May 2026 Newsletter

Hello Summer

Summer is officially upon us as we head into our final week of the 2025-2026 school year. We hope you had a fantastic school year. We want to take a moment to thank our students, staff, and families for another incredible school year full of memories and new milestones. We hope you enjoy your well-deserved break! 

We look forward to welcoming you back for the 2026-2027 school year, which brings exciting new beginnings for our Parkwood Elementary school families and marks the inaugural year of the new Parkwood Elementary building. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

To the class of 2026, congratulations on your graduation. This is a huge accomplishment. As you take this next step, know that your hard work, growth, and determination will take you far. The future ahead is full of opportunity. Go after it with confidence, stay true to who you are, and never stop learning. Wishing you success, happiness, and a bright future in whatever path you choose. 

Please join us in celebrating the Class of 2026 at the following commencement ceremonies: 
  • New Washington High School

    New Washington High School - Saturday, May 23, at 11:00 AM at New Washington High School

  • Charlestown High School

    Charlestown High School - Saturday, May 23, at 1:00 PM at Charlestown High School

  • Jeffersonville High School

    Jeffersonville High School - Sunday, May 24, at 1:00 PM at Jeffersonville High School

Congratulations again to the class of 2026!

K-12 Enrollment Still Open!

This is a reminder that your child must be enrolled for the 2026-2027 school year to attend school. Secure their spot today! 

Families of current preschool through eleventh-grade students should have already received their Snapcode letters in the mail. Please keep this important information, as the Snapcode is required to complete the registration process.
 
Families new to Greater Clark County Schools do NOT need a Snapcode to register.
 
Should you have any problems with your Snapcode or registration, we are asking families to please contact:
 
 
We can’t wait for another fantastic school year with you!

Virtual Academy

The Greater Clark Virtual Academy (GCVA) offers students in grades 9–12 a flexible, supportive way to complete their high school education—without sacrificing connection or quality.

Students enrolled in GCVA participate in live, virtual core classes taught by Greater Clark County Schools teachers, ensuring they receive the same high-quality instruction as their peers. Each student is provided with a Chromebook and benefits from daily live check-ins with a GCVA Coordinator for ongoing support and progress monitoring. In addition, students have access to a GCCS school counselor to help guide them academically and personally.

While learning takes place online, GCVA students still have opportunities to stay connected through milestone events such as Prom and Graduation (please note: athletics are not included).

Since its launch in the 2021–2022 school year, GCVA has achieved a 100% graduation rate, demonstrating the strength of its model and the success of its students.

For families seeking a flexible school option without giving up structure, support, or achievement, the Greater Clark Virtual Academy is a proven choice.

Save the Dates: Back to School Events

As one school year comes to a close, we’re already looking ahead to the next! Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming back-to-school events:


Back-to-School Nights
  •  Elementary Schools: July 27 | 5:00–7:00 PM 
  •  Middle & High Schools: July 28 | 5:00–7:00 PM 
Camp Kindergarten
  •  July 23 
Orientation Dates
  •  6th Grade Orientation: July 23 | 12:00–3:00 PM 
  •  9th Grade Orientation: July 28 | 2:00–4:00 PM 
Additional details will be shared by your child’s school as the dates get closer.

Summer Meal Sites Return for 2026

Summer meal sites will return for Summer 2026 at the following locations: Pike Elementary, Charlestown Elementary, Riverside Elementary, Franklin Square Elementary, and New Washington Elementary. The program will run from June 1 through July 10, with sites closed on June 19 in observance of Juneteenth.

Breakfast will be served daily from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m., followed by lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Menus will be shared once they become available. Thank you for your continued support.

Academies

The Next Generation of Leaders: High School Ambassadors Take the Lead

At the end of April, our newly selected High School Student Ambassadors gathered at Amatrol for a comprehensive training. This event was designed to equip our students with the “core pillars of being an ambassador”—the specialized skills required to represent the Academies of Greater Clark with excellence and integrity.
Led by industry professionals, students moved through a series of breakout sessions that focused on six essential career-readiness competencies:
  • Leadership & Professionalism: Students explored the foundational traits of effective leaders, focusing on the accountability, ethics, and conduct required to serve as a role model within our schools and community.
  • Networking & Communications: These sessions focused on the art of the professional introduction and mastering clear, impactful messaging when engaging with community partners and stakeholders.
  • Event Planning & Personal Branding: Ambassadors learned the logistical “behind-the-scenes” work of coordinating successful events while ensuring their personal brand—and the district’s reputation—is represented at the highest level.
A Leadership Pipeline: The impact of this training goes far beyond the high school level. These students are now preparing to act as mentors; this fall, they will be responsible for planning and delivering an age-appropriate version of this training for our Middle School and Elementary Student Ambassadors.
 
