June 2024 Newsletter
June 2024 Newsletter
Hello Summer
Thank you for another incredible school year! We hope you have a fun and safe summer break. We can’t wait to see you back at school in August. Please enjoy your time off, relax, and use this opportunity to make wonderful memories.
Year in Review: 2023-2024 School Year
During the 2023-2024 school year, Greater Clark County Schools celebrated several significant milestones. We officially broke ground for three new elementary schools: Charlestown Elementary, Pike Elementary, and Parkwood Elementary. Additionally, we initiated the construction of a new natatorium for Jeff High and made several other facility upgrades across the district. These developments reflect our commitment to providing the best possible educational environment for our students.
In a much-anticipated event, we held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Mark Reilly Tennis Center. This facility has already hosted multiple professional and junior tournaments, several clinics, and more, becoming a hub of activity and athletic excellence in our community.
Greater Clark County Schools received numerous accolades throughout the year. Utica Elementary was named a National Blue Ribbon School, a prestigious honor we celebrated enthusiastically. Furthermore, five of our preschools—Riverside Elementary, Parkwood Elementary, Pleasant Ridge Elementary, New Washington Elementary, and Northaven Elementary—received financial recognition for participating in the Paths to QUALITY™ rating system for five consecutive years. This recognition stems from a partnership between the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) and the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (INAEYC).
Several of our students were honored by the College Board National Recognition Program. To qualify, students needed to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher, achieve PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 scores in the top 10%, score 3 or higher on two or more AP exams during their 9th and 10th-grade years, attend schools in rural areas or small towns, and self-identify as African American/Black, Hispanic American/Latino, or Indigenous/Native.
Our staff members also garnered significant recognition. Michelle Dyer, Principal of River Valley Middle School, was awarded the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) 2023 Principal of the Year and recognized as the District 12 Middle School Principal of the Year. Kathy Gilland, Principal of Utica Elementary, was named District 12 Elementary Principal of the Year. Principal Beth Kimmel of Riverside Elementary was featured in the Indianagram by the Indiana Association of School Principals for her article on student behavior.
Chef Kristine Abbey-Muneke and her team earned a Gold Medal from the American Culinary Federation (ACF) in the Aramark Culinary Excellence Competition (ACE). Additionally, Tammy Lewis, the Administrative Assistant at Wilson Elementary, was named the 2024 Secretary of the Year by IASP.
Last but certainly not least, we announced our 2024 Teacher of the Year, Whitney Leanhart of Parkview Middle School, Admin of the Year, Josh Emily, Principal of New Washington Elementary School, and our Classified winner, Amanda Stumler from the Administration Building!
Our students showcased their talents across various platforms, with outstanding performances in theater, choir, band, and orchestra. Many were invited to participate in All-State Honor Choirs and All-State Orchestra. We also hosted a fantastic Elementary Art Fair at the NoCo Arts Center.
Jeffersonville High School’s Winter Percussion Ensemble won a Silver Medal at the Indiana Percussion Association 2024 State Finals. The school’s choirs were recognized as Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) State Qualifiers, bringing home gold and achieving the highest composite score of the Broady era. The Jeffersonville High School Music Department was named the ISSMA All-Music Award winner for the 2023-2024 school year.
We had our first annual Martin Luther King Jr. Music Program with all Greater Clark County School’s 2nd graders.
Charlestown Middle School 8th Grade students got the opportunity to explore historical sites with a trip to Washington DC! Students were able to marvel at places like George Washington’s mansion, The Pentagon, The Lincoln Memorial, The Whitehouse and more! Students also had the opportunity to visit the site of one of the largest battles in Kentucky during the Civil War at Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site, where they got a tour and a demonstration.
Our athletes excelled at local, regional, state, and national levels. Jeffersonville, Charlestown, and New Washington schools all competed in state competitions. Jeff High’s Small GameDay squad and New Washington Middle earned bids to UCA Nationals in Disney. The Charlestown Bowling Team won the 2024 Southern Hills Sectional Championship, and Jeffersonville High School’s Boys’ Basketball team won sectional and regional championships before competing in the state tournament. The New Washington Archery team qualified for the NASP Nationals.
Jeffersonville High School’s Air Force Jr. ROTC program received several recognitions, including three cadets being selected as delegates to Hoosier Boys State this summer. The program also received the Distinguished Unit recognition for the eighth year in a row and set a new record for community service.
- 2023 Greater Clark County Schools Cross Country Champions: Utica Elementary for both boys and girls.
