Teens in the Driving Seat at CHHS

October 14, 2022

Jordan Arfanakis, a senior at Chapel Hill High School (CHHS), is the founder and president of Chapel Hill’s Teens In the Driver Seat program. She found out about Teens In The Driver Seat (TDS) after Lin Snowe, former Cobb Douglas Public Health employee and current Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Safe Kids Program coordinator, asked for help establishing TDS in the West Georgia region. TDS, founded by Texas A&M, aims to raise awareness for traffic safety and all major driving risks for teens. Jordan is pictured on the left with her mom, Katie.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found I-20 to be the second most dangerous highway in the United States. Therefore, helping students and their families realize the dangers of driving, including impaired driving, distracted driving, and big rigs, will hopefully reduce the number of accidents in our community.

At CHHS, the TDS program has kicked off to a great start. They recently hosted a Big Rig Event at a Friday night football game to show students how to drive safely near semis. Volunteers and truck-connoisseurs, Kirk and Sammy, let students sit in a semi truck and showed them how semis cannot see you in their mirrors. Therefore, drivers need to be extra careful when driving next to semis. The event was a huge success with almost 100 visitors. Students enjoyed the giveaways at the Big Rig Event, including candy and t-shirts.

Up next, TDS will have drunk goggles and go karts to be used in an obstacle course at the school’s homecoming pep rally. This will help simulate the dangers of impaired driving. As for the rest of the year, the program plans to place safe driving tips on the back of prom tickets to encourage students to be responsible, have students pledge to drive sober by signing a community poster, participate in Texas A&M’s study on seat belt use, and more!

“Since I am a senior, I am hoping to pass the torch to an underclassman to continue the program. If there is anyone who is interested in leading this advantageous initiative, please don’t hesitate to reach out,” said Jordan Arfanakis.

Principal Nicole Watson is a fan of the TDS program. She says, “Jordan is a great ambassador for our school and does an excellent job coordinating TDS activities. At the Big Rig Event, students had the chance to see the tools and technology truck drivers use. Seeing inside the cab of a big rig will help our teen drivers make better decisions behind the wheel.”

Bon Appetit! Book Tasting at SDES

South Douglas Elementary School (SDES) Media Specialist, Ana Leibbrand collaborated with third grade reading teacher, Chrisy Reeves on a Book Tasting experience for all of their 3rd grade students. The purpose of this activity is to expose students to different authors, genres, and book series.

Third grade classes rotated through the media center as each student sat at a place setting with a snack, book and a blank genre menu form to complete. The form had definitions of what each genre means. Students had to identify whether the genre was fiction or nonfiction. Students eagerly filled out their menus, while collaborating with classmates and documenting their favorite titles. The goal is to have students explore three to four rotations of eight different genres.

In a short period of time, students sampled variety books and came away with a list of new titles to check out.

At the conclusion of the lesson, students had to submit a reflection on the experience. Here are a few comments.

“I liked how it brought me out of my comfort zone of picking the same books over and over.”

“I thought it was amazing because we got to read books that we haven’t read before.”

“I liked the book tasting and it helped me find some books that I did not know I liked. I loved it!”

BAES Students Enjoy Time with AHS Patriot Pals

After a hiatus of more than two years due to visitor restrictions in schools, Bill Arp Elementary School (BAES) is excited to welcome the return of the Patriot Pals program. In this program, BAES students are matched with student volunteers from Alexander High School (AHS). These AHS Patriot Pals come to BAES every Wednesday and spend time with their pals. They play games, facilitate discussions about goals and progress, and serve as mentors and role models for their younger friends.

This year, for the first time, a former program participant has returned to give back to the program that helped him years ago. Chandler Reinke, a current AHS student, participated in Patriot Pals when he attended BAES. The program is already in high gear, and the students are excited about the relationships that are being built. Mrs. Jessica Fortier, BAES school counselor, coordinates the program cooperatively with Mrs. Julie Jeffcoat, work-based learning coordinator at AHS.

DSES Hispanic Heritage Wax Museum

Dorsett Shoals Elementary School’s (DSES) English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Teacher, Mrs. Cases, hosted a Hispanic Heritage Wax Museum with her students. Students each chose a person representing Hispanic Heritage to research and present. Parents, other students, and staff members got to tour the museum.

Visitors pushed a button located in front of each figure and that person would come to life! The ESOL students, dressed to represent their chosen person, delivered facts and interesting information about themselves. This fantastic activity had students exhibiting reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

“We were so proud of all the hard work and effort put into bringing the Wax Museum to DSES. As always, it's a great day to be a Panther!”, said Principal Kelly Brown.

Attention 8th graders: It's time to apply for magnet programs for 2023-2024

Eighth graders and parents:

It's time to learn about the magnet programs at all five high schools in Douglas County and determine the best fit for you!

Each high school plus the CCI will host one or more information sessions in October and November. Mark your calendar now. You will find the dates and times at the link below.

Magnet Application Link

Magnet Timeline

You will also find the contact information for the coordinator at each school in the timeline.

The deadline to apply is Monday, December 12, 2022.

You may apply to more than one magnet program, so feel free to attend as many information sessions as you wish.

Angel Morales is a senior at FLEX Academy whose work ethic and attitude are great examples of the qualities that best exemplify students. During Angel's second year in FLEX Academy and throughout his enrollment, he has been a model student who has given his absolute best effort. Principal Tonya Johnson says Angel is respectful, kind, patient and diligent. Angel was the first senior this school year at the FLEX Academy to complete all requirements for graduation. He plans to work full time in the construction field upon graduation. Congratulations, Angel!

Families can now register children for the eighth annual Operation Christmas Douglas County, which is scheduled to take place December 10, 2022.

Children enrolled in school in Douglas County and their younger siblings may once again receive a free gift through the generosity of the folks at Operation Christmas Douglas County.

To qualify, children must reside in Douglas County, be age 18 or younger, and receive free or reduced price lunch or WIC or other services from the Health Department or Educational System due to financial hardship. This community effort is not sponsored by the school system.

Visit http://theelfsquad.org/#/login to complete the registration form in English or Spanish.

This community effort is not sponsored by the Douglas County School System.