THE IMPACT: By mastering these skills and then teaching them to their younger peers, our High School Ambassadors are building a continuous “train-the-trainer” culture of leadership. This model ensures that professional development in Greater Clark is a journey that starts in elementary school and results in world-class, career-ready graduates.
 
A special thank you to our partners at Amatrol for hosting this vital training session and for their commitment to investing in the next generation of student leaders!

GCCS Now Hiring

Greater Clark County Schools is now hiring for multiple positions across the district for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. 

We offer competitive benefits, including:
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
  • Those participating in our health plan receive free access to our Health and Wellness Center
  • PERF/TRF (Indiana State Retirement), paid by GCCS
Greater Clark County Schools is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace.
Bold recruitment poster: 'Join Our Team!' with three smiling staff in red shirts beside a cart, QR code on the left, and bullet points about pay and scheduling in a comic-style layout.

Service Management Systems is Hiring!

Service Management Systems is currently hiring custodial staff to support our schools and help maintain clean, safe, and welcoming learning environments. Opportunities are available for full-time positions Monday through Friday, part-time roles on weekends and during events, and flexible scheduling for event staff.

Starting pay is $15 per hour, with opportunities for advancement, performance-based bonuses, and benefits available for full-time employees.

If you’re ready to make a difference in our schools, apply today at apply.smsclean.com and select open positions for the Greater Clark County School District.

Staff & Student Spotlights

Jeff High Principal Named IASP District Principal of the Year

Congratulations to Jeffersonville High School Principal Pam Hall on being named the District 12 High School Principal of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Principals!

This incredible honor is a testament to Mrs. Hall’s dedication to her students, staff, and the entire Jeffersonville High School community. She is an outstanding leader, passionate educator, and a tremendous asset to Greater Clark County Schools. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and grateful for the impact she continues to make each day.

State Principal of the Year winners will be announced this fall.

2026 GCCS Elementary Academic Team Champions

Congratulations to the Northaven Elementary Academic Team for earning the title of 2026 GCCS Elementary Academic Team Champions!

The GCCS Elementary Academic Team Competition was held May 7 at Johnson Arena at Jeffersonville High School. Students competed in a variety of subjects, including General Math, Biomes, Seven Wonders of the World, Famous Mathematicians, and Music Instrument Families.

Final standings included:
  • 1st Place – Northaven Elementary
  • 2nd Place – Utica Elementary
  • 3rd Place – Parkwood Elementary

Jeff High Student Receives Lilly Endowment Scholarship

Join us in celebrating Jeffersonville High School senior Litzy Rubio, who has been named both a Lilly Community Endowment Scholar and a Gates Scholar. 

Each year, the Lilly Endowment Community Scholar program selects a small number of students from each Indiana county who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and community leadership. It provides a full-tuition scholarship to any accredited public or private university in Indiana. 

The Gates Scholarship is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This is one of the most selective scholarships in the nation.  Litzy is one of 750 scholars out of over 61,000 applicants this year, from across the nation. It is a “last-dollar” scholarship that covers the full cost of attendance at any U.S. university. To our knowledge, Litzy may be the first Gates scholar in Greater Clark County Schools. 

Even more inspiring, Litzy will be the first in her family to graduate from high school, a powerful testament to her resilience and determination. As her counselor shared, “Litzy is humble, beautiful, and thankful for being considered for opportunities – an all-around AMAZING young lady. Her journey is a testament to resilience and hard work,” said Ms. Roberts. “Litzy is a shining example of what our students can achieve.” 
Litzy is also heavily involved on campus as a Student Ambassador and a swim team student-athlete. 

Elementary Math Scholars

Join us in celebrating three of our outstanding elementary students who were recognized for scoring in the top 2% of third-grade students in math across the state of Indiana in their ILEARN assessments, earning the opportunity to apply for the National Math Stars Program. 

