Exemplary English Learner and ESOL Teacher Named

April 22, 2022

2021-2022 Exemplary English Learner and English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Teacher Named

Each year, ESOL students and teachers are nominated for the Exemplary English Learner Award and the Exemplary ESOL Educator Award. These nominations are reviewed by a committee composed of Central Office personnel. The ESOL Program of the Douglas County School System is proud to congratulate 12th grader Temitope Adeyemo as the 2021-2022 Exemplary English Learner and Mrs. Shelia Clackum, ESOL teacher at Arbor Station Elementary School, as the 2021-2022 Exemplary ESOL Educator.

Temitope was nominated by the Douglas County High School ESOL teacher Mrs. Maria Moses. DCHS Principal Kenja Parks states, “Temitope is a shining example of how coming to the United States with limited English language proficiency can become the impetus that propels someone to achieve success. She has gone from taking ESOL classes to flourishing in Advanced Placement courses in Spanish, Microeconomics and U.S. History. She has maintained a grade point average of 4.0 while participating in several clubs and organizations.” Temitope has also begun to take an active role in the community as shown by her volunteer work at community events.

Mrs. Shelia Clackum has been in education for twenty-three years including the past ten years as an ESOL teacher. Dr. Emily Felton, Principal at Arbor Station, says, “Mrs. Clackum is the perfect candidate for receiving an Exemplary ESOL Teacher award. She has made a difference in the lives of all of the many students she has had in her classroom. Any child lucky enough to have her as a teacher is not only guaranteed to receive the best education possible, but also has an advocate for life.” Mrs. Clackum makes the difference by jumping into action to make sure the students have the necessary materials to help close any academic gaps. She provides morning tutoring, prepares individual take-home materials to practice specific skills, and tries to ensure there is someone at home who can help each student. When observing Mrs. Clackum with her students, one can see the trust, love, and mutual respect they share. She has very high standards and she will do whatever is necessary to make sure they are well prepared and confident to continue moving forward in their education.

Congratulations to both Temitope Adeyemo and Mrs. Shelia Clackum!

It's Testing Season

Good luck to all of our students as they embark on testing season!

Parents, please make sure your children are well-rested, have a good breakfast, and are at school on time on the days they will be tested.

A positive attitude and encouragement goes a long way toward successful testing!

For a full schedule, please click here.

GMAS Parent Resources

Achievement Level Descriptors

Below is the testing schedule for the upcoming week.

April 25

3rd - 8th graders: Language Arts Section 1

April 26

3rd - 8th graders: Language Arts Sections 2 and 3

April 27

3rd - 8th graders: Math Sections 1 and 2

April 28

5th graders: Science Sections 1 and 2

6th - 8th graders: Make-up Day

April 29

3rd - 8th: Make-up Day

May 2

8th graders: Science Sections 1 and 2

High school: American Literature Section 1

May 3

8th graders: Social Studies Sections 1 and 2

High school: American Literature Section 2 and 3

May 4

8th grade and high school: Algebra Section 1 and 2

May 5

Middle school: Algebra Make-up Day

High school: U.S. History Section 1 and 2

May 6

High school: Biology Section 1 and 2

May 9

Make-up Day

CHES Cheetah News Network interviews Mayor Robinson

The students were able to put into practice the themes learned in social studies by displaying civic responsibility. Students were asked to make split-second decisions and adjust to the energy of the interview and respond in real-time with journalistic integrity. Zion Warford-Cooper and Sophia Pimiento interviewed Mayor Robinson and the questions ranged from who inspired her to the title of her favorite book. The inspiring news anchors sparkled on camera. Other members of the crew assisted with production and filming duties during the interview. Chapel Hill Elementary was honored to be a part of this dynamic event.

Chapel Hill Elementary fifth grade Cheetah News Network (CNN) news crew members, under the direction of Media Specialist and News Crew Advisor, Mrs. Cameron Sheldon, were selected to be part of a city of Douglasville initiative aimed to highlight extraordinary student news crews within the Douglas County School System. The CNN anchors and producers had the opportunity to work alongside Douglasville Jr’s anchors and producers! CHES was selected to interview Douglasville Mayor Rochelle Robinson. This was a thrilling experience for all involved. This partnership presented students with an opportunity to showcase their public speaking skill, ability to maintain their composure under pressure, their poise on camera, and their dynamic leadership skills. The students were able to put into practice the themes learned in social studies by displaying civic responsibility. Students were asked to make split-second decisions and adjust to the energy of the interview and respond in real-time with journalistic integrity. Zion Warford-Cooper and Sophia Pimiento interviewed Mayor Robinson and the questions ranged from who inspired her to the title of her favorite book. The inspiring news anchors sparkled on camera. Other members of the crew assisted with production and filming duties during the interview. Chapel Hill Elementary was honored to be a part of this dynamic event.

Front row: Kayden Villarrubia-Smalls, Zion Warford-Cooper, Sophia Pimiento, Mayor Rochelle Robinson, Zari Cormier, Mylee Hopkins, Hana Przybylo

Back row: Addison Kruta, Mrs. Cameron Sheldon, Ahja Hall, Principal K’Asha Davis, Mahanna Sanit-Louis

AHS student brings home BIG wins

Alexander High School’s tenth grader Adaejah Hodge is named the MVP and winner of the 100 and 200 meter races, as well as the long jump at the Carifta Games, held in Kingston, Jamaica.

Adaejah is from the British Virgin Islands and she met the qualifying run times necessary to compete in the biggest high school track and field meet that the Caribbean holds. Her time for the 100 meter was 11.29 seconds, and she ran the 200 meter race in 23.42 seconds. She also jumped 20.4 meters to win the long jump event.

After her performance at the event, Adaejah now ranks No. 1 in the United States in the 100 meter race’s U18 age group, and she also ranks in the top four in the world for the event.

Adaejah said “I have trained for 6 years to be able to compete at this level. The Carifta Games experience was amazing. I loved the energy of the crowd, the music and cultures.”

Battlefest 2 takes place on Saturday, May 7th at the New Manchester High School stadium. The day will start with a vendor and food truck fair at 10 am in the stadium parking lot.

The Battlefest battle of the bands starts at 3pm. This battle of the bands will feature a 5-way battle between Douglas County, New Manchester, Forest Park, Jonesboro, and Creekside High Schools. There will also be an exhibition performance by the Atlanta Drum Academy.

Don't miss this awesome event to experience Douglas County School System band programs!

Mario D. Romain is an eighth-grader at Turner Middle School. Mario is a mature and level-headed student who balances his schoolwork and extra-curricular activities. Principal Darron Franklin says he is focused and does not quit in the face of adversity, no matter how hard it can be. He is respectful, conscientious, diligent, and consistent. Teachers have consistently seen Mario exhibit these attributes since entering Turner as a 6th grader. They describe him as an excellent student who regularly makes the honor roll. He is a superior athlete who has been voted All-Conference Basketball Player for DCSS middle schools. Principal Franklin says Mario is the person any parent would love to have as a son or a father as a son-in-law. Mario is the epitome of what DCSS aspires for its young men to be, the Standard of Excellence. He is what Turner calls R.A.R.E.3 - Respectful, Accountable, Responsible with Earnest Effort Everyday. Congratulations Mario!