They walked our halls as students. Now they’re shaping the future for the next generation.
This week’s Dooly Legacy is Coach Minnie Harper, longtime educator, coach, and proud member of the Dooly County Board of Education!
Coach Harper’s story is one of a lifetime devoted to Dooly County. She began her journey as a student in these very schools, returned to pour her heart into our students as an educator and coach, and now she continues to serve the entire district from her seat on the Board of Education.
Few people can say they have given to a community the way Coach Harper has. She has cheered students on from the sidelines, challenged them to grow in the classroom, and now advocates for every child in Dooly County at the table where the biggest decisions are made. Her commitment to this community has never wavered — it has only grown.
Thank you, Coach Harper, for a lifetime of service and for never stopping your commitment to Dooly County! 💛
#DoolyLegacy #HomegrownLeaders #DoolyUnited
Honoring Those Who Served
The Dooly County JROTC invites our community to join us for a Veterans Day Program and Breakfast on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in the Dooly County High School Cafeteria.
🍳 Breakfast begins at 8:00 AM
🎖️ Program begins at 9:00 AM
We are proud to recognize the veterans in our community and thank them for their service and sacrifice. Veterans, families, and community members are all welcome.
📩 Please RSVP to CW3 Troy Hope by Monday, November 2nd. We hope to see you there!
#DoolyUnited #VeteransDay #JROTC #ThankYouVeterans
Dooly County Schools proudly celebrates Dr. Hollie Walters, principal of Dooly K–8 Academy, on her selection for the inaugural cohort of the National Rural Principal Fellowship Network through the National Rural Education Association!
Through this year-long fellowship, Dr. Walters will collaborate with rural principals from across the nation, strengthen her leadership, and explore innovative practices that support school improvement and student success.
“We are proud of Dr. Walters. Investing in our leaders is an investment in our students,” said Superintendent Dr. Sherrod D. Willaford.
Join us in celebrating this national recognition as we continue Moving Forward the
Dooly Way!
#MovingForwardtheDoolyWay #DoolyCountySchools #RuralEducation #PrincipalLeadership
The Dooly County Board of Education will have a board work session on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in room 101 of the Central Office located at 202 E. Cotton, Street, Vienna, GA 31092.
REGULAR BOARD MEETING NOTICE AND LOCATION CHANGE
The Dooly County Board of Education will have a regular board meeting on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in room 101 of the Central Office located at 202 E. Cotton, Street, Vienna, GA 31092.
The public may view the meeting via Facebook Live from the Dooly County School System Facebook page.
Dear Dooly County Bobcat Families,
As we prepare for Fall Break, we recognize that our community continues to navigate the emotional impact of the recent tragedy. During this difficult time, please know that the Dooly County School System remains committed to the safety, well-being, and emotional health of our students, families, and staff.
While our schools will be closed for Fall Break, our commitment to supporting our students and families does not take a break.
We understand that following a traumatic event, children and adults may experience a range of emotions, including sadness, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, fear, or uncertainty about returning to their normal routines. These can be natural responses to difficult circumstances, and no family should feel that they must navigate these challenges alone.
Through our partnership with Cartwheel, a mental health support provider, Dooly County families have access to additional professional resources, including:
· Licensed mental health therapists with no waitlist.
· Flexible appointment times Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., and Saturdays, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
· Parent guidance sessions to help caregivers understand and support their children's emotional needs.
· Multilingual services, including support in English and Spanish.
How to Access Support
Families interested in receiving support may complete the Cartwheel Family Interest Form.
The form takes approximately seven minutes to complete. A member of the Cartwheel Care Team will contact you within 24 hours by phone, text, or email to discuss available services and next steps.
As a school system, we believe that caring for our students extends beyond the classroom. Our mission to empower every student to reach their highest aspirations and thrive in an ever-changing world includes ensuring that they have access to the emotional and mental health support necessary to succeed.
To our families, please continue to check in with your children, listen with compassion, and remind them that they are loved, valued, and supported. Whether your child needs someone to talk to, additional reassurance, or professional assistance, resources are available.
We are grateful for the strength, compassion, and unity demonstrated throughout our Bobcat community. Together, we will continue supporting one another as we move forward.
On behalf of the Dooly County School System, I wish each of you a safe, peaceful, and restorative Fall Break.
Remember, we are stronger together, and no Bobcat stands alone.
Respectfully,
Sherrod D. Willaford, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Dooly County Schools
During his visit, Mr. Woods recognized and honored our fourth- and fifth-grade students with the prestigious John Hancock Award! 🏆✍️This special recognition celebrates students who, during their third- and fourth-grade years, demonstrated proficiency in writing their signatures in cursive.
