Thank you teachers!

May 6, 2022

Thank you teachers!

Dear Douglas County School System Teachers,

When we think back to our childhood, some of us remember that one special teacher who inspired us, expanded our minds and helped us grow as individuals. Today you have become that role model for your students. Consistently you find a variety of solutions to meet the needs of your students. You have truly become mentors to both your students and even parents in some cases. You continue to protect, personalize, plan and persevere. Words cannot express how much we value the essential role you play in the lives of the children in Douglas County.

Douglas County School System’s vision to build a community of lifelong learners who become responsible individuals, independent thinkers and productive citizens in a global society is not just a feel good statement. Because of you, our vision is steadily becoming reality due to your dedication, commitment, drive and courage.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We hope that you have enjoyed the love and appreciation you deserve during Teacher Appreciation Week. Please know that the members of the Board of Education appreciate you each and every day.

Sincerely,

Tracy Rookard, Chair

Michelle Simmons, Vice Chair

Devetrion Caldwell

D.T. Jackson

Glenn Easterwood

Teachers across the district enjoy some appreciation

Samari McKinney becomes first at DCHS to receive flag football scholarhip

Douglas County High School Senior Samari McKinney just became the first ever female athlete to be awarded a scholarship to play Flag Football at the next level. Girls High School Flag Football only became a statewide Georgia High School Association sanctioned sport two years ago, but it is growing fast. And, the National Association Intercollegiate Athletic Organization is taking notice of the talent that Georgia has to offer. Samari will be continuing her education and pursuing her athletic dreams at Kansas Wesleyan University, where she was recruited for her outstanding performance on the DCHS Flag Football team this season.

“Samari was the MVP of our team. She led us in receiving yardage, rushing yardage, total touchdowns AND tackles. She was also a team captain who led by example, giving her best effort every single day at practice and in games. She was the first player to arrive and last one to leave practice every day no matter the circumstances. We literally practiced in everything from freezing temperatures and snow to 90 degree heat and pouring rain. Samari was focused and ready to go no matter what,” said Coach Robert Fellows.

Samari says “I started playing flag football in the 11th grade. I instantly fell in love with the game. Junior year’s season was pretty bad, but senior year made up for it. I led the team in receiving yards (263), rushing yards (301), flag pulls/tackles (55), and touchdowns (9). My hard work from senior year led to me getting noticed by a couple of college coaches and I picked up some scholarship offers. Now I will be continuing my flag football career at Kansas Wesleyan University, this fall.”

We are all so proud of her accomplishments and we wish the best for her at Kansas Wesleyan University!

AHS Class 6A playoffs

A few weeks ago, the prospect of Alexander making the Class 6A playoffs were very slim.

Now, two series into the state playoffs and the Cougars are one of the hottest teams in the state. Alexander has won four straight games, sweeping two best of three series and are now in the Georgia High School Association quarterfinals.

“It has been a long, grinding season for us,” Alexander coach Zach Romain said. “We thought we had a good team at the beginning of the season. We had some illness and injuries that cost us some ball games.”

Tuesday evening, the Cougars swept No. 2 seed Lee County on the road to advance.

Alexander won 3-2, 1-0 to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2017.

In their nightcap win to sweep the series, the Cougars scored the game’s only run in the first inning.

“I’m proud of the way the guys have been playing,” Romain said. “I felt once we got everybody back and healthy that we would be a good team. Hopefully we are now starting to click.”

Alexander will take on the winner of the Allatoona against the South Effingham winner in the Elite 8. The teams played Game 3 on Wednesday afternoon to determine which team advances.

The quarter finals series is scheduled to begin on Monday.

SMS takes on Washington, D.C.

Friday, April 29, 2022 nine Stewart Middle School students: Jamel Bradley, Zion Crawford, Devin Doyle, Taniyah Lumpkin, Kayla McKinley, Brieanna Perry, Gerald Toms IV, Anaya Walker and Zoe Ward along with 2 parents and teachers Mrs. Verne Chaney and Mrs. Tanganeki Weatherspoon, Trip Sponsor headed to Washington, D.C. Several of the students had never flown before so this was an experience in and of itself.

The flight landed and Reagan National Airport and the group linked up with 2 other groups from Illinois and Michigan met their course leader and hit the ground rolling for a 3 day non-stop trip. The trip was coordinated by Worldstrides which provided a detailed busy itinerary. Day 1 included stops and visits to Ford’s Theatre, Peterson House, White House Visitor’s Center, National Archives, lunch at Pentagon City Mall, Arlington National Cemetery to witness a changing of the Guards ceremony. There were 25 funerals scheduled on the day we toured, Lincoln Memorial, Korean Memorial, and Vietnam Memorial.

The first day of tours included: Capitol Hill tour of grounds, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, United States Naval Memorial, picture stop at the White House, National Museum of African American History & Culture, Iwo Jima Marine Memorial, lunch at Reagan International Trade Center Food Court, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, Jefferson Memorial and dinner at District Taco.

The trip was fast paced and very informative, the experience of being in DC was rewarding and a memorable experience for all who attended.

West Metro Foreign Language Contest marks its 24th session

It was with a feeling of satisfaction and success that students, parents and Foreign Language teachers filled the Douglas County High School new gym April 30th after a memorable Foreign Language contest. West Metro had just registered its 24th session. The most awaited and celebrated event in the Douglas County World Language held all its promises. No matter the odds, West Metro, which is a DCSS signature event, takes place. Even in the heights of the pandemic, it was done virtually.

