week of August 2 - 6, 2010  
the Griffin-Spalding County School System staff e-newsletter  
published by the school & community services department
 

the gscs
COMMUNICATOR 
system-wide straight talk

Daring!

In This Issue
Orrs Elementary named 2010 National School of Character
Board Briefs
Taylor Street Achievement Center
Thank you, Norcom!
COL DR
2010-2011
Certified Staff Hours
 
Elementary Schools:
7:30am - 3:30pm

 Middle Schools:
8:00am - 4:00pm

High Schools:
7:15am - 3:15pm
 
Our New Logo
 
Our new logo! 
 
  • One student graduating (We focus on each student.)

  • Student in front of our state (We will lead the state.) 
  • Three levels of help
    -Elementary
    -Middle
    -High

    -Certified
    -Classified
    -Administration

    -Students
    -Parents
    -Community

  • Student's hand reaches beyond Georgia
    (Our students' impact will reach beyond Georgia.) 

  • Georgia's border reaches beyond earth's outline
    (We are teaching an international curriculum & our students will compete globally.)

  • Daring... (We dare each other to do better and we have to be willing to take risks.)
 
 
 
 
Open House 2010 
 
Moore Elementary School first grade teacher Tedra Mullins is embraced by two of her students during the 2010-2011 Open House held on Thursday, July 29.
 
 
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Special thanks to
 Rick Blackshear
for Education Celebration photos!

Watch for more photos next week!
 
Good to see you!
a message from Superintendent Curtis Jones 

July 28

It was good seeing many of you in the auditorium on Wednesday as certified staff participated in the Education Celebration sponsored by Norcom, one of our Partners in Education. We looked back at what we've accomplished and shared this year's strategic plan and goals. It was an exciting time and one of those rare opportunities we have to come together and say, "Here's where we are and here's where we're going." I felt true teamwork in our (hot) auditorium.
 
I think we have a solid foundation on which to build this school year.
  • Open House went very well, and many students are ready to return.
  • I'm told the beginning of school meetings with our nutrition and transportation employees were extremely successful.
  • I'm also told school faculty and staff meetings led by principals during this week of preplanning were also very productive.
So, we're off to a good start!
 
And let's continue it! As we move into this school year let's remember this week... it's how well we practice that determines how well we do! We know what last year's results were, and we know our new goals - so we know what it takes.
  • Let's continue to build the Griffin-Spalding County School System we want to have.
  • Let's continue to work to make it the very best we can.
  • Let's be a leader in the state in student achievement.
I would be remiss if I didn't tell you it was also a very enjoyable experience to see you at Spalding High School during the Kids-In-Need store. Many of you commented on how happy you were to receive the outstanding supplies. From volunteers to sponsors, we owe a great deal of gratitude to those who helped make that event happen. I encourage you and your students to write a note or two to sponsors.
 
But what was even better for me was meeting with each of you and hearing so many of you say, "We're going to dare to make this year a better year," and hearing so many of you say "COL DR" when reflecting on our values and strategic plan.
 
Finally, it's great to see the efforts put into place over the last year are taking root.
 
I thank you for:

  • Your continued support.
  • The many good words you shared with me about my auditorium presentation.
  • For being a professional educator helping improve education in Griffin-Spalding.

So let's go out and make this a great year... I dare you to do better!

Orrs Elementary named 2010 National School of Character
Orrs Elementary
submitted by Orrs Elementary School
 
Griffin-Spalding County's Orrs Elementary has been named a 2010 National School of Character by a blue ribbon panel of experts commissioned by the Character Education Partnership (CEP) in Washington D. C. that leads the nation in helping schools develop people of good character for a just and compassionate society. 
 
"Character Education is more than a phrase or a concept at Orrs," says Principal Dexter Martin.  "It's a way of life involving both the school and community.  Over the past five years at Orrs, our Character Education program has grown from a small program on the morning announcements to a program that now has its own super-hero mascots and has been recognized by city and county officials, state representatives, and the Governor of Georgia as well."  
Board Briefs
At its regular meeting on July 27, 2010, the board of education... 
 
 
 
Heard reports on:  
 
 
 
In other business the board announced. . .
 
  • The 11 of 18 schools that made AYP.

  • Alicia Stratton, Jackson Road Elementary School Media Specialist has been selected by the Georgia Association of Instructional Technology and the Georgia Library Media Association's the Library Media Specialist of the Year for the South Metro Georgia District.   

  • Cowan Road Elementary and Jackson Road Elementary have been awarded the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grant using funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These two Griffin-Spalding schools were out of a state-wide group of 77 schools receiving the grant.
TSACTaylor Street Achievement Center new name for alternative school
 
Griffin, Ga. - In an unanimous board of education vote during the July 27 meeting, the Griffin-Spalding County School System's alternative education facility was renamed the "Taylor Street Achievement Center". The Taylor Street Achievement Center was formally known as the Griffin-Spalding Alternative School.
 
"This new name not only recognizes the facility's new location but also the outlook on alternative education," said principal Janet Ware. "So often the name "Alternative School" brings about negative connotations. We are working towards student achievement and this new name reflects that."
 
The school moved from Experiment Street (the old West Griffin School) to the Taylor Street Campus (formally Taylor Street Middle School). The Taylor Street campus offers better educational facilities for students.
Thank you, Norcom!
for the Free Store for Teachers

Education Celebration

Free Store for Teachers

Orrs Elementary 

Student volunteers

 
 
 
 
Editor, gscs COMMUNICATOR
Griffin-Spalding County School System

COL DRCOLDR