District Spelling Bee Champion is Crowned | |
|
Chestnut Log Middle School eighth-grader Talib Anderson won the Douglas County School System District Spelling Bee held at the Alexander High School Performing Arts Center on Wednesday.
Anderson correctly spelled W-Y-O-M-I-N-G for the win.
Mason Creek Middle School sixth-grader Earlene Igbeare finished as runner-up. Fairplay Middle School’s Dheephaasakti Chandrasekaran finished third.
Afterward, with his first-place trophy in-hand, Anderson said he studied some for the spelling bee, but that he's just a naturally good speller.
Anderson advanced to the final round by spelling D-I-S-T-R-I-B-U-T-E. Igbeare, who finished third at the district spelling bee last year, advanced to the finals with W-I-D-O-W-E-R.
| |
|
The two then went back-and-forth in the finals for seven tense minutes before Igbeare missed A-B-S-C-O-N-D and Anderson then correctly spelled G-L-A-C-I-E-R, followed by W-Y-O-M-I-N-G to claim the title.
Anderson and Igbeare faced off in the finals after outlasting the other school-level spelling bee winners from the district’s elementary and middle schools through 12 rounds of intense competition.
Anderson and Igbeare will now move on to compete in the regional spelling bee.
| |
DCHS, NMHS Honor Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. | |
|
Douglas County and New Manchester high schools hosted activities to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday.
Students in the DCHS Rotary Interact Club and students from Mason Creek Middle were among the volunteers who took part in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service project held at the school.
Volunteers mulched and performed light pruning on the 60-plus trees planted on DCHS’ Campbellton Street campus in 2020, according to Chan Weeks, Executive Director of Keep Douglasville Beautiful, which collaborated with the City of Douglasville’s Tree Board on the project.
“Rotary Interact Club prides (itself) in community engagement on national and local levels, so to take our skills to the MLK Day or Service is a walk in the park,” said Drenay Everett, DCHS Rotary Interact Club sponsor.
| |
|
At New Manchester, the school celebrated a Dr. Martin Luther King Impact Day with interactive workshops, a college and career fair, community resources, an art and writing contest, and much more.
The event was presented by the Douglas-Carroll-Paulding Counties Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Solicitor General Sonya Compton, Douglasville Police Chief Dr. Gary Sparks, Douglasville Mayor Rochelle Robinson, Sheriff Tim Pounds and District Attorney Dalia Racine were among the officials who took part at NMHS.
| |
Fairplay Middle School Seventh Graders Dive Into Biology with Hands On Learning | |
The seventh graders at Fairplay Middle School are on an exciting journey into the world of human anatomy. Through a hands-on approach to learning, they are studying body systems in their science classes.
The young scientists are exploring skeletal and muscular systems by dissecting chicken wings. The lesson taught them how muscle groups move bones and the structures that make up bones and bone marrow. They also learned about the interplay between skeletal and muscular systems through careful dissection.
“Through discussion and experience, the level of learning dramatically increases,” said Fairplay Middle School teacher Noelle Belaski. “At Fairplay, we believe in giving our students many opportunities to experience scientific phenomena and to talk about them with classmates. This lab deepens the students’ understanding of how the skeletal and muscular systems work together in a meaningful and memorable way."
| |
MLES Fourth Graders Practice Physics at Sparkles | |
|
Fourth graders from Mirror Lake Elementary reinforced their scientific knowledge of force and motion on their recent field trip to Sparkles in Hiram.
Students participated in a STEM lesson where they learned about basic physics while discussing the forces in play while roller skating.
Students were able to practice different amounts of force by pushing a skate and observing how that affected the amount of control they had. They also designed and built a skate.
After the lesson, students were able to practice what they learned about force and motion while skating, playing on the playground, and participating in laser tag.
| |
Building a community of lifelong learners every day | |
Beulah Celebrates Super Readers | |
|
On January 8, the Beulah Elementary School Media Center celebrated Super Reader Students who met their second nine-week reading goal.
Students in grades 2-5 have an individual reading goal that is set according to their specific reading goal.
Students get to be Super Readers by reading books and articles on their level and maintaining an 80-percent average on all tests taken in the Accelerated Reader program.
These Super Students "shopped" in the Accelerated Reader Store using the points they earned for reading in the Accelerated Reading Program as their "cash.”