- Greater Clark County Schools Elementary Basketball Champions: Utica Elementary Girls Basketball team.
- 2024 Elementary Wrestling League Champions: Franklin Square Elementary, winning first place for the third consecutive year. Northaven Elementary was the runner-up, and Riverside and Parkwood Elementary tied for third place.
- 2024 Greater Clark County Elementary Regional Track Champions: Northaven and Utica Elementary School Boys’ and Girls’ track teams.
- 2024 Elementary Academic Team Competition: Co-Champions Thomas Jefferson and Utica Elementary, marking our first-ever tie in this event.
- 2024 Rube Goldberg Champions: Utica Elementary with the 2nd and 3rd Place teams from Jonathan Jennings!
- 2024 Robotics Champions: Riverside Elementary!
Graduation Galleries
Registration Reminder
School Calendar Reminder for 2024-2025 School Year
The first day of school for the 2024-2025 School Year will be August 1st, 2024!
We hope you have a great summer and can’t wait to see you back and ready to learn in August!
To view the 2024-2025 School Calendar, click the button below.
Craft Fair Vendor Registration
Attention all craft vendors! Reserve your spot now for the GCCS Holiday Craft Fair.
This year’s Holiday Craft Fair will be held September 21st at River Valley Middle School from 9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
To register, click the button below.
Hiring Information
Be part of something Greater!
We’re actively hiring for a number of positions, including Teachers, Para Educators, and Bus Drivers. Make a difference in the community’s future, impact our youth, and find a passionate career with us.
Benefits include a flexible schedule, Health, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance, access to the Wellness Center, and PERF (Indiana State Retirement) paid by GCCS.
Click the button to see our job postings.
SunBucks Summer Program
If your student qualifies for free or reduced meals in school, they can receive $120 (per child) on a Summer EBT card. To receive this benefit, families must have a free or reduced lunch application for the current 2023-2024 School Year. Families can complete the application here.
You do not need to reapply if your child already receives free or reduced meals.
Free & Reduced Lunch for 2024-2025 School Year
Please note that applications for free/reduced lunch benefits for the 2024-2025 School Year will be open on July 1st. If you’ve previously submitted an application for the upcoming school year during student registration, you must reapply once the application opens in July.
If you require assistance, please don’t hesitate to apply!
We appreciate your patience and understanding regarding this matter.
However, applications for benefits for the current school year (2023-2024) are still being accepted until the last day of classes. If you require assistance, please don’t hesitate to apply!
The Academies Section
May 2024 Newsletter
May 2024 Newsletter
Congratulations, Class of 2024.
- June 4th: New Washington High School
- June 5th: Charlestown High School
- June 6th: Jeffersonville High School
JHS Hoosier Boys State - AFJROTC Cadets
Join us in congratulating Cadet Evan Cooper, the Corps Commander, Cadet Dylan Wibbels, Vice-Corps Commander, and Cadet Lucas Romero from our Jeffersonville High School’s Air Force JRTOC Program, who were selected to be delegates to the 2024 Hoosier Boys State!
All three cadets are Juniors at Jeff High, and each plays a pivotal role within the program and the school community including members of the National Honor Society. The three are heavily involved in the program with a combined total of over 140 hours of community service. Cadet Evans is also a member of the school’s archery program. Cadets Wibbels and Evans both compete on the award-winning Drill team, while Cadet Romero plays a pivotal role in the successful Physical Training (PT) Team.
The students will be hosted by American Legion Post 35 as they attend this week-long program aimed at educating Indiana’s young men. The mission is to “actively collaborate to establish platforms and participate in elections, propose laws, negotiate bills and enforce the established legislation from local to state level.” We can’t wait to see what these three learn this summer!
2024 Elementary Academic Team Champions
Jeff High Wrestling Wins 2024 IHSWCA Academic Team Challenge!
We are thrilled to announce that Jeffersonville High School’s Wrestling Team has won the 2024 Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association (IHSWCA) Academic Team Challenge.
Not only did they secure the top spot among 32 IHSAA Sectional Championship Teams, but they also set a new record with a team GPA of 3.704 out of 4.0! These wrestlers and their coaches are truly champions on and off the mat, and we are so proud of their hard work and dedication.
Entry-Level Teacher Pay Increased!
We’re thrilled to announce a significant increase in entry-level teacher pay, reaffirming our commitment to attracting and retaining top talent in education. Starting immediately, entry-level educators will enjoy a starting salary of $50,000, with the top of the pay scale raised to $87,000. This marks a $2,000 base increase, building upon the $2,500 raise announced in September 2023 for the upcoming school year.
