Dawson County School System Welcomes Forty New Teachers

Board of Education, Community

Today, we welcomed 40 new teachers and staff members to our One Dawson Family! We are looking forward to an awesome school year as we strive to achieve excellence together.

Dawson Count Schools will have online learning day

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — Dawson County Schools will have an online learning day today as the winter storm warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. today.

Schools delay opening two hours today

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. –The following announcement from Dawson County School Superintendents office:

“With road conditions uncertain for the early morning, Dawson County Schools will operate on a 2 hour delay, Tuesday, December 1, 2020.”

Nurses in Dawson County schools “much more than sick visits”

Board of Education, Community, Health
Nicki Braden, director of health services, spoke at podium to Dawson County Board of Education.

As the school year progresses, the same COVID-19 precautions continue to remain of high priority. Additionally, there was data presented to the Board of Education beyond COVID-19; detailed information on school nurses.

Vikki Brannon, director of health services, said their focus is parallel to the vision statement of the Georgia Association of School Nurses.

The vision statement is “Georgia School Nurses are prepared leaders who develop and implement a coordinated school health program in every Georgia school to improve the health status and educational outcome of students and staff.”

As a nurse of 16 years, Brannon said she has a lot of experience to ensure Dawson County schools and their nurses are always going above and beyond. Braden said school nurses have a stigma at handing out ice packs and bandages, but they are much more.

“Our nurses are sometimes just looked at as being the sick visits, where we have the coughs and the colds…but they do a lot more than that,” Brannon said.

Vikki Brannon, director of health services, spoke at podium to Dawson County Board of Education.

The Dawson County school nurses see 30-40,000 students a school year – estimating to around 4,000 student visits per month, which is significant data, according to Braden. Out of the 40,000 students, there is only a 4% send home rate.

“Data shows what you do and what you’re good for,” Brannon said.

They are devoted to keep students healthy, according to Braden.

Dawson County school nurses tend to students that have ADHD, psychological or psychiatric disorders and other medical conditions that may require medicine throughout the school day. They are additionally responsible for emergency medicine management.

Braden said – for the application and hiring process for nurses in the county – it is important for school nurses to be prepared for anything. The best experience Braden said to have is go into an emergency room and watch.

“You have to be prepared for anything and everything to walk through your door,” Brannon said. “The moment that we do let our guard down, something happens.”

As for COVID-19 numbers, Braden said since the “pandemic year” began, there has been a total of 308 student cases since the beginning of the year and only two of those quarantined students tested positive.

Superintendent Damon Gibbs said it is important to communicate with students’ parents, percentage wise to make them aware of the positive cases.

“We know our kids learn more when they’re in the building,” Gibbs said. “Our nurses give them some encouragement and getting them back in the classroom is critical.”

Tropical Storm Warning closes Dawson County Schools Thursday

News, Press Release
school

“The NWS has placed Dawson County under a Tropical Storm Warning.  We are expecting 2-4″ (up to 6″) of additional rainfall and 20-40mph sustained winds (40-60mph gusts) between 3am and noon tomorrow.

These conditions will make morning transportation unsafe for both students and staff. Dawson County Schools will be closed for students and staff on Thursday, October 29, 2020.

Decisions about after school activities will be made by noon.  Twelve month employees should communicate with supervisors in the morning for direction.  ”

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

Dawson County work session; COVID decrease “encouraging”

Board of Education, Community, News
Dawson County work session

The Dawson County Board of Education met for their 5 p.m. work session to go over a list of topics on their agenda in preparation for their meeting next Tuesday evening.

The meeting covered a range of topics, including additions to the College and Career Academy, out-of-state field trips and more.

As of Sept. 1, there were seven positive cases reported among students. Vice Chair Elaine Wilson said the COVID numbers are down, which she said is “encouraging.”

Superintendent Damon Gibbs said something they are looking forward to are the field trips for their Future Farmers of America, if COVID does not stop them from pursuing their out-of-state trips.

The BOE intend to hold an in-person career fair, with hopes that COVID will allow that to be possible. In previous years, there has also been mock interviews, which will be planned around the same time as the career fair.

An upcoming teacher program is being constructed to offered to all students in Dawson County. The program will be designed to give students credit to finalize their degree, as well as have opportunities to come back and intern or student teach in the county.

Dawson County Schools encourage COVID precautions

Community, News
Dawson COVID precautions

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga.- With the school year for Dawson County already well underway, several precautions have been taken in the “best interest” of the students in the county for a safe school year, amid COVID-19.

“This time of the year, there are all kinds of changes [in the first few weeks of school],” Tiffany Davis, executive assistant to superintendent of Dawson County Schools, said.

The first couple weeks of the school year is when students are deciding on a school, as well as making the change from in-person to virtual as well. According to the Dawson County School District’s website, a total of 3,676 are enrolled, with 523 staff members.

There is a total of 14 positive COVID cases and one staff member.

Hershel Bennett, assistant superintendent for human resources and operations, stated this school year has been more involved on the back end of things to prepare for the arrival of students again in the fall.

“There’s a lot more work [that was] put in [during] the summer,” Bennett said.

