Partners in Education Newsletter March Edition |
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PIE Celebrates Principal 4 A Day!
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the principals of all 35 schools were able to participate in "Principal 4 A Day” this year. The annual event, organized by Partners in Education and the Douglas County Chamber, was mostly virtual this year. Members of local businesses and organizations in Douglas County signed up to shadow a principal at a mutually agreeable time during the week of March 8-12. They were able to ask questions and enjoy seeing at least four areas and activities in the school. Participants included Mayor Rochelle Robinson, Commission Chair Dr. Romona Jackson Jones and Douglas County Development Authority President Chris Pumphrey.
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Mt. Carmel Elementary School |
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PI(E) Day Fundraiser
Thank you to everyone who supported Partners In Education during our PIE Day fundraiser. We appreciate each person and business that donated through Facebook or stopped by Spirit Night at Taco Mac on 3/14. Your generosity and assistance will help PIE continue to serve the students and staff of our local Douglas County school system. The next Spirit Night fundraiser will be on April 22 at Yogli Mogli on Chapel Hill Road. Bring the whole family by for a delicious treat and an easy way to support Partners In Education!
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Medline Grant Update
In late 2020, Partners In Education and Communities in Schools received a generous grant from Medline Industries to provide students in need with hygiene and sanitary items to keep them safe and healthy during the Coronavirus pandemic. Through the grant funding and donations from our community partners, a number of COVID bags and school clinic supplies were provided to all schools in the Douglas County school system. Here’s what our teachers, counselors, and school staff had to say about receiving these resources:
- “We are happy to have received the Medline Grant quarantine supplies in our school. It is so nice to know that we are equipped with snacks and drinks for sick children, as well as COVID supplies for those who need it.” -South Douglas Elementary School.
- “We would like to thank Partners In Education and Medline for the snacks provided to the clinic. Having the snacks allows us to provide something to students in the clinic and IR who have a long wait for their parents to arrive for pick-up. Sometimes students with stomach aches are really hungry and need something to hold them over until lunch time. Having snacks available allows us to keep students in school or make them feel a little better while waiting.” – Sweetwater Elementary School
- “We are so blessed to work in a county that supports its community and community members. These wonderful COVID care kits, which were provided by Medline and other PIE partners (GreyStone Power, CVS, Go Energy Financial Credit Union, First Presbyterian Church, The Writing Pad, Wenck Travel, and Rita Wilson) will help us provide real-time support to those in the clinic or those who may be struggling financially related to the ongoing pandemic.” -Chapel Hill Elementary School
- “The COVID bags have been a tremendous help so far. In a time when so many people feel hopeless and alone, being able to put some basic supplies in the hands of these students who don’t know where to turn is priceless. They feel like there are people who are about them as individuals. They feel like someone understands. Honestly, these are the kind of supplies that counselors use their own resources to provide for students regularly. Students and counselors are grateful there are people in the community who want to help them meet their needs.” – Lithia Springs High School
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Support PIE through AmazonSmile and Kroger Community Rewards.
It is easier than ever to support PIE each time you run by the grocery store or pick up a few things online. Before you head to Kroger, make sure your Kroger Plus Card is enrolled in their Community Rewards Program which donates to PIE each time you shop. Visit the Kroger website at http://www.kroger.com. Once logged into your account, you can search for Partners in Education of Douglas County either by name or non-profit organization number MT985, and then click Enroll.
You can also support PIE through AmazonSmile. Simply head to smile.amazon.com and add “Douglas County Chamber Foundation Inc.” as your preferred benefactor. Each time you make a purchase, Amazon will donate to Partners In Education which helps support our mission of creating impactful partnerships between schools and businesses in our community.
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This Month's School Spotlight is FLEX Academy! |
FLEX Academy is Douglas County School System’s Virtual School, and its first year has gotten off to a great start. The start of the year kicked off with our very own Dr. Tara Campbell being mentioned in the Edmentum Blog. Flying high through the year, FLEX spotlighted students who were voted by teachers as model students on task and working efficiently in the platform. In December FLEX showed appreciation to its partner, Papa Johns, by having the elementary students create short videos and drawings saying Merry Christmas and thanking Papa John’s for their donations. |
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At the start of the second semester, FLEX honored the elementary, middle, and high school students who completed a successful first semester on the honor roll and showcased graduating seniors. Students made posters and were invited to participate in an honor roll parade to celebrate their academic achievements. The faculty and staff of FLEX Academy gathered at the front of Factory Shoals Middle School with decorative hand clappers, balloons, and music, along with computer access for those celebrating virtually. Students received certificates to recognize their achievements. |
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For Black History Month, FLEX participated with multiple engaging events. The month started with two highlighted African-American authors. Elementary students enjoyed a virtual visit from author Darius Williams, who read his book DJ’s Favorite Day. Middle and high school students were interacted with Mr. Chris Sumlin, who read and discussed a portion of his book, Dealing with this Thing Called College.
