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In This Issue
2009-2010 Retirees
The week after...
a message from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones.
The relocation of a campus
Annual SAI Survey
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Did you
hear about Staggered School Start Times for 2010-2011?
CLICK HERE
for
last Tuesday's Special Edition COMMUNCATOR
in case you missed it!
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Congratulations, Retirees! 
2009-2010 GSCS retirees were honored at a luncheon on Thursday, April 29, at the UGA Griffin Campus Pavilion.
Clark Hanes of
Griffin High led fellow retirees through the Mexican-themed meal.
Retirees are:
A. Z. Kelsey Academy
Betty E. White
Anne Street Elementary
Modester Taylor Lewis
Nancy J. Osteen
Atkinson Elementary
Barbara G. Williams
Sara U. Russell
Central Office
Marlene J. Parris
Esther White
Cowan Road Elementary
Brenda Lynch
Bonnie I. Powers
Cowan Road Middle School
Janice M. Aiken
Crescent Elementary
Catherine B. Alford
Betty A. Hastings
Margaret B. Varnom
Gwendolyn Berry
James Rickey Storey
Griffin High School
Helen Gale
Clark Hanes
Pamela Kay Howard
Katherine O. Jenkins
Clinton Middleton
Gabrielle O'Shaughnessy
Georgia M. Webb
Griffin Spalding Alternative School
James David Chapman
Jackson Road Elementary
Linda W. Browning
Virginia Joan Butler
Vickie H. Capel
Sharon M. Chamberlain
Frances A. Gillane
Sandra Sanders
Jordan Hill Elementary
Melanie Anne Gilmer
Mainstay Academy
Emily Jean Howell
Maintenance
Hugh Chapman
Larry A. Maxwell
Moreland Road Elementary
Nancy Black
Nutrition
Nellie Ruth Askin
Josephine W. Ellis
Velma Dianne Harper
Barbara A. Kimbel
Orrs Elementary
Dale W. Danner
Spalding High School
Jackie D. Beres
Antonia M. Camp
Deana M. Criswell
Transportation
Kathy A. Brannon
Mary Carolyn Buchanan
Bobby Lee Ford Annette Pritchett |
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 The week after....
a message from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones
spring break is always interesting. If you're like me, you start thinking, "Man, I wish I had a few more days." And yet, your mind also turns to the things you must do at work.
And once you do come back from spring break, it seems as if every day is Monday, and you wish everyday was Friday. But, we proceed on.
Well, my spring break ended differently this time when I began to feel under the weather. On Monday, I did not come to work. In fact, I'm told one principal said when he heard I was not here, "Policy says you need a doctor's note, I hope the superintendent brings one in." (Thank you, Eclan David.)
In fact, I did see a doctor, and I did bring in a doctor's note! I've been showing it to anybody who would look at it because the rules apply to us all.
Other than being sick, it's been a good week. As you may remember, my last message was kinda gloomy - looking for ways to fill a $4 million deficit. However, this week has been filled with good things (even though even though being sick started it on a negative note for me).
Let me share a few examples:
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I received an email from a teacher I used to work with. Her daughter, Mary Cole, a 7th grader at Rehoboth Road Middle School, qualified for the Duke TIP Program (Talent Identification Program) - a super accomplishment that not only mom and daughter but also elementary and middle schools teachers should be proud of. It just felt good to see a child I have known since birth come into our school system and succeed.
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I also went to the UGA Griffin Campus Pavilion (a gorgeous facility) and had lunch with our retiring staff. We recognized this tremendous group of individuals, dedicated educators and staff who have given their professional lives to help improve education in Griffin-Spalding. It was good to see not only the excitement they still have about education but also the excitement about the next phase of their lives.
- Yesterday I went to Spalding High School's JROTC Annual Federal Inspection. Seeing the cadets march onto the parade field reminded me of not only my days in JROTC but also the excitement of the cadets. It was the words of their battalion commander, who said this year has been the most fulfilling of her high school career, that put it in perspective for me: the success of the year being captured in one event.
So, it's been a good week. It's been a short week. In some ways, it has been the kind of week that you would expect after a break in that it's had long days, some obstacles, a few challenges, but great satisfaction.
Somewhere I heard that it is always darkest right before the dawn. In my view things have been pretty bleak. But I see a glimmer. It's coming. I dare you to see it, too.
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Taylor Street campus to house Griffin-Spalding Alternative School
The two-year-old Griffin-Spalding Alternative School will move from its current location in the former West Griffin Elementary School to the B Building of the former Taylor Street Middle School for 2010-2011.
Denise Burrell, Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum, made the recommendation for the move on behalf of Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones to the board of education at its meeting Tuesday, April 27.
A study committee had been researching options for the two non-traditional schools, A.Z. Kelsey Academy and the Griffin-Spalding Alternative School, to be housed on the same campus. The intent had been to expand programs and learning opportunities for students at both schools, even though the focus of each was unique.
Denise Burrell says, "It became obvious during our research that renovating an existing school facility to house both programs was cost-prohibitive. We determined that the Taylor Street property was the best available facility to house the Alternative School to bring more learning opportunities to the 100 middle and high school students who attend that school.
"The B Building requires very little work for it to be functional since it has been vacant for just a short time following last year's opening of Rehoboth Road Middle School. The infrastructure is in place to support technology, and there is adequate room for students when the Alternative School is at capacity."
The vacated Taylor Street campus had been proposed to be the location for an undefined "special school" in the 2007 School SPLOST. The school system has had to postpone planning any extensive renovations to that campus because SPLOST revenue collections have fallen steadily since 2008.
Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services Jim Smith says, "It is not now and has not been our intention to hold on to empty school facilities. While we have been able to sell a portion of the Flynt Street School acreage to Griffin Technical College, Faith Christian Academy has rented the Flynt building while we locate an appropriate buyer. Now the West Griffin property will become available for us to make the best decision on behalf of our taxpayers and our students."
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It time for the Annual Standards Assessment Inventory (SAI) Professional Learning Survey
a message from Valerie Mercer, Director of Teacher Quality
Before you can use the SAI survey application for the first time you must register.
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