Class of 2026 REACH Scholars named
Scholarship provides extra support, funds for college
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Five talented eighth graders are well on their way to college acceptance and success after being named REACH Scholars. The students and parents participated in a signing ceremony on November 17, the terms of which will lead to a $10,000 college scholarship.
“We are thrilled that these five students will receive all the support they need to be successful in high school and beyond,” said Superintendent Trent North. “They will receive extra mentoring and guidance over the next five years as well as scholarship money, so they can be confident they will be successful in college and will have the financial backing to make their dreams possible.”
To read the full story, click here. |
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Full steam ahead at our elementary schools |
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From after-school coding clubs to STEM nights to building models of levees, elementary students in Douglas County experience hands-on science in many engaging ways.
At Annette Winn Elementary, Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) lessons are embedded at each grade level and aligned with the curriculum calendar units, with the goal of enhancing the understanding of topics, vocabulary, subject materials and real-life situations. In third grade, students created a wind barrier to prevent wind erosion. They used observations to determine the texture, particle size and color of the soils and learned how water and wind can change rocks and soil over time.
Students at Chapel Hill Elementary enjoyed a presentation by Michael Green, aka "The Science Machine." The hands-on activities and exciting experiments captivated students. "From start to finish, kinder to fifth grade, The Science Machine showcases that science is for everyone," said Principal K'Asha Davis. "The Science Machine provides detailed explanations, builds students' scientific literacy and instills a love for science."
Mason Creek Elementary hosted a STEM Night on November 4 to highlight STEM and STEM careers. Students learned about electricity, coding, robots, space, rivers, water cycle, life cycles of plants, engineering and cells. The event was a collaboration with many businesses and organizations, including a local power company, a coding club, environmental contractors, a chef and farmers. Thanks to Georgia Tech, some students learned about the solar system by playing games and using virtual reality goggles.
At Sweetwater Elementary, students in third through fifth grade may join the Girls Who Code club. The club promotes a sisterhood of supportive peers and role models using computer science to change the world. Around 20 girls are currently meeting after school every Wednesday. "We are on a mission to close the gender gap in tech and also to boost self-esteem and confidence!" said Assistant Principal Tameka Scott.
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Check out the DCSS Digest magazine
Catch up on news from the Douglas County School System in the DCSS Digest magazine, which was included with the Douglas County Sentinel on November 13.
In this edition, you will find profiles of 15 first-year teachers who are graduates of schools in Douglas County. You will also learn about Alexander High School's Habitat for Humanity home, and more.
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Lady Jags wrap up inaugural season of flag football |
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Flag football's rapid growth has led to thousands of girls competing at the high school level. Now that it is an officially sanctioned sport, these athletes are leaving their mark on history through a state-wide girls flag football league.
New Manchester High's Lady Jags recently wrapped up their history-making first season. They started the season strong with lots of interest from eager students wanting to be a part of the fastest growing team sport in the country.
To read the full story click here. |
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Congratulations to Lithia Springs and Douglas County! |
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Lithia Springs High School defeated Apalachee 30-27 in the first round of state football playoffs on November 12, and Douglas County was victorious over Riverwood on November 13 with a score of 24-17! Both teams will advance to the second round of playoffs tonight. Lithia Springs will be on the road to take on Whitewater High School, and Douglas County will play on the road at Northside (Warner Robins) High School. Kickoff time is 7:00 p.m.
New Manchester played in the first round of playoffs on November 12 but came up short against Eastside with a score of 41-35.
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Today is the last day for survey
Parent surveys are part of the reaccreditation process
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The survey that has been shared with parents will close today at 5:00. If you haven't already participated, please go to the link below to answer a few important questions.
The survey is part of the reaccreditation process that will take place in March 2022. Reaccreditation occurs every five years. Accreditation is important to a school district in many ways, including student eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship.
DCSS last went through the reaccreditation process in 2017 and received an overall score 307.93, well above the average score of 278.94 for all school systems which were evaluated by AdvancED (now Cognia) during the prior year.
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Basketball Preview:
Lithia Springs High School
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Pictured left to right are Cameryn Morris, Head Coach David Mills, Mya Harris and Ayana Richmond.
