🛝 These kindergarteners at Bel Air Elementary enjoyed recess Tuesday morning when there was still a touch of morning coolness in the air. #HornetNation
3 days ago, Toni Clay
A group of kindergarten students at Bel Air Elementary stand together outdoors on the playground during recess, smiling and posing with arms around each other; they wear colorful school uniforms in shades of teal, gray, purple, black, white, burgundy, and red, with khaki or black shorts and skirts, and the background shows trees and a wooden fence.

🐝 Athens High School's annual Meet the Hornets event is Thursday, Aug. 14 at Bruce Field. Come enjoy a FREE hot dog, chips, drink and dessert beginning at 6:30pm. At 7, we will begin introducing all our amazing Hornet varsity athletes, along with the incredible members of our band, cheer squad and Stingerettes. A huge thank you to our sponsors: the Athens Athletic Booster Club, Hope Springs Water & Brookshire's! See you there! 🎉🏈🏐🎾⚽️🥎⚾️🏃‍♂️🏋️🏌️‍♀️🎺📣

13 days ago, Toni Clay
Promotional graphic for the “Meet the Hornets!” event, sponsored by the Athens Athletic Booster Club, Hope Springs Water & Brookshire's. The design features a large, bold white title “MEET THE” at the top and “HORNETS!” at the bottom, with a cartoon hornet mascot in the center wearing a red and white striped outfit. Text on the left reads: “Food service begins at 6:30 PM, program starts at 7.” Text on the right reads: “Thursday, Aug. 14, Bruce Field.” The background is a smoky maroon gradient.
🚨Hey, Hornets! The Henderson County Emergency Management Office is asking for your input through the Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey. Your responses will help the county better understand local risks and improve emergency preparedness. It only takes a few minutes. Make your voice count! 💪 https://www.henderson-county.com/departments/emergency-management/hazard-mitigation-plan-citizen-survey
14 days ago, Toni Clay
Green background with white words: Hazard Mitigation Plan Citizen Survey and a graphic representing an online survey image
Several of our teachers, staff and administrators met yesterday with architects from Claycomb Associates for an all-day planning and design discussion. We’ve put out a call for proposals for a construction manager at risk to oversee the bond-related projects, with bids opening Aug. 21. After narrowing the field to a short list of contenders, we’ll hold interviews and expect to make a selection by Sept. 11. We’re committed to keeping the community informed about the exciting improvements to be made across the district. It's a great time to be alive and a Hornet! #HornetNation
15 days ago, Toni Clay
Athens ISD staff and administrators meet with representatives from Claycomb Associates Architects in the Staff Development Room at the AISD Administration building. Participants sit around tables with building plans, notebooks, and drinks, facing two large display screens showing architectural renderings of a modern school interior. A flip chart stands between the screens, and the room has “ATHENS ISD” lettering on the wall.
Athens ISD staff and administrators share a lighthearted moment with representatives from Claycomb Associates Architects during a planning and design meeting in the Staff Development Room at the AISD Administration building. Five participants sit around a table with architectural drawings, notebooks, and drinks, smiling and laughing together. The background shows additional tables, chairs, and a whiteboard.
Athens ISD Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims speaks while gesturing with her hands during a planning and design meeting with staff, administrators, and representatives from Claycomb Associates Architects in the Staff Development Room at the AISD Administration building. Others listen attentively as large aerial maps and site plans are spread across the table, along with rolled-up drawings, markers, and a utility knife. In the background, additional chairs, tables, and a whiteboard are visible.
🐕❤️ A couple of Doodles stopped by Athens High School this morning to say hi. The mystery pups strolled into the building like they had first-period English, soaked but social and very well-behaved! We hope they’re home and dry by now, but we sure enjoyed their brief campus cameo.
18 days ago, Toni Clay
Two wet Doodle dogs lie outside the glass entrance doors of Athens High School on a rainy day. One is black with tan markings, resting on the concrete with its head down; the other is brown, sitting upright on a mat that says “ATHENS.” Both dogs look calm and appear to be sheltering from the rain.
