Commerce City Schools

We’re excited to offer summer meal programs to ensure all students have access to nutritious meals! Here's everything you need to know: https://www.commercecityschools.org/o/ccs/page/2025-summer-meals Contact Greg Buice with any questions: greg.buice@commercecityschools.org

CCSS Staff Feature: Introducing Tammy Simpson-Shirley, Special Education Director We are thrilled to welcome Tammy Simpson-Shirley as the new Special Education Director for Commerce City Schools! With 25 years of experience in education, Tammy brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for supporting students, teachers, and families. She holds a bachelor’s degree with certifications in both general and special education and a master’s degree in educational leadership. Over the years, Tammy has served as a general education teacher, reading specialist, and special education teacher, as well as a special education coordinator. Most recently, she spent five years as a Special Education Director, gaining invaluable experience that will undoubtedly benefit our district. In her current role, Tammy leads and supports special education services across the district. When asked about what she loves most, she shared, “There’s nothing more meaningful than seeing a student accomplish goals they once thought were out of reach and knowing you played a part in helping them get there. Supporting teachers and staff so they can do their best work for students is equally rewarding.” Tammy is also excited to join the Commerce community, a place she admires for its excellence, strong relationships, and student-centered values. “I’m especially excited to get into schools and classrooms to build connections, support teachers, and celebrate student successes,” she says. “It’s an honor to be part of a team so clearly dedicated to doing what’s best for kids, and I look forward to contributing to that mission.” Please join us in giving a warm Commerce welcome to Tammy Simpson-Shirley! We are excited about the expertise, energy, and dedication she brings to our district.

Today, students in Mrs. Shiflet’s Allied Health and Medicine class presented their Capstone displays, and we were truly impressed! Each student shared about their chosen medical career and clinical experience through a presentation board and an interactive activity. School system personnel and community members in the healthcare field had the opportunity to attend and take part in the experience. We are so proud of these students and their hard work in preparing for future careers in healthcare!

A huge shout-out to the CHS Yearbook Staff for their hard work, creativity, and dedication in capturing the heart of the school year! From documenting special moments to last-minute edits, your commitment to telling the CHS story does not go unnoticed. Thanks for creating a keepsake that students will cherish for years to come.

Tysean Wiggins Receives His Wrestling State Championship Ring! A big congratulations to Tysean Wiggins as he received his GHSA Wrestling State Championship ring today! This incredible achievement reflects his unmatched work ethic, discipline, and commitment to excellence on the mat. Tysean’s championship journey is an inspiration to the entire CHS community. We are so proud of you, Tysean—thank you for representing CHS with strength and pride!

CHS Celebrates College Signing Day! Today, we proudly celebrated College Signing Day at CHS, honoring our outstanding student-athletes who have committed to continuing their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. Their dedication, discipline, and perseverance—both on the field and in the classroom—have earned them this incredible opportunity. Congratulations to: Tysean Wiggins Michael Duncan Jermiah Mintz Wesley Usher Dante Smith-Hernandez We are so proud of each of you and can’t wait to see all you accomplish in this next chapter. Keep chasing excellence!

CCSS Staff Feature: Nicole Bennett – Pre-K Paraprofessional Meet Nicole Bennett, a dedicated Pre-K Paraprofessional and proud member of the Commerce City Schools family! Nicole is a United States Marine Corps veteran, having served as a Field Radio Operator after joining the Marines shortly after 9/11. Her service allowed her to travel the world and gain valuable life experience. She earned her Associate of Science degree from Georgia Military College and is now a Senior at Valdosta State University, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, her true passion. She plans to graduate in May 2026. This is Nicole’s fifth year as a Pre-K Paraprofessional, where she loves supporting her students and watching their growth. She cherishes moments like seeing students write their names for the first time, count to 20, or build creative block towers. Though Nicole wasn’t born or raised in Commerce, she feels at home here. “The Tiger community is so kind and welcoming. I AM a Commerce Tiger. The love our school system has for our staff and students is infectious and makes me proud to be a Tiger—and I always will be!” Thank you, Nicole, for your dedication to our students and for being a proud part of Commerce City Schools!

Summer Meal Program Announcement: We’re excited to offer summer meal programs to ensure all students have access to nutritious meals! Here's everything you need to know: https://5il.co/3fmx0

We are thrilled to recognize these amazing students for their incredible achievement of reading one million words this school year! Their dedication to learning and love for books inspire us all. Harper Lee - 2nd Grade Adalena Noto - 3rd Grade Wyatt Roberts - 3rd Grade Your hard work and commitment to literacy are shining examples of what it means to be a Commerce Tiger. Keep reaching for the stars, readers!

Today, our Future Georgia Educators and Extra Special Tigers clubs proudly hosted the Shining Stars Awards Ceremony, honoring our incredible Tigers! These students shine brightly in academics, athletics, and every aspect of being extraordinary Tigers. Their hard work and spirit inspire us all, and we are so proud to recognize their contributions to Commerce High School. Thank you to everyone who made this special day possible and for showing your unwavering support for these amazing students. Let’s continue celebrating the unique talents and bright futures of our Shining Stars!

Today, we proudly hosted Future Georgia Educators Signing Day, celebrating our students who have committed to pursuing careers in education! 2025 Future Georgia Educators Signers: Jayden Torres – University of North Georgia Ruthie Mae Gaddis – University of North Georgia Ashley Hogan – (College decision pending) Kaylee Purvis – Emmanuel University Avie Norman – Emmanuel University Autumn Henry – Athens Technical College Matthew Rogers – Kennesaw State University We were honored to have Cherie Miller, GaDOE Representative, join us for this special occasion, along with representatives from esteemed colleges. Their presence and support made the event even more inspiring for our future educators. This day underscores our dedication to fostering a passion for teaching and empowering the next generation of educators. Thank you to everyone who helped make this day unforgettable!

We’re extremely thankful for the support of our community and Partners in Education as we continue celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week. Your contributions are helping us honor the dedication and hard work of our incredible teachers and support staff at Commerce City Schools—truly the best team around!

CCSS Proudly Celebrates Teach in the Peach – Statewide Educator Signing Day! Commerce City Schools was proud to be part of Teach in the Peach, a statewide celebration recognizing the next generation of Georgia educators! Jenny Palmer, TAP teacher at CHS, brought four outstanding seniors who have committed to pursuing a career in education: Kaylee Purvis, Matthew Rogers, Avie Norman, and Ashley Hogan. We are incredibly proud of their passion and purpose as they begin this meaningful journey! We also celebrated Bryson Flint, who is completing his student teaching and will officially join the CCSS team as a first-year teacher next school year! Representing Commerce alongside our future educators were Cameron Shirley, Lauren Milford, and Billy Kirk. The future is bright for education in Georgia — and especially in Commerce! #Teachinthepeach

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!