DCSS Students, Teachers Use Solar Eclipse As Real-Life Science Lesson

Students and teachers across Douglas County used Monday’s rare solar eclipse as a real-life science lesson.

There were fun, eclipse-themed snacks at Mason Creek Elementary and Winston Elementary, special lessons about the eclipse at Winston, Mason Creek Elementary, Eastside Elementary and Fairplay Middle, and plenty of opportunities for students and teachers across the district, from Alexander High to Arbor Station Elementary, to view the eclipse.

Alexander High Science Department Chair Jeffery Davison and 12th grade English teacher Sarah Leach were among the teachers whose classes watched the eclipse outside.

At Fairplay, Kelly Bunker’s eighth-grade science and Lydia Palmer’s sixth-grade social studies classes took part in special learning activities and experienced the eclipse in real time.

At Winston, teachers Amy Spiva, Michelle Culberson, Nicole Matznick and Claire Cooley had special days of learning for the eclipse. 

“From viewing previous eclipse videos, reading and writing, and even creating a solar eclipse book, it was a total eclipse of learning for our Wildcats,” Winston Principal Heather George said.

At Eastside Elementary, Principal Timothy Jenkins said students from every grade level watched the eclipse online and teachers were provided with activities that students could complete through the day pertaining to the eclipse. Some students at Eastside also got to view the eclipse outside with special glasses.

“All in all, discussing and viewing the solar eclipse was a very educational experience for us at Eastside Elementary School,” Jenkins said.

Arbor Station Principal Dr. Emily Felton said third-grade students at her school witnessed the eclipse using solar viewing glasses provided by the PTSO.

“The students observed the awe-inspiring phenomenon while emphasizing the importance of protective measures while viewing this exciting event,” Felton said. “Allowing students to witness the eclipse instilled a sense of responsibility and curiosity for future scientific engineers.”  

At Mason Creek Elementary, first grade teachers Crystal Evans and Lisa Sweeney were among those who had eclipsed-themed lessions for their students. Evans’ students ended the day with a special snack including Capri-Sun drinks, Cosmic Brownies, Moon Pies and Star Crunch cookies. Sweeney’s students got to watch the eclipse outside and enjoy Solar Eclipse donuts from Krispy Kreme.

“It was a great day of learning!” Sweeney said.

Read more about what classes across the district did for the eclipse and view the online photo gallery here.

DCSS Students Explore Japan During Spring Break

More than 100 Douglas County School System middle school students, parents and chaperones explored Japan and its rich culture during Spring Break.

The group visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka during the trip.

Mitch Springer, DCSS Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, went on the trip and said some of the highlights included a Japanese Drum Class, the Hikari Bullet Train, the Bamboo Forest in Kyoto, Tokyo Disney, Emperor's Palace, the Mt. Fuji view, and many others.

Springer said there were 103 total travelers from DCSS as part of the middle school trip to Japan, including students from all eight middle schools in the county as well as chaperone representatives from the central office and Chapel Hill, Chestnut Log, Fairplay, Mason Creek, Stewart and Yeager middle schools. 

Springer said the middle school group also ran into groups from Chapel Hill and New Manchester high schools, who were also in Japan for Spring Break.

“I was extremely excited that our students were able to visit Japan and learn more about their rich culture!” Springer said. “As our vision states, we are building a community of lifelong learners who are global citizens and this trip demonstrated that in so many ways. First, students from all middle schools came together for this trip enhancing relationships across our schools. In addition, they learn about their role in the global society by understanding the cultural and social structures of the Japanese people.”

Mason Creek Middle School Celebrates Authors

Mason Creek Middle School recently celebrated published authors with ties to the school with a special Author Signing Day event modeled after college athletic signing days.

Mike Owens, an assistant principal at MCMS, P.E. teacher Kelcey Smith and sixth-grader Raine Harris and her mom, Dr. Kia Jackson Harris, all participated in the March 25 signing event, which was held in the school’s media center and live streamed to all classes at the school.

Owens co-wrote “Chickens Lay Eggs… Don’t They???” with his wife Courtney. The couple has a son who was conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF), and Owens said they wrote the book for him.

At the back of the book, there’s an illustration of a couple reading to a little boy.

“First off, it’s a fictional book, but when you get back to the very end you find out it’s not actually fictional because it’s the parents reading to the son,” Owens said. “And that’s actually us with him.”

Smith has authored two books: “Bully Book: Being Nice Always Wins!” and “Different Is Good!”

