wishing-you-a-wonderful-holiday-season-1

November 2024 Newsletter

November 2024 Newsletter

Holiday Greetings

As we enter the holiday season, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the entire Greater Clark County community. Your unwavering support—whether as parents, students, dedicated staff, School Board members, or community partners—makes an invaluable impact on our students’ lives.

Your commitment does not go unnoticed, and we deeply appreciate the collaborative spirit that defines our school community. On behalf of the Greater Clark County Schools team, we wish you a warm, joyful, and memorable holiday season. Thank you for your ongoing dedication to our students, staff, and community.

Calendar Reminder: Thanksgiving and Holiday Break

With the holiday season upon us, we want to remind you of a few key dates for the upcoming breaks!

Thanksgiving Break:
There will be no school from November 27th to November 29th. Students will return on Monday, December 2nd.

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
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

Mark your calendars! On January 22, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Charlestown High School, we’ll gather all second-grade students for a powerful performance titled “I Have a Dream.” This special event honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through a compilation of six inspiring songs and spoken introductions focused on unity and his enduring legacy. You can catch a glimpse of last year’s program here.

To make this vision a reality, we need your support. Production costs, including a guest conductor, copyright permissions, transportation, and t-shirts for our 800 student performers, can add up quickly. Sponsorships will allow for us to put on this amazing performance without passing any costs onto students’ families.

Sponsorship Levels:
  • Bronze: $100 or less
  • Silver: $101–$500
  • Gold: $501–$999
  • Platinum: $1,000+
All sponsors will be recognized on performance t-shirts, at the event, on social media, and through our Greater Clark County School Board of Trustees meeting.

If you or a business you know would like to support this event, please reach out to Aaron Guernsey at aguernsey@gccschools.com. We would appreciate receiving donations by December 1, 2024.

Join us in making this event unforgettable and honoring Dr. King’s legacy through music and unity!

Jeff High ROTC Unit Rating

We’d like to proudly announce that the Jeffersonville High School Air Force JROTC program has achieved an Exceeds Standards rating on its annual unit assessment—the highest rating possible! This accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Colonel (Retired) Robert E. Benning, Master Sergeant (Retired) Christopher Manley, and our outstanding cadets.

During their October 28, 2024 evaluation, the Air Force JROTC instructors and cadets demonstrated excellence, earning high praise for their dynamic, supportive learning environment and exceptional community outreach. Under the leadership of Colonel Benning and Master Sergeant Manley, the program has become a cadet-centered hub for leadership and citizenship, making a significant positive impact on the school and the greater community.

Congratulations to the Jeffersonville High School Air Force JROTC for this remarkable achievement!

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. 

The Academies Section

This month, students across multiple grade levels have been connecting with a variety of professionals through our guest speaker series. Ninth graders gain broad exposure to different career fields, helping them make informed choices for their future academy and pathway coursework. As students progress to the next grade level, the guest speakers they meet are more closely aligned to their specific interests, with upperclassmen engaging in targeted conversations that deepen their understanding of potential career paths. These sessions are invaluable, providing students with real-world insights and guidance as they plan for their future careers.

Teacher of the Year Whitney Leanhart

October 2024 Newsletter

October 2024 Newsletter

CHS Soccer Sectional and Regional Champs

We are thrilled to announce that our Boys Soccer Team has advanced to the Regional Semifinal, the 2A Elite 8, at Heritage Hills this Saturday! Not only are they moving forward in the tournament, but they are also making history for our school by winning both the Mid-Southern Conference Championship and the 2A Sectional Title.

This marks a significant achievement, as Charlestown High School had never previously won an outright Mid-Southern Conference Championship Title or a 2A Sectional Title!

Stay updated on their journey by following WPMQ Charlestown. Click the button below for the latest news and updates.

Photo Credit to Aiden Stewart with WPMQ Charlestown! 

