Tiger Times
Superintendent's Weekly Update: September 30th - October 4th
About World Smile Day®
As is well known by now throughout the world Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts created the smiley face in 1963. That image went on to become the most recognizable symbol of good will and good cheer on the planet.
As the years passed Harvey Ball became concerned about the over-commercialization of his symbol, and how its original meaning and intent had become lost in the constant repetition of the marketplace. Out of that concern came his idea for World Smile Day®. He thought that we, all of us, should devote one day each year to smiles and kind acts throughout the world. The smiley face knows no politics, no geography and no religion. Harvey’s idea was that for at least one day each year, neither should we. He declared that the first Friday in October each year would henceforth be World Smile Day®. Ever since that first World Smile Day® held in 1999, it has continued every year in Smiley's hometown of Worcester, MA and around the world.
After Harvey died in 2001, the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation was created to honor his name and memory. The Foundation continues as the official sponsor of World Smile Day® each year.
BE THE REASON SOMEONE SMILES TODAY
The following weekends will be designated as our recharge weekends:
October 11-14
January 24-26
May 23-26
The following guidelines will be put in place to ensure that everyone has the ability to recharge:
I will ask staff not to check emails, correct exams, or grade projects during these weekends. I want them to be able to step away for a weekend and recharge.
Athletics and Activities – There will be NO practices or activities that relate specifically to the Douglas Public Schools during these weekends with the exception of a practice on Sunday if there is a game on Monday. These practices cannot start before 3pm on Sunday.
Teachers will follow the guidelines set below:
Ensure that long-term assignments are not due on the Monday or Tuesday following the Recharge Weekend.
Educators will NOT increase student workload leading up to the Recharge Weekend.
Teachers will adequately plan their lessons and assessments around these weekends.
Educators will not assign any schoolwork over the weekend.
Educators will not schedule exams or quizzes on the Monday following the Recharge Weekend.
Advanced placement classes may still assign work.
Students should also be able to step away for the weekend and be able to relax physically and mentally.
Should there be a major issue that you need to connect with us on, please contact your building principals and they will work with you to address any issues. We are all cognizant of the stresses that are on all of us this year and hope these monthly breaks can offer some relief.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
Dear School Community,
Remember October is National Bullying Prevention Month. As a school community, we want to encourage everyone to stay informed about the signs of bullying, the impact it can have, and what to do if you see it happening.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines bullying as behavior that is:
- Unwanted: The behavior is not wanted by the victim.
- Aggressive: The behavior involves some form of aggression, such as physical force, threats, or intimidation.
- Repeated: The behavior happens more than once or has the potential to happen again.
Acts of bullying may involve physical contact, words or gestures, or social exclusion. Bullying can happen in person or online.
The signs of bullying include:
- Physical signs: bruises, cuts, torn clothing, missing items
- Emotional signs: changes in mood, withdrawal from friends and activities, anxiety, depression
- Behavioral signs: aggressive behavior, changes in eating or sleeping habits, truancy
- Social signs: being excluded from activities, being made fun of or called names
If you see bullying happening, it's important to do something. Here are some things you can do:
- Talk to the bully and tell them to stop.
- Talk to the victim and offer your support.
- Report the bullying to a trusted adult, such as a teacher, counselor, or parent.
If you or someone you know is being bullied, there are resources available to help:
- The National Bullying Prevention Center
- The Trevor Project
- StopBullying.gov
- Cyberbullying Research Center
- UNICEF
Together, we can create a safe and supportive school community for all students!
Sincerely,
The Douglas Public Schools
Custodial and Cafeteria Workers
Douglas Public Schools has Custodial and Cafeteria Worker job opportunities available (Regular positions and Substitute positions). Please apply on SchoolSpring.com.
Full and Part-Time Positions
We are currently recruiting for open positions and would love to hear from you. Apply online at: SchoolSpring.com. Your application will require a CORI check, which can be done through DPS in our Central Office and a SAFIS fingerprint background check, which will need to be completed at one of many local Indentogo facilities.
Become a DPS Substitute!
Substitute School Nurses Needed!
We need Substitute School Nurses! Join the DPS Health and Human Services Team as a Substitute School Nurse to support the health and well-being of the Douglas Public School students. Substitute School Nurses work as needed, with a minimum commitment.
Douglas Public Schools Blue Print for Student Success
The Blue Print for Student Success is our version of a Strategic Plan. This is a living and breathing document that guides our decision making and is our plan to move the district forward and ensure that our students succeed at a high level. Click here to view the 23-24 Blue Print.