DCSS Implements Clear Bag Policy for Athletic Events

September 11, 2020

There's Plenty of Room for Play at AWES

Hard Work and Donations Make Playground Dreams Come True

An elementary school principal’s determination to replace decades-old playground equipment paid off with big smiles on young faces as Douglas County students returned to in-person learning following Labor Day. Principal Dr. Sherritta Abell at Annette Winn Elementary School persevered through three years of grant-writing, fundraising, and negotiations for equipment purchase and installation to get the playground she envisioned for her students.

“I presented the idea to my staff and they rallied behind me. Our team wrote and received three grants, including the Day Springs 5k Road Race Grant. The funds raised got us off to a good start, yet we were still far from our goal. I had no idea playground equipment was so expensive,” Dr. Abell recalls from her conception of the project.

“We began to brainstorm ways to raise the more than $27,000 needed to purchase a very basic playground. I prayed daily and had faith that God would provide the additional monies needed. One day we received an unexpected phone call from Safety First. The company had sponsored a sweepstakes, and the grand prize winner, Celine Garcia, had won $15,000 to help clean up a park or renovate a school playground. Although she had no children or family members attending my school, she had chosen to donate the money to Annette Winn.”

On Friday, February 22, 2019, Safety First, in partnership with community member Celine Garcia, presented a check which brought the school within $12,000 of the project goal.

“We began to sell chicken biscuits before school to parents in the car rider line,” Dr. Abell continued. “We planned dances for the students and festivals involving the community.” After two years of fundraising, they had enough to purchase a very small playground. “I wasn’t satisfied,” said Dr. Abell, “because I felt that my students deserve the best!”

A fellow principal then told her about the GameTime grant. With this grant, GameTime will match a percentage of the funds raised by the school. They applied and were awarded the grant. After negotiations for total cost with installation, they were able to purchase the equipment Dr. Abell had chosen.

Utilization of the new playground then faced a delay no one could have imagined. Installation was completed in March—on what was the last day of in-person instruction before the months-long school building closure due to COVID-19. Dr. Abell maintains that “God’s timing is perfect.”

“I am very excited for our students to be able to enrich their academic day with an opportunity to go outside and be kids again. The pandemic has created an unfortunate situation, so our students need an outlet to be able to experience play at a safe distance. Our playground allows our students to have some normalcy, while still following safety protocols.”

“We have been truly blessed throughout this entire process. We refused to give up even though the odds were against us. We are so grateful for all of the fundraising, donations, and grant money we received to help make this happen!!”

LSHS: Learning Language Online

In Ms. Angeliki Lekkou’s French classes at Lithia Springs High School, students thrive in the online learning environment.

During their online classes, Ms. Lekkou and the students meet and interact. Collaborative learning strategies like think-pair-share allow students to work together to solve a problem or answer a question about an assigned reading. Students upload their oral assessments using platforms like Flipgrid.

“We love our 65 minutes of online lessons,” said Ms. Lekkou. “Time flies really nicely with no interruptions. My students are present and ready to participate each day.”

Ms. Lekkou has taught for over 17 years in Georgia and has been in the Douglas County School System since 2007. She is gifted certified and teaches Honors French II and III and AP French. Ms. Lekkou, a native European, has taught foreign languages to intelligence officers overseas. She enjoys interviewing students for the Governor’s Honors Program.

Featured in the video is Jarata Secka, a 10th grade student in Honors French III. Students have been studying real estate descriptions and household chores. Ms. Lekkou assigned her students to talk spontaneously for three minutes about chores they help with at home. They were assessed based on expressions of frequency, answers with cohesive devices, and how they managed their time, intonation and articulation.

Take a look at Jarata's Flipgrid video. We think she did great!

Elementary Students Excited to Return

Middle School Students Report on September 14

Students in grades K-5 who returned to school for in-person instruction were all smiles beneath their masks on September 8! Around 50% of elementary students chose to transition to in-person learning Monday through Thursday. All students will learn from home on Fridays.

"Students and parents were prepared for the safety protocols that are in place and were very cooperative," said Superintendent Trent North. "Our schools have done an outstanding job implementing procedures to keep everyone safe, and we appreciate the support of our parents and community. It will take all of us to make the return to school successful."

Middle school students who want in-person learning will return to school on September 14. High schools will open for students on September 21.