Along with fresh clothes and new backpacks, umbrellas were everywhere this morning as the return to class coincided with a storm front moving through the area. No one let it dampen their spirits, though!
18 days ago, Toni Clay
A young girl with braids and red shirt smiling for camera
A young girl and boy, probably siblings, stand in front of a campus holding an umbrella while it's raining.
Two young boys with a man presumably their father huddle together in an office
Three young girls with bows in their hair smile at camera.
❗️Important news❗️Beginning the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 4, Athens ISD students will be required to follow a new state law that prohibits the use of cell phones and other personal communication devices during the school day at all campuses. This is not a local school board policy, but rather a Texas state law passed by the legislature and required of all public schools. 👀 Under this law, students may not use personal cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, tablets, laptops, or other similar devices at any campus. (District-provided laptops and tablets are not personal devices.) Athens High School has been operating under similar conditions for the past few years through the use of Yondr phone pouches, which, though not perfect, has helped promote greater focus and fewer distractions in the classroom. This experience gives us a strong foundation. 👉 In order to comply with the new law throughout the entire district, all personal devices belonging to students must be powered off (not in silent mode) and stored in a backpack or locked vehicle for the entire school day. Devices may not be carried on the student, including in a pocket. 🐝 We ask our wonderfully supportive parents and guardians to help students adjust to this change. It’s all part of our shared goal of creating the best learning environment possible for every Hornet.
23 days ago, Toni Clay
A mobile phone with a red ban mark across it and the words "new state law"
🏈 Hornet football season is almost here, and we can't wait to see the stands packed! Current reserved seat holders may renew their seats in person at the AHS fieldhouse (480 Royal Street) beginning Monday, Aug. 4. Fieldhouse hours are Monday-Thursday, 8am-4pm. Ticket renewals include the option to add additional available seats in section C. Tickets are $45 per seat and cover all five home games. Public ticket sales open on Aug. 18. If you’re not planning to renew, please contact our office to release your seats. Questions? Call 903-677-6992 or email dbundy@athensisd.net. #HornetNation
28 days ago, Toni Clay
🐟 Athens High School's Fish Camp (AKA freshman orientation) is Thursday, July 31 at 6:30pm. We'll kick things off with a pep rally, then pick up schedules & your class of 2029 shirts, check out available clubs, and tour the building to find your classes. We can't wait to meet you! #HornetNation
28 days ago, Toni Clay
Maroon fish with white words in it that read: Fish Camp 2025!

Wow! It's almost time for students to return (Aug. 4). 🤯 You'll find important information on registration, meet-the-teacher, fish camps, the calendar & more by following this link 👉 https://www.athensisd.net/article/2246261

29 days ago, Toni Clay
Yellow background with text that says Important Information for new & returning students
Practicing for tonight; just a few hours away!! #ClassOf2025
3 months ago, Elise Mullinix
members of the class of 2025, dress casually, are shown in rows of seats in the gymnasium in preparation for tonight’s commencement
🎓 Graduation will commence at 6:30pm Friday, May 30, in the competition gym at 708 E. College Street with the doors opening at 5:30. Entrance is only available at the College Street doors. 🚗 Parking is available in the lot in front of the main entrance off College Street, as well as the home side lot on the northeast corner of Bruce Field. Another option is to park on the south (visitors) side of Bruce Field. 