District Spelling Bee Set for January 9 at Alexander High | |
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Exceptional spellers from the Douglas County School System’s elementary and middle schools will compete for the title of Douglas County Spelling Bee Champion at the district spelling bee competition on January 9 starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Alexander High School Performing Arts Center.
School-wide spelling bees were held earlier this month, with the winners advancing to the district competition.
"We are thrilled to be hosting the DCSS Spelling Bee in person this year at Alexander High School's new Performing Arts Center after two years of virtual competitions,” DCSS Spelling Bee Coordinator Dawn Taylor said. “Our School Level Spelling Bee Coordinators have done a fabulous job preparing their students for competition at the district level."
The district spelling bee winner will move on to compete at the regional competition.
Please take a look at more of our school level spelling bee winners here.
School Level Spelling Bee Winners
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New REACH Scholars Take Part in Signing Ceremony | |
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Five Douglas County School System middle school students and their parents and guardians took part in the 2023-2024 Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen – or REACH – Statewide Scholarship Reception and Signing Ceremony on Dec. 7.
The REACH Program’s mission is to ensure scholars have the academic, social and financial support needed to graduate from high school, access college and achieve postsecondary success, according to Mitzi Teal, Executive Director of Communities in Schools of Douglas County.
The REACH Program offers mentorship, coaching and parental engagement. Upon completion of the program, scholars receive a scholarship of $2,500 per year to help with educational costs at any HOPE-eligible public or private post-secondary institution in Georgia as long as they are enrolled full time and maintain a 2.5 college GPA.
The five new scholars are:
- Madison Applin, Chestnut Log Middle School
- Jamaria Robertson, Factory Shoals Middle School
- Edgar Cain, Fairplay Middle School
- Jordan Batts, Turner Middle School
- Elias Alvarez, Yeager Middle School
Former Gov. Nathan Deal launched REACH in Douglas and two other counties in 2012. The program is now in 134 school systems statewide with more than 1,800 scholars.
In addition to the scholars and their parents and guardians, several key private funders who helped make REACH a reality in Douglas County were recognized including McMaster-Carr Corporation, Williamson Pipeline & Williams Foundation and private donors.
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Lithia Lady Lions Flag Football Team Scores Big with A Successful Season | |
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The Lithia Lady Lions have a lot to smile about this flag football season with an impressive winning record of 20-1 to prove it. For the past three seasons, they have fearlessly battled in the finals of the state flag football championship, claiming 2 titles of their own.
Although this powerhouse team fell short of the 5A-6A state title Tuesday, as they lost 14-6 to the 18-1 Greenbriar Lady Wolfpack, the team had a remarkable season. They have a rich history of dominant performances that spans back to 2021 with back to back appearances in the state playoffs and state championship games.
With three State Final appearances, Head Coach Kendra Pleasants is proud of the memories they have shared every season. “The excitement of playing in a big arena and the ending of raw emotions we will forever cherish. God has been so good to us and we are grateful for all the blessings bestowed upon us this 2023 season,” she said.
Several of the players were standouts this flag football season. One of the state’s top players, Senior Navaeh Shedrick rushed for 1,083 yards and scored 19 touchdowns. Shedrick led the team with 106 tackles. Brielle Holland (214 yards) and Emmani Roberts (151) were also threats to run the ball. Quarterback Rashyia Minnex-Moss threw for 1,801 yards and 31 touchdowns and rushed for an additional 115.
The top receivers are Hannah McIver (50 catches, 17 touchdowns), MyAngel Ross (37 catches, seven touchdowns) and Holland (30 catches, three touchdowns). Roberts (103 tackles, 29 sacks), Holland (62 tackles) and McIver (13 interceptions) are the other defensive leaders.
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Douglas County High School Seniors Receive Sweet Surprise from Top-Ranked University | |
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Santa arrived early for 10 Douglas County High School students last week as Georgia Tech Undergraduate Admissions staff members dropped in to share some exciting news! Over 7,000 students who applied to Georgia Tech in Early Action 1 received their early admission decisions. This represents a 6 percent increase from the state compared to last year.
