🌟 Shoutout to our amazing Platinum Level Sponsors! 🌟

A huge thank you to Georgia's Own Credit Union St. Marys and Kingsland branches, The Living Lenz, Ameriprise Financial Michael Farnham & Associates, and Jackie Frye - REALTOR and Tatum Taylor, Realtor: Watson Realty Corp for their incredible support of the Employee Recognition Donor Program. We couldn't do it without you! 👏

For more information on the Employee Recognition Donor Program, please visit https://www.camden.k12.ga.us/.../employee-recognition...

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #ThankYou #PlatinumSponsors #CommunitySupport

Camden County Schools will host a virtual meeting on Monday, January 26, at 11:00 a.m., featuring Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Biologist Trina Morris, who is the bat conversation lead with the State. She will provide information about bats and the remediation process with families. A link to the meeting will be sent directly to SMES families via text and email.

Best of luck to our team as they compete in the 2026 GHSA 1A Girls Dual Wrestling State Championship on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 8:00 AM in Carrollton, GA. Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have brought you to this moment, and your commitment to the sport truly shows.

Go represent Camden, compete with confidence, and leave it all on the mat!

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #CamdenCountyStrong #CamdenGirlsWrestling #StateDuals

This week in Camden Athletics!🐾

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #CamdenAthletics

Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today and every day. As a school community, we reflect on his powerful message of service, equality, and unity, and we recommit to building a future rooted in respect, compassion, and justice for all. Together, we strive to inspire our students to lead with courage, kindness, and purpose.

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #CamdenCountyStrong

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 16, 2026

Extended Temporary Relocation Notice for St. Marys Elementary School

Camden County Schools has extended the temporary relocation of St. Marys Elementary School to the College of Coastal Georgia, located at 8001 Lakes Boulevard in Kingsland, due to the extensive remediation required following the discovery of a bat colony roosting within the school building, Tuesday, January 20, through Thursday, January 22. All Camden County Schools are closed Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The St. Marys Elementary School campus will remain closed through January 22, 2026. A teacher workday will be needed on Friday, January 23, for staff to prepare classrooms and instructional spaces for students’ return on Monday, January 26.

Please use the link below to view the entire media release and Parent FAQs:
https://www.camden.k12.ga.us/article/2640417

Congratulations to Woodbine Elementary speller, Kellen Underhill, for winning the 2026 Camden County Schools Spelling Bee, and Jamal Brown for achieving Runner-Up! Kellen will go on to compete in the regional bee. We are so proud of his achievement!

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #CamdenCountyStrong

Last week in Mrs. Renshaw’s first grade classroom, Sugarmill students put their fraction skills into action with a hands-on learning experience! Students worked with a partner to share a Hershey bar, then collaborated in groups of four to divide another bar into equal parts.
Before breaking the chocolate, they talked through their strategies and explained their thinking. The lesson wrapped up with students writing about whether they preferred one-half or one-quarter. Learning at Sugarmill is always interactive, engaging, and just a little sweet! 🍫
Great job, eagles!!

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #CamdenCountyStrong

🎉 Pre-K Lottery Registration is NOW OPEN! 🎉

To learn more about eligibility requirements, important dates, and to register, visit the link below:

👉 https://www.camden.k12.ga.us/page/pre-k-parents

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden

Temporary Disruption of Phone Service Please be advised that our phone system is currently out of service at St. Marys Middle School, and we are unable to receive incoming calls to our schools or offices. TDS is aware of the outage. We appreciate your patience as we work with TDS to restore service.

🔦✨ Learning in a Whole New Light! ✨🔦
The kindergarten and 1st-grade STEM students at MLGES had a bright time exploring light and shadows using flashlights! 💡 Through hands-on play, students discovered how light travels, how shadows are made, and how changing the position of a light can change a shadow’s size and shape.
Lots of curiosity, giggles, and “aha!” moments filled the room as the young scientists experimented and learned together!

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #CamdenCountyStrong

Congratulations to Emma Mayerlen and Olivia Fegel for being recognized by the Kennesaw State University Department of Mathematics for their outstanding performance in the first round of the 2025–2026 KSU Mathematics Competition!
Both students earned certificates for being the highest-scoring students at Camden County High School—an incredible achievement that reflects their hard work, dedication, and mathematical talent.
Way to represent CCHS so well—we are proud of you! 👏

#BElieveinCAMDEN #WeAreCamden #CamdenCountyStrong

🌱 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
________________________________________

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
________________________________________

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