Video Message from the Board of Education
and
Letter from the Superintendent
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Dear Parents and Guardians,
I'm sure you will agree that this has been quite a week as students, parents and employees have all adjusted to digital teaching and learning. While nothing can replace social interaction and face-to-face instruction in the classroom, I am confident that our students are continuing to learn.
I am so proud of the teachers and administrators who have shown extraordinary leadership and creativity during these challenging days. They are maintaining relationships with their students, even at a distance, and they have stepped outside the box and embraced new techniques enthusiastically. They are sharing new practices with their colleagues across the district, and I feel certain we will come out of this challenging time with new tools in our teaching toolbox.
I applaud our parents, who never intended to be their child's teacher. From what I see on social media and from what I hear from teachers, you are doing an awesome job.
Our students are taking digital learning seriously. Some began their assignments over the weekend. I am proud that they are taking ownership of their learning.
Kudos go to our school nutrition department for distributing 17,760 breakfast and lunch meals at five locations on Wednesday to children in our community. Next Wednesday, they will expand to six additional locations to serve more children.
Because of the changing nature of the COVID-19 guidelines, I regret that I cannot tell you a definite date that we will return to school. As soon as more information and guidance become available, I will share that information with you.
I am very aware that many families are facing uncertainty as businesses close for the next few weeks. This is a stressful time, but I am encouraged that people are cooperating with "social distancing." My prayer is that the precautions we are having to take for COVID-19 will end more quickly than anticipated and that we can be back in the business of educating and caring for our students in the classroom where they belong.
Please watch the video message delivered by our Board of Education Chair Tracy Rookard. Please also enjoy the rest of the DCSS Digest. Even in these trying times, we have a lot to celebrate!
Sincerely,
Trent North, Superintendent
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The Heroes Making Digital Learning Happen
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Media Specialist Supports Teachers, Encourages Extra Book Checkouts
According to Dorsett Shoals Elementary Principal Shelly Hester, Media Specialist Tracy Scaglione did a wonderful job arranging all of the teachers' digital learning assignments in one centralized location on the school website, making it easier for parents and students to find assignments.
"She even created media center digital learning plans that provide students with opportunities to visit sites and hear award-winning authors read their books," said Ms. Hester. "Ms. Scaglione has made herself available to help students log on to the portal and reset passwords as needed. She has also communicated information regarding websites and apps that teachers have been able to share and incorporate into their lesson plans."
On the last day school was open, Ms. Scaglione opened the media center and allowed students to check out double the regular number of library books so that every student went home with more books for the extended school closure. More than 1,200 library books were checked out to students in just a few hours. Her goal was to have multiple books in the hands of every child.
Ms.Scaglione, on the right, is pictured with illustrator Ebony Glenn, who visited Dorsett Shoals earlier this month
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Band Teacher Takes Lessons Online
Teaching music is usually considered an in-person, hands-on endeavor. But Damien Gaiters, director of bands at Lithia Springs High School, is using technology to keep all of his students engaged and learning.
"I assigned the work solely based on the needs of my students," said Mr. Gaiters. "While planning instruction, I try to find innovative ways to keep my students engaged and ways to hold them accountable. Most of my students have access to devices, so instead of sending home worksheets, I founds apps that will meet their academic needs and keep them engaged."
Mr. Gaiters' students are using the following methods for assignment submission and communication: Note-Sight Reading Trainer, Garage Band, Band Lab, FL Studio, Tonal Energy Remind, Zoom, and the class blog. They check in daily on the blog, and band students are required to log 45 minutes of practice with their instrument daily and make notes. He had at least one student who began his assignments on Sunday!
Pictured above is Mr. Gaiters communicating with his students online. Below is an example of quality learning taking place through blogging.
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Creating Art from Objects at Home
Students in Mrs. April Wright’s art class at Holly Springs Elementary School have been busy making unique and creative color wheels from toys and other household items.
Mrs. Wright is enjoying opening emails to see the varied and imaginative ways students have responded to this assignment. "I am grateful to the parents who are facilitating ongoing art instruction for their children and helping them submit their work digitally," said Mrs. Wright.
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Zooming into Math at Mason Creek Middle
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When asked about a teacher at her school who is doing an unusually great job with digital learning, Mason Creek Middle School Principal Dr. Tiffany Boyle immediately mentioned 8th grade math teacher Kelli Crowe. "She is amazing!"
Ms. Crowe posted a link to Zoom through Google Classroom and Remind. "Since Zoom can be accessed through the computer or a phone app, it reaches more students," said Ms. Crowe. "On Monday, I used Desmos and the screen share feature to graph exponential functions with my Algebra I students, and on Wednesday my 8th grade math classes met online to play Kahoot to review for their volume quiz on Thursday."
