August 26, 2022

Physical Education (P.E.) is an important part of a student’s scholastic development. The Georgia Department of Education states that, “quality physical education programs help students develop health related fitness, physical competence in movement activities, cognitive understanding, and positive attitudes toward physical activity so that they can adopt healthy and physically active lifestyles.”  Douglas County School System connects this belief from the state department standards with our mission and values. We believe that by providing relevant learning opportunities, like those provided in our P.E. classes, our students are more prepared to become productive citizens in a global society. 

At Mason Creek Middle School (MCMS) educators take pride in integrating the general education population with the “Exceptional Wolves.” MCMS has 8th graders who serve as Exceptional Ambassadors who support the learning needs of our Program for Exceptional Children students. Students who are a part of the Program for Exceptional Children benefit from several adapted learning options. The adapted P.E. program at Mason Creek Middle School is not only beneficial for Exceptional Wolves, but it is also rewarding for those 8th grade Exceptional Ambassadors who learn alongside them. 

Coach Ewing meets every day with the Exceptional Wolves for P.E. and involves different activities such as fun with the parachute, basketball in the gym, and their  popular Friday dance parties.

Physical activity is important for the Exceptional Wolves because it gives the students an opportunity to participate in a modified version of P.E. class. These students achieve a level of fitness that is appropriate for them, said Ewing. One of the 8th grade Exceptional Ambassadors, Braelynn Carnes says, “the Exceptional Wolves think that we are helping them, but really they are helping us.”

Despite missing the state playoffs last year in head coach Brad Stephens’ first season, the Panthers return a strong group that is ready to compete for a playoff spot in a new region. 

“We expect to make the playoffs every year, because when you do that, you have a chance to play for a state championship and that’s everyone’s goal,” said Stephens. “But I feel like we’re in a good place with the changes we’ve made offensively, being in the weight room for a solid year, and gaining experience.”

Defensively, the Panthers hope to make an impression early, as they return 10 starters from last season. Offensively CHHS only returns four starters, but Stephens is confident that the unit will come together quickly because several guys on that side of the ball gained varsity experience last year.

For the offense, Stephens believes his team’s strength will be its ground game led by running backs Jelani Lovett and Rod Payne. 

“We have some youth up front, but our offensive linemen have worked at voluntary workouts all offseason, and those guys have been there religiously getting better,” Stephens said. “And at quarterback we’re young too, but in the system we’re running, they’ll be successful.”

Along with the system helping his team’s quarterbacks, Stephens is also hopeful that the team’s new quarterbacks coach, former Douglas County High School standout Ricky Dobbs, can also provide quality mentorship to the position group. 

Dobbs went on to play football at the Naval Academy from 2007-2010. There, he broke Tim Tebow’s record for rushing touchdowns in a season by a quarterback in 2009 and led the Midshipmen to their seventh-consecutive bowl game.

On the other side of the ball, the Panthers will be led by 2021 All-Region selections Cam Ashton, Rubin Huggins and Aaron Redmond. 

“Defensively, the biggest thing our defensive coordinator preaches is assignment and alignment,” Stephens said. “You’ve got to line up right and do your job. If we can do that, stay disciplined and stay healthy, I think we can have a really successful season.”

This season, CHHS will need to be sharp on both sides of the ball in a competitive Region 5-5A. To prepare, the Panthers will play a tough non-region schedule and will compete in the Great Atlanta Bash against South Atlanta High School. 

“I think it’s going to be a tough region, but I really feel like we can be in the top of the region and have a chance to go to the state playoffs,” Stephens said.

Last season, Douglas County High School advanced to the second round of the state playoffs for the second time in the past six seasons. Coming into 2022, head coach Johnny White says the goal for the Tigers now is to make the state playoffs and advance even farther than before.  

“We’re expecting to take another step on the ladder. We’ve been here seven years and have four playoff appearances and two of those years we made it to the second round,” said White. “Now we’re trying to get to the third round. We’ve got to take it week-by-week and realize that every game is important.”

This week-by-week approach will be especially important this year, White says, because his team’s schedule features tough non-region contests before having to navigate a competitive Region 5-6A. 

The Tigers will open the season uniquely, as their first two games will take place on Saturday instead of the traditional Friday night. In their opener, DCHS will battle Lithia Springs High School in the Henry County Classic, and the following week they will take on Mays High School in the Great Atlanta Bash in their second week. 

“Our first two games are Saturday games, and we’ve really got to get our energy and endurance up, because the first game is at 2:00 p.m., and the next week we’ll play at 4:00 p.m.,” White said. “So we’ll be playing in the middle of the heat in August so we’ve got to get in shape.”

