Welcome Back, Greater Clark!
Welcome back, Greater Clark families, students, and staff! We hope you had a wonderful and restful summer. We are so glad to have you all back and ready for another exciting year of learning and milestones.
We’ve had a great first few weeks of school. Take a moment to enjoy our first day of school video and photo gallery, and see some of the familiar faces that make our community so special.
Contact Info Update Reminder
Have you verified your contact information is up to date for the 2025-2026 school year? If not, please log in to PowerSchool. We ask that families ensure their address, email, and phone number are all correct.
To update your information, families can do so in PowerSchool or by contacting their student’s school.
2025–2026 Calendar Reminder
With the new school year in full swing, we want to remind families that the 2025–2026 School Year Calendars are available online. These calendars include important dates, holidays, and breaks to help you plan ahead.
Please Note Upcoming Days Off:
- September 1 – No School (Labor Day)
- September 2 – No School for Students
We're Hiring!
Greater Clark County Schools is Hiring: Full-Time Certified Speech/Language Pathologist
Greater Clark County Schools is seeking a full-time certified Speech/Language Pathologist to join our team. This position works 185 days per year and includes a full benefits package.
We are looking for qualified, energetic individuals who are passionate about helping students succeed. At GCCS, we believe every student deserves the resources and support necessary to thrive, and you can be part of making that happen.
Speech/Language Pathologists evaluate and diagnose speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders among students. Responsibilities include conducting screenings, administering standardized tests, and collaborating with teachers and parents to identify student needs. The role also involves developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for children with communication disorders and coordinating with multidisciplinary team members, teachers, parents, and administrators to support student success.
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology or Communication Science and Disorders
- Indiana Standards Board License as a Speech-Language Pathologist
- Previous experience working with students with disabilities in an educational setting is preferred, but not required
Benefits Include:
- Competitive pay
- Flexible schedules
- Health, vision, dental, and life insurance
- Access to the GCCS Wellness Center
- TRF (Indiana State Retirement) paid by GCCS
- And more!
Aramark is Hiring – Café Worker (Charlestown)
Join our amazing Aramark team in Charlestown! We’re hiring for the 2025–2026 school year and looking for a dedicated individual to fill the role of Café Worker at $15/hour.
If you’re passionate about serving students and thrive in a fast-paced, supportive environment, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply using the QR code, email shottersbach@gccschools.com, or click the button below.
Education Solution Services (ESS) is Hiring
ESS hires and manages all of the substitutes for Greater Clark County Schools to include:
Substitute Teachers, Para Educators, and Food Service Workers.
Substitute Teachers, Para Educators, and Food Service Workers.
Requirements:
- Substitute Teachers: High school diploma or GED
- Para-Educators: High school diploma or GED
- All substitutes must complete a background check, online GCN training, and attend an applicant meeting.
Service Management Systems is Hiring
Service Management Systems is seeking applicants for multiple shift opportunities, including days, evenings, and weekends, with both full-time and part-time positions available.
The starting pay is $14.50/hour, with pay increase opportunities after 90 days. We offer flexible scheduling for event staff, benefits for full-time employees, performance bonuses, and opportunities for advancement.
Available Schedules:
- Full-time: Monday–Friday
- Part-time: Weekends/Events
Apply online at apply.smsclean.com or use the QR code on the flyer to view and apply for open positions at Greater Clark County Schools.
Transportation Info
Greater Clark County Schools families can access real-time tracking information for their student’s bus through the My Ride K-12 App. The app sends notifications when the bus is near your stop, provides timely messages about delays and dismissals, and uses end-to-end encryption to keep your information secure.
Families can also live track the school bus assigned to their child and receive important transportation updates directly from our Transportation Department.
When setting up the app for the first time, please enter Greater Clark County Schools as your district. Please ensure your contact information is up to date to receive the most accurate route details for your student.
Free/Reduced Lunch Applications
Applications for free or reduced-price lunch benefits for the 2025–2026 school year are still open. Families are required to submit an application each school year. If your family could benefit from this program or is unsure if you qualify, we encourage you to submit an application.
If you have already applied and have not yet heard back about your application, but received free/reduced lunch during the previous 2024-2025 school year, your status will carry over for the first 30 days of school. Thank you for your patience and understanding as our team continues working through applications.
Congratulations Hannah Shepherd!
Join us in celebrating New Washington High School Biology Teacher and alumna, Hannah Shepherd, who has been named the 2025 Outstanding Biology Teacher for the State of Indiana by the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT)!
This award recognizes exceptional biology educators across the country for their excellence in the classroom, deep commitment to students, and lasting impact on life science education. Ms. Shepherd is one of only 27 educators nationwide to receive this honor in 2025. Congratulations and well-deserved, Ms. Shepherd!