Each year, Foreign Language students from all Middle and High Schools convene to DC High School where they are individually engaged in a five-minute solid interview in the target language. Judges rate their performances and they are awarded either a good, an excellent or a superior ribbon. Great opportunity for kids to showcase and to exercise their language skills out of their own schools. It is and has always been a positive experience that impacts kids deeply.

The cherry on the cake is the award ceremony. Nothing can beat the smile on the face of the little one who strides across the gym floor to get a ribbon, no matter the color. The thunderous applause crowns the sense of accomplishment in the mini Molière and Cervantes as they get back to their seats. Then come the “family” pictures. The Gym floor is sprinkled with little groups here and there to immortalize the moment. Au revoir y adios West Metro! See you next year!

This year couldn’t have been a success without the contribution of the following teachers:

Nina Lewis ,Esther Aligbe, David Wilkerson, Jaime Becker, Esther Aligbe, Yovana Chong, Desieu Tabue, Rebecca Sundberg, Amy Cole, Mark Henson, Whitney Dubrulle, Angeliki Lekkou, John Green, William Crews, Delaney Waites, Itzary Franco, Julia Rice, Mira Douglas, Giannina Gotuzzo, Steven Schwedel, Jamey Crawford, Corinne Barnes, Luis Mercado

DCSS Breaks Ground on New Legacy Arena

May 3 signified a step toward the future for the Douglas County School System and its community, as district and community leaders gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony for the school system’s new Legacy Arena.

The new 151,000 square-foot venue will hold seating for approximately 6,000 people, and will be available to host graduations and other school system events once completed.

The Legacy Arena, which will be located on Highway 5 at the site of the old DCSS Central Office, is set to open in December 2023. It will be the largest venue of its kind in West Georgia, with a seating capacity that tops Atlanta’s Fox Theater.

The idea for a venue like this one has been in the works for some time now, said DCSS Board of Education Chairwoman Tracy Rookard. At a lunch nearly five years ago with Superintendent Trent North, the two discussed a want to bring something meaningful to DCSS’ students and the Douglas County community.

“We wanted to be able to be self contained in Douglas County. The community was growing and it’s something that our students deserved,” Rookard said. “That conversation led to many discussions, which led to many partnerships between the board and the school district. Eventually we settled on a proposal and a design that stands behind us that is absolutely amazing and that we are so proud of.”

Along with hosting school events like graduations, Superintendent North added that the venue would also be available to outside events. Bringing in these events, he said, will also help support the county’s service-based economy.

“Our main focus, of course, is for our students and employees. But we know we have venues for that,” said Superintendent North. “In being a good steward of taxpayer dollars, our second main priority is what can we do to continue to support the economic growth of Douglas County. And most people don’t realize that the No. 1 job employer in Douglas County is tourism. So this supports the No. 1 thing we do well in Douglas County. We’re strategic in what we do and how we do things. It’s to be supportive of our local economy.”

North also noted that this project wouldn’t be possible without the support of local county and city leaders, as he thanked officials from the Water and Sewer Authority, Chamber of Commerce and other departments for their help in making the project become a reality.

“The thing that will make this a legacy is how the community has partnered and will continue to partner to make sure that we all participate in a manner that makes everyone in Douglas County proud,” North said. “In this day in time, when we can have local governments partnering the way that we are, that is a legacy as well.”

We appreciate our DCSS Nurses

Happy Nurse’s Week from May 6 - May 12 to all of our School Nurses! We want to celebrate you and let you know that we appreciate all of your hard work and dedication to our students, staff members and families.

Your dedication to make our students’ health a priority is greatly appreciated and does not go unnoticed.

Enjoy your week, nurses!

Douglas County School System to Honor the School Lunch Heroes Serving Healthy Meals

Celebrating School Lunch Hero Day on May 6, 2022

Between preparing healthy food, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies, and offering service with a smile, Douglas County School System nutrition professionals have a lot on their plate. To celebrate their hard work and commitment, Douglas County schools will celebrate School Lunch Hero Day on May 6. This day, celebrated annually since 2013, was designated by The School Nutrition Association and Jarrett Krosoczka, author of the “Lunch Lady” graphic novel series. School Lunch Hero Day provides an opportunity for parents, students, school staff and communities to thank those who provide healthy meals to nearly 30 million of America’s students each school day.

“School nutrition employees must balance many roles and follow numerous federal, state and local regulations to ensure safe and healthy meals are available in schools. School Lunch Hero Day provides the opportunity for the community to thank these hardworking heroes” said Danielle Freeman. Federal nutrition standards ensure that school cafeterias always offer low-fat or fat-free milk, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. School meals also meet limits on calories, sodium and unhealthy fats.

The School Nutrition Association (SNA) is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 55,000 school nutrition professionals across the country. Founded in 1946, SNA and its members are dedicated to making healthy school meals and nutrition education available to all students. To find out more about today’s school meals, visit www.schoolnutrition.org/SchoolMeals.

Annie Kate Parker is this week's Student Spotlight! As Winston Elementary's Beta Club president, Principal Chelsie Goodman says Annie Kate truly embodies the Wildcat Way. Teachers say the fifth-grader makes the right decisions and ensures the school flag is up every morning. Annie Kate loves the Warriors book series and is designing a game based on the series. She enjoys illustrating and writing comic books. Annie Kate is also a talented artist who has represented Winston for several years with her art creations. Congratulations, Annie Kate Parker!