High Schools Receive RAMP Designation

The Douglas County School System congratulates Douglas County High School, Lithia Springs High School, and Turner Middle School for earning being named Recognized American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Model Programs.

This certification, known as a RAMP certification, recognizes schools committed to delivering comprehensive, data-informed school counseling programs aligned with the ASCA National Model framework.

The RAMP designation demonstrates to administrators, school boards, families and the community at large that the schools are committed to supporting the mission of the school and district. To date, approximately 1,200 schools have earned the RAMP designation. To receive this designation, schools must complete an application process that is the culmination of successfully implementing the ASCA National Model framework to show evidence of direct and indirect services to students, program planning and improved student outcomes in the school counseling program.

DCEF Announces Class of 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Douglas County Education Foundation (DCEF) Executive Director Angelia O’Neal announced the names of 25 scholarship recipients on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. This year, there were 114 completed applications submitted and 25 scholarships awarded totaling $45,000. The students will be honored at a reception on Wednesday, April 12th.

The mission of DCEF is to generate, monitor and dispense funds; provide financial support to programs for enrichment; and encourage, recognize and reward excellence in the students and staff of the Douglas County School System. DCEF fulfills its mission by raising money for graduating high school seniors, Classroom Impact Grants, occasional restricted grants, and honorariums.

Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients!

• Regis Harris, Chapel Hill HS, Betty Hilton Scholarship Regis Harris, $500
• Kwadjo Sarpong, Lithia Springs HS, Billie Yancey Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
• Nathaniel Giddens, Alexander HS, Billie Yancey Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
• Jasmine Rowan-Ward, New Manchester HS, Billie Yancey Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
• Lauren Cantrell, New Manchester HS, Billie Yancey Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
• Sabrina Felix, Douglas County HS, Captain Herb Emory Memorial Scholarship, $1,500
• Jarrett Robinson, Chapel Hill HS, Carmilla Hilton and Crystal Hilton Scholarship, $500
• Kayla Hasan, College & Career Institute/Douglas County HS, Don Remillard Scholarship, $500
• Samantha Traylor, College & Career Institute/Alexander HS, Don Remillard Scholarship, $500
• Deborah Osime, Lithia Springs HS, Hometown Scholarship, $1,000
• Skye Mariah Vaughn, New Manchester HS, Juanita Williams Memorial Scholarship, $500
• Kendyl Jones, Alexander HS, Kathryn Milner Shehane Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
• Omolara Babalola, Douglas County HS, Mario West "Defend The Dream” Scholarship (Available to DCHS seniors Only), $1,500
• Olivia Solomon, Douglas County HS, Mario West "Defend The Dream” Scholarship (Available to DCHS seniors Only), $1,500
• Gerrell Gaillard, Douglas County HS, Mario West "Defend The Dream” Scholarship (Available to DCHS seniors Only), $1,500
• Kelsea Camp, Douglas County HS, Mario West "Defend The Dream” Scholarship (Available to DCHS seniors Only), $1,500
• John Taylor, Chapel Hill HS, Mary Peace Winn, Frank M. Winn, and Judge Dan P. Winn Memorial Scholarship -4-Year Renewable @ $1,000/Each Fall Semester, $4,000
• Paige Ferris, Douglas County HS, Mary Peace Winn, Frank M. Winn, and Judge Dan P. Winn Memorial Scholarship -4-Year Renewable @ $1,000/Each Fall Semester, $4,000
• Trinitee Henry, New Manchester HS, Mary Peace Winn, Frank M. Winn, and Judge Dan P. Winn Memorial Scholarship -4-Year Renewable @ $1,000/Each Fall Semester, $4,000
• Jayden Pierrette, Chapel Hill HS, Mary Peace Winn, Frank M. Winn, and Judge Dan P. Winn Memorial Scholarship -4-Year Renewable @ $1,000/Each Fall Semester, $4,000
• Maggie Padgett, Alexander HS, Mary Peace Winn, Frank M. Winn, and Judge Dan P. Winn Memorial Scholarship -4-Year Renewable @ $1,000/Each Fall Semester, $4,000
• Merideth Brown, Alexander HS, Mary Peace Winn, Frank M. Winn, and Judge Dan P. Winn Memorial Scholarship -4-Year Renewable @ $1,000/Each Fall Semester, $4,000
• Elijah Lewis, Lithia Springs HS, Mary Peace Winn, Frank M. Winn, and Judge Dan P. Winn Memorial Scholarship -4-Year Renewable @ $1,000/Each Fall Semester, $4,000
• Teni Ojosipe, Chapel Hill HS, Reverend Alvertis Hilton Memorial Scholarship, $500
• Lucas Denison, Alexander HS, Winston Legacy Scholarship, $500

DCSS Honor Chorus Dazzles During Community Performance

It was a night filled with talent and perfect harmony on Saturday, March 17, as the county’s Honor Chorus performed at Central Baptist Church.

