August 28, 2020
Health and Safety: Plans for In-Person Learning
As elementary schools plan for in-person learning beginning September 8, we want to share with you some of the protocols schools have established to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Although procedures will differ some from school to school, many expectations will be the same across the district.

Please review the safety video with your child and discuss ways to stay safe as we return to school. The better job we do with following safety protocols, the more likely it is that we will have a successful in-person experience for everyone.
Check Your Bus Stop
We are looking forward to having many of our elementary students back in the classroom on September 8! As you plan for that important first day back in the building, please take a minute now to look up your bus stop.

To improve safety and on-time performance, we have implemented consolidated bus stops for this year. We will no longer stop at individual driveways. Please look up your bus stop here. Enter your address and click on the school to find the route and the closest stop to your home.
In addition, we encourage you to download the “Here Comes the Bus” app, which delivers real-time bus location information and alerts to parents and students. Click here to register for Here Comes the Bus. The district code for the app is 79003. Click here for more information about Here Comes the Bus.

For more information about consolidated bus stops, click here. Please also watch the video for transportation proceduresIf you have questions or concerns about your bus stop, please email the transportation department at herecomesthebus@dcssga.org.
Arbor Station Students Show Their Creative
Side During Digital Learning
Alba chose yoga from the specials board for PE this week. Jade's project for art is the beautiful "Lilly the Goldfish"
Bringing Anatomy to Life
Teachers Train on Virtual Dissection Table
When Douglas County students begin their next anatomy or physiology lesson, they will learn with the help of the world’s first virtual dissection table. High school science teachers recently received training on the new Anatomage Tables, revolutionary teaching tools that use virtual reality to teach anatomy. The state-of-the-art technology has quickly become a valuable resource in medical schools, hospitals, and institutions around the globe.

The tables allow students to interact with life-size, three-dimensional representations of human organs and body systems. Students can manipulate the images and zoom, rotate, dissect, and overlay multiple systems at once. The four life-sized tables will be available at Alexander, Chapel Hill, Douglas County, and New Manchester High Schools. Lithia Springs High School administrators and STEM teachers will evaluate their science resources and consider purchasing an Anatomage Table later this year.

Chapel Hill High School Health Care Sciences Teacher Sandy Smith is excited that the school system is embracing this new technology. “I’m excited that our students will soon have the latest technology at their fingertips. This investment shows the commitment that our school system and our Board of Education members have made to teach students using the best technology available.”

Chapel Hill High School Anatomy teacher Krystle Teal recently learned how to integrate the Anatomage technology into her lesson plans. “I have never used technology like this,” Teal says. “Anatomage will be perfect for our students! If we can bring anatomy and physiology to life, students can relate to it more.”

Not only will students use Anatomage this school year to explore human anatomy, but they can also explore the anatomy of over 270 animals. Teachers can use the technology for students in healthcare-related career paths, where they can use more advanced features of the table like surgical technique and radiology. Because Anatomage’s content can be delivered virtually, students in all classes can benefit through virtualizations.

The Anatomage Tables were purchased with funds from ESPLOST. The penny sales tax has been collected since 1997 and must be approved by voters every five years. Douglas County voters elected to renew the ESPLOST on June 9, 2020.

Pictured during the training session at Chapel Hill High School are Krystle Teal (middle in top photo) and Sandy Smith.
Deadline for Census: September 30
Have you filled out the census? Our community loses $3,000 to $4,000 for every person who does not complete the census.

To complete the census by phone, call 1-844-330-2020 or click here to complete it online.

Watch Superintendent North's video for more information. #LetsCountDouglas
A Salute to Two Treasured Teachers: 48 Years
Congratulations to these long-time educators! Coach Chet Forsh is beginning his 48th year as a teacher, all at Douglas County High School. French Teacher Madame Corinne Barnes also begins her 48th year as a teacher. She has taught at Douglas County High School for 24 of those 48 years.
Remember: New School Start Times When Schools Reopen for In-Person Learning
Upcoming Events
September 7: Holiday for All
September 8: Elementary Schools Open for Traditional Learners
September 8: BOE Work Session
September 9: Progress Reports for Elementary and Middle
September 10: Middle School New Student Orientation
September 14: Middle Schools Open for Traditional Learners
September 17 and 18: High School Back to School Bash for Freshmen and New Students
September 21: High Schools Open for Traditional Learners
September 21: BOE Meeting
October 5: BOE Work Session
October 6: FTE Count (Important Day for Attendance)
October 7: Grading Period Ends
October 12-13: Holidays (Except 240 Employees)
October 14: Report Cards for Elementary and Middle
October 14: Progress Reports for High School
October 19: BOE Meeting
November 2: BOE Work Session/Meeting
November 3: Teacher Work Day/Student Holiday/Election Day
November 18: Progress Reports for Elementary and Middle
November 23-24: Holidays (Except 240 Employees)
November 25-27: Holidays for All
Check out opportunities that are available in our area by clicking the Community Bulletin Board below!
Douglas County School System |770-651-2000 | response@dcssga.org | dcssga.org