Clarke Central High School Family Connection-Communities in Schools Site Coordinators Alicia Harris (left) and Heather Dean (right) stand in Room 157, the Gladiator Resource Room, on Jan. 12. Harris and Dean stepped into their roles during the 2025-26 school year, the responsibilities of which include meeting with academically struggling students and referring them to community or school resources that can lead them to academic success. “Kids are identified (who) are not able to maintain their grades, we assist them on a weekly basis or one time a month in a group, and try to find out what resources we can help give them so that they are able to have the credits to move up to the next year,” Harris said. Photo by Maypop Wren
CCHS Family Connection-Communities in Schools Site Coordinators Alicia Harris and Heather Dean began implementing Gladiator Resource Room hall passes on Jan. 9.
The Clarke Central High School Gladiator Resource Room, which began functioning in 2018 and is located in Room 157, operates daily to provide hygiene products, food and clothing from community donations to support students whose needs may not be met at home.
Clarke Central High School Family Connection-Communities in Schools Site Coordinators Heather Dean (left) and Alicia Harris (right) stand in the CCHS Bus Loop holding a Gladiator Resource Room pass on Jan 12. The Resource Room received donations from a variety of community resources, such as the Food Bank of North East Georgia, City of Refuge and CCHS alumni. “Through Advisement (class periods) and counseling, (we) try to make sure that adults in the building are aware of the needs of the students,” Academic Support and Family Engagement Specialist Christian Barner said. “We have resources available for students who need additional support, whether that be mentoring, support, food, clothing (or) hygiene products.” Photo by Maypop Wren
CCHS Family Connection-Communities in Schools Site Coordinators Alicia Harris and Heather Dean, Special Education teacher Elizabeth Mooney and Academic Support and Family Engagement Specialist Christian Barner operate the resource center and began issuing its first student passes on Jan. 9.
“The biggest thing is (the Resource Room is) showing that the school is connected to (students). It’s recognizing that (students) have needs and it’s helping to fulfill them,” Barner said. “School is not just about coming and earning your high school diploma, it’s recognizing that your development and your life is more than just your academics.”
Passes are given to students who complete the Gladiator Resource Room form, which identifies ways the room and CCHS can support them. The passes allow students to visit for 10 minutes between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. every Friday.
““I think what (the Resource Room pass) is going to do is allow the kids to have that responsibility of coming down to the resource center, getting what (they) need,” Harris said. “We’re trying to hold them accountable and make them be responsible.””
— Alicia Harris,
CHS Family Connection-Communities in Schools Site Coordinators
“I think what (the Resource Room pass) is going to do is allow the kids to have that responsibility of coming down to the resource center, getting what (they) need,” Harris said. “We’re trying to hold them accountable and make them be responsible.”
The Resource Room opened to CCHS students in 2018, operated by various faculty members throughout the day. However, since November 2025, the number of students who visit the Resource Room has increased from the amount of students previously signed up.
“I think more kids have signed up because hopefully they know there are people here (who) care and want to help meet their needs,” Dean said. “Harris and I are fostering the relationships (so) that they feel comfortable coming to us, and hopefully, we can help them.”
