The Lion Report

The 47-year-old high school that is known as Lithia Springs Comprehensive High School will be demolished and replaced with a modern upgraded facility. It will be business as usual during this process. All students zoned for LSHS will continue to attend LSHS.

One of the architects currently working on the new state-of-the-art facility is a Lithia Springs High School graduate, Mrs. Misti Higdon Melara! Mrs. Melara graduated from LSHS in 2006. When asked what does working on this project mean to her, she replied, "I feel humbled to serve Lithia Springs and the community I was raised in. It's a full circle experience being a piece of my alma mater’s journey this long after graduating. The ability to use my experiences at the existing school has given me a unique perspective on this project and I’m excited to see Lithia’s future campus come to life. I am honored to continue Southern A&E's long standing commitment to serving the needs of the Douglas County School System."

LSHS is the second oldest high school in the Douglas County School System. Under a five-year plan drafted by the Georgia Department of Education, the school system will demolish the campus. A new Lithia Springs High School will be rebuilt on the same site in phases.

Douglas County School System Board of Education members approved a resolution to phase out the school. While the Lithia Springs campus has supported the educational needs of generations of Douglas County scholars, architects say the 1975 building has reached its life expectancy. Because of its architectural design, the building can no longer be reconfigured, repaired, or renovated.

Superintendent Trent North says this is an exciting chapter in the school’s history.

“Lithia Springs High School is a tremendous source of pride for our community,” he explains. “Lithia Lions graduate high school prepared to impact their community and the world. We are delighted that future graduates will have the opportunity to continue thriving on a more updated campus.”

Superintendent North says the new facility will meet the needs of students living in a technology-rich world. A planning phase must begin before construction starts on the new Lithia Springs facility. “The two-year strategic planning process involves meeting with principals, staff, and students. Their input will help us assess the present and future needs of our students,” explains Superintendent North.

He says Douglas County Board of Education members have long held a vision for the future of Lithia Springs High. The signed resolution moves the board’s shared vision one step closer to reality. The modern learning facility will soon offer students the added space and resources needed for academic success.

The upcoming transformation also underscores the school system’s commitment to investing in high-quality infrastructure. Regularly evaluating campus facilities ensures the school system makes the best use of resources and ensures every student has a high-quality educational experience.

“We’re celebrating a new beginning for Lithia Springs High School,” says Superintendent North. “Partnering with Southern A & E architects will allow us to embrace modern infrastructure. This new campus will allow students to continue soaring in an updated learning environment.”

Lithia Spring High School’s East County Line Road campus houses 1,470 students. The school is also home to Douglas County’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Magnet program.

Seniors seeking their ideal college or university are in store for a GEORGIA MATCH made in heaven, thanks to an exciting new statewide initiative! GEORGIA MATCH is a program designed to help students identify Georgia college options most suitable for their higher education journey and overall career aspirations based on academic eligibility.

To kick off the inaugural campaign initiated by Governor Brian Kemp, students were sent personalized letters listing colleges from the Technical College System of Georgia and participating colleges and universities in the University System of Georgia that were an academic match. The qualifications for each school have been based on the students calculated HOPE GPA as of September 12, 2023. However, seniors are encouraged to request information from their GEORGIA MATCH colleges in order to claim an admission spot at a Georgia College or University.

The GEORGIA MATCH initiative is the largest state-run direct admissions initiative in the nation. Additionally, the new endeavor is a collaboration between the Georgia Student Finance Commission(GSFC), the University System of Georgia (USG), the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), and the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA).

Seniors, please remember to tag the Douglas County School System with an exciting photo of you unveiling your personalized GEORGIA MATCH letter to win a lucky prize! We can’t wait to see all of your perfect matches!

For further information regarding how GEORGIA MATCH can assist your senior, please reach out to your child’s assigned counselor. For general information about the GEORGIA MATCH program, please visit www.gafutures.org.

It’s the season of giving, and Operation Christmas Douglas County is at the middle of it all. Registration for this ninth annual program is now open and the Douglas County School System invites all eligible families to take part in the heartwarming holiday tradition.

Children enrolled in school in Douglas County and their younger siblings may once again receive a free gift through the generosity of many local community organizations, schools and businesses. To qualify, children must reside in Douglas County, be age 18 or younger, and receive free or reduced price lunch or WIC or other services from the Health Department or Educational System due to financial hardship. This community effort is not sponsored by the school system.

