January 24, 2020
Students Earn EMT Certification at LSHS
LSHS and DC Fire/EMS prepare students for in-demand EMT positions.
A cohort of students at Lithia Springs High School (LSHS) will soon be the first to graduate from the high school ready for work as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). LSHS has offered the Emergency Medical Responder Pathway for years, but beginning this semester, the pathway has widened to provide all the education and clinicals needed for students to sit for testing with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Pending satisfactory test results and upon reaching age 18, individuals are considered to have the knowledge and skills required for competent practice as EMTs.

The LSHS program is a partnership with the Douglas County Fire/EMS Department. The local fire department is lending some of its training officers to the program, including Lt. Stacie Farmer, an LSHS alumnus. Lt. Farmer says there is a national shortage of EMTs, but a little closer to home, she says Douglas County is also experiencing a shortage of qualified personnel.

For the full story on the EMT program at LSHS, please click here .
Save the Date
Project NURTURE Grant Provides Two Paths to Teacher Certification
Project NURTURE is a partnership between DCSS and Georgia State University to develop new teachers to serve in our community. Participants will earn a master's degree in education at the end of two years in the rigorous program.

The first informational session about Project NURTURE will take place on Wednesday, February 5, 5:00 pm in the board room at the Central Office, 9030 Hwy. 5, Douglasville. A representative from Georgia State University will present an overview of the program, including the admissions process, coursework, and timeline.

We welcome anyone interested in either of the two pathways: current DCSS paraprofessionals who hold a bachelor's degree and desire to become certified in special education OR anyone with a four-year degree who seeks to become certified for middle or high school math and/or science.

For more information about Project Nurture, click  here.

If you plan to attend the meeting, please respond  here.
Volunteers Plant Trees, Beautify DCHS Campus
Anyone traveling down Campbellton Street during the last few weeks was sure to notice the change in the landscape in front of Douglas County High School. Stately oak trees that had graced the campus since the 1930's were removed in the fall due to the failing health of the trees and the dangers posed from falling limbs.

As planned, Keep Douglasville Beautiful partnered with the school system, the city of Douglasville, the Winn 3 Charitable Fund and others to plant 63 trees on the school's campus as a community service project last Monday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Over 50 volunteers braved the cold and the wind to spread mulch and tackle other landscaping improvements.

"We certainly appreciate the generosity of our community partners in spearheading the effort to beautify the grounds of Douglas County High School," said Superintendent Trent North. "The school is a landmark for our county and an important part of downtown Douglasville, and we want the campus to be a source of pride for our community."

Pictured above are leaders for the tree planting event.
Etiquette Lessons for Elementary Students
Elementary students who serve on the Superintendent's Forum learned another skill this week. Nia Brown, a certified etiquette consultant, worked with the students to refine their social skills, particularly those related to dining.

"I value the importance of etiquette in social and business situations," said Superintendent Trent North. "I am happy we can provide these soft skills that will benefit the students for the rest of their lives."

Members of the Superintendent's Forum meet periodically with the superintendent to discuss issues and activities in their schools.
Committee Holds First Meeting to Discuss Solutions to Transportation Challenges
Eleven parents and 16 Douglas County School System employees attended the first meeting of the transportation committee on Thursday, January 9. The meeting was held in the Board Room at the Central Office at 6:00 pm. Facilitator Garry Puetz, who has 23 years of experience in student transportation in Gwinnett, DeKalb, and Forsyth Counties, was also in attendance.

Transportation Committee Co-Chair Kwame Carr opened the meeting with an overview of the purpose of the committee and the timeline. He also made a presentation outlining the historical and current state of transportation in Douglas County along with ways other districts have handled concerns similar to ours. For the presentation, please click here.

Committee Co-Chair Pam Nail led the committee members in an activity. Attendees were divided into four groups and instructed to list possible solutions to our transportation challenges. Each group presented its list. Among the possible solutions listed were:

  • Implementing a full tiered system, with staggered start times for elementary, middle, and high school
  • Redistricting
  • Implementing designated stops
  • Revisiting bus routes
  • Making the community aware of the challenges and solutions
  • Bus driver cross training
  • Widening the gap between elementary start time and middle and high school start time
  • Implementing “Watch the Stop” to engage community involvement at bus stops
  • Re-examining recruiting practices
  • Offering overtime to teachers, paras, and/or school staff

Facilitator Garry Puetz shared some of the challenges and solutions that were implemented in districts where he worked.

At the next meeting in February, implications of implementing the proposed solutions will be discussed.
Check Out Our Updated High School Fact Sheets!

Are you curious about our five traditional high schools? On our newly updated fact sheets, you can find information including test scores, demographics, AP courses, clubs, and more. Take a look and see what makes each school special.





Faith Reinhard, a sophomore at New Manchester High School, is a great academic student and an asset to the school. She has consistently demonstrated an ability to rise to all challenges she faces. Faith is a student of great character and integrity.  She is loved by her peers and teachers. Her hobbies include reading books and hanging out with her friends.  Congratulations , Faith!
Upcoming Events
January 28: Science Fair Judging for Middle and High Schools
January 30: Science Fair Awards for Middle and High Schools
January 30: District Spelling Bee
February 3: BOE Work Session
February 10: BOE Meeting
February 12: Progress Reports, Elementary and Middle Schools
February 12: Dual Enrollment Meeting at Douglas County High School
February 17-19: Holidays (Except 240 Day Employees)
February 25: Elementary Science Fair Judging
February 26: Middle School Math Competition
February 26: Dual Enrollment Meeting at Chapel Hill High School
February 27: Elementary Science Fair Awards
March 2: BOE Work Session
March 5: Spring FTE (Important Day for Attendance)
March 8: Daylight Savings Begins
March 10: Grading Period Ends
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 25: Teacher 4 A Day
March 26: Special Olympics at NMHS
Check out opportunities that are available in our area by clicking the Community Bulletin Board below!
Douglas County School System |770-651-2000 | response@dcssga.org | dcssga.org