Within the schools, there’s constant cleaning, directional arrows – as well as encouragement of masks – and social distancing with each portion to the day including lunch. Bennett explained that the schools are dispersing students to sit in classrooms, while socially distancing, and in cafeteria or lunch spaces.

Bennett claimed approximately 15% of families in the Dawson County School District are attending school online, but that will most likely fluctuate throughout the school year.

Online student login to a classroom similar to the image above.

“Continually having to be flexible and have a plan ready to start school was a key to getting started this year,” Bennett stated.

The school district is taking several steps to keep the students safe, including:

  • Buses have assigned seats; siblings next to one another, being socially distant when possible
  • Social distancing within schools, with directional arrows
  • Use of masks is encouraged
  • Created water refill stations; closed water fountains
  • Lunch schedules are extended

Bennett said the district will continue to keep the students safe and put them first, as they have been, to give the best learning experience. According to Bennett, Dawson County COVID cases have dropped each week.

“Our schools have done an exceptional job with social distancing, contact tracing and making sure that the students are following as many guidelines as they can to keep them safe,” Bennett said.

Dawson County Schools issues statement about COVID-19 testing

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – The Dawson County School System issued the following statement via REMIND, a private mobile messaging platform that aims to help teachers, parents, students, and administrators in K–12 schools to communicate with everyone at once:

“Based on the of Public Health guidance, any person that is being tested or has been tested for COVID-19 should remain at home until the test results come back. The Dawson County School System prioritizes the health and safety of our students, staff, and employees. If your child tests positive for COVID-19, please notify your child’s principal immediately.”

 

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

Dawson Co. Schools will close for one week beginning March 16

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – Dawson County Schools will be closed beginning on Monday, March 16 and will remain closed until Monday, Mar. 20 in light of Gov. Brian Kemp’s call to action regarding the COVID-19 virus. The school district will monitor the situation closely to see if an extended closing is necessary.

Dawson Schools have online learning day Friday

News

“Due to concerns with hazardous road conditions caused by dropping temperatures, Dawson County Schools will have an online learning day on Friday, February 21. Elementary schools will follow “B” schedule. As always the safety of our students and staff is our primary concern. 12 month employees report when safe to do so.”

Dawson County schools on 2-hour delay Tuesday

News

“Due to pooling water on roadways and more rain in the forecast, Dawson County Schools will operate on a 2 hour delay Tuesday, February 11, 2020. We will be working with EMS and evaluating the situation overnight. As always, the safety of our students and staff is our main concern.”

No serious injuries in school bus accident at Hwy. 53 today

News

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — At 7:27 a.m. today Dawson County E911 received a call for an accident involving a school bus versus dump truck, in the area of Hwy. 53 East and Jack Heard. The incident was initially reported as no injuries. After several minutes, several students began to complain of minor injuries at which point Dawson County Fire & EMS were dispatched at 7:44 a.m.

Dawson County Emergency Services and the Board of Education began notification to parents for those students with injuries. A total of six students, with non-life-threatening injuries, were transported by EMS to Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

Dawson County EMS obtained a total of four patient/parental refusals. A total of twelve students were transferred to a second bus and transported to their various schools within the district.

The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol.

For more information, please contact Chief Thompson at 678-410-1738

 

 

BREAKING NEWS: Dawson County schools will be closed Tuesday

News

Dawson County Schools Superintendent announced today that Dawson County Schools  will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 29.  Students will have an online learning day (Elementary B Day).

Dawson schools set “Online Learning Day” Tuesday

News

Dr. Damon Gibbs

At 5:15 p.m. today Monday (Dec. 11), Dawson County School Superintendent Dr. Damon Gibbs issued the following statement regarding school closures. “Due to potentially dangerous road conditions, Dawson County Schools will have an Online Learning Day Tuesday (Dec. 11). All 12 month employees should report at 10:00am if safe to do so.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

Dawson County Schools 2018-2019 Calendar

Community

Dawson County among finalists for Georgia School Board Association Governance Team of the Year

News

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Dawson County Schools is one of 10 finalists for the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) 2018 Governance Team of the Year Award.

The award is presented annually to one Georgia public school district’s board of education and superintendent who have achieved all-around success in their district.  This recognition is deeply rooted in the components of the Georgia Vision Project’s research-based recommendations for Georgia’s public schools.

These finalists were vetted through a stringent application process and a visit by an impartial review team to vet the information in the application.

“This group of ten school districts from all over Georgia exemplify what it means to achieve at the highest levels. We are very pleased with this inaugural class for the Governance Team of the Year,” said Katrina Young, GSBA President and Rockdale County Board of Education member.

The winner will be announced at the GSBA/GSSA Annual Conference at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta, December 6, 2018, during a banquet honoring these outstanding governance teams. There were 33 Georgia school districts that qualified and 10 that chose to submit applications.

The winner will be chosen by a panel of national experts who perform various leadership roles in the field of public education.

The other finalists are Bleckley County Schools, Chickamauga City Schools, Effingham County Schools, Forsyth County Schools, Gwinnett County Schools, Jefferson City Schools, Lumpkin County Schools, Pierce County Schools and Schley County Schools.

 

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

 

 

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