Better Together
12/19/25 • News from the Clarke County School District
Dear Clarke County School District families,
As we reach the end of our first semester, I’m surprised by how quickly this school year has moved. It seems like just yesterday we were opening our doors to welcome you and your children into our schools. Now—in what feels like the blink of an eye—we are preparing to close our classrooms and head into a well‑deserved winter break.
Time truly flies when we are doing meaningful work, and this semester has been full of it. Our students have grown academically, socially, and emotionally, and that progress is possible because of the strong partnership between our schools and our families. I want to thank you for the support, encouragement, and trust you give us every day.
This semester has brought hard work, a few challenges, and many successes. Through it all, your children have shown determination, curiosity, and growth. We are so proud of them.
As we head into the next couple of weeks, I hope your family finds time to rest, recharge, and enjoy time together. My wish for you is a peaceful holiday season filled with the people who bring you happiness.
When we return in the new year, we look forward to continuing the important work ahead with renewed energy and purpose. Thank you for being part of our Clarke County School District family.
Best,
Dr. Jennifer Scott
Interim Superintendent
SET Program Students Take Big Step
Last week marked a major milestone for the six students enrolled in the CCSD SET (Supported Employment and Transition) Program, as they made presentations to their transition teams and new employment specialist teams and signed service agreements along with their parents/guardians for them to officially begin working with their employment specialist, or "job coach." Each student's job coach will begin the job search process, aiming to place them in their very first job!
The SET program assists students in developing skills that will help them gain independence for life after high school. Students who have been served in CCSD's adapted curriculum, have completed their high school graduation requirements, and have the goal of working in competitive integrated employment after high school receive individualized instruction at the Athens Community Career Academy during their final year of high school in the three core areas of transition: employment, education/training, and independent living.
Students had the opportunity this semester to build and practice their job skills and build employer-employee relationships directly in a workplace environment at the following sites:
- University of Georgia Dining Services and Housekeeping Services through the UGA Center for Continuing Education and Hotel
- the Athens Area Humane Society
- Jack's Cheesecake
- the Clarke County School Nutrition Program and the school nutrition teams at Barnett Shoals Elementary School and Cedar Shoals High School
- and ACCA's Buzz Cafe. The students also often serve as greeters for special events at the Yellow Jacket Bistro.
Congratulations to these students on taking the next big step in their educational journeys, and stay tuned in the coming weeks as we spotlight each of them individually on the CCSD Facebook page!
- Edward "Edgar" Baynes
- Jada Byrd
- Donovan Collins
- Isaiah Faust
- Ashley Sanchez
- Shakiva Sewell
If you are interested in your student applying for the SET program, becoming a community partner, or learning more about the program, please reach out to Liza Burnsed, CCSD Transition Specialist, at burnsedl@clarke.k12.ga.us or 706-546-7721, Ext. 79566.
Want to support this program financially for future students? You may donate to the SET Scholarship fund through the Athens Area Community Foundation at bit.ly/athensareacf. Be sure to include "SET Scholarship" in the instructions.
Edward "Edgar" Baynes
Jada Byrd
Donovan Collins
Isaiah Faust
Ashley Sanchez
Shakiva Sewell
Clarke Central JROTC Receives Prestigious Recognition
The Clarke Central High School U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program has been awarded the Honor Unit with Distinction (HUD) designation after earning an exceptional 98.7 out of 100 during its JROTC Program of Accreditation (JPA) evaluation. The Honor Unit with Distinction is the highest designation a JROTC unit can receive.
The JPA, aligned with Cognia accreditation guidelines, evaluates a unit’s performance across leadership development, cadet portfolios, drill and ceremonies, service learning, and overall program management. Clarke Central cadets demonstrated outstanding proficiency in every category, showcasing disciplined execution, teamwork, and a deep understanding of core leadership principles.
Evaluators praised the cadets for their professionalism, preparedness, and confidence throughout the assessment. They also said their performance reflected extensive preparation and the cadets’ commitment to upholding the values of the U.S. Army JROTC program.
Congratulations to these students and their instructors on solidifying Clarke Central's standing as a premier JROTC program committed to developing responsible, capable, and community-minded young leaders.
CCSD Packs the Steg for Annual UGA Women's Basketball Elementary Day Game!
Stegeman Coliseum was rocking with loud cheers and excitement on Monday, Dec. 15, thanks to the more than 3,500 CCSD students in grades 2-5 who made the trip to watch the University of Georgia women's basketball team defeat North Carolina A&T in its annual Elementary Day game! Students had an amazing time taking in the game action and other festivities.
Many of our school-level Teachers of the Year were also recognized on the court during halftime, and several of them competed in a spirited game of Musical Chairs (Congrats to Timothy Road Elementary's Brittania Moody for coming out on top)!
Get Half Off on UGA Home Game Tickets!
