We are excited to share that the School Social Workers Association of Georgia (SSWAG) has named Angela Gay, school social worker at Howard B. Stroud Elementary School and Cedar Shoals High School, as the District 9 School Social Worker of the Year! This prestigious recognition honors Ms. Gay for her outstanding dedication, leadership, and impact on students and families across the district.
As the District 9 honoree, Ms. Gay will advance to compete for the SSWAG School Social Worker of the Year, a statewide award recognizing excellence and innovation in school social work across Georgia.
With 31 years of service to children and families, Ms. Gay has spent the past 24 years as a CCSD school social worker. She has consistently gone above and beyond to advocate for students’ academic, social, and emotional stability and success. She has played a key role in developing, facilitating, and implementing programs that promote mental health awareness and physical safety, family engagement, and equitable access to resources. Her compassionate approach and commitment to collaboration have made her a trusted leader among colleagues and a powerful voice for all students.
Ms. Gay is pictured with, from left, Chrystal Gillis, CCSD's Director of School Social Work; Nicholas Hartley, SSWAG District 9 President; and Dr. Angela Pope, CCSD Lead Social Worker.
CONGRATULATIONS, Ms. Gay, and good luck in the state competition!
As the District 9 honoree, Ms. Gay will advance to compete for the SSWAG School Social Worker of the Year, a statewide award recognizing excellence and innovation in school social work across Georgia.
With 31 years of service to children and families, Ms. Gay has spent the past 24 years as a CCSD school social worker. She has consistently gone above and beyond to advocate for students’ academic, social, and emotional stability and success. She has played a key role in developing, facilitating, and implementing programs that promote mental health awareness and physical safety, family engagement, and equitable access to resources. Her compassionate approach and commitment to collaboration have made her a trusted leader among colleagues and a powerful voice for all students.
Ms. Gay is pictured with, from left, Chrystal Gillis, CCSD's Director of School Social Work; Nicholas Hartley, SSWAG District 9 President; and Dr. Angela Pope, CCSD Lead Social Worker.
CONGRATULATIONS, Ms. Gay, and good luck in the state competition!
CCSD thanks our team of school psychologists for the important work they do!
We are pleased to announce the winners of our annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Writing & Art Contest! This year's contest theme was "My Dream: Our Future." All of the winners listed (first place, second place, third place, honorable mention) in each category 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 annual MLK Freedom Breakfast in January! A big congratulations to all!
K-2 Writing
1st place - Melody Meza, 2nd grade, Howard B. Stroud Elementary School
2nd place - Ja’Siris Turner, 2nd grade, Barrow Elementary School
3rd place - Seshata Sharpe, 2nd grade, Whitehead Road Elementary School
Honorable Mention - McKena Washington, 2nd grade, Gaines Elementary School
3-5 Writing
1st place - Alana Serrano Sanchez, 3rd grade, Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School
2nd place - Olivia Morse, 4th grade, Fowler Drive Elementary School
3rd place - Kiara Alonso Valencia, 4th grade, Judia Jackson Harris Elementary School
Honorable Mention - Londynn Clayton, 3rd grade, Whit Davis Elementary School
Middle School Writing
1st place - Alexia Gil-Chavez, 8th grade, Clarke Middle School
2nd place - Ashley Villanueva-Hernandez, 8th grade, Coile Middle School
3rd place - Autumn Fayerweather, 8th grade, Hilsman Middle School
Honorable Mention - Eloise McDaniel, 6th grade, Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School
High School Writing
1st place (tie) - Mary Wicker, 11th grade, Clarke Central High School
1st place (tie) - Arianna Ellison, 11th grade, CCSD Learning Center
2nd place - Katie Kulik, 11th grade, Cedar Shoals High School
3rd place - Taniya Johnson, 11th grade, Classic City High School
K-2 Art
1st place - Emelia Watson Coello, 1st grade, Timothy Road Elementary School
2nd place - Elizabeth Orr, 1st grade, Barnett Shoals Elementary School
3rd place - Macie Slagle, 1st grade, Barrow Elementary School
Honorable Mention - Evelyn Gustafson-Pruitt, 2nd grade, Winterville Elementary School
3-5 Art
1st place - Leah Swinford, 5th grade, Timothy Road Elementary School
2nd place - Gabriela Martinez Rosales, 4th grade, Judia Jackson Harris Elementary School
3rd place - Maddie Davis, 5th grade, Winterville Elementary School
Honorable mention - Virginia Hahn, 5th grade, Whit Davis Elementary School
