Better Together

Dear students, families, and staff,

It is truly hard to believe that another school year has come to a close. Each year seems to move faster than the last, but when I think back on all that we have accomplished together, I am filled with a deep sense of pride and gratitude for our Clarke County School District community. This weekend we will be celebrating as 820 students from our three high schools walk across the graduation stage to accept their diplomas as the first class in our district and our country who will take ownership of an investment portfolio through our Gifted Savings Program.

This year has been filled with many milestones, achievements, and moments that remind us why education is such a powerful force for change in our community. From academic successes and artistic performances to athletic achievements and acts of kindness, we have raised the bar in pursuit of excellence across our district.

To our dedicated staff—teachers, leaders, and support personnel—thank you for your commitment to our students. You have gone above and beyond to ensure that every child is supported, challenged, and encouraged to succeed.

To our families, thank you for your partnership and trust. Your involvement and support play an essential role in helping our students thrive, and we are grateful for the strong connections that make our school community so special.

And to our incredible students—you are at the heart of all we do. You have embraced new opportunities, tackled challenges, and made us proud in so many ways. We cannot wait to see where your journey takes you next.

As we turn the page to summer, I hope you all will take time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the slower pace of summer. At the same time, I hope our students will continue to read, explore, and stay curious. Learning does not stop when school ends—it simply takes on new and exciting forms during the summer months.

We are already looking forward to welcoming you back on August 5, 2026, ready for another amazing year. Until then, please take care of yourselves and one another.

Thank you for being part of the Clarke County School District family. It has been an honor to serve you, and I look forward to continuing that service as your next Superintendent.

Warm regards,

Dr. Jennifer Scott

Interim Superintendent

Clarke County School District

Summer break is here! Check out our Summer Guide for more information on District Office hours, summer meal information, 2026-27 new student enrollment information, access to our school-based health centers, and more.

And be on the lookout for our 2026-27 Back to School Guide in mid-July with all the info you'll need to get the new year off to a great start!

The big moment has come for the Class of 2026! Graduation ceremonies will be held Friday, May 22 (Classic City) and Saturday, May 23 (Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central), and we've got you covered!

If you're planning on going to one or more of the ceremonies and haven't had a chance, view our 2026 Graduation Guide for all the info you'll need, including ceremony and venue rules and regulations and free public shuttle transportation options for the Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central ceremonies!

If you can't make it in-person, all three ceremonies will be streamed live and available for on-demand viewing on the CCSD YouTube channel. Photo galleries will also be posted over the course of this weekend on the CCSD Facebook page. We can't wait to celebrate our more than 800 graduates!

We are pleased to announce our high school valedictorians and salutatorians for the Class of 2026!

• Cedar Shoals High School: Valedictorian Christopher Koch and Salutatorian Chizoba Emegwam
• Clarke Central High School: Valedictorian Noah Kilpatrick and Salutatorian Waylon Vaughn
• Classic City High School: Valedictorian Jonathan King and Salutatorian Arianna Ellison

Read more about each of these outstanding students who have been shining examples for their peers of Raising the Bar in Pursuit of Excellence in everything they do!

Cedar Shoals Top 10

1. Christopher Koch
2. Chizoba Emegwam
3. Zeta Conway
4. Lexie Holliday
5. Deylin Vilchiz-Alvear
6. Lilliana Cohen
7. Stella James
8. Derriana Smith
9. Jack Halow
10. Caroline Michael

Clarke Central Top 10

1. Noah Kilpatrick
2. Waylon Vaughn
3. Jefferson Slutzky
4. Olivia Bergman
5. Doan Duong
6. Daly Carpenter
7. Cara Flath
8. Ailynn Irwin
9. Kate Ness
10. (tie) Blake Bernt and Alexandra Ozuna

Classic City Top 5

1. Jonathan King
2. Arianna Ellison
3. Keamyriah Arnold
4. Daricus Shields
5. Kimora Waller

View a list of all honor graduates from Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals.

The Foundation for Excellence in Public Education in Clarke County (FFE), a longstanding partner of CCSD, has announced its 2026 student awards, which were presented to students in recent weeks during schools' end-of-year ceremonies.