Families: Did your student attend Monday's game and love it? If so, there's more excitement abound! As a thank you to those who attended the game, the UGA women's team is offering 50% off tickets for all remaining home games this season! Click here for a list of games and to purchase tickets!
Watch the Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central Basketball Teams Square Off This Saturday!
Calling all CCSD sports fans! Come out and support the Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals varsity basketball teams as they face each other at Cedar Shoals on Saturday, Dec. 20, in the first of two meetings this season! The girls' game tips off at 2 p.m., followed immediately by the boys' game.
Tickets must be purchased on GoFan using this link for a web browser. You can also download the GoFan mobile app:
Tickets will be sold until gym capacity is reached.
Here are some other important reminders to keep in mind before you arrive:
- A clear bag policy will be in effect.
- Any children middle school age and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
- Anyone who does not have a ticket to the games is asked not to be on campus outside of the gym during the games. If you are dropping off someone at one or both of the games, please return to campus to pick them up at the conclusion of the games.
Clarke Central to Host Youth Soccer, Basketball Holiday Camps Dec. 29-31
Gladiator Youth Sports Camps will host a Holiday Soccer Camp and a Holiday Basketball Camp Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 29-31, at Clarke Central High School, 350 South Milledge Ave., Athens. The camps are open to all CCSD students ages 8-14. Click here for more information and to register.
Nominate an Employee of the Month for January!
Nominations are open for CCSD's Employee of the Month award for January! Anyone in the community may nominate any full-time CCSD employee with at least one full year of service for the award. The winner will be surprised at their school or building, publicly recognized at the Jan. 9 Clarke County Board of Education meeting, and presented with a gift bag from the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce with contributions from several local businesses.
Submit a nomination at bit.ly/CCEmployeeAward or fill the form out directly below!
Run in and/or Support the Classic City Marathon!
The Third Annual Classic City Marathon, Half Marathon, and Marathon Relay, presented by Piedmont Athens Regional, will be held in Athens on Saturday, Jan. 24, and is a great way to support CCSD. The Classic City Marathon Association is a volunteer group of local runners and race professionals — many of whom are CCSD employees, current parents, or parents of graduates — and regularly supports programs in the district. In addition, the race’s medals are always designed by a CCSD art student, with Clarke Central High School senior Cordasia Mitchell designing this year's.
You can support this year's marathon in the following ways.
Volunteers
The event needs groups and individuals to help before, during, and after the race. Roles include handing out water to runners, pointing the right direction on the course, handing out medals at the finish line, and many others. Email lisa@classiccitymarathon.com if you’d like to arrange for a group to volunteer together, or explore classiccitymarathon.com/volunteer and sign up.
Run
The Marathon Relay option divides the course into four segments of only 6-7 miles each. It’s a fun way for people to share in the excitement of a marathon without having to run a whole marathon! Read more about the relay on the website, and join the free relay training runs to help you be ready. Or try the full marathon or the half marathon distance!
Cheer
The race route runs by the CCSD District Office on Prince Avenue, Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School, and Clarke Central High School. There are plenty of other places along the course that need your energy on race day!
Parent ProTech: Holiday Break Support for Families and Screen Time
As we head into winter break — a time when students often have more screen time and access to new devices — we want to ensure you feel supported in navigating technology at home. Your student’s safety and wellbeing remain our highest priority, and we’re pleased to offer Parent ProTech as a *FREE* resource for families.
Parent ProTech is an on-demand library covering social media, gaming, streaming, AI, and online safety, with conversation starters to help you talk with your child about their favorite tech. The full library will remain available to families through the Georgia Department of Education.
Getting started is easy. Create your Clarke County Parent ProTech account at bit.ly/clarkeparentprotech.
You can also check out the Parent ProTech Holiday Gift Guide for tech-related purchases if you still have some holiday shopping to do and view the latest Parent ProTech newsletter, which includes tips for setting up devices and games and establishing ground rules with your child around their use.
Check Out the 'Reading is Fundamental' Online Resource Library!
If you're looking for your child to have some time away from the screen during the holiday break, reading is always a great option! Support CCSD's Culture of Literacy campaign by taking advantage of the "Reading is Fundamental" free online library of resources at rallytoread.org.
Calendar Reminders
Click to view the 2025-26 Academic Calendar.
Important dates:
- 1/6 - Students return
- 1/19 - MLK Day (schools and district offices closed)
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, January 15, 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.
Sign Up for ACCGov 101 and Learn More about Local Government!
The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County is accepting applications for the Spring 2026 cohort of ACCGov 101, an educational community government academy.
The 10-week program runs from Jan. 28 - April 7 on Wednesdays from 5:30-8 p.m. with a final session and graduation on Tuesday., April 7. Topics of discussion will include city-county history, unification, economic development, leisure services, public safety, water, infrastructure, and more.
Applicants must be 18+ years of age, currently residing within Athens-Clarke County, and able to secure reliable transportation as meeting locations vary week to week. The deadline for applications is Sunday, January 4. Apply at www.accgov.com/101.
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.
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.