Dougherty County School System Notebook – May 18, 2014

DCSS art students compete in District Showcase

Four students from DCSS had art work that advanced to compete in the Kiwanis Georgia District Art and Music Showcase on April 26 in Carrollton. Each of these students placed 1st in the local Kiwanis Art Competition. Winners at the state level were Malik Wade, Albany Middle School, sixth grade; Lavosky Warren, Albany Middle School, eighth grade; Delaney Smith, Westover Comprehensive High School, tenth grade; and Hannah Harper, Westover Comprehensive High School, twelfth grade.

Albany Middle School art teacher is James Middleton and Barbi Fisher is the art teacher at Westover.

Albany Middle band receives Superior rating at festival

The Albany Middle School Band recently performed in the Trills and Thrills Concert Festival at the Marietta Performing Arts Center. The band performed three selections and received a Superior rating. In addition, they received several compliments on their discipline and demeanor. The Albany Middle School Band is under the direction of Jessica UDell.

Military parents visit International Studies Elementary

Latreesa Perryman, School Liaison for the Marine Corps Logistics Base, included the International Studies Elementary Charter School on the second “let’s go shopping” school tour this spring. Perryman reported that the visiting parents were impressed with the program and operation at the school. School Superintendent David Mosely lists school choice for active duty military children among key accomplishments of his first year and is excited that parents are interested in visiting schools to see what the system offers.

MLK students graduate from CHAMPS Program

Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School held its C.H.A.M.P.S. Program graduation ceremony on April 28. C.H.A.M.P.S. stands for Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety. Capt. Dorothy Stephens of the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office was the instructor for the course. Fifth grade students learned about drug and alcohol prevention as well as avoiding gangs. Carolyn Harris’ class had a 100 percent graduation rate. Maj. Sabrina Lewis, who is security director at the Dougherty County Jail, officer Angela Brown of the Crime Prevention Intervention Unit, Dougherty County Sheriff Kevin Sproul, and principal Vontressa Childs each provided words of encouragement during the ceremony.

Lincoln leaders support Relay for Life

Lincoln Leaders, along with faculty, staff, and parents from Lincoln Elementary Magnet school, joined the kickoff at the Albany Exchange Club Fairground for this year’s Relay for Life on April 25. Lincoln Leaders spearheaded a school-wide fundraiser where $651 was raised by the student body. Lincoln Leaders contributed the remaining $349 to donate $1,000 to this worthy cause. After online donations were included, Lincoln’s team total was $1,030.

Sherwood’s REAL Boys REAL Men visit Georgia Tech

On April 26, members of the REAL Boys REAL Men mentoring program from Sherwood Acres Elementary School traveled to Atlanta for a day of adventure. The boys went on a scavenger hunt-styled tour of The Georgia Institute of Technology’s campus and participated in a STEM demonstration and activity. The boys and chaperones were greeted by student leaders who volunteered their time to the group on the weekend before finals. At the end of the day, the boys attended the Broadway production of The Lion King at the Foxx Theatre.

The trip was sponsored by Jack and Jill Foundation, GOL Education Foundation, and member of the Sherwood Acres community. The college tour was organized by Alex Berry, sophomore class president at Georgia Tech and an Albany native. Faculty chaperones were REAL Boys, REAL Men founder Martez Favis, assistant principal Brandi Barrett, and teachers Yolanda McCray, Bobby Hand, Sr., Randal Thomas, and Mona Tarver.

Journeyman beekeeper Kent Simmons visits Live Oak

On April 24, local dentist and beekeeper Kent Simmons provided an educational presentation about bees to Live Oak Elementary School’s second grade classes. Simmons is a Journeyman Beekeeper and honey judge, certified through the University of Georgia’s Beekeeping Institute. During Simmons’ visit, the students learned about the different kinds of bees found in Southwest Georgia, honey production and harvesting, and bee safety. Simmons brought a teaching hive to the school and students were encouraged to find the queen bee, examine a live hive, and ask questions about bees.

Sherwood Acres helps “Stash the Trash”

On April 25, Sherwood Acres Elementary School’s Junior Beta Club, Student Council, and REAL Boys REAL Men groups collected trash in cooperation with the annual Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful event. Seventy-five students along with 8 staff members worked for an hour to beautify the neighborhood and area surrounding their campus. This event is held annually in conjunction with Earth Day.