See a full list here!

Congratulations to Cedar Shoals High School graduating senior Derriana Smith, who has been named a 2026 Gates Scholar! Regarded as one of the most selective and highly competitive awards in the U.S., the Gates Scholarship is a "last-dollar" scholarship for outstanding high school seniors from low-income households that covers all other expenses for attending college that aren't already covered by other financial aid. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential.

This year, Derriana was one of only about 750 seniors nationwide to receive the Gates Scholarship out of more than 61,000 applicants. Ranked eighth in the Cedar Shoals 2026 graduating class, she plans to attend the University of Georgia, major in Biomedical Physiology, and pursue a career in the medical field with the goal of becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).

Congratulations to Edward "Edgar" Baynes of Cedar Shoals High School and Isaiah Faust of Clarke Central High School for being the first recipients of the CCSD SET Scholarship! Both students were surprised with the scholarship award at the schools' senior honors night ceremonies this week.

The scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in the SET (Supported Employment and Transition) program, which supports students who have been served by the district's adapted curriculum program and are actively pursuing personal growth through transition goals in employment, independent living, life skills, or other areas of interest and require individualized instruction in a more supportive environment.

The SET program partners with local community job sites where students gain hands-on experience in real-world work environments. These opportunities, combined with structured support, guidance, and partnerships with Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation, prepare them to transition seamlessly from high school to independence and/or competitive employment.

This scholarship provides financial support to students preparing for postsecondary success through competitive, integrated employment. Funds may be used for essential items that support a strong start in the workforce, including interview attire, job-specific uniforms, transportation costs, and other miscellaneous needs.

Edgar is now employed at the University of Georgia in Dining Services, while Isaiah has the goal of working full-time at a tech store like GameStop or in the electronics department for a big box store like Target.

Athens-Clarke County community members are encouraged to donate to support future funding for the SET Scholarship through the Athens Area Community Foundation. Go to bit.ly/athensareacf and put "SET Scholarship" in the description box when making your donation.

The CCSD Class of 2026 brings impressive achievements in world language learning. Fourteen graduating seniors will receive the Georgia Seal of Biliteracy, recognizing demonstrated proficiency in English and a second language — 12 in Spanish and two in French.

Congratulations to these students!

• Gabriela Morales Flores
• Olivia Bergman (French)
• Grace Laguna-Gallares
• Adrian Holdo
• Julissa Zuniga
• Jose F. Hernandez
• Gabriel Davila
• Sofia Acosta Oberto
• Noah Kilpatrick (French)
• Carlos Flores-Carcamo
• Kamila Duran
• Dorialex Cariel
• Juan D. Martinez Gamero
• Alexandra Carcamo

Congratulations to Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School eighth-grader Sara Cabrera-Guevara, who recently placed 12th in the state in the first-ever Georgia FFA Spanish Creed Speaking Career Development Event!

The Spanish Creed Speaking CDE is designed to foster agricultural leadership in younger Spanish-speaking FFA members (grades 6-9). By developing premier leadership and personal growth, students learn speaking skills and respect for the history of the FFA.

For the 14th consecutive year, CCSD has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Award from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding support and commitment to music education. Now in its 27th year, the program continues to spotlight and celebrate school districts and individual schools across the United States for their exemplary dedication to music education and their ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to music learning as part of a well-rounded education.

Recipients of the 2026 BCME Awards were selected through a comprehensive application and review process that evaluates key indicators, including funding, instructional time, participation rates, facilities, and community support. To uphold the program’s rigor and credibility, all applications were independently reviewed and verified by a leading research and evaluation firm specializing in education and the arts.

Congratulations to our music educators across CCSD who inspire our many student musicians from all grade levels every day!

Congratulations to our 2026 local school governance team (LSGT) election winners! These parents/guardians, teachers, and staff members have been elected to serve two-year terms on their school's LSGT, beginning July 1, 2026. Thank you to all of these individuals for your willingness to serve and make a difference in your school community!

