The Lion Report

New on the scene with the ability to build strong relationships with both staff and students is a testament to the character of Mr. Darius Owens. A Lithia Springs High School graduate of the Class of 2011, Mr. Owens has already proven to be an effective educator who has positively impacted the classroom. His willingness to listen and bond with students coupled with his great personality makes the learning environment enjoyable and welcoming for everyone involved. Not only is he impactful in the classroom, but he is also showing his dedication and enthusiasm for extracurricular activities as the assistant coach to our 2023 State Champion Flag Football team. In addition, he displays professionalism which fosters a respectful and productive school culture. Mr. Owens is a team player who knows what it takes to keep the ball rolling!

Our Lady Lions have a lot to smile about this flag football season with an impressive winning record of 20-1 to prove it. For the past three seasons, they have fearlessly battled in the finals of the state flag football championship, claiming two titles of their own.

Although this powerhouse team fell short of the 5A-6A state title in December, as they lost 14-6 to the 18-1 Greenbriar Lady Wolfpack, the Lady Lions had a remarkable season. They have a rich history of dominant performances that spans back to 2021 with back to back appearances in the state playoffs and state championship games.

With three State Final appearances, Head Coach Kendra Pleasants, is proud of the memories they have shared every season. “The excitement of playing in a big arena and the ending of raw emotions we will forever cherish. God has been so good to us and we are grateful for all the blessings bestowed upon us this 2023 season,” she said.

Several of the players were standouts this flag football season. One of the state’s top players, Senior Navaeh Shedrick rushed for 1,083 yards and scored 19 touchdowns. Shedrick led the team with 106 tackles. Brielle Holland (214 yards) and Emmani Roberts (151) were also threats to run the ball. Quarterback Rashyia Minnex-Moss threw for 1,801 yards and 31 touchdowns and rushed for an additional 115.

The top receivers are Hannah McIver (50 catches, 17 touchdowns), MyAngel Ross (37 catches, seven touchdowns) and Holland (30 catches, three touchdowns). Roberts (103 tackles, 29 sacks), Holland (62 tackles) and McIver (13 interceptions) are the other defensive leaders.

Winter is here! Winter sometimes brings about inclement weather. When inclement weather is predicted, Douglas County School System works with local authorities to monitor conditions in the area.

• If bad weather is forecast overnight, weather conditions on the roads and bridges are gauged.
• Unscheduled digital learning days and full-day cancellations are usually announced by 6:00 A.M. Once a decision is made by the Superintendent, the district posts the announcement about school closures on the DCSS website, and the district's Facebook page. DCSS also notifies metro-Atlanta news outlets and alerts families via text messages and/or robo calls via SchoolMessenger. I will also send an email via SchoolMessenger. Please make sure you have updated your contact information with your child(ren) school.
• When bad weather moves in during the school day, district leaders decide the safest and most efficient way to get students home. Should DCSS schools release early or cancel afternoon or evening activities, DCSS notifies parents and community members via SchoolMessenger calls and texts. This information will also be posted on the district's website and Facebook page. DCSS announces only school closing information.

While we are not anticipating a school closure, it is important to be prepared and informed should a school closure occur. What happens to instruction on a "Snow Day" or if there is a power outage or a water main break at LSHS that causes school closure? Instruction will be delivered in one of the following ways:

1. Synchronous Learning (instruction via Google Meet)
2. Asynchronous Learning (assignments posted on Google Classroom)

This information will be communicated upon a school closure.

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 was sent out on August 17th, and has been sent to your email every four weeks. Please complete the surveys monthly. Your feedback matters.

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.

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)

December 18-January 1: Holiday Break

January 2: Teacher's Workday, NO SCHOOL

January 3: Students Return for 2nd Semester

January 3: Report Cards viewable in Infinite Campus Parent Portal

January 5: Basketball LSHS vs. Maynard Jackson 6:00 P.M. & 7:30 P.M. @ LSHS

January 6: Basketball LSHS vs. Banneker 6:00 P.M. & 7:30 P.M. @ LSHS

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

January 23: Basketball LSHS vs. Midtown 6:00 P.M. & 7:30 P.M. @ LSHS

January 26: Basketball LSHS vs. Villa Rica 6:00 P.M. & 7:30 P.M. @ LSHS

February 3: Basketball LSHS vs. Chapel Hill 6:00 P.M. & 7:30 P.M. @ LSHS

February 6: Basketball LSHS vs. Mays 6:00 P.M. & 7:30 P.M. @ LSHS

February 19-23: Winter Break, NO SCHOOL

March 11: Teacher's Workday, NO SCHOOL

March 20: Progress Reports for high school viewable in Infinite Campus

April 1-5: Spring Break, NO SCHOOL

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.

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.

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.

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

https://www.smore.com/6e4a1 Nov. 3rd (Senior Week Photos)

https://www.smore.com/x2pzq Nov. 10th (Veterans Day edition)

https://www.smore.com/mwvz0t Nov. 17th

https://www.smore.com/n065y Nov. 24th (GMAS EOC Edition)

https://www.smore.com/4jc7wn Dec. 1st

https://www.smore.com/2trku Dec. 8th

https://www.smore.com/6d1k9m Dec. 15th

End of First Semester