Partners in Education Newsletter September Edition
A Letter from Chamber President & CEO, Sara Ray.
On behalf of the Douglas County Chamber, we are beyond excited to welcome Partners in Education as a program offered to our business community. Partnership and collaboration are so important, now more than ever before! We have such caring and supportive businesses in Douglas; it makes all the sense in the world that we connect them with Douglas County Schools - one of the largest economic drivers in our community.
 
There are so many ways to support our schools – it can be something as simple as giving your time to read (virtually of course!) or donating bottled water to a classroom. Think big, what does your business have to offer? Time? Talent? Treasure? If you can’t figure out the best way to engage, the PIE Board can help make recommendations not only on how you can connect, but which school is the best fit for your company.
 
Again, we are so excited to kick off the 2020-21 Partners in Education program – thank you for your involvement!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Partners in Education presents “Tour of Schools.”
The very first “Tour of Schools” will be held at New Manchester High School on November 10th, 2020. Sponsored by RA-LIN & Associates, this virtual event will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the school’s award-winning FAME curriculum. Registration will be limited so keep your eyes peeled for a link to RSVP soon. 
Arbor Station Elementary Needs Your Help! 
Arbor Station Elementary has the following needs:

  • Stomp out Bullying - Wear Blue (October 5th) - incentives needed
  • Always There Bear - Attendance (October 16th) - incentives needed
  • Honor Roll (October 26th) - incentives needed
  • Food Drive (November 2nd-6th) – donations can be dropped off at the school or picked up from business location
  • Virtual Real Men Read (December 11th) - reading volunteers needed

Contact Dr. Lashonda Walker at [email protected] if your business would like to help Arbor Station Elementary with any of their upcoming events.
Participate in the Upcoming "In Demand Career Expo."
The Douglas County School System, Douglas County Chamber and Douglas County Economic Development Authority have partnered to host the 5th annual “In Demand Career Expo.” The Career Expo offers all 9th graders from the Douglas County School System the opportunity to explore the careers of today and tomorrow. This year the expo is going virtual and we need your business’s help to make it a success. Create a simple five-minute video talking about your career and the path you took to get there. Video submissions are due by Friday, October 2nd.
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
This Month's School Spotlight is Mirror Lake Elementary School!
The Partners In Education program is designed to provide hands-on opportunities for local businesses to share their expertise and resources with teachers and students, because as one partner says, “Public education is everyone’s business.”

The Douglas County Farm Bureau and Lifegate Church are helping Mirror Lake Elementary School kickoff the 2020-2021 school year right. Farm Bureau provides classroom speakers, sponsors Ag in the Classroom, Book of the Month, and has other educational resources available for classrooms. Alicia Knopp from Farm Bureau recently visited with school staff to share information about the free educational resources they offer. She was joined by Mirror Lake’s own Natalie Murray, a teacher and coordinator of the school’s garden and member of Farm Bureau’s Women’s Committee. Mirror Lake has one of the largest and most thriving elementary school gardens in the school system. The garden promotes agricultural literacy, health, and environmental stewardship.
Another partner at the school, Lifegate Church, sent volunteers to Mirror Lake to provide a “first day back” breakfast for staff and to pray for a safe and successful year.  
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
This Month's Partner Spotlight is First Presbyterian Church of Douglasville.
First Presbyterian Church of Douglasville, a long time Partners in Education partner, recently organized a “start of the year” prayer project for Douglas County. Sixty Church volunteers visited every public, private, and charter school, as well as the Central Office, and spent time praying for the safety and well-being of students, families, and staff as they entered the 2020-2021 school year. What a wonderful gesture from the faith-based community!
SMALL WAYS TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
Want to Partner with a School?
Looking for some easy ways to make a difference in the lives of Douglas County’s students and teachers? Consider the following opportunities to kick your partnership off on the right foot! Need more ideas? Visit dcssga.org/p_i_e
  • Tutoring
  • Offer job shadowing opportunities
  • Offer field trip opportunities at your business or sponsor a field trip elsewhere
  • Participate in mock interviews - help students getting ready for careers to polish their interview skills
  • Participate in career fairs
Help Fulfill the Wish List!
Looking for an easy way to help students returning to the classroom this fall? As a COVID-19 related precaution, school water fountains will be unavailable to keep the spread of germs to a minimum. Many schools are in need of bottled water or reusable water bottles to keep students hydrated and ready to learn. If your business would like to make a donation, please contact Mandy Johnson at [email protected].
Schools requesting reusable bottles/pouches: 
Annette Winn ES
Arbor Station ES
Beulah ES
Bright Star ES
Burnett ES
Chapel Hill ES
Dorsett Shoals ES
Factory Shoals ES
Holly Springs ES
Lithia Springs ES
Mason Creek ES
Mt. Carmel ES
New Manchester ES
North Douglas ES
South Douglas ES
Sweetwater ES
Winston ES
Factory Shoals MS
Fairplay MS
Stewart MS
Yeager MS
Schools requesting bottled water:
Annette Winn ES
Arbor Station ES
Beulah ES
Bill Arp ES
Bright Star ES
Chapel Hill ES
Dorsett Shoals ES
Eastside ES
Factory Shoals ES
Holly Springs ES
Lithia Springs ES
Mason Creek ES
Mirror Lake ES
Mt. Carmel ES
New Manchester ES
North Douglas ES
Sweetwater ES
Winston ES
Mason Creek MS
Fairplay MS
Factory Shoals MS
Chapel Hill MS
Stewart MS
Yeager MS
New Manchester HS
CCI
TOGETHER4TEACHERS
Congratulations to the following Douglas County School System educators who won a $25 gift card in PIE’s “Together4Teachers” Facebook contest. Gift cards were generously donated by partner business GreyStone Power Corporation.
Ana Menjivar-Couch
Brittney Taylor
Courtney Hutchins
Donna Horstkamp
Geri Armstrong
Jana Flanigan
Jennifer Campbell
Jenny Woods
Julie Jeffcoat
Kim Burdett
Kristy Scott
LaShun Danley
Naomi Gilbert
Natalie Murray
Nevita Fultz
Nicole Wilson
Shelly Mitchell
Tabitha Antonovich
Tammy Caldwell
Tosha Wright
CONNECT WITH US
Want to stay connected with Partners in Education? Make sure to “like” us on Facebook to see partner success stories, volunteer opportunities, and other fun stuff to keep you engaged with the PIE community. You can also get great PIE news on our webpage, including partnership ideas, wish list items, upcoming events, and more. 
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