Publix donates $10,000 for school supplies

September 10, 2021

Crunching the Numbers: Data Day benefits DSES students, teachers

Coming back from a holiday can be difficult for some students and teachers, but that wasn’t the case for those at Dorsett Shoals Elementary School (DSES) on Tuesday.

Inside the building, teachers had decorated their doorways and classrooms, while music played at the bus ramp and car drop off line to welcome students in for the first DSES Data Day.

The idea for Data Day was born in January, when DSES Instructional Lead Teacher Lauren Cook met with grade level teams and learned that both teachers and students were having some trouble making the most of their STAR test results.

“Last January, we met with our grade level teams, and it was apparent that when students take the STAR, which is a universal screener we use in Douglas County, the results aren’t what they’re used to and they don’t know what they mean,” said Cook. “And since we take the test two to three to four times per year, we want to make it worthwhile and get all we can out of it.”

On the Data Days, teachers decorate their classrooms and dress in DSES spirit wear, while students focus on understanding their test results and setting goals for the upcoming test.

“Our goal is to really get students excited for the tests to show what they know,” Cook said. “For a lot of students, we’ll track their results on a graph or chart so they can see the progress they’ve made. Seeing those results that way helps them see the progress they’ve made and set goals for individual growth.”

For younger students who don’t take the standardized assessments, they focus on sight word recognition and other lessons that align with their standards.

All students also sign a poster in the school indicating their pledge to work hard to reach their goals. When results come in at the end of each data period, students are rewarded for meeting their goals, and they earn the distinction of being a Goal Getter for their hard work.

And at the end of school, students who achieved Goal Getter status are invited to the Goal Gala to celebrate their accomplishments throughout the school year.

“We’re really excited to be doing Data Days,” said Cook, “because it sets aside time to allow students to talk about their goals while also getting to celebrate and reflect on their progress throughout the year.”

$10,000 Publix gift card donation to help homeless and special needs students

"Tools for School" helps today’s students become tomorrow’s achievers

Douglas County’s Publix Supermarkets donated $10,880 worth of gift cards to the Douglas County School System to help students in need this school year. The gift cards are the result of customers giving through the annual Tools for School community fundraiser. The Tools for School giving initiative puts proceeds back into the local community and supports organizations focused on helping students succeed.

Highway 5 Store Manager John O’Neal presented the gift cards to the Douglas County School System. O’Neal says he hopes the gift cards will be a blessing for many Douglas County families. “Many families in our communities don’t have the resources to purchase school supplies, and many teachers spend their money to buy supplies for students,” he says. “Tools for School provides support for students so they can focus on what’s essential-- learning! “

Superintendent Trent North says he is excited about this opportunity to partner with Publix stores. “Our schools are delighted to receive this donation. These gift cards will go directly to the classrooms and the families who need them the most. This donation will allow our educators to extend learning in our special needs classrooms,” North says. “It will allow us to support the urgent needs of many of our homeless students.”

Pictured is Publix Highway 5 Store Manager John O’Neal presenting the check to Renee Davis, Jill Smith and Cheryl Handley with the Douglas County School System.

Paint party provides fun for NMES parents, students

New Manchester Elementary School’s (NMES) outdoor eating area got a major upgrade last weekend, as over 40 students, parents, teachers, and administrators came out to paint the school’s picnic tables.

Originally, the tables were donated last year by the NMES Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) to allow students more places to eat outside during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, said NMES principal Keith Racine.

This year, the tables have served the same purpose for NMES students, but Racine said the idea to improve them came from a parent after holding a PTA town hall meeting.

“After we held the town hall meeting, I had a parent reach out to me about restaining and painting the benches,” said Racine. “So we got together and worked to make it happen. The students and parents restained them, then they were able to paint them and add some color.”

With the help of parents, teachers and staff members, NMES hosted its paint party last weekend, and Racine said the event was a success.

“It was great to see parents, students and teachers out painting the benches,” Racine said. “It was very successful, and I think everyone had a great time.”

Are you ready for some football?

Spotlight on: New Manchester High School

Jaguars young and hungry in 2021

All five Douglas County School System high schools made the state playoffs in 2020, but New Manchester strung together the deepest run, winning the Region 6-5A Championship and advancing to the Sweet 16 last year.

This year, head coach Cedric Jackson, who was named Region Coach of the Year following last season, returns a young group that is still hungry to continue building on last year’s successful season.

New Manchester High School Football Media Day

“We’ve got a young team this year, and they’re full of potential,” Jackson said. “So we’re excited to see all that they are bringing to the game this year.”

Though the Jaguars are young, they still retain some experience from last season’s Sweet 16 appearance.

Defensive end De’Andre Jones, a recent Georgia State commit, returns after earning First-Team All-Region recognition in 2020. DeSean Travis, a Second-Team All-Region performer, also returns to help anchor the defensive line, while Josiah Bivens anchors the linebackers.

Offensively, the Jaguars also expect to return some firepower, as Rashad Benson returns as a running back and linebacker, and Christopher Morgan is also seeing time in the backfield and at free safety.

New Manchester won against Hiram on September 3 and is looking for a win tonight at Cedartown.

The photo and video are from the football media day on August 3, 2021.

For a season schedule for all five teams, please click here.