Better Together
10/9/26 • News from the Clarke County School District
Halloween is almost here! Here are just a few of the upcoming school and community events happening to help your student and family get into the spirit of the season!
- Clarke Central High School's Tri-M Music Honor Society will host its annual "Trunk or Treat" on Wednesday, October 28, from 5-7 p.m. in the CCHS bus loop. Several Clarke Central clubs and other community organizations will participate. All are welcome to attend.
- Cedar Shoals High School will host its annual family "Trick-or-Treat" event on Thursday, October 29, from 6-8 p.m., open to the entire community.
- The Clarke County Sheriff's Office invites the community to its fifth annual Fall Festival on Friday, October 23, from 5-9 p.m. at 2900 County Farm Road. This year’s theme is "Saturday Morning Cartoons," and the event will feature free food and drinks, games, family-friendly activities, a Haunted House, Haunted Hayride, and opportunities for families to connect with more than 30 ACCGov departments and community partners. Free parking will be available at Southeast Clarke Park, and free shuttle buses will run to and from the event.
- The Athens-Clarke County Police Department's 2026 "Scare-a-Bration" includes several activities at Georgia Square Mall over the next week. ACCPD's annual "Boo Bash" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, will include free games and activities and a young child-appropriate Haunted House (10 and younger). A scarier version of the Haunted House for older kids and adults will run daily from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 24-28, 5-9 p.m. on Oct. 29, 4-7 p.m. on Oct. 30, and 5-9 p.m. on Oct. 31. ACCPD will also host its Trunk or Treat from 5:30-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, with decorated car trunks and candy. All events will be held at Georgia Square Mall, 3700 Atlanta Highway.
- UGA Miracle, a student organization at the University of Georgia dedicated to supporting children and families seen at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, will host "Moralloween," a free trunk-or-treat style event, from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, at the Butler Building, 337 South Milledge Avenue. Children are welcome to come in costume and enjoy trick-or-treating from decorated trunks, games, and other fun activities. Families of all ages are invited, and no registration is required.
The annual "Wild Rumpus" Halloween-themed festival in downtown Athens will be held Saturday night, October 31. The event is free with family-friendly activities, and everyone in the community is invited to join and wear a costume. Learn more about the event and the "Every Kid Gets a Costume" costume drive at www.wildrumpus.org.
Progress Made Toward Next Fundraising Goal as Class of 2027 Dives into Financial Education Lessons
At CCSD, through our partnership with Gifted Savings, we're continuing the groundbreaking work of making Athens the first community in America where every student graduates high school as a real investor, and we're well on our way to fully funding investment portfolios for a third graduating class!
During this week's quarterly meeting of our community Gifted Savings Advisory Council, Gifted Savings Executive Director Josh Landay shared that our community has raised more than $150,000 toward our goal of providing $1,000 portfolios for every member of the CCSD Class of 2028! Through the support of local businesses and organizations, the success of our Fall "Dining for Dividends" event last month, and the contributions of nearly 30 individual donors alone since late August, our community is making an impact and making a difference in the lives of students!
You can help us keep the momentum going and meet our next fundraising goal by June 2027! Visit our website to learn more and contribute to the Gifted Savings at CCSD Fund through the Athens Area Community Foundation!
Rotary Club Pledges Support through Annual 'Plungefest': Join the Effort!
The Rotary Club of Athens has pledged to contribute proceeds from its 2027 Plungefest event on February 6 to help fund Gifted Savings at CCSD and has set a $25,000 fundraising goal. CCSD families, staff, and community members are encouraged form teams for the Plungefest and raise money. Learn more about the event!
What Students are Learning
While fundraising efforts are continuing, students are taking a deep dive into the 20-module financial education and literacy program, learning a renewed mindset around money management and developing a financial toolkit that will serve them well and help them build a secure future in adulthood!
Lessons they'll be on track to complete this semester include an introduction to the portfolio and the establishment of a healthy relationship with money, as well as setting financial goals and gaining a better understanding of banking and investment accounts.
As of this week, the students' portfolio, which started at $1,000, was valued at $1,115.61!
CCSD-Gifted Savings Partnership Receives Statewide Award
Even more exciting news to share as this week, the Georgia Council for the Social Studies presented CCSD and Gifted Savings representatives with its annual Program of Excellence Award during its fall conference in Athens! The honor recognizes schools and districts for providing comprehensive, high-quality, and innovative social studies programs that go above and beyond in meeting state and national criteria standards but also provide engaging teaching strategies and foster community connections.
CCSD Middle School Teachers Receive 'Bright Idea' Grants from Jackson EMC
Several CCSD educators are among the 2026 recipients of Jackson EMC's Bright Ideas grant program. The program awards funds for creative and innovative classroom projects developed by middle school teachers. Since the program’s inception, Jackson EMC has awarded $700,000 in Bright Ideas grants in its service area, including a combined $118,000 to 39 teachers this year.
Congratulations to the following CCSD teachers on their grants!
