May 24, 2019
Congratulations to the CHHS Girls Track Team
4AAAA State Champions!
It was a remarkable weekend at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany, Georgia, as the Chapel Hill High School girls blew past the competition with a 25 point advantage over Sandy Creek, the second place team. CHHS scored 85.5 points and defended their state title as a "three peat" State Championship Team.

The girls brought home individual and team state championships in four events:

Sophomore Kassidy Amerson-Fox won the championship in both shot put and discus.

Joy Scott, Kimora Cook, Tanasia Harris, Jordan Jessie, Derica Price, and Ilene Soleyn are state champions in the 4x100 meter relay with a time of 47.70 seconds.

Joy Scott, Kimora Cook, Sasha Henry, Zaria White, Candice Hector, and Ilene Soleyn finished as state champions in the 4x400 meter relay with a time of 3:56.
Three Schools Earn STEM Certification
Lithia Springs High School, Mason Creek Elementary, and New Manchester Elementary now share the distinction of being among only a handful of schools in Georgia to earn national certification for STEM excellence. All three schools celebrated their certification from the National Institute for STEM Excellence (NISE) during the month of May.

"It is remarkable that three of the first NISE certified schools in Georgia are from our system," said DCSS Science Coordinator Casey Bethel. "This distinction shows that Douglas County strives to be on the cutting edge in providing rigorous and relevant instruction in the STEM areas, equipping students with the 21st Century knowledge and skills to compete globally and to contribute to our rapidly changing world."

More than 20 teachers in these three schools worked all year to earn national certification for STEM teaching, devoting hours to learning the best methods to deliver STEM education to their students.

Pictured above are State School Superintendent Richard Woods and New Manchester Elementary Principal Keith Racine.

Superintendent Trent North and Lithia Springs High School Principal Albert Lindsey unfurled the NISE banner that will be displayed in the school's entryway.

Douglas County Board of Commission Chair Dr. Romona Jackson-Jones joined Principal Kathleen French to celebrate Mason Creek Elementary's certification.
May Brings Abundant Learning Opportunities
ASES Celebrates Rich Cultures of Students

Students across the county engaged in many fun and educational activities during the month of May!

Pictured to the right are students celebrating international cultures at Arbor Station Elementary. Ms. Shelia Clackum, ESOL teacher, organized the event to celebrate and embrace the different cultures represented at the school. The 43 ESOL students at Arbor Station represent countries including Mexico, El Salvador, Bosnia, Ukraine, Gambia, Ecuador, Haiti, and China.

"We read fairy tales and stories about traditions from other countries and completed activities to go along with the stories," said Ms. Clackum. "Children performed songs and dressed in traditional costumes, and parents provided foods from their native countries for a 'Taste Fest, one of the most popular activities at the celebration!"
MAES Delights in Hands-On Science Projects

As a reward for having the first place K-2 Classroom Science Fair project, Mrs. Freeman's class at Mason Creek Elementary enjoyed an engaging and inspiring day with the Kennesaw State University iTeach Maker Bus!
SDES Students Explore the World of Work

Students at South Douglas Elementary learned all about careers on May 16! More than 25 parents and community members from a wide variety of careers discussed their occupations with students in kindergarten through 5th grade.

After hearing Will Kent from Southwire speak, fifth grade student Kylie Claiborne remarked, "Before career day, I didn't know that Southwire is such a big company and ships wire around the world!"

Pictured below is Jazzy the Cow and her friend from the Farm Bureau. Students learned how to milk a cow and how so many of the foods we eat contain milk.

"It was such a great day of learning about career possibilities and the world of work!" said South Douglas Elementary Counselor Anna Nesbitt.
Students Learn Tricks of the Trade
 in Stock Market Simulation

Students from Annette Winn and Factory Shoals Elementary were honored for their achievements in playing the Stock Market Game, an online, ten-week simulation of real-world stock trading sponsored by the Georgia Council for Economic Education.

On May 9 the teams and their coaches traveled to Atlanta for a luncheon at the Fox Theater to celebrate their success. The schools represent the winning teams for Congressional District 13. FSES was the elementary/middle school winner for fall 2018 with a portfolio profit of $10,823.81, while the team from Annette Winn won the spring 2019 game with a portfolio profit of $9,338.50. The teams are coached by J’Lene Williams from AWES and Traci Keeley from FSES. Pictured from left to right are Annette Winn students Meylyn Lopez, Maliek Sheriffe, Ramari Cairo, and Factory Shoals students Peyton Sims, LeiAhna Joseph, and Ulises Soto.
Enjoy Graduation Ceremonies from the Comfort of Home!
Out-of-town relatives and friends will have the ability to view graduation wherever they may be located! We are excited to announce that all five graduation ceremonies will be streamed live from the University of West Georgia.

Click the name of the schools below to access the livestream broadcast. We wish our outstanding graduates the best of luck as they transition to the next exciting chapter in their lives!
May 25, 1:30 pm

May 25, 6:00 pm

May 26, 9:00 am

May 26, 1:30 pm

May 26, 6:00 pm
Check Out the Full Calendar for 2019-2020!

To download a copy of the full calendar for next school year, click below. The calendar includes dates for half days, report cards, graduations, and more.

Heads Up: Meningococcal Vaccine Required for 2020-2021
Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, all students entering or transferring into 11th grade will need proof of a meningococcal booster shot (MCV4), unless their first dose was received on or after their 16th birthday.

We will provide a reminder prior to the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. For additional information on this Georgia law, please click here.
Spotlight on:
Elijah Lewis, Factory Shoals Middle School!
Upcoming Events
August 2: High School Back to School Bash (Times vary)
August 5: Elementary Sneak a Peek 4:30-6:00
August 5: Middle School Sneak a Peek 5:30-7:00
August 7: First Day of School
Check out the summer athletic camps offered at our schools and other opportunities in our community that are listed on our Community Bulletin Board.
Douglas County School System |770-651-2000 | response@dcssga.org | dcssga.org