January 2026 Newsletter

Middle/High School Preview Night Coming Soon!

Middle and High School Preview Night is approaching on January 28, 2026. We look forward to welcoming our incoming 6th- and 9th-grade students and their families as they learn more about the next step in their educational journey at Greater Clark County Schools.

This event provides an opportunity to tour our schools, meet teachers and staff, and explore the academic and extracurricular programs that make Greater Clark an excellent place to learn and grow.

Event Details
Date: January 28, 2026
Location: All GCCS Middle and High Schools

Middle School Preview Night
Time: 6:30–7:30 PM
Who’s Invited: Incoming 6th Grade Students and Families

High School Preview Night
Time: 5:00–6:15 PM
Who’s Invited: Incoming 9th Grade Students and Families

Calendar Reminder - President's Day

Please note that there will be no school on Monday, February 16, in observance of Presidents’ Day.

Students will return to school on Tuesday, February 17, following the regular schedule.

Inclement Weather Policy

With the recent winter weather we’ve experienced, we want to take a moment to remind families of Greater Clark County Schools’ Inclement Weather Policy and the steps we take when severe conditions impact school operations.

Our district monitors weather closely and begins evaluating the need for delays or closures when wind chills reach -10° or when road conditions pose safety concerns. Depending on what we find, one of the plans described below will be implemented.

Communication regarding delays or closures will be shared as follows:
  • School Messenger notifications will be sent by 5:30 a.m. to staff and 6:00 a.m. to parents/guardians.
  • If a delay is issued and weather conditions worsen, a closure announcement will be made by 7:30 a.m.
  • Updates will also be available on the district website and social media platforms.
To help keep emergency lines open, we ask families not to call school offices for weather updates.
Plan 1: Two-Hour Delay
  • School will begin two hours later than the regular start time.
  • Buses will operate two hours later on their normal schedules.
  • Afternoon dismissal will remain unchanged.
  • Morning preschool sessions will be canceled.
Plan 2: Schools Closed – eLearning Day
  • All schools will be closed for the day, with students participating in an eLearning Day.
  • No make-up day will be required.
  • Schools will reopen the next scheduled day unless additional closures are necessary.
When road conditions are hazardous, bus drivers, after receiving approval from the Director of Transportation, may determine that a portion of a route cannot be traveled safely. In these cases:
  • Affected families will be notified.
  • Attendance will be marked with an excused notation due to lack of transportation.
  • Students maintaining perfect attendance will remain eligible for recognition.
Please be prepared for potential delays and allow students extra time at the bus stop during winter weather.

For full details on the district’s Inclement Weather Plan, visit:
 https://www.gccschools.com/inclement-weather/

For additional information, please contact your school principal or the Transportation Office at 812-288-4809.

Blood Drives - American Red Cross

Greater Clark County Schools is proud to partner with the American Red Cross on a groundbreaking community initiative. This year, Greater Clark becomes the first school district in the Kentuckiana region to host blood drives at all 14 schools.

Through this districtwide effort, Greater Clark and the American Red Cross have set a goal of collecting 240 units of blood to support patients and hospitals throughout our region. These lifesaving donations will make a meaningful impact in our community.

Blood drives hosted at elementary and middle schools are open to the public. Appointments are encouraged and can be made at redcrossblood.org.

  • Northaven Elementary — February 19 | 3:00–7:00 PM
  • Charlestown Middle School — February 20 | 3:00–7:00 PM
  • Franklin Square Elementary — February 25 | 2:00–7:00 PM
  • Pike Elementary — March 9 | 4:00–8:00 PM
  • Riverside Elementary — March 11 | 3:45–7:45 PM
  • Charlestown Elementary — March 26 | 3:00–7:00 PM
  • Parkwood Elementary — April 8 | 4:00–8:00 PM
  • Parkview Middle School — April 13 | 1:00–6:00 PM
  • River Valley Middle School — April 15 | 2:00–7:00 PM
  • New Washington Elementary — May 6 | 3:00–7:00 PM
Blood drives hosted at high schools will be private and open to students only. Individual schools will share additional details with families as each event approaches, including information on student sign-ups.
This initiative reflects Greater Clark County Schools’ commitment to service, leadership, and caring for others. By coming together as a district and community, we can help save lives.

Academies

Academy Advisory Committees and Steering Committee meetings continue to play a critical role in strengthening the Academies of Greater Clark and ensuring our programs remain aligned with real-world workforce needs. These advisories bring together CTE teachers, industry professionals, and postsecondary partners to collaborate on pathway alignment, curriculum relevance, and student opportunities, guided by the steering committee’s shared vision. Each academy’s advisory chair also serves on the steering committee, creating strong connections between pathway-level work and district-wide goals. Together, these groups advise, advocate, and support the Academies of Greater Clark to ensure students are prepared for college, careers, and life beyond high school.

