Mason Creek Middle School Girls took home the county trophy in the middle school tournament last weekend. Chapel Hill Middle School won the remaining championships: 7th Grade Boys, 8th Grade Girls and 8th Grade Boys.

Pictured are members of the MCMS team with their trophy. Teams from CHMS will be featured soon.

Camille’s project was Microscopic Madness. In addition to taking the top honor at the regional fair, her project was the top one in the middle school science category in the district fair. Camille is a 7th grader at Chapel Hill Middle School.

Rebecca’s project was Which Arrangement of Solar Panels is the Most Efficient. The project was the best overall at the regional competition, and top project in the high school science category at the district level. Rebecca is a senior at Lithia Springs High School.

The Douglas County School System welcomes Olten Downs as head football coach for Alexander High School. Coach Downs replaces Matt Combs, who stepped down in January after 10 successful years as head coach.

Coach Downs served as head coach the last two seasons at Westover High School in Albany, GA, where he led the team to the AAA state playoffs in 2020. Prior to Westover, Downs served as safeties coach at Georgia Southern University and assistant director of player development at the University of Georgia. Other high school coaching experience includes Creekside High School, Riverdale High School and Carver High School.

“I am excited to take over a solid football program at Alexander. My goal is to take it to a new level,” said Coach Downs. “I want to raise young men to be leaders and good fathers,” he continued. “I want them to learn to work hard and love the process.”

Coach Downs said he spent a lot of time in Douglasville and became familiar with Alexander from his time coaching at Creekside High School. “I’m excited about this opportunity. Alexander is a great school and Douglas County is a respected school district. I look forward to building on Alexander’s winning tradition.”

Coach Downs and his wife, Sharee, have two children. Coach Downs plans to start work at Alexander on March 1.

February is CTAE Month and a time to celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of our Career, Technical and Agriculture Education programs!

The CTAE programs in all five high schools and the College & Career Institute (CCI) offer a wonderful way for students to gain career skills and certifications while in high school.

In addition, students can participate in Dual Enrollment at Georgia colleges and universities while in high school and earn technical college credit or core college credits that will transfer to any college or university in the University System of Georgia.

Today we are featuring the opportunities at West Georgia Technical College (WGTC). Students who participate in Dual Enrollment at WGTC may attend the CCI and use transportation provided by the Douglas County School System.

For more information on CTAE and Dual Enrollment, please go to the links below.

Thank you to Ashley and Mandy Eaton for their generous contribution to two schools in Douglas County. The Eatons made the donation through the Douglas County Education Foundation.

Burnett Elementary and North Douglas Elementary each received $5,000 to improve academic success for their students.

Mrs. Eaton has volunteered for several years at various schools in Douglas County and has a passion for education, reading and supporting Title I schools. She and her husband recently moved to DeKalb County but continue to show their love for the children and schools in Douglas County. The Eatons' other philanthropic efforts include support for veterans, education in Haiti and an orphanage.

Mr. and Mrs. Eaton are pictured with North Douglas Principal Karna Kelly.

Yesterday, teachers and staff at all schools received a customized gift of Valentine cookies as a thank you from the Board of Education and Superintendent North.

"We are grateful for the hard work of the teachers and staff at our schools," said Superintendent North. "Their perseverance while dealing with all the challenges of COVID has made us successful during this challenging year. All employees received a monetary thank you last week, and the gift of cookies is just another way of saying thank you to the heart and soul of the school system."

Pictured with her "sweet" gift is Marsha Cozart, 6th grade ELA teacher at Yeager Middle School.

Click HERE for a PDF with links to informational sessions.

Nidia Wilson grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and attended college at Old Westbury in New York. She served three years in the U.S. Army and six years in the Army Reserves.

Officer Wilson has extensive experience in law enforcement. She retired as a police officer from the New York City Police Department with 16 years of service. She then moved to Georgia in 2008 and worked at Kennesaw State University as a police officer for six years.

Officer Wilson believes the great relationships she builds with people and children helps her to be effective in her job. "I've always been able to relate to and understand their issues and problems."

At Factory Shoals Middle School, Officer Wilson's goal is to make a difference and be a role model to all children. "If I have the capabilities to point them in the right direction, I will."

Officer Wilson is the mother of three children. In her free time, she enjoys making scented candles.

The award winning NMHS Fine Arts Magnet Education program is proud to present its annual Black History program. This year the program is titled "Good Trouble" in honor of the memory of Georgia Congressman John Lewis and will pay tribute to African-American pioneers in the arts with performances and presentations from the FAME art, dance, drama, band and choral departments at NMHS. This year's performance will be streamed starting February 22nd and will run through February 28th at: https://nmhsfame.anywhereseat.com. Join us for a great evening of "Edu-tainment"! 

To enter the District Attorney's photo contest and for additional information, please click here.