DCSS Notebook

Northside staff leads the way in November attendance

The certified staff at Northside Elementary School set the bar high in the superintendent’s attendance challenge with a system-leading 97.86 percent attendance rate for November. Martin Luther King, Jr., Elementary School topped the list of schools with perfect attendance with 82.05 percent of certified staff in place each day.

Radium Springs Middle schoolers and parents partner to make math fun

How do you make math fun? You get “Egg”cited about it with your family. Radium Springs Middle School held its Family Fun Math Night on Dec.10. Parents and students rotated among five different math stations and joined in activities such as, “We’re Eggcited about Math,” “Math Bingo,” “Make 24,” “Math Relay,” and “Tic-Tac-Toe.” Winners at each station took home a gift cards. The lucky winners of the gift cards were Shereka Tukes, parent of 7th grader Kelviuntae Moses, and April Turner, parent of 7th grader Dominique Morris.

Coats and Clark delivers more than warm wishes with Radium Springs donations

Coats and Clark has partnered with Radium Springs Middle Magnet School of the Arts and warmed up relations with some well-received donations. Valerie Barton, Coats & Clark Senior HR manager, and Kathy Hamilton, Customer Service manager, recently delivered winter coats and hats to Melva Simmons, Radium Springs parent facilitator.

‘Tis the season of giving for Monroe’s Air Force JROTC cadets

Monroe High School’s Air Force ROTC cadets have been as busy as Santa’s elves, giving back to the community in a variety of ways this holiday season.

Monroe cadets have been focused on giving to the community. They invested their free time by marching in the Albany Christmas parade, showing off their skills and representing the district.

The cadets also volunteered several hours after school in preparation for the Christmas Agape program at the Albany Civic Center. During the event, the cadets presented red roses to the founder, Martha James, while Monroe Assistant Principal Horace Bentley sang a tribute. The Monroe chorus also performed along with several other singers and dancers. The program concluded with the cadets assisting with giving moe than 1,000 gifts to children in attendance.

Lake Park Student Council brings Christmas cheer to those in assisted living

Lake Park Student Council recently visited Century Pines Assisted Living to spread a little Christmas cheer. The children brought gift bags filled with fruit, sang Christmas carols and spent time talking to the residents. Lake Park Student Council sponsors are Patrice Mitchell, Pat Buchanan and Susan Summerall.

Lincoln Student Council rings bell for Salvation Army

The Lincoln Elementary Magnet School Student Council’s December project was to ring the bell for the Salvation Arm .earlier this month. Student council representatives rang the bell at the back entrance to the Albany Mall from 10 am until noon. The students sang Christmas carols and greeted shoppers as they entered the mall all while helping collect money to help those less fortunate.

Principals and teachers learn about handling immigrant students

State educational officials met with local teachers and principals in November to discuss ways to help meet the educational needs of immigrant students. Carol Johnson, program specialist of Title III and ESOL from the Georgia Department of Education, met with principals, staff and educators from Dougherty, Lee, Grady, Thomas and Tift Counties at the Isabella Complex last month.

In addition to discussing issues associated with increased numbers of immigrant students, Johnson also discussed civil rights issues as well as laws and strategies on how to help those involved with the immigrant population.

Going Green: International Studies students harvest first crops from teaching garden

International Studies Elementary Charter School was chosen to receive a teaching garden this fall and students have harvested the first crops. Students helped pick romaine lettuce, radishes and collard greens assisted by Blaine Allen, DCSS Child Nutrition Service director. The lettuce was used to make salad which was served at lunch and the greens will be served later.

The teaching garden beds were constructed by parent volunteers and Marines from the Marine Corps Logistics Base under the direction of James Morgan, UGA County Extension coordinator.

Santa welcomed by caroling students at Jackson Heights

Santa Claus made an appearance at the December meeting of the Jackson Heights Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization. The program, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” was presented by the school’s first and second grade students dressed in Santa Claus hats and attire. A welcome was given by first grade students and the invocation was led by second grade students. Christmas questions were presented by first grade students and a letter from Santa was read by second grade students followed by a performance of the songs “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”, “Jingle Bell Rock”, and “Merry Christmas All”.

