Commerce City Schools

Today, we celebrate the dedication and hard work of our amazing school nurses. Thank you for the care, compassion, and calm you bring to Commerce City Schools every day. Whether it’s soothing a tummy ache, offering support on a tough day, or providing a helping hand, you’re always there for our students and staff. We truly appreciate everything you do to keep our school community safe, healthy, and thriving. 💛

📚 Community Storybook Night – Supporting Ferst Readers! We are proud to partner with Jackson County Schools, Piedmont Regional Public Library, and Kiwanis to support Ferst Readers, a nonprofit organization providing free books and resources to Jackson County children from birth to age five. Join us: 🗓️ Thursday, May 8th ⏰ 5:00 – 7:00 PM 📍 Chick-fil-A Jefferson Come enjoy a fun-filled Community Storybook Night and help support this wonderful program! A portion of all orders during the event will benefit the Ferst Readers Program. Visit the link for more information on Ferst Readers: https://ferstreaders.org/

Please note the updated schedule for the Commerce City Schools Board of Education meetings this month.

Save the Dates! We’re excited to announce Open House information for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year! Mark your calendars and join us to meet the teachers, explore classrooms, and get ready for another amazing school year.

Our Commerce Tigers had an impressive tennis season! The girls' team secured 2nd place in the region, while the boys' team finished 4th. In the state playoffs, the girls claimed a home victory against Worth County, and the boys earned a win on the road against Berrien County. In the Sweet Sixteen round, the girls traveled to Macon to face ACE Charter School but fell short in a hard-fought match. The boys faced top-seeded Brantley County and gave it their all but came up short. Both teams showed incredible determination and have much to be proud of this season!

During Teacher Appreciation Week, Commerce City Schools proudly honors the dedication and impact of our educators. Our teachers and support staff inspire, guide, and empower students every day, consistently meeting and exceeding our high expectations for excellence. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for their unwavering commitment to providing exceptional education and fostering a bright future for all students.

Another amazing performance from the CHS cast of The Wizard of Oz! This talented group continues to bring the magic to life with every scene—from the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City! Don’t miss your LAST chance to see them shine on stage—tomorrow night at 6:30 PM in the Bill Anderson Performing Arts Center! Grab your tickets now: https://gofan.co/event/2640481?schoolId=GA4925_1 Follow the yellow brick road one more time—you won’t want to miss it!

CCSS Celebrates School Nutrition Hero Day! Today, we honor the incredible heroes behind the scenes—our school nutrition professionals! From early mornings to busy lunch lines, our café heroes go above and beyond to care for our students and staff. Their dedication, kindness, and hard work help create a warm and welcoming environment in every school. Thank you for being a vital part of our school community—you truly make a difference every single day!

Big things happening in Tiger Town! Coach Conn from Clemson University stopped by CCSS today as spring practice is officially underway! College coaches are beginning to visit, observe, and evaluate the incredible talent within our program. We’re proud to support our student-athletes as they seize opportunities to compete and grow at the next level.

We are excited to announce that Commerce Middle School has been awarded the 2025 SSTAGE Star Award for Promising Practices! This prestigious recognition highlights our commitment to innovative student support strategies, including strong academic and behavioral support systems, thorough progress monitoring, and clear family communication. A big thank you to our incredible teachers and staff at CMS for their dedication and hard work to ensure every student’s success! This achievement reflects our mission to expect excellence in all we do and our ongoing efforts to empower every student to thrive. Click here to read the full press release https://5il.co/3ezhi

CCSS proudly recognizes our amazing principals on National Principal’s Day! We are incredibly grateful for their leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our students, staff, and community. CPS/CES: Mandy Lund CMS: Phillip Powell CHS: Will Smith Thank you for all you do to inspire excellence and create a positive learning environment every day!

Commerce City Schools is proud to celebrate Gavan Welchel and Lily Sears for officially graduating with the Junior Leadership Jackson Class of 2025! Junior Leadership Jackson, powered by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, is a prestigious leadership initiative designed to equip juniors and seniors with the skills and experiences to become future leaders in our community. Gavan and Lily have represented Commerce with excellence, and we are thrilled to recognize their hard work, dedication, and leadership.

Congratulations to Will Bowen! Will has been named the Overall Low Medalist for the entire area! His hard work, focus, and dedication to the game have truly paid off

New Student Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year We're excited to announce that new student registration for the upcoming school year will open on May 5th! Register here: https://commercecityschoolsga.sites.thrillshare.com/page/student-registration Important Requirements: Please refer to the graphic below for all the necessary documentation and information needed for registration. Current Students: Current students will receive detailed instructions on existing student registration through the Parent Portal and Thrillshare. Please contact Dawn Gary: dawn.gary@commercecityschools.org with any questions.

Congratulations to Tysean Wiggins, the Georgia High School High Tech Computer Competition Winner! He received a brand-new laptop to support his future goals. We’re so proud of his hard work, creativity, and vision for the future.

Our 7th-grade FACS students have been busy learning a valuable life skill — sewing! They practiced stitching by creating small fabric projects and did an amazing job.

CCSS Teacher Feature: Mr. Kris Patel, CMS Business Education Teacher Mr. Kris Patel is in his seventh year of teaching and his second year with Commerce City Schools. Throughout his career, he has taught both middle and high school business education, coached baseball and softball, and served as an Athletic Director. A proud graduate of Berry College, Mr. Patel earned his B.S. in Business Management while playing baseball for four years. He later earned his M.A.T. from the University of West Georgia. Currently, Mr. Patel serves as the Business Education teacher at Commerce Middle School, but he’s preparing for an exciting transition—next year, he will step into the role of Assistant Principal at Commerce Elementary School. “I love being able to impact kids and help them realize their potential,” he says. “I’m excited to reach even more students in my new role.” What Mr. Patel loves most about being in Commerce is the strong sense of community. “Being a part of something bigger than myself—living here, teaching and coaching kids and their siblings, and getting to know the families—has quickly made Commerce feel like home.”

CCSS Celebrates National Picnic Day! Today, our schools enjoyed a BBQ lunch in the cafés to celebrate National Picnic Day. A big thank you to our amazing café staff, our dedicated School Nutrition Director, and everyone who pitched in to make the day special—including the behind-the-scenes help at the grill from Mr. Kirk. We’re grateful for the teamwork that brings these moments to life for our school community!

Coach Lenny Gregory Reflects on Coaching NFL Draft Prospect Travis Hunter Coach Gregory, who led Collins Hill High School to a historic 2021 state championship, recently shared insights about coaching Travis Hunter, a standout two-way player now entering the NFL Draft. In a recent interview with Fox 5 News, Gregory recounted Hunter's immediate impact upon joining the team, highlighting his exceptional athleticism and work ethic. Gregory's mentorship played a significant role in Hunter's development, fostering a competitive spirit and versatility that have become his trademarks. As Hunter prepares for the NFL, Gregory's reflections underscore the foundational support and guidance that have propelled Hunter to this stage in his career. Coach Gregory's leadership and dedication to his players are a tremendous asset to Commerce City Schools. His ability to inspire, mentor, and bring out the best in his athletes not only shapes them into outstanding players but also prepares them for success beyond the field. We are proud and thankful to have such a passionate and experienced coach guiding our students!

We are excited to offer our 2025 CCSS Summer Sports Camp Programs! This summer, students will have the opportunity to improve their skills, learn teamwork, and have fun participating in a variety of sports camps. Plus, golf enthusiasts can join the Double Oaks Junior Golf Program, with divisions available for ages 10 and under and 11-18. For any questions or more information, please contact our Athletic Director, Kendall Love, at kendall.love@commercecityschools.org.