As the holiday approaches, local church and community organizations work together to ensure that every child and teenager in need experiences the magic of Christmas. Community helpers distribute the gifts at different locations to deliver the joy of Christmas to children. The volunteer elves have toys for children of all ages, but you must register and be eligible.

Click here to complete the registration form in English or Spanish. For more information, please reach out to operationchristmasdc@gmail.com.

The Douglas County School System is taking a proactive approach to keeping schools and students safe. Students can now use Speak Up for Safety to report any suspicious behavior or activity in their schools anonymously, using text, email, or phone call.

“We wanted to provide our students with a way to provide discreet information when they encountered a situation where they felt either their safety or the safety of another person would be threatened,” explained Douglas County School System Chief of Police, Tracey Whaley. The simplicity of sending a text or email is one benefit of the program along with the anonymity, Whaley added.

The confidential digital tip line can be used for reporting bullying, threats of suicide, self-harm, drug or alcohol abuse, school violence, and other student safety threats. Once the call is placed, a trained 24/7 safety team member immediately evaluates all submitted communication and alerts district level emergency contacts as needed.

To report a concern, students are asked to email speakup@dcssga.org or call/text 770-525-5419.

To access your student's progress report, report cards, attendance, and grades, click the "Infinite Campus Parent Portal Set Up" link above for directions on registering for a Parent Portal account. All progress reports and reports cards will only be accessible via the Parent Portal. Paper copies will not be sent home.

If you need assistance with Parent Portal, contact the Douglas County Help Desk at parent@dcssga.org or (770) 651-2330.

Click link below for Instrucciones del Portal Para Padres de Infinite Campus (Espanol)

October 18: Progress Reports viewable in Infinite Campus Parent Portal

October 26: Senior Portraits

October 26: PSAT/SAT Day

October 26: SOAR Parent Meeting 5:30 P.M. in Media Center

October 26: One Act Performance 7:00 P.M. in Theatre

THURSDAY, November 2: LSHS vs. Mays HS Football @ Lakewood Stadium 7:00 P.M.

November 7: Teacher Workday, NO SCHOOL

November 7: Basketball Scrimmage Game LSHS vs. Paideia @ LSHS Varsity Girls 5:30

November 7: Basketball Scrimmage Game LSHS vs. Paideia @ LSHS Varsity Boys 7:00

November 8: Apply-to-College Day

November 13: Beta Club Induction 3:55 P.M. in Media Center

November 14: Apply to CCI Night (at CCI, not LSHS. See flyer above)

November 16: Dual Enrollment Information Night @ 6:00 P.M. in Theatre

November 20-24: Thanksgiving Holidays, NO SCHOOL

November 28: Superintendent's Scholar Program @ 6:00 P.M. in the Theatre

November 29: International Night @ LSHS

December 14: Half Day for all High Schools

December 15: Half Day for all High Schools

December 15: End of First Semester

December 18-January 1: Holiday Break

January 2: Teacher Workday, NO SCHOOL

January 3: Students Return for 2nd Semester

January 3: Report Cards viewable in Infinite Campus Parent Portal

January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, NO SCHOOL

Students:

All Google Classrooms from the counselors have been set up and you should have received an invite via your school email. If you did not receive the invite via email, no worries, just join using the codes below:

Class of 2024 (Seniors) 4xxs63j

Class of 2025 (Juniors) 34aqeb2

Class of 2026 (Sophomores) tjstxjs

Class of 2027 (Freshmen) wesfy4p

Pertinent information pertaining to your grade level will be placed in these classrooms from the counselors. Special events such as field trips, college fairs, scholarships and community service opportunities will also be placed in the Google Classrooms. You don't want to miss anything so join today!

News from the Counseling Dept!

Are you wondering who your school counselor will be? Well wonder no more! Below is a breakdown by alphabet that will help you in identifying your school counselor:

Lead Counselor: Mitzi Blackstone; mitzi.blackstone@dcssga.org; 770-651-6807

• Off-Campus Programs
• 12th ACTIVITIES

Last Names A, D-J: Shimirrah Rembert; shimirrah.rembert@dcssga.org; 770-651-6774

Last Names B, K-Q: Jonathan Reeves; jonathan.reeves@dcssga.org; 770-651-6862

Last Names C, R-Z: Angel Richmond; angel.richmond@dcssga.org; 770-651-6714

If you need to meet with your counselor, please make an appointment with him or her directly by scanning a QR code that will be posted throughout the school building.

