A Message to Teachers from Superintendent Trent North
As we approach the end of the official Teacher Appreciation Week for 2020, Superintendent North honors teachers for their diligence, creativity and flexibility during our time of digital learning.
|
|
|
DCHS Graduate Takes Part in Thunderbird Flyover
|
|
When the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flew over Atlanta last Saturday in a salute to healthcare workers fighting COVID-19,
U.S. Air Force Capt. Remoshay Nelson was among those in the air! Capt. Nelson, 2007 graduate of Douglas County High School, is a member of the elite Air Force Thunderbirds.
Capt. Nelson is the Public Affairs Officer for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron. She is responsible for the team's marketing, recruiting and publicity programs. She majored in Speech Communications at Howard University and earned her commission in 2011 through Air Force ROTC. In college, she was a campus and community leader, member of Alpha Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and studied abroad in North Africa and Europe. During her Air Force career, she has led PA teams in Turkey, Botswana and various locations in Europe. Before joining the Thunderbirds, she was the Chief of Public Affairs for the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea.
For a feature on Capt. Nelson from 11 Alive, click
here
.
|
|
MCMS History Club Wins National Honor
|
|
The History Club at Mason Creek Middle School won “History Club of the Year” for 2019-2020 by the National History Club. After being in existence for only one year, the Mason Creek club was one of only 10 history clubs in the nation to earn this recognition.
Under the guidance of teacher John Garner, club members dove into history through activities including a demonstration of flag etiquette by members of the Marines; an appreciation ceremony for first responders; a virtual meeting with World Trade Center survivor Will Jimeno; a Veterans Day program with students, veterans and special guests; a visit to Jimmy Carter’s hometown of Plains, GA; and a presentation by 1960s Civil Rights Freedom Rider Charles Person.
“The club encourages the study of history beyond the classroom experience,” said Mr. Garner. “The other sponsors and I are determined to make history relevant and engaging for our students and the entire community.”
Not only did the Mason Creek Middle School History Club win best in the nation, Mr. Garner also was one of six advisors in the U.S. to be named National History Club Advisor of the Year.
“Our 8th grade students have been so engaged in the history that surrounds them every day as Georgians,” said MCMS Principal Dr. Tiffany Boyle. “It has truly been awesome to witness such excitement surrounding history!”
There are over 550 History Club chapters at high schools and middle schools in 44 states with over 16,000 student members.
|
|
CHHS Student Appears on CNN Headline News to Discuss Impact of Coronavirus on HS Seniors
|
|
In the early days of digital learning when it became apparent that high school seniors would not return to school for their usual rite-of-passage activities, Chapel Hill High School senior Najaah Patterson and her mother Quin Patterson appeared on CNN Headline News.
Najaah eloquently describes her current situation with online academic and dance classes and her hope to still experience graduation and prom. Fortunately, graduation ceremonies for Douglas County students have been rescheduled for July 21 and 22, and prom has been rescheduled for CHHS for July 11.
|
|
AHS Aspiring Educators Celebrated in Virtual Signing Day
|
|
To build excitement around the teaching profession and encourage students to pursue a career in education, Alexander High School celebrated Georgia’s Future Educators Signing Day, a statewide initiative sponsored by the Georgia Department of Education, on May 5. The event celebrated four graduating seniors from the AHS Class of 2020 who have committed to a career in education.
The four students have already earned three college credit hours for successfully completing the Teaching as a Profession Pathway at AHS. Kara Campbell and Kendall Grizzard will pursue a degree in education at the University of West Georgia. Maggie Mullins will attend Reinhardt University, and Meghan Grant will major in special education at Jacksonville State University.
Alexander High School’s Principal Dr. Christopher Small says, “At Alexander High School we are very proud of our graduating seniors who plan to pursue a career in education. As a principal, I know that teachers have the greatest influence on students. I know that these seniors will have a good foundation in classroom education because of the leadership that Mrs. Brooke Morris, AHS Early Childhood Education/ Teaching as a Profession Pathway Teacher, has provided for these students.”
