AHS Student Impresses at State Science Fair
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Cassie Rich, senior at Alexander High School in Douglas County, was honored with several awards from the 72nd Georgia Science and Engineering Fair. The event, usually held in Athens, GA, took place virtually this year March 16-April 10. Winners were selected by the GSEF judging team and representatives of sponsoring organizations.
Cassie’s project, titled “The Effects of Caffeine on Locomotion and Reflexes,” won Senior Division Best in Category for Biochemistry; the National Association of Biology Teachers Biology & Life Science Project Award; Senior Division First Honors Award; and second place in the senior division for the Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Biotechnology Award. Alexander High School English teacher Debbie Rager advised Cassie on her project.
For her project, Cassie tested the neurological impact of “a cup of coffee” dose of caffeine on cockroaches and found significant effects on reflexes and locomotion. The impact is important because of neurological similarities between cockroaches and humans, specifically in the adenosine receptors, which may lead to some assumptions on the effect that a daily cup of 'joe' might have on the average drinker.
Cassie plans to continue studies like these as a neuroscience major at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the fall.
In addition, the following Lithia Springs High School students won Honors Ribbons in the Senior Division at the state fair: Lawren-Chabad Francis, Wade McCants, and Prince Tufon.
Abigail Arnold and Caroline DePriest of Mason Creek Middle School won fourth honors in the Junior Division. The following students won Honors Ribbons in the Junior Division: Chase Curtis, Samuel White, Christopher Leonard, Brayden Moran, and Camile Scott of Chapel Hill Middle School; Susanna Rager and David Luke Sorg of Fairplay Middle School; and Layla Watson of Mason Creek Middle School.
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Welcome to Kindergarten in the Douglas County School System!
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We are thrilled to have the Class of 2033 join us for an exciting journey! Kindergarten is a time of personal adjustment and a stepping out beyond the family to the wider world.
Beginning Friday, May 1, parents may register their children for kindergarten for the 2020-2021 school year. Mark your calendars for Virtual Kindergarten Roundup on May 5! Each elementary school will host a Facebook Live session so parents can learn more about what to expect in kindergarten. Check the website for the school your child will attend for the time of the Facebook Live broadcast. Next week, look for a video for incoming kindergarten parents that will address Frequently Asked Questions!
For more information on the kindergarten registration process, click
here.
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Whaley Named Police Chief for DCSS
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The Douglas County School System announces Tracey L. Whaley’s new role as the school system’s first Chief of Police. Whaley begins his new leadership position on May 7, 2020.
Whaley brings over two decades of experience to the position. He most recently served in the Clayton County School System Police Department as the Administrative Division Commander. In Clayton County, he oversaw strategic planning, staffing, coordinating and budgeting for department operations. He is a certified Chief Executive Officer with the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, a Georgia certified Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council instructor and a graduate of the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar.
The Covington, Georgia, native also has 11 years of experience with the Atlanta Police Department. He previously worked with the Atlanta Public Schools Police Department as an original command staff member. While in the command staff, he supported the Department as it grew from zero officers to over 60.
Douglas County School System Superintendent Trent North says Whaley brings a wide breadth of expertise to the position, including experience designing a new police department and experience hiring and managing officers. “A committee led an intensive search for our new police chief,” North says. “They narrowed a list of 40 qualified applicants down to four outstanding candidates. I am confident we have the right individual in place to lead our police department and keep our school community safe.”
Whaley is honored to join the Douglas County School System family. “I am thrilled to follow in the vision of Superintendent Trent North and begin working to build the Douglas County School System Police Department,” he says. “My first priority is making sure we are aligned with guidelines set by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. Then we will begin recruiting officers to serve the students and people in our community.”
Whaley has a heart for service and a passion for education. He believes law enforcement plays a large part in the school community. He also understands that by mentoring students, officers can place students on a trajectory of success. “School Resource Officers are an important part of not just our schools, but our communities," Whaley says."Through mentoring opportunities we can help every student achieve college and career success.”
Whaley earned his undergraduate degree from Savannah State University. He earned a graduate degree in organizational leadership and a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Rice College and Seminary. He is the Senior Pastor of New Creation Christian Fellowship in Stone Mountain, Georgia. His wife is a public school educator. They have three sons.
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Teaching in Character Keeps Students Engaged
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Third grade teacher Laura Blackwell goes to great lengths to keep her students engaged from a distance! Her New Manchester Elementary students enjoy seeing their teacher dressed up in outfits that go along with the theme of the lesson. She might appear as a pilgrim one day and President Lincoln the next!
"I want to give my students the same experience they would have in the classroom, so I dress up to fit the lesson," said Ms. Blackwell. "In my lessons, I also include virtual field trips and different forms of assessment to keep students engaged."
For a sample of Ms. Blackwell's lessons and a refresh of third grade social studies, check out her Nearpod presentations below! You may view the presentations without downloading the app. Simply click "Continue to Website."
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MCMS Students Send Message of Thanks
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Mason Creek Middle School students sent a message of thanks to front line workers who are keeping the world turning during the COVID-19 crisis. Media Specialist Jennifer Baker assigned a word to student volunteers from various grade levels. Students wrote their word and sent a picture back to Ms. Baker.
