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
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
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 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
Update: Please note that tomorrow's Dooly County 21st Century Community Learning Centers Parent Meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 28th, at 5 p.m. at the Dooly K-8 Academy.
✅ Free Health Screenings
✅ Wellness Education
✅ Community Resources
No cost, no appointment — just come out and take charge of your health! Bring the whole family. 💙
Good morning,
I hope everyone remained safe during the severe weather that moved through our area earlier today. Thankfully, conditions appear to have settled.
I want to extend my sincere appreciation to our transportation team, parents, administrators, teachers, and staff for working together to ensure our students arrived safely at school this morning. Your patience, communication, and commitment to student safety are deeply valued.
Moments like these remind us that it truly takes all of us working together to support our students and our schools. Thank you for your continued dedication and cooperation.
Respectfully,
Sherrod D. Willaford, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Dooly County School System
202 Cotton Street
Vienna, GA 31092
📢 Reminder.....You're Invited to Our Community Forum! 📢
Parents, students, and stakeholders – we want to hear from YOU! Join us for an important conversation about our schools and community.
📅 Wednesday, November 19th 🕔 5:00 PM 📍 Dooly County K8 Academy
Make plans to be there. Your voice matters!
#DoolyCountySchools #CommunityForum #DoolyUnite
At Dooly County Schools, we love all things hands-on learning! Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math come alive when students get to explore, experiment, and create.
The best part? STEM can be done at home! Try your hand at one of the STEM activities attached and share in the comments how it went! We can't wait to see what you discover together!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VbS9F-B6z45gjfTWweBgrPZRUJ8kYKjf/view?usp=sharing
#NationalSTEMDay #DoolyCountySchools #HandsOnLearning #STEMatHome #FutureInnovators
A Message from Dr. Willaford Regarding Today's Lockdown