Georgia’s Future Educators Signing Day, held each year during Teacher Appreciation Week, is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Education’s Division of Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education in partnership with the Georgia Early Childhood Education Foundation and Georgia’s colleges and universities.
|
|
WES and AHS Shine in TomeCon Competition
|
|
Over 300 students, media specialists and teachers from 21 schools in Douglas County participated in Tome Society this year. Tome is a club that allows students to explore, create, use technology and read good literature.
Club members were set to attend the annual state TomeCon celebration and competition on March 24. Since the event was canceled, winners were announced virtually. Many individuals and teams from Douglas County won awards. The schools that won the most significant state awards were Winston Elementary, pictured above, which was the highest point earning elementary school and won the superior chapter award, and Alexander High School, which placed first in the reading bowl championship.
AHS club sponsor Kim Boehman said her two-person team of freshmen Cynthia Ramirez and Maggie Padgett was a coach's dream. "They were highly self-motivated and determined to succeed," said Boehman. "Both Ramirez and Padgett carved time out of their busy schedules to read, write questions, and practice. I am saddened they didn't get to demonstrate their skills in a face-to-face competition, but we are already preparing for next year and are excited to see what the future holds!"
Congratulations to all the winners and participants in the Tome Society this year!
|
|
Thank you, School Nurses!
We celebrate and recognize the hard work and dedication of our School Nurses during National Nurses Week, May 6-12! Our School Nurses continue to support our students, families and staff. This year we especially appreciate their hard work in keeping everyone safe and informed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
|
|
Nominate a Retiree as a LifeChanger!
2019-2020 Retirees Eligible for New LifeChanger Capstone Award
|
|
LifeChanger of the Year, an annual program sponsored by National Life Group that recognizes and rewards K-12 educators and school employees across the country, had added the LifeChanger Capstone Award this year. The award will honor and recognize employees retiring at the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
LifeChanger added the new award to recognize educators, bus drivers, janitors, etc., who are retiring, often after decades of service, who aren’t able to give their students and colleagues a proper good-bye, or receive a proper good-bye from them because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Nominations are accepted through June 5.
|
|
Help Us Improve: Survey for Parents and Staff
|
|
The Douglas County School System needs your feedback! We want to know how Digital Learning and the COVID-19 pandemic have affected you and your family. We will use this information to help us with our continuous improvement process. We hope that you will take the time to complete the survey by May 15, 2020.
|
|
Reminder: ESPLOST VI Vote Will Take Place June 9
|
|
|
|
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.
Voters may also vote 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.
Please watch the video for a message from Alexander High School Principal Dr. Chris Small.
|
|
Tips from Our School Social Workers
|
|
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: Good Samaritan Center
Good Samaritan Center is a local emergency assistance agency for Douglas County residents in need. One of the services offered is a walk-up food pantry. No appointment is needed. Photo ID along with the number of people in household is required. During COVID-19, they are asking for customers to practice social distancing while waiting in line. If you are handicapped or disabled, a volunteer can assist.
Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 9-12:30, Friday 9-11:30.
Good Samaritan Center also provides assistance with some prescription and over the counter medications to Douglas County residents. For more information, call 770-947-7335 or visit Good Samaritan Center during operating hours. Address: 8366 Grady Street, Douglasville, GA 30134
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)
|
|
Megan Rice is an exceptional young woman who has maintained a 4.0 grade point
average in very rigorous courses while being highly involved in extracurricular activities.
She is an officer in National Honor Society as well as co-president of the Alexander
Chapter of the Tome Society. She participates in the marching band where she has
been the flute section leader and captain of the woodwind section. She has also held
leadership roles on the stage crew for the spring musicals.
Megan auditioned and was selected to participate as a flutist in the High School Honors
Performance Series with George Mason University. Students from all over the world
auditioned to be a member of this prestigious group. In January 2020, Megan traveled
to New York City to study for the week under Dr. Ozzello from the University of
Alabama. The week culminated with a once in a lifetime opportunity to perform in
Carnegie Hall.
This fall Megan plans to attend the University of Georgia where she will major in
forensic science. Congratulations to Megan on all her accomplishments!
|
|
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.
|
|
Check out opportunities that are available in our area by clicking the Community Bulletin Board below!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
