The Lion Report

LSHS Celebrates Students Awarded with Academic Honors from

College Board National Recognition Programs

Awards recognize high-performing students and help them stand out to colleges

Students at Lithia Springs High School earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs. These programs celebrate students' hard work in high school and showcase their strong academic performance. The academic honors for rural area, Black, Indigenous, and/or Latino students are an opportunity for students to share their strong academic achievements with colleges and scholarship programs that are seeking to recruit diverse talent. At Lithia Springs High School, the seven students, pictured above, received the academic honor.

Award Key:
National African American Recognition Award (NAARA)
National Hispanic Recognition Award (NHRA)
National Rural and Small Town Award (NRSTA)
National Indigenous Award (NIA)

“We’re thrilled to celebrate our students and recognize them for the great work they’ve been doing. We’re proud of their strong academic performance in the classroom and on College Board assessments like the PSAT/NMSQT®, PSAT™ 10, and AP® exams,” said Principal, Felicia Jones. “There’s so much that makes our students unique, and receiving this honor reinforces this as an asset for their future.”

The criteria for eligible students include:

· GPA of 3.5 or higher.

· PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 assessment scores that are within the top 10% of assessment takers in each state for each award program or earned a score of 3 or higher on 2 or more AP Exams in 9th and 10th grade.

· Attend school in a rural area or small town, or identify as African American/Black, Hispanic American/Latino, or Indigenous/Native.

Eligible students are invited to apply on BigFuture during their sophomore or junior year and are awarded at the start of the next school year in time to share their achievements in high school as they plan for the future. At the same time, colleges and organizations using College Board’s Student Search Service™ can connect directly with awardees during the recruitment process.

“It’s becoming increasingly hard for students to be ‘seen’ during the college recruitment process. We’re exceptionally proud of the National Recognition Programs for celebrating students who are at times overlooked but have shown their outstanding academic abilities,” said Tarlin Ray, senior vice president of BigFuture® at College Board. “This is a benefit not only for students but also for colleges and universities committed to recruiting diverse and talented students.”

In a heartwarming collaboration between the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the White House, a talented STEM student, known for her exceptional academic achievements, is set to embark on an unforgettable journey to meet the President. This extraordinary opportunity, made possible through the generosity of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, celebrates the resilience and achievements of a remarkable young individual.

Sixteen-year-old Citlalli Uriostegui, 11th grader, with a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), has been recognized for her remarkable academic record and unwavering determination. Despite facing significant health challenges, Citlalli has maintained an impressive academic standing, along with being a member of HOPE, French Honor Society, and HOSA.

Citlalli's journey with the Make-A-Wish Foundation began when she expressed her dream of visiting the White House and meeting the President. As a STEM student, Citlalli has consistently excelled in her studies, displaying a deep understanding and enthusiasm for the subject matter. The upcoming trip to the White House will provide Citlalli with an exclusive opportunity to meet President Joe Biden and share her inspiring story of determination and academic success.

Citlalli's passion for STEM education has been a driving force in her life. She has actively participated in various STEM-related activities and is currently on the Bio-Medical pathway at LSHS. Her journey serves as a beacon of hope for other students facing their own challenges. Her unwavering commitment to her studies showcases the power of resilience and determination.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation's support and the White House's participation in fulfilling Citlalli's dream highlight the significance of dreams, aspirations, and the transformative potential of education. This remarkable visit to the White House will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on her life, reinforcing her belief in the importance of pursuing her passions and dreams.

As Citlalli prepares for her momentous visit, her LSHS family also anticipates the meeting between this extraordinary student and the president. We cannot wait to hear about the unforgettable memories that we know she will make on her visit to the White House.

From Left: Alexander Bragg, Kylie Sutton, Ryan Samples, Shannelle Keru and Emily Anom

Thank you for all that you do to keep our athletes healthy!

In today’s Fire Service Departments, a majority of calls are not fire related. Approximately 80-90% of all calls for help are medical or trauma emergencies. Because of this, most fire departments require recruits to obtain a Georgia State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license for employment. For this reason, Douglas County School System has partnered with Douglas County Fire Department to provide this education to students while enrolled in High School.

