Three teams advance to first round of state football playoffs

November 12, 2021

AHS choirs sing beneath the stars

Students in Alexander High School's Mastery Choirs sang in a unique venue on October 23. The setting was the Tellus Museum and Planetarium in Cartersville.

The first part of the sold-out performance took place in front of the dinosaur in the atrium and ended with "Underneath the Stars." Guests were then ushered into the planetarium, where they reclined and enjoyed the stars, planets and other celestial objects which were choreographed to the lyrics of the songs. The concert ended with "What a Wonderful World."

AHS Concert at Tellus Museum and Planetarium

"It was our first choral outing that felt this significant since before COVID," said Choral Director Sandra Chandler. "We sported new uniforms, and there was pure excitement about being out and performing."

Click the video to hear "Underneath the Stars."

Students connect over love of sewing and cooking at Yeager

Chef SharBerry of SharBerry’s Kitchen and Sewing Instructor Kecia Mack are helping Yeager Middle School students celebrate their passions.

They both work with students in the middle school’s Sewing and Cooking Clubs. Yeager’s after-school clubs focus on creating well-rounded students and helping them fulfill their potential.

Sewing Club sponsor Nicole Kempson says students meet every Friday after school. During their initial meeting, they focused on learning the history of sewing and how to use a sewing machine from fashion and design instructor Kecia Mack.

The eight students later advanced to designing a hoodie dress. “Each pattern they used is the same, but they used different fabrics and added their different touches. I expect to see their personalities come out in each outfit,” Kempson explains. The young designers completed two pieces. They will debut their collection at a fashion show at the end of the year.

Kempson says Yeager Middle School has many talented students who sketch and create works of art through illustrations and fashion. She wanted to expose them to the idea of creating their brand through sewing. “I started this sewing club because I want students to learn that there is more out there than technology. Sewing helps them build relationships with each other and have fun working together,” she says.

These strong relationships continue through Yeager’s Cooking Club.

In the Cooking Club, students learn to cook meals and snacks with Chef SharBerry of SharBerry’s Kitchen of Douglasville. During her weekly visits, she has helped students learn to take accurate kitchen measurements, sauté vegetables, make egg rolls, and prepare desserts. They are even compiling recipes for a cookbook. Chef SharBerry’s cooking classes are popular and well-loved by students.

The busy restaurant owner says she enjoys cooking and interacting with young teens. Chef SharBerry says cooking is essential because it teaches balance. “Cooking teaches you to do a lot of things for yourself. With baking and cooking, you can go a long way in life.”

Kempson says she will continue looking for enrichment opportunities like the Sewing and Cooking Club for Yeager students. “It is vital that we continue to expose Douglas County students to things they may not have access to anywhere else,” she adds. “I believe it’s important to ensure our school system continues to put out successful, well-rounded, and thriving students.”

SDES salutes our veterans

This year, South Douglas Elementary paid tribute to veterans through a special video presentation. The video includes the school chorus, grade level presentations, staff members honoring their loved ones who are veterans, STEM students coding the 1776 American flag and photos of homeroom classes thanking veterans.

"We are so thankful for all of the men and women who have served or who currently serve in the U.S. Armed Forces," said SDES Counselor Anna Nesbitt. "It is such a privilege for our students to recognize and honor Veterans Day!"

Happy Veterans Day from South Douglas Elementary!

Making memories with movies at ASES

Movie night at Arbor Station Elementary was a big hit on October 22. Families enjoyed the movie "Animal Crackers," and many dressed in character!

Families had tasty food and treats from Kona Ice and Sweet Sisters Ice Cream truck.

Pictured in costume are Coach Barbara Peek, Principal Dr. Emily Felton and Assistant Principal Debbie Lindeman.

Three DCSS teams advance to first round of football playoffs!

Three DCSS teams will be in action when the Georgia High School Association football playoffs begin tonight.

On Friday, November 12, New Manchester High School hosts Eastside High School. Lithia Springs High School also opens the playoffs Friday on the road at Apalachee High School.

Kickoff for both games is 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Douglas County High School will be on the road as well to take on Riverwood High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Thank you to our school psychologists!

