IMPORTANT
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Read Across America!
Anne Street Elementary invited special guests to read to students on Friday, March 5, 2010, as part of the Read Across America celebration. Denise Burrell, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, was one of the many guests.
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by Dr. Curtis Jones
For years I've heard people say:
- Public education is an inferior way to educate the children of America,
- The public schools are sorry,
- We deserve better schools, and
- We have failing schools.
It seems public schools are the current trend to be blasted by anybody who has a bully pulpit.
I recently visited the Gold Dome. As I was talking with individuals about the current state of affairs in public education, I was kinda told, "We don't feel sorry for teachers. Teachers have good jobs. They have good health insurance. They're not taking a lot of furlough days - everyone else is taking a furlough day every week. People are losing their jobs!"
In essence it was, "We don't see it the same way you do."
According to the Gold Dome, Georgia ranks #17 nationally and #1 in the southeast in teacher salaries. Georgia has the lowest teacher-student ratio in the southeast. This leads some to believe public education isn't hurting.
Then they turn to the current economy and say, "Public education is the largest part of our state budget, and we're not getting the return on our tax dollars."
For too long I've heard people say "one size fits all in our public schools" and that's not true!
It's time we start sharing our success. Here in the Griffin-Spalding County School System:
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We have flexible grouping in all of our schools.
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We have differentiated instruction for all students.
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We're individualizing what we do for all students.
You want a Georgia Performance Standards-based classroom? Visit any of our schools.
Yeah, we may have some schools that do it a little bit better than others, but WE ARE DOING VERY, VERY WELL!
And it's time we tell that to people.
- Class sizes are reasonable. If you go visit one of our classrooms you may see 25 to 28 students. If you went back to the mid-60's, there were 40 students in a classroom.
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We have diversity in our schools reflecting the society in which we live. That means we're preparing our students for the world in which they will live.
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Our teachers and paraprofessionals are highly qualified.
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Our facilities are good.
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Our test scores are coming up.
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Our graduation rate is improving.
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We're doing more quality assessments with our students, our grade levels, and our schools.
Everything is moving in the right direction. It's time we start telling people: The Griffin-Spalding County School System is a good one.
It's true we can be even better with more parental involvement and community support.
We can better ourselves through ongoing evaluation methods.
However, we're doing tremendous work, and it's time it's recognized.
Don't let others tell us public education is not good enough. It's time to stand up and tell people we have good schools! I dare you! |
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Board Briefs
At the regular meetings on February 23, and March 2, 2010, the board of education. . . .
- Named Keith Simmons principal of Griffin High School. Mr. Simmons will be coming to Griffin High School from the Monroe Academy Achievement Center in the Monroe County School System.
- Amended the employee work schedule. All employees will work on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2010, to make up for January 8, when the system was closed due to inclement weather.
- Approved a mid-year funding adjustment for FY2010. An additional round of funding cuts from the state will be absorbed by using unexpended funds targeted for personnel. The personnel funds were saved through a hiring freeze, state health benefit changes, and other vacant positions not being filled.
- Heard a report about the school system's transition services for students with disabilities.
A transition fair for students with disabilities and their parents will be held on Thursday, March 11, from 5:30-7:30pm at Spalding High School. The fair will focus on the transition from school to post-graduation options.
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Approved the Gordon College at UGA proposal. This collaboration between Gordon College, the Griffin-Spalding County School System and UGA Griffin Campus will offer college studies for highly motivated high school juniors and seniors. The proposed name for this collaboration is Gordon Academy at UGA.
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Heard a report on the CRCT Erasure investigation. The school system is conducting an investigation to identify the cause of testing irregularities. - Approved on second reading policy GAK (1) - Criminal Background Check.
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- Approved the use of school system transportation for a city tour by the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing on February 25. The City of Griffin will pay for all costs associated with using the school system buses.
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Dual Enrollment - The State Board of Education has revised the Dual Enrollment rule which allows high school students to take courses from a postsecondary institution while still enrolled as a high school student and receive credit at both institutions.
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Move on When Ready - The State Board of Education has implemented House Bill 149, known as Move on When Ready. An eligible high school junior or senior who spent the prior year in attendance in a Georgia public high school may take all courses through an eligible postsecondary institution and receive both high school and postsecondary credits.
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High School Alternative Programming - A Better Seeking Team is being created to determine the high school scheduling and programming options that best support the revised high school graduation rule and system strategic goals.
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Alternative School planning - Based on facility preparation, August 2011 is the target date for opening an alternative school on the Flynt Street property.
During school and department reports:
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Heard a report that A. Z. Kelsey Academy has graduated 36 students since it opened in 2007. An additional 15 to 22 students are expected to graduate at the need of this school year.
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Heard that the our Pre-K program was above the state average for meeting or exceeding standards in all nine categories of the 2008-2009 Pre-K Quality Assessment.
In other business the board recognized. . .
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Griffin RESA Literacy Days winners.
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the Rehoboth Road Middle School math team for placing 2nd at the Griffin RESA Middle School Math Contest.
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Griffin High School's Future Business Leaders o
f America for multiple awards won during the Region 13 Competition.
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Griffin High School students Jacob Rice and Lonnie Edge for winning awards at the SkillsUSA Region 5 Competition. Bruce Ballard, Director of Construction and Facilities, complemented the students for their fine work with our school system while being part of the work-based learning program.
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YOU ARE INVITED
to attend a special meeting about Griffin High School!
- Saturday, March 6
- 9am
- Griffin High School Commons
GHS is currently applying for a federal school improvement grant valued up to $6 million over a three year period!
Individuals attending the meeting will be asked for input in planning Griffin High School's future.
Because of the amount of funding available and the intense focus on student achievement, this grant opportunity is a chance for GHS to conduct a makeover of its instructional model.
This planning meeting will provide the school's grant writing team with valuable information about the community's vision for GHS. |
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