Better Together

CCSD families and community members:

This has been a very tough week for all of us filled with many emotions. We mourn the loss last weekend of one of our students at Cedar Shoals High School and ask that you continue to hold her family and friends and the Cedar community in your thoughts and prayers.On the heels of that, we are also faced with processing the horrible events that took place at Apalachee High School in Barrow County. We ask that you join us in holding that community up as they grieve the loss of two students and two teachers and the injury of nine others in a senseless act of violence. We continue to join other school districts in offering our neighbors at the Barrow County School System any support they need as they navigate the days ahead. If you are interested in ways to help the Barrow County community, the Barrow Community Foundation has activated a fund dedicated to providing immediate support to organizations that support the people of Barrow during times of crisis. Click here for additional information.

We want to thank you, our families, for the grace and support you have shown as we have worked to navigate this challenging week. As we have said many times, we take any and all threats against our students and staff seriously. It was because of all the tips you shared that we were able to swiftly report a threat against our schools to law enforcement agencies. Our sincere thanks and admiration for the law enforcement personnel who took immediate action which led to the apprehension of the individual responsible. We urge you to continue to be vigilant in upholding school safety as a shared community responsibility. If you see something, say something. You can reach our CCSD Tip Line by leaving a message electronically at www.clarke.k12.ga.us/tipline or by dialing 706-353-1737.

Communications

We hear and understand your concerns around school safety. Our promise to you is that the safety of our students and staff and the security of our buildings will always be at the forefront of all we do. Our district will continue to take measures to ensure that we are implementing established safety measures with full fidelity every day. We will also continue to communicate information with you in a timely manner as openly and transparently as possible.

You should have received an email this week regarding upcoming lockdown drills at each of our schools. These are annual state-required drills that are mandated to be complete by October 1. If you did not receive the email or other communications from communications@clarke.k12.ga.us in your inbox, please check your spam and junk folders. Please also make sure your contact information is up to date in the CCSD Parent Portal. Instructions for updating this information can be found here. Instructions for setting up an account can be found here. For additional questions regarding your Parent Portal account, email campus@clarke.k12.ga.us. If your information is up to date and you are still not receiving the communications, please email communications@clarke.k12.ga.us.

Students and Resources

As we make every effort to keep our staff and families informed, we also want to assure you that we are keeping our students informed and are here to offer our support to them. You should have also received an email regarding grade-level meetings at our middle and high schools about the events of this week.

We encourage you to have frequent conversations with your child about how they are doing and want you to be well equipped to help them with processing events and situations that can be unsettling and traumatizing.

This online resource page from the National Association of School Psychologists includes tips for families and educators on how to talk with children about violence, particularly in schools. You can also view the attached PDFs below for additional information. We also have trained staff available at all of our schools to assist students in talking about their feelings.

Please continue to take care of each other and love each other. We are Better Together.

More than two dozen members of the 1964 graduating class of the former Athens High and Industrial School, Georgia's first public four-year high school for African American students, held their 60th class reunion last weekend. Read more here about the work that went into putting this special event together and see more photos from the festivities here!

Members selected to CCSD's 2024-25 Superintendent's Student Advisory Council convened this week for the first of five scheduled meetings throughout the school year. The council is for students in grades 11-12 and provides them with an opportunity to learn about CCSD initiatives and share their perspective on being a CCSD student with Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker while also developing their leadership and advocacy skills.

Congratulations to this year's council members!

• From Cedar Shoals High School: Ryan Xiao, Mercy Thang, Ni'Zeah Carter, Alyssa Weiszer, Annie Johnson, Lilliana Cohen, Ky'Esha Gainer, Amaria Ford, Stella James, Ellis Garrett, Larriest Bentford, and Aniyah Buckley.
• From Clarke Central High School: Maurlena Thomas, Mekelle Ezekiel, Royce Barham, Zaila Brown, Aidan Woodward, Kimora Holliday, Claire Bruner, Kli Klo, Evan Cornish, Lucinda Buckner, Za'Shun Hardeman, William Simpson, Stephen Neal, William Ridley, Finland McGreevy, Israel Ortiz, and Mariah Carson.

• From Classic City High School: Ty'asia Cooper.

The American Association of AdaptED Sports Programs has nominated CCSD's regional Classic City Dawgs program with multiple nominations in its 2024 ASPIRE Awards. Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker has been nominated for the ASPIRE Advocacy Award, Clarke Central High School teacher Julius Hooper is a nominee for Coach of the Year, and Clarke Central teacher John Walker is a nominee for the Education-Based Award. The winners will be announced Oct. 27.

The Classic City Dawgs, based out of Clarke Central High School, are a free regional adapted sports program consisting of public and private school students grades 1-12 in the Northeast Georgia RESA area who have a qualifying disability. All athletes compete in wheelchairs regardless of whether they use a wheelchair in everyday life. Wheelchairs are provided by CCSD at no cost to students and families. Adela Alejo, a student from Lakeview Academy in Hall County, who is part of the program, was nominated for Athlete of the Year.

If your student is interested in participating in handball and/or another adapted sport this school year, please complete this form. For more information and to sign up, please contact CCSD area AdaptED Sports coordinator Chris Aiken at aikenc@clarke.k12.ga.us.

Clarke County Board of Education member Mark Evans (District 9) will hold a "Community Conversations" event Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 6-7 p.m. at J.J. Harris Elementary School, 2300 Danielsville Rd., Athens. This is a public meeting open to constituents from all districts. It is the first in a series of upcoming meetings throughout the community featuring different board members. Future dates will be announced at a later time. Spanish-language interpreters will be in attendance.

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, Sept. 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 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.

Registration is now open for i9 sports programming in Clarke and Oconee counties. Current sports offerings in the area include flag football, soccer, basketball, and baseball. Register now at a discounted rate with the promo code Clarke2024. Needs-based financial assistance is also available. Go to i9sports.com and see the flyer below for additional information.

Local organization Dignidad inmigrante en Athens will host the 15th annual LatinxFest in downtown Athens from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14. Come enjoy live music, food, dancing, children's activities, and more. For the latest updates on the festival, go to the official event page on Facebook.

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department will host the annual Athens Water Festival on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sandy Creek Park, 400 Holman Rd. Swim in the lake, hear music, splash around with water activities, meet animals, and take fun in many more fun activities.

Park entry will be $2 per person with free admission available for those who qualify. For more information, go to AthensWaterFestival.com or call 706-613-3729.

Athens nonprofit Casa de Amistad is once again offering free adult ESL (English as a Second Language) and GED (General Equivalency Diploma) classes this fall both online and at locations throughout the community. Scan the QR code on the flyers below or go to athensamistad.com for more information and to register.