“They enjoyed buying everything from bobbleheads, stuffed animals, snacks, and books, to superhero-themed jewelry,” said Beulah Media Specialist Lori Blevins. “In addition to earning prizes, these students had a time of fun and games and chose their favorite board games to play or floor puzzles to complete.”
Blevins added, “We are so proud of our Super Readers here at Beulah and can't wait to see all of our Super Readers at our next Super Reading Party in March.”
| |
Arbor Station Accelerated Readers Enjoy Glow Nacho Dance Party | |
|
Arbor Station students who met 100 percent of their Accelerated Reader (AR) goal for the second nine weeks were recently treated to a Glow Nacho Dance Party.
Students enjoyed nachos, glow-in-the-dark dancing and treats.
Great Job Reading Bears. There is always something good going on at the Station.
| |
|
Josiah Crenshaw is a bright, conscientious, hardworking student with a great sense of humor and a refreshingly firm moral compass. He’s a valuable asset to the classroom, consistently offering meaningful insights and setting a positive example for his classmates.
The young scholar is an All-A student who is also a member of the FMS Band and Chorus, the president of FMS Beta, and is one of the FMS representatives for the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.
Josiah will be 1st chair of the District Honor Band next month, and recently participated in the DCSS Honor Chorus. He truly embodies the spirit of being a Jaguar and Fairplay Middle is proud to have him as part of the school community!
| |
|
Arbor Station Elementary School teacher Joyce Aaron shines for her commitment to excellence in teaching. Every day, she creates and fosters a positive learning environment for students.
Principal Dr. Emily Felton appreciates the new ELA/Social Studies teacher's innovative and engaging teaching strategies. She adds that Aaron has over 14 years of experience as a social worker. "That experience taught her compassion and strong organizational and interpersonal skills. It also gave her strong multitasking and critical thinking skills," Dr. Felton explains.
These skills have made a tremendous impact on students. Her passion and dedication to student success have led to positive student outcomes. Dr. Felton says Aaron collaborates effectively with team members and communicates powerfully with parents. This commitment to student development has distinguished Aaron as an outstanding teacher at Arbor Station.
| |
Chapel Hill High School Wrestling Team Rises to "The Gold Standard" | |
 | |
In the last three years, Coaches Cheyenne Diamond and Chaston Broughton have grown the Chapel Hill High School wrestling program from 12 wrestlers to over 40. The team quickly went from barely competing in tournaments to placing among the top teams.
Robert Magana is currently 13-2 after pinning almost all his competitors in the first period and was ranked top in the state at 106 pounds. Other team members scoring significant achievements include Demonta Fagin with a 7-3 record and Alex Teal with an 11-5 record in his competitive weight class at 175. Dwight Banks III also has an impressive record of 16-1 and qualified for state last year. Teammate LeFabian Williams III has a 7-1 record.
Diamond said the Panthers are expecting a region win in team duals and that several wrestlers will compete in individual state, including Magana at 113, Fagin at 150, Teal at 175, Banks III at 190, Williams III at 215, and in the girls division, Solunne Fedovskiy at 155.
The wrestlers are excited to represent Chapel Hill High School as The Gold Standard this season. The Panther wrestlers believe this standard brings sportsmanship, competitiveness, and heart to the Chapel Hill wrestling program.
| |
Weekly Athletics Schedule | |
|
- February 7: Progress Reports (elementary & middle schools)
- February 19-23: Winter Break
- March 11: Teacher Work Day
- March 20: Report Cards (elementary & middle schools)
- March 20: Progress Reports (high school)
- April 1-5: Spring Break
- April 24: Progress Reports (elementary & middle schools)
- May 22: Report Cards (elementary schools
| |
|
Who: Seniors
What: DCEF Scholarship Application
When: January 1 -26
The Portal is Open!
| |  |
|
DCCA Scholastic Chess Championship
Where: Turner Middle School
When: January 27, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. (check in at 9:30)
Cost: $15 per student
| | |
|
DCSS Community Bulletin Board
Looking for a great weekend event, after-school care, or a new activity? Check out DCSS' Community Bulletin Board at the link above to learn all about events and activities occurring in Douglas County.
| |
|
Douglas SEES
DCSS offers several resources for student health, wellness and support through the Douglas SEES website. Visit the link above to learn more about the resources available to students and families.
| |
|
DCSS Family Health Center
DCSS' Family Health Center is a resource for families and staff within the school system. The center is located on the lower level of Burnett Elementary School and offers several services. Click the flyer above to learn more.
| | | | |
