Checkmate! DCSS Students Win Big at Annual Chess Tournament

Despite it being a Saturday, several DCSS students came out on January 28 to compete in the annual Douglas County Scholastic Chess tournament. 

The tournament was held at Turner Middle School with over 70 students competing from second to 12th grades. In the competition, students were grouped according to their grade level, and students also competed as individuals or as teams. 

In the team competition, Winston Elementary, Chapel Hill Middle School and Lithia Springs High School each took first-place trophies in their respective divisions. Runners up were Chapel Hill Elementary School, Turner Middle School and Douglas County High School. 

Several students also performed well in the individual tournament. In the elementary school division, William Liu (CHES) took first place, while Blight Chen (CHES) finished second and Dallas Etienne (NMES) took third. 

For the middle school division, De’Andre Turner (CHMS) was the division’s champion. Behind him, Jamal Jones (BACS) earned a second-place finish and Kayden Dunn (TMS) took third. 

At the high school level, LSHS’ Steven Linn was the champion. DCHS’ Fernando Dominguez was the division’s first runner up, and LSHS’ Elijah Lewis came in third. 

On the afternoon of Friday, January 13, The Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/ Douglas County (CAC) presented its first ARTSventure for 2023 at Yeager Middle School. Celebrating a brand-new year, as well as a long weekend ahead in honor of Martin Luther King Junior, Yeager Middle welcomed the great arts-educator, Jerry G. White. Using inspirations of theater, world culture, percussion, singing, dancing, spoken word, and literacy, White reached Yeager Middle School with an energy that was full steam ahead.

White presented “Oceans of Rhythm,” the musical jamboree taking students through an imaginative trip across the seas to various continents, learning the cultural and geographical influences for each location. From the Arctic-North America to Europe and Africa, Indian-Asia to Pacific-Australia, Antarctica and more, White provided the essence of a cruise for the students, traveling around the world without even leaving school. A majority of the hundreds of students took advantage of opportunities to play instruments, learn dances, answer trivia questions, and check their knowledge of the maps and clues about which location they’d learn about next.

Brittany Gilbert, Arts Coordinator for the CAC reflected on the excitement of the middle-schoolers, “Today really showed how art has the power to encourage our youth to let down their inhibitions. I remind the students that sponsors have made it possible for us to bring these shows to them as a gift—people care about them there at their school, even if they don’t know it—so let loose and have fun!” This is where the magic of learning happens and, sure enough, students chose participation and togetherness over self-consciousness and judgments. As we learn about various continents and their differences, we can’t help but step back and see the world of continents from a global view—they’re all connected—and so are we.

If you are interested in sponsoring the ARTSventure program, or one of the many programs provided by the CAC, reach out to us at the center. On January 30th, we may have reached the student body of one school, but tomorrow those students may reach all corners of the world! Like Jerry G. White taught us with “Oceans of Rhythm”, the other side of the world isn’t as far away as it might seem. This program is partially funded by a grant through Georgia Council for the Arts and GreyStone Power Foundation. The CAC mission is enacted in the ARTSventure program: to nurture and guide and stimulate the enjoyment of and participation in the arts among Douglas County residents and visitors and beyond. Check out Artsdouglas.org for recent news and opportunities.

Reading is a vital skill for all students to be successful in school, and South Douglas Elementary School is working to help students develop a love of reading and physical activity through its Sports and Reading Club. 

The idea for the club began last school year when SDES started a book crew that met weekly and joined a kickball league. Many students joined one activity or the other, Thomas Bruno said, so he decided to begin a club that aimed to build excitement about books with students of various reading levels.

“The aim was to build excitement about books with sports stars, who are often reluctant readers. At the same time, we also wanted to encourage book lovers to be more physically active,” said Bruno, the club's sponsor. “Also, time is very limited for kids to read for fun in their regular class periods. Our students have loved getting to read the sports-related books that we’ve acquired through grants and other funding.”

The club recruits fourth graders specifically who have an interest in sports but may be reluctant readers. It also recruits students who may excel in reading but are hesitant to participate in organized sports. 

The club started with 15 members, but now they have over 30 students who attend each meeting. Each meeting consists of students reading for half of the meeting and then taking the other half to play sports like basketball, kickball, flag football or wiffle ball. 

Members are also required to earn at least 10 accelerated reader points each month, and Bruno and other teachers are already seeing the benefits of having students participate in the club. 

“Physical activity positively impacts our kids’ excitement and capacity for learning and reading. Also, reluctant readers are motivated when presented with high-interest books. In my experience, hesitant readers are interested in nonfiction topics such as sports and history,” said Bruno.

Because of the club’s success at helping to create strong readers, it has already begun seeking ways to expand the club to other students in the school. Earlier this year, the school held a kickball tournament, which saw over 100 students participate, to purchase new books. Because of the great participation and interest from many students, Bruno plans to open the club to fifth graders in the 2023-2024 school year. 

“Reading levels have increased on the STAR and all of the kids in the crew meet their accelerated reader goals each time,” said Bruno. “Also, this club is the first opportunity for many of the kids to participate in organized sports. It’s been so much fun for all of them.”