Over 100 fifth graders dazzled the audience as they sang arrangements from around the world, including a Zimbabwean folk song, a Japanese melody, and a South American tune. The students’ hard work over the past two months was evident throughout the evening, and the event reached a thrilling conclusion when the chorus teachers joined in for the final song.

Superintendent Trent North expressed pride in the district’s Honor Chorus. “The choir’s performance is a testament to the talent and dedication of our students,” he said. "We are immensely proud of them for showcasing their musical abilities and demonstrating the power of teamwork and discipline. Our Honors Chorus truly reflects the excellence we strive for in our school system.”

The county’s Honors Chorus thanks Tiffany Griffin from South Douglas for spearheading the event’s organization. Finally, congratulations to the Honors Chorus students and staff who participated with great enthusiasm and dedication.

British author Jo Boaler once said, "Mathematics is a subject that allows for precise thinking, but when that precise thinking is combined with creativity, openness, visualization, and flexibility, mathematics comes alive.

Douglas County’s 21 elementary schools experienced that excitement for math during our elementary math competition on March 21. District-wide 527 students competed in multiple categories. Students earned top honors for the individual competition in third, fourth, and fifth grades. Additionally, the team competitions awarded prizes for winners in third, fourth, and fifth grades.  

Ultimately, students in their grade level teams, earned awards for Overall School Combined Team (individual and group) competitions in all three grade levels to take the top honors. The top finisher was South Douglas Elementary School with a combined total of 481,500 points earned. In second place, Bill Arp Elementary earned a combined total of 451,500 overall points. Finally, Holly Springs Elementary rounded out the top honors with third place overall, earning 447,000 points.

Please visit https://rb.gy/dx8fhl to see all our mathletes.

DCSS Students Dominate TomeCon

Douglas County students dominated TomeCon on March 14 at the University of North Georgia's Gainesville Campus. 

TomeCon, an exciting day of literacy for students in grades 2-12, culminates many months of projects, planning, and book reading for students across the state. DCSS elementary, middle, and high schools traveled early to meet authors, present their work, and compete against other chapters, all the while anxiously awaiting the results of their hard work over the course of this year. 

While many DCSS schools walked away with team and individual awards, the district's most prestigious honors went to Winston Elementary, recognized as the National Chapter of the Year, Holly Springs Elementary with the Superior Chapter of the Year, and Alexander High School with Second Place overall in the Reading Bowl. 

Congratulations to all TomeCon participants!

Community Leaders Go Back to School to be Principal 4 A Day

The Douglas County School System and the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce gave the community a chance to go back to the classroom March 22 for “Principal 4 A Day.”  The fun, annual event pairs community members with a principal or assistant principal to observe what our leaders are doing to prepare students for the future. Volunteers spent a day in the life of a school principal to learn firsthand about the great work being done by Douglas County educators. 

Nearly 30 community volunteers gave their time to be Principal 4 A Day this year. These honorary “principals” walked the halls of schools throughout the district for an inside look at current issues facing public education. Throughout their visit, the “acting” principals learned new ways to improve educational opportunities in the Douglas County School System. Principals say these volunteer experiences give participants insight into what is happening in our schools and classroom on a daily basis. It also serves as a way to strengthen partnerships with schools, business and community leaders. 

Superintendent Trent North explains: “It’s important for community and business leaders to see the tremendous work happening in our schools on a daily basis. This is an important event that our community leaders and our schools look forward to every year.”

Classroom Corner

AHS Baseball Team Reads to Elementary Students

Coach Dalton Martinez, head baseball coach at Alexander High School, and the senior baseball players came to Mason Creek Elementary to celebrate the end of Read Across America Week 2023!  