Smith said she used to work at an elementary school “where kids didn’t understand that being different was actually a good thing, and it turned into bullying.” She said she wrote “Different Is Good!” to help kids understand that “it is OK to be different.” She said she wrote the “Bully Book” to help kids understand that “the bully doesn’t always win.”

Dr. Kia Harris is a former assistant principal, counselor and middle school teacher. She wrote “HELP! I have a Middle Schooler: A Parent’s Guide to Navigating the Middle School Years” with her daughter Raine, who also illustrated the book.

“This book is really all about how to make it through the middle school years,” Dr. Harris said. “We know that sometimes it can be tough, whether it’s academic or whether you’re having issues with friends or social media.”

All four books are available at Amazon.com.

Arbor Station Students Build Literacy Skills With Multisensory Techniques

Educators and students at Arbor Station Elementary School are using mirrors as part of an innovative approach to reading instruction.

Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) is a professional development course designed to enhance educators' understanding of effective reading instruction and the importance of early intervention in promoting literacy. As part of the approach, the course promotes the use of multisensory techniques to engage students in the learning process.

One such innovative technique involves providing kindergartners with mirrors during phonics and articulation exercises. By observing their own mouth movements as they make different sounds and articulate various letters and words, students are able to develop a deeper awareness of phonemic patterns and speech production.

Educators working with LETRS have reported positive outcomes from the use of mirrors in the classroom. 

"The incorporation of mirrors into our literacy curriculum has allowed students to actively engage with the process of forming sounds and words," remarked Kim Weathington, the Arbor Station Elementary School Kindergarten Lead Teacher. "Not only have we seen improvements in their speech clarity, but we've also noticed heightened enthusiasm and participation in phonics activities," she added.

April is OT Appreciation Month!

Every April, we celebrate Occupational Therapy Month to honor the vital profession and the meaningful differences it makes in the lives of our students!  School-based occupational therapy practitioners are occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) who use meaningful activities (occupations) to help children and youth participate in what they need and/or want to do in order to promote physical and mental health and well-being. Occupational therapy addresses the physical, cognitive, psychosocial and sensory components of performance. We love and appreciate our DCSS OTs and OTA!

Pictured: Reicia North, Dani Bryan, Adreana Beaumont and Kayla Stowe.

DCSS Honors Exemplary English Learner and ESOL Teacher 

The Douglas County School System's English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program is thrilled to recognize two outstanding individuals and their significant contributions to the success of the English Learners (EL) program in Douglas County Schools! Joshua Ferreira Cruz, a student at Chapel Hill High School, has been named the Exemplary English Learner while Mrs. France Robinson, the ESOL teacher at New Manchester Elementary School, has been named the district's Exemplary ESOL Educator for the 2023-2024 school year. 

Upon arrival into the United States in 2022, 12th-grader Joshua Ferreira Cruz began attending Chapel Hill High School, immediately standing out as a leader and exemplary English learner in the program. He excelled as a soccer player during the 2022-2023 school year and has been an active member of the service leadership organization Chapel Hill’s “Todos Juntos” Club for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years.   

Joshua’s diligence in his academics has contributed to the rapid improvement of his English proficiency over the past two years. In fact, he gives his all in every endeavor, which shows with his current 98 in Chemistry and 99 in Calculus. The young scholar has also served as a peer mentor and support for his peers, particularly those who are newcomers. 

“Joshua respects his classmates and teachers, is a blessing to everyone he encounters, and is highly deserving of the Exemplary EL Award,” said Principal Nicole Watson. 

Mrs. Robinson is an exemplary ESOL teacher who continues to leave an indelible mark on the lives of all students. She demonstrates dedication to continuous improvement through ongoing professional development, reflective practices and works to enhance teaching effectiveness when working with New Manchester Elementary’s EL population. 

Robinson plays such important roles within the educational community, serving as both lead mentor and a valuable member of the leadership team. 

“What sets Mrs. Robinson apart is her demonstration of professionalism in all facets of her role as an ESOL teacher. From meticulously planning engaging lessons to maintaining open lines of communication with students, parents, and colleagues, her professionalism serves as a guide for the students and fellow educators,” said Principal Tanyia Clagette of New Manchester Elementary School. “She sets the standard for excellence within the school. With an acute understanding of their diverse needs, Mrs. Robinson goes above and beyond to ensure the success of her English-learning students by offering support for the students in and out of the classroom,” she added. 

