Partners in Education Newsletter November Edition
Virtual Tour of Schools at New Manchester High Highlights FAME and AVID.

The first PIE Tour of Schools was held virtually on November 10th and featured New Manchester High School. Principal Tekmekia Gilchrist highlighted the FAME Fine Arts Magnet Program, AVID, and other initiatives the school implements to help students succeed. Attendees were treated to recorded performances from award-winning InToneNation, including the Facebook Live Class of 2020 Graduation Celebration performance. Stay tuned for more details about the next virtual Tour of Schools that will feature Bill Arp Elementary School early next year. 
UPCOMING EVENTS
Allstate - Ben Marlow Agency Hosts Free Shredding Event.

Allstate – Ben Marlow Agency will host a free community appreciation shredding event at the Douglas County Chamber on Friday, December 4th, from 1-3 p.m. Bring everything you’ve been saving to shred and check it off your to-do list! Businesses, nonprofit organizations, and local citizens are welcome. They will also be collecting non-perishable food items for Gift of Love which will go toward the backpack feeding program that serves children in the Douglas County School System. 
Donations Needed to Keep Families Safe and Healthy.
Douglas County Partners In Education (PIE) and Communities In Schools of Douglas County (CISDC) were recently awarded a grant from Douglas County community partner, Medline, to provide health and hygiene essentials to local families in need. As we head into fall and winter, many households are still feeling the financial burden of the Coronavirus pandemic and may need help keeping their homes stocked with supplies to fight Covid-19. Are you or your business interested in helping out with this effort? PIE and CISDC are currently seeking donations to help stretch grant dollars and provide these supplies to as many families as possible. Items needed include:
  • Band Aids
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Deodorant
  • Face Masks
  • Feminine Hygiene Products
  • Lip Balm
  • Soap
  • Toothbrushes & Toothpaste
  • Other General Sanitization or Hygiene Products
  • Bags (i.e., trade show bags or tote bags, for packing supplies for distribution)
No donation is too big or too small and will go a long way in keeping our community healthy, happy, and thriving. If you have extra promotional items that you can donate, this would be an easy way to get your business in the homes of Douglas County families! If you are interested in providing donations or have questions, please email CISDC Executive Director Mitzi Teal.
Judges Needed for Virtual Science and Engineering Fair.
The Douglas County School System is in need of community volunteers to help judge their virtual Science and Engineering fair. In early January, judges will receive video entries to review and evaluate. On January 12th, judges will video conference with students to ask questions and hear more about their projects. This is a fun and easy way to invest in the next generation of scientists, engineers, and inventors from the comfort of your home or office. 
Save the Date!

Thanksgiving may be the talk of the town right now but Partners In Education is already looking forward to next spring and our Foxhall Family Day. Bring the whole family out and show your PIE spirit on March 14th (3.14 for all of our pi aficionados out there!) with fun and games in the great outdoors. Fishing, hay rides, archery, canoeing, and much more will have your family creating memories and trying exciting new things! Look for more details coming soon.
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
This Month's School Spotlight Is the Douglas County College and Career Institute!
The Douglas County College and Career Institute (CCI) is a collaboration between the Douglas County School System, West Georgia Technical College, and the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce. Half-day programs at the CCI provide opportunities for students to participate and receive credit for programs that may not be offered at their base high schools. Most of the programs offered at CCI are dual enrollment courses in which students will receive high school and college credit upon their completion. All courses allow students to gain technical skills that increase job prospects whether they go directly into the job market or on to other post-secondary options. The CCI building is located on the West Georgia Technical College campus.

The following courses are offered at the CCI: Auto Tech, Audio-Video Technology (high school credit only), Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Cyber Security, Dental Assisting, Early Childhood Development, Game Development/Animation, Marketing (high school credit only), Patient Care Assistant, Pharmacy Assistant, and Welding. 
In addition to the half day program, Academy at the CCI began in the 2015-2016 school year as a full day program and served 60 ninth grade students. Today we currently serve 177 full day students 9th-12th grade. In the full day program, students take regular high school classes as well as technical college classes and enjoy innovations to support learning such as laptops, online and dual enrollment courses, and educational field trips. Students follow a traditional 4x4 schedule which includes taking four classes per semester through a blended online approach. Students are eligible to participate in all extra-curricular activities at their base high schools.

