Camden County Schools -

🌱 Planting the seeds of well-being starts today.
Small acts of care, patience, and kindness—toward ourselves and others—help our students and staff grow stronger every day. Let’s continue to nurture mental health together.

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #CamdenCountyStrong

UPDATE: CCHS was given the all clear by the fire department. Buses have been released. We are 15 minutes behind on our normal schedule. Thank you for your patience and support.

Camden County High School will operate on a delayed schedule until fire officials have determined it is safe to reenter the building. Due to the situation at Camden County High School, there will be delays at other school sites as well. Updates will be shared as they become available.

ATTENTION CCHS FAMILIES: A fire alarm has been activated due to smoke in the cafeteria at CCHS in 10-12 building. All students and staff are safe and have been evacuated. Emergency services are on their way to the scene. Please avoid the area until further notice.

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 13, 2026
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Camden County Schools Appoints Tucker Pruitt as Head Football Coach

Camden County Schools is proud to announce the appointment of Coach Tucker Pruitt as the new Head Football Coach of the Camden County High School Wildcats. Coach Pruitt assumes leadership of the program following the resignation of Coach Jon Lindsey.

Coach Pruitt brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished record of success in Georgia high school football. He most recently served as Head Coach at Appling County High School, leading the team to a region championship and a second-round playoff appearance this season. Prior to that, he spent eight seasons at Fitzgerald High School, compiling an 82-27 record, winning two region championships, and guiding the Purple Hurricanes to a state championship in 2021.

We are very excited to have Coach Pruitt with us and leading us forward in 2026. A community introduction event for Coach Pruitt will be held on January 21, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium, where families, alumni, and supporters are invited to welcome him to his new role.

🌟 Teacher of the Year Spotlight 🌟

We are excited to celebrate Cassie Griffis as the Mary Lee Clark Elementary School Teacher of the Year! With 15 years in education, Ms. Griffis serves as a 3rd grade ELA teacher at MLCES, where she is passionate about investing in young people and helping them grow both academically and personally.

Ms. Griffis says the best part of her job is the students—plain and simple. She believes they are truly the best, and her love for teaching shines through in the joyful, supportive environment she creates each day. Known for her love of a good pun, she brings warmth and positivity into everything she does.

When she’s not in the classroom, Ms. Griffis enjoys crafting and chasing food trucks, and if she weren’t a teacher, she would continue serving others as an advocate for youth and elderly programs. Guided by her motto, “Do anything, but let it produce joy,” she makes a lasting impact on her school community. Congratulations to Ms. Griffis on this well-deserved honor! 🍎✨

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #CamdenCountyStrong #TeacherTuesday

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 13, 2026
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Temporary Relocation Notice for St. Marys Elementary School (January 14–16)
Camden County Schools continues to work closely with licensed wildlife and facilities professionals at St. Marys Elementary School to address the presence of bats on campus. Based on their assessment, additional time is needed to fully complete the removal process, seal affected areas of the building, and conduct thorough cleaning and sanitation to ensure the campus is safe for students and staff.

As a result, St. Marys Elementary School will temporarily relocate from January 14–16 to the College of Coastal Georgia, located at 8001 Lakes Boulevard in Kingsland.
Bus transportation will be provided for students who currently ride the bus. Students who typically walk to school will be transported to and from St. Marys Elementary School and the College of Coastal Georgia. School hours will remain the same. Morning EDP will not be available; however, after-school EDP will be offered. Breakfast and lunch will be served, and recess will be scheduled for all students.

Students who do not attend school during this temporary relocation will receive an excused absence. Make-up work will be provided upon students’ return following the holiday weekend on Tuesday, January 20.

The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our top priority. We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause and appreciate the patience and understanding of our families as we work to ensure a safe learning environment.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the College of Coastal Georgia for graciously offering their space during this time. We also thank Coastal Pines Technical College for their willingness to provide support if needed. Their partnership and cooperation are greatly appreciated.

