My hope is that all of our families and employees take time next week to relax and enjoy family and friends. It is a much needed break for all of us!

Cobb & Douglas Public Health Director Dr. Janet Memark has been a tremendous help to us during the last year as we have made decisions about how to educate our students in the midst of a pandemic. This week she recorded a video for our families in preparation for spring break. Please watch the video to learn about new developments with the vaccine for children, the positive case rate in our community, advice as we approach spring break, and more.

Have a wonderful holiday, and, as always, thank you for your support.

Trent North, Superintendent

Over 500 elementary students spent last Saturday having fun with math! They gathered in their individuals schools with their coaches and volunteers to compete in the annual mathematics competition, which went virtual this year for the first time. All 20 elementary schools participated. 

Since the beginning of the school year, students in grades 3-5 have met weekly with their math coach and team members before or after school to sharpen their math skills and prepare for the competition. Because the competition was virtual, students who were online learners this year could participate along with the students who attended class in person. The competition took place on the Kahoot Virtual Math platform.

"We are pleased that so many students participated in the elementary competition and the middle school competition, which took place the week prior," said DCSS Curriculum Director Kathleen French. "The competition makes math fun, and the 800 students who participated learned math skills and lessons in teamwork that will benefit them for their entire lives."

Congratulations to Holly Springs Elementary, the first place winner with 431,000 overall points! Holly Springs students are pictured above, along with their online teammates on the screen.

South Douglas Elementary won second place with 406,000 points, and Bill Arp Elementary placed third with 389,000 points. 

See the video for all of the winners of the group and individual competitions!

Congratulations to the boys and girls track teams at Alexander High School! Both teams won the county championship on Friday, March 26. All five high schools in Douglas County competed in the annual event, which serves as a warmup to regional and state events and provides a friendly yet competitive countywide competition.

Second place winner for girls was Chapel Hill High School, with Douglas County coming in third.

Second place winner for boys was New Manchester High School, with Chapel Hill taking third place.

Brandon Benton from AHS is pictured above in the long jump. He placed first in the high jump and long jump.

Also pictured are teammates Marcus Guidry and Amir Dayal from AHS competing in the 800 meter final. Amir finished first, .01 seconds ahead of Marcus.

Rosa Vasquez-Parra was named Exemplary English Learner for the Douglas County School System for 2021.

Rosa is a senior at New Manchester High School. She transferred to the school just six months ago, but has already made an impact, according to ESOL teacher Thomas Martin.

"It can be difficult walking into new situations, but Rosa is always willing to go the extra mile to help her classmates, and she brings positive energy to the classroom," said Mr. Martin. "Rosa has settled in her new environment meeting new friends and working full time after school."

The Exemplary ESOL Teacher award went to Debra Bowen from Yeager Middle School and Factory Shoals Middle School. "Ms. Bowen has the ability to connect with students from all walks of life," said YMS Principal Jaslyn Dukes. "Cultural diversity is valued and respected in her classroom."

According to Principal Dukes, Bowen ensured that her students who made the decision to learn from home this year had all the resources they needed to learn. "Because of the trust and rapport she gains with her families, several students returned to school to be with Ms. Bowen. She truly has a heart for motivating our students."

The Exemplary English Learner and Exemplary ESOL Teacher awards are sponsored each year by the Georgia Department of Education.

Pictured above is Rosa Vasquez-Parra, with NMHS Principal Tekmekia Gilchrist and Cher Algarin, ESOL Specialist for DCSS. Also pictured is Debra Bowen, center, with YMS Principal Jaslyn Dukes and Ms. Algarin.

Click on the link to attend the meeting at the designated date and time: April 14 from 4-5 

To facilitate the DCSS Central Office relocation to the former GreyStone headquarters on Veterans Memorial Highway, the school system will auction pallets of surplus items in April, May and June!

Click here for more information on the upcoming auctions!

For a PDF with clickable links to the meetings, click here.

For a PDF of this flyer with a clickable link, please click here.

The Foundation Fun Run is back! Boys and girls in pre-K through 8th grade are invited to participate in this fun and exciting event on April 17 at New Manchester High School. For a printable PDF of the registration form, click here.

Would you like to learn how to effectively help your child with the digital classroom? Sign up for these great opportunities for parents. For a flyer with active links for registration, please click here.

SAVE THE DATE! Kindergarten registration will begin May 3. Click here for additional information and updates.