State School Superintendent Richard Woods announced the success of the Georgia Department of Education’s statewide service initiative, Georgia Schools Care, held from November 8 through December 15, 2023. This annual initiative brought together the entire educational family, including students and staff, fostering a sense of community and support for a shared cause.
Georgia Schools Care aimed to unite Georgia’s education family in a collective effort to impact the lives of others positively. During the initiative, participants joined forces to raise an impressive total of more than $43,600. The funds collected were directed towards supporting disadvantaged children through a partnership with Clark’s Christmas Kids.
“I sincerely appreciate every student, staff, educator, and community member who contributed to this worthy cause,” Superintendent Woods said. “This initiative was designed to provide all within education the opportunity to make an impact on those around us. It was an opportunity for us as an educational family to give hope, add value to those in need, and allow us to make a genuine difference in the lives of others. Even though the personal sacrifice may seem small, the collective efforts of all were substantial.”
Clark’s Christmas Kids has been dedicated to bringing joy to foster children during the holiday season for over three decades. Their mission centers around ensuring that every child in the Georgia foster care system receives a Christmas gift, fostering a sense of love and belonging.
More than 50 schools and districts and several private donors contributed to the inaugural Georgia Schools Care initiative. Schools and districts were recognized based on participation as outlined below, and the recognition list is available at the bottom of this release.
- Diamond Star Schools: This designation was reserved for participation above 100%, based on a minimum $1 donation by both students and staff. (For example, a school with a combined enrollment and staff count of 800 could reach Diamond status by donating $801 or more.)
- Platinum Star School: This designation was reserved for participation between 90 and 100%, based on a minimum $1 donation by both students and staff.
- Gold Star School: This designation was reserved for participation between 70 and 89%, based on a minimum $1 donation by both students and staff.
- Silver Star School: This designation was reserved for participation between 50 and 69%, based on a minimum $1 donation by both students and staff.
- Bronze Star School: This designation was reserved for any level of participation based on a minimum $1 donation by both students and staff.
The Georgia Department of Education is launching a spring Georgia Schools Care Initiative to benefit military families in honor of Month of the Military Child in April. More details will be available soon so please stay tuned for how you can help impact the lives of others positively.
Diamond Star Schools/Districts:
- Blue Ridge Elementary School, Dalton Public Schools
- Cass Middle School, Bartow County School System
- Chattanooga Valley Middle School, Walker County Schools
- Dooly County Board of Education, Dooly County School System
- Dublin City Schools Central Office, Dublin City Schools
- Harmony Elementary School, Pickens County Schools
- Jefferson Academy, Jefferson City Schools
- Jefferson Elementary School, Jefferson City Schools
- Jefferson High School, Jefferson City Schools
- Jefferson Middle School, Jefferson City Schools
- Lincoln County Elementary School, Lincoln County Schools
- Mountain Road Elementary School, Cherokee County School District
- North Columbia Elementary School, Columbia County School District
- Pike County Central Office, Pike County Schools
- Pike County Primary School, Pike County Schools
- Savannah Classical Academy, Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools
- Union County High School, Union County Schools
- Valdosta Middle School, Valdosta City Schools
- Wadsworth Magnet School for High Achievers, DeKalb County Schools
- Wilcox County Elementary School, Wilcox County Schools
Platinum Star Schools/Districts:
- Carrollton City Schools, Carrollton County Schools
- Irish Gifted Academy, Dublin City Schools
Gold Star Schools/Districts:
- Arcado Elementary School, Gwinnett County Public Schools
- Moore Street School, Dublin City Schools
- Patterson Elementary School, Pierce County Schools
- Putnam County Elementary School, Putnam County Charter School System
- River Ridge High School, Cherokee County School District
- Stone Creek Elementary School, Walker County Schools
- Walker County Schools Advancing Education Center, Walker County Schools
- West Side Elementary School, Marietta City Schools
Silver Star Schools/Districts:
- International Academy of Smyrna, State Charter School
- Macon County Board of Education, Macon County School System
- Mitchell County Elementary School, Mitchell County School System
- Mitchell County Primary School, Mitchell County School System
- North Tattnall Middle School, Tattnall County Schools
Bronze Star Schools/Districts:
- Arnold Magnet Academy, Muscogee County School District
- Bradwell Institute, Liberty County School System
- Camden Middle School, Camden County Schools
- Crisp County High School, Crisp County Schools
- Dublin High School, Dublin City Schools
- Dublin Middle School, Dublin City Schools
- Fairmount Elementary School, Gordon County Schools
- Gum Springs Elementary School, Jackson County School System
- Hillcrest Elementary School, Dublin City Schools
- Midway Elementary School, Pierce County Schools
- Miller County Elementary School, Miller County Schools
- Mitchell County Middle School, Mitchell County School System
- Moreland Road Elementary School, Griffin-Spalding County School System
- Pike County Middle School, Pike County Schools
- Rome City Schools Board of Education, Rome City Schools
- Screven County Elementary School, Screven County School System
- Southside Elementary School, Grady County Schools
- Susie Dasher Elementary School, Dublin City Schools
- Whitewater Middle School, Fayette County Public Schools