Additional updates will be shared by school administration as appropriate. Please contact the school office administration via email if you have any questions. Email addresses can be found at the following link:
https://smes.camden.k12.ga.us/o/smes/page/administration

Mrs. Hastert’s 5th Grade Shark Time students at SMES are officially "Accidental Archaeologists!" After finishing Sarah Albee’s book, they got their hands dirty in dig kits that let them travel through the Proterozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic Eras.
Our young scientists uncovered authentic treasures including seaweed, trilobites, dinosaur skulls, and even Smilodon teeth! Check out these future paleontologists in the making!

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #CamdenCountyStrong

This week in Camden Athletics!🐾

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #CamdenAthletics

Mrs. Case's 2nd grade homeroom at MHES welcomed the chilly weather by reading "Snowflake Bentley" and crafting their own unique snowflakes from marshmallows, toothpicks, and coffee filters! ❄️❄️❄️

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #CamdenCountyStrong

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 12, 2026

St. Marys Elementary School Will Remain Closed Tomorrow, January 13, 2026

Licensed professionals will be on site to complete the humane removal of the bats, seal affected areas of the building, and conduct a comprehensive cleaning and sanitation process. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Public Health have been consulted and are providing guidance to ensure all health, safety, and environmental protocols are followed.

There is no immediate danger to students or staff. The temporary closure is a precautionary measure to allow the remediation work to be completed thoroughly and safely.

School officials anticipate that St. Marys Elementary School will reopen as scheduled the following day. Families and staff will be notified promptly should there be any changes.

Math came to life in Mrs. Reiber’s 2nd grade classroom at SMES as students ran their own restaurant, The Shark Tank! From designing menus to placing orders and making change from a $100 bill, students practiced real-world math skills through hands-on learning.

With lots of smiles and “Best math day ever!” moments, students worked on addition, subtraction, mental math, and place value—all while having a blast. Hands-on learning makes math meaningful… and a little hungry too!

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #CamdenCountyStrong

🚨 UPDATE – SMES REUNIFICATION INFORMATION 🚨 The reunification site for St. Marys Elementary School is St. Marys Middle School. Students who had already been picked up by school buses have been redirected to the reunification site. Parents and guardians should pick up students at St. Marys Middle School. Please bring a photo ID and follow staff instructions upon arrival. Thank you for your cooperation as we work to ensure everyone’s safety.

The Camden County Rifle Team improved to 3–0 in GHSA competition with a strong 1160–1065 win over Brunswick High School! 🎯 Briana Dougherty qualified individually for the State Championship with an outstanding 295, while senior Brayden Ogden stayed hot with his third straight 292. Lane Roberts added a 287, and Bryson Guerry followed with a 286.

Great shooting, Camden Wildcats! 🐾

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #CamdenCountyStrong

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day 🚔👮‍♂️👮‍♀️

Today, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all local law enforcement agencies who tirelessly work to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and the entire community. Your dedication and service do not go unnoticed. Thank you for going above and beyond every day! 💙🛡️

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #ThankYouLawEnforcement #CommunityHeroes

📣 Digital Learning Day for High School Students — Friday, January 16th!

Dynasty. Tradition. History in the making.

The CCHS Boys Wrestling Team, with 11 consecutive state titles and 12 total, is chasing its 13th state title — 12 in a row 🏆🔥 as Camden County High School hosts the first GHSA state championship event ever held in the county on January 16-17.

Sixteen of Georgia’s top teams will compete right here in Camden County.
🐾 Pack the house. Show up loud. Support the Wildcats!
🎟️ Tickets available at the link below.
https://gofan.co/app/school/GHSA?school=GA17962

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #RoadTo13

This month, we proudly join communities across the nation in recognizing the leadership, service, and dedication of school board members everywhere. Their commitment to students, educators, and public education helps shape strong schools and stronger communities. Thank you to all school board members for answering the call to serve and for leading with vision, integrity, and heart.

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #CamdenCountyStrong

🎓✨ It’s Gifted Education Month! ✨🎓

This month, we celebrate the curiosity, creativity, and unique talents of our gifted learners. We are proud to support programs that challenge minds, inspire innovation, and nurture a love of learning. Thank you to our dedicated educators and families who help our students reach their fullest potential every day. Together, we are empowering tomorrow’s leaders and thinkers.

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #CamdenCountyStrong