Jag News

Upcoming Events at CSHS:

• 4/1: CCSD FAFSA Night
• 4/7-11: Spring Break
• 4/15: ACT Test Day for Juniors
• 4/17-19: Cedar Theatre Presents: Mama Mia!
• 4/26: Free Physical Day

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

The CSHS Counseling Department is continuing the “Blue Letter” tradition! We are giving relatives, friends, community members, and teachers an opportunity to honor Seniors by sending them a special letter of congratulations on their May 2025 graduation. Letters can be submitted electronically at bit.ly/CEDletters25 or mailed, or hand delivered to the school.

We will carefully keep cards and letters for each student and distribute them at Graduation Practice to students who have completed graduation requirements. Every graduate will receive a large blue envelope containing these messages and well wishes. All cards and letters must be received at school by Thursday, May 1, 2025. We encourage you to send your letters as early as possible.

Let’s show the class of 2025 that they are special to us and that we acknowledge their achievements!

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. The last day to pay junior and senior dues is March 31.
  

• 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

Students can purchase tickets by paying cash or check to Ms. Thornton in the Counseling Office or online via the Cedar Shoals website linked here. We encourage students to purchase tickets early to take advantage of lower pricing.

We are excited to offer the ACT for free to all juniors during the school day on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Students who have accommodations will test between April 15-17, 2025. Students will receive an email with their testing location via email and should report to their testing location at 8:45 am the day of the test. This exciting opportunity gives our students a chance to measure their readiness for life after high school, whether they’re going to college or into the workforce.

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

The 2025 Cedar Shoals Yearbook is on sale now for $85!

• Purchase online at: bit.ly/cedaryearbook2025
• Pay with cash or check directly in Room A206.

Capture the memories, the moments, and the milestones — secure your yearbook today!

We have two of our amazing student-athletes nominated for Athens-Area High School Athlete of the Week! Let’s show our support and help them get the recognition they deserve!
Zulma Valdivieso-Gutierrez (Soccer)
-Scored her 100th career goal last Friday vs. North Springs!
-28 goals this season and counting!
-On track to break her own record for most goals in a season (42 goals)—for the third year in a row!
Tybias Lay (Track & Field)
-1st place in boys’ long jump at the Athens-Clarke/Oconee Championships—only his second time competing!
-Undefeated in the 100m hurdles this season—5 straight wins!
-1st place in the 300m hurdles at 4 out of 5 meets!

Let’s get these Jags to the top! Vote now: https://www.onlineathens.com/.../athens-area.../82409996007/

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!

Exciting news, graduating Jaguars! The Cedar Shoals High School Alumni Association is launching its Inaugural Scholarship for 2025! This is a fantastic opportunity for graduating seniors to earn financial support for their next steps.

Application Opens: March 21, 2025
Application Closes: April 21, 2025

Scan the QR code to apply and take advantage of this amazing opportunity! Let’s celebrate our Jaguar legacy and support the next generation of alumni.

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.

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.

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!

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

Eli Stone has been selected as finalist for the 2025 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program and Lilly Cohen has been selected as an alternate! GHP is a residential summer program for gifted and talented high school students who will enter either their junior or senior year in the fall. The program offers instruction that is designed to provide students with enrichment in their area of talent so that they can become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders. This year's program will take place from June 15 to July 12 at Georgia Southern University.

Cedar Soccer had a RECORD-BREAKING NIGHT last Friday! On the same night, history was made as Zulma Valdivieso-Gutierrez reached an incredible 100 career goals, meanwhile, Damon Davis etched his name in the record books with the most goals in a single season by a men’s player in over a decade. East Side excellence at its finest! GOOO JAGS!

Congratulations to Cedar Shoals senior Aya Ibrahim for winning the “Think Before You Move” Scholarship! Aya’s dedication and hard work have earned her this incredible honor, and she will be speaking this Saturday at the 12th Annual Chess & Community Conference. We are so proud of her achievements and can’t wait to see the impact she continues to make!

The Cedar Shoals journalism students had an amazing experience at the 2025 GSPA Spring Workshop & Awards at UGA yesterday! They learned from industry professionals, attended engaging sessions, and celebrated the best in student journalism. We’re so proud of their dedication to storytelling at Cedar Shoals!

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!

Last Wednesday, Cedar Shoals student-athletes Lauren Neace and Gretta Garrett attended the GHSA Student Athlete Leadership Conference in Macon, GA! They had the opportunity to hear from inspiring speakers, engage in leadership activities, and connect with student-athletes from across the state. This conference, hosted by the GHSA Student Athlete Advisory Council, helps equip young leaders with the skills to positively impact their teams and school communities. We are proud of Lauren and Gretta for representing Cedar Shoals at the state level!

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.

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!

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.

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