9/20/2026

CES Pirate Family, 

Bus Safety & Behavior Update

As we continue through the school year, student safety on our buses remains our top priority. Over the past two weeks, we’ve seen an increase in unsafe behavior during bus rides.

Riding the bus is a helpful privilege for our students, and we need your support to keep it safe for everyone. Please take a moment to review these key bus expectations with your child:

• Sit properly: Keep “seat to seat, back to back” at all times.
• No video recording: Recording on mobile devices is strictly prohibited.
• Voice levels: Use respectful, inside speaking voices.
• Respect others: Treat the driver and fellow students with kindness and respect.
• Students who struggle to follow these rules will be referred to their school principal and may risk losing their transportation privileges.

For a full list of rules and regulations, please visit the Transportation page on the GCCS website. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our buses safe!

PTO News:

• Our next PTO Meeting will be Wednesday, October 14th at 6pm. 
• Our October restaurant give back will be Jaggers in Jeffersonville on October 12, and it will be all day. I will send the graphics once we get them in. 
• Pirate Quest, PTOs biggest fundraiser of the year, starts THIS WEDNESDAY! Please be on the lookout for a flyer to come home on Wednesday to create your child’s fundraising page. 

Attendance/Transportation Communication:

One of our top priorities is ensuring your child gets home safely and smoothly every single day! To help us do that, please remember to always notify the main office directly regarding changes to your child’s usual dismissal routine.While our teachers do their best to check messages, they are busy with students all day and may not see a last-minute note. More importantly, if a teacher happens to be absent, a substitute teacher will not have access to their email or personal messages. Thank you for your support!   Please utilize the attendance line when calling in with an absence by pressing #2 or dial extension 16141.  You can also email Lea Ann Clemons at lclemons@gccschools.com.  

CES Girls Basketball Intramurals:

Girls Basketball team tryouts will be held on Sept. 21-23 after school until 4:45 for any 3rd-5th grade girl. All players must complete Final Forms and pay $5 in order to attend. Players will need to bring tennis shoes to the tryout. https://greaterclark-in.finalforms.com/

All Pro Dad: Begins on Sept. 28th

All Pro Dad invites you to the new school year launch at Charlestown Elementary School. APD is all about connecting Dads and their kids together through fun, creative, and interactive morning programs. Come enjoy breakfast, a character building lesson, and grow together with your child. This is for all dads (or father figures) and their kids in grades Preschool-Fifth Grade. If your child does not have a father figure available, a female adult is welcome to attend! Our Launch Party will be Monday, September 28th from 7:45am-8:45am.  Please enter door 15 and you will exit door 14. For more questions or information contact Donnie Roark, donnieroark@fca.org. 

Sign-up here to attend: https://allprodadchapters.com/chapters/16241

CMS Spooktacular Event: Spook Flyer 2026

Your Principals, 

Sara Porter, Principal  (PreK – Grade 2) sporter@gccschools.com 

Jamie Spear, Assistant Principal (PreK – Grade 2) jspear@gccschools.com 

Aimee Doherty, Principal (Grades 3-5) aidoherty@gccschools.com

Jillian Richardson, Assistant Principal (Grades 3-5) jrichardson@gccschools.com

Charlestown Elementary School Student Handbook

Charlestown Elementary School Student Handbook (Spanish)

Student Rights and Responsibilities

CES Calendar of Dates:

September

21-23 Girls Basketball Tryouts

23 PTO Pirate Quest Fundraiser Kickoff

October 

5-9 Fall Break