Two DCSS Teams Win Big at Gravity Games!

November 8, 2019

CHES Students Learn About "The Great War"

For Veterans Day on Monday, 5th graders at Chapel Hill Elementary will have an even greater appreciation for those who saw active duty in recent wars and wars long ago.

In October, 5th grade students at CHES experienced "Voices from the Great War," an eight panel traveling exhibition about World War I. Curated by staff and students at Kennesaw State University, the exhibition was delivered and housed at CHES for an entire week. Students explored the history of The Great War through the voices of individuals who experienced it firsthand.

Social studies teachers Adam Alford and Kesha Bowens were excited to use this great resource to provide more insight into the war and to expose students to the diverse perspectives shared on each panel.

Jade Aquil thought the museum was fun because she "loved learning about all the people who helped our country in WWI." She added, "I really loved learning about Henry Johnson and how he inspired African Americans to enlist in the army. I am proud to live in such a lucky country!"

Stewart Middle Scores a "Three-peat" in Football

Congratulations to the Stewart Middle School Eagles for their win on Monday night! They are the Douglas County Middle School Football Champs for the third year in a row!

Donation Presented to Consular General of The Bahamas

Mrs. Astra Armbrister-Rolle, consular general for The Bahamas, and her husband were special guests at the Superintendent's Gala on November 2 where they were presented with almost $8,700 in donations raised by students and staff in Douglas County. To raise money in support of hurricane victims in The Bahamas, students purchased "Strong for Bahamas" wrist bands in the colors of the Bahamian flag for $2 and staff purchased them for $5.

"The school system accomplished its goal of demonstrating that Douglas County truly is a loving and supportive community, even when those in need are seemingly far away," said Casey Bethel, who spearheaded the project.

The funds are earmarked for resources like food, water, and toiletries to assist the people devastated by Hurricane Dorian.

YMS and DCHS: Big Winners at Gravity Games

More than 2,000 spectators and participants packed the streets of downtown Douglasville on a chilly but beautiful fall morning on November 2. Seventy-five teams from across the state participated in the 6th Annual Georgia Gravity Games, with representation from almost every school in Douglas County.

Yeager Middle School fielded the fastest car in the Stock Class (200 pound limit), and Douglas County High School entered the fastest car in the Autonomous Class. All students who participated in this fun, educational, hands-on activity were winners because of the advanced engineering concepts and teamwork skills they learned while building the cars.

Many thanks go to the businesses and individuals who donated money and spent time helping the student teams build and engineer their cars!

Pictured with his school's car is a Beulah Elementary student. Also pictured is the team from Yeager Middle School, winner of the fastest car in the Stock Class competition.

Principal Croom Honored with LifeChanger Nomination

Burnett Elementary School Principal Marketa Croom has been nominated for the 2019-2020 national LifeChanger of the Year award.

Croom was nominated by an anonymous colleague for her incredible leadership. She is able to communicate her high expectations and standards for excellence in a way that ensures her staff, students, and parents feel inspired and encouraged.

You can help Ms. Croom win the LifeChanger of the Year award by visiting here before December 31. You can view comments offered by admirers of Ms. Croom, and you can add your own words of support to be shared with the judges.

For more information about the award and Ms. Croom's nomination, please click here .

Transportation Update

Thank you to all the parents who applied to serve on the Transportation Committee. The application portal has been closed, and parents who are selected will be notified soon. Meetings will begin in January with the goal of determining a way forward that will provide more effective bus service for our students next year.

In the meantime, please use the information below to stay informed of the location and timing of your bus:

Late Bus Information can be found on the Douglas County School System website: dcssga.org. Scroll to the bottom of the home page and click the bus icon. Route information is posted twice a day at 6:30 am for morning routes and 2:00 pm for afternoon routes.

If you haven't downloaded the "Here Comes the Bus" app, please follow these steps:

Download the app to your desktop, laptop, or mobile device. The district code is 79003.
Call or email the Transportation Department with your child's name and school: 770-651-2400 or herecomesthebus@dcssga.org.
Wait 48 hours after speaking with a router to begin receiving notifications.
Limitations of the app: Notifications will not be sent if your child's bus is vacant for the day or completing a double run.

End-of-Course Tests for High School Begin December 2

High school students enrolled in the following classes will take End-of-Course (EOC) exams in December. EOCs count as 20% of a student's final grade in the class. We wish all of our test-takers the best of luck as they show what they have learned this semester!

December 2: American Literature, Section 1

December 3: American Literature, Sections 2 and 3

December 4: 9th Grade Literature, Section 1

December 5: 9th Grade Literature, Sections 2 and 3

December 6: Geometry, Sections 1 and 2

December 9: Algebra, Sections 1 and 2

December 10: Economics, Sections 1 and 2

December 11: U.S. History, Sections 1 and 2

December 12: Biology, Sections 1 and 2

December 13: Physical Science, Sections 1 and 2

December 16-17: Make Up Testing

Testing Tip: I'm Stuck!

Those trick problems can knock you off balance. Don't get worried or frustrated. Reread the question to make sure you understand it, and then try to solve it the best way you know how. Review your options and make the best guess you can.

Natalie Boberg was elected the 2019-2020 Sweetwater Elementary School (SWES) Student Council President by 3rd – 5th grade students, faculty, and staff. Her campaign speech was, “What a No Place for Hate School Means to Me”. She believes making her school "No Place for Hate" starts with the students. She says students need to “reflect on their differences; have a change of heart; and realize the values and benefits of making friends.” She participates in Encore and has performed in numerous singing programs and musical plays with the school. She is a member of Jr. Beta Club and has been on the Honor Roll for six years. Natalie represents SWES on Superintendent North’s Student Forum. Congratulations, Natalie!

Reminder for 8th Grade Parents:

Magnet Information Sessions Are Underway!

Next Meetings: Nov. 12 at AHS and NMHS; Nov. 13 and 14 at DCHS

Did you know that all five high schools in Douglas County offer a magnet program? Students in 8th grade may apply to attend any of the high schools in the county or the Academy at CCI.

Applications for the magnet programs at all five high schools are due on Monday, December 16, 2019, for the 2020-2021 school year. For the Academy at CCI, students may register for the lottery between January 10, 2020, and January 29, 2020.

For a list of informational meetings at each school and other important dates, please click the link below. Please consult each school's website for details on the various programs.

Timeline for Magnet Selection Process for 2020-2021 School Year