Elementary students also put on a virtual black history program, sponsored by Mrs. E. Borha, and Mrs. C.Hill, where students showcased their talents through singing, playing instruments, and presenting on “The Greats Past and Present of African American History.” The enrichment class also spotlighted Nikki Giovanni.
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FLEX has been highlighting a focus on careers and goal setting in its enrichment course. The school hosted its first school career speaker event on March 4, 2021, where WSA’s Plant Operator Mr. Ross Byrd informed students and faculty about his role as a plant operator, keeping our water safe, as well as the education needed and process of how one who might be interested could start in this career field. Elementary students also built dams when studying about water and the environment. |
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Career Speaker: Ross Byrd |
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FLEX Elementary Student Rhett - Dam Construction: |
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FLEX enrichment student Faith Cannon - Virtual Vision Board Construction: |
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FLEX also celebrated its appreciation for the Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/Douglas County partnership and donations by providing Olive Garden lunch for the Staff. |
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FLEX is making it happen! |
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SMALL WAYS TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE |
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Want to Partner with a School? |
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Looking for some easy ways to start partnering and making a difference in the lives of Douglas County’s students and teachers? Consider the following opportunities to kick your partnership off on the right foot! Need more ideas? Visit dcssga.org/p_i_e or contact your school’s PIE Ambassador to talk about their specific needs.
- Participate in virtual career fairs
- Offer internships to high school students
- Serve on advisory councils
- Serve as judges for academic and extracurricular competitions such as science fairs, art guilds, STEM clubs, etc.
- Serve as guest readers
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The College and Career Institute Has the Following Needs: |
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Small Gift Cards for student incentives
The College and Career Institute (CCI) is seeking partners to help virtually interview students for Mock Interview Day in late March. They are also asking for donations of snacks, bottled water, and small gift cards to use for student incentives. If you or your business would like to help out with any of these needs, please contact Geri Armstrong.
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Douglas County High School gives a great big THANK YOU to Dirty Dog’s Car Wash for providing free car washes to teachers and school staff! |
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The students and staff of Winston Elementary School would like to thank Ephesus Baptist Church for providing our students with weekend snacks and holiday food boxes. |
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Lithia Springs Elementary School has several partners they would like to acknowledge for their efforts in supporting student and staff needs: Cornerstone Baptist Church (water and student incentives), Gift of Love (student snacks), Roshiel POA Association (holiday gifts for students), My Friends and I (thanksgiving dinner), and Union Grove Baptist Church (holiday gifts for students). Thank you so much! |
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Stewart Middle School is sending a shout-out to Dr. Deborah Johnson-Blake at The Writing Pad for her generous donation of masks and sanitizing wipes to keep students healthy and germ free. SMS also wants to thank Kappa Alpha Psi’s Community Diamonds Academic Foundation for providing incentives and support for local students to encourage academic success and attendance. |
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FLEX Academy is shouting out several partners for their continued efforts in supporting student activities and success: GreyStone Power for the donation of jump drives, Douglasville/Douglas County Cultural Arts Council for school supplies, and the Douglasville-Douglas County WSA for Career Day speakers. |
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Chapel Hill High School would like to thank two amazing partners for their support of the SGA Movie Night: Royal Accents for the monetary donation to pay for the movie license and Impact Ink for their donation of candy for attendees. |
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A big shout-out to Sandy Gamble with the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce for being Mt. Carmel Elementary School’s “Principal 4 A Day.” We truly appreciate her time in participating in our day-to-day activities. |
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Lithia Springs High School gives a huge shout-out to Dr. Rosemarie Russo, a long-time partner and passionate supporter of STEM education at the school. Dr. Russo is pictured below working her chiropractic magic on a client! |
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Want to stay connected with PIE? Make sure to “like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/douglascountypie to see partner success stories, volunteer opportunities, and other fun stuff to keep you engaged with the PIE community. You can also get great PIE news on our webpage, dcssga.org/p_i_e, including partnership ideas, wish list items, upcoming events, and more. |
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Tag, You're It!
We want to celebrate all the great things happening in the world of PIE! Make sure to tag @DouglasCountyPIE on your school or business Facebook page if you have something awesome to share.
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Does your school or business have upcoming event in the Douglas County community? Let us know the details so we can share it with the PIE network! Email Sandy to have your event in our next newsletter. |
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2020-2021 PIE Board Members
Lyndsey Sargent, Water and Sewer Authority – Chair
Tonya Jackson, RA-LIN and Associates - Vice Chair
Jean Baker – Recording Secretary
Rita Wilson, GreyStone Power Corporation – Corresponding Secretary
Christine Stanley, Design Solutions Group – Treasurer
Andrew Dickinson, First Presbyterian Church
Lynn Dunaway, Impact Ink
Lynn Murray, DCSS
Leslie Smith, Brainy Bytes West Atlanta
Vonda Thorpe, Royal Accents
Patty Wenck, Wenck Travel
Christy Wilson, The Oaks Douglasville
Debbie Wolfe, Elwood Staffing
Chris Rentz, Pioneer Residential
Andrew Jordan, Connally, Jordan, and Associates
DeeDee Zachos, The Zachos Team
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