What is "Going and Growing" On in the SDES Garden? | |
Popular Student Club Draws Over 100 Members | |
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Garden Club at South Douglas Elementary School is thriving and has the growing results to prove it. According to School Garden Director Natalie Murray, these clubs meet after school twice a month. The K-2nd Garden Club has 65 student participants, and the 3-5th Grade Garden Club also has 65 student participants. “It is a very popular club,” Murray said. “The students each get their own t-shirt and feel excited about being a part of what we have ‘going and growing’ on in the school garden.”
The SDES Garden Club exists to teach students where their food comes from, how to grow food on their own, how to care for plants, how to create and take care of natural habitats, empathy for the environment, nutrition, health and wellness for all, and that all living creatures need each other to continue to survive and thrive.
“Because SDES is a STEM-certified (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) school, we try to add as much STEM into the Garden Club lessons as well,” Murray added. "We talk about soil health and amending the soil with compost and natural fertilizers. We plant seasonal vegetables and we are also expanding our perennial pollinator plants. We want to be a certified pollinator habitat -- especially for the endangered Monarch butterfly,” Murray explained. "We will be planting milkweed soon -- the host plant for the Monarch butterfly.”
This is Murray’s first year teaching at SDES, but not her first school garden. She was at Mirror Lake Elementary for the past 15 years and the School Garden Director there. She has been on the Douglas County Farm Bureau Board as the Educational Outreach Chairperson for the past three years.
Murray has developed two different programs for the schools in Douglas County through the Farm Bureau. One is the mini-grant program where schools can apply for $500 to use for the startup of a garden or an agriculture-related project. South Douglas Elementary was actually the recipient of a DCFB Mini Grant three years ago.
“I even had the privilege of delivering the check to the school and the teachers that had applied, Murray said. “Little did I know that I would eventually be working there and actually become the School Garden Director. It's interesting how the path of life twists and turns sometimes.”
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Georgia Department of Education Names Two DCSS Schools "Literacy Leaders" | |
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Two Douglas County schools are being recognized for achievement in third-grade reading. Mason Creek Elementary and North Douglas Elementary School are two of 155 schools recognized by the Georgia Department of Education as Literacy Leaders.
Fifteen percent or more of Mason Creek and North Douglas Elementary’s 3rd graders improved on the Milestones from the academic year 2021-22 to 2022-23. This accomplishment reflects the Douglas County School System’s commitment to literacy achievement and advancement. As the DCSS Strategic Plan outlines, the district emphasizes college and career readiness. The commitment is exemplified by a continued investment in resources and professional learning opportunities that increase early literacy.
“The district’s commitment to understanding how Lexile calculations are configured, in addition to focusing our attention to the mid-range Lexile target, has had a significant impact on how well students read and comprehend in all content areas,” Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Chelsie Goodman said. Additionally, she states that “the school system will continue to provide and encourage engaging, thoughtful resources with an increasing emphasis on rigorous texts starting in kindergarten and continuing throughout high school.”
Goodman is proud of the work happening in classrooms across Douglas County. Mason Creek Elementary School Principal Kristin Martin agrees, adding the recognition reflects the hard work of teachers and students. “Throughout the school year, I watched our teachers and students take ownership of their actions and embrace every challenge that came their way,” she states. “Our growth results from their unwavering determination and refusal to make excuses, and I am one proud leader!”
North Douglas Elementary School Principal JaQuan Carter is also committed to continuous improvement and a love for literacy. He expresses gratitude for the recognition, adding, “We are incredibly honored that North Douglas is a Literacy Leader. We are committed to maintaining high academic standards across our school and will continue working to provide the best learning environment for our young readers.”
Selection for Literacy Leaders is based on the Georgia Milestones Reading Status indicator. The indicator is based on the Lexile score associated with students’ performance on a subset of questions on the ELA assessment.
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DCEF Fun Run: Celebrating 11 Years of Running Fun!
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The Douglas County Education Foundation is pleased to announce the return of the much anticipated Fun Run! The tradition of fitness and fun has benefited the Douglas County School System since 2012. It has been a remarkable success, with over 2,000 runners participating over the years.
This year marks the 11th anniversary of hosting this fun-filled event. The October 21 event, held at New Manchester High School, will feature races for Pre-K students up to the Middle School level. To add an extra layer of enjoyment, Atlanta Falcons mascots Freddie the Falcon and Lil’ Freddie will make a grand appearance at the event.
The event will benefit the Douglas County Education Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to recognize and reward excellence in the students and staff of the Douglas County School System.
Pre-registration is underway and will run through October 7. Pre-registration is $25, and the registration on event day is $25. To register, visit https://app.fluidpay.com/checkout/d50882ff-b0b9-49ee-a549-270c23ece65a
For more information, contact DCEF Executive Director Angelia O'Neal at angelia.oneal@dcssga.org.
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Tigers Named GHSF Daily Team of the Week | |
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Following their big win over Langston Hughes last Friday night, Douglas County High School’s football team was named the state’s Team of the Week on Wednesday by Georgia High School Football Daily.
Each week during the high school football season, GHSF Daily selects one of over 400 schools from around the state to feature as its team of the week. To select the team, several factors are considered, including game stats, the quality of the opponent, how well a team played, and the historical significance of the victory.
Entering last Friday’s game, Langston Hughes, the defending Class 6A state champion, was ranked No.2 in the state. The victory over the Panthers was DCHS’ first win over a top-two ranked opponent since 1988, and just the fifth such win in the program’s 91-year history.
After falling behind 27-23 with three minutes remaining in the game, DCHS found itself with the ball and a chance to take the lead. The Tigers’ offense moved quickly down the field before Sire Hardaway found James Johnson in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. DHCS’ defense then stopped the Panther offense on its next possession to secure the 30-27 victory.
