TomeCon Celebrates DCSS Students for Literary Achievements

Several students from the Douglas County School System were recently recognized for their remarkable literary successes during the infamous TomeCon Conference. The exciting day of sessions covering all aspects of literature for students in grades 2-12 drew thousands of literary scholars, parents and educators. 

Students explored topics including reading, writing, technology, engineering, art and music. Tracy Scaglione, media specialist at Dorsett Shoals Elementary, highlighted the value TomeCon brings to students.  

“Attending TomeCon is a chance for students to meet famous authors, attend workshops, and dive deeper into their love of literature. It's a unique opportunity to connect with a community of passionate readers and writers and for students to continue to grow their love for reading."

Authors from around the world engaged with students during the conference, providing them with invaluable insights about the world of literature. Additionally, students received awards for their participation in Tome Competitions throughout the year.   



DCSS honorees included: 

Chapel Hill Middle School - Lindley, Sponsor

2nd Place - Chimamaka Onwughalu, Davelyn Rivera & Lucy Anderson - Library Video Commercial

2nd Place - Ari Burns and Temperance Lane - Book Trailer

3rd Place - Chimamaka Onwughalu -Promotional Flyer, Vlog, Book Print

3rd Place - Davelyn Rivera - Vlog, Book Print

Tome Service Award - Christina Paul

Mount Carmel Elementary School- Howard, Sponsor

1st Place - Kaliann Simmons - Book Talk

3rd Place - Kaliann Simmons, Maxx Hood & Roxe Rodney - Library Video Commercial

Douglas County High School - Almond, Sponsor

1st Place - Yesha Patel - Like, Try, Why

1st Place - Alexandria Criner - Character to Author Letter

2nd Place - Alexandria Criner - Fan Fiction

1st Place - Nathaniel Reaves - Book Print

2nd Place - Khadija Buke - Book Review Blog

3rd Place - Darasimi Bankole - Historical Fiction Infographic

Inducted - Isabel Yang - Tau Omicron Mu Epsilon Honor Society

Inducted - Gabrielle Ortega - Tau Omicron Mu Epsilon Honor Society

$500 - Isabel Yang - Dale Pratt Memorial Scholarship (Awarded to only one student in Georgia).

Annette Winn Elementary School 

1st Place - Hollis Robinson - Book Trailer

Beulah Elementary School - Blevins, Sponsor

2nd Place - Izzy Hall & Samantha Miller - Current Issues Portfolio and Presentation

Certificate - Elizabella Avila and Celeste Mabry - Service Award

Mirror Lake Elementary School - Summers, Sponsor

1st Place - Amiya Alexander & Paisley Reynolds - Book Vlog

2nd Place - Amiya Alexander, Ethan Lacap, Aldrich Quiambao, Paisley Reynolds, & Samantha Salazar - Book Trailer

Certificate - Amiya Alexander, Ethan Lacap, Paisley Reynolds, Samantha Salazar, & Savannah-Paige Simpson - Service Award

Holly Springs Elementary School - Harbin, Sponsor

3rd Place - Dante Mclean & Israel Brown - Current Issues Portfolio and Presentation

3rd Place - Urwa Khan - Poem

Bill Arp Elementary School - Ward, Sponsor

2nd Place - Laura Ike - Poem

Alexander High School - Robinson & Peppers, Sponsor

2nd Place - Catherine Ramirez & Melody Rumple - Reading Bowl

Mason Creek Middle School - Baker, Sponsor

1st Place - D.J. Holsey - Historical Fiction Infographic

2nd Place - Emma Slatton - Vlog

3rd Place - Ashlynn Horton - Book Review Blog

3rd Place - Amari Cromey - Fan Art

Chestnut Log Middle School - Lucas, Sponsor

1st Place - Breana Williams - Poetry

TomeCon was held at The Classic Center in Athens, Georgia on March 12. The literary exploration involved additional participation from Chapel Hill Elementary, Lithia Springs Elementary, Holly Springs Elementary, North Douglas Elementary, Factory Shoals Elementary, Yeager Middle and Fairplay Middle School.  

For a glimpse at all of our outstanding schools that took part in the event, please explore our online photo gallery.



Congratulations to all of the exceptional winners! 