The nation’s opioid crisis is growing at an alarming rate. In Douglas County, our school system is working to be part of the solution. We are now stocking all schools with medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. While DCSS has never had to administer it to students or staff, the drug has the potential to save a life.  

 

Naloxone is more commonly known by the name Narcan. It is an antidote to opioids, which include prescription and illegal narcotics such as heroin, oxycodone, morphine, codeine, fentanyl, and hydrocodone. 

Narcan comes as a nasal spray and is easy to administer. The FDA approved spray helps revive someone who has stopped breathing or responding from a suspected overdose. According to the National Institutes of Health, it is safe, highly effective, and saves lives. Even if accidentally administered to someone who was not taking opioids, there’s no harm done. 

Training is being provided to DCSS administrators, resource officers, and health monitors. The medication remains easily accessible to staff members on every campus.

Besides this public safety measure, the district remains committed to maintaining substance-free campuses. Superintendent Trent North says the district will continue partnering with Cobb Douglas Public Health and other agencies to support drug prevention education. 

“Keeping Douglas County students protected will always be our highest priority,” says Superintendent North. “Having Narcan available is one step we can take to protect our school community. It’s a larger community effort to protect our youth and advocate for their healthy future.”

Classroom Corner

NDES Students Chat with Sesame Street Puppeteer

Through the help of the Save Our Daughters Foundation, second grade students at North Douglas Elementary School had the opportunity to video chat with Megan Piphus Peace, the first African-American female puppeteer for Sesame Street. 

During the call, students were able to ask Piphus Peace questions about her job, and she also took them on a virtual behind-the-scenes tour of Sesame Street.

LSES Hosts Glow-in-the-Dark Math Night

Success Center Kicks Off CTAE Month with Vision Boards

On January 26, Lithia Springs Elementary School held its Glow-in-the-Dark math night for parents and students. During the event, parents had the opportunity to learn about their students’ STAR math progress and teachers shared additional ways for parents help their students improve in math. 

Along with learning this information, parents also got to participate in several glow-in-the-dark themed math games with their students. 

Kindergarten students tossed glow-in-the-dark eggs into a hoop to add using number bonds. First-grade students played glow-in-the-dark bowling while subtracting the pins that they knocked down. Second graders tossed ping pongs into glow-in-the-dark cups and graphed their results. Third graders played ring toss addition and added numbers within 1,000. Fourth graders played ring toss multiplication, and our 5th graders played ring toss division. 

“I want every child to be excited about learning,” said LSES principal Tonia Small. “Our parents and families really enjoyed their time in our ‘glowing’ classrooms, and we’re so thankful for all that attended our math night."

Adaja Brooks, CTAE (Career, Technical and Agricultural Education) teacher at the PLC, had her students create vision boards. Students were tasked with finding clippings and pictures that illustrate the unique visions they have for themselves upon graduating high school and beyond.

This activity coincides with CTAE month. During the month of February, the PLC plans to have engaging guest speakers and activities, exposing students to various exciting CTAE careers and opportunities.

Student Spotlight

Ximena Contreras is a pleasant and helpful seventh-grade student at Chestnut Log Middle School. Principal Angela Holley says Ximena’s study skills and work habits are exemplary. If she completes the assignment early, she shows initiative by reading silently and working on her AR goals.  

Ximena also shines as an amazing artist with a creative mind. Her teachers are proud that she continues to shine, even when there are challenges. Chestnut Log Middle School is proud of Ximena’s effort and independence to succeed. Principal Holley says she exemplifies their school motto of “Creating Excellence Together.”

Key Dates

• February 6: Board of Education Work Session
• February 13: Board of Education Meeting
• February 20: Presidents Day Holiday (except 249 employees)
• February 21-24: Holidays (except 234 and 249 employees)
• March 6: Board of Education Work Session
• March 13: Teacher Work Day
• March 20: Board of Education Meeting
• April 3 - April 7: Spring Break
• April 10: Board of Education Work Session
• April 17: Board of Education Meeting

Family Resources

Douglas SEES

DCSS offers several resources for student health, wellness and support through the Douglas SEES website. Visit the link above to learn more about the resources available to students and families.

Mario West Scholarship

There's still time to apply for former Atlanta Hawks player Mario West's Defend the Dream Scholarship. The scholarship is open to Douglas County High School students, and the deadline is February 28. Visit the link above for more information.

PIE Cookbook

Do you have a recipe you're willing to share? Here's your chance, as the Partners in Education of Douglas County is excited to announce their Taste of PIE cookbook fundraiser featuring recipes from community supporters. Click the flyer above to learn more about this opportunity to share great recipes or purchase a copy of the book.

DCSS Family Health Center

DCSS' Family Health Center is a resource for families and staff within the school system. The center is located at the lower level of Burnett Elementary School and offers several services. Click the flyer above to learn more.

DCSS Community Bulletin Board

Looking for a great weekend event, after-school care, or a new activity? Check out DCSS' Community Bulletin Board at the link above to learn all about events and activities occurring in Douglas County.

Community Gathers with Michelle Simmons

If you want to understand board governance, Board of Education Member Michelle Simmons is hosting a community event for parents. Visit the link above for more information.