NMHS Senior Wins Prestigious Awards for Art |
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High school senior and four-year F.A.M.E. Visual Arts student Roxy Bridges is the recent recipient of three Silver Key Awards for individual works of art and an Honorable Mention for her portfolio submitted to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards this year. The Scholastic Awards began in 1923 and is touted as the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. Entries are judged by some of the foremost leaders in the visual and literary arts. They recognize works that exemplify the program’s three core values -- originality, technical skill, and the emergence of personal voice or vision.
Among the many notable alumni of the awards are Truman Capote, ca. 1936 Author, Charles White, ca. 1937 Artist, Andy Warhol, ca. 1945 Artist, Edward Sorel, 1947 Artist, John Updike, 1948 Author, Alan Arkin, 1951 Actor, Robert Redford, 1954 Actor, Activist, Director, Stephen King, 1965 Author, Zac Posen, 1998 Fashion Designer, Tschabalala Self, 2008 Artist, and Amanda Gorman, 2015-16 Poet.
“Roxy is just one of the most humble and talented kids I know -- and I've taught for 22 years in Douglas County,” said Ashley Houlihan, Visual Arts Teacher and department chair at NMHS. "She's such a deserving student; she has worked so hard every day of her high school career."
After high school, Roxy plans to attend an art and design school and possibly major in illustration. She is currently considering Maine College of Art where she has already been accepted and offered a scholarship. Beyond that, she would like to travel, continue to create art, and have a career in the field.
Roxy’s work will be on display, along with the Gold and Silver Key Award-winning work from other students in the Georgia region, at an exhibition open February 22 through 29 hosted by SCAD in Savannah, Georgia.
Pictured above below are three of Roxy's award-winning pieces in the Silver Key Awards.
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100 Days Smarter!
Celebrations Mark the Milestone
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Elementary schools dressed up, read, sang, danced and counted their way to 100 on Tuesday to celebrate the 100th day of the 2020-2021 school year, one they will always remember as the “pandemic year.”
The most popular way to celebrate was dressing up as a 100-year-old. Elementary school halls were full of “centenarians” on Tuesday! Some students decorated tee shirts with 100 items on them such as stickers and pompoms. Special books about the 100th day of school were read. Counting, building and art projects included using 100 items such as beads, marshmallows and toothpicks.
Sweetwater Elementary School celebrated the 100th day with a different twist. Staff and students dressed in styles from the 1980’s because 80 days remain in the school year. At Arbor Station Elementary, the staff joined in the dress-up fun!
Regardless of the way the milestone day was marked, celebrations were interactive and fun, mixed with reflections on all that has been accomplished so far in the school year and what will be accomplished in the remaining 80 days.
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FSMS Student to Lead Girls Empowering Movement Physical Activity Program |
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Adan is one of only 14 middle school girls in the state chosen to serve on the GEM Leadership Team.
Giselle Adan, a Factory Shoals Middle School 6th grader, has been selected by HealthMPowers as a student leader for the new Girls Empowering Movement Program (GEM). Sponsored with a $4.1M grant from The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation, GEM is a five-year statewide initiative to improve middle school girls’ physical activity.
Giselle is a swimmer with BlazeSports, an organization that provides a variety of sports and recreation programs for kids and teens with physical challenges. Giselle has a physical challenge called osteogenesis imperfecta, meaning her bones are fragile. "The only sport that is safe for me to do is swimming," says Giselle. “I got chosen to be a GEM leader because I want to help all the girls that feel left out or different, and I want to make them shine. I also want to help all girls feel happy and healthy. But most importantly, I want these girls to feel like they are not being judged when they are doing any physical activities.”
Spurred by Georgia FitnessGram® data that shows a sharp decline in girls’ aerobic capacity from 51 percent in 5th grade to only 31 percent in 12th grade and a gender disparity in fitness levels among middle school girls and boys, the program will empower and engage 18,000 girls from 120 sites across Georgia. Starting this fall, the GEM program will be implemented in schools, Girl Scout Troops, and Boys and Girls Clubs.
“GEM is different than other physical activity programs because it doesn’t push girls to do activities that they don't want to do,” continued Giselle. “The GEM program takes the time to understand girls and helps them to become strong leaders.”
The Girls Empowering Movement is a collaborative initiative led by HealthMPowers in partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of Georgia, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, and Wolf Wellness Lab at the University of West Georgia. The organizations are working together to ensure that the girls’ voice drives all program elements and keeps them at the forefront.
Giselle is one of only 14 middle school girls from across the state selected to serve on the GEM Leadership Team. The girls have been working closely with HealthMPowers staff during the design phase of the program and collectively decided on the name GEM because they felt it represented the strength, value and confidence they hope to inspire in their peers.