DCSS has a clear bag policy at all sporting events. The policy is similar to policies in place at college and professional stadiums and coliseums.

"The clear bag policy will help us keep dangerous or illegal items, including weapons, out of our venues," said Superintendent Trent North. "By allowing only clear bags, we can monitor what's coming into our stadiums and gyms and keep everyone safer with only minor inconvenience to those in attendance."

The following types of bags will be permitted inside DCSS sporting events:

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12"x6"x12"
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags
• Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5"x6.5"

No outside food or drink will be permitted. Bottled water will be acceptable under special circumstances. Thank you in advance for adhering to this policy.

Students must be at their designated bus stop 5 minutes before their scheduled pick-up time. Bus routes are located at https://edulog.dcssga.org/livewebquery/webquery/

Available to parents of students who are enrolled in the Douglas County School System

• View the real-time location of your child’s bus

• Access the app from your smartphone, tablet or computer

• Receive push notifications or email alerts

• Send your child to the bus stop at just the right time

How to Get Started

1. Download the Here Comes the Bus app or visit herecomesthebus.com

2. Click the sign-up button

3. Enter school code 79003 and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”

4. Complete the “User Profile” box

5. Under “My Student” click “Add.” Enter your child’s last name & student ID#

6. Once you confirm your information, you are ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!

Email questions, concerns or comments to: herecomesthebus@dcssga.org

See Ms. Bobbie Johnson in the main office.

Bring your driver's license and a copy of your insurance and registration.

Cost is $50 payable online (RevTrak) or by check or money order.

Parents, if your child drives to school, then they must have a parking pass.

Click here for the Student Parking Application and Vehicle Registration Form.

Use our attendance zone maps or web address search tool to know which DCSS school your student will attend. Both tools show which school or schools your address is zoned for in this school year.

Click here and enter your address to access the online web address search tool.

To view the district's attendance zone maps, click the appropriate level listed below.

Elementary School Attendance Zone Map
Middle School Attendance Zone Map
High School Attendance Zone Map

We strive to make the registration process as easy as possible for all families in Douglas County. No matter if your student is new to the Douglas County School System of if they have attended a DCSS school before, you can use this site to find information about enrolling your student into one of our schools.

For all new students, DCSS is currently using an online registration process. Click here to access the online registration portal, or visit the DCSS Enrollment Process page to learn more about the enrollment process.

If online registration is not possible, contact DCSS' Registration Department at 770-651-2083 to schedule for an appointment.

Dear Parents:

As a school we want to get better at improving our school culture and get a pulse on the issues that matter to you. We've signed up for a service that will send you regular, short, anonymous surveys making it quick and easy to get your voice heard. The first survey will be sent around August 17th.

Please click on this link to sign up https://app.satchelpulse.com/parents?country=us

Please use the school ID 229155 when prompted to join the school.

Did you know there are 22 technical colleges in the state of Georgia? The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) offers technical education, custom business and industry training, and adult education programs. Chattahoochee Technical College is the largest technical college in Georgia with an enrollment that exceeded 14,000 students in the past academic year.

Find out why TCSG may be the right choice for your higher education by clicking this link.

https://www.smore.com/46hz5j Meet the Principal

https://www.smore.com/r8kbsn-welcome-back July 27th

https://www.smore.com/ube8w Aug. 4th

https://www.smore.com/nf9yg (Senior Edition C/O 2024) Aug. 11th

https://www.smore.com/hkt3vhttps://www.smore.com/0z8ej Aug. 25th

https://www.smore.com/syr2u Sept. 1st

https://www.smore.com/15wbx Sept. 8th

https://www.smore.com/q2k4x Sept. 15th

https://www.smore.com/z8rmp Sept. 22nd

https://www.smore.com/90hjw Sept. 29th Graduation Dates for all DCSS High Schools Revealed

https://www.smore.com/crqbp Oct. 6th Homecoming/Spirit Week 2023

https://www.smore.com/b0eqt Oct. 20th

https://www.smore.com/nz25s Oct. 27th