DCSS Launches Festival of the Arts on April 18
🎨🎶 The Douglas County School System is launching its inaugural Festival of the Arts — and we want you to be part of it!
Join us Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Legacy Arena GA for a day of creativity, student talent and community fun featuring live performances in dance, choral music and drama, student art exhibits, a blacklight experience, make-and-take tables, hands-on STEM activities and food trucks.
🎟️ Admission for school age and younger is free. Tickets for college age and over are $5 per person or $10 for a family pass and can be purchased at https://www.vancoevents.com/us/DPBX
🚌 All parking is located at two off-site locations — Douglas County High School and West Douglas Park and Ride on Douglas Boulevard — with complimentary shuttle service running continuously throughout the event. All events are cashless. Clear bag policy and prohibited items list will be strictly enforced.
ℹ️ For more information, visit the full story:
https://www.dcssga.org/article/2786233
🛒 Interested in being a vendor? Submit your vendor interest form at the link below and a representative will follow up with additional details, including costs and next steps.
👉 https://forms.gle/17NnDcJKeBQLMDoj8





Chapel Hill High Presents Between The Lines
Chapel Hill High School presents "Between The Lines" April 2-3.
For tickets, visit https://chapelhillhs.revtrak.net/clubs-and-activities/#/list

Celebrating School-Based SLP Week
Governor Brian Kemp has proclaimed March 16-22 as School-based SLP Week in Georgia. DCSS joins in honoring our dedicated team of speech-language pathologists who make a difference every day in the lives of students with communication needs.

Alexander FFA Hosting 11th Annual Spring Plant Sale April 2-4
The 11th Annual Alexander FFA Spring Plant Sale runs April 2-4 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the AHS greenhouse. Great plants at low prices, all grown by your local FFA members at Alexander High School. Visit the AHS FFA Facebook page or email ryan.bragg@dcssga.org for more information.

Important Upcoming Events
Is your child making the move from elementary to middle school next year? Douglas County School System has an event designed to make that transition smoother for the whole family.
🏫 5th to 6th Grade Orientation 📅 May 12 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Save the date and refer to your child's school for more details and upcoming information. Visit www.dcssga.org to stay connected.

Alexander High Presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Alexander High School presents "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" March 13-15 and March 20-22.
For tickets, visit https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/ahspab/charlie

Douglas County High Presents Puffs (Two-Act for Young Wizards)
The Douglas County High School Department of Theatre proudly presents Puffs (Two-Act for Young Wizards) March 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. and March 15 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students. DCSS employees receive one complimentary ticket with their system ID badge.
Purchase tickets at: https://douglascountyhs.revtrak.net/special-events/#/v/one-act-play-school-musical-

🏅 Mark your calendars! The Douglas County Special Olympics is coming up April 1 at New Manchester High School! 🎉
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with an opening ceremony planned for 10:30 a.m. Rain date is April 2.
👕 Want to order a T-shirt? Head to the link below!
🔗 https://dcssspecialolympics.revtrak.net/
#DCSSProud #GreatnessGrowsHere

DCSS Celebrates National Social Work Week
This week, we celebrate National School Social Work Week. This week is a time to recognize and appreciate the profound impact our school social workers have on our school community. Our school social workers tirelessly provide emotional support, guidance and resources that enhance our students’ academic and personal growth by developing strategies for overall student well-being.

📣 You're Invited! 2nd Annual Shape the Future Transition & Resource Fair
The Douglas County School System's Program for Exceptional Children Department is hosting our 2nd Annual Shape the Future Transition and Resource Fair — and we want YOUR family there!
This free event connects families and students with IEPs or Section 504 Plans to valuable resources for now and the future.
Meet vendors and programs offering information on:
✅ Postsecondary Institutions (Accessibility Support Services)
✅ Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
✅ Roosevelt Warm Springs
✅ Bobby Dodd Institute
✅ Assistive Technology
✅ Behavior Support
✅ Vocational Training Programs
✅ Guardianship
✅ Medicaid Waivers
✅ Special Needs Preschool
✅ Recreational Programs & Camps
✅ Residential & Day Programs
✅ Guest Speakers
✅ Douglas County Probate Court
✅ And More!
📅 Thursday, March 19, 2026
🕓 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Legacy Arena | 9030 Hwy 5, Douglasville, GA 30134
🎁 Door Prizes | 👜 Clear Bag Policy | 🌐 Language Support Available
No Registration Required — Just Show Up!
Questions? Call 770-651-6496 or email alena.tappin@dcssga.org
📄See the attached flyers in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole and Russian for more information.




Douglas County School System Hosting Community Strategic Planning Meetings
The Douglas County Board of Education will hold a series of community meetings as part of the district's five-year strategic improvement plan process. All meetings will be held in the media center of the host school at 6:00 p.m.
The first meeting will be held March 4, 2026, at Douglas County High School, followed by meetings on March 17, 2026, at Lithia Springs High School; March 19, 2026, at New Manchester High School; March 23, 2026, at Mirror Lake Elementary School; and March 24, 2026, at Alexander High School.


