Better Together
12/5/25 • News from the Clarke County School District
District Lays Out Future Vision for West Broad School Property
This week, CCSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Scott outlined the district’s vision for the future of the historic West Broad School complex and the three buildings on the property.
The district intends to use E-SPLOST funds to:
- Rehabilitate the property to resemble the existing exterior structures and include additional classrooms and instructional space
- Expand academic programming offered at the Athens Community Career Academy, including the creation of a construction career pathway for high school students, which will build on the momentum of support from local companies and market research that has identified construction as a strong local pathway for CCSD graduate employment. In addition to housing the construction pathway lab and instructional space, the renovated property would also include ACCA’s advanced manufacturing and welding lab and classroom, which would be relocated from the main ACCA building.
- Honor local education history through the creation of a heritage room
- Strengthen community connections through the establishment of a community park, outdoor patios, heritage markers, and multi-purpose meeting rooms.
Check out the video from this week's presentation below. The district will continue to provide regular updates as the project progresses. For more information, go to www.clarke.k12.ga.us/westbroadschool.
COMING SOON: New Student Enrollment for 2026-27 School Year!
CCSD families: If you or someone you know will have a new student to enroll in CCSD for the 2026-27 school year, now is the time to start preparing! New student registration for next school year will begin in early 2026, and while registration will run all the way up to the start of the new academic year in August, we encourage "early bird" enrollment so that your student will be first-day ready!
Registration is an online process, and proof of parent/guardian identification and residency and your child's birth certificate and immunization records are required for enrollment. Go to www.clarke.k12.ga.us/registration to learn more about the online enrollment process and required documents so you can begin to gather them, and stay tuned for more information about dates for K-12 registration and Pre-K priority registration.
Have questions? Need assistance?
The Student Registration Center in the District Office, 595 Prince Ave., is open from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and can be reached at 706-546-7721 or registration@clarke.k12.ga.us. While walk-ins are accepted, appointments are recommended and be made here for K-12 registration or here for Pre-K registration.
Need to change your address?
If you have recently moved or are planning to move soon, you will need to file your change of address with the district to ensure your child is attending the correct school, based on the district's attendance zones. You can change your address by completing this form. You can find a county street-by-street index with school assignments here.
Tick Tock! Time is Running Out to Claim the PEACH Education Tax Credit On Your Next Tax Return
We're in December, and that means there's only one month left to be eligible to claim the PEACH Education Tax Credit on your 2025 Georgia income tax return while supporting public education in Athens-Clarke County!
The PEACH Education Tax Credit, a program through the Georgia Foundation for Public Education (GFPE), 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.
Click here for more information and here to get started on applying for the credit and to make your donation! Approved contribution funds in Clarke County will go toward supporting programming at the Athens Community Career Academy, a future dental clinic at the Clarke Middle Health Center, and various projects and initiatives related to CCSD's Culture of Literacy campaign. When completing the application, you will be directed to specify which project you want your donation to support.
Burks Elementary Support Staffer Receives Statewide 'Hidden Hero' Recognition
Congratulations to David Diaz, receptionist and After-School Program coordinator at Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary, for being named a winner in the sixth annual Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) "Hidden Heroes" online voting campaign!
A record-breaking 187 education professionals from across Georgia, including seven from CCSD, were nominated by the general public in this year's campaign, and more than 58,000 votes were cast, illuminating the future-focused work that education professionals do each day for the next generation of thinkers, learners, and leaders. Nominees included school social workers, teachers, family service coordinators, district leaders, receptionists, coaches, principals, custodians, and superintendents. They were nominated by students and their parents, colleagues, neighbors, and community members for their everyday acts of service, professional excellence, and deep care for igniting learning for all.
As one of the three top vote-getters in GLISI's Northern region, Mr. Diaz will be among nine Hidden Heroes throughout the state who will receive a cash award and be recognized publicly in January during the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues Breakfast at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. GLISI representatives will present Mr. Diaz with his award at Burks Elementary later this month.
CMS Teacher Named STEM Scholar, to Receive Classroom Grant from GYSTC
Congratulations to Clarke Middle School science teacher Audrey Hughes, who has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Don Cargill STEM Scholar award by Georgia Youth Science & Technology Centers (GYSTC) for her outstanding efforts to engage and improve student learning in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) disciplines!
As part of this recognition, Ms. Hughes and CMS will receive $500 to STEM education classroom materials. Ms. Hughes was nominated for the award and submitted an application with a project proposal to enhance students' study of organ systems.
Headquartered at Kennesaw State University, GYSTC is a private, not-for-profit educational organization designed to increase interest in and enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as subjects for serious study for K-8 grade level teachers and students.
Still Time to Check Out CCSD Elementary Basketball Action!
The CCSD Elementary Basketball league regular season through the Athens Youth Development Initiative is coming down the home stretch with one week of games left before the postseason tournament begins Dec. 15!
Be sure to come out and support our players and cheerleaders as they represent their schools and our district and community with pride! The schedule for the final week of regular-season games is below.
WEEK 7 SCHEDULE
Monday, Dec. 8
- Whitehead Road vs. Timothy Road (girls 4 p.m., boys 5 p.m.), CCSD Gym, 595 Prince Ave.