The players and coach did a wonderful job of reading to MAES’ wolf cubs. They shared Dr. Seuss stories, new books that were recently added to the library collection, and spent time with classes.  Their leadership roles shined, both on and off of the baseball field. 

We are so proud to bridge the community of elementary and high school students. Readers truly are leaders. Thank you to AHS Baseball for enriching our day of reading! 

CHES Students Roll Into a New Skill

ASES Students Host WWII Exhibit

Students at Chapel Hill Elementary gained a unique experience while having fun exercising. Physical education teachers Ethan Dennis and Missy Spence arranged the delivery of roller skates for a three-week unit for students; a unit that has been a staple tradition in the Chapel Hill PE program for over a decade.

This unit provides CHES Cheetahs the opportunity to find a new love of exercise in a unique way. Coach Dennis and Coach Spence love seeing the development of students over the years from rigid trotting in Kindergarten to gliding and cruising in 5th grade. 

“It is great to see the joy that the kids experience from this unit,” said Coach Dennis.

Not only was this an exciting addition for the students, but many staff members also adorned a pair of skates and took them for a spin around the gym.

ASES 5th grade historians performance task for their World War II Unit was to create their own WWII exhibit for the Smithsionian museum. Once students were given the task, they eagerly set out to research their topic of choice. Some of the topics that were included in the exhibits were: The Leaders of WWII, The Womens’ Roles, The Tuskegee Airman, and D-Day just to name a few. 

This activity engaged students in researching, note taking, evaluating sources, practicing writing and revising summaries, and discovering real primary sources from the time period.

Fifth  grade students decided to create a comprehension handout for visiting parents and fourth-grade students to interact with each exhibit.

MLES Celebrates Student Art in March

Mirror Lake Elementary presented A Night of the ARTS on March 16. Families filled the halls to see the gallery wall of student artwork displayed by art teacher, Julie Sweeney.

MLES' students also put many other talents on display for visitors with many shining in the student talent show organized by instructional lead teacher Adrienne Babb.

Some of these amazing talents included playing theme songs on the keyboard, dancing, singing, tumbling, counting in Japanese, and composing and playing an original musical number for the show.

Student Spotlight

Isabella Simon is a top student in Douglas County High School’s IB Program. Principal Kenja Parks says Isabella embodies the IB Learner Profile traits and strives to improve herself and her community through her scholarship. Bella regularly helps her classmates by asking challenging questions in class and tutoring anyone who needs help. On top of all this, Bella provides positive energy for the classroom and is always smiling throughout her studies. Bella has maintained a 4.0 grade point average for four years.

In addition, Bella is a kind, caring, and compassionate student who wants the best for herself and her classmates. Her teachers note she understands that her friends and classmates can help her succeed, and so pushes them to be better. Bella truly shines in this week’s Student Spotlight. Congratulations, Bella!

Key Dates

• April 3 - April 7: Spring Break
• April 10: Board of Education Work Session
• April 17: Board of Education Meeting
• May 1: Board of Education Work Session
• May 15: Board of Education Meeting
• May 23, 24: Half Days for All Students
• May 24: Final Day of Spring Semester
• May 25: AHS & LSHS Graduations
• May 26: NMHS & DCHS Graduations
• May 27: CHHS Graduation

Family Resources

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 Family Health Center Offering Immunizations

DCSS' Family Health Center is offering immunzations for students Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 770-651-2273 to book an appointment, or click the flyer above for more information.

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.

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.

High Schools Presenting Spring Musicals

Spring is nearly here, and several schools around the county are preparing to host their annual spring musicals!

Chapel Hill High School and Douglas County High School will both be hosting musicals March 24-26 at their respective schools.

Click the link above for flyers with more information about each school's musical.

Special Olympics

The Douglas County School System proudly hosts the Douglas County Special Olympics on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at New Manchester High School.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. Come out to celebrate with our exceptional athletes! Click the link above for a flyer about the event.

2023 Parent Survey

It is our mission to continuously improve, and we appreciate your partnership in working toward our vision. Your input is vital in the planning and implementation of parent and family engagement programs and activities at our schools.

Please click the link above to access the survey. Responses will be accepted through April 10, 2023. Also, Please note that his district-wide survey is separate and different from any "Satchel Pulse" surveys you may receive from your child's school.