Jag News

Upcoming Events at CSHS:

• 3/26: ASVAB Testing
• 3/26: GradBash Parent Meeting
• 3/27: Junior Parent Night
• 4/1: CCSD FAFSA Night

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

Cedar Shoals families, we value your input. Please take a few minutes to complete the Georgia School Climate Survey for the 2024-2025 school year to share your thoughts about our school: https://survey.gadoe.org/FM?sid=2CAE05A5

Your feedback helps school leaders identify strengths and areas for improvement. The survey contains 22 questions and should take around 5-10 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous! Your voice matters. Thank you for your time and support in helping us improve Cedar Shoals!

The Cedar Shoals High School Counseling Department invites you to attend 11th Grade Parent Night on Thursday, March 27th, at 6:00 PM in the Cedar Shoals High School Cafeteria. This event will provide important information to help you prepare for a successful senior year. Topics will include:

• Expectations for a successful senior year

• SAT/ACT testing dates

• Junior meetings with counselors

• Graduation requirements

• GA Futures & HOPE Scholarship information

• Dual Enrollment opportunities

We encourage all students, parents and guardians of the Class of 2026 to attend and get a head start on planning for their student’s final year of high school. Please reach out with any questions!

We are excited to announce that the Cedar Shoals High School Junior-Senior Prom will take place on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the Classic Center (300 N Thomas St, Athens, GA 30601). This year’s theme is “A Night at the Masquerade" so get ready for an evening of elegance, mystery, and unforgettable memories!

Ticket Information:

• Admission is covered for students who have paid their junior or senior dues.
• Guest Tickets (non-Cedar Shoals students)
  • Until April 15: $45
  • After April 15: $65
• Individual Prom Ticket for Cedar Shoals Students
  • Until April 15: $65
  • After April 15: $75

Tickets can be purchased online here. We encourage students to purchase tickets early to take advantage of lower pricing! More details regarding ticket sales and guest approval forms will be shared soon. For more information, please reach out to Hannah Doolittle at doolittleh@clarke.k12.ga.us.

Do you want to be a Cedar Shoals cheerleader? Try out for football or basketball cheerleading! If you are interested, fill out this google form & read the tryout instructions (bit.ly/cedarcheer25 ) by Sunday, MARCH 23rd. There is a $5 tryout fee for all students interested in trying out. All students trying out should bring their $5.00 in cash or check to Cedar Shoals High School on the day of tryouts.

• Tryout materials will be emailed to students who complete the form on Monday, March 24th.
• Tryouts will be held in the CSHS gym on Saturday, March 29th at 8:00 am.

Questions? Please email Coach Daniel at footem@clarke.k12.ga.us or Coach Reese at reesec@clarke.k12.ga.us

Get ready for a dazzling performance filled with ABBA hits, spectacular dancing, and an unforgettable story from Cedar Theatre and Central Theatre! Join us at Mell Auditorium at Clarke Central High School for three nights of fun:

• April 17-18 at 7:00 pm
• April 19 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
• Tickets: $5 for students | $10 for adults

Don't miss out on this exciting collaboration between Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central!

Seniors, get expert help completing your FAFSA! Join us on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Vernon Payne Hall, CCSD District Office (595 Prince Avenue, Athens). Make sure to bring all necessary financial documents to complete your application. Don't miss this opportunity to secure financial aid for college! For more information, reach out to college adviser Ms. Rodriguez at rodrigueza@clarke.k12.ga.us

Junior and Senior Dues are now open for payment! Juniors pay $150 to cover both this year’s and next year’s prom, plus senior activities. Seniors pay $155 for prom and senior events. Pay online through the Cedar Shoals website or bring cash, check, or money order to Ms. Thornton in the Counseling Department. Deadline: March 31, 2025 – no late payments accepted! Questions? See Ms. Thornton or Ms. Doolittle. Don’t wait—secure your prom ticket and senior perks now!

Cedar Shoals will host a one-day summer transition camp for incoming ninth-graders July 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. These sessions will be an opportunity for students to be introduced to the Cedar Shoals campus, meet classmates, and learn the responsibilities of high school. Families of current eighth-grade students at Coile and Hilsman middle schools as well as those of any eighth-graders who will be moving and zoned for Cedar Shoals next school year are encouraged to sign their student up for one of the sessions at bit.ly/FreshmanCamp25. The deadline to register is May 20. For more information, contact Courtni Reese, Cedar Shoals Family Communication Specialist, at reesec@clarke.k12.ga.us.

