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Welcome to the ACS Newsroom where you will find the latest stories and happenings in the Athens City Schools community. We understand there are exceptional and extraordinary things happening in our shcools and in the lives of our students each and every day. Have a story you would like us to know about? Please share your story with us!
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Teacher says area cities need to work together
Chris Paysinger has been teaching for 20 years and says it’s never been as much fun as now. Paysinger, a history teacher for high school students in the ACS project-based learning academy housed in an historic building, complete with brick walls and heart-pine floors, on Marion Street in downtown Athens. Read more now!
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SPARK Academy at Cowart Elementary selected as the CLAS Banner School for District 8
SPARK Academy at Cowart Elementary was named as the 2018 CLAS Banner School for State School Board District 8 by the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS). This award recognizes schools that serve as outstanding educational models for other schools in Alabama. The CLAS Banner School award is the highest district honor granted by CLAS. Read more now.
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WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone funds innovation lab at iAcademy at Athens Elementary
iAcademy at Athens Elementary (AES) was recently awarded a grant from local business partner WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone. The $18,000 grant is being used to develop a new WOW! Innovation Lab and Makerspace for students at AES.
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Kindergarten Registration and academy showcase for the 2019-2020 school year
Athens City Schools (ACS) kindergarten registration for the 2019-2020 school year is February 25 through March 29. Registration is open to any child who is five years old on or before September 1, 2019 and is an Athens resident. Kindergarten registration is completed through an online service called SchoolMint. As an introduction to the Athens Academies, ACS is hosting an elementary academy showcase on February 25. Click the title above for full details about kindergarten registration.
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Our Future is Bright: ACS Progress Report, Spring 2019
ACS is committed to meeting the challenges of today while preparing for the bright future of tomorrow. Dr. Chris Hamilton, Athens City Schools Director of Communications and Public Relations, talks progress, growth, facilities, and more in this short Q &A session. Click now to learn more!
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SPARK Academy at Cowart Elementary selected as CLAS School of Distinction
SPARK Academy at Cowart Elementary has been selected as a 2018 School of Distinction by the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS). This award recognizes schools that serve as outstanding educational models for other schools in Alabama. One hundred and sixty schools were nominated for this prestigious recognition. Click to read the full article.
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iAcademy at Athens Elementary named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
iAcademy at Athens Elementary (AES) has been named a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School (NBRS) of Excellence by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. AES is one of five Alabama schools recognized as a NBRS. The coveted NBRS award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Click to read more.
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Two Schools Awarded Be Healthy Grants
Two ACS schools were awarded $20,000 in grant funding from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Be Healthy Grant Program. HEART Academy at Julian Newman and Athens Intermediate School received grants to implement school-based health and wellness programs that emphasize increased exercise, nutrition education and parental involvement.
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Change in Back to School Plans for AHS Students
The much anticipated opening of the new Athens High School campus has been delayed. The new campus will open to students on November 19, 2018. Students in grades 9-12 will begin the school year August 30 at the former Athens Middle School campus on Clinton Street. School will be in full session. Minor modifications have been made to the building to create adequate classroom space, allowing the school to run a full schedule. Crews have been cleaning the building and making preparations for the new school year. Read more now.
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Rick Carter Named First Principal Advocate Champion
Athens, AL, July 24, 2018 --- Dr. Rick Carter, director of innovation programs at Athens City Schools, was announced as the first recipient of the Principal Advocate Champion award by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Policy & Advocacy Center. Dr. Carter was recognized for being an advocate who has dedicated his time to advancing the policy and civic priorities of school leaders, public education, and students across America and Alabama.
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Julian Newman Partners to Bring Outdoor Classroom to Students
ATHENS, Alabama, April 9, 2018 --- Julian Newman Elementary School will hold an Outdoor Classroom Day in partnership with the Alabama Outdoor Classroom (AOC) Program on Friday, April 20. Julian Newman students, parents, faculty and community volunteers will help establish a bird sanctuary and install plants for pollinator, butterfly, sensory and seasonal gardens. These will be used as learning stations for all classes at the school.
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Community & Parent Information Meeting
ATHENS, Alabama, February 3, 2018 --- Athens City Schools(ACS) will host a community and parent information meeting on Tuesday, February 6 at 6:00 p.m. at Athens Intermediate School (AIS). The purpose of the meeting is to discuss changes and transitions for the 2018-2019 school year. The meeting will include a brief introduction from superintendent Trey Holladay, followed by individual sessions facilitated by school principals and teachers.
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ACS Students Are More Than a Score
ATHENS, Alabama, February 1, 2018 --- The Alabama Legislature passed a law in 2012 requiring each school district in Alabama to be assigned a single letter grade that was a reflection of its performance. Since this time, the Alabama Department of Education has been trying to determine a fair and equitable way to grade all school districts around the state by the same measure. Click on the title to continue reading.
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ACS Preparing Future Generations of Toyota-Mazda Employees
ATHENS, Alabama, January 10, 2018 --- Athens City Schools (ACS) is pleased about today’s announcement of the Toyota - Mazda Plant locating in Limestone County and is prepared to handle predicted increased student enrollment in the city schools. Due to the school system’s location in North Alabama, school administrators have been planning for growth for the past several years. Click the title to continue reading.
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Secondary Curriculum & District Technology Leader Participates in Digital Consortium
ATHENS, Alabama, November 29, 2017 --- Melanie J. Barkley, Secondary Curriculum and District Technology Coordinator of Athens City Schools joined several dozen school system leaders who are championing dynamic digital learning for fall meeting of the Digital Consortium, administered by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, Oct. 15-17, in Seattle, Washinton.
