DCSS Honors Six REACH Scholars at Signing Ceremony

Six middle school students from the Douglas County School System were awarded REACH Scholarships during a reception and signing ceremony held Tuesday evening at the DCSS Central Office.

The Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Scholarship Program is a statewide mentorship and needs-based initiative providing academic, social, and financial support to help scholars graduate from high school, access college, and achieve postsecondary success, explained Mitzi Teal, Executive Director of Communities In Schools of Douglas County.

The 2024-25 DCSS REACH Scholars are:

• Oluwatosin Balogun (Chapel Hill Middle)
• Olivia Skinner (Fairplay Middle)
• Leonardo Escobar-Navarro (Mason Creek Middle)
• Kamora Shackleford (Stewart Middle)
• Serenity Acevedo (Turner Middle)
• Stephanie Trejo-Balderas (Yeager Middle)

These six eighth-graders will meet monthly with assigned mentors as they transition to high school and throughout all four years of high school as part of the REACH program. Their parents will also remain involved during this period. Upon graduating, each scholar will receive a $2,500 annual scholarship for four years, totaling $10,000, to help cover educational expenses at any HOPE-eligible public or private postsecondary institution in Georgia, provided they maintain full-time enrollment and a minimum 2.5 GPA in college.

During Tuesday’s ceremony, Superintendent Trent North addressed the scholars and their families with words of encouragement.

“Congratulations,” Superintendent North said. “You’ve earned it. I know you’re going to do a great job. I look forward to shaking your hand when you walk across the stage to congratulate you for graduation and to celebrate you receiving the scholarship.”

Students and their parents or guardians also pledged their commitment to supporting and fulfilling their roles in this educational journey over the next five years.

Launched in 2012 by former Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, the REACH Scholarship Program was the state’s first public-private, needs-based scholarship initiative. Originally piloted in Douglas and two other counties, it has expanded to 180 school systems across Georgia, benefiting more than 4,000 scholars statewide.

The scholarships awarded Tuesday were made possible through contributions from several generous donors.

Lithia Springs High Celebrates Global Diversity during International Night

Lithia Springs High School came together to celebrate what one student referred to as “the beauty of what makes us all unique” during the annual International Night at The Den celebration on Nov. 21.

Students representing more than a dozen countries and continents from around the world dressed in traditional clothing and served up homemade food from their countries —everything from French quiche and macarons to Filipino lumpia and Indian samosa.

“This is our heritage,” said LSHS French teacher Angelique Lekkou.

After those attending the community event sampled delicious foods, the festivities moved to the auditorium where students produced a show that included fun trivia games, singing and dancing, a poem reading by the French Honor Society, a skit by the African Student Association and much more.

Chapel Hill Elementary Spreads Holiday Cheer to Local Seniors    

Students at Chapel Hill Elementary School embraced the holiday season early this year by crafting vibrant placemats for Meals on Wheels recipients, spreading joy to those in need. In a heartwarming display of community service and creativity, kindergarten through fifth-grade students worked to create the festive, hand-crafted pieces for seniors in Douglasville. 

Media Specialist Cameron Sheldon received the Classroom Impact Grant for several community service projects that are planned for the year, which allowed for purchase of the necessary supplies.

“We wanted to give our students the opportunity to make a difference and brighten someone’s day, especially as we head into the holiday season,” emphasized Sheldon. “These placemats are a small gesture, but I thought they would bring a smile or add some joy to the life of others in our community.”

With a table full of markers, crayons, stickers and coloring pages, the young artists worked with great enthusiasm, filling the placemats with messages of love and gratitude. Each design was unique, reflecting the child’s personal touch—from vibrant flowers and hearts to uplifting phrases like "You Are Loved" and "Have a Great Day." 

“It’s nice to know they’ll receive something I made just for them,” said one fifth-grade student. 

Teachers also helped guide students through the process, encouraging them to express themselves through art while explaining the importance of their contribution.

Meals on Wheels, a nonprofit organization that delivers hot meals to homebound individuals, has been a lifeline for seniors and those with mobility challenges since 1954. The placemats, which will be included in meal deliveries, are expected to bring joy and brighten the day of many recipients. 

Stephanie Panse with the Douglasville Meals on Wheels chapter is excited about what this kind gesture will mean to the seniors. 

“I can’t wait to see the faces of our seniors!" she said. "I think these placemats will make the people who get our meals feel extra special.”

The project has been embraced by students, teachers, and parents alike as an example of how even the smallest gestures can make a big impact on the community. In addition to spreading kindness, the activity has given students a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that their artwork will bring a smile to someone in need.

“This simple yet meaningful gesture sparks a desire for community service, inspiring our students to become active contributors to the well-being of others,” said Principal Bianca Turner.

