October 2026 Newsletter

Calendar Reminder -

Parent/Teacher Conferences & Thanksgiving Break

As we head into November, we want to remind families of a few upcoming school closures.

Upcoming Dates to Remember:

We encourage families to mark their calendars and plan ahead.

Kindergarten Open House Coming This January!

Join Greater Clark County Schools on January 19 from 5:00–7:00 PM for our annual Kindergarten Open House!

Families with incoming kindergarten students are invited to kickstart their child’s educational journey by exploring our elementary schools, meeting teachers and staff, and seeing firsthand the classrooms where their students will learn and grow.

This is a wonderful opportunity to get familiar with your child’s future school and discover all that Greater Clark County Schools has to offer!

We’ll share additional details as the event approaches. Mark your calendars and stay tuned!

Middle/High Preview Night

Families of incoming 6th- and 9th-grade students are invited to join Greater Clark County Schools for our annual Preview Nights on January 27!

These events give students and families a great opportunity to tour their future schools, meet teachers and staff, and learn more about the exciting academic programs, extracurricular activities, and opportunities available at our middle and high schools.

Preview Night Schedule:

We encourage families to mark their calendars and take advantage of this opportunity to prepare for the next exciting chapter in their student’s educational journey.

We’ll share additional details on our social media channels as the event approaches. We look forward to welcoming our future middle and high school students!

Academies

Academy Spotlight: Building Our Future Workforce Together

GCCS and One Southern Indiana (1si) recently hosted local executives at Jeffersonville High School for our inaugural Future Workforce CEO Champions Forum. The takeaway was simple: preparing students for life after high school is a community effort.

Student panelists Macyn Jackson, Maggie Hylton, Reese Somerville, and Reese Dobson shared how career experiences built their confidence and post-secondary goals. Employer partners Jennie Capelle (Norton Healthcare) and Donna Reed (City of Jeffersonville) highlighted the mutual value of opening their doors, showing that every organization, regardless of size or industry, can make a lasting difference.

“Students are capable, ready to contribute, and eager to learn,”

shared Superintendent Mark Laughner. “Every business has a meaningful entry point to help build our local talent pipeline.”

Ways to Get Involved:

For Employers: Complete our online engagement form to host a site visit, speak to a class, or welcome an intern.
For Families: Ask your student which local industries interest them and encourage them to do a job shadow.
For Educators: Connect with our work-based learning coordinator to help your students identify appropriate employment opportunities.

Upcoming FAFSA Workshops

The 2027–2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is officially open! Greater Clark County Schools encourages students and families to take advantage of several upcoming opportunities to receive assistance completing their applications.

FAFSA filing experts will be available to help families navigate the application process and answer questions. Students do not need to plan to attend Ivy Tech to participate in its FAFSA assistance events.

Additionally, GCCS high schools will host FAFSA workshops with financial aid professionals from INvestEd Indiana, who can provide guidance and support.

Jeffersonville High School – Media Center

December 2 | 5:30–7:30 PM
April 1 | 5:30–7:30 PM

Charlestown High School – Media Center

November 3 | 3:00–7:00 PM
April 8 | 4:00–7:00 PM

We encourage families to take advantage of these opportunities to get the support they need to complete the FAFSA and prepare for their student’s future.

Charlestown High School Celebrates Facility Improvements

Greater Clark County Schools is proud to highlight several recent facility improvements at Charlestown High School, reflecting our continued commitment to providing high-quality learning environments and opportunities for students.

The new turf soccer field is complete and has already hosted its first game. This addition provides student-athletes with an enhanced space for competition and training, supporting the continued growth and success of Charlestown High School’s athletic programs.

In addition to the soccer field, the Charlestown High School auditorium underwent significant renovations, including:

Upgraded lighting
New diffusers and grilles
Fresh paint
All-new seating
New flooring
Additional facility enhancements

These improvements were designed to enhance the auditorium’s functionality, acoustics, and overall experience for students, staff, and community members. The renovated space will continue to serve as an important venue for performances, presentations, school events, and community gatherings.

At Greater Clark County Schools, we remain committed to investing in facilities that support student achievement, extracurricular opportunities, and community engagement. These projects bring us closer to ensuring our students and staff have access to outstanding spaces that encourage learning, creativity, and success inside and outside the classroom.

Upcoming Blood Drive Events

Greater Clark County Schools is proud to continue its partnership with the Kentucky Red Cross to host blood drives at our schools throughout the year.

We encourage families, staff, and community members to participate in these upcoming blood drives and help make a lifesaving difference in our community.

Riverside Elementary School

Date: November 10
Time: 4:30–8:30 PM

Charlestown Elementary School

Date: December 8
Time: 3:00–7:00 PM

Additional blood drives will be hosted at GCCS schools throughout the year. We encourage families to stay informed about future opportunities to participate.

We sincerely appreciate the students, staff, families, and community members who continue to support these important events. Your generosity and commitment help make a meaningful impact in our community.

Join the Greater Clark County Schools Team!

Greater Clark County Schools is currently hiring Special Education Teachers!

We seek dedicated, compassionate educators passionate about supporting students, building meaningful relationships, and making a lasting classroom impact.

