Back-to-back wins for the AHS Raiders |
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The Alexander High School JROTC Raiders Mixed Team led by 1SG Mark Arnold and cadet Major Brooke Ligon have done it again. They’re the top team in the state in the Tier 2 Division for the third year in a row. JROTC state level competitions were not available in 2020 due to COVID, but that did not stop Alexander JROTC. They came back with vengeance and took the championship.
The competition took place at Spalding High School located in Griffin. AHS took first place in tire flip; second place in the team run; second place in the cross country rescue; and third in the rope bridge events. These wins gave Alexander High School JROTC overall top honors.
Raiders is the most physically demanding extracurricular activity in JROTC. Raider meets are aggressive athletic events that last the span of a seven to eight hour day. Depending on where the meets are held, cadets muster to Alexander High School on Saturday mornings from 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. to carpool to different schools, and they return 12 or more hours later.
Teams take their own tents, tables, chairs, grills, and all the food and drinks needed to establish a base camp for the entire day. Most meets include a 5K team run; one or two mile cross country rescue with cadets taking turns carrying rucksacks weighing 35 to 40 pounds and a litter weighing 150 pounds or more; tire flip with tractor tire weighing 400 pounds or more; fitness challenge with a six to 10 foot wall and weighted ammo cans, jerry cans, and kettlebells; and rope bridge. Cadets are challenged to run in all types of terrain, including hills, off roads, and waterways.
Most practice and competition days during the season occur when the thermometer registers 80 degrees and above. With Raiders dressed in army combat uniforms and boots, their physical fitness is always challenged.
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Real men read, and so do mayors! |
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Several elementary schools recently hosted literacy events with guest readers. Among the schools were North Douglas and Annette Winn Elementary.
NDES was excited that Douglasville Mayor Rochelle Robinson read to students during the Title I Virtual Literacy Night on November 30.
Students received grade level appropriate books and a take-home kit to make hot chocolate with a parent. Students logged into the event dressed in their warm pajamas with their hot chocolate, ready to listen to a story from their special guest, Mayor Robinson. The students were so excited to hear two wonderful stories from this important community leader.
At Annette Winn Elementary School, students learned about the importance of reading from several lifelong readers on November 19 during the school’s 13th annual Real Men Read event.
The event, which was held virtually this year, had men from as far away as Utah and Washington, D.C., read books to students to show them the importance of being a lifelong reader.
“We enjoyed hearing from dads, our friends from the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Douglas County School System employees, and many others,” said AWES Media Specialist Cathy Harrison. “We appreciate all of those who participated. Our students enjoyed the books and learning about the readers.”
For the event, many legacy readers that have participated for multiple years returned, while several new readers also participated this year.
“Reading is a major key for students at any level,” said Isaiah Smith, a DCSS employee who read at the event. “Reading can open new worlds for students, and getting to share my love for reading with AWES’ students was the most rewarding part of participating.”
Mayor Robinson is pictured above in her Santa hat and PJs. Pictured below is Isaiah Smith, who works in the DCSS communications department. Mr. Smith read What If Everybody Did That, a story about community and remembering we all play a part in keeping our school, neighborhoods, and homes safe and happy places. Also pictured is Paul Wright. He logged in from Utah and read a book about Washington D.C., where he lived for 43 years. He is the brother of AWES Media Specialist Cathy Harrison.
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MAES celebrates Native American Heritage Month |
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Students in Mason Creek Elementary's After School Program enjoyed a special presentation in honor of Native American Heritage Month.
Students in K, 1st and 2nd enjoyed time with their very own Wolf Cub parent, Mrs. Myralinda Allen. Mrs. Allen brought materials to demonstrate weaving blankets. She also shared a native drum and a sample traditional home from her Navajo tribe.
Native American Heritage Month is observed every November to pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.
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Cullen nominated for Boys & Girls Club award, plans career in education |
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Congratulations to Jonas Cullen, who was recently featured in the Douglas County Sentinel. Jonas, a sophomore at Douglas County High School, was one of 15 candidates nominated for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta Youth of the Year award.
Jonas plans to follow in the footsteps of his mother and brother and pursue a career in education. "I see everybody in my family as educators. I've been surrounded by teachers all my life. I know teachers can make an impact on lives."
Not only does Jonas plan to be an educator, he wants to come back and serve in Douglas County. "This is where I grew up," he said. "I've been here my entire life and I love it here. It would be more personal to me because I really connect with the community."
In the meantime, Jonas plans to maintain or even improve his already excellent GPA at Douglas County High School. Jonas' mother, Dr. Donita Cullen, is principal at Stewart Middle School.
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Seniors, it's almost time to apply for DCEF scholarships! |
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Applications for the Douglas County Education Foundation scholarships will be available January 1 through January 21, 2022.
Take advantage of this great opportunity to receive funds for college, courtesy of local businesses and individuals. Listen to Angelia O'Neal, executive director of DCEF, explain the process of applying for scholarships.
