Dougherty County School System Notebook

State Science Fair results

Ten Dougherty County School System students participated in the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair March 27-29 in Athens. The students who were selected based on their performance at the Darton College Regional Science Fair competition were Malisha Jones (Albany Early College), Ty’Tiaunna Thomas (Monroe Comprehensive High School), Hannah Allen, Mary Rachel Bonner, Joshua Collins, Deondria Hawkins, Juliette Hu, Chelsea Lee, Dillion Notz, and Alexis Matheiu-Rowe (Westover Comprehensive High School).

Students who placed at the state fair are Dillion Notz, 1st Honors in Engineering-Electrical and Mechanical, for his project entitled “Modifying Tesla Coil Transformer to Function as a Turnable Wire,” and Mary Rachel Bonner, 3rd Honors in Animal Science, for her project entitled “The Energy Wars: Rhinoceros vs. Donkey.” Their teachers at Westover High are Stacey Brunelle and Angela Wiley. Malisha Jones won 4th Honors in Health and Medicine for her research entitled “Are Minutiae Points Inherited?” Her teacher at Albany Early College is Rontra Brown.

Westover student takes 1st place at State FCCLA Competition

Westover Comprehensive High School student Othellious Cato participated in the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) state competitive event held in Athens on March 21 taking 1st place in Extemporaneous Speaking. Othellious competed against students from 25 Georgia high schools to win the competition and earn a cash award of $200. His topic was “Why should students join a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)?” FCCLA is a national career and technical student organization that provides personal growth, leadership development, and career preparation opportunities for students in family and consumer sciences education.

Students selected for Governor’s Honors Program

Two students from Westover Comprehensive High School, sophomore Hannah Allen, and junior Brittany Mitchell, will participate in the 2014 Governor’s Honors Program. The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) is a four-week, summer residential program designed to provide intellectually gifted and artistically talented high school students challenging and enriching educational opportunities not usually available during the regular school year. Activities provide each participant with opportunities to acquire the skills, knowledge, and attitudes to become independent, life-long learners. High School sophomores and juniors in public, private, and home schools are eligible for nomination in one of 20 areas. This year’s program will be held at Valdosta State University June 22 through July 19.

Dougherty High places 2nd in robotics competition

On March 12, Dougherty Comprehensive High School’s robotics students participated in a competition conducted by Students Achieving Success in Engineering and Technology (SASET) and hosted by Albany Technical College. The competition, entitled “Swept Away,” included 28 teams. Dougherty High entered six teams, four of which made it into the top 16. Dougherty’s Trojan Creed team advanced to the final round during which team captain, Dre’Shawn Green, operated the robot as the driver placing second in the competition. Other team members were Gabrielle Leonard, Donarious Whitehead, Sabriyyah Pollock, and Courtney Phillips. Robotics advisory teachers at Dougherty High are Helen Koneri, Jamal Reynolds, and Jesse Barnes.

Superintendent recognizes Month of the Military Child

DCSS Superintendent David Mosely is joining State Superintendent, John Barge, in celebrating April as the Month of the Military Child. He is asking schools in the system to honor the service of active duty military parents whose children attend the Dougherty County School System. Brian Lowder, Marine stationed at the Marine Corps Logistics Base, was among the families of students interviewed for media coverage about the challenges and benefits of being a military family. The Lowder family has moved five times in 13 years of military service and two of the children were born in Japan. All three siblings attend Lake Park Elementary School.

Mosely and the Dougherty County Board of Education created a new policy last year that allows active duty military families to chose the school that they will attend.

Westover senior DECA members receive Emerging Leader Awards

Westover Comprehensive High School’s 2014 DECA Emerging Leaders Honor award recipients were announced recently in Atlanta. The Emerging Leader Honor Award recognizes members who have been involved at the local, chartered association, and DECA Inc. levels. These members are graduating seniors who have maintained at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average, have completed at least one course in marketing, business management and administration, entrepreneurship, finance or hospitality and tourism, and have participated in a variety of activities. Westover’s recipients are Hope Brown, Justice Coleman, Carleah Lewis, and Tiara Robinson. Rasheda Haines is the DECA advisor at Westover High.

Albany High students complete Teen Police Academy Training

On March 29, three Albany High School sophomores graduated from the Albany Police Department’s Teen Police Academy Spring 2014 session. Deanna Hutchinson, La’deaner Wilson, and Nikendra Rollins received certificates of completion after attending five Saturday sessions. La’dequa Green was also recognized for her volunteer contributions to the program. Green is a graduate of the fall session and returned as a volunteer for the latest session. The students were educated by various units and officers from the Albany Police Department, including the Gang Unit, Crime Scene Unit, SWAT Team, and Drug Unit.