- Fowler Drive vs. Whit Davis (girls 4 p.m., boys 5 p.m.), Whitehead Road Elementary School
Tuesday, Dec. 9
- J.J. Harris vs. Gaines (girls 4 p.m., boys 5 p.m.), CCSD Gym
- Barnett Shoals vs. Winterville (girls 4 p.m., boys 5 p.m.), Hilsman Middle School
Wednesday, Dec. 10
- Oglethorpe Avenue vs. Johnnie Lay Burks (girls 4 p.m., boys 5 p.m.), CCSD Gym
- Barrow vs. Bettye H. Holston (girls 4 p.m., boys 5 p.m.), Whitehead Road Elementary School
Catch the Cedar Shoals Basketball Teams in Action at Akins Ford Arena Next Weekend!
The Jaguar girls will face off with Jefferson at 6 p.m., while the Cedar boys will take on Jefferson at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 apiece and will also get you access to the other four games between area teams. The games will start at 10 a.m.
Click here to view the full schedule, purchase tickets, and find more information about the event!
Families: Check Out the December Parent Institute Newsletter!
The monthly Parent Institute 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.
Click the buttons below to access each version!
Support Holiday Markets at CCSD Schools!
Several schools around CCSD are once again holding holiday gift markets this year for students to “shop” at for items for loved ones. Donations of new and gently used items are currently being accepted. Click here for details on each school's market and information on how to donate.
Give Your Feedback on the Code of Student Conduct!
CCSD is in the process of reviewing the district's Code of Student Conduct for potential edits and changes for the 2026-27 school year and is seeking public feedback.
Please review the 2025-26 code (Spanish begins on page 36), and complete this brief survey by Dec. 19 to share your feedback. The survey is available in English and Spanish and should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. The proposed 2026-27 Code of Student Conduct will be presented to the Clarke County Board of Education for approval this spring.
For questions, please reach out to Tessa Barbazon, Executive Director of Student and Family Support, at barbazont@clarke.k12.ga.us, or Jabari Cobb, Director of Student Support, at cobbja@clarke.k12.ga.us.
Check Out the Parent ProTech Holiday Gift Guide for Tech Purchases!
Are you getting started on your holiday shopping for your child and planning to purchase something tech-related? Before you click or tap "add to cart" to buy them something you might regret later, be sure to check out Parent ProTech's 2025 Holiday Gift Guide, highlighting safe and screen-balanced picks for every age and stage to help your child thrive.
Check out the full guide at bit.ly/protechgiftguide and remember to sign up for your *FREE* Parent ProTech account at bit.ly/clarkeparentprotech and learn more information about how you can support your child in being safe and responsible online and with devices.
Calendar Reminders
Click to view the 2025-26 Academic Calendar.
Important dates:
- 12/18 - 12/19 - High school early dismissal (12:45 p.m.)
- 12/19 - End of first term
- 12/22 - Winter break begins
- 1/6 - Students return
Update or Create Parent Portal Account
Follow these directions for updating the contact information in your Parent Portal account.
Don't have an account yet? An Activation Key is required. Follow these directions to set up an account if you already have an Activation Key. Follow these directions if you don't have an Activation Key yet. Having a Parent Portal account allows parents and guardians to access attendance records, class schedules, grades, and assignment information for their students.
If you already have an account but forgot your password and need a reset, use the links on the login page to reset your password or username or to request help. You may also email campus@clarke.k12.ga.us for additional assistance.
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 Edulog App for Bus Info
Parents/guardians of students who ride a bus to and/or from school can use the Edulog page on the district website or download the Edulog Parent Portal 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
CCSD considers the safety and security of our students and staff our highest priority, and utilizes the CCSD Tip Line as a critical tool for us to help ensure that our schools remain safe and promote a welcoming environment for learning. It is also another mechanism for us to celebrate good deeds or achievements by our staff members and students that may have gone unreported but deserve recognition and celebration.
Tips can be submitted online at www.clarke.k12.ga.us/tipline or by phone by dialing 706-353-1737. All tips are anonymous by default, but you do have the option of including your name and contact information. Once received, your tip will be investigated by the CCSD response team. The Tip Line can also be accessed online from the home page of the district website and all school websites.
Remember: If you See Something, Say Something. If you see something of concern online, Don't Repost. Report.
How to Address Questions, Concerns
Have a question or concern that you'd like to address? CCSD has put together a matrix of who to reach out to depending on the situation. Please click here to view this information. You can also go to CCSD's main site at clarke.k12.ga.us, go to the "I Want To" tab from the menu at the top of the page, and select “Ask a Question/Submit a Concern.”
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, December 11, 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.
GaDOE 'Hope Map' Provides Families in Need with Information on Food, Shelter Assistance, Other Support
CCSD families: If you or someone you know are in need of assistance, the Georgia Department of Education has a live-updating online "Hope Map" with information on resources ranging from food pantries to shelter and healthcare.
Go to hopemapgeorgia.org to get started. You can select your language preference, search by zip code or city to find services available in a specific area, and filter by categories of services you are looking for.
Georgia Museum of Art Presents Family Day: Winterlight
The Georgia Museum of Art, 90 Carlton St., will host its monthly free Family Day event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 6, with the theme "Winterlight."
Brighten up the holiday season by enjoying the cozy glow of winter with festive Art Cart activities and a sparkling take-home art project inspired by light, color and holiday magic.
There will be an 11 a.m. performance by the Low Key Collective (a new ensemble for low voices by the Georgia Children’s Chorus) and holiday treats.
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.