Congratulations to Levi Jewell of Charlestown Elementary, Daisy Bailey of Northaven Elementary, and Matin Dizayee of Uitca Elementary! We are so incredibly proud of their hard work, dedication, and this huge achievement! 

Charlestown High Student Named Indiana Academic All-Star

Congratulations to Wyatt Chisman for being named an Indiana Academic All-Star, one of 40 students in the state to earn this honor. In addition, each student names an educator who had an impact on their journey, and Wyatt named Charlestown High’s very own Mr. Jason Cox. Congratulations to both for their incredible accomplishments. 

Charlestown High Teacher Named Dual Credit Teacher of the Year

Greater Clark County Schools is proud to recognize Mr. Cox of Charlestown High School, who has been named the 2026 Ivy Tech Sellersburg Campus Dual Credit Teacher of the Year.

We thank Mr. Cox for his continued dedication to his students and his commitment to excellence in education.

Northaven Principal Receives IUS Education Award

We’re proud to celebrate Northaven Principal, Mrs. Laura Morris, for receiving the Indiana University Southeast School of Education Award in recognition of her work as a K-12 School Partner!

2026 GCCS Elementary Track Champions

Meet your 2026 GCCS Elementary Track Champions, Pike Elementary (Girls) and Utica Elementary (Boys)! Join us in giving them a big congratulations on a fantastic season and a hard-earned title! 

2026 GCCS Elementary Volleyball Jamboree Champions

Earlier this month, New Washington Middle/High School hosted the GCCS Elementary Volleyball Jamboree, bringing together teams from each Greater Clark elementary school for a day of exciting competition and teamwork. 

Teams from each school competed in two separate brackets. At the conclusion of the jamboree, four teams earned championship or runner-up honors:
  • Team A Runner-Up: Charlestown Elementary
  • Team A Champion: Utica Elementary
  • Team B Runner-Up: Riverside Elementary
  • Team B Champion: Charlestown Elementary
Congratulations to all of the student-athletes, coaches, and schools who participated in this year’s jamboree. 

JHS AFJROTC Field Trips

April was a busy month for the Jeffersonville High School JR. Air Force ROTC cadets with visits to three different bases, including Fort Knox, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and Camp Atterbury with the Indiana National Guard. Through these opportunities, cadets gained hands-on experience, saw life on base, pushed their physical limits, strengthened their teamwork, and learned resilience. 

While at Fort Knox, cadets were challenged on the Army’s obstacle course before enjoying a glimpse of daily life on base at lunch at the installation’s dining facility. Later in the month, cadets visited Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for an in-depth look at military careers. During their visit, they connected with professionals from the Fire Department and Security Forces and witnessed an impressive military working dog demonstration, offering insight into the skills and dedication required across different roles in the Air Force.

To close out the month, cadets visited Camp Atterbury, where the Indiana National Guard led an unforgettable rappelling experience down a 60-foot tower. This final trip challenged cadets to step outside their comfort zones and trust their training and peers.

Each of these experiences provided valuable, real-world learning opportunities that strengthened confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills, making April a memorable and impactful month for every cadet involved. We are so grateful for Colonel Benning and all those who made these opportunities possible for our students! 

Parkwood Inclusion Fair

Parkwood Elementary recently hosted its 4th Annual Inclusion Fair with community resource booths, games, activities, and fun for everyone. This year’s theme was Be a Hero, Be a Friend. This has become a welcome community tradition! 

Parkview Family Night

Parkview Middle School hosted an incredible Family Night this week, welcoming more than 200 students and family members for an interactive experience centered around The Game of Life: Welcome to Main Street USA. From choosing careers to budgeting monthly income (after taxes!), students stepped into real-life scenarios that made personal finance come to life.

Families explored stops such as the Transportation Terminal, Grocery Grab, Housing Hub, and Community Center, playing games, tackling challenges, and using their Math and ELA skills along the way.

Shoutout to Parkview Middle School for creating such a creative and educational event, and thank you to Lifespring Health Systems for sponsoring dinner for our families!

Pike Color Run 2026

Pike Elementary held its first-ever color run, where students and staff had a fun, colorful day thanks to parent volunteers and the dedicated PTO. 
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