March 4, 2022
AHS duo reels in national championship berth
Alexander High School’s bass fishing team had a stellar showing at the state championship fishing tournament at Lake Lanier, with several anglers finishing near the top of the field. 

Emma Wilson and Luke Kimbrough led AHS, finishing sixth out of 89 teams on the day. The finish earned the pair an invitation to the national championships in June at Pickwick Lake on the Alabama, Mississippi and Kentucky state lines. This is the first time AHS has had anyone qualify for the national championship. 

Trent Hammock and Carter Seabrook came in next for AHS, finishing in 14th place, followed by Lucas Langley and Pierce Tyson who came in 31st. Mac Nail and Jackson Conner finished in 41st, and Eli Rowell and Josh Hagler finished 60th. 
NMHS Lady Jags make history
NMHS Lady Jags Make History

New Manchester High School’s girls basketball team made history earlier this week, as they defeated Hiram High School 41-33 to advance to the Class 5A Final Four.

The Lady Jags earned the No. 2 seed from Region 6-5A and began their march in the state tournament with a nine-point victory over Walnut Grove. They then took down Northside-Columbus 38-36 in the Sweet 16 before defeating Hiram in the Elite 8.

NMHS takes the court again this Saturday against defending state champion Forest Park at Fort Valley State University. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

This is the first Final Four appearance in school history for the Lady Jags. A victory advances them to the State Championship in Macon.
Bright Star Elementary reads with special guests
This week, Bright Star Elementary celebrated Read Across America week with a few special guest readers. Retired Douglas County middle school teacher, Rhonda K. Davis, visited the school March 2nd on Dr. Seuss' birthday. She read engaging stories to the K-3 students in the building. 

On Thursday, March 3rd Ms. Tabrieah Cobb from Keep Douglas County Beautiful brought in a surprise guest, who read and taught students why it is important to help keep our community clean.  

Students and teachers enjoyed these visits along with daily dress ups and read aloud story times by the school's media specialist, Mrs. Barnett.
Mr. North kicks off Read Across America Week
To kick off Read Across America Week, Superintendent North read at North Douglas Elementary Schools' Virtual Family Literacy Night event on Monday night!

The week prior, NDES parents picked up a bag with three books provided by the L4GA grant and a pack of popcorn to pop the night of the event.  

Monday night NDES families logged on with their popcorn and heard Mr. North read the book "The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be" by Joanna Gaines. Following his reading, families were encouraged to enjoy reading all of the books they received. 

Governor Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp also celebrated Read Across America by reading "My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World" by Malcolm Mitchell.

On Wednesday, Governor Kemp signed a proclamation that declares March 2nd as Read Across America Day in Georgia.

Click the image of the proclamation to see video of Governor Kemp.
13 Students to represent Douglas County as Young Georgia Authors
Congratulations to the following students who were selected to represent Douglas County School System at the regional level for the annual Young Georgia Authors (YGA) Competition!

Kindergarten: Sabrina Clayton, Bill Arp Elementary School
Grade 1: Solianna Suriel, Holly Springs Elementary School
Grade 2: Rachael Daniel, South Douglas Elementary School
Grade 3: Kaya Stiles, South Douglas Elementary School
Grade 4: Natalie Pryor, South Douglas Elementary School
Grade 5: Leondra King, Factory Shoals Elementary School
Grade 6: Annalyse McGhee, Stewart Middle School
Grade 7: Matthew Crawford, Chestnut Log Middle School
Grade 8: Nyla Phillips, Turner Middle School
Grade 9: Angelina Letourneau, Lithia Springs High School
Grade 10: Kayla Cayetano, Lithia Springs High School
Grade 11: Sariah Sims, Lithia Springs High School
Grade 12: Stephanie Allen, Douglas County High School

There are four possible levels of competition: school, system, RESA and state. Students must win at each level to advance to the state level competition. Each of our schools submitted one writing submission per grade level and a panel of district level judges chose the writings that would best represent Douglas County. Those entries will now be judged along with other submissions from our local Metropolitan Regional Educational Service Agency (MRESA) and if chosen, then move on to the state level competition.  

These DCSS system level winners will now move to the RESA level competition. Our district grade level winners each earned a certificate and writing medal for their work. Thank you to each of our school level YGA coordinators for collecting and submitting exemplary writing samples on behalf of their schools.

We wish all of our system winners luck!
Parent and Guardian Survey Opportunity
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 the parent and family engagement programs and activities at our schools.

This survey is confidential and will be used to assist us with future activities.

To access the survey scan the QR code with a smartphone or click the link here:

If you need a paper copy of this year’s survey, please contact your child’s school and one will be provided for you.

It is so important for our school system to hear from you as the major stakeholders in our students' education.

We appreciate your feedback and thank you for taking the time to complete the survey.

Douglas County School System - Together, we shape the future.
DCHS offers upcoming performance
The Douglas County High School’s theatre department proudly presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

This year's performance will be at the DCHS Mashburn Theater starting March 10 and will run through March 12. 

Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults. 

All Douglas County School System employees can receive one complimentary ticket at the door, with their ID badge. 
Application for magnet programs extended
ATTENTION 8th GRADERS AND PARENT/GUARDIANS:

Applications for magnet programs at all five high schools will reopen on March 7th, for students who moved into the county after the December 14th deadline or for students who did not apply due to the pandemic. The final deadline is April 1.  

Please use the link below to apply for the magnet program at any of the five traditional high schools in Douglas County:

As you fill out the application, if fields are not appearing, please refresh the application. If you run into problems, please reach out to the coordinator of the magnet program for which you are applying. You will find the contact information for the coordinator at each school in the Magnet Program Timeline.


We’ve put together a series of podcasts featuring interviews with principals answering all your questions about the admissions process. Sit back, listen and visit the school website for more information! 

To listen, search “Pursuit of Excellence” in your favorite podcast streaming app. Or watch through the following links: 

 
Destinee Charles is a fabulous 4th grader at Bright Star Elementary School. Principal Heather Fields says Destinee is very active at school and participates in gifted classes, TOME, Math Team, Black History performance team, and Road Runners. She likes to draw, paint, play Fortnite, talk to her friends on the phone, and play softball in her free time. Destinee is a great student that shines in all she does!
March 7: BOE Work Session
March 14: Teacher Work Day; Student Holiday
March 16: Report Cards for Elementary and Middle Schools; Progress Reports for High Schools
March 17: Freshman Expo at High Schools
March 21: BOE Meeting
April 4-8: Holidays for All
April 11: BOE Work Session
April 20: Progress Reports for Elementary and Middle Schools
April 25: BOE Meeting
May 2: BOE Work Session
May 16: BOE Meeting
May 24, 25: Half Days for All Students
May 25: Last Day of School
May 25: Report Cards for Elementary Schools
May 26, 27: Post Planning
May 26: Graduations for CHHS, AHS (at the University of West GA)
May 27: Graduations for LSHS, NMHS, DCHS (at the University of West GA)
May 30: Holiday for All
June 3: Report Cards Mailed for Middle and High Schools
June 13: BOE Work Session/Meeting
July 18: BOE Work Session/Meeting
August 3: First Day of School
Check out the available opportunities in the Community Bulletin Board!