Scenes from last night's Board of Education meeting, where we recognized:
• Cedar Shoals High School seniors Angel Jones and Savannah Rawls (not pictured), who finished in fifth place in their division in the 2026 National FFA Agriscience Fair competition. Cedar Shoals ag teacher and FFA advisor Julie Throne was also recognized.
• Ryan Johnson, Special Education Team Lead at Clarke Central High School and head coach of The Classic City Dawgs adaptive sports teams, on being named the JV Coach of the Year by the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP)
• Our Employee of the Month, Tracey Whitlock, Warehouse Clerk for CCSD Plant Services
• Our Teacher of the Year, Matthew Rubenstein of Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School, and Support Professional of the Year, Kathryn Brown of Clarke Middle School
Congratulations to all!
• Cedar Shoals High School seniors Angel Jones and Savannah Rawls (not pictured), who finished in fifth place in their division in the 2026 National FFA Agriscience Fair competition. Cedar Shoals ag teacher and FFA advisor Julie Throne was also recognized.
• Ryan Johnson, Special Education Team Lead at Clarke Central High School and head coach of The Classic City Dawgs adaptive sports teams, on being named the JV Coach of the Year by the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP)
• Our Employee of the Month, Tracey Whitlock, Warehouse Clerk for CCSD Plant Services
• Our Teacher of the Year, Matthew Rubenstein of Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School, and Support Professional of the Year, Kathryn Brown of Clarke Middle School
Congratulations to all!
Exciting news to share as Dr. Shenica Hunter, CCSD Social Worker serving students and families at Barnett Shoals Elementary School, Whit Davis Elementary School, and Coile Middle School, has been named the School Social Workers Association of Georgia's District 9 School Social Worker of the Year! She is now up for the statewide award, which will be announced at SSWAG's annual conference in early March. If she wins, this would be two years in a row that a CCSD social worker has won the statewide award, after Angela Gay of Cedar Shoals High School and Howard B. Stroud Elementary School won it last year. Dr. Hunter was surprised with the award and flowers yesterday by Wendy Senior, SSWAG District 9 President.
With more than two decades of experience in social work, Dr. Hunter has devoted the past 12 years to serving students and families as a CCSD School Social Worker. She draws upon her advanced training as a registered play therapist and her recently earned clinical licensure to implement targeted strategies and interventions that address students' academic, attendance, and overall well-being needs.
"Beyond her professional expertise, Dr. Hunter possesses a remarkable ability to navigate challenging situations with humor, candor, and compassion," said Chrystal Gillis, Director of School Social Work for CCSD. "Her ability to diffuse tense moments, foster understanding, and build meaningful connections reflects the authenticity and genuine care she brings to her work. These qualities make her an invaluable member of the CCSD School Social Work Department."
Thank you, Dr. Hunter, for your dedication and unwavering commitment to students and families throughout the Athens-Clarke County community. Congratulations, and good luck in the state competition!
With more than two decades of experience in social work, Dr. Hunter has devoted the past 12 years to serving students and families as a CCSD School Social Worker. She draws upon her advanced training as a registered play therapist and her recently earned clinical licensure to implement targeted strategies and interventions that address students' academic, attendance, and overall well-being needs.
"Beyond her professional expertise, Dr. Hunter possesses a remarkable ability to navigate challenging situations with humor, candor, and compassion," said Chrystal Gillis, Director of School Social Work for CCSD. "Her ability to diffuse tense moments, foster understanding, and build meaningful connections reflects the authenticity and genuine care she brings to her work. These qualities make her an invaluable member of the CCSD School Social Work Department."
Thank you, Dr. Hunter, for your dedication and unwavering commitment to students and families throughout the Athens-Clarke County community. Congratulations, and good luck in the state competition!