DCSS Enhances Early Learning through Childcare Partnerships

The Douglas County School System and local child care centers have partnered to introduce preschool-aged children to early learning and literacy initiatives. This year, DCSS launched a collaborative initiative to enhance early literacy and learning by offering child care partners access to Waterford Reading Academy, a free educational platform designed to engage young learners for at least 15 minutes daily. 

“We have provided Chromebooks and hotspots to centers to help support their efforts in preparing the four-year-old students for kindergarten,” said Mitzi Teal, Executive Director of Communities In Schools of Douglas County. 

Chapel Hill Academy reported the highest usage of the educational platform in October. The center’s Pre-K teacher, Ms. Webb was recognized for her dedication with a gift card, and pre-K students celebrated their success with a donut party.  

“Students progress through an adaptive learning path in reading, math and science, designed to best support how young children grow,” said Chelsie Goodman, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. “The platform also provides parents the ability to track their child's usage and access to hundreds of resources and books for use at home.” 

Research suggests the importance of early literacy experiences in stimulating brain development and enhancing cognitive abilities, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving and memory skills. Furthermore, it lays the foundation for logical reasoning and the development of abstract thinking, helping to ensure young scholars are ready to thrive when entering kindergarten and beyond.  

Classroom Corner

Lithia Elementary Students Explore High Museum of Art in Atlanta

Lithia Springs Elementary students recently experienced an educational field trip to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta where they gained a deeper appreciation for art and culture. The museum's Art Access initiative offers free admission, subsidized transportation and classroom materials to enhance learning before and after visits. 

Escorted by Lithia Elementary art teacher Victoria Rudd, several Art Club students explored a variety of museum exhibitions and engaged with diverse collections of American, European, African and contemporary art. 

“Students were excited about the hands-on activities available that nurtured their young minds, fostering creativity and critical thinking,” said Rudd.

​Panthers Excel at Regional Debate Tournament

Chapel Hill High School's debate team ​recently showcased their exceptional talent at the Peach State Classic Debate Tournament​.​ The team brought home multiple top honors in a competitive field of over 60 schools from across the nation.

​Christian Simmons and Alyssa Blacknall led the Panthers with an undefeated performance in Junior Varsity Public Forum, capturing first place. Blacknall further distinguished herself by earning top speaker points from the judges. Senior Claire Craton added to Chapel Hill's success with a second-place finish in Original Oratory.

"Our students competed with exceptional skill, confidence, and poise against some of the top teams in the state and country," said coach Kenya Taylor. "With over 60 schools participating, including 22 from Georgia, the Peach State Classic provided a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for our team to grow and excel. I couldn't be prouder of their dedication and success."

The tournament, hosted on November 15-16, also featured strong performances from Riley Orndorff, Ava Walker, and Gabrielle Coner. The team tackled the complex resolution: "Resolved: The United States should substantially reduce its military support of Taiwan."

Chapel Hill's debate program continues to excel in both individual and team events. We celebrate these outstanding students for their achievements and for representing Chapel Hill and DCSS with excellence!

Balloons Over South Douglas

Third graders at South Douglas Elementary School celebrated the start of the holiday season with creativity.

Students in Christine Reeves and Holly Hoffmaster’s class read the book “Balloons Over Broadway,“ the true story of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

To celebrate, the eager readers designed and created their own unique balloons.

They continued their celebration with a Balloons Over SDES Parade for kindergarten through second grade students.

"Everyone enjoyed the parade," South Douglas Media Specialist Ana Leibbrand said. "It was a wonderful activity for students to make real world connections and celebrate the Thanksgiving Day tradition." 

Fourth-grader Maggie Rodvelt is a model student at Mason Creek Elementary who excels inside and outside the classroom. As an academic leader, her passion for reading and math is evident through her outstanding performance and curiosity. In fact, she is always eager to dive into a new book or tackle a problem.  

Maggie is a student representative on the Mason Creek Elementary STEM Advisory Board where she is creative and eager to share ideas with the board. When she’s not immersed in her studies, the young scholar can be found dancing with joy and enthusiasm.  

“Maggie’s dedication, kindness and vibrant spirit make her a true role model, inspiring her classmates to embrace their own passions and strive for excellence,” said Principal Kristin Martin.

Experienced Guard Group Powers Chapel Hill's Boys

Chapel Hill’s boys basketball team is led by a core of four senior guards who have been playing varsity since they were freshmen.

That group—Christian McAllister, C.J. Geathers, Breon Barnett and Jasiah Devone—is the strength of the team, third-year coach Michael Artis said.

“The four guys with me, ball handling, decision making, scoring ability, they definitely are the anchor for our program and for our team,” Artis said during the recent Winter Sports Media Day. “So, as they go, we go.” 