Teacher Academy -
Supporting Our Educators

As part of our mission to enhance new teacher onboarding and retention, we are proud to offer a Teacher Academy for our new educators. This program is designed to build their skills, boost their confidence in the classroom, and enrich their overall experience as educators.

The Teacher Academy is just one of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to supporting our educators and fostering a collaborative environment. Together, we are greater!

School Calendar Reminder

Please note that there will be NO school on November 5th, but school buildings will be open for parent/teacher conferences. As the holidays approach, we also encourage you to review the 2024-2025 school calendar.

Click the button below to view the 2024-2025 School Calendar.

The Academies Section

Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing Academy Students Attend 1si's Manufacturing Week

 Upperclassmen from the Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing Academy at each high school participated in 1si’s Manufacturing Week. This event brought together local manufacturers, schools, and community leaders to showcase the diverse career opportunities available in our region’s manufacturing sector. During the event, students enjoyed hands-on activities, including virtual reality experiences and team competitions. Select seniors from each school also had the chance to tour Amatrol, but all students were able to learn about various training and internship opportunities from each of the 18 regional manufacturers at the NOCO Arts and Cultural District in Jeffersonville. This was a wonderful opportunity for students to explore exciting careers in manufacturing while gaining valuable insights and experiences.

Construction Update

Exciting Updates on Pike Elementary and Charlestown Elementary!

We know you’ve been eagerly awaiting this update, and we’re thrilled to share our progress. We anticipate having both schools fully enclosed with exterior walls and windows by mid to late November. Some windows have already been installed, and Charlestown will begin door installation next week.

Painting has commenced at both buildings and ceiling installations are underway. On average, over 100 contractors are on-site daily, diligently working to bring these schools to life.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in making these schools a reality. We can’t wait to open the doors next fall!

Charlestown Elementary Photos

Pike Elementary Photos

Teacher of the Year Whitney Leanhart

September 2024 Newsletter

September 2024 Newsletter

Parent Information Session: Understanding Article 7 with Insource

Our Special Populations Department is partnering with InSource to host a Parent Information Session on Article 7—a law that protects the civil rights of individuals with disabilities. Join us to learn how you and the school can collaborate to support your child under the protections provided by Indiana’s Article 7.

🗓️ Date: October 17th
🕔 Time: 5-7 PM
📍 Location: Mark Fetter Center, 1613 East 10th Street, Jeffersonville, IN

We look forward to seeing you there!

Fall Break Calendar Reminder

We’re just a few weeks away from the end of the first quarter of the 2024-2025 school year and the upcoming Fall Break. There will be no school from October 7-11. Classes will resume on October 13th as we kick off the second quarter!

Stay on top of important dates—click the red button below to view the 2024-2025 School Calendar.

Celebrating Our Educators: Coyle Automotive Partners with Greater Clark County Schools

Greater Clark County Schools is excited to partner with Coyle Automotive Group to honor our 2025 Teacher of the Year. The award recipient will receive a one-year lease on a car, generously provided by Coyle Automotive. This collaboration highlights our commitment to celebrating the dedication and hard work of our exceptional educators.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Coyle family to support our amazing educators,” said Mark Laughner, Superintendent of Greater Clark County Schools. “This is a wonderful way to recognize the incredible contributions of our teachers.”

The 2025 Teacher of the Year will be announced next Spring, with the award presentation in May.

2024 Elementary Cross Country Champions: Utica Elementary!

Join us in celebrating the incredible achievement of our Utica Elementary Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country teams. We are so proud of our student-athletes for their hard work and dedication!

Jeffersonville High School AFJROTC Sweeps First PT Competition!

We’re thrilled to announce that our cadets clinched First Place Overall at their first PT competition of the school year!

They dominated in multiple events, securing first place in the 208-yard relay, 1-mile relay, Endurance, and Volleyball. Additionally, they earned impressive second-place finishes in the Football Relay, Basketball, and Silly Games.

We’re so proud of these cadets and can’t wait to see what they’ll achieve next! Keep up the amazing work!

Mark Reilly Tennis Center Awarded 2024 USTA's Outstanding Tennis Facility Award!

