Calendar Reminder - Fall Break
As we get further into the fall, we would like to remind families of several upcoming breaks, including Fall Break, which is right around the corner:
- Fall Break: October 6–10 (no school)
- Teacher In-Service Day & Parent-Teacher Conferences: November 4 (no school for students)
- Thanksgiving Break: November 26–28 (no school; classes resume December 1).
Founders Point Groundbreaking & Photos
On September 24, Greater Clark County Schools officially broke ground on Founders Point Elementary, the district’s final major new construction project in its 5-year facilities plan. The 92,000-square-foot, two-story building is slated to open for the 2027–2028 school year and will serve preschool through fifth-grade students from Jeffersonville, Charlestown, and surrounding Clark County communities.
The new facility will feature 28 classrooms, a gymnasium, media center, cafeteria, administrative offices, and dedicated spaces for music, art, and STEM education.
The site itself holds deep historical significance. Founders Point derives its name from the very land where community leaders once gathered to establish Clark County. Superintendent Mark Laughner reflected, “You’ll see the name of this elementary school is Founders Point. The reason for its name is that when you look at the history of this property, it was here that the meeting was held to form Clark County. It was obvious that a great name for the school would be Founders Point.”
Mr. Laughner also emphasized the importance of the property itself. “I live down the road about two miles… every time I drove by here, I thought, ‘man, that’d be a great place to go to school.’ We put out feelers in this area about who would be willing to sell their property, and the Goodwin family stepped up. We’re so grateful they did that.”
CORE Construction representative Brice Johnson noted, “Everyone gets excited about this. Many students will be coming here, and they will be our future leaders. It’s beautiful and serene out here. It’s also unique in that it feeds into multiple high schools and junior highs from different communities.”
School Board President John Buckwalter highlighted the broader impact on the community. “There were a lot of things that we did our research on, but we went in understanding that we’ve been doing the right thing for this community, for the kids, and that’s all you can ask. I think it’s going to be really cool for these kids… We’re not here for us. We’re here to keep moving forward for the next generation.”
When complete, Founders Point Elementary will not only provide state-of-the-art learning spaces but will also represent a lasting investment in the future of Greater Clark County Schools and the communities it serves.
Generation Innovation: A New Opportunity for Greater Clark High School Students
Greater Clark County Schools is excited to announce Generation Innovation, a new entrepreneurial-based program designed for high school students in grades 9–12.
Students selected for this program will join a cohort that meets on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 PM throughout the school year. Through a series of workshops led by community leaders, participants will gain valuable knowledge in all aspects of running a business.
As part of the program, students will develop a business plan and practice their pitch in preparation for the Innovate WithIN Pitch Competition, hosted by the STARTed Up Foundation.
Applications are open through October 3rd.
This program is made possible through the dedicated partnership of One Southern Indiana, Maker13, the Indiana Small Business Development Center (Southeast Branch), the STARTed Up Foundation, and the IU Southeast School of Business, and is funded by the Community Collaboration Fund, administered by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Academies
IU Southeast recently hosted Greater Clark County Schools’ Ambassador Training, and the results were inspiring. Students who serve as ambassadors go through an application process that requires recommendations from a staff member and someone outside the district, making their selection a true honor. On day one, 20 high school ambassadors stepped into leadership roles by guiding 80 middle school ambassadors through interactive breakout sessions. On day two, a different team of 20 high school ambassadors worked with 110 elementary ambassadors in the same way. Every breakout group included representatives from each GCCS high school, and the sessions brought important ideas like communication, professionalism, leadership, branding, and networking to life for younger students. Middle and elementary ambassadors were mixed into groups with peers from other schools, giving them the chance to build new friendships and practice teamwork. Each day ended with spirited challenges, where students rejoined their own schools and worked in small teams of 5 to 8 ambassadors to apply what they had learned.
You're Invited Women for Greater!
The Greater Clark Education Foundation invites you to the annual Women for Greater event on October 22, from 6:00–8:30 PM at Elk Run Golf Club in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
This special evening offers an opportunity to connect, enjoy a memorable night out, and make a meaningful impact on students, teachers, and schools across Greater Clark County. Proceeds from the event directly support the Foundation’s arts and music education initiatives, helping enrich the educational experience for our students.
Tickets are available now. Reserve yours today and join us in supporting the future of the Greater Clark Arts!
River Ridge Middle School Video & Graphics
We are pleased to share the first look at the renderings for the new River Ridge Middle School building. This state-of-the-art facility has been designed to provide students with modern classrooms, collaborative learning areas, and an environment that fosters academic success and personal growth.
The new building represents a significant investment in the future of our students, staff, and community, and we look forward to the numerous opportunities it will create in the years to come.
Staff Spotlights
Northaven Life Savers
Here at Greater Clark County Schools, we are deeply grateful for the dedication and quick thinking of our staff, especially in moments of crisis.
A few weeks ago, after school hours, a Northaven Elementary student experienced a serious medical emergency following a fall from their scooter that resulted in a head injury. Thanks to the immediate actions of staff members Claire Palmer and Liz Gannon, who quickly called 911 and ensured help was on the way, this student’s life was saved.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Claire and Liz for their heroic response and ask that you keep this student in your thoughts as they continue to recover.
Parkview Student Returns to School!
A Parkview student was able to return to school after experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency. Thanks to the quick action of our School Resource Officer, Kyle Buckner, and school nurse, Autumn Kokot, the student immediately received CPR, and emergency services were dispatched.