According to Associate Director of Community Relations Stephanie Douglas, when looking for students who would be the best fit for Georgia Tech, they were searching for students who are solution-oriented, students wanting to make a difference in the world, and students who believe in the Georgia Tech motto of progress and service.
The young scholars and their parents erupted with joy when each student’s name was announced.
The following DCHS seniors received the remarkable news:
- Vincent Bui
- Chase Curtis
- Anthony Douglas
- Christopher Leonard, Jr.
- Anna Lui
- Miguel Pita-Ruiz
- Cori Redden
- Isabel Yang
- Nathan Zhu
- Kelsey Torres
The highly ranked university admitted approximately 2500 students from 107 counties and 369 high schools around the state for an overall admit rate of 40%. Of the Early Action 1 admit pool, 13% come from rural areas of Georgia; 12% are first-generation college students (neither parent graduated from college); and 25% identify as Black, Hispanic, or multiracial.
Rick Clark, Georgia Tech Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director of Undergraduate Admission is excited about the level of classroom talent they are admitting into the university. He feels the student’s characteristics align with the university’s overall vision and mission.
First-year applicants may select from one of three admission plans: Early Action 1, Early Action 2, and Regular Decision. Georgia Tech surprised students at several high schools across the state. Overall, their goal is to enroll a new first-year class of around 3,650 including 1,400 new transfer students in 2023.
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Arbor Station Elementary Hosts Evening of Early Learning and Family Fun | |
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Arbor Station Kindergarten through 2nd grade parents and students recently gathered for an evening of academic exploration at the first-ever Waterford Family Academy Night. The event, specifically designed for kindergarten through 2nd grade students and their parents, aimed to reinforce the significance of early education and foster a love for learning from an early age. The event saw an impressive turnout with families dressed in their pajamas and eager to take part in the interactive phonics activities and educational sessions.
The highlight of the event was the series of hands-on activities, focus on phonics, language concepts, comprehension and vocabulary. Parents actively participated alongside their children, building stronger bonds and becoming actively involved in the learning journey. The Waterford Academy faculty members were readily available throughout the evening, providing guidance and answering questions. Their dedication to nurturing a passion for education was evident as they interacted with every child and parent.
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After a pizza dinner sponsored by PTSO, parents went home with a book, take-home assignments and strategies, giving them the opportunity to extend their child’s learning experience beyond the event. "We wanted to create an event that not only celebrated the importance of education but also involved our parents in their children's learning process. Waterford Family Academy Night was an occasion where young minds were brought to life, and parents witnessed the true essence of their child's potential," said Principal Dr. Emily Felton.
The success of Arbor Station's inaugural Waterford Family Academy Night set the stage for future events that prioritize early education and family engagement.
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Building a community of lifelong learners every day | |
Sweetwater Elementary STEM Night Sparks A Memorable Evening of Fun and Fellowship | |
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At Sweetwater Elementary's recent STEM Night, families united for an evening filled with interactive learning, igniting a passion for science and engineering.
Parents and students had a blast as each grade level participated in an activity that included a story connection.
Family STEM nights provide purposeful learning and application of that learning where students are able to connect their activity to real-life experiences. Furthermore, scholars are provided an opportunity to explore solutions to engineering problems, investigate the world of science and solve math problems with the most important people in their lives.
Ultimately, STEM allows for a deeper learning to take place and parents are given the opportunity to actively participate in their child’s learning.
Principal Tanish Springer expressed enthusiasm about the success of the overall event. “Our goal was to promote the importance of both STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and literacy skills in our students' education. We are pleased to say that it was a resounding success, with a large turnout of enthusiastic participants."
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South Douglas Elementary Fosters Spirit of Higher Learning with Holiday Read-a-thon | |
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Scholars at South Douglas Elementary recently gathered and collectively read over 300,000 words in one day for their Holiday Readathon!
Fourth graders competed in the event on Friday with a little encouragement from kindergarten and 2nd grade students. Overall, students enjoyed a fun and successful event, emphasizing the importance of reading and literacy.
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"Jaguar Singers" Set to Grace Centerstage with Grammy Award-Winning Jazz Artist | |
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The FAME Chorus "Jaguar Singers" have been invited to sing backup vocals for 2x Grammy Award-winning Jazz Sensation Samara Joy. They will be joining her centerstage on Tuesday, December 19, at the Atlanta Symphony Hall.
