A Message from the Superintendent
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Dear Parents,
The Douglas County School System (DCSS) takes the global Coronavirus (COVID-19) issue very seriously, and DCSS leadership is monitoring the recommendations from the CDC and public health on a frequent basis to assure that we are all doing what we can to protect the health of our students and school system employees. This is one of our highest priorities.
At this time, public health has two recommendations for our DCSS families:
We encourage families to frequently check the CDC website for the most current, reliable information about this issue, particularly before considering any travel plans.
Families are also asked to follow guidelines for reducing the spread of any respiratory illness by diligently doing the following:
- Wash your hands with soap and water often
- Cover your coughs and sneezes, preferably with a tissue and throw that tissue away
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Stay home from school or work (except to get medical care) if you are ill
- Call ahead before visiting your doctor
- Separate yourself from other people when you are ill
- Avoid sharing personal household items with others who are ill
- Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday
Please be assured that the leadership in the school system is looking at alternatives for learning if Coronavirus spreads in our area. Should it become necessary to close schools for an extended period of time to avoid the spread of illness, we are prepared to keep our students engaged and learning through the use of technology.
In addition, the Douglas County School System has increased efforts to clean our high touch surfaces well every day with recommended solutions. We are also reminding school personnel to more rigorously enforce school illness policies related to attendance. As additional guidance is provided to school systems from the CDC, we will keep you informed.
Sincerely,
Trent North, Superintendent
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Youngest Scientists Compete in Annual Science and Engineering Fair
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Outstanding Work from Our Youngest Scientists!
The top science fair projects from each elementary school in Douglas County were on display at the Murray Educational Center on February 25.
Students stood with their displays and explained to a panel of judges all the research and results from their projects.
Winners were announced in the evening on February 27 and will be featured in the March 6 newsletter.
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Cybersecurity Team Qualifies for Competition
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Douglas County High School’s new Cybersecurity Pathway launched its Girls Go CyberStart program, an innovative way for high school girls to explore their talents for computer science and learn about cybersecurity through online cyber challenges. The program provides the opportunity to explore higher level cybersecurity concepts in a less intimidating game environment.
DCHS’s Girls Go CyberStart team completed challenges in cryptography, password cracking, digital forensics and open source intelligence gathering for an invitation to the CyberStart Games where 27 schools and 487 girls from GA are now competing. They will have until early April to complete as many online challenges as they can to help their school make it to the next stage, CyberStart Compete.
“I am so proud of the young ladies participating in the program,” said Zena Pouncey, DCHS cybersecurity teacher and adviser for the girls. “The challenges are very difficult, as we are still developing and securing resources for our Cybersecurity Pathway curriculum, so just qualifying for the CyberStart Games was a victory. However, my young Cybersecurity ladies are competitive and proud. Our goal this year is to receive an invitation to CyberStart Compete.”
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Sweetwater Elementary Benefits from Road Race
Central Baptist Raises over $83,500 for Schools in Douglas County in 16 Years
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Children at Sweetwater Elementary School (SWES) will soon enjoy a better equipped playground, thanks to a generous $11,500 donation from Central Baptist Church (CBC). The donation represents record-setting proceeds from the 16th annual DaySpring 5K run sponsored by the church.
Dr. Emily Felton, SWES principal, said she was grateful to be chosen to partner with CBC and can’t wait to get new playground equipment for her students. “The Central Baptist Church DaySpring 5K race will always be a reminder of the true meaning of community involvement,” she said. “The generosity of the church will bring hours of joy to our students for years to come. We are grateful to Central Baptist for all it is doing for our school this year, and for all it has done for numerous other schools in prior years.”
Griffin said the first race in 2004 grew out of a desire by the church to have a greater reach in the community. “Church members at the time were looking for ways to increase community outreach and decided being active with local schools was one way to do that. If we can help students and show the love of Jesus Christ, we think we have a win-win situation.”
According to Griffin, private, charter and public schools in Douglas County are all eligible to submit applications to be the beneficiary school. This year’s DaySpring 5K is November 14. More information about the race can be found on the church’s website.
Pictured above is Sweetwater Elementary School Principal Dr. Emily Felton, 3rd from left, who is all smiles as she receives an $11,500 check from Central Baptist Church. Left to right, race committee members Elijah McCoy and Sylvia Williamson, Dr. Felton, Superintendent Trent North, Chris Griffin and Pastor Steve McFall from CBC.
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Good Luck to Our GHP Semifinalists!
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Good luck to the Douglas County semifinalists for the 2020 Governor's Honors Program (GHP). These students were selected by a panel of local judges to advance to state interviews for GHP which continue this Saturday.