IT'S THE HOLIDAY SEASON: The annual Shop With A Bulldawg at UGA event this past Sunday was as fun as ever, as elementary school students from around CCSD teamed up with UGA SWAB mentors to go holiday shopping at the eastside Walmart and wrap their gifts at Cedar Shoals High School! Thank you to the UGA students and CCSD staff who once again helped coordinate such a great day of holiday cheer for our students! View the full photo gallery on the CCSD Facebook page!
LIFELONG MEMORIES: It was a truly special morning last Friday at the Athens Community Career Academy, as members of the Athens High and Industrial School Class of 1960 returned to the site of their former school (the first accredited four-year public high school for African American students in Georgia) for a reunion and class photo dedication! The Class of 1960 had a chance to reminisce, take tours of the campus led by ACCA student ambassadors, and enjoy a meal from the Yellow Jacket Bistro prepared by our culinary arts students! View the full photo gallery on the CCSD Facebook page!
Congratulations to Tracey Whitlock, Warehouse Clerk for CCSD Plant Services, on being named our Employee of the Month for November!
Tracey has been with the CCSD team for 14 years and was nominated by several colleagues in our Operations Division who agreed that she always manages the district warehouse with a positive attitude, friendly smile, and genuine willingness to help others. Additionally, she is widely known as an incredibly hard worker who consistently goes above and beyond to ensure everyone in every department has the supplies, support, and resources they need.
Tracey was surprised with the award today by Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Scott and will be publicly recognized this Thursday during the Board of Education meeting.
Nominate any full-time CCSD employee with at least one full year of service for Employee of the Month at bit.ly/CCEmployeeAward
TEACHER TAKEOVER: This past Thursday, our high school economics teachers stepped into the City Hall chamber to simulate a Mayor and County Commission meeting. By stepping into local leaders' shoes, they gained firsthand insight into how local governments navigate tough economic decisions.
This hands-on experience is part of our ongoing rollout of the Public Management and Administration career pathway, which combines Social Studies and CTAE content to bring real-world economic concepts to life for high school students and prepare them to potentially enter a career in public service through local government and beyond!
A special thank you to Community Engagement Coordinator Cecile Riker and Outreach Analyst Evelyn Pinto-Mira from Athens-Clarke County, GA Unified Government for hosting our teachers!
This hands-on experience is part of our ongoing rollout of the Public Management and Administration career pathway, which combines Social Studies and CTAE content to bring real-world economic concepts to life for high school students and prepare them to potentially enter a career in public service through local government and beyond!
A special thank you to Community Engagement Coordinator Cecile Riker and Outreach Analyst Evelyn Pinto-Mira from Athens-Clarke County, GA Unified Government for hosting our teachers!
A tale of survival and triumph, a lesson in history and reflection: We were honored to have Kevin Shaeffer, former CIA officer and survivor of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon, join us at Cedar Shoals High School this morning to speak with JROTC cadets from Cedar Shoals, Clarke Central High School, and Madison County High School about his experiences on 9/11 as it happened, his role on the 9/11 Commission, and his up-close involvement in the years-long pursuit of Osama bin Laden.
Shaeffer was a then- 29-year-old Naval officer working in the Pentagon on the day of the attacks and recalled narrowly escaping but spending several weeks in the hospital with severe burns and the resulting infections and other related health issues. He said his near-death experience profoundly changed him and inspired him to join the CIA and work at the agency's counterterrorism center, where he participated in the ultimately successful operation to capture bin Laden.
Thank you to Lt. Shaeffer for your service, for stressing the importance of perseverance and determination and learning lessons from our successes, failures, and challenges, and, above all, reminding our young people that "we can get through anything together."
Shaeffer was a then- 29-year-old Naval officer working in the Pentagon on the day of the attacks and recalled narrowly escaping but spending several weeks in the hospital with severe burns and the resulting infections and other related health issues. He said his near-death experience profoundly changed him and inspired him to join the CIA and work at the agency's counterterrorism center, where he participated in the ultimately successful operation to capture bin Laden.
Thank you to Lt. Shaeffer for your service, for stressing the importance of perseverance and determination and learning lessons from our successes, failures, and challenges, and, above all, reminding our young people that "we can get through anything together."
