Dooly County School System

Dear Bobcat Nation, On December 13th, the school system has been notified that a staff member has recently tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member was in close proximity to other staff and our boys’ and girls’ basketball teams last week. Out of an abundance of caution, we are transitioning to 100% virtual learning for December 14th through 18th. All basketball games will be postponed until further notice. While we understand this may be an inconvenience for some, please understand that the safety of our students and staff is the highest priority. As we get ready for Christmas vacation, we ask that everyone please take extra safety precautions so that we all can have a safe and happy holiday season. Respectfully, Dr. Craig Lockhart Superintendent, Dooly County School System

All stakeholders are invited to join us virtually for the Tuesday, December 15th, Title 1 Parent/Family Engagement meeting using the Microsoft Live Event platform at 5:30 p.m. Topics include: the Reading Program, Infinite Campus for Parents and a technology update. Register to attend on the district website and to receive the meeting link.

Dooly County School System Achieves 2020 GSBA Exemplary School Board Status Dooly County School System is proud to announce the achievement and status of the Georgia School Boards Association’s (GSBA) 2020 Exemplary School Board recognition. The recognition program is designed to showcase best practices in school governance and leadership. GSBA recognizes good school board governance to foster educational community cultures in order to advance student learning and achievement. Dooly County Schools met and/or exceeded the criteria set forth by GSBA to earn the honor of a 2020 Exemplary Board. The GSBA Governance Team Recognition Program was developed by Georgia superintendents and board members based on the state board of education’s standards for effective governance to recognize exemplary leadership. In 1998, the Georgia School Boards Association was one of the first school board associations in the nation to develop a program of standards for local boards of education. “I am extremely proud of the work of the Dooly County School Board,” says Dr. Craig Lockhart, Superintendent. “This recognition demonstrates that this school board uses best practices in school governance and has a laser-sharp focus on increasing student achievement. I thank Dooly school boards past and present for the work they have done on behalf of the community. We are committed to excellence!” Dooly County Board of Education Chair Katrice Taylor states, “I am really proud of this board and the accomplishments that we have made. We work really great together, and we truly care about the best interest of the children. I hope that we can continue to work in a positive direction and to keep the Dooly County School System moving forward.” The GSBA Board recognition program is a three-tiered program. For more information on the program you may visit the GSBA website for awards and recognition to view the criteria for all tiers of the program. #thisisdooly #headedtothetop #committedtoexcellence

Dear Dooly Community, Basketball season is here, and while we are looking forward to a winning season for our Bobcats and Lady Bobcats, safety for all is the top priority this year. Due to the gym’s aging ventilation system and per Department of Public Health guidance, we are currently limiting the number of spectators who can enter our gymnasium at this time. We continue to monitor COVID spread with the hope of increasing capacity, so we ask that you please remain patient. We appreciate our loyal fan presence, and we want you to know that we will protect our students and families as best as possible. We will livestream games through the official Dooly County High School Facebook page. Please follow the Bobcat teams on livestream until we are able to allow more spectators in the gymnasium. We ask for your continued support as we gear up for a great basketball season. GO BOBCATS!

To Parents and former Dooly County Special Education Students, In accordance with the state and federal regulations implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), this is to inform you of our intent to destroy personally identifiable information related to special education services. If you wish to maintain this information for your personal records, you need to notify us upon receipt of this notice; otherwise, the information will be destroyed on ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­December 11, 2020. Please be advised that the records may be needed by the student or the parent(s) for social security benefits or other purposes. Records to be destroyed are as follows: Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Evaluation Reports, Test Protocols (Available for inspection only; no copy will be provided), Notifications of Meetings, Notices of Action, Review of Existing Data Summaries. All other personally identifiable information within the Special Education file. The reason for destruction of the above listed items is because they are no longer needed to provide educational services if it has been more than five (5) years since this individual has received special education services at Dooly County School District. Thanks for your assistance. Felicia L. Madison Dooly County Special Education Coordinator

Please check out the recaps from the Title III Meeting over Imagine Learning. Contact Federal Programs if you have questions. https://imaginelearning.wistia.com/medias/ih8s7ujtym https://imaginelearning.zoom.us/rec/play/SXMBsuh6XWvW0dAcZInoTXPNb-jHJVletwH7ZdTtWaGocG2ELRqxQ-B5SQXXZkVZ5BrqG4DvpRG4_18J.m8zmYO26dDGfSVrz?startTime=1605567703000&_x_zm_rtaid=4pWCOTzKTf68BZSDZqGtuA.1605798360298.35e4fc950af83ebab9fca3925feaf72c&_x_zm_rhtaid=843

Congratulations to the winners of the door prizes awarded at the November 17 Virtual DCSS Title 1 Parent/Family Engagement Meeting! The winners are Mr. Dilip Fingo, Ms. Theresa Hall and Mrs. Debra Oglesby.

