Chattooga Family Connection is helping local schools address an often-overlooked need among students — access to basic hygiene items.
Students at Chattooga Mountain Education will enter a new phone-free learning environment beginning Monday, August 10, as the school implements the Yondr phone pouch system.
With the dog days of August bringing continued heat to Northwest Georgia, public health officials are reminding residents to take precautions outdoors while also beginning to prepare for the upcoming fall respiratory illness season.
Dr. Gary Voccio, Health Director for the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Northwest Health District, recommends scheduling outdoor activities during the early morning or late evening whenever possible rather than during the hottest part of the day.
Residents are also encouraged to drink plenty of water, wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, and avoid heavy foods during periods of high heat.
At the same time, health officials are looking ahead to fall and flu season. Voccio says this is a good time to consider vaccinations against influenza and other respiratory illnesses, particularly for older adults and young children.
With a new school year getting underway, parents are also encouraged to make sure their children are up to date on recommended vaccinations.
Additional information about immunizations and vaccinations is available through the Northwest Health District.
Georgia students are continuing to make academic gains, with the latest Georgia Milestones results showing performance in several subjects now near or at levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
As students in the Chattooga County and Trion City school systems return to the classroom this week, healthcare professionals are reminding families that a few simple steps can help children stay healthy and ready to learn throughout the school year.
Chattooga County Schools is making the switch from the Remind messaging system to ParentSquare for the 2026-2027 school year.
District officials say ParentSquare will serve as a single platform for school and district communication, allowing families to receive announcements, emergency alerts, forms, permission slips, volunteer opportunities, and other important information in one place.
Parents and guardians will continue to receive messages through their preferred method, including text message, email, or the ParentSquare app, with support for multiple languages.
The school district says additional information about setting up accounts and using the new platform will be shared with families in the coming weeks.
With high school fall sports, marching band and other outdoor activities getting underway, the American Red Cross of Georgia is reminding coaches, parents and students to take extra precautions as late-summer heat continues across the state.
The Red Cross recommends scheduling practices during the cooler morning or evening hours, gradually increasing workout intensity as students adjust to the heat, and making sure participants drink water every 20 minutes—even if they don’t feel thirsty. Frequent rest breaks in the shade, lightweight clothing and reducing heavy protective equipment when possible can also help lower the risk of heat-related illness.
Coaches and parents are also encouraged to learn CPR, know how to use an AED, and recognize the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Students should stop exercising immediately and seek help if they experience dizziness, confusion, nausea, weakness or muscle cramps. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
The American Red Cross says taking simple precautions can help keep athletes, band members and other students safe while enjoying outdoor activities during Georgia’s hottest weeks of the year.
Trion Elementary School is reminding families that orientation and Meet the Teacher events will take place this week as students prepare to return to the classroom.
On Tuesday, July 28, a Parent Orientation for all Pre-K students and newly accepted Trion Elementary students will begin at 5 p.m. in the Trion Middle School Gym. School officials say this is an information session for parents only.
On Wednesday, July 29, families are invited to Meet the Teacher, a drop-in event where students can visit their classrooms, meet their teachers and bring school supplies. Meet the Teacher hours are 3 to 5 p.m. for Pre-K through first grade and 4 to 6 p.m. for second through fifth grades.
The Kona Ice truck will also be on site. Families are encouraged to visit classrooms before purchasing a frozen treat.
The first day of classes for Trion City Schools is Thursday, July 30.
New restrictions are changing how automated school-zone speed cameras may be used across Georgia as students return to class.
As students across Chattooga County return to the classroom today, AAA is reminding motorists to use extra caution in school zones and residential neighborhoods where children will be walking, biking and boarding school buses.