👀 The ceremony will be broadcast live on the AISD Facebook page: bit.ly/AHSgradLive 🚫🎈🎒 As in years past, balloons, noisemakers, flowers & any kind of signs are prohibited. No handbags or backpacks will be allowed. Exceptions: diaper bags with infants & toddlers, & a bag with medical necessities. (Unattended bags create a security threat. Therefore, bags may not be left at the doors. Guests with bags or backpacks will be asked to return them to their vehicles, to be locked in the trunk or, if that's not an option, otherwise placed out of sight.) ----- 🎓 La graduación comenzará a las 6:30 pm el Viernes 30 de Mayo en el gimnasio de competencia en 708 E. College Street con las puertas abiertas a las 5:30. La entrada solo está disponible en las puertas de College Street. 🚗 El estacionamiento está disponible en el parqueadero frente a la entrada principal de College Street, así como en el parqueadero lateral de en la esquina noreste de Bruce Field. Otra opción es estacionar en el lado sur (lado de visitantes) de Bruce Field. 👀 La ceremonia será transmitida en vivo en la página de Facebook de AISD: bit.ly/AHSgradLive 🚫🎈🎒 Como en años anteriores, los globos, las matracas, las flores y cualquier tipo de letreros están prohibidos. No se permitirán bolsos ni mochilas. Excepciones: pañaleras con bebés y niños pequeños, y una bolsa con necesidades médicas. (Las bolsas desatendidas crean una amenaza a la seguridad. Por lo tanto, las bolsas no se pueden dejar en las puertas. Se pedirá a los invitados que lleven bolsas o mochilas a sus vehículos, que las guarden en la cajuela o, si no es posible, que las pongan fuera de la vista.)
3 months ago, Toni Clay
Maroon background graphic with white and gray text that reads: “AHS 2025 Commencement Info. Read the post for information on the May 30 commencement ceremony. Please note: For security reasons, no bags allowed, other than diaper bags or medical bags.” The bottom right corner includes a crowd of raised hands and graduation caps flying in the air.
🙌 Class of 2025 members Isaac Hoch and Cooper Rich just wrapped up one of the most decorated debate careers in school history. Want to know how many medals they’ve won (spoiler: a lot), what career paths debate helped shape, or how many hours a week they trained to succeed? Read their story here 👉 https://athensisd.substack.com/p/hoch-and-rich-close-out-historic #HornetNation #AISDDebate #StateChamps
3 months ago, Toni Clay
Athens High School seniors Isaac Hoch (left) and Cooper Rich (right) wearing gold UIL state champion medals and dress shirts, smiling and holding their 2025 4A CX Debate state championship plaque.
👏 Big shoutout to rising seniors Tristan Hunt and Geraldine Nieto on being selected as drum majors for the AHS Pride of the Hornets Band in the 2025-2026 school year! 🐝 This will be their first time leading the band, and they’re kicking things off with training this June at the Panola College Military Drum Major Camp. We’re excited to see these two step into leadership and help guide the band into another amazing year. Go Hornets!
3 months ago, Toni Clay
Two Athens High School students, Tristan Hunt and Geraldine Nieto, stand confidently on the football field in front of the Bruce Field scoreboard. Both are dressed in maroon polo shirts and black pants, holding drum major batons with a maroon and white twist. The sky is blue with scattered clouds behind them.
🎶⭐️ Eight Athens High School band students compete in the UIL Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest in Austin this weekend, where they delivered outstanding performances on one of the toughest stages in the state! The percussion ensemble of Edgar DeLuna, German Gonzalez-Gutierrez, Ty Hadnot, Josh Moreno and Caleb Zuniga earned a first division and received gold medals to commemorate their achievement, while the flute trio of Thaily Ordonez Ramos, Geraldine Nieto and Kelly Burras earned a second division rating. State-level competition is judged by a significantly higher standard, making their success even more impressive. These students worked on their music for months after qualifying in February, showing remarkable dedication during one of the busiest times of the school year. We are so proud of their commitment! Pictured (l–r) are Kelly Burras, Josh Moreno, Caleb Zuniga, Geraldine Nieto, Edgar DeLuna, Thaily Ordonez Ramos, Ty Hadnot and German Gonzalez-Gutierrez.
3 months ago, Toni Clay
Eight Athens High School band students stand smiling in front of a light gray brick wall, dressed in formal black concert attire. Two students are in front and six are in the back, all posing proudly after their performance at the UIL Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest.