Today is the final day of National School Psychology Week! Our school psychologists apply expertise in mental health, learning and behavior to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally and emotionally. This year's theme expresses what our school psychologists do every day -- "Let's Get in GEAR" (Grow, Engage, Advocate, Rise).

Pictured on the front row, left to right, are DCSS School Psychologists Barbara Sisco, Jammie Johnson, Preston Woods and Amanda Paulino. Back row: Dan Lawlor, Lead Psychologist Shane Avery, Amber Harczak, Dedria Johnson and Jana Wallace. Not pictured are Morgan Cannon and Dominique Walker.

Basketball Preview:

New Manchester High School

Jaguars, Lady Jaguars looking to go back-to-back

Last season, New Manchester High School (NMHS) boasted two of the most successful programs in Douglas County, with both of its teams capturing Region 6-5A championships and advancing into the Elite 8.

In 2021-22, both the Jaguars and Lady Jaguars return many players from last season, and both are looking to repeat as region champions and make even deeper runs into the state playoffs.

“This year we have very high expectations because even though we lost three seniors, we have a good bit of the team coming back,” said Lady Jaguars head coach Vincent Parks. “We’re hoping to at least get back if not go further than we did last year.”

The Lady Jaguars bring back two preseason All-State selections in Kharyssa Richardson and Kamryn Bates. Richardson was last season’s Region 6-5A Player of the Year and earned All-State honors, while Bates was named a Second-Team All-Region performer.

The team will also lean on senior guard India Johnson, who has a lot of experience playing at the varsity level in her four years at NMHS.

“We have big expectations for them, and they’ve done everything that we’ve asked them to do from the summer until this point,” Parks said. “At this point, we’re really just ready to play some basketball.”

On the men’s side, the goal is the same for head coach Chris Robinson and the Jaguars - to repeat as region champions and make an even deeper run into the state tournament.

“I’m looking to do the same thing, and go back-to-back,” said Jaguars head coach Chris Robinson. “I know it’s going to be tough, but I feel like we’ve got the pieces to do it and have the same accomplishments as we did last year.”

This season, the Jaguars will lean on four players who were key contributors from last season. Jordan Edmond, the team’s leader in scoring and blocked shots, was a First-Team All-Region selection last season, and sophomore guard Chase James-Robinson earned All-Region Honorable Mention recognition.

Along with these two, Kaden Brown will reprise his role as the team’s defensive anchor, and Robert Winn steps into a starting role after being a key bench player last season.

“My kids that left were amazing last year, but I feel like we’ve got a good group coming in,” said Robinson. “We’re going to play hard, play tough and do what we do.”

The Lady Jaguars and Jaguars open their regular seasons on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at home with a non-region matchup against crosstown foe Alexander High School.

Watch the videos for comments from the coaches.

Jeremiah Isaac is an exemplary role model for other students at Dorsett Shoals Elementary. Principal Kelly Brown says Jeremiah is hard working, kind, thoughtful, and always strives to do his best in all areas. Jeremiah’s teachers say he is always considerate of others and displays a strong work ethic and a positive attitude.

The hard-working fifth-grader is always ambitious in working toward his goals. You can often find Jeremiah looking for advice from teachers and staff about improving and becoming successful. Principal Brown says he has a strong growth mindset and is an excellent student, friend, and leader. His school family is proud that Jeremiah is a Dorsett Shoals Panther!

Remember to apply for high school magnet programs by December 13

The deadline for 8th graders to apply for the high school magnet programs is approaching. You will find dates and times for information sessions at the link below, along with contact information for each school. Please note that Douglas County High School has added an additional information night for students and parents. It will take place on November 30, 6:30 p.m., in the theater at the school.

Magnet Timeline and Application Links.

Families may now register children for the seventh annual Operation Christmas Douglas County, which is scheduled to take place December 11, 2021.

Children enrolled in school in Douglas County and their younger siblings may once again receive a free gift through the generosity of the folks at Operation Christmas Douglas County.

To qualify, children must reside in Douglas County, be age 16 or younger, and receive free or reduced price lunch. This community effort is not sponsored by the school system.

To register for this opportunity, click here. For a Spanish version of the registration form, click the "Español" button at the top right of the form.