Barnett Shoals Elementary School

• Emily Mouilso, parent/guardian
• Tiffany Davis, teacher/staff

Barrow Elementary School

• Annie Chittick, parent/guardian

Bettye H. Holston Elementary School

• Takelia Sewell, parent/guardian

Gaines Elementary School

• Denise Johnson Allen, parent/guardian

Howard B. Stroud Elementary School

• Rannaesha Harris, parent/guardian
• Marissa Newkirk, parent/guardian

Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School

• Jaleesa Gurley, teacher/staff
• Katie Al-Haroun, parent/guardian

Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School

• Nikki Hunter, teacher/staff

Timothy Road Elementary School

• Taelor Threadgill, parent/guardian

Whit Davis Elementary School

• Lorena Cobb, parent/guardian

Whitehead Road Elementary School

• Charlisa Coleman, parent/guardian

Winterville Elementary School

• Carolina Davis, parent/guardian

Clarke Middle School

• Ramsey Nix, parent/guardian
• Amber Lahm, teacher/staff

Coile Middle School

• Deborah Capps, teacher/staff

Hilsman Middle School

• Jennifer Flores, parent/guardian

Cedar Shoals High School

• Dr. Gary T. Green, parent/guardian

Clarke Central High School

• LaShonda L. Eaddy, parent/guardian

Classic City High School

• TuWanna Gilham, parent/guardian

Your child's school library may be closed for the summer, but the Athens-Clarke County Library System is here to help make their summer incredible, fun, and one filled with reading!

• Take the Georgia Reads for America 250 Beanstack Challenge! Compete for prizes by choosing at least one book to read from a list of Georgia-related titles, then completing eight or more quick activities related to the history of Georgia and the United States. There are levels for all ages!
• Get a limited edition library card! Sign up for your very first card or replace the one you already use with a specially designed version celebrating America's 250th birthday.
• Enroll in a summer reading program! This summer's theme is “Unearth a Story!” and features dinosaurs and archaeology. Celebrate the joy of discovery and the unique stories found within every community through in-person and online activities for kids and adults. You can even win prizes!

For information on these programs and other free library events and services, visit athenslibrary.org or visit your nearest branch in person.

• Athens-Clarke County Library, 2025 Baxter St., Athens
• Aaron Heard Resource Center, 400 McKinley Dr., Athens
• Lay Park Resource Center, 297 Hoyt St., Athens
• Pinewoods Library & Learning Center, 1465 US-29, Lot F-14, Athens
• Winterville Library, 115 Marigold Ln., Winterville.

Artwork is due at the end of May. See this Facebook post for more details and submission rules.

High school students interested in attending a military service academy are invited to a Service Academy Day on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon at Prince Avenue Christian School, 2201 Ruth Jackson Rd., Bogart. The event will be hosted by U.S. Rep. Mike Collins' office and will cover the process for applying for an appointment nomination. Students must be at least 17 years old to be eligible to receive an appointment.

Follow this link for more information and full eligibility requirements. To register, email your name, phone number, school, and grade to GA10Noms@mail.house.gov.

CCSD is pleased to partner with the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech APEX Accelerator on a "Business" Connect series at the CCSD District Office. If you own or are part of a local and/or small business and interested in learning more about procurement opportunities with CCSD and other government contracts, join us!

Sessions are free and will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 27 (UGA) and 11 a.m. Thursday, May 28 (CCSD and Georgia Tech APEX Accelerator) at the District Office, 595 Prince Ave., Athens. Representatives from the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce will also be on hand to provide local business networking insights.

For more information, contact Veronica Jackson in the CCSD Office of Purchasing and Contracts at 706-546-7721, extension 79711.

Please note: These dates were rescheduled from April.

Through Jaguar and Gladiator Youth Football, the Athens Youth Development Initiative is excited to offer a positive, exciting tackle football and cheerleading experience for the youth of Clarke County.

There will be teams at the 6U, 7U, 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, and 7th grade (12 and 13) levels coached by skilled and knowledgeable individuals. The teams are members of the North Georgia Youth Football Association and play their home games in Cedar Shoals’ Waters-Wilkins Stadium and Clarke Central’s Billy Henderson Stadium, respectively.