Joy's musical director was impressed with social media clips from New Manchester's Holiday Concert and contacted choral director Antwoin Holman, asking if the FAME Chorus would be interested in backing Joy up for her Atlanta Holiday tour appearance.
Joy is an American Jazz singer who released her self-titled debut album in 2021 and was subsequently named Best New Artist by JazzTimes. Additionally, she won Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 2023 Grammy Awards
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Elanna Brown is a proud student of Arbor Station Elementary. The fifth-grader was elected by faculty, staff and peers in grades 3rd through 5th to serve as the 2023-2024 Student Council President.
Brown’s campaign speech included her perspective on a “No Place for Hate” school. She shared that the student-led school climate improvement program requires scholars to reflect on student differences and emphasizes the importance of cultivating a mindset of no bullying.
The young scholar represents Arbor Station on Superintendent North’s Student Advisory Forum and also participates in the school’s Roadrunner program. Brown is a tremendous asset to Arbor Station Elementary!
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Mrs. Tina Johnson, transitioning from a career in law enforcement to education, has quickly established herself as a source of inspiration in Chestnut Log Middle School’s Special Education English Language Arts department. Her unique background as a former police officer brings a distinctive perspective to her teaching approach, blending discipline with empathy in a way that resonates deeply with her students. Her decision to pursue a career in education stemmed from a desire to make a lasting positive impact on young lives, particularly those who face learning challenges. In her classroom, Mrs. Johnson combines her motivation and calm demeanor to create an environment where students feel safe, valued, and capable of achieving their best. Her lessons in ELA are tailored to meet the diverse needs of her students, incorporating a variety of teaching methods to ensure that each child can access and engage with the material effectively.
Mrs. Johnson's experiences in law enforcement have endowed her with a unique skill set that includes effective communication, classroom management, and a deep understanding of the importance of structure and consistency—skills that are invaluable in a special education setting. She is particularly adept at building trust and rapport with her students, many of whom have faced various challenges in their educational journeys. By integrating her life experiences into her teaching, she not only enriches her students' learning experience but also serves as a role model, showing them the power of resilience and the importance of pursuing one's passions. Through her dedication and innovative approach, Mrs. Johnson has quickly become an integral part of Chestnut Log Middle School, inspiring both her students and colleagues with her journey from police officer to passionate educator.
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Chapel Hill High School’s Swim Team Dives Into a New Season | |
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The Chapel Hill High School Swim team is beginning the season strong and looking forward to an exciting season. Coach Jihad Pratt is looking ahead to a season filled with promise. “We are looking to repeat as county champs and build upon our success at the State Meet,” he says.
Coach Pratt says he hopes to expand upon the county records in the 200 IM, 200 Free, and 400 free relays. Last year, Joshua Wilkinson set the 100 backstroke county record last year as a freshman finishing top 8 at State in the event and is looking to take some more individual records down this year. Blake Ferdinand also had 2 top 15 finishes at State and is looking to improve upon them this season. Team captains are seniors Alexa Garcia and Savannah Zalesky, who have been dedicated members of the swim team for the last 4 years.
The team competes every Thursday at Boundary Waters Aquatic Center. Swimmers will compete at a county wide meet on January 25.
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December Parent Post
Families please be sure to read this recent addition of the Parent Post newsletter.
English
Spanish
Russian
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Weekly Athletics Schedule | |
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- December 15: End of First Semester
- December 18-January 1: Holiday Break
- January 2: Teacher Work Day
- January 3: Students Return for 2nd Semester
- January 3: Report Cards (all levels)
- January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- February 7: Progress Reports (elementary & middle schools)
- February 19-23: Winter Break
- March 11: Teacher Work Day
- March 20: Report Cards (elementary & middle schools)
- March 20: Progress Reports (high school)
- April 1-5: Spring Break
- April 24: Progress Reports (elementary & middle schools)
- May 22: Report Cards (elementary schools)
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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.
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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.
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DCSS Family Health Center
DCSS' Family Health Center is a resource for families and staff within the school system. The center is located on the lower level of Burnett Elementary School and offers several services. Click the flyer above to learn more.
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