Better Together

It is hard to believe that the 2024-25 school year is now halfway over. I want to thank all of our students, teachers, support staff, and families for a strong and successful first semester and for a great calendar year that was filled with many achievements and that saw CCSD make meaningful, significant strides as a district.

I wish all of you a happy winter break and holiday season filled with peace, joy, and plenty of rest. As a reminder, all district offices will be closed December 20 through January 1 and will reopen January 2, and we will welcome our students back on Monday, January 6.

Please take the next couple of weeks to enjoy precious time with your loved ones and reflect on the things most important to you. And be sure to recharge your batteries. For all the progress we have made this year, we know there is so much more work to be done to continue moving CCSD along the right path. Our vision is to be a high-performing school district that ensures all students can access opportunities and positively contribute to their communities, and we will work “Better Together” to achieve that vision. Our students are our future, and their success is vital to the long-term success of Athens-Clarke County. We all have a role to play in ensuring that success.

I am so excited for what lies ahead in 2025. Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year.

Dr. Robbie Hooker

Superintendent

The annual University of Georgia Women's Basketball School Day game was once again a hit as students in grades 2-5 from all 14 of our elementary schools took a field trip on Monday, Dec. 16, to watch the Lady Dawgs defeat UNC Greensboro. Our elementary school-level teachers and support professionals of the year were also recognized at halftime. Thank you to the Lady Dawgs for the great experience and thanks to all the teachers, bus drivers, and support staff who helped make this a special day for our students. See more photos here!

Middle and high school students throughout CCSD have numerous CTAE (Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education) course offerings to choose from that help expand students' horizons and often spark interests in future careers. Students in Mr. Nestor Domingo's Graphic Design and Production class at Clarke Central High School designed their own original graphics and then printed them on T-shirts they created.

Members of the Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School Parent Teacher Organization showed their appreciation for BHL teachers and staff by serving them treats from the "Holly Jolly Treat Trolley" to help give them an extra boost of energy for the final days before winter break!

Students in Dr. Christina Hylton's Environmental Science class at the Athens Community Career Academy showcased their learning from this semester with a presentation to their families and community members on how to build more sustainable cities.

Many in our community have asked what CCSD is doing to address and improve the literacy rate of students. We hope you'll take a few minutes to watch the video below which outlines several key initiatives that are shaping literary education in Georgia and what we're doing as a district to move those initiatives forward with fidelity and integrity. We know that literacy holds the key that will open many doors for our students and we're excited to share our first steps with you! Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we work to create a Culture of Literacy in CCSD!

Tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 20) is the big day as Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central high schools square off in the Classic City Basketball Championships in the brand-new Akins Ford Arena at the Classic Center in downtown Athens! The action-packed day is scheduled to tip off at 1 p.m. with the girls’ junior varsity game, followed by the boys’ JV at 3 p.m., the girls’ varsity at 5 p.m. and the boys’ varsity at 7 p.m.

General admission is $10 and covers all four games. Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central students will receive free admission with the purchase of an adult ticket. CCSD staff without a GHSA-approved pass must also purchase a ticket. Premium seating options are also available. Tickets can be purchased at this link and will also be available at the gate; however, spectators should have an electronic form of payment as the Akins Ford Arena is a cashless facility.

The arena and Classic Center are located at 300 North Thomas St. Parking information can be found at this link.

Congratulations to the Howard B. Stroud Elementary girls' and Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary boys' teams for winning the CCSD Elementary Basketball League championships on Wednesday, Dec. 18! It was the second consecutive league championship for both schools, who finished 8-0 on the season. Stroud held off a challenge from runner-up Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary, while Burks defeated Winterville Elementary.

The Stroud girls' roster includes Amari Lumpkin, Joyia Daniels, Treasure Faust, Makaila Waters, Samara Elfadil, Ja’Liyah Hilsman, Naomi Heard, and Jayla Robertson. Ryan Holzman is the head coach, assisted by Quentori Wynder and Paige McCardell.

The Stroud cheerleaders, coached by Tracee Mack and Lakeeta Davis, include Lareaka Lane, Londynn Long, Daniya Jackson, Corinne Brown, Zahriya Franklin, Mahogany Buckles, Xaniya Crum, Journei Williams, Armani Jackson, Bailey McDowell, Laelah Ramsey, and Jamora Martin.

The Burks boys' roster includes Alex McLucas, Niles Curry, Xavier Dillard, Ayden Davenport, Reece Cates, Kalib Norris, Braylon Minus, Cem Uelzmann-Gueneli, Tariq Roberts, Judah Martin, Townes Stabler, Leo Fiscus, Ben Knowles, Smith Hacker, Liam Beresch, Bryson Kelley, Aaiyden Williams. Omar Reid is the head coach, assisted by Melvin Hayes.