Early registration is now open and is $50 per family for football and $35 per family for cheer. After June 21, registration for both is $100 per athlete. Needs-based scholarships are available. For information, email gladiatoryouthfootball@gmail.com or athensjaguarsfootball@gmail.com.

The Athens Youth Development Initiative will have several upcoming summer camp opportunities centered around literacy and theatre for students ranging from grades 4-8. Read more about each camp below and register at athensyouthdevelopment.com.

From Script to Survival: A Zombie Play Camp

Reading, rehearsing, and surviving 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse by Don Zolidis

Join us for a fast-paced theatre camp where students will rehearse and prepare a performance of 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse! Campers will spend three days learning lines, blocking scenes, building characters, and bringing zombie-filled comedy to life before presenting the show for family and friends on the final day. Perfect for students who love acting, comedy, and a little zombie chaos!

Hosted by Kayla Griffin at Clarke Central High School

Serving — Rising 5th–8th graders from all of CCSD

Meeting in June: Tuesday, June 2, Wednesday, June 3, and Friday, June 5, from 1–4 p.m.

Final Performance for Family and Friends: Friday, June 5, at 3:30 p.m.

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Hidden Histories Literacy Camp

Reading The Forgotten Girl by India Hill Brown

Join us for a literacy camp that uncovers history in a powerful, engaging way. At first glance, The Forgotten Girl by India Hill Brown may seem like a typical ghost story, but the story reveals a connection to history that runs much deeper. After accidentally falling onto a grave in a forgotten, segregated cemetery, siblings Iris and Daniel work to uncover who the grave belongs to and why the cemetery has been neglected. Come read with us and connect to Athens Black History in a way that is often overlooked!

Join us for Hidden Histories Literacy Camp, where students will read, investigate, and connect literature to real places in our community, including a visit to a local historical cemetery.

Hosted by Sarah Conkin-Anderson at Howard B. Stroud Elementary

Serving rising 4th-6th graders from all of CCSD

Meeting in June: Wednesday, June 10, Wednesday, June 17, and Wednesday, June 24, from 5-7 p.m.

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The Summer Puppetry Arts Workshop: Making Your Favorite Stories Come Alive!

Would you like to learn about the art of puppetry? Create basic backdrop scenery and puppets to make one of your favorite stories “come alive” during this camp.

Hosted by Lauren Knowlton at Whit Davis Elementary

Serving Rising 4th-6th graders from all of CCSD

Meeting in June: June 22-24, 1-3 p.m.

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Resilient Read Graphic Novel Book Club

Reading New Kid by Jerry Craft

Resilient Reads is a graphic novel book club designed to support adolescents' emotional literacy, resilience, and sense of community. This program combines high-interest multimodal texts to help students process difficult emotions and build essential life skills. Students will participate in read-alouds, casting reads, discussions, journaling, and all students go home with a personalized graphic illustration of themselves and their own resilient characteristics.

Hosted by Davina Swaim with co/ Jason Kelley at Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School

Serving Rising 4th-6th Graders from all of CCSD

Meeting in July: Tuesday through Thursday, July 7-9, from 9-11 a.m.

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Summer Scribes: a tween writing camp

Summer Scribes is a summer writing camp to get your tweens’ writing juices flowing just in time for the start of the school year. This camp will use mentor texts to teach the author’s craft using a writer’s workshop model. We will have support for all sorts of writers: those who love to write to those who may need some encouragement in seeing themselves as writers. We will hold a coffeeshop hour for students to share a final piece for their newly formed writing community and any supporters who’d like to attend.

Hosted by Shawn Hinger at Clarke Middle School

Serving Rising 4th-6th graders from all of CCSD

Meeting in July: Wednesday and Thursday, July 22-23, from 9 a.m. to noon.