“We are incredibly proud and grateful for Ms. Robinson’s remarkable leadership and commitment to ESOL students within the Douglas County School System. Her dedication to empowering English language learners exemplifies the highest standards of teaching excellence,” said Superintendent Trent North. 

Congratulations to both Joshua Ferreira Cruz and Mrs. France Robinson!

Classroom Corner

Lithia Lions Robotics Team Competes in the World of Science and Technology

The LeoTechs from Lithia Springs High School recently participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition, blending the world of sports, science and technology. The thrilling event referred to as the “ultimate Sport for the Mind” was hosted in Albany, Georgia. 

With little time and resources, student teams were challenged to design, build and program industrial-size robots by exploring advanced engineering concepts, brainstorming innovative ideas and developing career-ready practices. Additionally, they competed for awards, while creating a team identity, raising funds, improving teamwork skills and advancing respect and appreciation for STEM within the community. 

"Seeing our hard work put into action was worth the blood, sweat, and tears. It was proof that teamwork and dedication can achieve great things," expressed Leo Tech Captain Roshan Patel. 

Ultimately, FIRST Robotics Competition gives high school students and their volunteer professional mentors the opportunity to work and create together to solve a common problem. The website suggests high-school student participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have.”

Participating scholars have access to over $80 million in scholarships to colleges, universities, and technical programs.

Mason Creek Middle School Student Secures Top Spots in Regional Braille Challenge

Mason Creek Middle School’s Caleigh Caston showcased her skills and determination at the regional Braille Challenge held on March 7th at the Georgia Academy for the Blind in Macon.

The Braille Challenge is an academic competition for students who are blind or visually impaired. It promotes braille literacy, a skill essential for academic achievement and employment success. During the competition, students are tested in several areas, including reading comprehension, speed and accuracy, understanding of charts and graphs, and proofreading. 

Caston represented the Junior Varsity Division at the competition and placed first in her age group. She also placed 2nd place overall. Sadisha Clarke, Mason Creek Middle School’s teacher for visually impaired students, says her student has been dedicated to mastering the Braille code. 

“Caleigh has worked very hard and is now in the running to compete on a national level,” Clarke says. “Her placement in the Braille Challenge is a testament to her perseverance and the opportunities that braille literacy skills can open up, allowing her to compete academically with her sighted peers.”

Student Spotlight

Kelsey Arnold is a true beacon of excellence within the North Douglas Elementary School Community. Her Stingray family is proud to spotlight her outstanding qualities and contributions. 

Arnold’s unwavering commitment to her education and peers' success sets a standard of responsibility that few can match. In the classroom, her insightful discussions enrich the learning experience for her classmates. Additionally, her willingness to offer helpful tips demonstrates her generosity and desire to support her peers on their academic journey. 

“We were proud to have Kelsey represent our school at the TomeCon Reading Conference in March. Her collaborative spirit fosters a dynamic and engaging learning environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed,” said her fourth grade teacher.   

As a responsible student, Arnold takes her academic journey seriously, demonstrating a dedication to learning that is truly commendable. Her leadership in the classroom and determination to excel sets her apart as a high achiever. With her remarkable qualities, she is undoubtedly poised for a future filled with success and achievement.  

Arnold’s spare time consists of making bracelets for her friends, playing softball and experiencing new restaurants with her family while enjoying her favorite foods, steak and shrimp alfredo. 

NDES is truly fortunate to count Arnold among its students. As a responsible leader, a dedicated learner and a compassionate peer, she embodies the values of the school community. Arnold has had a profound impact as a Stingray, and the North Douglas family is excited to witness her future accomplishments. 

Tigers Back in Playoffs for Second Year in a Row

Weekly Athletics Schedule

Arbor Station Elementary School teacher Joyce Aaron shines for her commitment to excellence in teaching. Every day, she creates and fosters a positive learning environment for students. 

Principal Dr. Emily Felton appreciates the new ELA/Social Studies teacher's innovative and engaging teaching strategies. She adds that Aaron has over 14 years of experience as a social worker. "That experience taught her compassion and strong organizational and interpersonal skills. It also gave her strong multitasking and critical thinking skills," Dr. Felton explains.   

These skills have made a tremendous impact on students. Her passion and dedication to student success have led to positive student outcomes. Dr. Felton says Aaron collaborates effectively with team members and communicates powerfully with parents. This commitment to student development has distinguished Aaron as an outstanding teacher at Arbor Station.

Key Dates

• 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.