We are thrilled to announce that the Mark Reilly Tennis Center at Jeffersonville High School, named after legendary coach Mark Reilly, has been recognized with the 2024 USTA Outstanding Facility Award.

We are incredibly grateful to have one of our newest facilities receive this prestigious honor. Thank you to everyone who contributed to bringing this facility to life.

Join our Team!

We’re still looking for passionate individuals to fill our remaining positions!

Be part of something Greater and enjoy the perks of a flexible schedule with evenings, weekends, summers, and holidays OFF. Plus, benefit from our comprehensive package, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, access to the Wellness Center, and more!

Ready to make a difference? Visit our website to learn more and explore our current openings.

Support the Greater Clark Education Foundation & The Arts!

Support the Greater Clark Education Foundation and Greater Clark County Arts by getting a car wash membership at Tommy’s Express Car Wash!

Every Friday in September, 100% of membership proceeds at the Jeffersonville location will go directly to the GCEF, benefiting the arts in Clark County.
This offer applies to both current and new members. Let’s wash some cars and support a great cause!

The Academies Section

High school ambassadors from across the district recently came together to create lesson plans, presentations, and activities to train our district’s elementary and middle school ambassadors. Building on their own training day with community leaders in April, they developed materials specifically tailored to younger students.

The high school ambassadors formed groups based on their strengths, interests, and the age groups they wanted to mentor. It was incredible to witness their teamwork and leadership in action as they prepared to guide the next generation of student ambassadors.
Teacher of the Year Whitney Leanhart

August 2024 Newsletter

August 2024 Newsletter

Back to School Video

We’ve had an amazing first few weeks of school and are thrilled for all the adventures yet to come! Our schools are buzzing with energy, and we couldn’t wait to share some of the joy with you. Take a moment to check out the video from our first day and see all the smiling faces that make our schools so special!

2024-2025 Calendar Reminder

We’re thrilled to have everyone back in the classroom for another exciting year of learning and growth. It’s going to be a fantastic journey, and we can’t wait to share it with you!

Want to stay on top of all the important dates? Click the button below to view the 2024-2025 School Calendar.

Hiring Info: Teachers

We’re still looking for passionate individuals to fill key positions, including Teachers, Para Educators, and various other roles.

Be part of something Greater and enjoy the perks of a flexible schedule with evenings, weekends, summers, and holidays OFF! Plus, take advantage of our comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, access to the Wellness Center, and more!

Ready to make a difference? Visit our website for more information and to explore our current openings.

Free/Reduced Meal Application

Don’t forget—applications for Free and Reduced-Priced Meals are still open for the 2024-2025 school year! We encourage you to apply NOW to ensure your eligibility.

Remember, you need to reapply each year to continue qualifying, and you only need to submit ONE application per family.

*Please note: We are working through applications as quickly as possible, if your student received free/reduced lunches last year, they will be eligible for the first 30 days of the school year as we work through the applications.

Click the button below to apply!

Craft Fair Vendor Application

Join us on September 21, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for our annual Holiday Craft Fair, where all proceeds benefit the GCCS Angel Tree Program.

Explore over 40 vendor booths featuring food, gifts, jewelry, ornaments, and home decor—there’s something for everyone!

BONUS:
 Don’t miss the special kids’ craft session by Redheaded Princess Designs for just $15. Be sure to pre-register using the link below!

Interested in hosting a booth? If you haven’t registered yet, reach out to Renee Markoski at Rmarkoski@gccschools.com for assistance.

We hope to see you there!

The Academies Section

As John Dewey wisely said, “We do not learn from experience… we learn from reflecting on experience.” In preparation for the upcoming school year, our teachers participated in training focused on highly effective teaming, ensuring they are equipped to model the collaborative skills essential for student success. By engaging in these practices themselves, they are ready to create dynamic, hands-on learning experiences where students learn by doing and reflecting. Together, the academies help build a community of learners who thrive through teamwork and active engagement.