Dooly County School System

November Coin of Distinction Recipient: Mrs. Laurie Lowery From Hollie Walters: I am proud to nominate Ms. Laurie Lowery for the Coin of Distinction. Mrs. Lowery is a selfless educator who goes above and beyond the call of duty of her regular teaching assignments to ensure that all teachers and students have what they need. She assists grade level teachers and students, some of whom she does not even teach, in order to edify and build them up. She always tries to make the load of others lighter, even if it means carrying a little more weight herself. Recently, this summer, she was the lead teacher for our summer remediation program at Dooly K-8 Academy. Her heart is so huge and her desire that no children to goes without showed in her unspoken actions. When certain resources and books for students were late arriving, Mrs. Lowery went into her own pocket to purchase the materials so that all students could have the materials timely. She also spent countless hours working at the school planning and coordinating in order to make sure everyone had what they needed from teachers all the way to administrators. She is the epitome of a selfless giver. She does not do it for show and it can be seen in everything that she does. She is a true leader at heart. She reminds me of the quote by the late Dr. Rita Pierson, “Every child needs a champion”. Mrs. Lowery represents this in everything that she does and that is why she is being nominated for the Coin of Distinction.

The Dooly County School System would like to thank everyone who helped make the 2021 Homecoming week a success. We would not be able to have Homecoming week without the support of DCSS staff, board members, parents, businesses, and community stakeholders throughout Dooly County. Special thanks to State Representative Patty Bentley, Fort Valley State University Band and Band Director Jonathan Thompson, FVSU Royal Court, Blue Coats, and Cheerleaders, Albany State University Band and Band Director Kenneth Trimmins.

The Dooly County Board meeting was called to order by Miss Faith Leggett.

The Parents You Matter meeting will be held on November 18, 2021, at the Unadilla Community Center from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

NOTICE OF MEETING DATE CHANGE The regular meeting of the Dooly County Board of Education scheduled for Thursday, November 18, 2021, has been changed to Thursday, November 11, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. in room 101 of the Central Office located at 202 Cotton Street, Vienna, GA 31092

All parents are invited to the November 18th Parent Engagement Meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Unadilla Community Center. Lunch will be provided. Please register at the Dooly County District website under News.

The DCSS School Board is holding their monthly meeting on Wednesday, October 27th at 6 p.m. We will follow guidelines provided by the CDC in holding the meeting. The Media will be allowed to cover the meeting live. The public is encouraged to view the meeting via Facebook Live from the Dooly Schools Facebook page. No more than ten people will be allowed in the Board Meeting room for safety.

Homecoming T-Shirts are here!

The DCSS School Board is holding their monthly meeting on Wednesday, October 27th at 6 p.m. We will follow guidelines provided by the CDC in holding the meeting. The Media will be allowed to cover the meeting live. The public is encouraged to view the meeting via Facebook Live from the Dooly Schools Facebook page. No more than ten people will be allowed in the Board Meeting room for safety.

Congratulations to the Dooly County High School Class of 2022 REACH Scholars. These students will be graduating and receive $10,000 scholarships towards college. Stay tuned as Dooly County Middle School selects 2 new scholarship recipients. You may donate to the Dooly County Scholarship fund at this link. https://doolyk12-ga.leanstreamrp.com/district/need/493 https://youtu.be/TMPa8IRiAyM - Brian Chen https://youtu.be/US4UPMXF4K8 - Kaniyah Allen https://youtu.be/wqB8-5pf6yk - Karen Cornejo https://youtu.be/3FcK2QYLrHQ -Kiyasha Lewis https://youtu.be/eN_3WJtya-Q - Jazmine Gauthier https://youtu.be/yfgPQiL_NUk - Teeijah Bailey