For Algebra I, Ms. Crowe's students are completing assignments through USA Test Prep and Google Forms. Her 8th grade math classes are using the GoMath interactive book that provides practice tests and assessments. Her classes are also completing projects through Google Docs.
Ms. Crowe is pictured above, along with one of her students through Zoom.
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Mirror Lake Elementary Lends 41 Chromebooks to Students
Mirror Lake students and parents showed up on Thursday to check out Chromebooks to use during the current time of digital learning.
"We are thrilled to provide these devices to students to use while they are learning at home," said Mirror Lake Elementary Principal Chandell Johnson. "Technology helps their teachers stay in touch with them and also provides them access to so many quality learning programs."
Pictured is a Mirror Lake Elementary student accompanied by his sister.
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DCSS Provides 17,760 Meals for Our Children
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The amazing school nutrition department distributed a total of 17,760 meals on Wednesday at the five high schools in Douglas County. Any child ages 0-18 who arrived was given five days' worth of breakfasts and lunches. Meals will be available every Wednesday until school resumes. An additional six locations will be open next week.
"Our mission is to fuel our future," said Executive Director of School Nutrition Danielle Freeman. "It is an honor to provide this service to our community."
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Students Take Center Stage in Spring Musicals
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Fortunately, three high schools were able to perform their spring musicals before events were canceled for the school system. Students at New Manchester, Alexander and Douglas County High Schools showed off their immense talent in three very different productions. Read below to see quotes from each of the directors.
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New Manchester High School
"The New Manchester High School Fine Arts Magnet students completely immersed themselves into bringing the Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic
Cinderella
to the stage. Most all FAME programs were represented including chorus, dance, drama, band and technical theater. One patron described her experience to the level of seeing a show at the Fox Theatre. The kids had an incredible time."
Robert Connor, Director
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Alexander High School
"A famous line in
Les Miserables
is: 'To love another person is to see the face of God.' The play is so rich in lessons, and the large group of students that participated in this beautiful story gained so much more than song, dance and tech. I am proud to say that approximately 80 students were involved in the production. We appreciate the support of our community in the four performances we were able to present before the unfortunate need to practice social distancing. This is a truly, truly remarkable group of artists...students and adults."
Sandra Chandler, Director
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Douglas County High School
"The Addams Family
has always been a show I wanted to direct, and I had a blast! From the technicians to the actors that made this show a reality, I am truly grateful! Thank you for making this one of the most memorable productions at Douglas County High School. I could not be more proud!"
Justin Stephens, Director
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SDES Media Specialist Earns Top County Honor
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Congratulations to Ms. Ana Leibbrand, media specialist at South Douglas Elementary. Ms. Leibbrand learned she was selected as the 2020 Library Media Specialist of the Year for Douglas County in a surprise announcement at her school on March 11.
"The library media center is where the integration of library media resources and classroom curriculum collide and where we foster the love of reading through the collaboration and inquiry process," said Ms. Leibbrand. "Therefore, it is important that we promote a culture of reading."
Ms. Liebbrand works to make reading fun and engaging at South Douglas. She sponsors a student book club meeting every Thursday; invites staff from the public library to read to her students; has upper grade elementary students as well as middle school students read to students in lower grades; has classes read and act out stories through Readers Theater; encourages teachers to make time for D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read); hosts book fairs; and provides reading incentives to students.
GLMA and GAIT (Georgia Association of Instructional Technology) co-sponsor the Georgia School Library Media Specialist of the Year (LMSOTY) award to recognize K-12 library media specialists with dynamic, innovative programs and whose instructional collaborations foster student engagement and achievement.
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Antinett Ampiah is a model student at Douglas County High School (DCHS), and she truly defines what it is to be 4G-Ready! She was born in Accra, the capital city of Ghana, and moved to the United States less than two years ago! She has overcome a myriad of challenges to become one of the most successful students at DCHS. She has a 4.0 GPA while taking all honors and advanced placement courses. She can speak four languages—English, French, Asante Twi and Ga! In addition to her academic excellence, she is currently in the process of joining a variety of honor societies. With a contagious smile and an optimistic attitude, she is constantly seeking ways to help others while also improving her own academic performance. She truly makes DCHS a better place to learn and thrive. Great job, Antinett!
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Many events have been canceled or postponed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Please click below for the most up-to-date information regarding event cancellations and other important information during our time of digital learning.
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Are you looking for a Spring Break Camp for your child? Check out opportunities that are available in our area by clicking the Community Bulletin Board below!
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