Middle School Art
1st place - Haley Wallace, 8th grade, Hilsman Middle School
2nd place - Camila Lopez Rodriguez, 7th grade, Coile Middle School
3rd place (tie) - Max Selleck, 7th grade, Clarke Middle School
3rd place (tie) - Neymar Rodriguez-Martinez, 8th grade, Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School
High School Art
1st place - SK Hodges, 10th grade, Cedar Shoals High School
2nd place - Anneliese Carson, 9th grade, Clarke Central High School
FIND YOUR FIT WITH CCSD! If you are interested in becoming a teacher, if you're already a certified teacher who would like to get back in the classroom, or if you're interested in joining CCSD in a non-teaching, support staff role, join us on Friday, Nov. 7, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in Room 123 at the District Office, 595 Prince Ave., Athens! Register at bit.ly/CCSDRecruitmentDays. Can't make it? No problem! Additional "Find Your Fit Friday" sessions are planned for Dec. 5 and Jan. 9, same place and time!
While our students were enjoying their day off today, our teachers and instructional support staff were spread throughout 16 of our schools and buildings this morning, taking advantage of more than 70 professional learning sessions across all content areas, the vast majority of which were led by CCSD educators and support staff! School staff returned to their home buildings this afternoon for a debrief on what they learned today and how the sessions will help them better serve students and families. Thanks to all involved who made this a successful day of fun, exciting, and important professional learning!
Thanks to the Georgia Chapter of the Association for Learning Environments for visiting Clarke Middle School today to learn more about the process of constructing the CMS building! G4LE is a non-profit association whose primary mission is to improve the places where children learn through public advocacy of and training and professional development on best practices for effective school facility planning and construction. About 50 G4LE members were in attendance today and received an overview of the building's features, the project construction timeline, and the considerations that went into constructing the building from January 2023 to its official completion in February 2025. Members then toured the facility.
"Building Clarke Middle School on an active site was no small feat, but every challenge was worth it to create a space that truly meets the needs of our students and staff," said John Gilbreath, CCSD Assistant Superintendent of Operations. "This school stands as a testament to thoughtful design, teamwork, and a shared commitment to a better future for the children."
"It was one of the most successful projects I've ever been a part of," said Chris Gareau, Executive Vice President of Grahl Construction, LLC, adding that strong communication between the district, construction contractors, architects, civil engineers, and all parties, was crucial to building the facility and opening on schedule.
"Building Clarke Middle School on an active site was no small feat, but every challenge was worth it to create a space that truly meets the needs of our students and staff," said John Gilbreath, CCSD Assistant Superintendent of Operations. "This school stands as a testament to thoughtful design, teamwork, and a shared commitment to a better future for the children."
"It was one of the most successful projects I've ever been a part of," said Chris Gareau, Executive Vice President of Grahl Construction, LLC, adding that strong communication between the district, construction contractors, architects, civil engineers, and all parties, was crucial to building the facility and opening on schedule.
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Cedar Shoals High School senior Omnia Mansour, who finished sixth place in her division in the entire country in the National FFA Agriscience Fair competition this week in Indianapolis! Omnia's project focused on the effectiveness of different insecticides on mosquitoes' ability to develop resistance to the treatments. Way to go, Omnia!
Another outstanding monthly community pop-up lunch at the Athens Community Career Academy's student-run Yellow Jacket Bistro that did not disappoint! ACCA's culinary arts pathway students put their own spin on German fare with an Oktoberfest-themed menu, while students from the Entertainment, Sports, and Event Management pathway once again ran the front-of-house operations and marketing for the event. Be on the lookout for upcoming details on the November pop-up lunch, and make plans to come support our students and the great work they're doing, running a fantastic enterprise under the guidance of culinary instructor Amee Williams and ESEM instructor Celissa Beck!