Sara Garcia (left) and Briana Rodriguez wrapped up their senior ceiling tile just in time, and it was worth the wait! The two began the project in January in Ms. Kling’s art class and spent countless hours recreating “The Sea at Satta” by Japanese artist Utagawa Hiroshige. Their impressive take on the famous woodblock print adds a heads-up wave of creativity to the room. #HornetNation #AHSfineArts
3 months ago, Toni Clay
Seniors Sara Garcia and Briana Rodriguez stand beneath their completed ceiling tile, a colorful and detailed hand-painted replica of Utagawa Hiroshige’s woodblock print The Sea at Satta. The artwork features vibrant waves, a distant mountain, and coastal trees, framed with the students’ names and class year on the borders.
They came. They grilled. They conquered. 🔥 Athens Middle School’s barbecue team brought the heat to the National High School BBQ Association’s Texas State Championship, taking home Grand Champion honors for chili, Reserve Grand Champion for chicken and ribs, and 3rd place overall in the entire state! Judges' comments included “tasty and tender” and even said of their chili, “Well done! I want more.” (Honestly, same.) Eighth-graders Brody Ard and Robert Dingler, and sixth-grader Parker Dingler earned a spot at the national competition in Kansas City June 3–6, where they’ll be with 13 other students representing AHS BBQ teams. 🐝 Bring on the BBQ, Kansas City! #HornetNation
3 months ago, Toni Clay
Three Athens Middle School students smile proudly in a school hallway as they pose with a large barbecue trophy featuring flame designs. The student in the center, wearing a black hoodie and glasses, holds the trophy with both hands. The student on the left wears a black polo shirt, and the one on the right wears a maroon polo shirt. They stand in front of brick walls decorated with colorful artwork
🎉 Woo-hoo! Athens ISD is honored to be named the Large Business of the Month for May by the Athens Chamber of Commerce. Pictured (from left) are Deputy Superintendent Ginger Morrison, Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims, and Jennifer Browning, interim executive director of the Athens Chamber. Thank you to our fellow chamber members for recognizing the district’s contributions to the community we love so much. We’re proud to serve! 💛 #HornetNation
3 months ago, Toni Clay
Three women stand in front of a large Athens Independent School District logo. From left to right: Deputy Superintendent Ginger Morrison wearing a maroon AISD polo shirt, Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims in a black top holding a framed certificate, and Athens Chamber of Commerce Interim Executive Director Jennifer Browning in a bright green dress. The certificate recognizes AISD as the Athens Chamber of Commerce Large Business of the Month for May 2025.
🎓👏 Fifty-three Athens High School students graduated Friday from Trinity Valley Community College with associate’s degrees!! Forty-four are in Athens ISD's PINNACLE Early College High School, and nine are part of the dual-credit program. We are incredibly proud of their hard work to achieve such remarkable milestone in their lives! 🐝 #HornetNation
3 months ago, Toni Clay
A group of 53 Athens High School students wearing maroon caps and gowns pose on bleachers, smiling proudly after graduating with associate’s degrees from Trinity Valley Community College.
The AISD Board of Trustees met this week to canvass the results of the May 3 bond election and swear in three returning members: Margaret Richardson, Gina Hunter, and Freddie Paul (pictured). Certified election results show that 1,240 votes were cast, with 766 (61.08%) in favor of the bond proposition and 474 (37.8%) against. The bonds are expected to be sold in July or August, with proceeds received about a month later. The board also adopted a resolution authorizing the use of bond funds to reimburse any project-related expenses that may occur before the proceeds are available.
3 months ago, Toni Clay
Three Athens ISD Board of Trustees members—Margaret Richardson, Gina Hunter, and Freddie Paul—stand with their right hands raised as they are sworn in for new terms. They are positioned behind a wooden board desk with nameplates, inside a boardroom with a red brick wall and Hornet mascot artwork in the background.