Hardaway finished the game with 218 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Johnson added 140 all-purpose yards, three touchdowns, and eight tackles on defense.
“Congratulations Coach White and to the DCHS football team on this tremendous victory and for being named GHSF Daily Team of the Week,” said GHSF Daily’s Jeff Gable. “Your team is off to a great start to the season. It’s still early, but this has the makings of being a great year for the Tigers.”
The win moved the Tigers record to 5-0 on the season and vaulted them up the state rankings to No. 4 in Class 6A. It also moved their region record to 2-0, which is tied for first place with East Paulding. The Tigers will face East Paulding on October 20.
This weekend, the Tigers will look to improve their region standing again as they battle in-county rival New Manchester High School. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, September 30, at 2:00 p.m. at DCHS.
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Building a community of lifelong learners every day | |
CHHS Students Plant Pinwheels for Peace | |
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On International Day of Peace, Chapel Hill High School’s National Art Honor Society spread messages of peace and kindness. The creative students marked the occasion by using Pinwheels for Peace. Their pinwheels on the front lawn of Chapel Hill High School featured colorful artwork that radiated messages of peace and goodwill.
Art educator Shelley Acree says students were excited to “plant pinwheels” for the September 21 International art and literacy project. “The National Art Honor Society created pinwheels for the Pinwheels for Peace Project to express their feelings about what is happening in their lives and their world.” Acree explained. “Students wrote their thoughts and feelings about violence, intolerance, and living in harmony with others on one side of the pinwheel. On the opposite side, they used color theory and creative designs to express their feelings visually.”
Pinwheels for Peace is an art installation project started in 2005 by Ann Ayers and Ellen McMillan, two Florida art teachers seeking a way for students to express their feelings about what’s happening in the world and their lives. The project has been quickly embraced by students and millions of art teachers, teachers, parents, children and adults who desire peace in our world.
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FSMS Students Embrace Japanese Club | |
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Factory Shoals Middle School students are excited about engaging in a new opportunity of learning, thanks to 7th grade ELA teacher Patrick Joiner. Joiner has created and organized a Japanese Club for students to become knowledgeable about reading, writing, and speaking formal and informal Japanese.
Joiner, who lived in Japan for three years, is excited to share Japanese customs and courtesies with the inquisitive students. “Japan was life changing for me. The amount of kindness and respect my family experienced was unparalleled, and it was because we extended ourselves by learning Japanese and learning their customs,” said Joiner. The club meetings have been packed with open-minded scholars who can be heard throughout the building discussing their experience.
“Factory Shoals Middle school is very excited about this club and the exposure that our students are privy to due to Mr. Joiner's experience and passion to share,” according to Principal of Factory Shoals Middle School, Dr. Raymond Leonard.
The club meets on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4:35 to 5:30 p.m.
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CCI Students Highlight Suicide Awareness | |
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September is Suicide Awareness Month, an important time to support and raise awareness about an important issue impacting the community. Recently, school ambassadors distributed notecards with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline during lunchtime at the College and Career Institute. Each note card represented hope, and came attached to a Lifesaver candy. The ambassadors’ gesture was intended to be a reminder that resources are available and that everyone can play a role in being a lifesaver. For more information on suicide prevention, call or text 988.
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Burnett Elementary School is proud to call third-grade student Arianna Callaway a Tiger Cub. Some of the young scholar's greatest joys stem from helping others and cooking.
Although she is passionate about many things, helping people is at the top of her list. In fact, supporting the homeless gives her instant gratification. “Helping the homeless makes me feel really good inside,” she said. Cooking is one of her favorite hobbies, and she gets plenty of practice as she helps her mom prepare the meals they distribute to the homeless.
Callaway is involved in several extracurricular activities at Burnett, including the math competition team and cheerleading squad. As a cheerleader, she encourages her team to do their best. Regardless of the score at the end of each game, she tells all the players from both schools, “Good game!”
When asked what she likes most about being a student at Burnett Elementary, Callaway replied, “I love Burnett. It is a happy place and we help each other when someone needs it.”
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Weekly Athletics Schedule | |
- October 2: Probe College Fair
- October 6: Grading Period Ends
- October 9-13: Fall Break
- October 21: DCEF Fun Run
- October 18: Progress Reports (high school)
- October 18: Report Cards (elementary & middle schools)
- November 7: Teacher Work Day
- November 15: Progress Reports (elementary & middle schools)
- November 20-24: Thanksgiving Holidays
- December 15: End of First Semester
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Earth & Heaven Musical Performance
Join Alexander High School's mastery choir and the Sweetwater Singers for an evening of live music that celebrates human connection on September 29. Accompanied by a string orchestration, the two groups will present choral masterpieces and modern hits in AHS' new, state-of-the-art performing arts center.
Click here for tickets or more information about the performance.
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Jaguar Classic
Come out to New Manchester High School for a special band exhibition on October 14. See performances from Talladega College's Great Tornado Band, Sounds of Success, and NMHS' Mighty Marching Jaguars. The fun begins at 10 a.m. Click the flyer above for more information.
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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.
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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.
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September Saturdays
Douglasville's September Saturday Festival is coming up September 23 and September 30, and several of Douglas County's schools will be performing during the festival.
See the flyer above for performance times for each school.
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Probe College Fair
Alexander High School is hosting a college fair for Douglas County students. The Probe College Fair will be held Monday, October 2 at the AHS Coliseum.
Come speak to representatives from several colleges, universities, technical programs, industry employers, and the military.
8th grade students are also welcome to come and meet representatives to learn more about DCSS' high school magnet programs.
Use the link above or the QR code on the flyer to register to attend.
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