We deeply value our teachers’ contributions and recognize their pivotal role in shaping our students’ future. This action invests in our educators’ success and ensures our entire school community receives the highest quality instruction.
Thank you to our incredible teachers for all that you do!
Craft Fair Registration
Attention all craft vendors! Reserve your spot now for the GCCS Holiday Craft Fair.
This year’s Holiday Craft Fair will be held September 21st at River Valley Middle School from 9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
2024 Greater Clark County Education Foundation Mega Grant Recipients
Mrs. Joann Talley received $5,000 for their Piano Lab project. This initiative will create stations for students to perform solo or in groups, learn to read music, and compose new pieces. The lab will facilitate a new related arts class available to students in grades 6 through 8.
New Washington Elementary
Thanks to Principal Josh Emily, the school will now have its own Book/STEM Vending Machine. This innovative project will provide students with access to books and STEM materials. Each student will have the opportunity to select either a book or a STEM kit from the vending machine every year.
Ms. Erin Cassidy’s culinary program received a grant for a Healthy Choice Mobile. This program will design healthy menus and prepare foods for distribution through a small mobile food trailer, serving both students and community members.
Photo Credit: Extol Media
Meta's Jeffersonville Data Center Supports STEM Labs in Our Schools!
Each of these schools will soon benefit from a state-of-the-art STEM lab, equipped with:
- 3D Printers
- A Glowforge Laser Engraver
- Whiteboard Maker Tables
- Tower Garden FLX Growing Systems
- A Teacher Geek Maker Cart with over 40 STEM projects
- And much more!
This incredible contribution from Meta will greatly enhance our students’ educational experiences, providing them with hands-on opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, and math. We are deeply grateful for Meta’s support and dedication to our community.
Thank you, Meta, for your unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in our schools!
Photo Credit: Extol Media
Regina Oglesby scholarship for minorities in education
The Regina Oglesby Scholarship Fund was established to support the recruitment, development, and retention of minorities within the Greater Clark County Schools teaching staff. Thanks to the generous funding from the Bales Foundation, each recipient received $5,000 to continue or pursue their education.
We are incredibly proud of Nashiea and Terrance and look forward to their future contributions to our community.
Photo Credit: Extol Media
Registration Reminder
Happy Summer, Greater Clark!
Happy Summer, Greater Clark County Schools!
Thank you for another incredible school year! We hope you have a fun and safe summer break. Enjoy your time off, relax, and make wonderful memories. We can’t wait to see you back in August, ready for another fantastic year!
2024-2025 Calendar + First Day of School
Friendly reminder, the first day of school for the 2024-2025 School Year will be August 1st, 2024!
We hope you have a great summer and can’t wait to see you back and ready to learn in August!
SunBucks Summer Program
If your student qualifies for free or reduced meals in school, they can receive $120 (per child) on a Summer EBT card. To receive this benefit, families must have a free or reduced lunch application for the current 2023-2024 School Year. Families can complete the application here.
You do not need to reapply if your child already receives free or reduced meals.
Free/Reduced Lunch for the 2024-2025 School Year
We're Hiring
Be part of something Greater!
We’re actively hiring for a number of positions, including Teachers, Para Educators, and Bus Drivers. Make a difference in the community’s future, impact our youth, and find a passionate career with us.
Benefits include a flexible schedule, Health, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance, access to the Wellness Center, and TRF/PERF (Indiana State Retirement) paid by GCCS.
The Academies Section
Seniors at Jeffersonville High School in Zach Anderson’s Engineering Design & Development course hosted parents, community members, and business partners at the Marshall Center to showcase the innovative products they designed. These Red Devils spent the bulk of the semester applying the engineering design process to develop a product that would solve a problem for them and their peers. Through this process, students were required to conduct market research to validate the problem they initially defined. After accomplishing that, students conducted further research on intellectual property that was similar to their product idea so they would not infringe on a patent already existing. From there, students built and iterated prototypes that demonstrated a proof of concept. Lastly, students presented their ideas, concepts, and products to an authentic audience. Among this audience was Sunender Mann, who is the Regional Director of Operations at Amazon in Jeffersonville, Indiana. He delivered an inspiring message to kick off this showcase and encouraged students to always keep an engineering and entrepreneurial mindset in their future endeavors.