WALK A MILE IN RUBY'S SHOES: Barrow Elementary School students, teachers, staff, parents, and volunteers participated in Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day early this morning, honoring Ruby Bridges, the Civil Rights icon who, in November 1960 at age 6, became the first African American student to attend Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana. The Barrow Buddies started this morning downtown at the University of Georgia Arch, paused at the Holmes-Hunter Academic Building (named for the first African American students to enroll at UGA) for a brief reflection on the purpose of the event, and enjoyed a nice stroll through campus to their school.
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day began in 2018 in San Francisco through the efforts of an inspired group of fifth-grade students and has grown to a nationwide celebration. It is a chance for students and communities to honor Ruby’s bravery while also committing to creating spaces of kindness and inclusion.
Great job by these Buddies of emphasizing Barrow and CCSD as places where everyone belongs! More photos on the CCSD Facebook page!
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day began in 2018 in San Francisco through the efforts of an inspired group of fifth-grade students and has grown to a nationwide celebration. It is a chance for students and communities to honor Ruby’s bravery while also committing to creating spaces of kindness and inclusion.
Great job by these Buddies of emphasizing Barrow and CCSD as places where everyone belongs! More photos on the CCSD Facebook page!
We are pleased to announce the winners of our annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art and Writing Contest! This year's contest theme was "Building a Beloved Community." All of the winners listed below (first place, second place, third place, honorable mention) will be recognized at a future meeting of the Clarke County Board of Education and will be featured in a video that will debut at the University of Georgia's annual MLK Freedom Breakfast in January! Congratulations to all!
K-2 Art
1st place - Sophia Haas, 1st grade, Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary
2nd place - Natylyn Lewis, 2nd grade, Fowler Drive Elementary
3rd place - Nala Howard, 2nd grade, Howard B. Stroud Elementary
Honorable Mention - William Carter, 2nd grade, Barrow Elementary
3-5 Art
1st place - Adaliene Wilcox, 4th grade, Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary
2nd place - Ella Sewell, 5th grade, Timothy Road Elementary
3rd place - Salma Ahmed, 5th grade, Barrow Elementary
Middle School Art
1st place - Valley Morris, 7th grade, Clarke Middle
2nd place - Brandon Lopez Hernandez, 7th grade, Coile Middle
3rd place - Billie Jo Bolduc, 6th grade, Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle
Honorable Mention - Ariadna Borjas-Loyola, 7th grade, Hilsman Middle
High School Art
1st place - Shantal Capitillo Blanco, 9th grade, Clarke Central High School
2nd place - Roxana Rebollar Zarco, 10th grade, Cedar Shoals High School
K-2 Writing
1st place - Dylan Johnson, 2nd grade, Timothy Road Elementary
2nd place - Joshua Perez Solis, 2nd grade, J.J. Harris Elementary
3rd place - Linton Driskell, 2nd grade, Barnett Shoals Elementary
Honorable Mention - Macie Slagle, 2nd grade, Barrow Elementary
3-5 Writing
1st place - Alana Serrano Sanchez, 4th grade, Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary
2nd place - Harper Price, 5th grade, Timothy Road Elementary
3rd place - Basma Ghareeb, 5th grade, Barrow Elementary
Honorable Mention - Coraline Avila, 5th grade, J.J. Harris Elementary
Middle School Writing
1st place - Aurelia DeWald, 8th grade, Hilsman Middle
2nd place - Beatrice Borger, 7th grade, Clarke Middle
3rd place - Jazmine Miracle Piverge, 8th grade, Coile Middle
High School Writing
1st place - Karen Walker, 11th grade, Classic City High School
2nd place - Zoey Potts, 9th grade, Cedar Shoals High School
3rd place - Alexia Gil-Chavez, 9th grade, Clarke Central High School
K-2 Art
1st place - Sophia Haas, 1st grade, Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary
2nd place - Natylyn Lewis, 2nd grade, Fowler Drive Elementary