There will be a Grad Bash Parent Information Meeting on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in the Cedar Shoals High School Main Building. This meeting will cover important details about the trip, expectations, and logistics. Parents and guardians of attending seniors are encouraged to join. If you have any questions, please contact Valencia Thornton at thorntonv@clarke.k12.ga.us We look forward to seeing you there!

The window for requesting virtual school courses is now open, and will close on April 18, 2025. After this date, no additional requests for Fall 2025 will be accepted. If, after reviewing the information provided, you feel virtual learning is a good fit for you and your student, please complete the following form prior to April 18, 2025. After this date, no additional requests will be accepted.

Before making a virtual learning request, please review the the following links and information:

• IMPORTANT: Virtual learning is not “Zoom School” or Edgenuity and requires time management skills that in-person learning does not.

• Virtual learning is only recommended for students who are able to manage their own time effectively, or are accompanied by parents or guardians who are able to provide this structure.

• Virtual learning works well for some students, but it is not right for everyone.

• CCSD Virtual Learning FAQ / Las Preguntas Frecuentes

• ENG - What to Know Before Requesting Virtual Courses

• SPAN - What to Know Before Requesting Virtual Courses

• Is Clarke Virtual Academy Right for Me? (Informational Video)

If, after reviewing the information provided, you feel virtual learning is a good fit for you and your student, please complete this form prior to April 18, 2025.

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

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

The PBIS team is excited about our ongoing March Madness events! Check out the March Madness Calendar for more details. If you'd like to participate in our sports challenges, sign up here. All sports challenges will take place after school. Once you submit the interest form, Coach Jones will reach out with more information. Please note, transportation home is not provided. Keep showing your Jag PRIDE! You can use your Spotlight points to purchase items in the Jag Store!

CCSD has a new partnership with Varsity Tutors that provides students with virtual, asynchronous assistance and extended learning opportunities at all levels. These support services include free tutoring anytime, enrichment classes, essay reviews, read-aloud sessions, and self-study resources to name a few! CLICK HERE for information on how to access Varsity Tutors. Check out the programs below and stay tuned for more information: High School You can also check out answers to these frequently asked questions in English and Spanish for more details.

The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) Test will be administered on Wednesday, March 26th 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. Here's the

Link to Sign Up Form. If you had previously registered for the January test date, you need to register again. This is a new sign up form.

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.

Click below on our Class of 2025 Scholarship Database to explore scholarships available for Cedar Shoals High School seniors. Don't miss out on opportunities to earn money for college—start applying today!

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!

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

The 2025 Loch Johnson Invitational was a huge success at Cedar Shoals this weekend! Congratulations to our Class of 2025 seniors who were recognized and to our Cedar Boys Track Team for taking FIRST PLACE in the event! A special shoutout to our first-place athletes:

• Anisa Willis - Triple Jump
• Kenante Freeman - High Jump
• Tybias Lay - 110m Hurdles & 300m Hurdles
• Chase Rucker - 200m Dash
• Jeremiah Barnett - 400m Dash
• 4x200m Relay Team – Tybias Lay, Martrez Billups, Jeremiah Barnett & Chase Rucker
• 4x400m Relay Team – Tybias Lay, Chase Rucker, Kawon Luke & Jeremiah Barnett

Way to show out, Jags!

Congratulations to our Student Athletes of the Month! Way to Go, Jags! Desmond Moss, nominated by Coach Stanley Lattimore & Coach Tremel White for Wrestling and Football. Miguel Marcos-Ventura, nominated by Coach Conor Naughton for Varsity Soccer. Devin “DJ” Hubbard, nominated by Coach L’Dreco Thomas for Varsity Basketball. Darianna Reyn-Lopez, nominated by Major Carlie Williams for Rifle Team.

Ms. Stuart’s mythology class just wrapped up their Epic unit in the most legendary way- by hosting an Epic Food Truck Festival! Jags brought mythology to life with a fun and creative way to celebrate the end of their unit!

Mrs. Throne's Horticulture and Nursery and Landscape class took an awesome field trip to the Atlanta Botanical Garden! Students explored stunning plant collections, learned about landscape design, and got inspired by nature's beauty. It was a perfect day for hands on learning!

Cedar Shoals High School was among 301 schools in Georgia named Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools for 2025! CSHS earned a designation in three of the seven applicable AP Honor School categories.