- Davina Swaim, Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle - $1,528
- Felipe Pedraza, Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle - $1,960
- Pamela Johnson-Upson, Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle - $1,975
- Asia Thomas, CCSD Learning Center - $1,490
- Davis Clark, Clarke Middle - $1,500
- Elizabeth Garrison, Coile Middle - $524
- Brandylon Witcher, Coile Middle - $1,985
CTAE Night Next Week at Clarke Central
Clarke Central High School's CTAE Night will be held on Tuesday, October 27, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the school's cafeteria. Learn firsthand about career, technical, and agricultural education classes at CCHS before course registration begins. Courses to be featured at CTAE Night include:
- Business Innovations (Business & Technology, Entrepreneurship, Legal Environment of Business)
- JROTC (Leadership, Raiders, Drill Team)
- Computer Science and Software Technology
- Agriculture (Horticulture, Plants & Landscape, Floral Design, Veterinary Science)
- Engineering and Robotics
- Graphic Design & Digital Animation
Questions about the event can be sent to Ms. Brook Thompson at thompsonb2@clarke.k12.ga.us.
ACCA Bistro To-Go Meal October 29
The Athens Community Career Academy's student-run Yellow Jacket Bistro's monthly community meal for October will be to-go and pay tribute to Hispanic Heritage Month. Food will be prepared by ACCA's Culinary Arts pathway students will be made by pre-order only. Order ahead today and pick up your order between 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 29 at ACCA, 440-1 Dearing Extension!
Clarke Central Baseball Christmas Tree and Greenery Sale Ends Next Week!
The Clarke Central High School baseball program's annual Christmas tree, greenery, and decorations fundraiser ends on Tuesday, October 27. Different tree sizes, wreaths, garland, and ornaments are available to purchase and support the program. Trees, wreaths, and garland will be delivered to the customer’s door (in Clarke and Oconee counties) by players and parent volunteers on Sunday, November 29. Order now!
Support the Cedar Shoals Book Club!
The Cedar Shoals High School Book Club's 2026 fundraiser is ongoing and has a little less than two weeks remaining! With your support, funds raised will help provide new books, club activities, reading events, educational opportunities, and other important program needs throughout the year. Donate now!
Sign Up for Clarke Central FFA's Wreath Workshop on Dec. 2!
Get into the holiday spirit with Clarke Central FFA! Join the organization for its Holiday Wreath Workshop on Wednesday, December 2, at 6 p.m. at the high school! Create your own holiday wreath to take home or gift to someone while supporting the school's agriculture education program! The cost is $45 per person. Spots are limited, so invite your friends and reserve your spots early! Payment must be received by November 20 to secure your spot. Register and pay using this link.
Hispanic Heritage Festival at Clarke Central (Photos taken by Clarke Central's Odyssey Media Group)
Nominate an Employee of the Month for November!
Nominations for CCSD's Employee of the Month award for November are now open! Each month from September through May, the district recognizes an employee for their outstanding work supporting students and staff.
Anyone in the community may nominate any full-time employee with at least one year of service for the award at bit.ly/CCEmployeeAward.
Seniors: Apply for U.S. Presidential Scholars Program!
Each year, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program honors some of our nation’s most exceptional high school seniors who shine through academic achievement, artistic talent, and career and technical excellence. Established by executive order in 1964, the program has grown to recognize more than 150 students annually, celebrating those whose accomplishments reflect the highest ideals of scholarship, creativity, and leadership.
The 2026-27 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program application window is now open through November 1. High school seniors may apply, provided they meet all program qualifications outlined by the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The application, program criteria, and informational brochures are on the Excellence Recognitions PSP webpage. Applications are due by November 1 at 5 p.m.
Calendar Reminders
Click to view the 2026-27 Academic Calendar.
Important dates:
- 11/3: Student and staff holiday (District Office open)
- 11/23-11/27: Thanksgiving Break (all schools and offices closed)
Update or Create Your Parent Portal Account
Having a Parent Portal account allows parents and guardians to access attendance records, class schedules, grades, and assignment information for their students. Making sure all of your contact information is up to date in the Parent Portal will help ensure that CCSD and our schools send out communication notices to the correct home addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers. Learn more!
Download the CCSD Mobile App!
Stay up to date with access to event information, documents, school news, student stories, and even emergency notifications. See the video below for a tutorial on downloading and customizing the app to your preferred settings. You can download the app for free on Google Play or Apple App Store.
Download for Android: https://aptg.co/xQ_qX1
Download for iPhone: https://aptg.co/zCh8gX
Download the EZArrival App for Bus Info
Parents/guardians of students who ride a bus to and/or from school can use the EZArrival page on the district website or download the EZArrival mobile app to find information about their student’s bus.
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Take Advantage of our School-based Health Centers!
School-based health centers make accessing medical and dental care as easy as walking down the hall. Students and families throughout the district are encouraged to take advantage of one of our four school-based health centers for many of their basic healthcare needs. Click the links for additional information.
See Something, Say Something
As part of our continued commitment to ensuring that our schools remain welcoming and safe environments for all, we are pleased to introduce the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) to CCSD students, staff, and families.
Students, staff, and the general public can submit a tip 24/7 about concerning or threatening behaviors in one of three ways:
- Directly through the website at saysomething.net. The direct reporting link for the general public can be found here. Students and staff will use a private link that they can access from their CCSD Clever account.
- Download the Say Something app on your smartphone - Google Play / Apple Store.
- Call 1-844-572-9669. You can also text “TIP” to 79775.
Every submission goes directly to a trained crisis counselor who gathers details and shares the information and next steps with the school safety response team and law enforcement (as needed). Every CCSD school has in place a trained “Say Something” response team, including counselors, administrators, and other support staff.
How to Address Questions, Concerns
Board Contact Information, Meetings
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, November 12, 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 to access board meeting agendas.
- Board Briefs: 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.
Students: Use Your Library PLAY Card!
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.
Stay Informed with ACCGov 'Notify Me' Feature
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 – Get Connected. Get Help.
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.