The Dooly County School System hosted "Dips and Dialogue" for its annual Title I and Family Engagement night on September 28, 2023. It was a collaborative event this year at the high school, and for both the Dooly K-8 and the high school. The high school was decorated beautifully with flowers from the school's agriculture department and FFA and the lovely artwork of some Dooly K- 8 art students arranged by their teacher Mrs. Lee Darter. The students with artwork displayed included Victoria Diaz, Marvin McGhee, Quintavious Mathis, Marlon Raimirez-Hurtado, Bryson McWilliams, Ahmari Royal, Zylon Lewis, Javier Gracia, Nayeli Trejo, Alaya Urias Morales, Dontavious Rogers Jr., Daniel Garcia, Eric Gonzalez-Caxaj, Anna Argueta-Ceren, Amy Paredes, Genesis Garcia-Guarchaj, SaRiya Johnson, D'Adrian Cross, Madison Haynes, Miguel Lopez-Tercero, Ceth Clark, Janiya Akins, Andy Roblero, Ester Bautista Lucas, Stephen Pierce, Maria Rodas-Morales, Ayden Ellison, Lance Mathis, Caiden Hightower, Bryson Arcenaux, Brittney Argueta Ceren, and Charly Reeves.
Families were greeted by local DCHS HOSA officers Gleyni Valesquez, Shamari Webb, and Anna Vasquez. HOSA President and 10th grader, Kaleb Green brought the student welcome, and he was followed by music teacher Mr. Jonathan Street and some of his 2nd and 3rd grade music students from Dooly County K-8 singing an African folk welcome song. Those students were Janiyah Akin, Tyrell Lewis, John Beasley, Aerial Jordan, Anna Argueta-Cenen, Autumn Wheeler, Nayeli Trejo, Esperanza Villa, Breyner Carrilo Orentes, Jordy Lopez, Sofia Gonzalez Caxaj, Eric Gonzalez Caxaj, Omari Daniels, Bella Lewis and Tykeria Snelling. Interim Superintendent, Dr. Sherrod Willaford brought greetings and discussed how Title I funds provide resources to help close the achievement gap and increase student learning outcomes. There were also presentations from Federal Programs Director, Mrs. Keshia Douglas, DC K-8 Principal Dr. Hollie Walters, DCHS Principal Dr. Robert McBride, and Dr. Ursula Harris, Director of Student Services. These presentations included information about the Title I budget, academic data and the resources, enrichment and interventions that are provided to students. Midway through the program, families were offered refreshments including various types of dips with chips. During this time parents and guardians also completed the family engagement survey and the marching band played several crowd pleasing selections. Band members participating in the program included: Elijah Wade, Reesheedie Clayton, Ever Lopez, Ja’Kayla Baldwin, Dominick Cross, Kaeden Hall, Chartavious Thomas, Makyla Mathis, Brielle Hardrick, Jadarious Hardrick, Marvion McGhee, Danija Appling, Pervis Burden, Carlos Argueta, Pascual Lucas Bautista, Cameron Felder, Javis Bennett, Akeelah Hardwick, Chesnie Dawson, Andrew Sneed, Caniya Ellis, Kimani Williams, Zozarra Clayton, Kyli Nash, Kayla Dawson, Trayten Fleming, Charity Lofton, Kayla Felton, and Na’Zyia Engram.
Ms. Cynthia Levatte, Family and Communications Engagement Specialist and Mrs. Catherine Burden, Parent and Family Engagement Liaison provided information about family engagement policies and plans, school compacts and words of inspiration and distributed door prizes. The winners of the door prizes were Linda Jordan and Marisol Caxaj.
Families were also able to visit with various departments and agencies to discuss the resources provided to students and families throughout the year. The district looks forward to more exciting family engagement events throughout the year and to collaborating with families and all community stakeholders. For more information about this event or others, please contact Cynthia Levatte, Family and Communications Engagement Specialist (cynthia.levatte@dooly.k12.ga.us) or Catherine Burden, Parent Liaison (catherine.burden@dooly.k12.ga.us).