As part of the program, the students also completed a day-long community service project during which they volunteered at the “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” fundraiser for Lily Pad Sexual Assault Center. All four students are in the law and justice pathway at Albany High taught by Jason Armstrong.

SunTrust Bank V.P. visits Radium Springs Elementary

Reba Stewart, assistant vice president at SunTrust Bank, visited Radium Springs Elementary School recently to speak to the second graders on earning, spending, and saving money. She provided hands on learning opportunities for the students to interact and better understand these important life skills and concepts. Students saw how to apply the concepts in their own lives and shared their experiences in discussions. The Radium Elementary staff was appreciative of the visit and its illustration of the importance of community involvement and partnerships in education.

ATF Representative visits AHS Law and Justice Classes

Jeremy Pelt, a representative from the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco (ATF), visited the Albany High School’s law and justice classes on March 21 to speak about career opportunities. He encouraged the students to seek employment with the two departments which seek qualified personnel and have frequent open positions. Pelt took questions from the students and explained some of the characteristics they would need for employment as well as discussing some which may cause an applicant to be disqualified. Pelt is part of the ATF Outreach program.

Westover receives Heart Safe School accreditation

Westover Comprehensive High School recently received certification by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Phoebe’s Network of Trust School Health program as a Heart Safe School. The certification process requires faculty and safety team members to respond quickly and appropriately during training drills. When the training is complete, the team is certified in CPR/AED abilities and protocols related to unresponsive victims. All DCSS schools have CPR/AED personnel and, after they complete the required training, are added to the list of Heart Safe Schools which currently includes Robert A. Cross Middle Magnet School, Jackson Heights Elementary School, Sherwood Acres Elementary School, Lake Park Elementary School, and Westover Comprehensive High School.

Lunch and Learn for law students at Albany High

Sarah Kjellin, partner from Watson Spence law firm, and Norris Lewis, assistant district attorney for the Dougherty Judicial Circuit, visited Albany High School on April 9 to participate in a Lunch and Learn session for students in the law and justice career path. The visitors and students had a discussion about preparing for and becoming a lawyer. Sophomore students Kenmarcus Jackson, Shaquandra Daniel, Keirston Williams, Danielle Arnold, Jordan McCoy, Catrice Williams, La’deaner Wilson, La’dequa Green, and Esmeralda Aguilar, all of whom are interested in a career as an attorney, attended the luncheon. Jason Armstrong is law and justice instructor at Albany High.

Lincoln Elementary raises funds for Pink Walk

The Lincoln Elementary Magnet School Student Council participated in Albany’s Pink Walk on March 22. The school held Pink Day the day before the walk. Students contributed $1 to wear pink tops and jeans for the day, raising more than $600 to in donations for the Pink Walk. All donations from the Pink Walk go to the MaryLynn Mason Endowment Fund through the Phoebe Foundation. The endowment provides financial assistance to Carlton Breast Cancer patients. Student council representatives, sponsors, teachers, and parents came out to participate in the 3-mile walk.

CCPLC holds Career Day event

The DCSS College and Career Performance Learning Center (CCPLC) held its annual Career Week recently. The week began with a motivational talk by Dr. Angela Shumate and continued by featuring post-secondary institutions, the armed forces, and several representatives from business and industry. Angie Wilson, Georgia Student Finance Commission, conducted a GAcollege411 workshop for students who plan to pursue higher education. Information covered included navigation of the GAcollege411 site, the Georgia Department of Education’s one-stop place for students to plan, apply, and pay for college. The week concluded with a lecture and open dialogue with Coach Chris Cameron, head basketball coach at Albany State University. The Career Day committee consisted of Helen Carson, Anusa Betsill, Shamonica Howard, and Helena Collins. Communities In Schools (CIS) provided refreshments for the guests and speakers.

Alice Coachman shines spotlight on careers

Alice Coachman Elementary School held a Spotlight on Careers program on March 28. Various careers were highlighted on the stage in the cafeteria by community professionals who shared information about their work. Participants in the program were Adrian Jenkins (Jenkins Photography), Collete Jenkins (beauty and self-esteem entrepreneur), Tamera Davis (professor of nursing at Albany State University), Rodney Daniels (DCSS instructional technology specialist), Dale Givens (salesman from Five Star Nissan), Robert Lee (CFO of Albany Management), Brittany McCumber, (baker at The Bread House and Granary), and Alvin Young (owner of Albany Auto and Diesel Repair). Students had an opportunity to ask questions of the professionals. The career event was organized by school counselor Dolores Floyd, counseling intern Arenetta Fedd-White, and parent coordinator Patricia Hall.