Notice of Property Tax Increase
Dear Parents,
Our children are growing up in a world that looks very different from the one we knew. In the past decade, smartphones and social media have reshaped childhood—taking the place of free play, deep friendships, and even sleep. Today, kids scroll through highlight reels, compare themselves to filtered perfection, and spend more time in virtual spaces than in real ones. As a result, something heartbreaking has happened: our children are suffering.
We’re seeing it everywhere—in rising rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and loneliness. In fact, between 2010 and 2020, the number of high school girls reporting persistent sadness and hopelessness more than doubled. Suicide rates among young girls nearly did too. Emergency room visits for self-harm spiked by over 180%. Boys are withdrawing, struggling with motivation, and losing their drive to achieve.
This is not random. It is a crisis. The cause is clear: the digital world moved in faster than we were ready for. The explosive rise of smartphone and social media usage became the dominant spaces for social interaction.
As educators and caretakers, we cannot stand by while screens steal the joy, focus, and mental health of the next generation. That’s why we are taking bold action—starting this school year, we will remove cell phones from all Crawford County classrooms for students and staff alike. This is not a punishment. It’s a gift: a chance to reclaim attention, connection, and growth.
To support this initiative, we are also asking that all personal belongings, including phones and other electronic devices, be securely stored out of sight in book bags, backpacks or purses during the school day. This step helps create a focused learning space and reduces unnecessary distractions.
We know change is hard. We expect questions, concerns, even pushback. But what’s harder is watching a generation lose its confidence, its resilience, and its spirit. Our mission is to help kids rediscover their ability to think deeply, speak freely, solve problems, and form real relationships—and we need your support to get there. This decision is grounded in evidence and aimed at improving both student achievement and school culture.
This isn’t about rejecting technology. It’s about restoring balance. About showing students that they are worth the discomfort of change. About giving them a chance to experience life outside the constant pull and anxiety of the screen.
We’re not asking for easy—we’re asking for meaningful. We believe this will be one of the most important decisions we make. And with your partnership, we believe it will work.
Let’s do the hard, right thing—together.
Sincerely,
Anthony Aikens, Superintendent
Our children are growing up in a world that looks very different from the one we knew. In the past decade, smartphones and social media have reshaped childhood—taking the place of free play, deep friendships, and even sleep. Today, kids scroll through highlight reels, compare themselves to filtered perfection, and spend more time in virtual spaces than in real ones. As a result, something heartbreaking has happened: our children are suffering.
We’re seeing it everywhere—in rising rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and loneliness. In fact, between 2010 and 2020, the number of high school girls reporting persistent sadness and hopelessness more than doubled. Suicide rates among young girls nearly did too. Emergency room visits for self-harm spiked by over 180%. Boys are withdrawing, struggling with motivation, and losing their drive to achieve.
This is not random. It is a crisis. The cause is clear: the digital world moved in faster than we were ready for. The explosive rise of smartphone and social media usage became the dominant spaces for social interaction.
As educators and caretakers, we cannot stand by while screens steal the joy, focus, and mental health of the next generation. That’s why we are taking bold action—starting this school year, we will remove cell phones from all Crawford County classrooms for students and staff alike. This is not a punishment. It’s a gift: a chance to reclaim attention, connection, and growth.
To support this initiative, we are also asking that all personal belongings, including phones and other electronic devices, be securely stored out of sight in book bags, backpacks or purses during the school day. This step helps create a focused learning space and reduces unnecessary distractions.
We know change is hard. We expect questions, concerns, even pushback. But what’s harder is watching a generation lose its confidence, its resilience, and its spirit. Our mission is to help kids rediscover their ability to think deeply, speak freely, solve problems, and form real relationships—and we need your support to get there. This decision is grounded in evidence and aimed at improving both student achievement and school culture.
This isn’t about rejecting technology. It’s about restoring balance. About showing students that they are worth the discomfort of change. About giving them a chance to experience life outside the constant pull and anxiety of the screen.
We’re not asking for easy—we’re asking for meaningful. We believe this will be one of the most important decisions we make. And with your partnership, we believe it will work.
Let’s do the hard, right thing—together.
Sincerely,
Anthony Aikens, Superintendent
Open House
Open House
Crawford County School District Closed
NOTICE OF CALLED BOARD MEETING
The Crawford County School Board will hold a called meeting on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. to discuss facility upgrades.
*********************ATTENTION*******************************
There is an update to the shuttles and parking locations for graduation. Shuttles will only be picking up/dropping off at CCPS and CCES parking lots. Pick up will begin at 4:30 PM next Friday, May 23. They will NOT be going to the courthouse or park in town.
NOTICE OF CALLED BOARD MEETING
The Crawford County School Board will hold a called meeting on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss personnel.
Safety First – Safety Always Bus Safety Art Contest
Winners of the Crawford County School District’s bus safety art contest will
be announced, and recognized at the April 8, 2025 School Board Meeting. The
meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. with student recognitions slated at the beginning
of the agenda. First, Second and third-place winners will be announced.
Please take a few minutes to respond to our Community Engagement Survey. We will use your feedback to formulate our Strategic Plan for the next five years. Please complete this no later than March 11, 2025.
Your input is valuable to us! Thanks in advance for your participation.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvOy_1qxanDHU_LkIWSzfLkd75ApUfmRySYnKhVdnkQl1pvw/viewform
After assessing our roads for safe bus passage, Crawford County Schools will be open for normal operations on Friday, January 24, 2025.
Crawford County Schools will be closed on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
We will reopen Friday, January 24, 2025.
Due to inclement weather, Crawford County Schools will be closed Tuesday, Jan 21 and Wednesday, Jan 22.
Parents, please look for a message from your child's school for instructions.
Due to weather concerns, Crawford County Schools will be closed on Friday, January 10, 2025.
INTENT TO OPT OUT OF HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
The Crawford County Board of Education intends to opt out of the state-wide adjusted base year ad valorem homestead exemption for the Crawford County School District. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this matter to be held at the Crawford County Board of Education office located at 190 E. Crusselle Street, Roberta, GA 31078 on January 14, 2025 at 6:30 PM. Times and places of additional public hearings on this matter are at the Crawford County Board of Education office located at 190 E. Crusselle Street, Roberta, GA 31078 on January 28, 2025 at 6:30 PM and at the Crawford County Board of Education office located at 190 E. Crusselle Street, Roberta, GA 31078 on February 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM.
Bullying and Humility
Please be advised that the previously scheduled board meeting originally set for Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., has been rescheduled to Monday, December 16, 2024 at 7:00p.m.
NOTICE OF CALLED BOARD MEETING
The Crawford County School Board will hold a called meeting on November 14, 2024 at 6:00pm for the purpose of millage rate approval.
Letter from USED and CDC re: COVID Test Distribution
Please see the attached letter from the U.S. Department of Education and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the availability of over-the-counter, rapid antigen COVID-19 self-tests for students, families, staff, and school communities.
Additional Information: “COVID Test Distro” attached
Lights On Afterschool
On Thursday, October 24, GaDOE and 21st Century Community Learning Centers grantees will celebrate Lights On Afterschool! Launched in October 2000, this nationwide event highlights the vital role of afterschool programs in enriching the lives of children, families, and communities, Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool showcases how afterschool programs provide students with opportunities to explore subjects like science, community service, robotics, Tae Kwon Do, and poetry.
Additional Information: https://www.afterschoolga.org/lights-on-afterschool/