Better Together

It's been a fantastic first week of school at CCSD: a districtwide second-grade field to Stegeman Coliseum for a reading rally and magician show with former UGA and New England Patriots football player and children's author Malcolm Mitchell; engaging classroom instruction at all grade levels, and senior activities for the Class of 2026! Enjoy these photos and many more by following CCSD (@ClarkeCoSchools) and our schools on social media!

The Classic City Championship football game between Clarke Central High School and Cedar Shoals High School will kick off at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at Waters-Wilkins Stadium on the Cedar Shoals campus!

Come cheer the Gladiators and Jaguars on as they do battle for the 59th time in the rivalry's history! Gates will open at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets must be purchased through GoFan at bit.ly/classicchamp25 or on the GoFan app and are $12 apiece with an additional $1.60 GoFan service fee. CCSD employees will receive free admission by showing their district employee badge. The free admission is for employees only.

A clear-bag policy (illustrated below) will be in effect for Saturday’s game, and all attendees will go through a security checkpoint before entering the stadium. Concession stands at the stadium will accept cash or card payments.

Children younger than ninth grade must be accompanied by an adult. High school students who are dropped off must be picked up at the main stadium entrance.

CCSD wishes all players and coaches a safe and well-played game and invites the community to come cheer on the teams, cheerleaders, band members, and JROTC cadets while supporting the youth of Athens-Clarke County. Go Glads and Go Jags!

CCSD continued to see an increase last school year in the number of elementary school students reading on grade level and saw several other notable areas of progress in 2024-25 Georgia Milestones testing data released last week by the Georgia Department of Education.

CCSD will continue its focus this school year on boosting reading scores for students in grades 3-8 and meeting and surpassing statewide averages on all Milestones tests. Read more about the 2024-25 results here.

Congratulations to one of our many Thriving Students at CCSD, Cedar Shoals High School FFA member Omnia Mansour, who has been named a finalist in the National FFA Agriscience Fair competition! She was selected as one of the top 10 competitors in her division and will present to a panel of judges to determine her placement in the top 10, which will be announced during the National FFA Convention at the end of October.

Omnia's research — conducted in the Cedar Shoals Agriscience Lab — involved evaluating the effectiveness of livestock mosquito sprays over time after they had been applied. Live mosquitoes were used to test the mortality rate of each of the treatments. Her research involved more than 130 sample cups and hundreds of mosquitoes. This research can identify the effectiveness of the treatments assessed, how often livestock producers would need to apply the sprays, and help livestock producers make informed pest control decisions to protect their animals.

Families with a student eligible for the 2025-26 CCSD Gifted Savings program: If you have not already done so, we encourage you to sign the consent form by Thursday, August 28, for your student to participate in the program! This unique, first-in-the-nation opportunity combines real-world financial education with a gifted $1,000 investment portfolio that your student will be able to take full control of once they turn 18 and complete the program.

Click here for answers to frequently asked questions, in English and Spanish, about the Gifted Savings Program. And learn more here about the program and ways you can support its growth for future students!

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.

In the booming age of the internet, social media, and online gaming and apps, it's more important than ever to ensure our children's safety. If you're looking to more closely monitor and manage your child's screen time and are seeking strategies to help them build smart and safe online habits, Parent ProTech has resources that can help you get started! Click here or scan the QR code below to open a free account and to find solutions for keeping your student safe online and thriving!

The Athens Youth Development Initiative's Flag Football Skill Development Program is free and open to all CCSD female students in grades 2-5! Sessions start Monday, Aug. 18, and will be held Mondays and Wednesdays of each week from 6-7:15 at Clarke Middle School, 1235 Baxter St., Athens. For more information, email Coach Cherrelle Pass at passc@clarke.k12.ga.us.

Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz is looking for students in grades 10-12 who are passionate about community and want to serve on the 2025-2026 Mayor's Youth Council! The program is designed to encourage effective youth engagement in Athens and is a great opportunity to learn more about the workings of local government.

Eligible students can attend public or private schools or be homeschooled, but must be Athens-Clarke County residents. Members attend monthly meetings and periodic service activities, adding up to about four hours per months.

Apply online at www.accgov.com/youthcouncil by Sunday, Aug. 17.

Registration for our *FREE* 21st Century after-school program is now open! We are pleased to continue offering 21st Century programming through federal grant money to all middle school students and elementary school students enrolled at either Fowler Drive, Gaines, or J.J. Harris Elementary. Transportation home is provided for students.

Programming includes academic enrichment, STEM, arts, and other educational activities. Days and times vary by school site.

Space is limited! Apply now at bit.ly/21stclarke.

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.

High school students: Make your voice heard and be a voice for your peers!

State School Superintendent Richard Woods is seeking students in grades 10-12 to serve on his 2025-2026 Student Advisory Council. These students will meet with Superintendent Woods four times throughout the school year to discuss the impact of state policies in the classroom and other education-related issues.

