Football starts tonight!

September 4, 2020

A Message from Superintendent Trent North

Like many of you, I closely follow the COVID-19 data for our county and state. I am very encouraged that the curve is coming down in Douglas County as positive cases decline.

This is particularly good news as we prepare to welcome many of our elementary students back to our buildings on September 8 for in-person instruction.

While the progress the county has made in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 is encouraging, it is fragile and can change over the next few weeks. As we go into the Labor Day weekend, I implore all families to do their part to continue the decline of cases. If we all take recommended precautions, it increases our chances of being successful with our re-entry plan and keeping our school buildings open.

Thank you for all you are doing to keep your children engaged during our time of digital learning. I am looking forward to walking the halls of our schools in September and seeing students back in their classrooms!

It Takes a Team for Successful Digital Learning

According to Principal Heather Fields, students at Bright Star Elementary have been rocking out digital learning.

"Teachers, parents and caregivers have been working so hard to support our students during our untraditional start," said Fields. "Students kindergarten through 5th grade have adjusted to our new start time and have been ready to learn every day at 7:40 a.m."

To celebrate and acknowledge that a positive partnership is essential among teachers, parents and caregivers, Bright Star adopted the theme "Bright Star United."

"We are so grateful for our families," said Fields.

The School-Based Health Center Is Open for Students, Siblings, Staff

The Family Health Center, based at Burnett Elementary (8277 Connally Drive), has been delivering quality medical and behavioral healthcare for students in Douglas County since 2016. All students and staff in the Douglas County School System and preschool age siblings of current students are eligible to receive services, including immunizations, physicals for school and sports, behavioral health, sick visits and well-child checks.

Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids and most major insurance plans are accepted. Students without insurance may be eligible to take part in the Family Health Center's sliding fee program.

The Family Health Center is operating on a modified schedule. The clinic is open for in-person visits Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Appointments are required by calling 770-651-2273. One parent or guardian may accompany the student to the clinic, and masks are required. You may call the same number to schedule a telehealth appointment for Monday, Wednesday or Friday.

High School Students: Apply for State Superintendent's Student Advisory Council

State School Superintendent Richard Woods invites high school students to apply to serve on his 2020-2021 Student Advisory Council. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to represent Douglas County and influence education policy at the state level. Students in Douglas County have had a seat on this important group for the past several years.

“Now more than ever, it is essential for me to hear directly from students about their educational experience and the impact of state policy decisions on the classroom,” Superintendent Woods said. “My Student Advisory Council has been an invaluable resource in the past and has allowed me to learn from the perspectives of students across our state. I look forward to meeting with the 2020-21 Council soon.”

Please click the link below to apply. The deadline is October 1.

Student Advisory Council Application

Are You Ready for Some Football?

Spotlight on: Chapel Hill High School

From Chapel Hill High School Head Football Coach Justin Deshon:

In 17 years of coaching, I'm not sure I have ever been more uncertain or nervous about a season. With that being said, I can promise you I've never been more proud of 99 kids and 10 coaches. On May 15, we essentially began putting our team back together by tracking kids via Zoom, text or email, trying to find a way to gather kids and put together an off-season program safely.

On June 15, we began in groups of 25, no less, no more. As most schools, we have taken in 15 new faces from other high schools and 28 freshmen who have never walked our hallways. To say this has been a challenge for all of us is an understatement. There are days when I can tell kids don't know each other's name. There have been days when I can tell WE are the only structure in these kids' lives. There have been days when kids ask, "Are we really going to play?"

I'm not sure what football will look like on Friday, September 4. This hasn't been about football though. This has been about opportunity, structure, discipline, normalcy and HARD WORK. Our kids have worked since June for an opportunity, just one at the least. They know how fragile this is.

I urge anyone in our building or any building to support all the high school football teams in this county. I promise you our story is just not "ours." These kids want and deserve any support you can give them.

For a complete varsity football schedule for 2020, please click here.

Pictured left to right in top photo: #7 Bradley Turner, linebacker; #8 Jayden Smith, defensive line; #1 KeyShawn Buckley, wide receiver; #57 Cameron Beauchamp, offensive line; #54 Drake Hudson, offensive line

Thank You to Legacy of Pearls!

Thank you to the Legacy of Pearls Foundation for the donation of 250 backpacks with school supplies! The backpacks were distributed to schools this week for children in need of supplies.