April 2024 Newsletter
April 2024 Newsletter
Champions for Children
Join us in congratulating our Greater Clark County School District Employees of the Year, Overall Winners. These educators have gone above and beyond for our students, ensuring their future success both in and out of the classroom. We are lucky to have them.
Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year, Whitney Leanhart, Administrator of the Year, Josh Emily, and GCCS Administration Classified Employee of the Year, Amanda Stumler. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our future leaders.
Teacher of the Year Whitney Leanhart
Administrator of the Year Josh Emily
Classified Employee of the Year Amanda Stumler
Meet Our 2024 GCCS Teacher of the Year
Meet the Greater Clark County School’s Teacher of the Year, Whitney Leanhart of Parkview Middle School.
With four years of experience in education, she is a dedicated educator with a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that shines through her work, making her a valuable asset to the education in the community and her classroom. From a young age, she knew she wanted to work with individuals with disabilities, driven by her passion for inclusion and ensuring that every student feels accepted.
She hails from LaGrange, Kentucky, and is a proud Oldham County High School graduate. She pursued higher education at Indiana University Southeast, earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a license in Mild Intervention. She continued her academic journey at Ball State University, where she obtained her Master’s and graduated with a license in Moderate to severe intervention.
K-12 Enrollment
Reminder: registration for the 2024-2025 School Year is now open. Families of current students from Prek-11th grades should have received a Snapcode letter with the Snapcode needed to enroll.
Families interested in transferring their student to another school must request a School Transfer Form from their current school to initiate the transfer process.
To Register or find more information about K-12 Registration, click the button below.
PreK Enrollment
Preschool enrollment is still open for the 2024-2025 School Year. We encourage families to complete the application as soon as possible. Acceptance is allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis with limited space; we encourage you to enroll without delay.
Families who have applied will be notified of their acceptance into the program towards the end of May.
On My Way PreK Enrollment Nights
We ask that families who are attending bring the following documents for enrollment:
- Proof of ID for applicant/co-applicant: Government-issued ID, state-issued ID, school ID, employer ID
- Proof of ID for ALL children in the home: Birth certificate, hospital-issued certificate, birth confirmation, valid Visa, valid Green Card
- Proof of residency: Driver’s license, pay stub, lease, utility bill, or piece of mail postmarked within the past 30 days
- Proof of service needed: Pay stub, school schedule, SSI/SSDI letter
Happy School Bus Driver Appreciation Day!
We want to give a big shout-out to all of our GCCS School Bus Drivers, Chauffeurs, and Monitors for their dedication to the safety of our students and getting them to and from school, events, and more! We are so lucky to have such incredible drivers who help our students start and end their day with friendly faces. Join us in celebrating your child’s School Bus Driver on National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day this April 23rd!
Happy National Kindergarten Day!
Did you know that April 21st is National Kindergarten Day? Kindergarten Day is celebrated to honor the birthday of Friedrich Wilhelm August Fröbel, who started kindergarten in Germany in 1837.
Here at Greater Clark County Schools, we love celebrating the whimsical and imaginative world of Kindergarten, where our students’ creativity soars, friendships blossom, and a love for learning launches. Thank you to our incredible Kindergarten educators who help make every day a little greater! Thank you for your passion for shaping young minds and your patience, creativity, and kindness to our students.
To celebrate National Kindergarten Day, we put together a fun video featuring some of our Kindergarten staff and students from Franklin Square Elementary.
Elementary Art Show Recap!
SunBucks Summer Program
If your student qualifies for free or reduced meals in school, they can receive $120 (per child) on a Summer EBT card. To receive this benefit, families must have a free or reduced lunch application for the current 2023-2024 School Year. Families can complete the application here.
If your child is already receiving free or reduced meals, you do not need to reapply.
Free or Reduced Meal Applications for 2024-2025 School Year
Natatorium Groundbreaking
The upcoming facility will replace Jeff High’s aging 50-year-old pool, introducing a host of enhancements for our students and community. Among the key features is a state-of-the-art 50-meter stretch pool with 10 lanes, a substantial upgrade from the previous six lanes. Additionally, the natatorium will boast seating for up to 1,000 fans, creating an electrifying atmosphere for competitions and events.
One of the project’s highlights is the addition of a cutting-edge physical therapy zero-entry pool designed to cater to the diverse needs of athletes and students alike. This initiative underscores our commitment to providing comprehensive support for our students’ well-being.