Bobby the Bobcat Recipient-Mrs. Hollie Walters

Special Education Director Felicia Madison is recognized by State Organization

Dooly County High School has earned a graduation rate score of 89.8% for the 2020- 21 school year! DCHS’s high-school graduation rate did not change significantly from 2020 to 2021 – the 2021 rate is 89.8 percent, compared to 90.2 percent in 2020. Also, the Georgia state graduation rate is currently at 83.7%, which means that Dooly County High School surpassed the state average for the second consecutive year. The school system reflects an 87.8% graduation rate when PREP Academy is included. PREP received a rating of “Too Few Students,” which means that the PREP graduation rate was not calculated. Thus, DCHS remains steady as last year at a near 90% graduation rate. DCHS Principal Jerry Sanders states, "I am proud of the work and the direction we are moving in as we continue to Head to the TOP! We are continuously working to improve our instructional practices to ensure the success of every student." “I commend the efforts of students, parents, faculty, staff, and the community-as-a-whole for this accomplishment” says Superintendent Dr. Craig Lockhart. “Higher graduation rates increase our chances of creating a highly skilled workforce, and that makes the quality of living better here in Dooly County. Great job everyone!” This is our Time of Prosperity (TOP). Dooly County School System is indeed Headed to the TOP!

Dooly County Bobcats are "WILD ABOUT SCHOOL LUNCH" #NSLW21 #WILDSchoolLunch #thisisdooly

Dooly County School System celebrates National School Lunch Week #NSLW21 #WILDSchoolLunch #thisisdooly

National School Bus Safety Week

The Dooly County High School Pond is opening on Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 7:30a.m-1:00p.m. Don't forget to bring your rods, reels and bait.

Dooly County Bobcats are "Wild About School Lunch"

The key to a bright education starts with a great principal. Thank you!!!

DOOLY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL HONORED WITH GHSA COOPERATIVE SPIRIT SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD When engaged in athletic competition, high school students have one goal in mind: victory. But beyond wins and losses, one of the greatest lessons learned from competing in high school athletics is the ability to compete with class and sportsmanship. And when it comes to winning and losing with grace and setting a great example for the community, Georgia high schools continue to set the tone and be a benchmark for others to model. Helping to shape future citizens of the community is something close to the heart of each electric cooperative throughout the state. That is why Georgia’s EMCs, including Middle Georgia EMC, are proud to announce the winners of the 2020-2021 Georgia High School Association Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Awards. “High school athletes have a lot on their plate,” says Randy Crenshaw, President and CEO of Middle Georgia EMC. “But one of the most important things that these young people are responsible for is how they carry themselves. Creating the habits of exemplary sportsmanship now will go with them long after the whistle blows and the scoreboard clock shows time has expired on the game. It is one of life’s greatest lessons, one that will mold them into healthy and productive adults. We’re proud to be a part of such a wonderful award that honors outstanding high school athletes across the state of Georgia.” Middle Georgia EMC, along with other EMCs in Georgia, have presented the Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award each year since 2006 to emphasize, encourage and reward positive behavior in athletics. To be considered for recognition, students, athletes, coaches, spectators and anyone else associated with high school activities programs must display respect, fairness, honesty and responsibility before, during and after competition. “Congratulations to all of the region winners of the GHSA Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award for 2020-2021,” says Dr. Robin Hines, GHSA Executive Director. “It is an honor for these member schools to be selected by their regions for this award. The characteristics of good sportsmanship are critical to the development of our young people as they transition into productive adults. The GHSA applauds our schools on this accomplishment and appreciates Georgia’s EMCs for their support of this outstanding recognition program.” The schools honored with this award, such as Dooly County High School, saw their representatives demonstrate a high-level of honorable behavior across all sports throughout the school year and among many different groups, ranging from students, coaches, parents, spectators and officials. With the award serving as a compliment to anyone involved with the school’s athletic events, this is an award not just for the school, but for the entire community. Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Awards are presented annually by EMC representatives during fall athletic events and school assemblies to GHSA-member high schools in 64 regions and eight total classifications. Middle Georgia EMC is a consumer-owned cooperative providing electricity and related services to 4,800 members in Dooly, Pulaski, Wilcox, Houston, Turner, Macon and Ben Hill counties. Founded in 1904, the GHSA is a voluntary, non-profit organization comprised of more than 460 public and private high schools that strives to promote good sportsmanship, participant safety, fair play and a cooperative spirit among its member schools. The GHSA administers regulations for region and state competition in 21 sports and three activities. For more information, visit www.ghsa.net.