Shout out to our amazing friends at First National Bank for their continued support of all our educators and staff across Decatur County Schools! 💛
We were proud to celebrate New Beginnings Learning Center educators during Grillin’ for the Greatest, made possible by First National Bank. Their team went above and beyond—showing up early to grill hamburgers and serve the meal—making our staff feel truly appreciated.
Support like this means so much, and we are grateful for community partners who consistently invest in the people who pour into our students every day. 🐾💜
#GrillinForTheGreatest #ThankYouFirstNationalBank #NBLC #TeacherAppreciation #CommunitySupport #TheBearcatWay
Flu season is upon us and here are a few reminders to help keep our schools healthy :
🦠 Wash hands often with soap and water
🦠 Cover coughs and sneezes
🦠 Keep students home if they have a fever or flu-like symptoms
🦠Students must be fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications before returning to school
🦠Consider talking with your child’s health care provider about the flu vaccination
🚨🤒When to keep your child home:
If your child has a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, severe cough, or feels unwell please keep them home and allow time to recover before returning to school.
💜 Thank you for partnering with us to keep our students, staff, and schools healthy throughout flu season.

Decatur County Schools is proud to recognize New Beginnings Learning Center for being named a CSI Progress School by the Georgia Department of Education.
This recognition honors schools that are making meaningful progress on their improvement plans and student performance. New Beginnings Learning Center demonstrated a 5% increase in the CCRPI Content Mastery score from 2024 to 2025 and earned a score of 80 or higher in another CCRPI component—an outstanding achievement that reflects the dedication of students, educators, and staff.
Out of schools across the state, only 43 CSI schools earned this distinction this year. We are proud that New Beginnings Learning Center is among them.
Congratulations to the entire New Beginnings Learning Center community for this well-deserved recognition and for exemplifying The Bearcat Way.
#BearcatPride #TheBearcatWay #StudentSuccess #CSIProgressSchool #ProudTraditionPromisingFuture

Recently, NBLC educators were greeted with a sunny surprise as our District leadership team and our friends at SunStop Stores provided a delicious breakfast!🎉
“Biscuits for the Best” remains one of our favorite ways to show appreciation for the dedicated educators who pour their hearts into our students each day. A warm breakfast and a friendly smile are small tokens, but they carry a big message: you are valued, you are supported, and you are the BEST!!!
Thank you to every educator at NBLC—you make a difference every single day.
#BiscuitsForTheBest #ThankYouEducators #SunStopStores #CommunitySupport #TheBearcatWay
Here’s a quick look at important dates as we head into the holiday season!
📆 Thursday, December 18, 2025
➡️ Early Release (More details on early release times for individual schools to follow.)
📆 Friday, December 19, 2025
➡️ Teacher In-Service — Professional Development Day
📆 Monday, December 22, 2025 – Friday, January 2, 2026
➡️ Christmas Break — Student Holiday
📆 Monday, January 5, 2026 – Tuesday, January 6, 2026
➡️ Teacher In-Service — Professional Development Days
📆 Wednesday, January 7, 2026
➡️ First Day Back for Students
We hope everyone has a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season! 🎁✨

🎓 Progress Reports Coming Soon! 🎓
Decatur County Schools students’ progress reports will be released on November 20th.
📊 Don’t wait to stay informed!
Parents and guardians can check grades, attendance, and more anytime through the Parent Portal (Infinite Campus):
👉 https://campus.dcboe.com/campus/portal/decaturco.jsp
#BearcatPride #DecaturCountySchools #TheBearcatWay

Schools will be closed Friday, Nov. 21 – Friday, Nov. 28.
(Teacher Professional Development Day – Nov. 21)
We hope everyone enjoys a safe and restful Thanksgiving break!

The Power of Choice: Tie Tuesday at New Beginnings Learning Center
At New Beginnings Learning Center, a recent Tie Tuesday event brought a powerful message to life about the importance of the choices we make and the paths we take.
The young men of the Tie Tuesday Gentlemen’s Club participated in the barbershop-style gathering, which created a welcoming space for open and honest conversations. As students received free haircuts, they engaged in meaningful discussions about life, choices, and character with mentors from the community.
This program is designed to build confidence and connection, reminding students that their voices matter and that the choices they make today shape their futures.
Decatur County Schools extends sincere appreciation to the community members who volunteered their time to pour into our youth and offer encouragement and guidance.
Building trust, creating connections, and investing in our students is what it means to live The Bearcat Way.
#TheBearcatWay #BearcatPride #DecaturCountySchools #Leadership #Mentorship #NBLC
We are so grateful for the many organizations and employers who showed up to invest in our students’ futures, sharing advice, encouragement, and real-world opportunities. And a heartfelt thank you to the amazing NBLC staff for their dedication and hard work in organizing such a meaningful event.
💼👏 Because when our community comes together, our students build a Promising Future! 💜💛
#CommunityStrong #TheBearcatWay #NBLC #StudentSuccess #PromisingFuture
#FallBreak #Holiday #DCBOE #TheBearcatWay

Safety Awareness Month Message:
September is recognized across the state of Georgia as Safety Awareness Month. During this time, we are conducting intruder, lockdown and other safety drills on our school campuses. In Decatur County Schools, we take this opportunity to educate and equip our students to respond quickly and safely to any and all emergency situations. Safety is and will always be our number one priority in Decatur County Schools.

