August 12, 2022

North Douglas Students VIP Guests at Summer Movie Preview

Before blasting into theaters this summer, the Disney blockbuster "Lightyear" welcomed a group of Douglas County students to preview Buzz's galactic adventures. North Douglas Elementary School students were selected to attend the early look as special guests of one of the film's stars, actress and producer Keke Palmer. 

In the spin-off of the Disney film "Toy Story," Palmer plays teen Izzy Hawthorne, Buzz's friend who dreams of becoming a Space Ranger. In real life, the actress is a partner of Saving Our Daughters, a non-profit dedicated to helping students overcome social barriers that prevent them from thriving. 

Saving Our Daughters previously partnered with North Douglas Elementary School for a successful doll drive. The holiday event put dolls and gifts in the hands of North Douglas students. 

Their partnership continued last month when the thirty-three girls and their teachers attended the preview. Disney surprised the North Douglas girls at the premiere with a bag filled with Disney items. 

After the sneak preview, one student played the role of a Hollywood reporter with the film's star. Fifth-grade broadcasting student Kinsley Murray discussed the movie virtually with the actress and inquired about her journey to success. 

North Douglas teacher Antrovise Lemon says attending the sneak preview was a phenomenal experience. She explains that it was even more significant because North Douglas was the only school at the premiere.  

"We are always proud to represent the Douglas County School System. We are grateful to Saving Our Daughters and Disney for providing this opportunity," she says. "The film's celebration allowed the community and Disney to interact with Douglas County students. We were happy to show that our school and district are filled with exceptional students and dedicated teachers. "

Faryn Algarin is an honor student at Chapel Hill High School. This summer Faryn earned the elite status of becoming one of the first scholars selected for the inaugural Spelman College SMASH science program. This is a highly sought after prestigious program that only allows one opportunity to apply during the student's 9th grade year. 

Faryn was a top pick for this extensively detailed process that welcomed 25 young ladies as the first select few chosen across the metro Atlanta area. Faryn's school counselor, Patreece Hutcherson, recommended Faryn for this program because she excels at learning and has an energetic willingness to try new experiences and opportunities. 

During this experience, Faryn was immersed in working on multiple projects & activities, enjoying campus life, and making new friends while changing the trajectory of her life. The scholars have been offered vast exposure including acquainting themselves with top scientists around the globe along with interactive immersive learning opportunities. 

The SMASH program has an intricate network of universities throughout the US which include the University of California, Berkeley; Stanford (Stanford, CA); UC Davis (Davis, CA); Morehouse (Atlanta, GA); Wayne State University (Detroit, MI); Illinois Institute of Technology; Southern Illinois University; Northeastern University (Boston, MA); University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI), and Spelman College (Atlanta, GA). 

Chapel Hill High School has enthusiastically partnered with the Morehouse SMASH program for several years and now with the neighboring Spelman SMASH program. Currently our Chapel Hill High School Morehouse SMASH scholars include: Lemachi Ajoku, Ethan Bailey, Mason Bell, Alain Civil, Caleb Civil, Blake Ferdinand, Jordan Fitzgerald, Joshua Fitzgerald, Jayden Pierrette, Elijah Plenty, Ethan Sayles, David Spencer III, and Isaiah Wiggins. In addition, one of Chapel Hill High School's Magnet Teachers - Ms. Taiwana Walker is a SMASH instructor. 

To learn more about this program go to SMASH.org

As one of the country's best braille readers, Christopher Morgan is on a winning streak. With each win, the Alexander High student continues breaking barriers and soaring to greater heights. 

The freshman is fresh off a second win at the National Braille Institute's Annual Braille Challenge. Every year the challenge unites over 1,200 North American students to demonstrate their love for braille. Students compete on fundamental braille skills, including reading comprehension, spelling, speed and accuracy, proofreading, and charts and graphs. Designed to help students hone braille literacy skills for academic and employment success, it is the only academic competition of its kind.

This year, Christopher Morgan qualified for a sixth year during regional competition. His teacher Sadisha Clark administered the virtual contest, where he ultimately earned his top ten ranking.

That win earned him a spot at the competition this summer in California. He emerged victorious, bringing home the gold and the coveted 2022 Junior Varsity International Braille Challenge title. 

His mother, Tee Morgan, explains COVID-19 caused a two-year lapse in an in-person national competition. Regional contests continued, but they could not compete to determine finalist winners.

 "This win was exhilarating because he won first place in 2020, but we were virtual," Morgan explains. "He now has the experience of winning first place during an in-person competition."

Tee Morgan says each competition gives her son wind under his wings to fly even higher. "Challenges in life will come and go. These braille challenges give him the extra boost he needs to reach for the known and unknown," she explains. "They help him persevere when things get tough." 

Tee Morgan says her son will begin high school the way he approaches competition: with focus and perseverance. "Half the battle of any success is mental," she adds. "Each victory helps him conquer one challenge after another." 

The Braille Institute awarded Christopher Morgan a personalized braille trophy, a cash prize, and a braille technology device worth over $5,000. Christopher Morgan plans to use his winnings to add to his savings and expand his stock portfolio.

Coming off a 5-4 season in 2021 in which they missed the state playoffs by a single game, Alexander High School enters the season looking to take the next step in head coach Olten Downs’ second season. 

“The thing about last year was we played all the playoff teams competitively and had a shot in those games in the fourth quarter, so our team feels like they should be there,” said Downs. “They’ve got a hunger, so every day when the guys feel like they don’t want to go, it’s easy to keep them reminded of the goals of the team and get them to push through to finish.”

WIth so many games coming down to the wire last season, the weight room has played a big part in the Cougars offseason program, as the coaching staff believes that getting stronger will help the team come out on top of close games in the fourth quarter.

“We felt like in some of the games we had a shot to win, we let them go at the end from a strength standpoint,” said Downs. “In high school football, the biggest, fastest and strongest teams are the best, so that’s something we’ll continue to work on this season.”

The Cougars hope to see these gains in the weight room reflected on the field, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. AHS returns nine starters from last season, including quarterback Jared Echols, wide receiver Eric Singleton and all five starting linemen from last year. 

Defensively, the Cougars graduated several key players from last year’s team, but Downs is confident in the group’s ability to mesh and come together quickly and make a positive impact on the field. 

“We’ve got to get some guys to grow up on the defensive side quickly,” Downs said, “so it’s kind of a flip of our team from last year when we had a lot of seniors on that side of the ball.”

Along with breaking in several new defensive starters, AHS will also begin play in a competitive new Region 5-6A that includes in-county rivals Douglas County and New Manchester.

“There’s not one game on our schedule that you can look at and say that it should be an easy one,” said Downs. “Every single game is going to come down to the end and see if we can protect the football and finish in the fourth quarter to give ourselves a shot for victory.”

AHS will scrimmage at home on August 12 against Carrollton and will officially open the regular season on August 19 at Riverwood High School.

AHS Fall Media Day: YouTube VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/tgoVannhVC0 

First Methodist Church of Douglasville values its long relationship with Burnett Elementary School. Church leaders recently met with Principal Marketa Croom to plan how they can best support the school staff, students, and parents during the new school year.

On Tuesday, July 26, several church members braved the heat to refresh landscaping at the school. And the following day, the church hosted a “welcome back” breakfast for all staff. The church also decorated the faculty lounge and provided snacks.

But their help didn’t stop there. The following week, church members were also on hand to support Sneak-a-Peak and the first day of school!

DCSS is grateful for help from its Partners in Education like the First Methodist Church of Douglasville!

August 15: BOE Meeting

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