Our Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Abby May, was out in our schools this week doing what she loves most - watching our students and teachers in action -and nothing beats seeing reading instruction in action! In light of HB 1193, the GA Literacy Act, Dr. May and her team are fully committed to ELEVATING literacy outcomes for every learner in our community.
This year, our district is taking bold steps to strengthen foundational reading skills by equipping our educators with high-impact, research-based instructional resources and delivering specialized, ongoing teacher training. To further boost success, we are deploying dedicated literacy coaches directly into our classrooms to partner with teachers, model effective instruction, and provide targeted support for our students.
Dr. May shared: "Great instruction starts in the classroom, and I’m so inspired by the growth happening across our district. We are proud of the dedicated teachers and hardworking students who are bringing our literacy vision to life every single day!"
Together, we are building a stronger, brighter future - one reader at a time.
This year, our district is taking bold steps to strengthen foundational reading skills by equipping our educators with high-impact, research-based instructional resources and delivering specialized, ongoing teacher training. To further boost success, we are deploying dedicated literacy coaches directly into our classrooms to partner with teachers, model effective instruction, and provide targeted support for our students.
Dr. May shared: "Great instruction starts in the classroom, and I’m so inspired by the growth happening across our district. We are proud of the dedicated teachers and hardworking students who are bringing our literacy vision to life every single day!"
Together, we are building a stronger, brighter future - one reader at a time.
We are proud to recognize Shottenkirk Ford for their dedication to PCSD. Thank you for being an outstanding community partner and helping us make a difference across our district!
Last night, we proudly recognized our outstanding Finance Team at the Board meeting. Their hard work, attention to detail, and dedication help keep our district moving forward and support the success of every school.
Thank you for your commitment to PCSD! We appreciate everything that you do behind the scenes and throughout our district.
Thank you for your commitment to PCSD! We appreciate everything that you do behind the scenes and throughout our district.
For 31 years, Stephanie Hall called Pickens County School District home. She began her retirement in July of 2023.
Her career began at Tate Elementary, where she spent 14 years teaching kindergarten. She later served at Jasper Elementary as an academic coach and literacy support specialist before returning to Tate as an Assistant Principal and then Principal.
If you ask Stephanie what she remembers most, her answers aren't about her titles or programs. They're about people.
One of her favorite parts of an ordinary school day was morning drop-off. Whether she was greeting students at Jasper Elementary or welcoming them as principal at Tate, she loved starting the day smiling, saying hello and seeing students happy to walk through the doors of their school.
Celebrating students was important to her, too. She remembers recognizing students during morning announcements for showing good character and making sure there was always a morning shout-out for something positive.
And then there was the Tate Elementary auditorium.
Stephanie remembers sitting there as a child in the 1970s watching Tater Patch plays. Years later, as a teacher and principal, she watched that same space become a gathering place for talent shows, wax museums, animal shows, award ceremonies, White Christmas and countless other moments that brought the school together.
"It was a place for all to come together and feel like a family."
That idea of family seems to sum up Stephanie's 31 years in PCSD pretty well. She says she learned through the years that working with students is about more than the subjects being taught.
"Love and patience were just as important as the subjects I taught."
Today, the part of education she misses most is simple: the students, teachers, and staff she worked alongside. From the custodians, bus drivers, parapros, food service, teachers, office staff and counselors, she is most proud of how everyone worked together to make school great. Her advice to new teachers: focus heavily on your classroom routines, rely on veteran teachers, and do not be afraid to ask questions.
Stephanie was born and raised in Pickens County and is a product of our schools. She has been married to Bill Hall, a teacher at JMS, for 33 years. They have four children. Sydney is working on her Physician Assistant degree at Brenau University, Will is a senior at Kennesaw studying to become an Electrical Engineer, Zadie is a senior at PHS, and Ray is in the 7th grade at PJHS.
Stephanie, thank you for 31 years of loving students, celebrating the good in them and helping make our schools places where our students felt like they belonged.
Were you a student, parent or coworker of Stephanie Hall? Share a favorite memory of her in the comments. We'd love to hear it!
NEW for 2026-27!
Online Payments are now available through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
Online payments are a simple, safe and secure way to make payments to your student's account 24 hours a day at your convenience.
You can add payments through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Payments can be made with credit card or electronic check. Credit cards will include a processing fee. A minimal transaction fee of .35 cents will be added to each electronic check transaction.
Parents are able to view student account balances, purchases and payment history online, and even receive low balance alerts, or enroll in autopay. You do not have to make prepayments to use many of these features.
Login to your parent portal at: https://campus.pickens.k12.ga.us/campus/portal/pickens.jsp
Once logged in go to Food Service on the left panel.
If you are having difficulty logging in, please email parentportal@pickenscountyschools.org and include your name, your student's name and their date of birth.
Online Payments are now available through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
Online payments are a simple, safe and secure way to make payments to your student's account 24 hours a day at your convenience.
You can add payments through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Payments can be made with credit card or electronic check. Credit cards will include a processing fee. A minimal transaction fee of .35 cents will be added to each electronic check transaction.
Parents are able to view student account balances, purchases and payment history online, and even receive low balance alerts, or enroll in autopay. You do not have to make prepayments to use many of these features.
Login to your parent portal at: https://campus.pickens.k12.ga.us/campus/portal/pickens.jsp
Once logged in go to Food Service on the left panel.
