Better Together
11/6/26 • News from the Clarke County School District
Participating Institutions Waiving Application Fees Throughout November
November is here, and so is Apply to College Month in Georgia! Throughout the month, institutions within the University System of Georgia and Technical System of Georgia, as well as participating private colleges, have waived their application fees through a partnership with the Georgia Student Finance Commission and GAfutures. Class of 2027, with resources and support available to you through your high school and the GAfutures website, it's a great month to take the next step toward making your college plans a reality! Click on the following buttons for more information, and make sure to stay up to date with your high school's communications for more information about events and initiatives designed to help seniors apply for and gain acceptance to college!
Continuation of 1-cent Local Sales Tax to Fund New Facilities, Infrastructure Upgrades Across CCSD
During the Tuesday, November 3 general election, voters in Clarke County approved continuing the 1-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for Education (E-SPLOST) that will help fund the construction of new facilities, renovations to existing buildings, bus purchases, and upgrades to technology, school safety, and other infrastructure throughout CCSD over the next five years. The tax allows us to fund projects that are critical to supporting safe, modern, and functional learning spaces without relying as heavily on property taxes.
E-SPLOST 7 is not a new tax but a continuation of the penny sales tax that has been in effect since Clarke County voters originally approved it in 1997. It is anticipated that E-SPLOST 7 will generate a maximum of $215 million while it is in effect from 2027-2032, and local economic data indicates that more than 60% of the sales tax collections are generated from out-of-town visitors who travel to our community for UGA football weekends and other university events, conferences, concerts, weddings, and other happenings that draw people to Athens-Clarke County.
The new Clarke Middle School and major renovations and new facilities at Cedar Shoals High School were among the large projects completed with the current E-SPLOST 6 collections, and some of the planned projects for E-SPLOST 7 include the revitalization of the historic West Broad School complex to support expanded programming at the Athens Community Career Academy and additional community gathering space, a new Early Learning Center East building on Gaines School Road, and renovations at several other schools. However, it's important to note that every CCSD school will benefit from E-SPLOST proceeds.
Click the buttons to explore more information about E-SPLOST, and thank you to our community for investing further in Clarke County students!
Apply for the PEACH Education Tax Credit to Keep Your Money Local and Earn a Credit on Your Return!
Speaking of taxes, tax filing season will soon be approaching, and did you know there's a way to keep your state income tax dollars local and receive a receive a credit when you file your return?
CCSD participates in the PEACH Education Tax Credit, a program through the Georgia Foundation for Public Education that offers individuals and businesses an opportunity to redirect a portion of their state income tax liability to support innovative K-12 public education projects and initiatives in their communities.
Applications are now open for individual taxpayers and corporations to donate money toward eligible public education programs and projects of their choice and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit from the state in the year following your contribution. For example, if you want to receive the credit when you file your 2026 tax return in early 2027, you must apply for and make your contribution in 2026.
With your contributions, CCSD will be able to support Culture of Literacy initiatives, increased dental care access for students, and additional career, technical, and agricultural education programming that connects students with local employers – without relying on additional general fund or property-tax dollars.
Vote for Burks Teacher in Online 'Hidden Heroes' Contest!
Congratulations to Julie Call, an ESOL (English to speakers of other languages) teacher at Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary, who is among the nominees in the online "Hidden Heroes" voting campaign from Vital Leaders, the organization formerly known as Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI)! The contest celebrates the extraordinary dedication happening across K-12 schools in Georgia every day, honoring not only classroom teachers and administrators, but also custodians, support staff, school nurses, bus drivers, and cafeteria teams whose quiet acts of service fuel student success.
Read more about Ms. Call and her nomination, and vote for her up to once per day through Friday, November 20! The top winners in each region of Georgia will be announced on November 30. Good luck, Ms. Call!
ACCA Culinary Students Team up with Local Chefs for Delicious Taco Dinner!
Our Culinary Arts pathway students at the Athens Community Career Academy have made a name for themselves serving up delicious meals for community guests each month during their pop-up lunches at the Yellow Jacket Bistro under the direction of instructor Chef Amee Williams, and last week's to-go taco dinner was no exception!
As part of an ongoing effort to connect students with culinary professionals, our program collaborates with area chefs each month around a particular cuisine or menu. In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, October's pop-up meal featured Latin cuisine, and we were fortunate to partner with two local culinary entrepreneurs: Chef Homero Castro of Homy Made Tacos and Chef Karen Bonilla of Karen's Pupusas!
