The Clarke County School District has announced the recipients of its 7^th annual Impact Awards and 3^rd annual Volunteer of the Year Award. Impact Award-winning organizations and the Volunteer of the Year have made significant, lasting and ongoing contributions to the students of the Clarke County School District. Honorees were recognized at the Jun. 8 Board of Education meeting. 

“We appreciate the tireless dedication of all this year’s Impact Award recipients, as well as the Volunteer of the Year, as their selflessness has been evident in our schools and district,” said Interim Superintendent Jack Parish. “Our school district is fortunate to have over 400 community partners and hundreds of individuals who spend time volunteering in our schools. These individuals and organizations make a real difference, and we are honored to have recognized some of their efforts with this annual award.” 

Organizations honored with an Impact Award are:

Advantage Behavioral Health (APEX Program)
At Hilsman Middle School, Advantage Behavioral Health’s APEX Program provides mental health services on-site. The therapist assigned to Hilsman has consistently provided services to students, and also works to consult with school staff about students on the caseload so that Advantage and Hilsman can effectively work together to meet the needs of children and families. This program has been very positive for the school, as families do not have to provide transportation or coordinate appointments, since services are provided onsite. This program has made a significant positive impact for mental health at Hilsman Middle School. 

America Reads – University of Georgia Federal Work-Study Program
At Fowler Drive Elementary School and throughout the district, reading and math tutors are provided to students through America Reads. Tutors are committed, competent and allow students to make academic gains while developing one-on-one relationships. Tutors become a part of the school family, and actively look for other ways to be engaged. Many tutors become mentors through the Clarke County Mentor Program, seek to remain at their America Reads school for student-teacher placement and continue to volunteer in the building beyond their paid hours. America Reads is a valuable program throughout the district.  

University of Georgia PALs Program
The Physical Activity and Learning Program at the University of Georgia began in the 2014-15 school year at Fowler Drive and Chase Street Elementary Schools. The program provides free afterschool care, snacks, homework help, reading/math enrichment and bus transportation. Additionally, physical activities are incorporated, which provide students with a variety of both athletic and academic skills. Sixty students take part in grades 2-5. Doctoral and master’s students are staffed at both locations under the guidance of UGA professors. The PALs program has been such a resounding success that students, parents, teachers, administrators and professors all ask how they can help the incredible program grow.

Watershed UGA
Through a schoolwide partnership with Watershed UGA, the entire Stroud Elementary School has taken part in preserving the Trail Creek watershed on the school property. Watershed UGA hosted a family engagement event to alert the Stroud Elementary community on the importance of the watershed, with books, posters and interactive stations. UGA volunteers have worked to restore the walking trail on the Stroud campus to make it community-accessible and usable for environmental education purposes. Stroud Elementary’s Community Problem Solving team received state-level recognition for their project on the watershed, and through Watershed UGA, funding was secured in excess of $10,000 so that students could participate in the international competition in Wisconsin. Through Watershed UGA, the entire school community has become an informed one on the importance of environmental education. 

The Volunteer of the Year Award is:
Steven Day
Steven Day serves as youth pastor for Green Acres Baptist Church. In addition to his full time job serving youth, Pastor Day comes to Cedar Shoals High School weekly to be a hallway presence, greet students and help support others. He talks with teachers and consistently shares with them how valuable they are to the youth of the community. His optimism and support have made a difference at the school. Additionally, he has adopted the athletes at Cedar Shoals by assisting the football team with inspirational messages, participating in practices, helping with game field preparation, providing sideline assistance during home and away games, contributing pre-game meals and providing support for team members on and off the field. Pastor Day also serves as a volunteer assistant coach with the Jaguar baseball team. Through the tremendous amount of consistent time he has provided, Pastor Steven Day has come to be respected and adored throughout the Cedar Shoals High School community.