If you are having difficulty logging in, please email parentportal@pickenscountyschools.org and include your name, your student's name and their date of birth.
Our school buses will be on the road bright and early tomorrow! Please help us keep our students safe.
As we prepare for a new school year, the Pickens County School District Licensed Nurses and Dragon Care School-Based Health Center are ready to serve students, families, and staff to promote health and learning.
Together, we are committed to achieving student wellness and academic success by providing quality, accessible health care that nurtures wellness, supports growth, and addresses the physical and behavioral health needs of our students and staff.
7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Serving Students. Supporting Families. Strengthening Our Community.
Together, we are committed to achieving student wellness and academic success by providing quality, accessible health care that nurtures wellness, supports growth, and addresses the physical and behavioral health needs of our students and staff.
7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Serving Students. Supporting Families. Strengthening Our Community.
If you haven't already done so, please click the link below to apply for free and reduced school meals.
https://www.pickens.k12.ga.us/o/pcs/page/free-reduced-meals
https://www.pickens.k12.ga.us/o/pcs/page/free-reduced-meals
The first day of school for our students is coming quickly!
Open Houses begin TOMORROW! We can't wait to see everyone back in our schools!
We held our 2026-2027 Kickoff Meeting this morning at PHS.
This year's theme is Elevate, and that's exactly what we plan to do!
From inspiring messages from our district leaders to connecting with colleagues and welcoming our newest team members, the energy in PAC made one thing clear: it's going to be a great year for Pickens County students.
A special thank you to Shottenkirk Ford Jasper for providing some amazing door prizes!
Thank you to every employee who makes Pickens County School District such a special place. We can't wait to welcome our students back and begin another year of learning, growth, and success. We are ready for you, Dragons!
This year's theme is Elevate, and that's exactly what we plan to do!
From inspiring messages from our district leaders to connecting with colleagues and welcoming our newest team members, the energy in PAC made one thing clear: it's going to be a great year for Pickens County students.
A special thank you to Shottenkirk Ford Jasper for providing some amazing door prizes!
Thank you to every employee who makes Pickens County School District such a special place. We can't wait to welcome our students back and begin another year of learning, growth, and success. We are ready for you, Dragons!
We hope you enjoy a wonderful day with family and friends as we celebrate our nation's independence. Happy Fourth of July!
The PCSD Central Office will be closed this week.
Pickens County School District values your input. Please join us to review the District Improvement and Parent and Family Engagement Plans on Wednesday, June 10th at 8:30 am or 4:30 pm in the Teaching and Learning Building located at 91 D B Carroll Street. If you have any questions, please contact Anita Walker at 706-253-1700 or anitawalker@pickenscountyschools.org
Pickens County School District has put together a variety of resources to support your child this summer, including learning activities and food assistance opportunities.
For more information about summer resources and meal options, please visit:
Pickens County School District Summer Resources
For more information about summer resources and meal options, please visit:
Pickens County School District Summer Resources
Our Leadership Academy team, alongside our instructional coaches, has been working hard planning and preparing for the official rollout of our Portrait of a Graduate. This project will align our focus in grades K-12 on the characteristics we want all graduating Dragons to possess. We are excited to share the activities, conversations, and lessons with our teachers and students as we strive to build well-rounded students to lead and serve beyond our schools!
Calling all rising Kindergarten students! Register now! For more information, please visit our Kindergarten Registration page at https://www.pickens.k12.ga.us/o/pcs/page/kindergarten-enrollment
Pickens County School District values your input. Please join us to review the District Improvement and Parent and Family Engagement Plans on Wednesday, June 10th at 8:30 am or 4:30 pm in the Teaching and Learning Building located at 91 D B Carroll Street. If you have any questions, please contact Anita Walker at 706-253-1700 or anitawalker@pickenscountyschools.org
What a special group! We were proud to recognize our 2026 retirees at the May Board Meeting and celebrate the many years they have dedicated to the Pickens County School District. Your hard work and commitment have made a lasting impression on the students, staff, and families of Dragon Nation! Congratulations on your retirement. We hope it's filled with family, travel, hobbies, and relaxation!
Rhonda Lane - HCES
Kimberly Lunn - HES
Marty Bruce - HES
Melissa Griffeth - JMS
Rosemary Nelson - JMS
Kimberly Caron - PJHS
Sonja Gordy - PJHS
Kimberly Pack - PJHS
Mary Perdue - PJHS
Julie Todd - PHS
Lisa Payne - PHS
David Ashworth - Bus Driver
Anita Walker - CO
Summer meals are available at no cost to children 18 and under. Free summer meals start June 1st and end July 16th, 2026 at the following location:
Pickens High School - 500 Dragon Drive, Jasper
Monday - Thursday from 11:00 to 11:30
Pick up is located inside the school in the hallway between the cafeteria and the weight training room. Enter the school at the outdoor courtyard entrance on the side of the school facing the tennis courts and baseball field.
Closed the week of June 29th - July 3rd
Pickens High School - 500 Dragon Drive, Jasper
Monday - Thursday from 11:00 to 11:30
Pick up is located inside the school in the hallway between the cafeteria and the weight training room. Enter the school at the outdoor courtyard entrance on the side of the school facing the tennis courts and baseball field.
Closed the week of June 29th - July 3rd