A great time last night at the Foundation for Excellence in Public Education in Clarke County's annual Teaching and Staff Awards reception! See the full photo gallery here!
Congratulations to Barnett Shoals Elementary School, Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School, and Clarke Central High School for winning the third annual Fall Parent-Teacher Conference Attendance Awards! The initiative is led by (semi-) retired CCSD employee Pearl Hall and a group of community supporters and recognizes the schools at each level (elementary, middle, and high) that have the highest percentage of parents/guardians who attend fall conferences. Thanks to Ms. Hall and her fellow citizens for their continued support of Clarke County schools, students, and families! Great work by these schools' family engagement specialists (Jennifer Flores at Barnett Shoals, She-Ra Gonzalez at BHL, and Christian Barner at Central) and their teams for rallying families to the conferences this fall, and, of course, thank you to our parents and guardians for being present!
Check out our photo galleries on Facebook from last night's Teacher/Support Professional of the Year awards banquet!
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Part 3
A fantastic Primetime with Purchasing event today at the District Office! Thank you to all of the local businesses who came to learn more about how to become a vendor and partner with CCSD!
Thank you to the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government for inviting us to partner on the recent series at the Athens-Clarke County Library for local business owners and vendors on ways to get involved with doing business with ACCGov, the University of Georgia, and CCSD!
During today's session, CCSD was represented by members of our Business Services Division, as Purchasing Supervisor Veronica Jackson gave an overview of the many business opportunities available in CCSD to companies, small businesses, and contractors, while accounts payable assistant Montanna McGinnis walked vendor workshop series participants through the procedures the department has in place to ensure that our vendors are paid correctly and on time.
AS A REMINDER: CCSD will also be hosting the second annual Primetime with Purchasing event TOMORROW (Thursday, Oct. 23), from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the District Office (595 Prince Ave.). All current and prospective vendors are invited to attend, meet with representatives from every district division and department, and learn more about doing business with us! Vendor form packets will also be available, along with information about small business funding assistance and Chick-fil-A food trucks for those wishing to purchase lunch during the event. We'll see you there!
During today's session, CCSD was represented by members of our Business Services Division, as Purchasing Supervisor Veronica Jackson gave an overview of the many business opportunities available in CCSD to companies, small businesses, and contractors, while accounts payable assistant Montanna McGinnis walked vendor workshop series participants through the procedures the department has in place to ensure that our vendors are paid correctly and on time.
AS A REMINDER: CCSD will also be hosting the second annual Primetime with Purchasing event TOMORROW (Thursday, Oct. 23), from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the District Office (595 Prince Ave.). All current and prospective vendors are invited to attend, meet with representatives from every district division and department, and learn more about doing business with us! Vendor form packets will also be available, along with information about small business funding assistance and Chick-fil-A food trucks for those wishing to purchase lunch during the event. We'll see you there!
Congratulations to Clarke Central High School's JD Daniel on committing to the University of Georgia to continue his academic and athletic career in track and field and cross country! JD committed to Georgia in a ceremony this morning at Clarke Central surrounded by classmates, teammates, family, coaches, and other supporters. He holds the current school record for the 800m race and 4x800m relay.
A big congratulations and another HUGE THANK YOU to ABB's Athens plant for once again winning the company's district Plant of the Year award and once again donating its winnings ($10,000) to our Advanced Manufacturing and Welding career pathway for CCSD high school students at the Athens Community Career Academy!
In addition to today's check donation during the plant's award celebration, ABB leaders from the local plant and district managers from around the country heard from CCSD Workforce Development Coordinator Halo Smart and ACCA advanced manufacturing/welding instructor Pierce Woodson about this mutually beneficial community partnership that has opened doors for our students to a new world of career possibilities while also strengthening the local workforce for ABB and other manufacturers in the area.