Parkwood Elementary Groundbreaking
The Academies Section
In collaboration with One Vision Credit Union, several juniors and seniors across the district participated in a rotational job shadow at their Clarksville branch. To commence and bring this experience to life, students followed the journey of a written check through the stages of the depositing and cashing process. From there, they moved through four separate departmental shadowing experiences—Front Line, Lending, Accounting, and Management. The shadows’ hosts took an active interest in getting to know the passion, skills, and strengths of each shadow they hosted. From there, students were able to translate how those elements would be valued and utilized in a career within that department. At the conclusion of the event, students were surveyed about their experience. Every student either agreed or strongly agreed that the experience was beneficial; the experience was something they could not have gained in the classroom; the experience was helpful in determining whether or not they will pursue this career in the future; and they would recommend job shadowing to their friends.
March 2024 Newsletter
March 2024 Newsletter
FAFSA Countdown!
We’d like to remind students and families that FAFSA applications are due April 15th! Should you or your student need assistance at any point during the application process, we encourage you to reach out to our team of school counselors.
Jeffersonville High School Families, we still have one more upcoming Family Help Night on April 4th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Students need to sign up for the event in the counseling office.
For additional information regarding your FAFSA application, you can click the button below.
School Calendar Reminder
Spring Break, Eclipse Day April 8
Reminder: The third Quarter ends Friday, March 15th, and Spring Break begins Saturday, March 16th-Sunday, March 31st.
We will return from Spring Break on Monday, April 1st.
Due to the eclipse, school will not be held on Monday, April 8th. We ask that families please plan accordingly.
Registration is coming April 1 for K-12.
K-12 Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year will open on April 1st. We will send out more communications as we get closer. Make sure you’re following our social media accounts and can receive School Messenger notifications for the most up-to-date information. We will post once the registration is officially open.
Preschool Registration Opens April 1
Teacher Interview Day is coming up
April 3!
Come be part of something greater and join us on April 3rd at The Fetter Center from 3:00-5:00 p.m. for our Teacher Interview Day. We will have multiple informational stations to learn about the opportunities here at Greater Clark County Schools.
We ask that you please RSVP by emailing Tricia Helton, Director of Human Resources, at phelton@gccschools.com.
2024 GCCS Elementary Basketball Champs
Northaven Elementary!
We’d also like to congratulate the Wilson Wildcats, our district’s runner-ups, and their dedicated coaches, Tasha Moorman, Deven Hamilton, and Vincent Vancliff.
Both teams exhibited exceptional determination and sportsmanship throughout the competition. It was an intense battle, and we couldn’t be prouder of our student-athletes!
Thank you to Larry Owens, Jeff High’s Athletic Director, for his invaluable support in organizing this tournament. Another thank you to the referees and everyone who helped contribute to the smooth running of this event, as well as the community for their enthusiastic support at Johnson Arena.
Elementary Art Show!
If you’re unable to attend during viewing hours, don’t worry! You can still enjoy our students’ incredible artwork on the outdoor digital gallery screens throughout the month of May.
Inclusion Fair
Mark your calendars for April 4th from 5-7 p.m.
Come be a part of this inclusive and joyful event!
Save the Date for Graduation
Attention graduating seniors and families! Just a friendly reminder that we’re only a few months away from the big day. Save the dates for your student’s milestone achievement:
- June 4th: New Washington High School Graduation
- June 5th: Charlestown High School Graduation
- June 6th: Jeffersonville High School Graduation
Update Video
Exciting updates are abound at Greater Clark County Schools! Get a firsthand account from some of our schools about the ongoing projects within the district and the incredible impact they’ve had so far.
The Academies Section
Engineering Academy students at Charlestown were presented with a unique opportunity and challenge—plan, design, engineer, and propose a development to be built on a plot of land on the Shadow Lake site in Charlestown. These students worked closely with DC Develop’s Chief Infrastructure & Development Office, Josh Hillman, for several months to build their final presentations and proposals. In this process, students considered zoning, phasing, financing, and adjacent parcel developments to create a cohesive plan and presentation. In preparation for their presentations, students created hand sketches and computer-animated drawings that illustrated their vision at scale. Additionally, they integrated financial spreadsheets to justify their project’s feasibility. At the conclusion of the project, students presented to various community members and industry experts who would naturally be involved in the approval of a plot’s development. These bankers, real estate agents, construction managers, civil servants, and economic developers provided authentic feedback, which helped students understand what concerns may exist from their unique position.
Check out this amazing video of the students showcasing their impressive projects!