McAllister transferred in from Fayette County and Artis called him a “huge addition to our program.”

Geathers is one of the team’s most athletic players and should have a big season.

Barnett is a “hard-nosed guard” and helps set the tone defensively.

Devone is “very versatile” and can score in a lot of different ways and is also a standout rebounding and playing defense.

Artis said team defense and ball sharing are spots where the Panthers can get better.

As for making the move up from Class 5A to 6A, Artis said his team played some of the top programs in the state his first two years at Chapel Hill, including Milton, Pace Academy and Wheeler.

“Moving up to 6A is really just staying the course of what we've been trying to do for the last two years and proving that we belong as one of those names that really is going to make a statement in the state every single season,” he said.

Young, Motivated Chapel Hill Girls Squad Aims High

Chapel Hill girls basketball coach Ivan Atkins says his team is young but motivated.

The Lady Panthers have five freshmen who Atkins said will be a vital part of the team and just two seniors along with sophomore and junior standouts.

Atkins spotlighted five players during the recent Winter Sports Media Day: Bryale Thomas (So. Center/Forward), Zakhiyah Thompson (So. Guard), Cameron Terry (So. Point Guard/Shooting Guard), Jazzlyn Scott (Jr. Forward) and Malia Haney (Sr. Point Guard).

“These ladies here exhibit a lot of leadership qualities,” Atkins said. “One of the things that we're proud of as a coaching staff is that, you know, they're very motivated. A lot of things that normally a normal team would have to say, we don't have to say as a coaching staff. So accountability is a big thing with these ladies, which we're very proud of.”

Chapel Hill runs a motion offense focused on ball movement and spacing, Atkins said. They play fast and have the ability to score.

“We're going to get all of it in your face, really, from the time the bus parks outside,” he said. “So, it's going to be high intensity. And if the girls aren't sweating, that means that they really haven't done anything.”

Scoring is a strength of the team, Atkins said, while the team is still working on improving some fundamentals.

“We're not really looking forward to just establishing good basketball players, but we're trying to establish good citizens,” he said. “And these ladies are fantastic. In and outside the classroom, on and off the basketball court, we're all about hard work. That's something that we've established since day one, that we're going to continue to establish. Just working hard, staying motivated, staying hungry.”

New Teacher Spotlight

Wesley Hales is an inspiring first-year teacher at Yeager Middle School. The Yeager  teacher completed his undergraduate degree at Kennesaw State University and received his graduate degree from Young Harris College. 

Principal Jaslyn Janae says Hales is enthusiastic and passionate about teaching. In addition, she says he is consistently learning ways to develop his teaching strategies for the best interest of all students. Hales is excited to be an ELA teacher and is passionate about leading Yeager students to success! 

Key Dates

• December 19: End of First Semester
• December 20-January 2: Holiday Break
• January 3: Teacher Work Day
• January 6: Students Return for Second Semester
• January 6: Report Cards (All Levels)
• January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• February 5: Progress Reports (Elementary and Middle Schools)
• February 17-21: Winter Break
• March 10: Teacher Work Day
• March 19: Report Cards (Elementary and Middle Schools)
• March 19: Progress Reports (High School)
• April 7-11: Spring Break
• April 22: Progress Reports (Elementary and Middle Schools)
• May 21: Report Cards (Elementary Schools)
• May 21: End of Second Semester

DCSS Testing Dates

Family Resources

Legacy on Ice

Legacy Arena and Douglas County Parks and Recreation are partnering to host the first-ever "Legacy On Ice" Spectacular. Legacy Arena will be transformed into a winter wonderland filled with ice skating and festivities from Dec. 6-8. Bring the whole family for 45-minute skating sessions, plus enjoy food trucks, face painting, cookie decorating and ornament making. Saturday, there will be extra excitement with amusement rides, a rock wall and axe throwing. All activities are family friendly. Superintendent Trent North will sponsor the first 333 DCSS students each day to skate for no charge. The regular price is $10 for each 45-minute session. Register online at https://douglascountyga.gov/ or purchase tickets at the door.

FSMS Winter Concert and Toy Drive

Factory Shoals Middle School presents its Winter Band and Chorus Concert under the direction of Grace Greene and Devon Murray on Wednesday, Dec. 11 from 6-8 p.m. at Chapel Hill High School. In addition to the concert, toys will be collected for Chapel Hill Church—bring a toy and help spread the joy this holiday season!

Hope Map Georgia Resource Locator

Hope Map Georgia, created in collaboration with FoodFinder, is an online comprehensive, easy-to-use, and up-to-date community resource locator to assist Georgia’s communities as well as children, youth, and families locate free services that mitigate the effects of homelessness. Visit Hope Map Georgia for more information.

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.