"We wanted all the workers on the front line to know how much we appreciate them," said Ms. Baker. "We wanted to thank them for their service, for keeping us safe and stocking the grocery stores with food."
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Tonia Small to Lead Lithia Springs Elementary
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Superintendent Trent North is pleased to announce the appointment of Tonia Small as the principal of Lithia Springs Elementary beginning in July of 2020.
Ms. Small has served as assistant principal at Chestnut Log Middle School since 2015. Among her current responsibilities are testing, discipline, athletics and scheduling. Prior to Chestnut Log, she was assistant principal at Stewart Middle School. She also has several years of experience in the middle school classroom as a language arts and social studies teacher and was voted Teacher of the Year by her peers at Factory Shoals Middle School.
Ms. Small holds a bachelor of science in education from Albany State University, a master’s degree from Georgia College and State University, an education specialist degree from Argosy University and is working toward her doctorate degree.
The current principal at Lithia Springs Elementary, William Marchant, has taken a district position as assessment coordinator.
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First Methodist: Showing Love with Weekly Food Donations to FSES Students
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Douglasville First United Methodist Church is one of the district’s wonderful Partners in Education. For years, the church has provided 20 bags of food weekly for students at Factory Shoals Elementary School. The bags are taken to the school on Fridays and contain enough food for meals and snacks for the weekend. The bags are not see-through, so they can be discreetly placed in backpacks for children who have a need.
“This ministry is so meaningful to the students who don’t have enough to eat on the weekends,” said Tamlyn Collins, associate pastor at the church. “It helps the students know they’re cared for and not forgotten.”
Pastor Collins said the volunteers in the church’s backpack ministry pack “are so devoted to what they do each week preparing and delivering the food. I appreciate them and the church’s generosity.”
Recently, the church delivered 150 bags of food to FSES. According to Pastor Collins, they were making up for a few weeks of missed deliveries after the school building closed and virtual learning began. She said the school counselor contacted families who went to the school to pick up the donations.
Pictured above are a few volunteers for the backpack ministry after packing bags earlier this year. Pictured below are donations recently delivered to the school.
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School Choice Application Window: April 27 - May 8
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The Douglas County School System will accept applications for School Choice transfers April 27 through May 8, 2020. Parents may request to transfer their child to another public school in the district for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year if the school has available space after its assigned students have been enrolled. Available classroom space is defined as permanent classroom space and does not include the use of trailers. The Douglas County School System considers factors such as projected enrollment, maximum class size and available teacher allocations when determining available space. Class size capacity is also considered by grade level and by subject.
Click
here
for more information on the School Choice application process as well as a list of schools with openings.
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ESPLOST VI: Vote Will Take Place June 9
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Because of concerns about COVID-19, the presidential primary and ESPLOST vote, originally scheduled for March 24, have been postponed until June 9 and will be
held in conjunction with the general primary and nonpartisan general election.
Every voter in Douglas County has been mailed an absentee ballot application. Voters must return the application in order to receive an absentee ballot.
In-person early voting will resume on May 18, 2020, for the June 9 general primary.
The Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) is the penny sales tax that helps fund school improvements. ESPLOST can be renewed by voters through a referendum every five years and can be used to pay for capital projects (construction, buses, technology) or to retire debt.
We encourage all of our parents and employees to vote in this and all elections.
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Tips from Our School Social Workers
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The Douglas County School Social Workers serve as the link between the school, the home and the community. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, School Social Workers are available to connect students and their families to appropriate resources. For a list of social workers and contact information, please click
here
.
Featured Local Community Resource of the Week: Sweetwater Mission
Sweetwater Mission serves residents of Cobb, Douglas and Paulding Counties. During COVID-19, Sweetwater is offering express food services. Customers will have items placed in the trunk or backseat of their car by volunteers. The clothing closet is closed at this time.
Eligibility is based on total household income. To benefit from services, bring picture ID along with a copy of current utility bill, lease or rent receipt.
Hours of operation are 9:00-1:00 Monday-Friday. Closed on weekends.
Sweetwater Mission is located at 6130 Hotel Street, Austell, GA 30106. For more information, call 770-819-0662 or visit
www.sweetwatermission.org
For Mental Health Emergencies, please contact 9-1-1 or the following:
Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL):
1-800-715-4255
Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Domestic Violence Statewide Hotline
1.800.33.HAVEN (1.800.334.2836)
To Report Child Abuse and Neglect
1-855-GA-CHILD (422-4453)
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Abagail Hewett is a superb example of a Factory Shoals Elementary School (FSES) Dolphin! Abbi, as she is affectionately called by her family and friends, is an inquisitive, hard working and compassionate student who has a smile that lights up any room she enters. She is a great helper to her friends, teachers and students, and volunteers to read to first graders at FSES during the morning power hour. She is a member of the Math Team and Program Challenge and makes all A’s in her classes. She enjoys drawing and writing comics and was taking Tahitian dance until recently, but still practices it on her own. A short term goal of Abbi’s is to learn to cook. She would like to cook breakfast for her entire family with little to no assistance by her 10th birthday!
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Many events have been canceled or postponed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Please click below for the most up-to-date information regarding event cancellations and other important information during our time of digital learning.
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Check out opportunities that are available in our area by clicking the Community Bulletin Board below!
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