August 19, 2022

Dorsett Shoals students hard at work!

Students at Dorsett Shoals Elementary have started the instructional year off strong. These DSES Panthers are learning all about letters and sounds in kindergarten, studying rocks and minerals in third grade, and the fourth graders are studying moon phases. It is exciting to see these students work hard at work.  

Fourth grade teacher Mr. Braxton explained, "The students are exploring how the moon's appearance changes by learning key vocabulary and describing the position of the moon in relation to the sun and the Earth.  

Building edible models with Oreo cookies made this lesson exciting, engaging, and "enlightening!" Students even said, "This is the best class I've ever had!" 

It's always a great day to be a Panther! 

In Officer Neufeld's Helping Hands program, South Douglas Elementary staff members are on the look-out for students who are making an extra effort to help others. When a "Helping Hand" student is noticed their name along with how they were helpful, is submitted.  

Each week, student names are then randomly drawn by Officer Neufeld. The students who are selected are announced over the intercom and come to the office to receive a prize. They also have their photo taken with Officer Neufeld to be posted on the Helping Hands board for the entire school to see!  

Jaden Morris, our most recent Helping Hands winner, said, “It makes me feel happy when I help people clean up. I like to be nice and help people!” Officer Neufeld stated, "The reason I started the Helping Hands program at South Douglas was to help build a positive and helpful school community. I enjoy the excitement the kids have when they are selected and I love recognizing their helpful behaviors."  

We love our Helping Hands at South Douglas Elementary!!

New Manchester High School’s Mighty Marching Jaguars have been selected to perform in a jamboree event to kickoff the HBCU classic against Howard University and Alabama State University. The fan fest event, on August 27, 2022, is free and open to the public. 

The NMHS FAME Band has two major ensembles. Marching band in the fall and symphonic/wind band in the spring. The purpose of the program is to provide student musicians with continued training in the appropriate methods, techniques, strategies, and skills to be a successful classically trained musician. Students also have the opportunity to audition, and play in the jazz ensemble. The FAME band students are selected to play in the pit orchestra for the FAME Drama musical production each year. The FAME Band also performs in several concerts, competitions, exhibitions, and venues throughout the year.

The community is invited to support the Mighty Marching Jaguars next week as they battle one-on-one with the MLK Marching Kings of Halftime. See the full flyer and event details here. 

The Douglas County Education Foundation (DCEF) has awarded 27 Classroom Impact Grants to Douglas County School System (DCSS) teachers totaling $17,675.42.

"The DCEF is honored to administer funds to support our ‘Community Heroes’ and their efforts to positively impact and educate our future leaders,” said DCEF Executive Director Angelia O’Neal. “We salute you!"

The Grants are provided by the Foundation to promote creative and innovative ideas inside and outside the classroom that directly impact student learning. Grants often fund programs, projects, equipment and enrichment opportunities that would not be available through state funds alone.

This year, winners will also receive a special Classroom Impact Grant Prize Ribbon to display on their classroom doors.

Classroom Impact Grants promote creative and innovative ideas in and out of the classroom that directly impact student learning.

To receive a Grant, teachers, media specialists, counselors, principals and assistant principals throughout the Douglas County School System submit applications, and Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to the top applicants. 

Over the past 19 years, more than $323,000 have been awarded in Classroom Impact Grants to serve thousands of students at all grade levels throughout DCSS.

Several Elementary Schools in the district have received grants from Douglas County’s Farm Bureau over the last few years, but this year, Douglas County High School (DCHS) and Factory Shoals Middle School (FSMS) were the recipients of the mini-grants.  

Ms. Teresa Wellmaker, a Science teacher at DCHS, has started an after-school gardening club and used the grant to start a school garden this past Spring. Mrs. Leila Serrano, a teacher at FSMS, received the grant for her Special Needs Garden. Douglas County’s Farm Bureau is happy to be a Partner in Ed with the school district and looks forward to continuing the work to help all students in the county connect with nature and agriculture.  

Natalie Murray, the Music Teacher and Garden Director at Mirror Lake Elementary School, is also the Educational Outreach Chair for the Douglas County Farm Bureau. Mrs. Murray created the mini-grant for DCSS teachers to be able to start school gardens or other Ag-related projects. 

If you would like more information about the mini-grant program, reach out to Mrs. Natalie Murray at natalie.murray@dcssga.org. 

Jaylah Vincent is an outstanding student who demonstrates the characteristics of a Yeager Mustang! Jaylah is a positive role model who is always prepared to learn. She motivates herself and others on a daily basis. Teachers commend her for being responsible and respectful. Everyone loves her enthusiasm and positive attitude. Jaylah states, “ I like to make people smile and brighten their day.”

Outside of school, she takes karate lessons so she can also be physically strong. Karate teaches her valuable qualities like focus, respect, and discipline. Jaylah says, “I like it because I learn cool things like how to master different punches and kicks.” Knowing that determination is noble, leads her to be determined to be an astronomer when she grows up. May Jaylah never give up on her goals and continue to make Yeager Middle School proud. 

September 5: Holiday for All

September 6: Teacher Work Day

September 6: BOE Work Session 

September 8: Progress Reports Elementary and Middle

September 19: BOE Meeting

October 3: BOE Work Session 

October 10: Holiday

October 11: Holiday

October 17: BOE Work Session