3rd place - Nala Howard, 2nd grade, Howard B. Stroud Elementary
Honorable Mention - William Carter, 2nd grade, Barrow Elementary
3-5 Art
1st place - Adaliene Wilcox, 4th grade, Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary
2nd place - Ella Sewell, 5th grade, Timothy Road Elementary
3rd place - Salma Ahmed, 5th grade, Barrow Elementary
Middle School Art
1st place - Valley Morris, 7th grade, Clarke Middle
2nd place - Brandon Lopez Hernandez, 7th grade, Coile Middle
3rd place - Billie Jo Bolduc, 6th grade, Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle
Honorable Mention - Ariadna Borjas-Loyola, 7th grade, Hilsman Middle
High School Art
1st place - Shantal Capitillo Blanco, 9th grade, Clarke Central High School
2nd place - Roxana Rebollar Zarco, 10th grade, Cedar Shoals High School
K-2 Writing
1st place - Dylan Johnson, 2nd grade, Timothy Road Elementary
2nd place - Joshua Perez Solis, 2nd grade, J.J. Harris Elementary
3rd place - Linton Driskell, 2nd grade, Barnett Shoals Elementary
Honorable Mention - Macie Slagle, 2nd grade, Barrow Elementary
3-5 Writing
1st place - Alana Serrano Sanchez, 4th grade, Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary
2nd place - Harper Price, 5th grade, Timothy Road Elementary
3rd place - Basma Ghareeb, 5th grade, Barrow Elementary
Honorable Mention - Coraline Avila, 5th grade, J.J. Harris Elementary
Middle School Writing
1st place - Aurelia DeWald, 8th grade, Hilsman Middle
2nd place - Beatrice Borger, 7th grade, Clarke Middle
3rd place - Jazmine Miracle Piverge, 8th grade, Coile Middle
High School Writing
1st place - Karen Walker, 11th grade, Classic City High School
2nd place - Zoey Potts, 9th grade, Cedar Shoals High School
3rd place - Alexia Gil-Chavez, 9th grade, Clarke Central High School
Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School got into the Halloween spirit big-time yesterday with their annual storybook character parade! Full photo gallery on the CCSD Facebook page!
Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes: Our transportation team was in full superhero force at Barnett Shoals Elementary School earlier this week, performing their school bus safety skit with a message for students to "Be a Buddy, Not a Bully!" Remember, students, you can be heroes, too, at school, on the bus, and in the community by taking these actions:
✅ Be a friend
✅ Use kind words
✅ Look for and report bullying to an adult
✅ Learn to use empathy for others
✅ When you do these things, YOU have the power to stop bullying!
More photos on the CCSD Facebook page!
Thank you to all the local small business owners and representatives who attended our third annual Primetime with Purchasing event yesterday, our community partners who joined us to provide more information and assistance, and Mayor-Elect Dexter Fisher, who gave the keynote address! It was a great day for making connections, finding opportunities to do business with CCSD, and forming partnerships! More photos on the CCSD Facebook page!
Behind the Scenes: Big shoutout to FOX 5 Atlanta and Paul Milliken, who brought the energy to Clarke Central High School this morning for the live mini pep rally, and thanks for making our Gladiators the Football Team of the Week ahead of their big region showdown with Jackson County tomorrow night! Great job by the Clarke Central players, cheerleaders, drum line, and JROTC for representing CCHS and CCSD so well! And the fun is not over! The Glads' matchup with Jackson County tomorrow, which has a potential region championship and huge playoff seeding implications on the line, will also be the Atlanta News First Game of the Week and will be broadcast and streamed live by ANF on their website! Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.! Go Glads! More photos on the CCSD Facebook page!
We were pleased to join Athens-Clarke County and ACC Public Utilities yesterday at Barrow Elementary School to celebrate Athens' selection as one of five winners in the nationwide Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation by the Wyland Foundation! The award recognizes communities that have used mayoral leadership and resident pledges to advance water conservation, pollution reduction, and watershed health.
