December 2024 Newsletter

Happy Holidays from Greater Clark County Schools!

As we prepare for Winter Break, we want to wish the Greater Clark County Schools community a safe, happy, and memorable holiday season. Thank you to our parents, students, dedicated staff, school board, and community members for making 2024 such a special year!

We’re excited to head into 2025 with you and have many exciting things in store for the new year.

On behalf of Greater Clark County Schools, “Happy Holidays to you and your family!”

Calendar Reminder: End of Second Quarter and Winter Break!

We want to remind you of important dates before winter break!

End of 2nd Quarter:
The 2nd quarter wraps up on December 20th.

Winter Break:
There will be no school from December 23rd to January 3rd. Students will return on Monday, January 6th.

We wish everyone a safe and restful holiday season!

Kindergarten Open House Save the Date

Join us on January 23rd from 5-7 p.m. for our Kindergarten Open House! This is the perfect opportunity for you and your soon-to-be Kindergartener to tour the school, visit classrooms, and meet our dedicated staff.
  • 5-6 p.m.: Last names A-M
  • 6-7 p.m.: Last names N-Z

For families attending our new Pike & Charlestown schools (opening Fall 2025):

  • Charlestown Elementary Families (Jonathan Jennings + Pleasant Ridge): Please attend Open House at Pleasant Ridge Elementary
  • Pike Elementary Families (Thomas Jefferson + W.E. Wilson): Please attend Open House at Wilson Elementary
Note: Tours of the new Pike and Charlestown elementary schools will not be available during the Open House. However, exciting visuals of the new schools will be displayed at Wilson and Pleasant Ridge Elementary.

Kindergarten registration will open in early April – stay tuned for more details!

We can’t wait to welcome you and your future Kindergartener to our school community!

Save the Date: 6th and 9th Grade Preview Nights!

Attention incoming middle and high school families! Please mark your calendars for January 29th and join us for our 6th and 9th Grade Preview Nights. This is an excellent opportunity to tour the school, meet the staff, and learn more about what to expect in the upcoming school year.

  • 9th Grade Preview: 5:00 – 6:15 p.m.
  • 6th Grade Preview: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

We look forward to welcoming you and helping your student prepare for their next big step!

2025 MLK Show

We are thrilled to invite you to the 2025 “I Have A Dream” performance featuring the talented second-grade students of Greater Clark County Schools. This special event honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a moving program of six inspiring songs and spoken introductions centered on unity and his enduring impact.

Catch a glimpse of last year’s program here and see why this event is so meaningful to our community.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported this dream and helped make it a reality for our students. Let’s come together to cheer them on as they take the stage for this powerful performance.

Event Details:
Date: January 22, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Charlestown High School

2025 Academy Student Employment and Career Fair

Mark your calendar for the 2025 Student Employment & Career Fair with Greater Clark Academy students! If you’re passionate about discussing career paths, sharing industry insights, or connecting with future professionals, this is the perfect opportunity to inspire the next generation.

Event Details:
  • Jeffersonville High School: February 14th, 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  • Charlestown High School: February 25th, 8:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Participation is open to all, and you do not need to offer student employment or internships to be involved. Join us in speaking with Academy students about career paths, educational journeys and showcasing your company’s impact.

Do you know someone who would be interested? Have them sign up here.
For questions, contact Academy and CTE Coordinator Bryan Reed at breed@gccschools.com.

For questions, please also see the below FAQ sheet.

Inclement Weather Plans

Due to the recent weather, we’d like to remind families of our Inclement Weather Plan so you can be prepared should our school schedule change; you can find those plans on our website.

Ensure you are signed up to receive PowerSchool notifications, as that’s one of the main channels we use to communicate delays or eLearning days. If you still need to be signed up and would like to receive notifications, please contact your child’s school directly to be added. 

Additionally, we will post information and updates on our social media, so make sure you’re following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter). Our social media will always have the most up-to-date information.

FAFSA Now Open + Workshop Info!

Attention families: the FAFSA application period is officially open, and it’s time to secure financial aid opportunities for your student. Make sure their FAFSA application is submitted by April 15, 2025, to meet the deadline.

Need Assistance?
We’re here to help! Stay tuned for updates on our upcoming FAFSA Workshops, where our counselors and experts will guide you step-by-step through the process and answer any questions.

Don’t wait and apply TODAY! https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Girls Elementary BBall Champs - Utica

Congratulations to Utica Elementary for becoming the 2024 GCCS Elementary Girls Basketball Champions!

The Jets faced a tough challenge from the runners-up, Riverside Elementary, in a hard-fought game. Both teams showcased incredible sportsmanship and skills on the court, and we are so proud of all the players!

Way to go, Jets and Roadrunners!

Jeremy Shireman - District 12 Elementary Principal of the Year!

One of the reasons #WeAreGreater is because of the incredible educators and leaders in our district. We are thrilled to share that Dr. Jeremy Shireman, Principal of Parkwood Elementary, has been recognized as the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) 2024 District 12 Elementary Principal of the Year!
Congratulations, Dr. Shireman! Your dedication to our students, staff, and community is truly inspiring. We are so grateful for your leadership and can’t wait to see what amazing accomplishments lie ahead.

The Academies Section

This month, students had the opportunity to participate in two comprehensive, career-focused field trips that took place, including Trades Day at Clark County REMC and the Entrepreneurship Resource Fair hosted at Maker 13. Upperclassmen interested in skilled trades were rotated in groups around REMC’s campus to learn about the different roles that support their operations—from linemen to auto mechanics to surveyors to arborists. This intentional exposure has led to several students completing a job shadow afterward so they could get a deeper understanding of the role they were most interested in pursuing after graduation. 

The Entrepreneurship Resource Fair helped connect upperclassmen with organizations and individuals that help entrepreneurs move their ideas from a dream to a reality. Students also participated in mini-workshops that helped walk them through key entrepreneurship components—from funding the idea to the value of networking. At the conclusion of the event, students practice their public speaking skills by completing a pitch of their business plan. Through experiences such as these, students can truly see what they can be.

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