Deadline to submit: September 19
The Decatur County Health Department can provide Flu Clinic packets for students who are interested in receiving the flu shot at school this year.
👉 Please complete this form: https://bit.ly/BearcatFLUshot
📌 A separate form must be completed for each child in your family for whom you would like to receive the flu shot paperwork.
📷 Scan the QR code below

Principal, New Beginnings Learning Center
With 27 years of service, Stephanie Green leads New Beginnings Learning Center with dedication, vision, and a commitment to supporting every student. Originally from Phenix City, Alabama, Green’s career path has taken her through Lillian E. Williams, Hutto Middle School, and Bainbridge High School, before stepping into her role at New Beginnings.
At New Beginnings, Green ensures students stay focused on the ABC’s of school: Attendance, Behavior, and Credits. The center serves students recommended from Bainbridge High and Middle Schools for additional support in behavior, academics, and attendance.
Her inspiration to enter education comes from a love of working with students, no matter their background or history. “It takes a village to raise a child, and I pour into the whole child,” Green shares. Watching students progress and ultimately graduate remains the most rewarding part of her career.
Looking ahead, Green’s professional goals are to continue being a lifelong learner and to inspire her students to give back to the community. She describes Decatur County Schools as a progressive system that embraces challenges and is deeply committed to both student success and technological growth.
A Bit More About Stephanie:
Hometown: Phenix City, Alabama
Hobbies: Spending time with family, attending sporting events, traveling, and attending church
Fun Fact: She loves to line dance, watch action movies, and is a proud sorority girl
Favorite Book: The Color Purple
Favorite Movie: Jesus Loves Me
Thank you, Stephanie, for your leadership, dedication, and Bearcat pride!

A new Georgia law requires schools to teach students about digital citizenship and provide parents with the same tools to use at home.
Decatur County Schools remains committed to promoting digital citizenship and online safety, now offering parents additional resources to support these efforts at home.
Parent ProTech is a free, video-based resource designed to help you:
🔹Set healthy screen-time limits
🔹Protect your child’s privacy
🔹Navigate social media safely
✨ Start the school year with clear screen-time boundaries that help your child thrive online.
🔗Learn more and sign up here: https://app.parentprotech.com/952/decatur-county/en/signup?source=admin
#TheBearcatWay #ProudTraditionPromisingFuture #ParentProTech #OnlineSafety

Your energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to excellence have set the tone for a phenomenal year ahead. We can’t wait to see all the growth, achievements, and memories we’ll create together. Let’s keep Inspiring, Influencing, and Igniting—the Bearcat Way!
https://youtu.be/28JeqOrd-qs
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✅ Step 1: Log in to Infinite Campus
✅ Step 2: Click the “Fees” tab on the left side of your screen
Paying online is quick, simple, and convenient! 💳
Login to the Parent Portal (Infinite Campus) through the link below:
https://campus.dcboe.com/campus/portal/decaturco.jsp
#BearcatTech #ParentPortal #InfiniteCampus #StayConnected #BearcatFamily

The OPENGATE Security System is an advanced, walk-through weapons detection system designed to enhance school safety while maintaining a smooth flow of student entry. Unlike traditional metal detectors, OPENGATE uses advanced sensors to detect weapons and prohibited items without requiring students to stop, empty their pockets, or remove backpacks. This allows for efficient and non-intrusive screening, ideal for high-traffic areas such as school entrances.
Decatur County Schools has implemented OPENGATE to provide an added layer of protection for students and staff. The system is portable, quick to set up, and built to detect a wide range of threats while minimizing false alarms. With its modern design and cutting-edge technology, OPENGATE supports the district’s commitment to creating a safe and nurturing learning environment. We encourage all parents to emphasize to their children the importance of school safety and helping the Bearcat Family stay safe on every campus each day!
See how OPENGATE is making a difference in some of the largest school districts in the country, like Brevard County:
https://youtu.be/0_bNqaGNh9g

🌧️ Rainy days ahead for the first week of school!
Make sure your Bearcats come prepared with raincoats, boots, and umbrellas to stay cozy and dry! ☔️
#FirstWeekForecast #RainyDayReady #BearcatWeather

Planning ahead just got easier — especially when it comes to vacations. Be sure to schedule trips during student holidays because every day of learning matters and attendance is key to success!
You can also find the calendar on our website — just click the District Calendars button on the homepage at www.dcboe.com.
#BearcatPride #DecaturCountySchools #SchoolCalendar #PlanAhead #AttendanceMatters

