Thank you to our awesome principals!

October 8, 2021

An "out of this world" experience at

Holly Springs

Holly Springs Elementary kicked off the first of several after-school camps with STEM camp for students in grades K-2 September 27-October 1.

Students gained hands-on experience with coding and engineering and learned the differences between Mars and Earth. Activities included building a spaceship out of common materials and testing whether their astronaut, a jumbo marshmallow, would survive landing on Mars. Students also learned about density and the SpaceX Dragon, and even built and tested their own rockets.

First grader Harrison Grisley said his favorite thing about STEM camp was making the rockets and testing them outside. "It was fun because they blasted off and came back. I could do it again and again."

Teachers who help with the camps use the profit to purchase materials for their classrooms. Media Specialist Kerry Harbin is looking forward to purchasing a real green screen to take the school's morning news broadcast to the next level.

Students are looking forward to other week-long camps the school will offer, including: Soccer, Tennis, Dance, Cheer, Basketball, Drama and Hip Hop.

Student representatives provide feedback to superintendent

Superintendent North held his first meetings with his Student Advisory Councils this week. On Wednesday, he met with two representatives from each middle school at the Board of Education Central Office.

The representatives serve as delegates for their schools and a sounding board for the superintendent. "The students are very responsive and provide great feedback," said Superintendent North.

Associate Superintendent of General Administration Dr. Michelle Ruble kicked off the meeting by asking some questions related to the Cognia review that will take place in March 2022. Cognia, formerly known as AdvancED, is the accrediting agency for K-12 schools. Douglas County goes through the accreditation process every five years.

Superintendent North then engaged students in talking about what they love about their schools and what they would change if they could. The superintendent met with middle school representatives on Wednesday, high school students on Thursday and elementary students on Friday. In addition, Mr. North seeks input from a parent advisory group.

Pictured above are Christopher and Braelynn from Mason Creek Middle School. Trey is also pictured from Yeager Middle School.

Making music in the "Classic City"

Alexander High School Choral Director Sandra Chandler accompanied 11 of her male singers to the University of Georgia Choral Day for tenors and basses in Athens on September 23.

You can see some of these singers in the "Broadway Is Back" show at AHS on October 25 and 26. See the flyer at the bottom of the newsletter for details.

DCHS IB student partners with NDES to encourage literacy

Douglas County High School IB student Brooke Blacknall knows the importance of literacy. Her love for reading prompted her to create "Read, Race, Refresh" to encourage literacy among elementary school students.

Through "Read, Race, Refresh," every student at North Douglas Elementary School was able to select a book, courtesy of the Black Rose Foundation. For the next two weeks, students in grades K-5 competed in a reading challenge to determine which grade could read the most books. The total student body read 833 books. Third grade read the most, with 312. They were rewarded for their efforts with a literacy themed party on Monday, September 27.

Third grade students pause from making book marks to take a picture with Mrs. Carter-Linley and NDES Principal Pamela Wooley.

Brooke Blacknall and Media Specialist Katie Henry are pictured with first place winner Joel Bing.

Assisting with "Read, Race, Refresh" were DCHS volunteers Jalyn Batts, Adebola Adewale, Michaela Robinson, Brooke Blacknall, Alyssa Blacknall, Chloe Blacknall, Avery Thompson and Kaelyn Maddox.

Fairplay Middle claims county softball title

Congratulations to the Fairplay Lady Jags, the 2021 Douglas County Middle School softball champions! They defeated Mason Creek Middle School to earn the title. The team is coached by Jordan Mallory and Robert Sheperd.

Eighth graders: It's time to apply for magnet programs for 22-23

Eighth graders and their parents can learn about the magnet programs at all five high schools in Douglas County and determine the best fit by attending the upcoming information sessions!

Each high school plus the CCI will host one or more information sessions in October and November. Mark your calendar now. You will find the dates and times at the link below.

Magnet Timeline and Application Links

You will also find the contact information for the coordinator at each school in the timeline.

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.

Coming soon: a podcast from all schools highlighting their magnet programs!

Families can 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.

Ricky Hand is a senior on the A/B Honor Roll at Lithia Springs High School. Principal Travis Joshua says Ricky is mature, respectful to his teachers, and keen in hands-on team challenges. One teacher believes Ricky possesses the best in mind and spirit. Ricky's friends think he "has his priorities straight" and has a witty personality. Outside school hours, Ricky is a competitive steer wrestler who has earned multiple awards around the state. Ricky plans to pursue a career in pipeline welding after graduation.