Fortunately for the Tigers, they return several starters from last year’s team that advanced to the second round of the state playoffs. Offensively, DCHS brings 10 starters back. The group will be led by wide receiver and Wake Forest commit Hilton Alexander II, and they will also lean on running back Latrelle Murrell and wide receiver Monte Gooden on that side of the ball. 

Defensively, the Tigers return eight starters and expect big contributions from Zachariah Keith, a Georgia Tech commit, and Shakai Woods. Both Keith and Woods earned All-State honors at the conclusion of last season, and Woods was named Douglas County Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, the Tigers return linebacker and defensive back Terien George, who will play a big role this season.

French Teacher Immerses Himself in Language and Culture

After spending his summer in France, New Manchester High School French teacher John Green is starting the school year eager to share his experiences with his students. The teacher spent three weeks in an intensive language course at French in Normandy in Rouen, France. A grant from Alpha Delta Kappa, a service sorority, helped pay for tuition. Green’s French language and culture studies improved his conversational skills and updated his knowledge of contemporary France. 

“The program offered instruction entirely in French eight hours a day, five days a week,” Green explains. “By the end of the day, my ears and brain were truly fatigued.” Yet his immersive experience continued even after leaving the classroom. Through daily interactions with his local host family, he acquired even more French language and culture. 

In addition to improving his fluency and adding new strategies to his pedagogical repertoire, Green learned about Normandy, a province steeped in French and American history. Rounding out his stay in francophone Europe, the teacher journeyed to Luxembourg and Belgium. His most vivid memories are those of Mont St. Michel, le Tour de France, and the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. 

Green last studied in France in 2007. He says teachers often forget what it’s like to sit still and listen intently for long periods. As he approaches this school year with renewed enthusiasm, he is reminded of what it’s like to be a student rather than an instructor in a foreign language classroom. 

“Engaging, interactive lessons that teach practical skills–all in the target language–held my attention and improved my language proficiency,” he says. Green remains convinced, now more than ever, that delivering high-quality instruction helps students master the basics of French. He looks forward to sharing his experiences with New Manchester students and getting them excited about another year of learning.

John Green overlooks the Seine River in Normandy France as it winds its way from Paris to the English Channel

John Green visited the American Cemetery on the D-Day beaches during his stay in Normandy

This summer, many of our 7th and 8th grade students had the opportunity to participate in a preparatory Algebra I course. The online program supported by 16 of our Douglas County High School Algebra teachers began on May 29th and continued throughout the summer months, ending on July 29th. Traditionally, the summer months are a time when students and teachers enjoy a break from academics and vacations with family and friends. However, our Algebra Liftoff teachers and students were busily engaged in the work of developing mathematical concepts. At the end of the summer, 182 determined, hard-working students completed the program successfully, earning 70% or above. They also earned a stipend of $250.00!

Our Algebra Liftoff teachers represented all of our high schools, including the College and Career Institute. These teachers also ensured the fidelity of the online program’s assignments and assessments in Algebra by previewing the content. They went above and beyond the expectations of their roles as instruction monitors. Our teachers provided hours of re-teaching, reviewing, and remediation. Just as noteworthy, they were cheerleaders for the students to stick with the program when the going got tough. 

Our Algebra Liftoff Success stories represent all our middle schools and high schools. They are all role models of how setting a goal and sticking with it until the end is a reward in itself. We are very proud of the grit and determination these students demonstrated over the 8 weeks of the program. We plan to celebrate them at their individual schools. We hope this liftoff in algebra enhances their skillset to continue having a growth mindset in higher levels of mathematics throughout their high school and college careers.

Jeremy Fuentes Morales is a 5th-grade student at Annette Winn Elementary School. Principal Dr. Sherritta Abell says Jeremy exemplifies leadership through his school’s WNN News (Wildcat News Network) program, BETA Club, and Math Bowl. She says he continually excels in the classroom, is an honor student, reads above grade level, and works hard in all his classes. Jeremy often helps struggling students within his work group and is an excellent example of the school’s mission statement of “helping others in the school as needed.”  

Jeremy is consistently an active listener and always participates in any activity. His classmates say that he is a good friend and cares about others. Jeremy is excited to be in 5th grade so he can learn exponents in math to prepare for the Math Bowl. Jeremy has a quiet personality but a hilarious sense of humor. He is polite and reminds others through his example to always do the right things. His teachers and peers agree that he is a wonderful and caring young man! Congratulations, Jeremy! 

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