The latest news for you

September 21, 2018

Just for Guys: Students Learn Barbershop Singing at "Real Men Sing" Event

Young men from four schools in Douglas County learned about a fun style of music on Saturday, September 8!

Choral directors from Fairplay Middle School, Chestnut Log Middle School, New Manchester High School, and Alexander High School took around 45 students to the one-day “Real Men Sing” event in Marietta. The music festival was sponsored by the Big Chicken Chorus and concluded with a concert that evening.

“Our young men enjoyed being around lots and lots of men who love to sing,” said AHS Choral Director Sandra Chandler. “Barbershop singing is an extremely fun genre and we look forward to experimenting with it in the future.”

“My guys had a really fun day,” said CLMS Choral Director Avery Schultz. “The men’s chorus at Chestnut Log is just getting started this year, and giving them an opportunity to sing with other young men their age and interact with older men with the same passion for music was an invaluable experience.”

According to 6 ^th grader Jalen Reid, “It was amazing and fun. The best part was when the combined chorus got together with the middle school, high school, and Frontier quartet to sing ‘Please, Mr. Columbus.’"

Enjoy this selection from the Real Men Sing Middle and High School Chorus.

The High School Chorus performed a selection at the Real Men Sing concert.

Learning from the Best: Univ. of West GA Softball Team Coaches Players at CLMS

Members of the University of West Georgia softball team recently spent an afternoon working with Chestnut Log Middle School players on hitting, pitching, and fielding. Special attention was given to catching behind the plate and pitching, two skills important to the fast pitch game.

"Our team had a great time learning from the college players," said Chestnut Log Coach Andrew Gordon."We appreciate the efforts of West Georgia Coach Al Harris and his team members."

The Chestnut Log team is busy preparing for a tournament which begins on September 24 at Lithia Springs Park.

Douglas County Class of 2018 Graduation

Rate Surpasses State Average

The Douglas County School System Class of 2018 high school graduation rate of 86.5% once again surpassed the graduation rate for Georgia. According to preliminary data released by the Georgia Department of Education on September 19, 2018, the graduation rate for the state was 81.6%. For the fourth consecutive year, all five high schools in Douglas County exceeded the state graduation rate of 81.6%.

Read full article here.

Calendar Set for 2019-2020 School Year

Thank you to all of the employees, parents, students, and community members who weighed in on the proposed calendars for the next five years!

The survey was completed by 497 respondents (151 parents, 334 employees, five students, and seven "other"). Of those who completed the survey, 39% indicated they were satisfied with the calendars with no suggestions for changes; 35% were satisfied with the calendars but had suggestions; and 26% were not satisfied with the calendars. We also held a calendar focus group discussion on September 5 with representation from schools, district office staff, and transportation. We heard similar suggestions as were made through the survey.

We hope that most stakeholders will be satisfied with the proposed calendars given the parameters that must be followed.

For a PDF of the 2019-2020 calendar, please click here .

Schools to Present Information Regarding

High School Magnet Programs

All five high schools in Douglas County and the College and Career Institute (CCI) will hold information sessions about the process of applying for their magnet programs beginning in October.

Parents of all middle school students are invited to attend, with a particular emphasis on parents of 8th graders. Parents and students may attend sessions at any of the schools that offer a magnet program of interest.

For a chart with information about the meetings, an application timeline, and contact information, please click here . The deadline for 8th grade students to apply for magnet programs is December 10, 2018.

Pictured is Mr. Casey Hall, IB teacher at Douglas County High School, with students from the Class of 2018.

Spotlight on: Ben Otten and Cynthia Ramirez!

Congratulations to the first two students who were recognized in the weekly "Student Spotlight!" One outstanding student from each school will be featured during the school year. We look forward to showing off some of our best students each week!

First Annual Superintendent's Gala: Save the Date

Join us on November 3 for a fun evening of fellowship and an opportunity to assist students with special needs!

The inaugural Superintendent's Gala will take place at the Douglasville Conference Center and promises an evening of fun with music, dinner, dancing, and a Great Gatsby theme.

All proceeds will benefit our students with special needs by funding community-based programs and activities that are not fully covered by local, state or federal funds. Job skills, leisure activities, enhancement of Special Olympics, and celebrations of achievement are just a few of the ways your attendance and your dollars will help our students.

To purchase tickets ($100 per ticket or $1,000 for a table of ten), please visit the following locations in Douglasville which will have tickets available beginning September 24: Douglas County Board of Education Central Office, 9030 Hwy. 5; Douglas County Chamber of Commerce, 6658 Church Street; or Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio, 2866 A Chapel Hill Road.

For additional information about the Superintendent's Gala and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Karen Stroud, 770-651-2035.