After the program, Santa greeted the children and handed out candy. Assistant Principal Gina Scott gave closing remarks and thanked the first and second grade teachers for coordinating the program.

Student Advisory Council promotes holiday reading for elementary students

The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council delivered a present to elementary students that was relevant to the needs of the system and fun for fifth-graders. Chairman Brandon Fenn and Co-Chair Madison Laughlin organized a reading promotion project for the Council and traveled to four elementary schools with their entertainment and message. The student leaders read excerpts from grade-appropriate books to students and then encouraged them to check books out from their media centers and enjoy reading. Their message included the benefits of reading while on breaks from school and how reading helps school performance in all of their classes.

The reading tour was supported by Superintendent Butch Mosely, who visited with the students and student leaders on the tour, Candice Walton, Alice Coachman Elementary School media specialist who helped with book selection for the tour, and by Kenneth Williams, Director of Transportation, who arranged for the bus transportation. Council sponsors that traveled with the student tour are Andre’ Simon, Corey Sanford, Elnora Arrington, Yolanda Skinner and R. D. Harter.

Robert Cross students learn life-saving skills

More than 140 Robert Cross Middle Magnet School students learned hands-only CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) Wednesday, to help them prepare to save a life if needed.

Following the program, which organizers hope they’ll share with their families, 141 students received certificates for completing the training.

‘Lincoln Leaders’ help with food drive

With support from the families of students and staff, Lincoln Leaders were able to partner with the Salvation Army to participate in that organization’s annual food drive. Organizers asked the Lincoln Elementary Magnet School family to participate sending in canned goods or nonperishable items for the purpose of “Doing The Most Good” with the Salvation Army’s “Let’s Can Hunger” Food Drive.

The goal is to make sure that families in the Albany, Dougherty County community have food to eat during the holiday season.

Lincoln students hop aboard the ‘Blanket Train’

When Lincoln Leaders learned this winter might be one of the worst in recent memory, they got involved. Partnering with Tee Taylor from Albany Recreation and Parks department and Cee Cee Morris from WZBN 105.5 radio station, the group joined the “blanket train,” to help keep senior citizens 70 and older warm with blankets for the holidays. The Lincoln Elementary Magnet School family hopped aboard, collecting more than 100 blankets to help senior citizens have a warm holiday season.

Albany High groups run canned food drive for needy families

Career Technical Student Organizations have a long history of working together in order to provide a helping hand to various local charities and other organizations. Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) partnered to run a canned foods drive at Albany High. Collections of canned foods began before Thanksgiving break and ended Dec. All canned foods collected were taken to the Salvation Army in Albany. Albany High School’s FBLA adviser is Carene Talley and HOSA’s adviser is Melinda Suber.

Albany High FBLA helps fill the red kettle for the Salvation Army

Albany High School’s Future Business Leaders of America helped spread the holiday cheer during December. Members gathered at Walmart on Ledo Road recently to ring bells for the Salvation Army. Albany High’s FBLA chapter also donated toys to the Toys for Tots foundation. The Salvation Army Red Kettles have been an American tradition since 1891, and provides toys for kids, coats for the homeless, food for the hungry and countless social service programs year round. AHS FBLA’s adviser is Carene Talley.

‘The Polar Express’ pulls into Sherwood Acres

Kindergarten students and staff at Sherwood Acres Elementary celebrated Polar Express Day on recently by participating in activities relating to the popular book and movie. To recreate themes from the book, “The Polar Express” written by Chris Van Allsburg, students and teachers wore their pajamas, created “Polar Express” trains with candy, designed pajamas to match what they were wearing and enjoyed hot chocolate while viewing the movie version of the book.

After the movie, students drew pictures of their favorite part of the story and illustrated their pictures and even solved addition and subtraction problems using marshmallows.

Santa spotted at Sherwood Acres

Santa Claus stopped by to visit the students and teachers at Sherwood Acres Elementary School earlier this month.

The jolly old elf stopped by the school after students completed an assignment to make their own Christmas lists. Despite his rosy demeanor and penchant for laughing incessantly, St. Nick took some time out to talk with the students about making good choices in school and the importance of being a good citizen. After collecting the lists and letters, Santa passed out candy canes and took photos with the students.After Santa left, students wrote thank-you letters to show their appreciation for his visit.