ABB has long been a major supporter of CTAE education in Clarke County and was instrumental in the buildout of ACCA's advanced manufacturing/welding lab and instructional space. Over the past seven years, more than 100 students have enrolled in the pathway at ACCA. More than two dozen have done apprenticeships with ABB, and three former students who are currently employed there are pursuing electrical engineering degrees while earning their full-time, competitive salaries! Plant of the Year proceeds from ABB have also helped fund the ACCA Robotics Team and its travel to competitions, as the team has won on the regional and state levels and competed on the international level!
In addition to today's check donation during the plant's award celebration, ABB leaders from the local plant and district managers from around the country heard from CCSD Workforce Development Coordinator Halo Smart and ACCA advanced manufacturing/welding instructor Pierce Woodson about this mutually beneficial community partnership that has opened doors for our students to a new world of career possibilities while also strengthening the local workforce for ABB and other manufacturers in the area.
ABB has long been a major supporter of CTAE education in Clarke County and was instrumental in the buildout of ACCA's advanced manufacturing/welding lab and instructional space. Over the past seven years, more than 100 students have enrolled in the pathway at ACCA. More than two dozen have done apprenticeships with ABB, and three former students who are currently employed there are pursuing electrical engineering degrees while earning their full-time, competitive salaries! Plant of the Year proceeds from ABB have also helped fund the ACCA Robotics Team and its travel to competitions, as the team has won on the regional and state levels and competed on the international level!
CCSD is observing Oct. 20-24 as National School Bus Safety Week, and members of our district transportation team have been on it with their always fun and entertaining bus safety skit! Click here for more scenes from yesterday as our transportation heroes took the show to Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School! And remember that every one of us can play a part in school bus safety: from students being safe and responsible riders and always following the drivers' and monitors' directions; to drivers obeying all traffic laws, slowing down in school zones or near bus stops, and avoiding distracted driving; to parents and guardians reinforcing bus safety rules with their children; to community members spreading the word about school bus safety.
A great start to the CCSD Elementary Basketball League season yesterday with Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary and Bettye H. Holston Elementary facing off. See more photos from the games here! The action continues today with Howard B. Stroud Elementary taking on Winterville Elementary at the District Office gym and Gaines Elementary facing Barnett Shoals Elementary at Hilsman Middle School! Girls' games tip off at 4 p.m., followed by the boys at 5 p.m.!
Congratulations to Timothy Road Elementary on winning the 2025 CCSD Elementary Volleyball League championship and Whitehead Road Elementary on finishing as runners-up. Full photo gallery here!
Also at last night's Board of Education meeting, we once again recognized Felicia Barrett, behavior interventionist and ASP coordinator at Timothy Road Elementary School, for being named CCSD's October Employee of the Month! Congratulations once again to Ms. Barrett and thank you to the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce and the many local businesses who sponsor and support our Employee of the Month Program with gifts and prizes!
At last night's Board of Education meeting, we recognized Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School seventh-grader Jordan Billings, whose recent heroic actions helped save a life.
While Jordan was getting off his afternoon bus, a small child with autism ran out of the reach of his mother into the street. Without hesitation, Jordan got to the child and restrained them until the driver was able to get off the bus and help get them off the street safely.
Jordan's actions were the perfect demonstration of Leader in Me Habit No. 1 — Be Proactive — which includes being responsible, having a positive attitude, and doing the right thing, even if and when no one is watching. Jordan has been a leader in following BHL’s R.O.A.R. expectations for students: Respectful, Open-Minded, Accountable, and Responsible.
Great job, Jordan!
While Jordan was getting off his afternoon bus, a small child with autism ran out of the reach of his mother into the street. Without hesitation, Jordan got to the child and restrained them until the driver was able to get off the bus and help get them off the street safely.
Jordan's actions were the perfect demonstration of Leader in Me Habit No. 1 — Be Proactive — which includes being responsible, having a positive attitude, and doing the right thing, even if and when no one is watching. Jordan has been a leader in following BHL’s R.O.A.R. expectations for students: Respectful, Open-Minded, Accountable, and Responsible.
Great job, Jordan!