Give for Greater Day:
Save the Date for February 5th

Give for Greater Day is February 5th. Give for Greater is the Greater Clark Education Foundation’s annual 24-hour day of giving, and it’s your chance to make a direct impact on students and educators across our district. Donations support initiatives like Creative Classroom Grants, arts programs, the Teacher Supply Bus, scholarships, senior banners, robotics, Camp Kindergarten, and more.

Plus, your gift can help your school win a $5,000 Mega Grant for a special project! Simply donate during Give for Greater Day and select your school; the school with the highest total raised in its name will receive the grant. Together, we can make a greater difference for every Greater Clark student.

Thank You, Sponsors!

We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to the incredible community sponsors who helped make the third annual “I Have a Dream” student performance possible. Because of your generosity and support, students from across Greater Clark County Schools came together to share a powerful performance inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message and legacy.

This performance has quickly become a community favorite, and your partnership allows us to continue inspiring our students and audiences year after year. We are truly grateful for your commitment to education and the arts.

Thank you to our sponsors:
  • Scottie Maples
  • First Savings Bank
  • German American Bank
  • First Harrison Bank
  • Volkswagen of Clarksville
  • Charlestown Coffee & Cream
  • Dan Christiani
  • Greater Clark Education Foundation
  • Keith and Kimberly Freeman
  • Patti and Jim Howard
  • Lyons Roofing
  • Sampan Printing
 
Thank you for helping make this meaningful experience possible for our students and our community.

Staff & Student Spotlights

100th Day of School Celebrations

On January 16, we proudly celebrated the 100th Day of School across all our Greater Clark County Schools! 

Students, staff, and parents embraced the spirit of the day through engaging, creative classroom activities that included math problems, counting, costumes, and more! Here are just a few highlights showcasing the excitement, creativity, and learning happening throughout our schools as we marked this milestone together.

Congratulations to our Rising Stars of Indiana at New Washington Middle/ High School

Congratulations to the Class of 2027 members Peyton Jones, Ella Moffett, Abigail Newcomb, and Nash Webb, who have been named Rising Stars of Indiana, an honor recognizing some of the brightest students in the state. We are incredibly proud of you and this outstanding achievement!

Congratulations to the Charlestown Students eligible for the Governor's Work Ethic Certificate!

Join us in congratulating and celebrating all 169 Charlestown High School seniors who are eligible to earn the Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate! 

This honor recognizes students who have demonstrated strong character, responsibility, and dedication throughout their high school careers. To earn the certificate at graduation, students must meet the following requirements:
  • Maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • Achieve 98% attendance (no more than four unexcused absences)
  • Meet discipline expectations
  • Complete six hours of service
We are proud of these students for exemplifying the values of hard work and commitment. Way to go, Pirates!

NWMHS - JR. Nash Webb is currently in Tokyo, Japan, participating in a cultural immersion and language education program.

We’re cheering on New Washington Middle/High School junior Nash Webb, who is currently participating in a two-week cultural and language immersion program in Tokyo.

Nash’s willingness to step outside his comfort zone and embrace a global learning experience reflects the curiosity, initiative, and leadership we love to see in our students. We look forward to hearing about his experience and all he learns during this exciting journey.

Safe travels, Nash!

Charlestown Cheer

Please join us in congratulating the Charlestown High School Cheerleading team on an outstanding performance at the Love to Cheer Championship. The Pirates delivered an exceptional showing across multiple divisions:
  • JV: 1st Place
  • Varsity: 1st Place, Best Dance, Best Stunts
  • Game Day: 1st Place
Congratulations to our talented student-athletes and coaches on a job well done. Way to go, Pirates!

Greyson Chinn - RVMS Chess

Please join us in congratulating River Valley Middle School student Greyson Chinn on an outstanding accomplishment in competitive chess. This past weekend, Greyson competed in the Indiana State Regional Chess Tournament in Evansville, earning 4th place out of 28 competitors and qualifying for the Indiana State Chess Finals.

Adding to this impressive achievement, Greyson was the only middle school student competing in the tournament. After finishing 7th in the state last year, this year’s performance marks an exciting step forward in his chess journey.

Congratulations, Greyson

Academic Resource - Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Virtual Tours

Learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom; it happens at home, too! One easy (and exciting) way families can continue learning together is through virtual field trips that bring the world right to your screen.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History offers incredible virtual experiences for learners of all ages. Families can explore past and present exhibits, take full virtual tours of galleries, and even get an inside look at research stations and support centers, all from home.

From dinosaurs and deep-sea creatures to human history and cutting-edge science, these virtual tours spark curiosity, inspire questions, and encourage meaningful conversations beyond the school day.

We encourage families to take advantage of these and other virtual field trip opportunities as a fun, engaging way to support learning at home, because curiosity doesn’t stop when the school bell rings!
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