The Clarke County Mentor Program and CCSD continue to encourage adults in the community to sign up to become a mentor to a CCSD student. To help new and potential mentors learn more about mentoring, the Clarke County Mentor Program will host a virtual information session, “Mentor 101," on Tuesday, Feb. 11, from noon to 1 p.m.

During this Zoom session, attendees will hear from a panel of CCMP staff, a school district representative, mentors, and mentees. Register for the meeting at this link to learn more about the mentor program, the volunteer application and training process, the role of a mentor, as well as a few helpful mentoring best practices!

CCSD will hold an Educator Career Fair on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the District Office, 595 Prince Ave., Athens. Whether you're a soon-to-be college graduate ready to start your teaching career or you're a veteran educator looking to make a move, this career fair is the perfect opportunity to speak with many of our current teachers and principals to understand in detail about their school and the positions they are hiring for. At the event, you may be invited to interview with school teams and potentially offered a teaching position on the spot. Representatives from our Human Resources Division will also be there to answer any questions you may have.

With excellent pay and benefits, innovative partnerships and programs, and a commitment to providing teachers with the professional development resources they need to succeed, CCSD aspires to be the employer of choice for teachers to advance our mission of creating educational journeys that empower all students to fulfill their potential. Register and find more information at bit.ly/ccsdfair25!

CCSD's Business Services Division is pleased to announce a new series of free workshops designed for current and prospective vendors. The goal of the sessions is to enhance local and area businesses' understanding of the district's procurement processes and foster stronger community partnerships.

The first workshop — "Deep Dive into the Solicitation Process" — is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at the District Office, 595 Prince Ave., Athens. Additional sessions on the schedule include "Accounts Payable & Invoicing" (11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 20) and "CCSD Contract Management and Expectations" (11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 29).

For more information, contact Veronica Jackson, CCSD's Purchasing and Contracts Supervisor, at 706-546-7721, Ext. 79711, or jacksonv@clarke.k12.ga.us.

The Athens Community Career Academy provides CCSD high school students with opportunities that foster career readiness – including resume development and building job interview skills. To that end, local business leaders and community members are invited to participate in "Project Yellow Jacket," ACCA's annual student mock interview competition where students participate in 5-to-10-minute mock interviews with employers, community partners, and volunteers who evaluate them and provide feedback on a scoring rubric. Awards are given to students based on their professionalism ratings.

The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 19, and volunteers are sought for one or both of two time periods – 10:30 a.m. to noon or 1:15-2:15 p.m. To RSVP, go to bit.ly/accamockinterviews.

The Athens Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is now accepting applications for its 2025 scholarship. Find more information at this link and apply by Feb. 28. The application can be found here.

The Future Business Leaders of America chapter at Clarke Central High School will have a fundraiser event Monday, Feb. 10, from 5-9 p.m. at Chipotle, 165 Alps Rd., Athens. The chapter will receive 25% of proceeds from sales during this time. Eat in-person and show the flyer above or order online for pickup with the code YREEX9B.

For more information, contact Jaclyn Brown, Clarke Central FBLA faculty advisor, at brownja@clarke.k12.ga.us.

Join us Saturday, March 1, for a day of fun at the Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary annual Ribbit Run, presented by Fleet Feet! Whether it’s the 5K race, 1K Fun Run, or Tiny Tree Frog Trot, there will be races for all ages and paces. In addition to running, there will be complimentary hot chocolate and coffee from Java Joy, food for purchase from Cafe Racer, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and other children's activities.

All event proceeds will go to the Burks Elementary PTO, which provides support for teacher and school-wide projects. Register at this link by Monday, Feb. 10, to receive a T-shirt.

CCSD students in grades PK-12 are invited to participate in the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Waste Reduction Division's annual Green Life Art Contest. Winning entries will be included in the Green Life Art Exhibition in April.

This year, students are invited to explore and express their unique perspectives on sustainability and nature in the Classic City. Create a work of art that shares how you see Athens embracing the balance between urban life and the natural world, highlighting both its challenges and the beauty that lies in its landscapes and environment. Students are encouraged to create a painting, drawing, sculpture, take a photograph, or write a poem to demonstrate Athens through your eyes.

Visit accgov.com/GreenLife for more information.

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.
• Attend a Meeting: The board's next scheduled meeting is Thursday, Feb. 13, 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.

The Athens YWCO and Step Into Swim are offering youth swim lessons for children ages 4-9 this spring and offering scholarships to students who cannot otherwise afford private lessons. There will be eight 30-minute sessions offered from 5:30-6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, either from March 4-27 or April 1 through May 1. See the flyer above or click here for additional information. For questions, call 706-354-7880, Ext. 3.

Looking for an after-school program to help your child get more physically active through running? Check out Atlanta Track Club’s Kilometer Kids program being offered this spring in Athens. The free, 10-week, game-based running program for children grades K-5 is designed to teach them about goal setting, healthy habits, respect, and community building, all through exposing them to the sport of running. There is no fee to participate, and the program is for all students regardless of running ability or experience.

The Athens spring program will begin Feb. 27 and be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. every Thursday for 10 weeks at Bishop Park on softball field #2.

To learn more and to register, please visit atlantatrackclub.org/kilometerkids.

Registration for the Athens Little League spring baseball and softball season is now open. Registration fees vary by age level:

• Softball (6-8 years old) - $75
• Softball (9+) - $100
• Tee Ball - $80
• Coach Pitch - $100
• Rookies, Minors, and Majors - $125.

Find more information and register at www.athenslittleleague.org.

Registration is open for the Athens United Soccer spring developmental program for ages 4-12. Registration fees vary by age group:

• U5-U6 - $135
• U7-U8 - $150
• U9-U10 - $175
• U11-U12 - $200.

No previous playing experience or advanced skill level is required. The program is focused on providing opportunities for more children to participate in and develop a love for the game of soccer while learning new motor skills and having fun.

Go to www.athensunited.net to register. For more information, call 706-224-7260.

Registration for youth spring programming at the Athens YMCA is now open. Activities include soccer, track and field, swim lessons, dance, teen fitness and gardening, and STEAM Club. Additional information and the registration links can be found here. See the flyers below for additional information.

Casa de Amistad is currently offering free GED courses taught in Spanish every Thursday from 5-7 p.m. and every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Goodwill Center, 4070 Lexington Rd., Athens. Scan the QR code in the flyer below for the registration link and go to athensamistad.com for more information.

The Athens Farmers Market is now accepting applicants for its FARM (Food as Real Medicine) Rx program. FARM Rx is a proven, evidence-based model of preventative healthcare with a demonstrated impact, resulting in healthier communities, food systems, and local economies. The 2025 FARM Rx program begins in April and runs through early November. For those eight months, participants attend the Saturday farmers markets at Bishop Park (or Wednesday markets at Creature Comforts) to receive fruits and vegetables for themselves and their families, along with attending a series of cooking and wellness classes hosted by the University of Georgia SNAP-Ed program. The FARM Rx program serves both English- and Spanish-speaking families. Transportation is also offered to the market and classes for all those who need it.

To be eligible for the program, people must self-qualify as food-insecure (based on two questions from the USDA) and suffer from a diet-related illness. See the flyer below for additional information and click here to access the waitlist form.

Project Safe's annual Jessica Nowell Memorial "Stomp Out Domestic Violence" step show will be held Saturday, Feb. 16, at Clarke Central High School.

Step teams from CCSD schools will be among those participating in the event. Doors will open at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students.