Enrollment for the 2021-22 school year is currently open for dual enrollment half-day classes. We will conduct Apply to CCI Nights once a month starting in January 2021. Academy at the CCI (full day students) will open its lottery registration on January 11 and will run until January 29th. The lottery drawing will be held on February 1st at 5pm.  
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
This Month's Partner Spotlight is Hightower Family Funeral Homes.
Hightower Family Funeral Homes recently donated bottled water to the College and Career Institute (CCI) to keep students hydrated, focused, and ready to learn. Four generations of the Hightower family have served the West Georgia community, offering compassionate celebration of life and funeral services. The Hightowers have been long-time supporters of the Partners In Education program and are a wonderful example of local businesses supporting schools and students in Douglas County! 
SMALL WAYS TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
Want to Partner with a School?
Looking for some easy ways to start partnering and making a difference in the lives of Douglas County’s students and teachers? Consider the following opportunities to kick your partnership off on the right foot! Need more ideas? Visit dcssga.org/p_i_e or contact your school’s PIE Ambassador to talk about their specific needs.

  • Participate in virtual career fairs
  • Offer internships to high school students
  • Serve on advisory councils
  • Serve as judges for academic and extracurricular competitions such as science fairs, art guilds, STEM clubs, etc.
  • Serve as guest readers
Fairplay Middle School Has the Following Needs:
  • Disposable masks
  • Bottled water
  • Disinfecting wipes
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Prizes/Incentives for Student of the Month


Fairplay Middle School is seeking the following donations from community partners to keep their students safe, engaged, and ready to learn. If you or your business are interested in fulfilling any wish list items, please contact Sheri Bartlett at (770) 651-5300. 
Support PIE through AmazonSmile and Kroger Community Rewards.

It is easier than ever to support PIE each time you run by the grocery store or pick up a few things online. Before you head to Kroger, make sure your Kroger Plus Card is enrolled in their Community Rewards Program which donates to PIE each time you shop. Visit the Kroger website at http://www.kroger.com. Once logged into your account, you can search for Partners in Education of Douglas County either by name or non-profit organization number MT985, and then click Enroll. You can also support PIE through AmazonSmile. Simply head to smile.amazon.com and add “Douglas County Chamber Foundation Inc.” as your preferred benefactor. Each time you make a purchase, Amazon will donate to Partners In Education which helps support our mission of creating impactful partnerships between schools and businesses in our community.
SHOUT OUTS
Mirror Lake Elementary School would like to issue a huge thank you to MembersFirst Credit Union who supplied one of their wish list items: 70 pairs of earbuds for students as they continue digital learning and online lessons! 
CONNECT WITH US
Want to stay connected with PIE? Make sure to “like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/douglascountypie to see partner success stories, volunteer opportunities, and other fun stuff to keep you engaged with the PIE community. You can also get great PIE news on our webpage, dcssga.org/p_i_e, including partnership ideas, wish list items, upcoming events, and more. 
Tag, You're It!

We want to celebrate all the great things happening in the world of PIE! Make sure to tag @DouglasCountyPIE on your school or business Facebook page if you have something awesome to share.
Does your school or business have upcoming event in the Douglas County community? Let us know the details so we can share it with the PIE network! Email Ruby to have your event in our next newsletter.
2020-2021 PIE Board Members

Sandy Gamble, DC Chamber – Chair
Lyndsey Sargent, Water and Sewer Authority – Vice-Chair
Jean Baker – Recording Secretary
Rita Wilson, GreyStone Power Corporation – Corresponding Secretary
Christine Stanley, Design Solutions Group – Treasurer
Andrew Dickinson, First Presbyterian Church
Lynn Dunaway, Impact Ink
Tonya Jackson, RA-LIN and Associates
Mandy Johnson, DCSS
Lynn Murray, DCSS
Leslie Smith, Brainy Bytes West Atlanta  
Vonda Thorpe, Royal Accents
Patty Wenck, Wenck Travel
Christy Wilson, The Oaks Douglasville
Debbie Wolfe, Elwood Staffing
DeeDee Zachos, The Zachos Team

Ruby Byers, DC Chamber – Administrator