The Burks cheerleaders, coached by Courtney Smith and Caitlin Lemieux, include Jordyn Brooks, Ayana Lumpkin, Kennedi Ingram, Hank Williams, Valamia Martin, Hazel Temples, Nylah Hall, Arabel Ingles, Naomi Parks, Harmony Wise, Tahja Hurt, Ayleen Rebollar-Soto, Journey Bloom, Ophelia Martin, Larkin Pattaker, Malayah Starks, RubyMae Corbett, and A'mariah Lumpkin.

Congratulations to the Lady Wildcats and Winnerbees as well on advancing to the finals, and a great job by all of our schools' players and coaches who made this such a great season.

Check out more photos from the championship games on our Facebook page!

Congratulations to Clarke Central High School senior Jane Ripps, Managing Editor of the school's award-winning ODYSSEY Newsmagazine, for being named a SIPA Star by the Southern Interscholastic Press Association! Housed at the University of South Carolina, SIPA is a non-profit organization that supports high school and middle school journalism programs across the Southeast by providing resources, training, and recognition to student journalists and advisors and that helps foster excellence in scholastic media.

Jane has been recognized for having a lasting impact on her school community through her dedication to storytelling and leadership. She has been commended for her ability to pitch unique stories, create striking layouts, and produce multimedia content that has brought new energy to the ODYSSEY.

“Jane consistently elevates our publication with her creativity and bold storytelling,” said Clarke Central English teacher and ODYSSEY faculty advisor David Ragsdale. “Her commitment to high-impact journalism sets her apart.”

“Each story I write aims to inform and inspire change,” said Jane. “Journalism has helped me grow and connect with my community.”

Outside the newsroom, Jane is a competitive swimmer and president of the Clarke Central Women in STEM chapter. As a mentor, she urges student journalists to explore their passions.

“Advocate for yourself and use journalism to amplify your voice,” she said.

The ODYSSEY Newsmagazine and iliad Literary-Art Magazine at Clarke Central High School have been named finalists for the Columbia Press Association Crown Award, the association's highest honor based on their work during the 2023-24 school year. Both student groups won Crown Gold awards for the 2022-23 school year and have won several other Crown awards over the years.

The ODYSSEY and iliad were among 202 finalists announced from across the country and around the world. They will be presented with either a Gold or Silver Crown award during the CSPA's 101st annual Spring Convention, scheduled for March 19-21 on the Columbia University campus in New York City.

This week, Classic City Bank presented a $2,500 donation to the Athens Community Career Academy, which has been utilizing the Georgia Peach Education Tax Credit to raise funds for its Biotechnology Healthcare pathways, which will help CCSD students thrive in high-wage, high-demand industries in our community. Pictured above, from left, are Classic City Bank President and CEO Colin Stokes and ACCA CEO Wesley Mellina.

Georgia's PEACH Education Tax Credit offers an exciting opportunity to advance public education and foster excellence for students here in Clarke County and across the state. Individuals and corporations can support Georgia’s K-12 public education students at no additional cost to them by securing a PEACH Education Tax Credit. Contributing to the PEACH Education Tax Credit provides taxpayers with a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on your Georgia state income taxes, meaning you are able to apply your tax dollars to support innovation in Georgia’s K-12 public schools. The tax credit is capped each year at $15 million and is approved on a first-come, first-served basis.

Learn more about the credit and how to apply here!

The University of Georgia gymnastics team is encouraging all CCSD elementary school students to stay physically active and fit by joining the "Ten to Win" Challenge. Students who do 10 sit ups, 10 jumping jacks, or have 10 minutes of bike riding, dancing, or playing outside will receive a shirt and two free tickets to the Gym Dogs' home meet against Kentucky on March 2 at 6 p.m.

Submit confirmation of completion at georgiadogs.com/tentowin. The deadline to submit is Feb. 23. For more information, email ella.beadles@uga.edu.

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, Jan. 16, 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.

Athens-based nonprofit Casa de Amistad has several opportunities coming up in early 2025, including English classes for Spanish speakers, Spanish classes for English speakers, and GED classes in both English and Spanish. See the flyers below and visit athensamistad.com for additional information.

CCSD families are invited to participate in two research projects being conducted by the Augusta University-University of Georgia Medical Partnership. The first is to study preferences and barriers with electronic communication and improve communication between pediatricians and patients' parents and guardians. The second is to understand people's dental care experiences locally and how services can be enhanced with families. Survey results will help inform operations at the Clarke Middle Health Center, which is managed by the medical partnership.

Click the buttons below to access the surveys or scan the codes in the flyers above.

Athens Area Habitat for Humanity will hold a community bake sale from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at the Globe, 199 North Lumpkin St., Athens. The sale will feature baked goods from local businesses, and proceeds will benefit the Athens Habitat Global Village Project, which will consist of volunteers constructing and making improvements to houses in Guatemala.

The Cedar Shoals High School Alumni Association will hold a community food distribution event Monday, Jan. 20, in partnership with City of Refuge Athens. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Cedar Shoals High, 1300 Cedar Shoals Dr. Everyone must register to receive food. Register at bit.ly/CEDFOOD or by scanning the code in the flyer above.

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.