🎓DCEF Scholarship Deadline Extended — Apply by March 13
The Douglas County Education Foundation (DCEF) has extended the 2026 Scholarship application deadline to Friday, March 13 at 11:59 p.m.
Scholarships are available to graduating seniors from all five DCSS high schools, including the new Microsoft STEM Scholarships. 💻
Students are encouraged to review eligibility requirements and apply as soon as possible. ⏰
🔗 Apply here: https://dcef.dcssga.org/o/dcef/page/available-scholarships
#GreatnessGrowsHere #DCSSProud #DCEFScholarships

FAME NMHS Theatre Presents 'The Prince of Egypt' Feb. 26-28
The FAME NMHS Theatre proudly presents its upcoming production of "The Prince of Egypt" for a limited three-night engagement Feb. 26-28. Performances will begin nightly at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are available online now at: https://www.vancoevents.com/us/DOSH

Winter Break Ahead! ☀️
Douglas County Schools will be closed 𝐅𝐞𝐛. 𝟏𝟔-𝟐𝟎. Classes resume 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐅𝐞𝐛. 𝟐𝟑. Enjoy the break, everyone! 📚
#DCSSProud #GreatnessGrowsHere #WinterBreak #DouglasCounty

DCSS 8th Grade Passport to Success Set for Feb. 12 at Legacy Arena
The DCSS 8th Grade Passport to Success will take place on Thursday, Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Legacy Arena. This annual event gives eighth-graders a chance to explore career pathways, tour career opportunities and imagine a career. See the attached flyer for more details.

🎓 DCSS Celebrates National School Counseling Week 💙
This week marks National School Counseling Week, and DCSS is recognizing the school counselors who guide students through academic challenges, personal growth and the ups and downs of school life.
Thank you to all our counselors for the difference you make in our students' lives every day.
#NationalSchoolCounselingWeek #GreatnessGrowsHere #DCSSProud



🎨 Students invited to showcase vision for sustainable communities through STEM art contest 🌱
SEM Link is accepting entries for its annual STEM Art Contest through Feb. 13, inviting students in grades 3-12 to explore the intersection of science and creativity.
This year's theme, "Building Sustainable Communities: Thriving Spaces for All," challenges young artists to answer a key question: What does a thriving, sustainable community look like to you? Students are encouraged to create artwork reflecting their vision for spaces that are healthy for people and nature, incorporating interests in environmental science and justice, urban agriculture, urban planning and more.
The contest is open to youth who live in Douglas County and South Fulton Count. Entries must be submitted online at bit.ly/SEMLinkArtContest26.
Contest winners will showcase their artwork at a special art show on April 18 and receive prizes.
For more information or questions about the contest, contact SEM Link at info@semsuccess.org.
#DCSSCreates #STEMArt #Sustainability #StudentArtists #DouglasCounty #CommunityBuilding #EnvironmentalScience

🌟 Douglas County families invited to celebrate neurodiversity at free community event 🎉
Mark your calendars for April 19! Calculated Pathways and Douglasville Parks and Recreation are hosting the 2nd Annual Beyond the Spectrum community event at Jessie Davis Park from noon to 4 p.m.
This free celebration welcomes neurodivergent children, teens and adults, individuals with complex healthcare needs, families, therapists, educational advocates and medical providers. Activities include recreational games, face painting, indoor carnival games, parent sessions and Klub Konnect for teens and adults. Disability vendors will also be on-site.
All families are welcome to attend this day of fun, education and empowerment. Registration is required at givebutter.com/BTS2026.
For more information, contact info@CalculatedPathways.org.
#DCSSCares #BeyondTheSpectrum #Neurodiversity #DouglasCounty #CommunityEvent #InclusionMatters #DouglasvilleGA

❄️Weather Update: All Activities Canceled This Weekend
(Desplácese hacia abajo para leer el mensaje en español.)
All Douglas County School System activities, including athletic events, are canceled on Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1, 2026.
This decision was made based on weather forecasts and the potential timing for wintry precipitation, which may create unsafe road conditions and hazardous travel.
🔔 We will continue to closely monitor weather conditions throughout the weekend. In the event of any school closure or delay, the Douglas County School System will begin notifying parents and employees immediately using SchoolMessenger.
Details will also be posted immediately on our website at dcssga.org and on our Facebook page. The Douglas County School System will also provide closing or delayed opening information to local news media outlets.
🙏 We appreciate your understanding as we continue prioritizing the safety of our school community.
Todas las actividades del Sistema Escolar del Condado de Douglas, incluyendo eventos deportivos, del sábado 31 de enero y del domingo 1 de febrero del 2026 están cancelados.
Esta decisión se tomó basada en los pronósticos meteorológicos y las posibles precipitaciones invernales, que pueden crear condiciones peligrosas en las carreteras y viajes peligrosos.
Seguiremos vigilando de cerca las condiciones meteorológicas durante todo el fin de semana. En el caso de cualquier cierre o retraso escolar, el Sistema Escolar del Condado de Douglas comenzará a notificar a los padres y empleados inmediatamente usando SchoolMessenger.
Los detalles también se publicarán inmediatamente en nuestro sitio web dcssga.org y en nuestra página de Facebook. El Sistema Escolar del Condado de Douglas también proporcionará información sobre el cierre o retraso de la apertura a los medios de comunicación locales.
Agradecemos su comprensión mientras continuamos priorizando la seguridad de nuestra comunidad escolar.

Mad Hatter's Tea Party Planned for March 14 at Cultural Arts Center
Douglas County School System families are invited to the Mad Hatter's Tea Party on Saturday, March 14 from a 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center located at 8652 Campbellton St. in Douglasville.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit artsdouglas.org

