Anna Nesbitt Named District Counselor of of the Year

The Douglas County School System has named South Douglas Elementary School Counselor Anna Nesbitt District Counselor of the Year. The district wide recognition honors the DCSS counselor who demonstrates exceptional dedication to students and the school counseling profession. 



Nesbitt has been a school counselor for seventeen years, including ten years at Holly Springs Elementary School. She believes that developing an effective comprehensive counseling program is critical to school success. To support students, Nesbitt believes in creating a positive and supportive learning environment. “We are working to build the best program possible to support students and our school,” she explains. Nesbitt continues by adding she believes that school counseling is so special because it is full of rewards that come in all shapes and sizes.  

South Douglas Principal Brad Corbett supports Nesbitt and her work with students. “Mrs. Nesbitt shows superior school counselor attributes every day at South Douglas. She provides relevant learning experiences for our students in academic achievement, career development, and social/emotional growth,” he explains. “Mrs. Nesbitt leads by example. She is a positive role model for all of our students and teachers.”  

Nesbitt will now compete for the title of Georgia School Counselor Association Counselor of the Year.

Five DCSS Athletes Recognized with Positive Athlete Awards

For the ninth consecutive year, the Positive Athlete organization has named their Regional  Award Winners for the Northwest Atlanta Region, and five DCSS student-athletes from four high schools were selected as “Most Positive” in their respective sports. 

Chapel Hill High School had the most Positive Athlete Award recipients, with two students being recognized. Alex Teal (boys track and field) and Sarah Cordle (softball) were both selected as winners in their sports for the region. 

Along with them, Alexander High School’s Katlin Gould (girls basketball), Lithia Springs High School’s Tyler Bright (boys cheerleading), and New Manchester High School’s Sophia Tyson (girls wrestling) also won Positive Athlete Awards. 

All of these award winners will be recognized on campus at their local high schools, and now have a chance to win a state-wide award in their sport category, which will be announced in early May. The 2023 Georgia Positive Athlete Awards will be held in early June at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, and will be a night in which all scholarship winners and state-wide award winners are recognized.

Positive Athlete’s Northwest Atlanta Region consists of schools located in Douglas, Bartow, Cherokee, and Paulding Counties. Statewide, over 6,000 nominations from coaches, principals, athletic directors, teachers, and parents were submitted for the Positive Athlete program. 

Former Forest Park High School, University of Georgia and Pittsburgh Steelers star, Hines Ward, and local businessman Scott Pederson created Positive Athlete as a movement for more positivity in youth sports. In addition to excellence on the field, each nominated Positive Athlete was required to show characteristics such as an optimistic attitude, teammate encouragement, servant leadership, heart for others, ability to admit imperfections, giving 100 percent all the time, and realizing the team as more important than the individual.

DCSS Names Exemplary English Learner and ESOL Teacher

Every year, nominations for the Exemplary English Learner Award and the Exemplary ESOL Educator Award are submitted for ESOL students and teachers. These nominations are evaluated by a committee composed of Central Office personnel. The ESOL Program of the Douglas County School System is proud to congratulate Jin Wang as Exemplary English Learner and Allen Newsome, ESOL teacher at Lithia Springs High School as the 2022-2023 Exemplary ESOL Educator.  

Wang is a 12th grader at DCHS and embodies the quality of resilience and excellence as she ventures into an American education. She remains an active ESOL student, but this never hinders her from fulfilling her dream. She took AP and Honors classes and left a great impression on her teachers.  She also helps with the ESOL program as a volunteer in ensuring newcomer students know their schedules and who to seek for assistance as needed. She is always available for students who need support with their studies and extracurricular events in school. Jin plans to attend Kennesaw State University in the fall.  Principal Kenja Parks says that with Jin's determination and commitment to learning, there is no doubt she will be successful in any endeavor she will take.

Newsome has been an ESOL teacher for 7 years.  He has made an impact on the students, faculty, community, and culture of Lithia Springs High School. His dedication and commitment to student success makes him a stand-out in his field. He is humble and believes in working for the good of the students rather than seeking praise or being in the spotlight. Principal Travis Joshua says that Newsome is an Exemplary ESOL Teacher because he ensures that ESOL students are served to the highest degree possible.

DCSS Students, Teachers Recognized at West Metro FCA's Night of Champions

Earlier this week, several DCSS teachers and students were honored by the West Metro Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at their annual Night of Champions banquet. 

Leslie Scream, a teacher at Mason Creek Middle School, was named the organization’s Huddle Leader of the Year for her work leading her school’s program. 

“I was definitely honored to win the award,” said Scream. “I knew that I’d won a little while before it was announced so I could plan to attend the banquet, but it was still such an honor to be nominated and receive the award. West Metro FCA has over 200 campuses that it serves, so this just makes it that much more of an honor to win.”

Scream has been involved with MCMS’ FCA for six years, and she has been the school’s huddle leader for the past two years. As the huddle leader, she organizes huddle meetings each Friday for the school. During each huddle, students usually have breakfast and play a large group game before hearing from a speaker. 

“I really enjoy getting to play games with the students and watching them have fun, but the most rewarding part is definitely seeing them grow in their faith,” said Scream. “Seeing some go from being shy at the beginning of the year to eventually being confident enough to volunteer to pray by the end is what is most fun and rewarding to me.”