Both chefs generously shared their expertise with students in preparation for the October 29 event that was held in conjunction with ACCA's pathway open house for future students and families, and Chef Karen even joined the students on the grill during the event! The collaboration gave students an opportunity to learn directly from experienced local chefs, develop their culinary skills, and put that learning into practice in a real-world setting. It also provided an opportunity to recognize two small businesses that are making a meaningful investment in our community and its future workforce.
This is yet another great example of education and local industry joining forces to build a community "Better Together!"
Check Out the Latest Parent ProTech Newsletter!
Parent ProTech also publishes a monthly "ProTech Playbook" newsletter that you can access from the website and subscribe to receive it in your email. In this month's edition:
- "Fake Images, Real Consequences": Watch a video interview about how AI-generated images and "deepfakes" are being used to bully young people and how adults can respond to educate and support children.
- Online prediction markets are becoming more popular with teens and young adults. Learn more about them and how you can support your teen in becoming more digitally responsible.
- Links to more resources.
Check Out This Month's Parent Institute Newsletters!
The monthly "Parents Make the Difference" newsletters from The Parent Institute for November are here!
The four-page newsletter, available in English and Spanish with early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school versions, is intended to:
- help families effectively support their children's education at home
- provide practical, proven information families can act on right away
- offer guidance on a comprehensive array of school success topics
- reinforce the importance of the school-home partnership.
Among the highlights of the November editions:
- How everyday play builds important skills and promotes learning for your preschooler
- How fixing mistakes can help your elementary school student learn and be more confident in the classroom
- Strategies for helping your middle schooler manage their stress and improve their academic success
- Helping your teen understand the importance of using AI in ethical ways.
Click the buttons to access each version of this month's newsletter!
Free Fine Arts Camp for Elementary Schoolers
The Athens Youth Development Initiative will host a "Fiber Arts Adventure" fine arts camp for students in grades 2-5 November 23-24, from 9 a.m. to noon each day, at Clarke Middle School, 1235 Baxter Street.
Explore a world of color, texture, and creativity through fiber arts! Campers will transform wool through wet felting, create fabric pictures with Kinusaiga—the art of no-sew patchwork—and print their own designs on canvas totes. Join us for hands-on fun with fibers and take home unique, handmade treasures!
Registration is free, and space is limited to 20 spots per grade level (second, third, and combined 4-5). Register at this link and email YDI coordinator Chris Hulse at hulsec@clarke.k12.ga.us for more information.
Gladiator Soccer Camp at YMCA
Clarke Central High School Athletics is partnering with the Athens YMCA to offer a Holiday Soccer Camp November 23-25 for ages 8-14. The camp will be run by Clarke Central soccer coaches and players and be held at the YMCA, 915 Hawthorne Avenue. Registration is $90 per camper. Register at this link.
BHL Middle School 5K and Fun Run
Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School will hold its Paws on the Pavement 5K and Fun Run on Saturday, December 12, from 9-11 a.m. at the school, 1600 Tallassee Road, to benefit its PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program. There is a $25 registration fee, and a T-shirt is included in the registration price. Register using this form. Make your payment at this link.
Become a Champion for Knight Nation
The CCSD Learning Center serves students in grades 6-12 who often face significant academic, behavioral, social, and emotional challenges. Its mission is to provide a safe, structured, and supportive environment where students can overcome barriers, rebuild confidence, and prepare for successful futures.
To continue this important work, the Learning Center is inviting the community to support its "100 for $100" campaign and rais $10,000 to support two critical initiatives:
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) student incentives and celebrations
- Teacher Appreciation and Staff Recognition initiatives that honor the professionals who make a difference in the lives of students every day.
Read the full fundraising appeal letter from Learning Center Director Dr. Utevia Tolbert for more information. Use the Learning Center's online payments link to make a donation.
Calendar Reminders
Click to view the 2026-27 Academic Calendar.
Important dates:
- 11/23-11/27: Thanksgiving Break (all schools and offices closed)
- 11/30 - 12/4: Pre-K Parent-Teacher Conference Week
- 12/17: Early dismissal for high school students (12:45 p.m.)
- 12/18: Last day of term (distance learning day for high school students)
- 12/21 - 1/1: Winter Break
- 1/4: First day of term
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.
Join the USBC Youth Bowling League!
CCSD students of all ages are invited to join the USBC Youth Bowling League at Showtime Bowl, 555 Macon Highway, Athens, on Saturdays at 10 a.m. Call 706-548-1028 for more information.
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.