As part of the award, one school in each community was selected to receive 100 pairs of eco-friendly sunglasses that help reduce damage to eyes from prolonged exposure to blue light. Each pair is made from recycled plastics equal to three discarded single-use plastic water bottles.
Barrow was selected to receive the sunglasses and take part in the celebration for their work around water conservation education, led by teacher Sara Clarke. Mayor Kelly Girtz spoke with the students, and members of the ACC Water Conservation team led several activities, including temporary tattoo stations, composting vs. recycling vs. landfill education, post-it notes with water conservation pledges, and interviews with the Barrow student media team on the importance of water conservation.
More photos on the CCSD Facebook page!
Thanks to the Georgia Gymnastics team for stopping by Barrow Elementary School the past two weeks to read to students and supporting our CCSD Culture of Literacy! Yesterday they visited with third-grade classes! Go Dawgs!
Another terrific event put on last night by the @athensffe, celebrating its 2026 Teaching and Staff Awards winners from CCSD, including its latest two - the Mae M. Whatley Teacher of the Year, Matthew Rubenstein, and the Janis J. Stephens Support Professional of the Year, Kathryn Brown! Congratulations to all of the other award winners listed below! See more photos on the CCSD Facebook page! And learn more about each of the winners on the FFE Facebook page!
Michaela Wright
Nicholas Kelly (not pictured)
Sasha Baker
Beth Selleck
Meganne Skinner
Jennifer Dollander
Devin Driskell
Sara Oehlerts
Hannah Doolittle
Julia Bridgeman
Ryan Lopez
Laurence Dunn
Jerry Johnson
Meredith Dykes
Chris Batson
The third annual "Free Your Feels" Youth Mental Health Summit yesterday was a great success with group discussions and other activities! Thanks to all the student participants, student facilitators, adult organizers, and organizations who supported this event and provided our youth and families with information about resources available to them! More photos on the CCSD Facebook page!
More exciting Gifted Savings news to share as the Georgia Council for the Social Studies (GCSS) presented CCSD and Gifted Savings representatives with its annual Program of Excellence Award yesterday during its fall conference in Athens! The honor recognizes schools and districts for providing comprehensive, high-quality, and innovative social studies programs that go above and beyond in meeting state and national criteria standards but also provide engaging teaching strategies and foster community connections. We're thankful to see this financial education and literacy program gaining more recognition! Pictured, from left to right: Ben Smalley, CCSD Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator; Derriana Smith, Cedar Shoals High School Class of 2026, CCSD's inaugural Gifted Savings class, and current University of Georgia student; Quinn Pendley, Clarke Central High School Class of 2026 and current UGA student; CCSD Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Scott; and Gifted Savings Executive Director Josh Landay.
Lots of fun at last night's Teacher/Support Professional of the Year awards banquet! Visit the CCSD Facebook page for all of our photos!
At CCSD, through our partnership with Gifted Savings, we're continuing the groundbreaking work of making Athens the first community in America where every student graduates high school as a real investor, and we're well on our way to fully funding investment portfolios for a third graduating class!
At yesterday's quarterly meeting of our community Gifted Savings Advisory Council, Gifted Savings Executive Director Josh Landay shared that our community has raised more than $150,000 toward our goal of providing $1,000 portfolios for every member of the CCSD Class of 2028!
Through the support of local businesses and organizations, the success of our Fall "Dining for Dividends" event last month, and the contributions of nearly 30 individual donors alone since late August, our community is making an impact and making a difference in the lives of students! Meanwhile, our seniors in the Class of 2027 are deep into the 20-module financial education and literacy program, learning a renewed mindset around money management and developing a financial toolkit that will serve them well and help them build a secure future in adulthood!
Help us keep the momentum going and meet our next fundraising goal! Visit www.clarke.k12.ga.us/giftedsavings to learn more and contribute to the Gifted Savings at CCSD Fund through the Athens Area Community Foundation!