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Douglas County school officials plan July 25 kickoff, summer reading push and ParentSquare rollout
Summary
Douglas County School System will hold a large, free back‑to‑school kickoff on July 25 at Legacy Arena, is running a community summer reading challenge with a 3,000,000‑minute goal, and will offer a new ParentSquare family‑engagement platform (opt‑in emails began July 13).
Portia Lake, executive director of communications for the Douglas County School System, and Patty Sullivan, the district's family engagement coordinator, outlined the system's fall outreach and family‑engagement plans on the Douglasville City Impact Community Podcast.
"Our annual back to school kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, July 25," Sullivan said, adding the event will be held at Legacy Arena, 9030 Highway 5, and run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. She said district departments and about 30 community vendors will distribute free school supplies and services, and students who attend will receive a clear drawstring bag to fill at vendor tables. "We are also giving away a free meal," Sullivan said, describing hot‑dog and hamburger options and vegetarian choices.
Sullivan described the event as a celebratory way for families to meet principals and district staff. "Last year, we had over 7,000 people coming through the doors," she said, noting bands, mascots and other entertainment will appear throughout the three‑hour, drop‑in event.
The district is also pressing a community summer‑reading challenge. "This year our goal is 3,000,000 minutes," Sullivan said; she told listeners the district had reached roughly 1,200,000 minutes so far and that last summer's total was about 1,000,000 minutes. The school system has run a series of reading pop‑ups with celebrity readers and plans a finale at Legacy Arena on July 27 with giveaways for participating readers.
Portia Lake described a communications upgrade for families. "Remind has been wonderful to us…now it's called ParentSquare," she said, adding the district began sending opt‑in invitation emails to families on July 13. Lake said ParentSquare will allow teachers, coaches and schools to share photos, reminders, permission‑slip notices and other information. "It's all opt in," she said, and families may also register through the app or website using the email and phone number the district has on file.
On logistics, Lake and Sullivan said Legacy Arena parking will be limited this year because of nearby construction; off‑site parking at Hunter Park, Douglas County High School and the Park & Ride on Douglas Boulevard will be served by shuttle buses. Lake said on‑site spaces will be prioritized for people with disabilities and for families with strollers.
Sullivan and Lake thanked community partners, volunteers and student groups for supporting the event. For more information and to confirm times or special accommodations, the speakers directed listeners to the Douglas County School System website.
The school system did not announce any fees for the kickoff. The podcast did not include additional budget or contract details for the arena or shuttle services.