At the banquet, two Lithia Springs High School students, Jai’Que Hart and Cole Nash, were also recognized as FCA’s Male Athletes of the Year. Both Hart and Nash are multi-sport athletes who also actively participate in the school’s FCA program. 

Chestnut Log Middle School was also recognized as this year’s E3 Award winner. The E3 Award is presented to a school who displays FCA’s pillars of engaging, equipping, and empowering through partnerships in ministry. This year, FCA highlighted the school’s partnership with First Baptist Church Douglasville and the church’s willingness to step in and serve the school’s athletes, teachers, and staff. 

“Our students really look forward to Friday morning FCA. It gives them a peaceful, motivational moment to start their Friday before going into the weekend,” said CLMS Principal Angela Holley. “The partnership with First Baptist has also had such a good impact on our staff as well by showing them support and how appreciated they are.”

FBC Douglasville Pastor Tim Akin echoed this, adding that the church is grateful to be a part of CLMS’ FCA program and share in the impact that it has on the school’s campus. 

“We are so thankful that we get to be a small part of Jesus Christ reaching this area with the Gospel and transforming lives because of our partnership with CLMS and FCA,” said Akin.

Classroom Corner

Kindergarten Registration Begins May 1

Kindergarten registration for the 2023-2024 school year will open officially on Monday, May 1.

To prepare for registration, visit the link above to view documents to ensure that you have all the necessary information to register your student.

Visit DCSS' Registration website for more information about the registration process.

Students who are fully registered by July 7 will also be eligible to attend KinderCamp July 17-20 from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. The KinderCamp experience is designed. to help rising kindergarten students learn what to expect in the new school year.

Registration for all other grade levels will open on June 1, 2023.

6th Grade Orientation Scheduled for May 4

Rising sixth graders will have the chance to learn more about middle school on May 4, as DCSS' middle schools will be hosting 6th Grade Orientation for parents and students.

Parents and students are both invited to come out and learn more about the transition from fifth to sixth grade and receive many other pieces of important information.

Orientation will be held at your student's new middle school from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Click the flyer for more information about orientation.

DCSS Hosting Blood Drive May 11

DCSS is partnering with the Red Cross to host a blood drive on Wednesday, May 11 at Central Office from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

To sign up or learn more about the drive, contact Sean Roach at sean.roach@dcssga.org.

Student Spotlight

Nitalia Carty is a 5th grade honor student with exemplary behavior at Lithia Springs Elementary School. Her extracurricular activities include Chorus, Art Club, Road Runners, and Math Competition. She has had an A-Honor Roll all year and has received all 4’s on the GMAS in third and fourth grade. Nitalia received the honor of representing her school at the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council Meetings. Principal Tonia Small says Nitalia exemplifies a student that aligns with the DCSS vision to be a responsible individual, independent thinker, and productive citizen. Her future is bright and she will continue to operate with excellence in middle school. Congratulations, Nitalia!

Key Dates

• April 24-April 28: Elementary School GMAS Testing Window
• April 24-May 2: Middle School GMAS Testing Window
• May 1-May 8: High School GMAS Testing Window
• May 1: Board of Education Work Session
• May 9-12: High School AP Testing Window
• May 15: Board of Education Meeting
• May 23, 24: Half Days for All Students
• May 24: Final Day of Spring Semester
• May 25: AHS & LSHS Graduations
• May 26: NMHS & DCHS Graduations
• May 27: CHHS Graduation
• May 29: Memorial Day Holiday for All
• May 30-31: Teacher Professional Learning Days
• June 19: Juneteenth Holiday for All
• July 3, 5-7: Holidays for All (exc. 246)
• July 4: Holiday for All
• July 22: DCSS Back-to-School Kickoff
• July 25-31: Preplanning
• July 28: High School Back-to-School Bash
• July 31: Elementary and Middle School Sneak-a-Peak

Family Resources

LSHS Theatre Presenting Aladdin April 27-29

The Lithia Springs High School Theatre Company will be presenting Disney's Aladdin on April 27-29 in the LSHS Theater.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased on the school's website at lshs.dcssga.org. See the flyer above for more information.

KinderCamp for Rising Kindergarten Students

DCSS is hosting KinderCamp July 17-20 from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m to help rising kindergarten students learn what to expect in the new school year.

Students must be fully registered for kindergarten by July 7 to attend KinderCamp at their zoned school.

Click the link above for a flyer with more information.

DCSS Community Bulletin Board

Looking for a great weekend event, after-school care, or a new activity? Check out DCSS' Community Bulletin Board at the link above to learn all about events and activities occurring in Douglas County.

Douglas SEES

DCSS offers several resources for student health, wellness and support through the Douglas SEES website. Visit the link above to learn more about the resources available to students and families.

NMHS FAME Hosting Spring Dance Performance

The New Manchester High School FAME Dance will be hosting its spring recital on May 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the school's theater.

Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults. Click the flyer above for more information.

DCSS Family Health Center

DCSS' Family Health Center is a resource for families and staff within the school system. The center is located at the lower level of Burnett Elementary School and offers several services. Click the flyer above to learn more.