AHS Students Sew Comfort Bears For Children Experiencing Stress

Students in Brooke Morris’s Early Childhood Education 3 class at Alexander High School recently delved into the world of sewing, making comfort bears for children experiencing stress.

The sewing exercise was part of a lesson examining the causes and effects of stress on young children.

Morris said her class discussed how everyone has fears and worries. Students also read a children’s book on the subject, helping them understand that reading books can be helpful for people with different needs.

Morris’s grandmother even visited her class and showed the students the basics of sewing and helped them make the comfort bears. 

Morris said many of her students gave their comfort bears to children experiencing stress — either a child they know personally or through counselors at elementary schools in the district.

This is the second semester Morris has taught the sewing lesson as part of her class. Last semester, Morris said her church purchased the materials, and, with the help of her students, 75 bears were given to all of the second graders at Burnett Elementary School.

“I just came up with the idea this school year, so it was a learning experience for all of us,” Morris said. “My students — and myself included — loved it so much last semester that I hope to continue doing it and serving our community at large in the future.”

Filmmaker Speaks to College and Career Students

Todd Thompson, a well-known producer and filmmaker, spoke to Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Marketing and Audio/Video classes at the Douglas County College and Career Institute on March 8.

CCI marketing teacher Savannah Ray said Thompson talked to students about his journey as a filmmaker and about how his past experiences have made him successful in the film industry.

Ray said Thompson’s visit was a great way to wrap up CTAE Month and celebrate Women’s History Month. She noted that Thompson is currently working to release “Women in Motion,” a documentary about Nichelle Nichols, who recruited and supported the first African American, Asian and Latino women and men to fly in space.

“The students really enjoyed getting to meet such an admired professional and gained more knowledge about how to pursue a career in the entertainment industry,” Ray said. “Mr. Thompson hosted a Q&A after his presentation and students took the opportunity to ask many impressive questions. Three of them even won ‘Women in Motion’ posters. We loved having Todd Thompson visit our school and share his experiences with us!”

Career Day Inspires Student Success at Arbor Station

Excitement recently filled the air at Arbor Station Elementary as students eagerly awaited a host of community professionals to share experiences and insights about their diverse careers. Students were all smiles while rotating through different stations, engaging with a variety of professionals and inquiring about their professional journey.

"Students were thrilled with curiosity and exploration as they had an opportunity to experience a day in the life of a career professional," said Counselor Ashley Smith. 

Shaheedah Hill, who creates content for YouTube, encouraged students to explore their creative side in social media by teaching them how to become YouTubers while defense attorney Chance Cuellar catered to their conservative interests, sharing his legal world as an attorney representing compensation cases. 

Other career day professionals who participated in the inspiring event included City Clerk Corrine Lindo, Transportation Director of Douglas County Schools E.W. Tolbert, IT Project Manager Fred Hogan, Accountant Darryl Kirkland and Coder/Software Engineer Phillip Hall.

Dr. Emily Felton, Principal of Arbor Station Elementary School was thrilled to see career day provide students with the inspirational spark to set ambitious goals for their future endeavors.   

“Career Day is not just about exploring professions; it’s about igniting passions, broadening horizons, and inspiring our students to dream big.”

DCHS Students Selected by GreyStone for Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.

Douglas County High School students Alexandria Criner and Ososese Okojie have been selected by GreyStone Power Corporation to participate in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington D.C. this June. A program of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the national service organization that represents America's electric cooperatives, the Youth Tour has been bringing students to Washington since the late 1950s. Nearly 50,000 students from rural areas and small towns across America have participated to date. 

According to a statement on the NRECA’s website, “We believe that students should see their nation’s capital up close, learn about the political process and interact with their elected officials. The Georgia delegation, made up of over 100 students this year, is chosen and sponsored by individual co-ops across the state.

Candidates are student leaders in good academic standing recommended by counselors and teachers from participating high schools in the GreyStone’s eight-county service area of Douglas, Paulding, Fulton, Carroll, Cobb, Bartow, Coweta and Fayette.

GreyStone’s selection process begins in January of each year and winners are selected in early March. Students may complete an interest form to compete for the opportunity. GreyStone representatives then contact the interested students with the application materials. Candidates are required to submit a short video explaining the importance of leadership in their generation. The three students with the strongest applications are chosen. Only juniors who are at least 16 years of age as of June 14, 2024, may participate this year. Participating students must attend all program events.