HOW IT WORKS:

Students will complete the EMT pathway while at Lithia Springs High School. This program will consist of the following classes:

• Introduction to Healthcare Science
• Essentials of Healthcare Science
• Emergency Medical Responder
• Emergency Medical Technician

Towards the end of this program, students will begin their clinical component where they will ride “third” with Douglas County Fire Department on 911 ambulances. At the end of the program, students will have the option to complete their pathway by sitting for the standard end of program exam (FEMA) and/or students can decide to sit for the State Licensing Exam to obtain their National EMT license (NREMT) as well as Georgia State EMT license.

RECRUITMENT AFTER COURSE COMPLETION: Douglas County Fire Department is happy to extend

employment opportunities to individuals who successfully complete the program and whom meet all employment criteria. Students will have the benefit of working hand in hand with both field and

administrative staff throughout this program! Four students who completed the program and graduated from LSHS in May 2023, are currently employed by the DCFD. We also had six additional students who finished the program and are now actively pursuing advanced degrees.

This school year, the five seniors pictured below took and passed the Emergency Medical Responder Exam during their junior year, and are now working to complete their EMT Basic certification. Way to go Class of 2024! We are so proud of you all!

Parents and Guardians, we need your help with the enrollment verification process.

It is critical that we have the correct information for your family in Infinite Campus. Our automated messaging system pulls the phone numbers and email addresses from Infinite Campus, and we want to be sure that you receive all of the important messages from your school and from the district.

We ask that you log into Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Once you are logged in, you will click “More” and “Census Verification” and follow the prompts to verify or modify the contact information for your household.

We ask that you complete the enrollment verification by August 31. We appreciate your help with this important annual verification for our students.

Please see the helpful links below:

• Log into Infinite Campus Parent Portal here.
• Click here for directions on filling out the Census Verification.
• If you need to set up a Parent Portal, please follow the directions available here. For directions in Spanish, please click here.
• If you have any problem accessing the “Census Verification” section of Infinite Campus or if you have a problem verifying or modifying the information, please email parent@dcssga.org
• As a reminder, if you wish to receive text messages from your school and the district, please opt in by texting 67587 and typing “Yes.”

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)

11Alive News is airing Back to School video messages and Lithia Springs High School is elated to represent The Douglas County School System! Airing on August 28, 2023 between 5:00-7:00 A.M., our very own 2022 Flag Football State Champions will delight 11Alive viewers with an energetic prerecorded message during the news station’s newest segment. “It’s a new opportunity where we are hoping to feature local schools and students,” says Liza Lucas of 11Alive News. Shout out to our Coaches, Mrs. Kendra Pleasant and Mr. Darius Owens for leading our girls to the state championship!

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.

Parents:

The Lithia Springs High School SOAR program is a part of the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant which focuses on the need to bridge the transitional gap between day school and after school activities by providing academic support and enrichment opportunities. The strategic design of the program is geared to increase student academics, improve self-esteem and provide exposure to life-skills through hands-on activities. Our goal is to concentrate on early intervention to ensure our students succeed in their educational endeavors.

The 2023-2024 SOAR Program begins on Monday, August 28, 2023.

Registration Information

• This is a FREE program for qualifying students.
• Every child attending must have a current registration form on file each year.
• This program is offered to 9th-12th grade students.
• Program hours are 3:10-6:25pm on Monday through Thursday when school is in session.
• We will not be in session on school holidays, teacher conference days, or early release days.
• Transportation home is provided for students who live within the LSHS school zone.
• Supper is provided daily.
• Regular attendance is a requirement of the grant.
• Failure to meet these requirements may result in your child being removed from the program.

If you would like to sign up your student:

Please Complete Registration Form

(Students cannot start in program without form on file)

You will receive an email regarding the parent orientation and transportation once the application has been submitted and the details have been finalized.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

SOAR Co-Directors

Treena Edwards - treena.edwards@dcssga.org

Dr. Althea Elliott - althea.elliott@dcssga.org

August 25: Home Football Game LSHS vs. Alexander HS 7:30 P.M.

August 29: Senior Pictures

September 4: Labor Day Holiday, NO SCHOOL

September 5: Teacher Workday, NO SCHOOL

September 15: Start of Hispanic Heritage Month

October 9-13: Fall Break, 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"

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

https://www.smore.com/r8kbsn-welcome-back

https://www.smore.com/ube8w

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

https://www.smore.com/hkt3v