Based on the results of the 2024 AP exams taken last spring, Cedar Shoals received a designation as an AP Humanities school and AP Humanities Achievement school. AP Humanities schools administer at least five exams in each of the following categories: one English Language Arts course, two social studies courses, one fine arts course, and one world language course, with a minimum of 25 total exams administered. AP Humanities Achievement schools have at least 50% of those exams graded at 3 or higher.

Cedar Shoals was also once again named an AP Access and Support school, an honor Cedar has earned the last several consecutive years for having at least 30% of their AP exams taken by students who identified themselves as African American and/or Hispanic (minimum of 16 total students) and having at least 30% of those exam-takers earn a score of 3 or higher, with a minimum of 25 exams administered.

Students representing Cedar Shoals High School’s BluePrints Magazine and yearbook publication staffs attended the 2025 Southern Interscholastic Press Association Convention this past weekend March 7-9. Students attended sessions and workshops facilitated by professionals, professors and peers in the field as well as participating in on-site production competitions and a journalism quiz bowl. Students earned various awards and recognitions for their work in scholastic media. Way to go, Jags and Mr. Ginsberg!

Congratulations to the CSHS band ensembles who performed in the GMEA District 14 large-group performance band evaluations. The CSHS bands' large group performance evaluation results are as follows: All three groups had awesome performances at Clarke Central on stage and in sightreading, leading to our Concert Band and Symphonic Bands receiving two excellent ratings (II) and a superior rating (I) on stage and a Superior rating (I) in sightreading, and our Wind Ensemble receiving straight superior ratings on stage and a superior in sightreading. Congratulations to all of our musically talented students and their directors for the work they put in to give such tremendous performances!

We have a considerable amount of construction on our campus that will affect fan parking, team drop off and pick up, etc for the remainder of the school year. For everyone's safety, we have made changes to our game day operations this spring. We have shut down the home side of our stadium. Any events in the stadium will have all fans on the visitors side. We will have the softball concession stand open for refreshments and you may use restrooms at the softball and baseball fields. I am attaching a map with parking and drop off information for each game location. Handicap parking will be at our baseball entrance. You can drive your car all the way up the hill and park close to the bleachers. The home side of our stadium is under construction and will not be used this spring. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!

We are excited to share that Rusty Charpia has been hired as the next head football coach of Cedar Shoals High School! Coach Charpia’s coaching career in football, baseball, and track and field has spanned more than 30 years. He brings to Cedar Shoals a proven track record of not only winning games but connecting student-athletes with opportunities to further their education and continue their playing careers after high school. Please join us in welcoming Coach Charpia to Cedar Shoals and CCSD and read more about him at this link! https://www.clarke.k12.ga.us/article/2041542

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!

Piedmont Athens Regional Teen Volunteer Application is now opened. This is an amazing opportunity! You must be 16 by June 2, 2025 in order to apply. Our application for teens is now open. Students can apply online at Piedmont Athens Regional Teen Volunteer Application, Summer 2025 or they can print the attached PDF and fill it out and send in (preferably via email). The deadline for applications is March 24th. PDF Application: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YDPwKM_eg69KDBjR-a0wmnVf8M9SNvEM/view?usp=sharing

We are proud to announce The 2025 Dean Stuart Feldman Summer Science Institute for this year. We are happy to have this summer program again where we provide an introduction and overview of the many career opportunities available in the pharmacy profession to select group of lucky students. The six-day summer program exposes high school students to unique classroom and laboratory experiences, including an early look at the components students should expect from a college experience. This year’s Institute will take place from June 1 – June 6, 2025.

This unique program includes…

· An opportunity to live the “college” life: You will not only enjoy academic discussions during the day but also make new friends (and meet caring, college-age mentors) during exciting activities!

· College-level academics: You will conduct scientific research and participate in academic discourse with renowned faculty.

· Site visits to several research laboratory environments: You will get a behind-the-scenes look at where life-saving work in the pharmaceutical sciences takes place on UGA’s campus.

· Research teams project presentations: Working as a team, you will experience what it feels like to be a college student as you present your research findings.

· Guest presenters: You will hear from the brightest minds in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences today.

Students can submit their application for The 2025 Dean Stuart Feldman Summer Science Institute here.

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.

Jaguar parents can stay connected and informed by checking emails from Cedar Shoals High School regularly. Parents can see student grades and attendance daily by downloading Parent Portal. Instructions English/Spanish For assistance with setting up a Parent Portal account, you can come to the school in person or email Ms. Reese at reesec@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

Volunteer Opportunities:

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

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

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