At GCCS, our educators play an essential role in helping every student reach their full potential. We encourage those interested in making a difference to explore our opportunities and join the Greater Clark team.

Help us spread the word and connect outstanding educators with opportunities to make a difference in our students’ lives!

Every School Day Counts:
Attendance Reminders for Families

As cold and flu season approaches, Greater Clark County Schools reminds families of the district’s attendance policy for the 2026–2027 school year and emphasizes the importance of regular school attendance.

Consistent attendance plays an important role in student success. Each day in the classroom gives students valuable opportunities to learn, grow, and build connections with teachers and peers.

Attending school regularly helps students:

Stay on track academically: Consistent attendance helps students build essential skills, keep up with instruction, and reach key educational milestones.
Build meaningful relationships: Being present helps students strengthen friendships and build positive connections with teachers and classmates.
Develop good habits: Regular attendance promotes responsibility, time management, and routines that support success beyond the classroom.
Stay engaged: Consistent attendance gives students more opportunities to participate in classroom activities, collaborate with peers, and enjoy meaningful learning experiences.

We understand that illnesses and unexpected circumstances can occur, especially during cold and flu season. Families are encouraged to prioritize their child’s health and keep students home when they are ill.

Important Attendance Policy Reminders

A parent or guardian must contact their student’s school within 24 hours of an absence for it to be excused.

Schools will continue to excuse absences in accordance with the 2026–2027 Student Handbooks. To comply with Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) reporting requirements, GCCS must collect more detailed information regarding student absences. As a result, your student’s school may contact you to request additional information.

If you have questions about student absences or the district’s attendance policy, please contact your student’s school directly.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting student health, attendance, and academic success. Together, we can help ensure every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed!

Staff & Student Spotlights

River Valley Middle School Student Hailed as a Hero

Greater Clark County Schools is proud to recognize Kylar Tolbert, a 6th-grade student at River Valley Middle School, for his remarkable bravery and quick thinking that ultimately saved his grandmother’s life.

Jeffersonville Police Department Chief McVoy and School Resource Officer Leveronne recently honored Kylar for his heroic actions.

With his family in attendance, Kylar received well-deserved recognition for his courage, composure, and quick thinking during a critical situation.

We are incredibly proud of Kylar and grateful to the Jeffersonville Police Department for recognizing his bravery and positive impact on our community.

Congratulations, Kylar, on this outstanding recognition!

Jeffersonville High School Teacher Honored with IHSPA Lifetime Membership Award

Join us in congratulating Jeffersonville High School Journalism and Newspaper teacher Mr. James Lang on receiving the Indiana High School Press Association (IHSPA) Lifetime Membership Award!

Fellow staff members and students surprised Mr. Lang as they came together to celebrate this well-deserved recognition. Heartfelt letters from current and former students, along with support from his family, made the occasion even more special.

This honor reflects Mr. Lang’s dedication to journalism education and the lasting impact he has made on generations of students throughout his career.

At Greater Clark County Schools, we are incredibly grateful for educators like Mr. Lang, whose passion, commitment, and guidance continue to inspire students and help them reach their full potential.

Congratulations, Mr. Lang, and thank you for your outstanding dedication to our students and school community!

To see the full story of how it all came together, click here.

New Washington Schools Host Leyla'Rei Mile

The New Washington Middle/High School Mustang Run Club recently hosted the Leyla’Rei Mile, a special event supporting Leyla’Rei, a New Washington Elementary kindergartener who was diagnosed with Diffuse Midline Glioma last year.

Assistant High School Girls’ Coach Danni Glode, who previously taught Leyla’Rei in Pre-K, worked with NWMHS Athletic Director Courtney Isaac to organize this meaningful event. The course was designed to take participants past Leyla’Rei’s family home twice, making the day even more special for everyone involved.

The event brought together nearly 100 participants and supporters and raised more than $1,300 for Leyla’Rei and her family through T-shirt sales in partnership with 32Ink, donations from Kona Ice, and additional community contributions.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who participated, donated, volunteered, and helped make this event a success. This outpouring of support reflects the compassion, generosity, and strong sense of community that make Greater Clark County Schools so special.

Thank you to the New Washington community for continuing to stand alongside Leyla’Rei and her family throughout her fight against childhood cancer.

Charlestown Boys Soccer Makes History with Third Consecutive Sectional Championship

Join us in congratulating the Charlestown High School Boys Soccer Team on winning their third consecutive IHSAA Sectional Championship after defeating Providence High School 3–1!

This incredible accomplishment reflects the hard work, dedication, and determination of our student-athletes and coaches.

Congratulations, Pirates! We are incredibly proud of your continued success and the way you represent Charlestown High School and Greater Clark County Schools!

Photo Credit: Cameron Lee of WPMQ Charlestown

New Washington Middle School Cross Country

Congratulations to the New Washington Middle School Boys’ and Girls’ Cross-Country teams for winning the 2026 Greater Clark Classic Meet for the second consecutive year!

This outstanding achievement reflects the hard work, dedication, and determination of our student-athletes and coaches.

We are incredibly proud of both teams for their continued success and for representing New Washington and Greater Clark County Schools so well.

Congratulations, Mustangs!