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Pictured left to right are Christian Bishop, Cristian Willis, Head Coach Keith Simmons, Khalil Porter and Langston Terry.
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Lions, Lady Lions Leaning on Experience in 2021-22
Few teams around the state can say that they’re going for an eighth-consecutive trip to the state playoffs, but that’s exactly what Lithia Springs High School’s (LSHS) girls basketball team hopes to do in 2021-22.
“As far as last year goes, we had a team full of 9th and 10th graders, but in a COVID year, we managed to scratch out enough wins in the region to keep our state run alive at seven,” said Lady Lions head coach David Mills.
This season, the team will rely on many of the contributors from last year to help guide the way. LSHS returns two players who received All-Region honors last season in juniors Cameryn Morris and Ayana Richmond.
Morris also earned All-State Honorable Mention honors following last season, and she was named to the 2021-22 Preseason All-State Third Team prior to the start of this season.
The Lady Lions will also rely on junior Mya Harris to help round out their attack and lead the team.
“We keep the same goals year in and year out,” Mills said. “We want to qualify for state, do the best we can in the region to earn a good seed for state, and when we get to state we want to be prepared so we can represent this school and our county the best we possibly can.”
LSHS’ men’s team will also be experienced this season, as they pair several returning seniors from last year’s state playoff team with new head coach Keith Simmons in hopes of finding more success in 2021-22.
Simmons is no stranger to Douglas County, as he was an assistant coach at Douglas County High School last season before moving across town.
And in his first season at the helm for the Lions, Simmons will have a couple of All-Region performers leading the way.
“The good thing about the team last year is that we did lose a couple of seniors, but we have a lot of seniors coming back that were juniors last year,” Simmons said. “That’s always good as a first-year coach because you can lean on a lot of the leadership the guys had from last year’s team.”
Senior guard Cristian Willis earned First-Team All-Region honors following last season, and fellow senior guard Christian Bishop was named to the Second-Team.
Along with Willis and Bishop, LSHS will also look to seniors Langston Terry and Khalil Porter for leadership to help them reach the goal of making the state playoffs and advancing deep into the tournament.
“As always, when we go in we’ve got the same goals - to win the region and win the state championship,” said Simmons. “I think we’ve got enough key pieces and senior leadership and young guys coming in to make that happen.”
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Isaiah Williams has taken his passion for video games and turned it into a career pathway. The senior completed the CCI Dual Enrollment Game Development Program his 10th grade year. He then continued with West Georgia Technical College and earned additional college credits in both core academics and computer information systems. Principal Geri Armstrong says Isaiah’s drive and determination have led to him graduating high school early with more than 40 college credits that he will apply towards his next goal, earning a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of West Georgia. Isaiah’s success serves as an example of how far hard work can take you. |
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We wish all of our families a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Enjoy this recipe provided by our amazing school nutrition department. |
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Families may now register children for the seventh annual Operation Christmas Douglas County, which is scheduled to take place December 11, 2021.
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 16 or younger, and receive free or reduced price lunch. This community effort is not sponsored by the school system.
To register for this opportunity, click here. For a Spanish version of the registration form, click the "Español" button at the top right of the form.
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November 22, 23: Holidays (Except 230 and 240)
November 24-26: Holidays for All
December 6: BOE Work Session and Meeting
December 13: Deadline to Apply for High School Magnet Programs
December 16, 17: Half Days for High School Students
December 17: Last Day of Semester; Grading Period Ends
December 20, 21: Holidays (Except 240)
December 22-31: Holidays for All
January 3: Holiday for All
January 4: Student Holiday; Teacher Work Day
January 5: Students Return; Report Cards for All Levels
January 10: BOE Work Session
January 17: Holiday for All
January 18: BOE Board Meeting
February 7: BOE Work Session
February 9: Progress Reports for Elementary and Middle Schools
February 14-18: Holidays (Except 240)
February 21: BOE Meeting
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Our upcoming vaccine events are open to everyone in the community! Please see the flyer below for the schedule or click here for a PDF.
Children ages five and up may now receive the COVID vaccine. Initial vaccinations and boosters will also be available for adults.
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Check out the available opportunities in the Community Bulletin Board! |
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