The first day back was a big success at South Douglas Elementary School! Pictured in the top photo are students in Mrs. Butts' 5th grade class enjoying lunch in the classroom on day one back in the building. First graders in Mrs. Weeks' class are learning to socially distance while walking down the hallway.

DCSS Implements Clear Bag Policy for Athletic Events

Beginning Friday, September 18, DCSS will implement a clear bag policy at all sporting events. The policy will be similar to policies in place at college and professional stadiums and coliseums.

"The clear bag policy will help us keep dangerous or illegal items, including weapons, out of our venues," said Superintendent Trent North. "Just last week, someone entered a football game in a neighboring county with a semi-automatic firearm. By allowing only clear bags, we can monitor what's coming into our stadiums and gyms and keep everyone safer with only a minor inconvenience to those in attendance."

The following types of bags will be permitted inside DCSS sporting events:

Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12"x6"x12"
One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags
Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5"x6.5"

Meet Our SRO: Amber Clemente

We welcome Officer Amber Clemente to the Douglas County School System!

Officer Clemente comes to DCSS with experience in law enforcement from Clayton County Schools and the College Park Police Department. Additional experience working with children includes coaching basketball at Creekside High School and managing a group home for teen girls in Conyers for five years. She is still active at the group home where she volunteers as a mentor.

Officer Clemente attended Creekside High School and earned a degree in early childhood education from Truett McConnell University where she played basketball.

"I've always had a passion for working with children," said Clemente. "I want to be a positive role model like I had when I was growing up."

Officer Clemente is serving Lithia Springs High School. "The staff is friendly, and I enjoyed working at the first football game last Friday. I look forward to seeing the dynamics when the students return. My goal is to create a positive rapport with the kids."

Remember: Check Your Bus Stop

Our bus drivers are back in the driver's seat and ready to deliver our students safely to school and back home!

The first week of in-person learning for elementary students went well, according to Transportation Director E.W. Tolbert. "For the most part, students and parents were waiting for the bus at their assigned stops. All students were delivered to school on time, and we appreciate that students and parents observed the rules for face coverings and social distancing."

Middle and high school students should check their bus stops prior to the first day of school. Stops have been consolidated to provide more efficient and safer service for our students. Click here to find your pickup time and location. Parents may also wish to download the Here Comes the Bus app. For directions, click here. For transportation questions, please email herecomesthebus@dcssga.org.

Pictured is Secelia Tolbert, longtime transportation department employee who now works at Eastside Elementary.

Now Offering Free Meals for All Students

Free meals are now available for all children ages 0 to 18. Students attending school in-person are eligible for breakfast and lunch at no cost during the school day. Students who are attending school virtually only are eligible for free curbside pickup at all five high schools on Mondays from 4-6 PM (when pre-ordered through www.schoolcafe.com). Parents will need to send funds if they would like their child to have second helpings and a la carte snacks like cookies and chips.

The USDA has approved these free meals based on the extended eligibility of the Seamless Summer Option which will expire December 31,2020, or until funding is no longer available. Please complete your student meal application to determine eligibility and to ensure your student may continue benefits when this temporary program ends.

Danielle Freeman, Executive Director of the Douglas County School System School Nutrition Department, says the system works hard to ensure students receive fresh and quality meals. “We are excited that USDA has extended this program to feed hungry children in our community. With the support of Superintendent Trent North and DCSS Board Members, it is our intention to always fuel the future of Douglas County.”

See flyers in English and Spanish at the end of this email for additional information.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

Spotlight on: Lithia Springs High School

From Lithia Springs High School Head Football Coach Corey Jarvis:

Coach Jarvis is beginning his second year as head football coach at Lithia Springs High School. He is excited his kids are getting the chance to play during this time of uncertainty surrounding COVID-19.

He knows that football is a valuable outlet for many young men, and this outlet is especially important during a time when young people are witnessing demonstrations for social justice that are happening in the world today.

Prior to being cleared for practice, Coach Jarvis and team members met through Google Meet and Zoom. Although he can tell that the team missed spring practice and preseason scrimmages, Coach Jarvis is pleased with the effort of the team so far. "They are working hard and they will improve as the season progresses," he said. "Our quarterback is a sophomore and we have three offensive linemen who are also sophomores. I look forward to seeing improvements every week."

Lithia will travel to Alexander High School this evening for an intra-county matchup.

For a complete varsity football schedule for 2020, please click here.

Pictured left to right in top photo are seniors: Michael Wilson, linebacker; Malik Thompson, wide receiver; Kentrell Cole, safety.