Click here for the 2025-2026 Student Advisory Council application. Students must apply by Friday, September 5, at 5 p.m. Late applications will not be accepted.

Youth LEAD Georgia is a statewide youth leadership program for high school students run through the University of Georgia's Fanning Institute for Leadership and is now accepting nominations for the 2026 cohort. Selected participants will have the opportunity for extensive leadership skills development while building a statewide network of peer and professional connections, exploring Georgia industries and businesses, and visiting various colleges, universities, and technical schools around the state.

To be eligible for Youth LEAD Georgia 2026, a student must be in 10th or 11th grade in the 2025-26 school year in the state of Georgia. Interested youth must be nominated by an adult and complete an application to be considered for the program. A limited number of students will be chosen by a selection committee based on review of the applications.

Click here to nominate a student! Nominations are due Friday, Sept. 5.

The Employee of the Month program recognizes and rewards staff members for their service and dedication to CCSD students and families. Parents/guardians, staff, students, and community members may nominate any full-time employee with at least one full year of service for the award. The program is sponsored by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, and many local businesses contribute gifts to the monthly Employee of the Month gift basket.

An Employee of the Month will be selected each month from September through May, and nominations for the September award are now open! Nominate someone at bit.ly/CCEmployeeAward or go to www.clarke.k12.ga.us/eom for more information!

• Open to all CCSD students ages 6-12
• Registration fees - $50 for football, $30 for cheerleading
• Teams will compete in the North Georgia Youth Football Association.

See the flyers below for additional 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.
• 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, September 11, 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.

As part of Sun Day, a nationwide event on September 21 promoting solar and wind power, local organizers are including a youth photography competition. The top two dozen photos – each one depicting a tree or trees – will be on display at the Winterville Cultural Center. Cash prizes ($50 for first prize and $25 for second) will be awarded for each age group (6-10, 11-14, and 15-18).

The Winterville Cultural Center at 371 North Church St. will display the photos from Sept. 16-21. The Center’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The center will be open during the Sun Day event, when winners will be announced.

One photo per child should be sent via text to 706-372-5406 with the following information:

• the young person’s name
• age
• the general location (such as Green Acres, Sandy Creek Park, or Nellie B. A title is optional. AI-generated images are not allowed.

Judges for the contest include wildlife photographer and instructor Chuck Murphy; macro photography expert and frequent national workshop leader Heather Lickliter Larkin, and photographer Kidd Fielteau, mentor for the Teen Media Arts group at the Lyndon House.

The contest is part of the Athens-area Sun Day celebration from 2:30-5:30 p.m. on Sept. 21. "Sun Day Sunday" is free and open to the public. For more information about the event, contact Sun.Day.GA2025@gmail.com.

Community Spark Solutions, an organization dedicated to improving community health outcomes through education, outreach, and resource connection, will host a "Back to School and Back to Health" fair on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lay Community Center, 297 Hoyt St., Athens.

This free community event is designed to equip Clarke County students and families with the tools they need for a healthy and successful school year. The following will be provided:

• free health screenings and wellness resources
• school supply giveaways
• free haircuts for students
• fun activities and raffles
• on-site community health education.

For more information, email info@communitysparksolutions.org.

The monthly "Third Thursday" evening of art in Athens is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 21, from 6 to 9 p.m. All exhibitions at several locations in Athens and Winterville are free and open to the public. The schedule and each venue’s location and hours of operation are available at 3thurs.org.

The Georgia Museum of Art, 90 Carlton St., Athens, will hold its monthly free Family Day event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 23. The exhibition, "Brilliant Exiles,” features portraits of trailblazing American women who visited Paris in the early 1900s. Experience the glamour of Parisian fashion and the buzz of café culture while exploring the lives of remarkable figures like Josephine Baker, Zelda Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein. Enjoy hands-on art cart activities and create a take-home art project inspired by the show. Then stick around for our open house and Friends Appreciation Month kick-off, including photos with UGA's mascot, Hairy Dawg.

The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government will host its annual Athens Water Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Sandy Creek Park, 400 Bob Holman Rd. Athens. Meet animals, listen to music, swim, and take part in plenty other family-friendly activities!

Admission is $2 per person. For more information, go to athenswaterfestival.com.

Registration for the fall Athens Little League is now open. Go to athenslittleleague.org for more information and to register.

i9 Sports will have fall seasons for flag football, soccer, basketball, and baseball. Registration is now open. Go to i9sports.com or call 678-792-5542 for more information.

Registration for the weekly fall sessions of the Little Bellas mountain biking program is open. The program is open to girls ages 7-13 and will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Mondays beginning on Sept. 8 and running through Nov. 3 at Walker Park, 200 Trail Creek St., Athens. Learn more and register at littlebellas.org.

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.