We also extend a heartfelt special recognition to Ms. Alexia Bowen for her commitment to teaching our students the art of cursive writing and helping them master their signatures during the 2025–2026 school year. 👏❤️
Congratulations to all of our John Hancock Award recipients! Continue to strive for excellence, embrace new challenges, and make your Bobcat family proud! 🐾🏆
The Dooly County Schools take the safety of our students and staff seriously. The district will resume school operations on Thursday, October 8, with extra precautions, including limiting student transitions throughout the day. The district made this decision in consultation with local law enforcement, who will also provide additional personnel on our campus tomorrow.
Today's alert reminds us that we are safer when we work together. The district encourages students, employees and families to report any suspicious behavior to our local law enforcement.
Respectfully,
Dr. Sherrod Willaford
Superintendent
Dooly County Schools
The Dooly County Board of Education will hold a Called Meeting Executive Session Only on Monday ,October 5, 2026, at 6:00 pm in room 101 of the Central Office located at 202 E. Cotton, Street, Vienna, GA 31092.
The primary purpose is potential litigation.
The Dooly County School System is deeply saddened by the overnight shooting in Vienna. Our hearts are with the families grieving the loss of loved ones, those who were injured, and everyone affected by this tragedy. We are grateful for the compassion and support being demonstrated throughout our community, and those affected remain in our thoughts and prayers.
While the gathering where the incident occurred was not a school-sponsored event, we recognize that its impact may reach many of our students, families, and staff. Student and staff safety remain our highest priority. We have taken additional proactive safety measures, and our schools are prepared to welcome students and staff on Monday. Recognizing the emotional impact of this tragedy, we have activated our crisis support teams to assist. Families seeking support for their children are encouraged to contact their school’s administration.
As details continue to be confirmed, we ask everyone to respect the privacy of affected families and refrain from sharing unverified names, information, or graphic images. Please rely on investigating law enforcement agencies for updates about the incident and official district communication channels for information about school operations and support services.
We also encourage our community to check in with students, staff, parents, and neighbors throughout the coming week. A caring conversation, a listening ear, and continued support can make a meaningful difference.
We extend our sincere condolences to those grieving and our heartfelt concern to everyone recovering from injuries. Thank you for supporting Dooly County Schools and our community as we move forward together.
Respectfully,
Sherrod D. Willaford, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Dooly County School System
They walked our halls as students. Now they're shaping the future for the next generation.
This week's Dooly Legacy is Ms. Valencia Robinson, 3rd grade teacher at Dooly County K8 Academy!
Ms. Robinson is a proud Dooly County graduate who came back home to invest in the next generation of learners right where her own journey began. In her 3rd grade classroom, she is shaping students at one of the most critical stages of their academic development — the point where young readers become confident learners and the foundation for future success is truly set.
She knows the heart of this community because it is her heart too. Ms. Robinson brings that deep connection and genuine love for Dooly County into her teaching every single day — reminding her students through her very presence that where you come from is something to be proud of and that coming home to serve is one of the highest callings there is.
Thank you, Ms. Robinson, for pouring your heart into our 3rd graders and choosing to come back home! 💛
#DoolyLegacy #HomegrownLeaders #DoolyUnited
Every morning, before the first bell rings, our custodians are already at work making sure our classrooms, hallways, and cafeterias are clean, safe, and ready for learning. They fix what's broken, clean up what's spilled, and handle a thousand little things most of us never even notice. Their care shows up in every corner of our schools, and it makes a real difference for our students and staff.
To our incredible custodial team: we'd be a mess without you! Thank you for your hard work, your dedication, and the pride you take in keeping Dooly County Schools shining. We see you, and we appreciate you. 💙
#DoolyUnited #CustodianAppreciation #ThankYouCustodians
To accommodate Homecoming activities and Parent-Teacher Conferences, and to support a safe, orderly dismissal, Dooly County Schools will release students early on the following days:
🏈 Thursday, October 1 (Homecoming): Dismissal at 2:00 p.m.
🍎 Friday, October 2 (Parent-Teacher Conferences):
Dooly County K-8 Academy: Dismissal at 11:45 a.m.
Dooly County High School: Dismissal at 12:00 p.m.
Please plan transportation and after-school arrangements accordingly. We look forward to celebrating Homecoming together and partnering with our families during conferences. Thank you for your continued support!
#DoolyUnited #Homecoming #Bobcats #Parent-TeacherConference