October 29, 2021
CCI students launch school store
School-based enterprise teaches life and business skills
Douglas County’s newest retail operation is a store run entirely by students for students. The hands-on learning lab is an entrepreneurial operation preparing College and Career Institute (CCI) students for long-term career success. 
 
The CCI school-based enterprise operates as part of the school’s DECA chapter. DECA Adviser Lenaya Miller says students gain practical business skills by marketing and selling merchandise. “Student-led enterprises meet the needs of the market. The retail operations are successful, and we also integrate the National Curriculum Standards in marketing, finance, hospitality and management,” she adds. 
 
Miller says CCI DECA officers serve as store managers. They currently sell snacks and CCI branded items such as t-shirts and hoodies to students through an online marketplace. The student-led team hopes to expand its product line soon.  
 
Miller says it is essential to offer real-life learning opportunities like these to give students a competitive edge. “Experience working within a school-based enterprise provides students the opportunity to learn skills not necessarily learned in the classroom,” Miller says.
 
CCI Principal Geri Armstrong agrees. She says school-based enterprises are vital tools in preparing students for transitioning from school to work or college. “This school store has been an exciting addition to the CCI that reinforces classroom instruction. For many students, this store offers students their first work experience. For others, it will provide an opportunity to build management, supervision, and leadership skills,” Armstrong says.
 
The store is open to students in the mornings before classes in the atrium.
Douglas County graduation rate of 87.74% for class of 2021 exceeds state average
The Douglas County School System Class of 2021 four-year high school graduation rate of 87.74% once again surpassed the graduation rate for Georgia. According to data released by the Georgia Department of Education on October 21, 2021, the graduation rate for the state was 83.7%.

For more information and scores for each school, please click here.
Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere!
Last year many pumpkin patches were not open for field trips, so Burnett Elementary Principal Marketa Croom brought the patch to the school! It was so popular that Burnett sponsored the school-based pumpkin patch again this year. Families came to enjoy a beautiful day outside and have a popcorn treat. All children left with a pumpkin.

The media centers at several schools featured works of art made from pumpkins! At both Bright Star Elementary and Holly Springs Elementary, students decorated pumpkins as storybook characters. An online contest was held to determine the best pumpkins.

Can you guess the storybook characters pictured below?
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Students earn honors from National Merit Scholarship program
Congratulations to Prince Tufon from Lithia Springs High School! Prince was named a semi-finalist in the National Merit Scholarship program. Prince earned the honor by attaining one of the highest scores in the nation on the PSAT. Prince will now apply to be a finalist. Winners of the National Merit Scholarship program receive significant scholarships. Finalists will be named in February. This year Prince is a full-time dual enrollment student at Middle Georgia State University.

In addition, four students at Alexander High School received a Letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship program in recognition of their outstanding academic promise. These students may become candidates for special scholarships by corporations and businesses.
Prince Tufon from Lithia Springs High School is pictured at the top of the article. Also pictured are the Letter of Commendation recipients from Alexander High School: Louis Marion, Mia Kite, Catherine Blackwell and Luke Nguyen.
Guest speakers offer insight, advice over lunch at SMS
Stewart Middle School has kicked off a Lunch and Learn series for students in the AVID program. The luncheons feature a guest speaker and provide students the opportunity to engage in intimate conversations about the speaker's career. Guest speakers are selected based on the career interests of the students.

Last week, Sgt. Aprille Moore from the Fulton County Sheriff's Office inspired students with her story of being a female in law enforcement. She also discussed the importance of work-life balance. One interesting fact she shared was that females make up 12% of law enforcement personnel nationwide, and a much lower percentage hold executive positions.

Who's up next? Students will learn about careers in the U.S. Armed Forces. Sgt. Annalisa Brown from the Army will be the featured speaker. Sgt. Brown also happens to be the parent of a student at Stewart!

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. The program helps students set and attain college and career goals. Sgt. Moore is pictured with students at the luncheon.
Treats for our youngest students
Our youngest students enjoyed an evening of trick-or-treating in the parking lot of the former DCSS central office. The "trunk-or-treat" event featured many elaborately decorated vehicles. The LEAP students, families and teachers all enjoyed the festive evening.

LEAP is an early intervention program serving children ages two through five who reside in Douglas County.
James Webb has shown himself as a class leader during this school year. New Manchester Elementary School Principal Keith Racine says James jumps at every opportunity to assist his peers in any way he can. James is a lover of all genres of music and has composed several original beats during his music class. He has expressed his desire to become an engineer in the future and likes to create new and innovative ways to solve problems. Outside of school, James plays football for the Boundary Waters Coyotes. He has personified the Eagle Pride Way for the last four years by soaring above and beyond to achieve his goals. The NMES Eagles are proud of James and can’t wait to see all of the great things he will accomplish in the future! 
Learn what makes each of our high school magnet programs special!
Want to know more about the Douglas County School System’s outstanding magnet programs? We’ve put together a series of podcasts featuring interviews with principals answering all your questions about the admissions process. Sit back, listen and visit the school website for more information! 

To listen, search “Pursuit of Excellence” in your favorite podcast streaming app. Or watch through the following links: 








Parents and students may also determine their best fit by attending the upcoming information sessions at each school. You will find the dates and times at the link below.


The deadline to apply is Monday, December 13, 2021. You may apply to more than one magnet program, so feel free to attend as many information sessions as you wish.
Families may now register children for the seventh annual Operation Christmas Douglas County, which is scheduled to take place December 11, 2021. 

Children enrolled in school in Douglas County and their younger siblings may once again receive a free gift through the generosity of the folks at Operation Christmas Douglas County. 

To qualify, children must reside in Douglas County, be age 16 or younger, and receive free or reduced price lunch. This community effort is not sponsored by the school system. 

To register for this opportunity, click here. For a Spanish version of the registration form, click the "Español" button at the top right of the form.
November 1: BOE Work Session and Meeting
November 2: Teacher Work Day (No School for Students)
November 17: Progress Reports for Elementary and Middle Schools
November 22, 23: Holidays (Except 230 and 240)
November 24-26: Holidays for All
December 6: BOE Work Session and Meeting
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 (Tentative)
January 17: Holiday for All
January 18: BOE Board Meeting (Tentative)
February 7: BOE Work Session (Tentative)
February 9: Progress Reports for Elementary and Middle Schools
February 14-18: Holidays (Except 240)
February 21: BOE Meeting (Tentative)
Check out the available opportunities in the Community Bulletin Board!