Don't forget the altered school schedule for parent-teacher conferences and fall break this week into next!
Wednesday, October 14 - Early dismissal (12:20 p.m. for elementary schools and early learning centers; 1:30 p.m. for middle and high schools). ASP will be available at elementary schools on the conference day rate.
Thursday, October 15 - Student holiday. Schools will be open for K-12 parent-teacher conferences
Friday, October 16 - Student and staff holiday. All schools and district offices will be closed.
Monday, October 19 - Student and staff holiday. The District Office will be open during normal hours (8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.)
Tuesday, October 20 - All students and staff return

Don't forget to wear pink tomorrow!
#CCSDPinkOut2026
#BreastCancerAwarenessMonth
#CCSDBetterTogether

Here is this week's Tree Frog News, October 4th ed.

https://app.smore.com/n/amr4k

Want to help ALL of our Tree Frog readers get a new book from the book fair next week?

Visit this link to contribute to our Share the Fair fund:

http://bit.ly/jlbsharefair

Your contribution helps ensure that we are able to provide books to all of our students regardless of their ability to pay--because ALL kids deserve to experience the joy of reading!

Thanks so much for your support!

The safety and welfare of our students and staff are our highest priority at Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School. As part of our ongoing efforts to maintain the safety of our students and staff, we are conducting a lockdown drill on September 25, 2025. We practice safety drills throughout the year to help our staff and students know what to do in an emergency.

Please read the following communication (also shared on paper and on ClassDojo) for more information about the upcoming drill: https://bit.ly/jlblockdown25

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Principal Snow at snowm@clarke.k12.ga.us.

Need to do some last-minute school supply shopping on the go this weekend? CCSD school-by-school, grade-by-grade, supply lists are available through TeacherLists!
On your phone, navigate to teacherlists.com:
- Select "I am a parent/guardian"
- Select "Search by state" and pick Georgia
- Start typing in your school's name to find each grade level list!
Remember: If you don't see your school or a list, those schools will be providing all or most supplies. For more information and direct links to each school's lists on TeacherLists, you can reference www.clarke.k12.ga.us/supplies.

Hello, Tree Frogs!

We are excited to begin the nomination process for our Teacher of the Year (TOTY)! This special recognition honors individuals who go above and beyond to support, inspire, and make a lasting difference in the lives of our students.

Nominees should be dedicated professionals who:

⋆ inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn and grow,
⋆ celebrate diversity and promote educational equity,
⋆ are respected by students, families, and colleagues,
⋆ serve our school and community with commitment and compassion,
⋆ represent our school with professionalism, grace, and pride, and
⋆ have worked at Chase Street/Burks Elementary School for 3 or more years.

Nomination submissions are open to faculty, staff, students, and families.

Let’s take this opportunity to recognize the incredible educators who make our school such a special place! If you are willing to nominate someone, please take the time to complete this nomination form no later than August 8, 2025:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHfCZ6WHIU_xlC_IN9XjR_jiC4EIbpo8SWPCOvnLgU3ip7gA/viewform

Thanks!

WEATHER UPDATE: All schools and offices closed Friday, January 10.

Hispanic Heritage Month has concluded, but we are still thinking about how much we learned and had fun at our Hispanic Heritage celebration last week! We enjoyed a dance performance from the Tonalli Danza Folklórica Mexicana, bilingual English/Spanish storytimes with guest readers, arts, crafts, games, and more! Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate!

From @johnnylayburkspto: Check meal planning off your list for next Monday, September 23rd! Join us for hoppy hour at @tedsmostbest from 4pm to 9:30pm. A portion of sales will support our Tree Frogs! 🐸 Thank you, Ted's!

It's time once again to nominate a CCSD Employee of the Month! The Employee of the Month program recognizes and rewards staff members for their service and dedication to the students and families of the Clarke County School District. Each month (September through May), a CCSD employee is chosen for the award, surprised at their school or building, and invited to the monthly Board of Education meeting for recognition. Any member of the CCSD community (student, parent/guardian, staff member, community member) may nominate any full-time district employee with at least one full year of service. Nominations for September Employee of the Month are now open! Go to bit.ly/CCEmployeeAward to get started!

It's time for year two of CCSD's regional AdaptED Sports Program! The Classic City Dawgs will start adapted handball on Aug. 11. Participation is completely free for any public or private school students in grades 1-12 in Clarke, Oconee, Jackson, Madison, Barrow, and Oglethorpe counties who have a qualifying disability. Wheelchair handball is a GHSA-sanctioned co-ed sport. 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. If your student is interested in participating, please complete this form: https://bit.ly/clarkeadapted For more information and to sign up, please contact CCSD area AdaptED Sports coordinator Chris Aiken at aikenc@clarke.k12.ga.us. Parents and students can ask questions, gather more information and sign up by contacting CCSD Area Coordinator Chris Aiken: aikenc@clarke.k12.ga.us

Check out this week's "Better Together" newsletter featuring highlights from the past week and more news and information from CCSD! For English: https://secure.smore.com/n/2pfue/preview Para Español: https://secure.smore.com/n/gcubf/preview If you are a community member who is not already receiving the newsletter through our parent/guardian mass notification system, and you would like to receive the newsletter in your email each week, please email communications@clarke.k12.ga.us.

CCSD is requesting that families provide updated health information for every student — new and returning — for the 2024-25 school year. Please go to https://bit.ly/healthform24 or scan the QR code to access and complete the required form (available in English and Spanish). Please complete one form per student. For more information, contact your school nurse. You can find contact information at www.clarke.k12.ga.us/nursing.

Check out the CCSD 2024-25 Back to School Guide! In this special edition of the "Better Together" newsletter, you will find information on student registration, open-house dates for each school, uniform/dress code requirements, school supplies, bus routes, school nutrition, school dates and times, and more topics. For English: bit.ly/BTSGuide24 Para Español: bit.ly/BTSGuide24ESP

Hoppy July, Tree Frogs! We hope you're having a wonderful summer! Families, please save the date for our open house on Tuesday, July 30th from 3:00 to 5:00pm. Drop in anytime during those hours to visit classrooms and meet teachers, learn all about riding the school bus from one of our CCSD bus drivers, sign up for our PTO, enjoy some ice cream, and more. Our administrators, Principal Matt Snow and Assistant Principal Dr. Magen Watkins, will also be leading general information sessions in the cafeteria starting at 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, and 4:30--perfect for new families or as a refresher for our returning Tree Frogs! Can't wait to see you on July 30th!