August 31, 2018
Fourth Graders Have a BLAST
Fourth graders in Ms. Aletheia Leavitt's class learned about goal setting from Deputy Henry Timms during their BLAST session yesterday. The Bill Arp Elementary students were attentive as Deputy Timms gave personal examples of goals his own children have set for themselves.

"We want students to learn how setting goals can help them be successful in the classroom and in their adult lives," said Deputy Timms. "I love my job as a BLAST officer. Getting to interact with students, our future leaders, is one of the best jobs in the Sheriff's Office."

Ms. Leavitt appreciates the time and energy that Deputy Timms spends with her students. "The earlier we can reach children with the topics that are covered in the BLAST program, the more successful they will be."

BLAST stands for Bringing Life And Skills Together. The program serves fourth graders in all elementary schools in Douglas County and is a partnership between the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the Douglas County School System.
DCSS Committed to Providing
Non-traditional Routes to Graduation
Douglas County has a new name and a new focus for its non-traditional high school programs: the Douglas County Success Center.

While Douglas County provides the traditional high school experience in its five high schools, for several years it has provided paths to graduation for students who prefer a non-traditional setting. Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, all of the non-traditional programs are now clustered under the umbrella of the Douglas County Success Center, which is housed at the former Factory Shoals Elementary School building on Shoals School Road.

According to Superintendent Trent North, the establishment of the Success Center will strengthen all of the non-traditional programs. “We want all students in Douglas County, regardless of circumstances, to have the opportunity for an educational experience that suits their needs,” said Superintendent Trent North. “For some high school students, this means off-campus online learning. For others it means going to school at night.”

The Success Center is headed by Dr. Andre Touchard, who has 25 years of experience in education and a commitment to finding the right path to graduation for every student.

For more information about the programs offered at the Success Center, including the Performance Learning Center, the Virtual Academy, Project Eclipse, and the Advantage Academy, please click here.

Pictured above are Tonya Johnson, Academic Coordinator for the Virtual Academy; Dr. Stefanie Cosper, Academic Coordinator for the Performance Learning Center; and Dr. Andre Touchard, Principal Administrator of the Success Center.
CHHS and CHES: A Winning Team
The Chapel Hill High School football team is having a winning season so far, and they are also winning in the classroom at Chapel Hill Elementary! Every Friday the football players and cheerleaders spend time mentoring and reading to the elementary students. It's a win-win for everyone!

Chapel Hill is 2-0 and has a bye tonight. Their next contest is against Starr's Mill at home on September 7.
We Welcome Your Input on School Calendars

Parents, students, employees, and community members, we invite you to review the proposed school calendars for 2019-2020 through 2023-2024. To view the proposed calendars and to provide your input via a survey link, please click below.

A Message to Our Parents Regarding Teacher and Paraprofessional Qualifications
Dear Parents,

In compliance with the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act, the Douglas County School System would like to inform you that you may request information about the professional qualifications of your student’s teacher(s) and/ or paraprofessional(s). The following information may be requested:

*Whether the student’s teacher—
  • has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction;
  • is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived; and
  • is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher.

*Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

If you wish to request information concerning the qualifications of your child’s teacher and/ or paraprofessional, please contact Dr. Kim Johnson, at 770-651-2378.
Upcoming Events
September 3: Student/Employee Holiday
September 11: Progress Reports
September 27: Teacher of the Year Reception, Central Baptist Church, 4:30pm
Check out the opportunities that are listed on our Community Bulletin Board.
Douglas County School System |770-651-2000 | response@dcssga.org | dcssga.org