January 10, 2020
Chapel Hill Elementary STEAMS Ahead!
In pursuit of STEAM certification, the staff at Chapel Hill Elementary is working diligently to offer innovative and hands-on experiences to teach students about STEAM concepts.

Students have received lots of engaging STEAM experiences, including a performance from The Science Guy and High Touch High Tech. The Science Guy presented to all grade levels and explained the scientific process while showing students some cool science tricks. First grade students became weather scientists and studied the elements of weather: heat, air, and water. Students learned about different precipitation and weather conditions in different regions according to the seasons. While exploring the different seasons, students completed hands-on experiments such as making clouds, recording freezing temperatures, making tornadoes, exploring the water cycle, and using anemometers.

First grader Elijah Richardson stated, “I wish I could spend all day in here being a weather scientist. This is the best day ever!”

“We are truly excited about STEAM and the opportunity to become a STEAM school," said CHES Principal LaTonya Jones. "We want all Chapel Hill Elementary School students to think and write like scientists, mathematicians, historians, etc. We are preparing our boys and girls for jobs that have not yet been created.”
FSMS Students Learn to Build Strong Nations
A Factory Shoals Middle School teacher is getting students excited about the world of politics and international affairs. Seventh-grade teacher Rachel Clark designed a social studies lesson that includes a focus on Africa. Every lesson includes information on important issues like government, literacy, human capital, and capital goods. In the project’s finale, students explored socioeconomics and created their own infrastructure projects. 

“We are typically exposed to what happens here, in our own nation. It is important our students are exposed to nations in Africa, Asia and others in our world,” Mrs. Clark says.
Through hands-on learning exercises, students formed their nation’s own emergency shelters, food banks, and medical programs. They excitedly presented programs to classmates on how to create a business plan and expand current businesses. 

Mrs. Clark says students are learning important lessons about social services around the world. “Students learn in different ways. This is an excellent way to get everyone involved. When students are involved and excited, they learn and accomplish great things!”
We Appreciate Our Wonderful Partners!
Schools in Douglas County are fortunate to have a caring community. Following are but a few examples of the way businesses and organizations in Douglas County have positively impacted our students and staff members over the last few weeks.

Sweetwater Receives a Gift of Books

Sweetwater Elementary was selected by Manager Tonya Jackson at Arbor Place Mall Books-A-Million to receive a donation of brand new books and toys. Members of the community were invited to donate brand new books and toys at the business over the holidays, resulting in a gift of eight large boxes of goodies for Sweetwater students.

"I appreciate Books-A-Million and their support and contributions to the educational arena," said Principal Dr. Emily Felton. "What they did will always be a reminder of the true meaning of community involvement, a time of joy and sharing."

Principal Felton is pictured with Manager Tonya Jackson.

Annette Winn Feels Love from Community Partners

Pastor Ben Lang presented a donation from Cornerstone Baptist Church to bring student lunch charges current and also to help fund school-wide incentives. Pastor Lang is pictured with Principal Dr. Sherritta Abell.

The staff at Annette Winn enjoyed a delicious breakfast of bagels before leaving for the holidays, thanks to Pastor Kevin McCoy and the congregation at First Baptist Church of Lithia Springs. In addition, the Douglasville chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity put smiles on the faces of three children and their families this Christmas by providing items on their Christmas wish list!
FSMS Student Shares Talent on the Stage at Morehouse College

Eighth-grader Torrie Mosby demonstrated her love for dance in the Urban Nutcracker , which was performed December 13-15 at the Morehouse King Chapel in Atlanta.

Torrie was cast as Sarah Johnson, the lead character in the performance.

The Urban Nutcracker celebrates the renowned holiday ballet with an urban twist. The soulful celebration is set on Atlanta's own Sweet Auburn Avenue in the 1940's, featuring Reggae Ragdolls, Arabians, Black Russians, the Coca-Cola Pas de Six, along with Mother Spice and her Spice Drops. It is all led by the elegant Brown Sugar and her Chocolatier.
Visitor Management Technology Launching in Douglas County Schools 
All Schools Will Be Equipped with Raptor Technology
The Douglas County School System is boosting a school security plan designed to keep students even safer throughout the school day. Beginning this spring, the school system will equip every campus with Raptor Technologies, a self-contained, self-service visitor management system. 
 
Raptor enforces campus security by scanning every campus visitor’s government-issued identification. With one quick scan, school offices can immediately screen all campus visitors against a national sex offender database. Raptor Technologies will also screen out visitors banned from campus. In the event of a crisis, school users may also use the system to trigger an emergency panic button to immediately notify school personnel. The system’s detailed reports offer administrators accurate and reliable information about campus visitors. 
 
Kwame Carr, Assistant Superintendent of District Operations, says these detailed reports will provide the school system a multi-level approach to school safety. “We have a tremendous responsibility to our students, our staff and our parents. Georgia has been identified as one of the sex trafficking hubs because of its geographical location and ground and air transportation systems,” he says. “We must be prepared for anything. By investing in this technology, we are protecting our school system. Raptor Defender will provide us with this necessary extra layer of security.”
 
Carr says the purchase will be a wise investment. “This system offers a quick, efficient way for our district to identify registered sex offenders on-site at each school location. This is the only information our new technology will monitor. We may also use this information to identify proper guardianship in cases of court-related custody issues.” 
 
Superintendent Trent North is excited about the Raptor Technologies partnership and what it means for students. “Students thrive when they are in a safe and secure learning environment. This investment is one additional step that the Douglas County School System can take now to ensure the safety of our students, our employees and our campuses in the future.” 
 
Each school will receive its Raptor Technologies school security upgrade and training in the early part of 2020.
Important Notice for High School Parents Regarding Dual Enrollment
Meetings regarding dual enrollment that were scheduled for January have been canceled. They will be rescheduled for February.
Jadyn Brooks is an amazing student who excels in many areas and is always seeking new challenges. He demonstrates academic excellence and is a positive role model. Recently, he placed 3rd in the chess tournament, representing North Douglas Elementary School (NDES). Jadyn is Stingray Strong and a great example of the NDES motto: “in the relentless pursuit of excellence.”  Congratulations , Jadyn!
Upcoming Events
January 20: Holiday for All
January 21: BOE Meeting
January 28: Science Fair Judging for Middle and High Schools
January 30: Science Fair Awards for Middle and High Schools
January 30: District Spelling Bee
February 3: BOE Work Session
February 10: BOE Meeting
February 12: Progress Reports, Elementary and Middle Schools
February 17-19: Holidays (Except 240 Day Employees)
February 25: Elementary Science Fair Judging
February 26: Middle School Math Competition
February 27: Elementary Science Fair Awards
Check out opportunities that are available in our area by clicking the Community Bulletin Board below!
Douglas County School System |770-651-2000 | response@dcssga.org | dcssga.org