GHP is a four week residential summer program for gifted and talented high school students who will be juniors and seniors in high school in August. The state of Georgia covers the cost of the program for all participants. For many students, the experience at GHP is uniquely positive and often life changing.
Semifinalists from Chapel Hill, Lithia Springs and Douglas County were featured last week.
Semifinalists from New Manchester High School are, bottom row, left to right: Ebony Golden, theatre; Terrance Walker, dance; Courtnee Hood, music; Savannah Howard, visual arts. Back row: Osyrus Brewer, music; Aneesah Salmon, dance; Ryan Connor, music; Kawan Lloyd, visual arts.
Semifinalists from Alexander High School are Luke Nguyen, mathematics; and Taya Taylor, music. Not pictured is Amelia Jameson.
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A major focus of ESPLOST V was eliminating mobile units that were used as classrooms. The school system continues to chip away at this goal. With classroom additions funded through ESPLOST V, fewer students are attending class in mobile units.
Click the link to hear from Alexander High School Principal Chris Small about what the new addition at his school will mean for his students and staff.
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Join Us for the Teacher Recruitment Fair
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Douglas County is looking for new talent to join its dedicated group of teachers for the 2020-2021 school year!
If you know someone who recently graduated with teaching credentials or someone from another school district who is ready to make a move, please tell them about our Teacher Recruitment Fair which will take place on Thursday, March 12, 4:30-7:00 pm, at Lithia Springs High School, 2520 East County Line Road in Lithia Springs. The event will be held in the gymnasium. We are looking for candidates with big hearts and a passion for education to serve our 26,600 students!
The Teacher Recruitment Fair is a great opportunity for teacher candidates to meet with principals from all schools in Douglas County. Those attending should bring copies of their credentials and resume to share with principals. For a post card which you can share with friends and family who might want to attend, please click the link below.
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DCSS families are invited to participate in the Red Cross blood drive which will be held in the board room of the Douglas County School System Central Office on Friday, March 20. The address is 9030 Hwy. 5, Douglasville, and is located next to Hunter Park.
For an appointment, please click
here
. Fill in the sponsor code DCSS.
Thank you for donating this lifesaving gift!
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Aviere James and her parents chose for her to attend the College & Career Institute (CCI) instead of her base high school to blend her high school experience with dual enrollment at West Georgia Technical College (WGTC). Not only is she taking high school courses through the CCI Academy, but she is also earning college credits by completing several courses through WGTC. She wants to focus on Culinary Arts but plans to earn certificates in cosmetology and early childhood education as well. Aviere will be well equipped to enter the job market immediately after high school graduation!
Aviere is energetic, outspoken, industrious, self-motivated and eager to learn. When she doesn't understand a concept, she puts forth the effort to make sure she will be successful in that area for the future. She participates actively in school activities. Just like in middle school, she is a member of the Cheer Squad and participated in the Douglas County Holiday Parade. Aviere puts great effort into her studies and always does her best. Congratulations, Aviere!
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Do you want to know what it's like to be a Teacher 4 a Day? The school system and Douglas County Chamber of Commerce invite you to learn a little more about the challenges and rewards of being a classroom teacher. Participants will be paired with a teacher for a half day for this insightful experience. To sign up for Teacher 4 a Day, follow this link:
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March 2: BOE Work Session
March 5: Spring FTE (Important Day for Attendance)
March 7: Elementary Math Competition
March 8: Daylight Savings Begins
March 10: Grading Period Ends
March 12: Teacher Recruitment Fair
March 16: BOE Meeting
March 17: Progress Reports, High Schools
March 17: Report Cards, Elementary and Middle Schools
March 19: High School Freshman Expo
March 24: Election Day
March 24: TOME Society Competition
March 25: Teacher 4 A Day
March 26: Special Olympics at NMHS
April 6-10: Holiday for All; System Closed
April 15-May 1: GMAS End of Grade Testing for Elementary and Middle Schools
April 20: BOE Work Session
April 25: DC Education Foundation Fun Run
April 27-May 12: GMAS End of Course Testing for High Schools
April 27: Progress Reports, Elementary and Middle Schools
April 27: BOE Meeting
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The New Manchester High School award-winning Fine Arts Magnet Education (FAME) program is proud to present its spring musical
Cinderella
. This timeless classic will run from March 12 - March 14 at the NMHS Fine Arts Theater located at 4925 Highway 92/166, Douglasville, GA 30135. Tickets can be purchased at the following link:
https://tinyurl.com/FAMEEVENTS
or at the door. Tickets are $10 for students and $15/for adults.
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Tickets to Les Miserables are available by visiting the Alexander Performing Arts Booster
website
.
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Check out opportunities that are available in our area by clicking the Community Bulletin Board below!
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