Ribbon Cuttings Charlestown & Pike Elementary:
This past July marked a historic moment for Greater Clark County Schools as we officially cut the ribbons and welcomed students, staff, families, and community members into the brand-new Pike Elementary and Charlestown Elementary facilities.
These projects have been years in the making, representing a shared vision for the future of education in our district. Both schools now serve preschool through fifth grade, featuring modern, light-filled classrooms, grade-dedicated murals to help students navigate the building, spacious libraries, and expansive gyms and cafeterias. A highlight of each facility is the innovative Makerspace classroom, designed to accommodate two classes at once and provide hands-on S.T.E.A.M. learning opportunities that encourage collaboration and creativity.
“When you step inside these schools, you see why it has been such a long process to get to this day. These are fantastic facilities that will serve as excellent learning environments for our students and great working environments for our staff, said Superintendent Mark Laughner. “This is not just a win for our students and staff, it’s a win for the entire community. Four years ago, through task force and community meetings, we committed to transforming our school facilities. This is a major step in fulfilling that commitment.”
These accomplishments would not have been possible without the dedication of our School Board, the cities of Charlestown and Jeffersonville, and our project partners: Perfection Group, Beebe Design, RATIO Architects, J. Lake Architecture & Design, CORE, AML Construction, and Hart’s Surveying & Engineering. Their expertise and collaboration have brought our vision to life.
As we continue through the inaugural school year in these beautiful new spaces, we look forward to watching Pike and Charlestown Elementary Schools become not only places of academic growth, but also hubs of community pride.
LeaderJam: Youth Leadership Summit – September 18
Greater Clark High School juniors and seniors are invited to participate in the LeaderJam: Youth Leadership Summit, a dynamic, team-based program designed to strengthen leadership skills, foster collaboration, and prepare students for future success.
Event Highlights:
- Interactive team challenges and communication exercises
- A $500 Indiana University Southeast scholarship for all attendees
- Gift card giveaways
- Opportunities to network with students from across Southern Indiana
Event Details:
Location: Indiana University Southeast
Date: Thursday, September 18
Time: 8:15 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $20 per person (scholarships available)
Location: Indiana University Southeast
Date: Thursday, September 18
Time: 8:15 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $20 per person (scholarships available)
This event is open to all public, private, and homeschool students from Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, and Washington counties.
Vendor Call: Holiday Craft Fair
Vendor spots are still available for the annual Greater Clark County Schools Holiday Craft Fair, which returns on October 18, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at River Valley Middle School.
This beloved community tradition showcases local artisans, food vendors, and student entertainment. All proceeds benefit the GCCS Angel Tree Program, which helps provide holiday gifts to students and families in need.
Vendor Applications:
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this special event! Reserve your space today by completing the vendor application form.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this special event! Reserve your space today by completing the vendor application form.
Tommy’s Car Wash Fridays Are Back
Tommy’s Express Car Wash on East 10th Street is once again partnering with the Greater Clark Education Foundation (GCEF) to support our students and staff.
When: Every Friday in August
Where: Tommy’s Express Car Wash – East 10th Street
How It Works: Pull into Lane 1 and purchase a monthly wash package at any level. Already a member? Simply let them know at Lane 1, and your support will still be counted.
Where: Tommy’s Express Car Wash – East 10th Street
How It Works: Pull into Lane 1 and purchase a monthly wash package at any level. Already a member? Simply let them know at Lane 1, and your support will still be counted.
100% of Friday proceeds go directly to GCEF, helping fund programs and initiatives that benefit Greater Clark County Schools.
Thank you to Tommy’s Express Car Wash for your continued support of our schools!
Stay Connected for a Successful School Year - Follow Your School
It’s another great year at Greater Clark County Schools! Set your family up for success by following your student’s school and PTO pages for the latest academic updates, extracurricular opportunities, and important announcements.
While GCCS serves as a central hub for district-wide updates, your child’s school page or PTO group will provide school-specific news and events. Please note that some groups are private and may require a request to join.
Please Note: Many sports teams, clubs, and other extracurricular activities may also have their own social media page or group to join!
Important Update:
Attendance Policy Changes for 2025–2026
Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is legally required to collect more detailed data on the types of absences schools excuse. While schools will continue to excuse absences for the reasons outlined in the Student Handbooks, the IDOE now requires more specific information. As a result, your student’s school may contact you for additional details regarding an absence.
Regular attendance is essential for student growth, socialization, and achieving educational milestones. While we understand each family’s circumstances may vary, we want to highlight the following important change:
A parent or guardian must contact the school within 24 hours of the absence in order for it to be excused.
If you have any questions regarding student absences or the updated policy, please contact your student’s school for more information.
The Academies Section
We cannot believe another new school year is upon us, and we are excited to share our academies in action throughout the year. Here is our monthly newsletter, The Academy Advocate, that will continue to highlight the vision for the Academies of Greater Clark during the 2025-2026 academic year—Empowering Futures: Bridging Education to Careers with Intentionality through Transformative Experiences