• Clarke Central High School will be hosting its annual Gladiator Youth Sports Camps for ages 6-14, beginning May 26. Camp opportunities are available for soccer, basketball, volleyball, football, and cheerleading. Learn more here and register here.
• Girls who will be entering grades K-7 for the 2026-27 school year are invited to sign up for the Athens YWCO Summer Girls Club, which will be held June 1 through July 10 at Howard B. Stroud Elementary School. Click here for more information and to register!
• Registration is open for summer camp at all Boys and Girls Clubs of Athens locations. The camps begin June 1. See the attached PDF below with site-specific flyers (available in English and Spanish).
• The Northeast Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America will host Cub Scout Summer Day Camps for boys and girls ages 5-10 at two locations – Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Athens (June 8-12, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.) and Watkinsville United Methodist Church (June 15-19, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.) Register here and see the attached form below for additional information.
• Registration is open for students ages 12 and under for the Pinewoods Library Summer Reading Program, which will be held June 1 through July 16, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Register at this link.
• Students entering grades 6-9 are invited to register for Media Camp, hosted by the Athens-Clarke County High School Completion Initiative June 1-23, Monday through Thursday of each week. Click here for more information and to register.
• Students ages 5-10 are invited to register for the Learning Voyage Summer Camp at 895 Oglethorpe Ave. English and Spanish flyer PDFs are included below.
• Athens-Clarke County youth are invited to register for the Faith Walk Summer Camp, which will be held May 27 - July 3, Wednesday through Friday of each week. The camp will include games, sports, group leadership lessons, and field trips. Register at this link. For more information, call Jeremiah Parks (470-270-1482) or email faithwalkyouthdept@gmail.com.
• Students ages 14-17 are invited to register for the University of Georgia's Summer Art Camps, which will be held June 15-19. Available camps include drawing and painting, printmaking and book arts, photography, and fiber and 3D art. Day and residential camp options are available. Click here for more information and to register. For questions, email SummerArtCamp@uga.edu.
• The University of Georgia will host its annual Creative Explorers summer camp for students entering grades 3-5 with sessions offered July 20-24 and July 27-31. The camp offers a different theme daily, including creativity in art, music, nature, words, and cooking. Find more information and register today. A PDF flyer (English and Spanish) is included below.
• Gaming for Good is a free University of Georgia summer STEM program and research study for middle school students. In a neurodiversity-friendly and inclusive environment, students learn video game design through hands-on activities that build creativity, computational thinking, programming logic, and STEM skills. This year's program will be held July 27-31 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 850 College Station Rd. Click here for more information and to register.

What does your child’s digital environment look like when the final bell rings and they come home for the summer?

Check out the Parent ProTech Playbook newsletter and other resources to help you manage your child's screen time now that they'll have more free time. You can access the newsletter by logging into or creating your free Parent ProTech account available through CCSD.

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, June 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.

CCSD is now hiring special-education teachers and paraprofessionals and invites you to attend a hiring fair on Thursday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the District Office, 595 Prince Ave., Athens. Attendees will have the opportunity to receive on-the-spot job offers for the 2026-27 school year!

At CCSD, we offer:

• Competitive pay and benefits
• Supportive schools and leadership
• Professional growth opportunities
• GACE test prep support and testing fees covered for eligible candidates
• Opportunities for candidates with four-year degrees to become provisionally certified educators

Questions? Email us at careers@clarke.k12.ga.us.

Register today at bit.ly/CCSDHiringEventJune4

The Georgia Museum of Art, 90 Carlton St., Athens, will hold its monthly free Family Day event Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to noon. Explore paintings created en plein air, and see how artists pictured nature in every brushstroke. Then play with watercolor paint to create your own outdoor-inspired artwork to take home.

The Athens chapter of nonprofit Little Bellas invites CCSD female students ages 7-13 to join the weekly mountain biking and mentorship program. Sessions will be held at Walker Park from 5-7 p.m. every Tuesday beginning September 8. Financial assistance and gear are available. Go to littlebellas.org for more information and to register.

Due to anticipated inclement weather, the Clarke County Sheriff's Foundation's Vehicle Showcase originally scheduled for this weekend has been rescheduled to Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Georgia Square Mall. All registrations will remain valid for the new date.

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 May, 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.