CLMS - AVID College Day!

September 9, 2022

CLMS - AVID College Day

Chestnut Log Middle School (CLMS) kicks off the college football season with AVID College Day! Advancement Via Individual Determination commonly known as AVID has a mission to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. Douglas County School System began the AVID initiative at the start of the 2020-2021 school year.

Faculty and students at CLMS represent their favorite colleges and universities in a spirited day of academic pride. Top athletic rivals and notable higher learning institutions create a buzz around the school, sparking conversations encouraging college and career readiness.

Chestnut Log faculty take this opportunity to empower students by sharing what it takes to be college-ready. Grilled hotdogs and hamburgers for lunch are an added attraction for the faculty.

Chestnut Log incorporates an AVID College Day bi-monthly during the school year, in support of students succeeding on a path to college and career success.

High Schoolers Prepare for the Workforce

Work-Based Learning (WBL) is a continuum of awareness, exploration, preparation, and training activities, including developing employability and technical skills that support success in careers and postsecondary education. Douglas County School System (DCSS) students that are in the 11th and 12th grade, who are on track for graduation, are a minimum of 16 years of age, and meet the program requirements may enroll in the program.

The program is an education option that prepares students for the world of work through a combination of academic and workplace learning. WBL is based on the belief that our youth must be better prepared for the future if they are to be successful in a competitive, global economy.

During the eighth, ninth and 10th grade students begin exploring their career interests. In 9th and 10th grade students should begin taking courses in the academic and technical areas that help to lay the foundation for their future careers. Additionally, as students continue to take coursework related to his/her career interest, they also begin paid, on-the-job training or a non-paid internship through a structured workplace learning program.

This combination of structured learning and authentic work experiences are implemented through an education and industry partnership. Students have the opportunity to connect what they learn in school with worksite applications, enabling a smooth transition into the workforce and education beyond high school.

Senior Jabari Johnson (pictured below), employed at ToniMonae Salon, says, “since I have started working, I have developed the skills of dependability, communication, professionalism and time management. These skills have all taught me to show up for work on time and be prepared. I know these skills will help me in the future. I realize how important a good work ethic is and how to do work efficiently.”

Work-Based Learning activities culminate in an assessment and recognition of acquired knowledge and skills, at the end of the school year.

Pictured above on the right - Jordan Hawkins - working at Chick-fil-A

Pictured below - Sa Le - working at Signature Nails and Spa

CHHS Flag Raising

Chapel Hill High School's NJROTC Cadets Take Pride in Flag Protocol

The flag at the front of Chapel Hill High School is an important piece of the school’s facade thanks to a group of dedicated students within the school.

Each morning, members of CHHS’ Naval Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NJROTC) program head out to perform a display of patriotism by raising the flag, no matter the weather, and then lowering it in the afternoons once the school day has been completed.

For the students in CHHS’ NJROTC Panther Battalion, flag detail requires a lot of work. During the summer months when students typically take a break from school-related activities, that wasn’t the case for many members of the NJROTC, as they spent their time learning to properly raise, lower and care for the flag.

“Our cadets who participate in the summer flag detail are committed to respecting the American flag," said CHHS principal Nicole Watson. “They’re always very professional when handling American the flag. They showcase this same pride in all that they do.”

For students to master flag detail, there are several steps that they must practice in order to properly handle the flag. First, students must be able to march in step, and then they must know the proper ways to raise and lower the flag.

This summer, two senior students, Marissa Estes and Nick Muldrow, helped to lead the training sessions. Estes wants to go to college and major in psychology, while Muldrow, who is the executive officer of the NJROTC Panther Battalion, hopes to become a Marine upon graduation.

For these two, the act of raising and lowering the flag symbolizes more to them than a simple routing; it’s something that they take pride in doing daily both for their school and for their country.

“Our flag represents the strength of the country,” said Muldrow. “Raising it in front of school represents that we are proud to be here and thankful for all the things the flag has done for us.”

Jags Hoping to Continue State Streak in New Region

After winning their region two seasons ago and finishing second in 2021, the New Manchester High School Jaguars will have a new challenge in 2022, as they moved up a classification into Region 5-6A.

“We’ve had some success here over the past couple of years, and we really feel like our kids have learned how to win and the work it takes to win,” said NMHS head coach Cedric Jackson. “So we’re just excited to go up to 6A with new competition. We’ll be ready for it.”

In the new region, the Jaguars will rely on their defense to lead the charge. On that side of the ball, the team returns several starters, including reigning Region 6-5A Defensive Player of the Year Tyree Weathersby.

Weathersby will be joined on defense by fellow 2021 All-Region selection safety Markee Lewis along with experienced starters Sam Sarfo at linebacker and Shermar Harris at cornerback.

“We’ve got some stellar kids defensively that we’re expecting big things out of,” Jackson said. “Offensively, we’ve got a very young team that returns no starters, but we feel like they can go out there and compete because they’ve been in our system. We think that can still be a strength for us because they’ll be ready to go out and compete even though they haven’t logged the hours on Friday nights yet.”

Despite being young, the offense won’t be void of playmakers, as the team will look to speedy wide receiver Latrederick Stewart as a playmaker in the passing game.

The Jaguars began the season on August 19 at home against Woodland High School. They will then step into their new region a few weeks later with a major test at Langston Hughes High School.

“We’re definitely going to have our challenges this year,” said Jackson, “but we’ve got a group of kids that are excited and ready to compete. We’re ready to get after it and we’re excited for the opportunity to go out there and have fun.”