Beginning January 1, you will find the scholarship application on the DCEF website. You can use the last few days of the upcoming break to complete your applications before returning to school on January 5! |
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Basketball Preview:
Douglas County High School
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Pictured left to right are Destiny Davis, Coach Forsh, Whitni Mitchell and Lyric Coleman. |
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Pictured left to right are Chris Ruise, Vincent Robinson, Coach Hardy, Jaylen Gunn and Kenyon Moore. |
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Youth No Excuse for Lady Tigers
When the Douglas County High School (DCHS) Lady Tigers take the court this season, they will be one of the youngest teams Head Coach Chet Forsh has had in his 49-year coaching career.
“This year may be the youngest team I’ve had in a very long time,” Forsh said. “I only have one senior, four or five juniors, and after that it’s freshmen and sophomores.”
Last season, the Lady Tigers finished 14-8 and earned Region 5-6A’s No. 3 seed in the state playoffs behind the leadership of two All-Region seniors.
In 2021-22, Forsh says he’ll be looking to senior Whitni Mitchell and juniors Destiny Davis and Lyric Coleman to step up as leaders for the young team. Davis has been a varsity player since her freshman year, and both Mitchell and Coleman gained extensive experience during last year’s state playoff run.
But despite being youthful, Forsh isn’t tempering his expectations for the squad.
“When people ask me how we’re going to do, I say to them, ‘I can’t promise you how well we’re going to do, but I promise you they’ll play hard. Because if they don’t play hard, they don’t get to play,’” said Forsh. “That’s the way I’ve been over these many, many years.”
Tigers Looking to Repeat with New Leader
Entering this season, the DCHS men’s team will be looking to replace Region 5-6A’s Player of the Year and Coach of the Year from last season as well as three other All-Region performers.
However, first-year Tigers’ Head Coach Patrick Hardy feels up to the challenge thanks to a strong returning group that’s looking to replicate the success from the 2020-21 season.
“As we get going with practice, it’s been enjoyable to meet the young men and work through some things,” said Hardy. “We’re excited and ready to get this thing rolling.”
In 2020-21, the Tigers finished atop Region 5-6A and were crowned region champions en route to a No. 1 seed in the state playoffs.
To get back to the state playoffs and hopefully advance deeper into the tournament this season, the Tigers will lean on a quartet of senior guards to lead the way. Jaylen Gunn, Kenyon Moore, Vincent Robinson and Chris Ruise will each be counted on to help the team reach its goals.
“I’m excited for them and their growth and production as we go throughout this year,” Hardy said. “We’ll be counting on them a ton for their leadership and their play. We’re extremely excited for them and their year, as well as the other players with them.”
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Madison Green is a 5th grade student at Mt. Carmel Elementary School. Principal Dr. Tenia Boone says Madison has always been a servant leader who eagerly accepts challenges without hesitation and puts her all into anything she pursues. She enjoys public speaking, reading and writing short stories, which contributes to her high school level Lexile scores. Madison is a gifted student who is an active member of the MCES Chorus and Math Team. She desires to become a Biomedical Engineer, which allows her to fulfill her dream of working in the industry of STEM. With her warm personality, sweet disposition, and determination to excel, she is well on her way to accomplish her goals. Dr. Boone says these are just a few reasons why she has earned this recognition. Mt. Carmel could not be prouder to recognize Madison in the Student Spotlight! |
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Elysa Desamours is the epitome of the 2021 theme of CLMS, “Expect Excellence in Everything”. Principal Caroline Whitt says since the 8th grade student began attending Chestnut Log Middle School, she has made straight A’s in all of her classes. During her 7th grade year, Elysa won the Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition for the middle school grade level in Douglas County. She then went on to place 2nd in the state competition. Elysa’s favorite subjects are ELA and Science. In the future, she wants to pursue a career as a writer or work for NASA. She is already making her dream of becoming a writer come true as she is currently working on her own book. With her hard work ethic and positive attitude, there are no limits to what this bright young lady can achieve. |
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Deadline to apply for magnet programs: December 13, 2021 |
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The deadline to apply for the magnet programs at all five high schools is quickly approaching! The deadline for eighth graders to apply for the magnet programs for the upcoming school year is Monday, December 13, 2021.
You will find the timeline, application links and contact information for each magnet program at the link below. You will also find information on the application process for the Academy at CCI.
For more information about each program, please listen to the podcasts.
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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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The New Manchester Choir would like to invite you to join us for our annual holiday concert, AcaChristmas. This concert will feature holiday classics sung along side contemporary Christmas hits! This is a beautiful concert lit entirely by Christmas lights. Come kick off your Christmas season with this holiday tradition. Tickets are on sale through www.freshtix.com. This concert sells out every year so get your tickets while they last!!! Concert dates are Dec. 9-11 @7pm. Dec. 11 @2pm.
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Check out the available opportunities in the Community Bulletin Board! |
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