September 2, 2022

Reading can be considered the key to everything in life. There are few activities that do not require strong reading skills. Therefore, reading instruction and the love of reading is something that educators strive to instill in students while they are young. Acquiring academic knowledge and vocabulary fuels learning. However, some children need additional inspiration.

Cameron Sheldon, the media specialist at Chapel Hill Elementary School, asked teachers to help inspire young readers. Sheldon stated, "My media center focuses around the idea that readers are truly leaders, therefore I thought it would be inspiring to ask the leaders in our building, our teachers and staff, to share books that are meaningful to them." 

Teachers submitted lists of their favorite books and a photo of themselves. Teacher photos and recommendation labels were attached to books throughout the media center.  Sheldon featured the display on the morning green screen newscast and the books are now flying off the shelves! The students are delighted to read books that are recommended by their current or even former teachers. 

Readers are truly leaders!

Students and staff at Sweetwater Elementary celebrated career pathways with their annual College and Career Week. 

The school’s counselor, Cedric Slay, started the themed week last year. The goal is to introduce students to career pathways that are varied and diverse. This week of learning about careers is a fun way to promote belonging and fun competition at school.  “I wanted to create an opportunity to expose students to different post secondary choices.  I know that college isn’t for everyone, so it was important to include the military and have them dress up in careers that they are interested in,” said Slay. 

Each day students and staff participate with a different career focused theme. On college day they wear their favorite college or university attire and on military day they wear camouflage to represent the different branches of the military. There is even a day for students to dress up as the career that they would like to have in the future! 

Sweetwater teachers continue to encourage students that they can become who they want to be. The students are learning that you can prepare for a bright future now by making good choices, being yourself and being an active participant in learning.

On August 22, Alexander High School’s mixed mastery chorus traveled to Truist Park to perform the national anthem before the Atlanta Braves took on the New York Mets. 

“I’m a new director, and this was an event that was sort of pre-planned for us,” said AHS  Heather Russell. “It was the second year that we’ve been to do this as a program, and it was really cool that we got to do it before a big game like the Braves versus the Mets.”

With school beginning on August 6, AHS’ chorus didn’t have a lot of time to prepare before taking the stage at the ballpark. 

However, Russell was still confident that the group could still put together a stellar performance because of the level of skill and work ethic of each of the vocalists. 

“This is a really big deal for us, and that’s one reason that we want to take our mixed mastery choir,” Russell said. “We really have a high standard of excellence for this group, and they did a great job and really enjoyed getting to go.”

On the night of the performance, the choir loaded a bus and headed to the stadium. Once they arrived, the group had a short time to warm up in an area off the field before heading out to deliver a top-notch performance.

With this being AHS’ second year performing the National Anthem at Truist Park before a Braves game, Russell says that she hopes that this can become an annual tradition for the Cougars’ mixed mastery choir. 

“I really hope we get to go back next year and for years after that,” Russell said. “You have to get invited to perform, and they’ve already said they hope to have us back, so hopefully we can continue to make this an annual thing.”

Over the past three seasons, Lithia Springs has been as successful as any program in the county. Under head coach Corey Jarvis, the Lions have made multiple state playoff appearances, won a home playoff game, and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. 

“I think we’re right where we want to be,” said Jarvis on the program’s progression over the past three seasons. “I know our kids feel like we could’ve been an Elite 8 or Final 4 team last year, so hopefully we can make another step or two and reach that point.”

With 29 seniors on the roster, the most of any team in Jarvis’ tenure, the Lions should have no shortage of leadership and experience at most positions. 

Offensively, senior quarterback Jai’Que Hart, who is the reigning Region 6-5A Offensive Player of the Year, returns to lead the offense. With him, the Lions return three players who also earned First-Team All-Region honors in 2021. 

Senior running back Demarco Brown will lead the backfield, while senior wide receiver Ayden Smith will be Hart’s main target. Lineman Kebba Secka, another senior, will help anchor the trenches. 

On the other side of the ball, LSHS returns another First-Team All-Region honoree from last season in senior defensive lineman Cole Nash. 

“All 29 of these seniors have been such a blessing to the program,” Jarvis said. “You can sit down and look at each kid and see that we’ve got great leaders…Those guys are great kids, and they’re kids who lead. Even if they’re not vocal leaders, they’re leading by example.”

Like other schools, the Lions will face a retooled region in Class 5A’s Region 5, as the Lions will face several schools from south Fulton County this season. 

With a competitive region ahead of them, the Lions early schedule will provide some challenges to help them prepare. Early on, they will face in-county foe Douglas County High School in the Henry County Classic to open the season. From there, the Lions will travel to powerhouse Lee County early in the season before getting into region play. 

“I tell anyone the perfect scenario for any high school head coach is to have three or four non-region games, and for two of those you want to play at least two tough opponents,” Jarvis said. “If you don’t, it’s not preparing you for your tough region or the tough playoffs. So to play two county rivals in [Douglas County] and Alexander, and then to have the chance to let the kids go down and face Lee County, that’s who you want to face.”

The Douglas County Education Foundation is excited to partner with the Atlanta Falcons as they take on San Francisco 49ers on October 16th, 2022.

Please watch a personal invitation from Superintendent Trent North here. 

Ivan Cambron is an exceptional fifth grader at Winston Elementary School. Principal Heather George says Ivan is a role model to his peers, both in and out of the classroom. Principal George says that as a member of the Winston PRIDE, he is Positive, Responsible, In control, Dependable, and shows Effort in all he does. Ivan’s teachers share that he is one of the most respectful students in their classroom, and they note his understanding and flexibility throughout his day. Congratulations, Ivan! Winston Elementary is proud to celebrate Ivan and recognize him in this week’s Student Spotlight!

September 5: Holiday for All

September 6: Teacher Work Day

September 6: BOE Work Session 

September 8: Progress Reports Elementary and Middle

September 19: BOE Meeting

October 3: BOE Work Session 

October 10: Holiday

October 11: Holiday

October 17: BOE Work Session