Youth Tour directors from each state arrange their delegation’s visits to the offices of their U.S. representatives and senators, federal agencies and other educational and sightseeing activities. In addition to the planned statewide activities, the Youth Tour experience encompasses multi-state activities coordinated by NRECA.

In 2023, more than 1,800 youth delegates and chaperones attended at different times over a two-week period in June. Forty-four states were represented.

Youth Tour Alumni Scholarships are available to past participants once they reach college and begin working on their first undergraduate degree. Awarded by the Glenn English National Cooperative Leadership Foundation, Youth Tour alumni have received almost $100,000 in scholarships since 2014. For more information, visit GreyStone's Washington Youth Tour page.

Classroom Corner

Mason Creek Students Take Part in Fun Activities for Pi Day

Students at Mason Creek Middle School celebrated Pi Day on March 14 by taking part in several fun activities, including eating pie and studying the circumference of circles.

ALP teacher Karen Hunter and ELA/social studies teacher Candace Ramsay talked to their students about why Pi Day is celebrated on 3.14. They also looked at different circular items, such as cookies, pizza and tires and learned about diameter, radius and circumference.

Hunter and Ramsay’s students ended their day by tasting different types of pie — cherry, apple and peach.

Math teacher Rhonda Roman said her seventh-grade students are currently studying the area and circumference of circles. 

For Pi Day, Roman’s students calculated the circumference of hula hoops after using measuring tapes to measure the diameter. Her students also used other circular items to calculate circumference and area, using Pi in their calculations. 

“We had a great Pi Day,” Hunter said.

Local Chiropractor Supports Special Olympic Athletes with Free Physicals

Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Heather Robinson Camp, 140 student-athletes from the Douglas County School System recently received free physical screenings. 

These screenings, vital for establishing athletic eligibility for the school year, provided Special Olympics athletes with the opportunity to address any potential health concerns without financial burden, according to DCSS PEC Transition Specialist Alena Tappin. 

“Dr. Camp's dedication to the well-being of our students exemplifies the power of community partnerships,” Tappin said.

Student Spotlight

Fifth-grader Christian Wilkins shines as a beacon of academic excellence with exceptional character at New Manchester Elementary School. He consistently displays a passion for learning and a commitment to excellence that inspires peers and educators alike. 

As an academic scholar, Christian was recognized for his outstanding achievements and awarded Best in Show at this year’s science fair. Additionally, he demonstrates his exemplary leadership abilities by serving on the school math team. 

Beyond academics, Christian stands out for his kindness and willingness to help others, fostering a positive and inclusive school environment. 

Principal Tanyia Clagette says, “through his dedication to scholarship, leadership, and service, Christian embodies the values that define New Manchester Elementary School's mission.” 

Lithia Springs Boys Soccer Team Off to Hot Start

Palacios, Lopez Lead Lady Lions 

The Lithia Springs girls soccer team is led by team captains Miranda Palacios and Sthefany Lopez, Coach Kevin Pace said.

The Lady Lions went 2-5 in their first seven games of the season, but Pace said the record “doesn’t show how this team has grown and all the hard work they have put into this season.”

“These girls are playing well together,” Pace said. “We just need to improve on the fundamentals and the wins will outweigh the losses. Hopefully if we continue to win region games we can make it to the playoffs.”

Lopez, a junior, has a team-best four goals and 10 points so far. Palacios, a senior, is tops in assists with three, second in points with nine and tied with junior Lucy Udosen for second in goals with three.

“These two young ladies have a long career ahead of them in soccer,” Pace said of Palacios and Lopez. “Both plan on playing at the next level. This is a young team that will get better with experience.”      

Weekly Athletics Schedule

Amanda Winston is not new to Bright Star, but she is a new, first-year teacher. Ms. Winston was a paraprofessional for several years at Bright Star and now she has a classroom of her own. Ms. Winston has done a great job of forming relationships and finds innovative ways to get her students involved and engaged. 

Ms. Winston loves her students and families and works hard to show them that every day. She was even voted "staff member of the month" in September of this year. Bright Star Elementary School is so blessed to have Ms. Winston as a STAR!

Key Dates

• April 1-5: Spring Break
• April 24: Progress Reports (elementary & middle schools)
• May 22: Report Cards (elementary schools

Family Resources

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 here to learn more.