Parents Invited to Apply for Transportation Committee

November 1, 2019

Class of 2025 REACH Scholars Named

Scholarship Provides Extra Support, Funds for College

Six talented seventh graders are well on their way to college acceptance and success after being named REACH Scholars. The students and parents participated in a signing ceremony on October 24, the terms of which will lead to a $10,000 college scholarship.

“We are thrilled that these five students will receive all the support they need to be successful in high school and beyond,” said Superintendent Trent North. “They will receive extra mentoring and guidance over the next six years as well as scholarship money, so they can be confident they will be successful in college and will have the financial backing to make their dreams possible.”

The REACH Scholarship was initiated in 2012 by Governor Nathan Deal. Douglas County was one of the first three school districts to offer the scholarship opportunity to students. Now there are 1,800 REACH Scholars in over 130 school systems across Georgia. Forty-nine of those REACH Scholars are from Douglas County. Many have graduated from high school and enrolled in college over the last four years.

REACH Scholars are selected through an application process. They are provided with a mentor from the community and an academic coach in middle and high school. REACH Scholars are required to perform service learning and maintain a designated grade point average, and parents are required to be deeply involved in their child’s preparation for college, including attendance at parent meetings and events. Upon graduation and successful completion of the program, REACH Scholars will receive a $10,000 scholarship to a HOPE eligible public or private college.

Pictured above with their mothers are the new REACH Scholars: Litzy Diaz, Chestnut Log Middle School; Joanna Liang, Chapel Hill Middle School; Dasha Nunez, Turner Middle School; Yesha Patel, Mason Creek Middle School; Maya Sanchez, Fairplay Middle School; and Ally Tello, Yeager Middle School.

DCSS Launches Podcast Series

First Episodes Feature HS Magnet Programs, Strategic Plan

The Douglas County School System has a new mode of communication -- podcasts!

Tune in to the Pursuit of Excellence to stay connected with the latest DCSS news at home, at work, and on the go. Search for Pursuit of Excellence on your favorite podcast streaming app and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes. You may also listen to the podcasts on the DCSS YouTube channel.

The first episode highlights the process for developing the strategic plan. Other episodes feature the magnet programs at all five high schools and the Academy at CCI. Each principal and magnet coordinator discuss advantages of their programs and the application process. The episodes are perfect for our middle school parents who are considering high school options!

Click here to see all the podcasts in one place.

For individual podcasts through YouTube, click the links below.

Strategic Plan with Superintendent North and Pam Nail

Magnet Programs at:

CCI

DCHS

LSHS

CHHS

AHS

NMHS

Transportation Committee Forming Soon

Parents who are interested in making recommendations regarding bus transportation for the Douglas County School System are invited to apply for the Transportation Committee. The committee will be composed of teachers, central office personnel, transportation department members, and parents.

Please click here to see a letter from Superintendent North outlining the current challenges our transportation department is facing and the purpose of the committee. The letter contains a link to the application.

We hope to have new procedures in place for the 2020-2021 school year that will relieve many of the problems we are facing this year.

Donor Pays Off Cafeteria Charges at Two Schools

Mr. John Rega and employees of GAR Mechanical recently donated money to pay off cafeteria charges for all children at South Douglas Elementary and Alexander High School. We appreciate the benevolence of Mr. Rega and his business. This act of generosity is a wonderful example of the difference our amazing parents and community partners make in our schools every day!

Award-Winning Author Visits FSES

On October 16 award-winning author Alane Adams spoke to the Factory Shoals Elementary students in grades 1-5. While Ms. Adams visited with grades 1-3, she shared her latest picture book, The Egg Thief . Students in grades 4-5 were given advice on how to make their stories more interesting and reminded of how important problems and protagonists are to plot development.

Asher M. said, “The author’s visit was awesome. She explained how writers create problems for the protagonist to solve, which makes the book interesting.”

Ms. Adams hails from Orange, California, and is the author of nine books. Her book Santa Thief has won three awards and was featured on The Today Show . In addition to being an author, she is the founder of the Rise Up Foundation, which provides support to students and families living in poverty. The foundation provides grants and funding to literacy projects and to classroom teachers in the U.S. and around the world.

Monster Math at Burnett Elementary

Burnett Elementary families enjoyed Monster Math Night this week! Over 30 parents attended the assessment session, and students and families enjoyed the learning activities hosted by Burnett teachers.

CHHS Places First in Region for One Act

Congratulations to Chapel Hill High School's One Act cast and crew for their first place finish in the One Act Play region competition! We wish them much luck as they advance to state competition on November 2! The group is under the direction of Amy Eller.

AHS Mixed Raiders Win State!

The Alexander High School JROTC Raiders Mixed Team did it again! They’re state champions for the second year in a row. The team won first place overall in every meet this season except one. In three of the meets, the team swept every category. The state meet took place in Griffin, GA, on October 26. Congratulations!

Come Support Our Kids at the Gravity Games!

The Georgia Gravity Games competition will start rolling at 9:00 am on Saturday, November 2, on Church Street in Downtown Douglasville! We encourage our teachers, staff members, and families to bring the entire family to watch the races and cheer on our hard-working students.

In addition to the races, this year the Gravity Games will feature Science Street, a science fair style exhibit with hands-on STEM activities for all ages.

A New and Easy Way to Submit News!

The Communications Department now offers a new and improved way to submit news articles! By clicking the link below, you will go to a form that will offer you the option of submitting:

a news article about something positive in our schools. The information might be used in the weekly district newsletter, on social platforms, or shared with the media.
an item appropriate for an employee only newsletter
a sympathy announcement for a relative of an employee
a flyer to post on the Community Bulletin Board

Parents, employees, and community members are all welcome to submit news for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!

Submit News Here

Khyran Dugas may be small in stature, but he has a huge heart. He is very resilient and understands how to handle adversity. He is a “Soaring Eagle” that lives life to the fullest in spite of having Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). On October 19, some of Khyran’s teammates on the football team braved the rain and cold to join him in the JDRF One Walk. The 2.5 mile walk is designed to help raise awareness and funding to battle this condition. JDRF’s goal: to create a world without T1D, an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly. It has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle—and it's serious and stressful to manage. There is nothing one can do to prevent T1D, and there is currently no cure. Khyran doesn’t allow his condition to hinder him. He loves to play sports and video games! We’re proud of this “Soaring Eagle!”

Reminder for 8th Grade Parents:

Magnet Information Sessions Are Underway!

Next Meeting: CHHS and Academy at CCI on November 5

Did you know that all five high schools in Douglas County offer a magnet program? Students in 8th grade may apply to attend any of the high schools in the county or the Academy at CCI.

Applications for the magnet programs at all five high schools are due on Monday, December 16, 2019, for the 2020-2021 school year. For the Academy at CCI, students may register for the lottery between January 10, 2020, and January 29, 2020.

For a list of informational meetings at each school and other important dates, please click the link below. Please consult each school's website for details on the various programs.

Timeline for Magnet Selection Process for 2020-2021 School Year

Free Christmas Gifts for Eligible Children!

Children enrolled in Douglas County schools and their younger siblings may once again receive a free Christmas gift through the generosity of the folks at Operation Christmas Douglas County. Among the fabulous gifts available this year are accessories for Wii, Xbox 360, Nintendo, and Playstation. Each registrant will also have a chance to receive one of over 200 donated bicycles in addition to their gift.

To qualify, children must reside in Douglas County and receive free or reduced price lunch. This is a community effort and is not sponsored by the school system.

To register for this opportunity, please go to the link below where you will find registration links in English and Spanish. The deadline to register is November 10.

Registration Link in English Registration Link in Spanish