“The collaboration and insights from the GEM Leadership Team have been integral to creating a physical activity program tailored to meet girls’ needs,” said Christi Kay, Project Director at HealthMPowers, an organization that promotes healthy habits to build a better future for children. “As a leader in this movement, Giselle aims to have a positive impact on her peers.”
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FLEX Academy: Accepting Applications
for 2021-2022
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If your student is an independent learner who likes to use technology, and your family needs or desires a more flexible approach to education, the FLEX Academy may be right for you!
Click HERE for a PDF with links to informational sessions.
FLEX is short for Flexible Learning for Educational Excellence. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are eligible to participate in FLEX Academy, which offers a fully online, rigorous, self-paced curriculum. All teachers are certified Douglas County School System teachers who monitor student progress and offer differentiated instructional support as needed. FLEX is ideal for highly independent, self-motivated learners who enjoy working at a faster pace.
“I am filled with gratitude for my experience as the first principal of FLEX Academy," said Principal Dr. Tara Campbell. "Our teachers and families have inspired me with their perseverance, optimism, and loving spirits. I have witnessed firsthand through our teachers and so many of our students that it is possible to thrive even in the most difficult of circumstances. FLEX Academy is truly a special (though virtual) place!”
Students interested in applying for the FLEX Academy must attend an informational virtual session with a parent or guardian. The enrollment application link will be given to students after they complete the virtual session. The first session is Tuesday, February 9. Click here for more information about the mandatory sessions.
If the number of eligible applicants exceeds capacity, a lottery will be held. The application deadline is March 31, and applicants will be notified of their status on April 21.
For more information about FLEX Academy, visit the website at flex.dcssga.org.
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Celebrating Black History Month |
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February marks Black History Month, and schools across the district are celebrating in fun and creative ways while learning the many contributions of African Americans throughout history. The doors at Mason Creek Elementary feature beautiful art and information about notable figures. |
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CTAE Students Learn Valuable Work Skills |
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February is CTAE Month and a time to celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of our Career, Technical and Agriculture Education programs!
Eduardo Meza, pictured above, is a New Manchester High School senior who earned three certifications earlier this year as a Microsoft Office Specialist in Word, Excel and Power Point. The certifications validate proficiency in technical skills using the various software. He and many other students have earned certifications that they can use in their careers. Eduardo has already utilized several tools while working to enhance his father's business. Eduardo exemplifies the value of CTAE in our schools.
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Meet Officer William Vaughn
New Manchester High School
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William Vaughn was born and raised in Atlanta. He attended Therrell High School and Atlanta Technical College.
Officer Vaughn has 16 years of law enforcement experience. He started as a juvenile correction officer and then worked at the City of Atlanta Jail. He attended the Fulton County Police Academy in 2008. He served as an SRO for the Atlanta Public Schools beginning in 2016, where he worked at the middle and high school he attended.
"I wanted to become an SRO because I had the desire to work with children and build relationships with students, families and the community. I strive to be an example of a good cop at all times."
Officer Vaughn and his wife have four children, ages 6 through 26. He enjoys watching football, shooting pool and fishing.
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Jace Shaw is an outstanding student at Mason Creek Elementary School. He is quiet, but has a great sense of humor. He has received the “Humble Award” and is always willing to help a friend in need. He is known as the encourager of his classroom! He loves to play video games and to learn about animals. Jace’s favorite animal is his Sheltie named Affie, but the MAES chickens are also a favorite. Cheese is one of his favorite things to eat! Since enrolling at MAES, Jace has gained confidence and is anxious to try new things. He does well academically and makes progress every day. We are very proud to recognize Jace as the MAES Student Spotlight! |
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February 8: BOE Meeting
February 10: Progress Reports for Elementary and Middle
February 15-19: Holidays (Except 240)
March 1: BOE Work Session
March 2: K-5th Science & Engineering Fair Judging
March 4: FTE Count (Important Day for Attendance)
March 4: K-5th Science & Engineering Fair Awards
March 10: Grading Period Ends
March 15: BOE Board Meeting
March 17: Progress Reports, High Schools
March 17: Report Cards, Elementary and Middle Schools
March 25: Freshman Expo at All High Schools (Times Vary)
April 2: Holiday (Except 240 Employees)
April 5-9: Holidays for All
April 19: BOE Work Session
April 21: Progress Reports, Elementary and Middle Schools
April 26: BOE Board Meeting
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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"!
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Youth of all ages are invited to the "Paint Your New Year" online event, hosted by the Office of Behavioral Health Prevention and Federal Grants and the GA State Opioid Response. Students who register will receive free art supplies by mail that they will use to participate in the online art instruction event.
Please click here for a PDF with clickable links for registration.
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Check out opportunities that are available in our area by clicking the Community Bulletin Board below! |
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