We are grateful to share that this student has since returned to school and is doing well. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Jeffersonville Police Department, our dedicated staff, and emergency responders. Their swift response, collaboration, and commitment made all the difference in saving a life.
Northaven Educators Receive National Co-Teaching Award
Greater Clark County Schools is proud to recognize two outstanding educators from Northaven Elementary, Emily Carpenter and Megan Rogers, who have been awarded the 2025 Co-Teaching Engagement Award from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education’s Co-Teaching in P–20 Topical Action Group.
This national honor highlights their leadership in co-teaching and their dedication to advancing the profession. Emily and Megan will be recognized at the National Association of Co-Teaching Conference on October 10, which will be hosted this year at IU Southeast. In addition, they will present alongside IU Southeast faculty at the 2025 Virtual International TESOL Conference in November.
Congratulations to Emily and Megan for this well-deserved recognition. Their work exemplifies the excellence and innovation of Greater Clark County Schools educators on the national stage.
We are proud to have such outstanding co-teaching models representing Greater Clark County Schools on the national stage.
We are proud to have such outstanding co-teaching models representing Greater Clark County Schools on the national stage.
Charlestown Elementary Co-Principal Named YouthLink Educator of the Year
We are proud to congratulate Charlestown Elementary Co-Principal, Sara Porter, who was honored as the YouthLink Educator of the Year at their Annual Meeting this week.
Sara has been a valued member of Greater Clark County Schools for 21 years, including 11 years as Principal of Pleasant Ridge Elementary.
Her leadership has brought lasting impact to Charlestown Elementary, where more than 321 Read Volunteers have supported students through her guidance. Sara’s dedication to student growth, her community, and her strong partnership with YouthLink Southern Indiana continues to inspire excellence across our district.
Student Highlights
A Display of P.R.I.D.E. at New Washington Elementary
The New Washington Elementary Cross Country team recently demonstrated an inspiring example of teamwork and perseverance.
During one of the final meets, runner Gabriel Woods fell behind, but his teammates from both the boys’ and girls’ teams rallied around him, running alongside and encouraging him all the way to the finish line. Their actions embodied the true spirit of P.R.I.D.E. and showcased the values being instilled in our students.
Principal Mindy Dablow shared,
“We have been focusing on the P.R.I.D.E. characteristic of Persistence during the month of August, and we have learned all about the importance of working hard and never giving up, even when things are difficult. Gabriel showed Persistence by finishing the race, and seeing his teammates running with him was a great example of how we support each other in our school family. We were so proud of all of these students!”
Congratulations to the Mustangs for this outstanding display of character and school spirit.
New Washington Cheer - 2025 Red Devil Cheer Classic Success
We are proud to recognize the New Washington Middle School Cheerleading Team for their outstanding performance at the 2025 Red Devil Cheer Classic. The team earned 1st Place in the HCCA Junior High division and was also named HCCA Grand Champions.
This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to the team’s hard work, dedication, and Mustang spirit. Congratulations to our cheerleaders on this well-deserved success!
Girls Golf Senior Night
Greater Clark County Schools recently celebrated our Class of 2026 senior girls’ golfers with a special Senior Night at Elk Run. The event brought together golfers from all GCCS high school programs for a fun evening in a scramble format.
Graduating Seniors:
- Charlestown High School: Emmalee Martin, Maggie Seevers
- New Washington High School: Izzy Ford
- Jeffersonville High School: Paige Littrell, Leighton Hearne, Lauren Peters, Zoe Sanchez Martinez, Jada Elliott, Teagan Cofie
Congratulations to these outstanding student-athletes on this milestone moment!
Youth Summit
Several Greater Clark County students recently participated in the Align Southern Indiana Youth Leadership Summit at Indiana University Southeast. During the summit, students engaged in sessions focused on the value of culture, effective communication, and embracing diversity in decision-making.
We are proud of these students for representing GCCS with excellence and for their commitment to growing as future leaders.
Jeffersonville AFJROTC Cadets Shine in Competition and Community Service
The Jeffersonville Air Force JROTC Flight Crew recently earned top honors at the Harrison County PT Competition, bringing home victories as Tug of War Champions and 1st Place in the Male Division of the 1.2-mile run.
In addition to their competitive success, the cadets also demonstrated their commitment to community service by assisting with the annual Ohio River Sweep at Ashland Park in Clarksville. Their efforts contributed to the collection of more than 3,000 pounds of garbage.
We are proud of our AFJROTC cadets for representing Greater Clark County with dedication, teamwork, and service to the community.
Kindergarten Open House - Coming in January!
Get your child’s educational journey off to a great start! Families with incoming Kindergarten students are invited to attend our annual Kindergarten Open House on January 22nd.
This event is a wonderful opportunity to tour our elementary schools, meet teachers and staff, and see your child’s future classroom.
Times and additional details will be shared as we get closer – mark your calendar and stay tuned!
Save the Date: Middle/High Preview Night
Families of incoming 6th and 9th-grade students are invited to join us for our annual Preview Nights on January 28th.
- Incoming 9th Grade Families: 5:00–6:15 PM
- Incoming 6th Grade Families: 6:30–7:30 PM
This is an excellent opportunity to tour our buildings, meet staff, and learn more about what our middle and high schools have to offer.
Additional details will be shared on our social media channels as the event approaches.
Dolly Parton Imagination Library - International Literacy Day
Earlier this month, we observed two significant dates that celebrate the importance of reading: Read a Book Day (September 6) and International Literacy Day (September 8). In recognition of these days, we would like to highlight Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, an exceptional program that mails free books each month to children from birth to age five. This initiative helps instill a lifelong love of reading and supports early literacy development.