The DCSS School Board is holding their monthly meeting on Thursday, November 19th at 6 p.m. We will follow guidelines provided by the CDC in holding the meeting. The public will be able to view the meeting via Facebook Live from the Dooly County Schools Facebook page.

All parents are invited to join us virtually using the Microsoft Live Event platform for a Title One Family Engagement Parent Meeting on Tuesday, November 17th at 6. Topics include: Google Suite, My On Reading Program, and Social-Emotional Learning. Door prizes will also be given at the end of the meeting by responding in the Q&A section. Please go to the District website under news for the link tonight at 6.

All parents are invited to join us virtually by click on the link on the District webpage for a Family Engagement Parent Meeting on Tuesday, November 17 at 6 PM. Topics include: Google Suite, MyOn Reading Program, and Social-Emotional Learning. Door prizes will also be given at the end of the meeting by responding in the Q&A section. Se invita a todos los padres a unirse a nosotros virtualmente utilizando la plataforma Microsoft Live Event para una reunión de padres de participación familiar el martes 17 de noviembre a las 6 p. m., los temas incluyen: Google Suite, MyOn Reading Program y Social-Emotional Learning. Los premios de la puerta también se otorgarán al final de la reunión respondiendo en la sección de preguntas y respuestas.

The Summer Farmers to Families Food Box distribution has ended. There will be no distribution of boxes until further notice. Please notify anyone that you know who came to pick up boxes.

Dooly County School System salutes our veterans for their service to our country. The DCSS Veterans have served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Kosovo, Iraq and several other assignments and tours of duty across the world. They now support our students and staff by serving faithfully among us. When you see them, thank them for their service. Veterans, we appreciate YOU!

The Georgia Department of Education released its 2019-20 high school graduation rates on November 10, 2020. Dooly County High School has earned a graduation rate of 90.24%, the highest rating DCHS has received since calculations began in 2012. This means that the 2016-2017 freshman class had 90.24% of its students to complete high school in a four-year period. The Dooly County High school graduation rate surpasses the state of Georgia 2019-20 four-year graduation rate of 83.8 %, meaning that Dooly County once again beat the state average. “This is only the beginning of what is to come as we continue to ‘Head to the Top,’ Dooly County High School Principal Jerry Sanders states. I would like to congratulate the teachers and students for a job well done. I would also like to thank the administrative team for their support. As principal, I would like all stakeholders to know the best is yet to come.” Superintendent Dr. Craig Lockhart adds, “Graduating high school on time is a feat accomplished by the combined efforts of families, students, and all teachers, leaders, faculty and staff from birth up to the senior year. While we are very pleased with these results, we will not stop until we reach 100% of our students earning a high school diploma. I wholeheartedly congratulate the Class of 2020 who are living up to their fullest potential by completing high school. This is Dooly, and we are indeed Headed to the TOP!” Respectfully, Dr. Craig Lockhart Superintendent,

The Dooly County Young Farmers attended the Central Region Young Farmer Caucus on Monday, November 9, 2020, in Wrightsville, GA. The Dooly County Young Farmer Chapter was recognized as the Central Region Chapter of the Year and in contention for the State Chapter of the Year. This award will be given at the Young Farmer State Convention in January 2021. Also, the voting delegates at the caucus elected Abby Green, Dooly County Young Farmer Member, as the Junior Director for the Georgia Young Farmer Board. This also automatically places her as Senior Director for the 2022 year. She will be taking her place on the board in January at the convention also. Having a member of our chapter on the board is an outstanding accomplishment that represents Dooly County and our Young Farmer Program well. Thank you for your continued support of the Young Farmer Program in Dooly County. David West, Ed.D. Dooly County Young Farmer Advisor Dooly County High School

Good Morning Dooly County Parents, Dooly County Schools will deliver meals today, Friday, November 6th, starting at 10:00 a.m. for virtual students only. Please make sure your children listen out for the bus horn and are at the bus stop. Thank you!

The DCSS School Board is holding a called meeting tonight, October 29 at 6 p.m. We will follow guidelines provided by the CDC in holding the meeting. The public will be able to view the meeting via Facebook Live from the Dooly County Schools Facebook page. Please follow this page to receive notifications of live videos. You can also click on subscribe to receive updates on future live videos.

The Dooly County School System is preparing for a Phase Two Hybrid Reopening on Monday, November 2nd. Students will return to school for face to face instruction two days each week. Facial masks are mandatory for everyone. Fridays will remain independent learning days. Please refer to your school's website or social media pages for additional details. Parents who wish for their child to remain virtual should notify school personnel. Please contact the school for more information.

Good afternoon Dooly County Parents, The meals delivered today contained meals for the entire week of October 27 through October 30. There will be no meal delivery on Thursday, October 29th. More information about meal delivery for next week will be shared as soon as the school nutrition department has finalized their plans.

Ms. Alex Peavy's Swearing-in-Ceremony

It's Fishing Time at DCHS