A great opportunity for all GSCS employees
a message from Valerie Mercer, Director of Teacher Quality
January 4, 2011 is a unique learning opportunity day coming for all of us in Griffin-Spalding County School System.
This will be a day of training that focuses on improvements that we can all make so that our school system continues its progress to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as a system.
See below for some basic questions and answers. Look for emails and additional communication regarding January 4 to come after the Thanksgiving holiday break.
What is the January 4, 2011 Growth Opportunity Day?
Originally designated as a Professional Learning Day on the school year calendar, January 4, 2011, was designated as a "Work Schedule Adjustment Day" with employees NOT reporting to work that day because of budget cuts. With federal approval, the system may now use Title I funds, Title IIA funds, and state professional learning funds for a "Growth Opportunity Day" for ALL employees - certified AND classified.
What does this mean for me as an employee?
January 4, 2011 is now an OPTIONAL work day for ALL employees.
How will my school and/or supervisor know that I choose to work on January 4, 2011?
EMPLOYEES MUST REGISTER THAT THEY WILL BE ATTENDING TRAINING THAT DAY.
After the Thanksgiving Break, supervisors will be distributing an email with a link to an online registration site for January 4, attendance. There will be a window of registration, so as soon as you receive your registration information, make efforts to get yourself registered and confirmed for attendance that day.
Employee attendance will be closely tracked that day so that compensation is based on that day's attendance. NOTE: Employees must pre-register in order to work that day. If the employee does not have ready access to a computer and/or email, then the employee will communicate with his or her supervisor that they intend to work on that day.
What if I change my mind and decide that I want to work that day after the registration window closes?
You will only be working on January 4, 2011 if you register during the window. No exceptions.
How much am I going to get paid?
You'll be paid your daily rate if you are a certified employee. Yes, taxes will be taken out, and yes, this will be a work day that is "accountable" toward retirement. If you are a classified employee, then you'll make your usual daily rate as well.
Can I work just part of the day or one-half of the January 4, 2011 work day?
No, for recordkeeping and for payroll purposes, you must be in attendance for the full required work day.
Where will I report?
You'll be giving information after you register regarding the Growth Opportunity Day's details. It is an opportunity to have a "mini-conference" for all employees.
Elementary teachers, paraeducators, and administrators will be coming together for a day of learning at Griffin High School.
Carver Road Middle School, Kennedy Road Middle School, and Rehoboth Road Middle School certified personnel including paraeducators, administrators, and teachers will be coming together for a day of learning at Spalding High School.
Spalding High School, AZK Academy, and Taylor Street Achievement Center certified personnel will be coming together for a day of learning at Rehoboth Road Middle School.
PK teachers and PK paraeducators will be coming together for a day of learning at AZKelsey Academy Parent Resource Center.
Cowan Road Middle School and Griffin High School, as a special learning collaborative, will be coming together to learn from each other on the campus of Carver Road Middle School.
Classified staff including transportation, secretarial support staff, maintenance, technology, and custodial staff will come together for a professional learning conference at the central office complex.
Some additional job-specific groups such as nursing staff and nutrition staff will be meeting in other locations.
Note that a minimal number of buildings will be utilized that day for conservation of energy and resources, and you will not be reporting to your usual worksite. Buildings that are not utilized that day will be closed.
Sounds great, but what are we going to be doing all day?
Certified staff will be learning about effective instructional strategies, differentiation, meeting the requirements of all learners, understanding diversity of learners and their needs, technology integration, and more. Classified staff will be receiving job-specific training as well as wellness, safety, ethics, financial planning, first aid, and more. Griffin-Spalding County School System is partnering with Griffin RESA, University of Georgia Griffin Campus, Southern Federal Credit Union, Spalding Regional Medical Center, Southern Regional Education Board, Georgia School Boards Association, Carolina Science Supply and more to make this learning day a reality.
What about lunch that day?
So that we can account for all before and after lunch, you'll remain onsite during your work day. Plan on bringing your lunch! Cafeteria kitchens will not be open that day in the buildings that will be used that day. We're giving plenty of notice now that we won't be releasing personnel to go out to eat or pick up meals that day. Note: Refrigeration may not be readily available either, so employees are advised to make provisions for that.
How do I dress that day?
Even though this is an optional work day, use your professional judgment and choose clothing appropriate for the work place.
***Please note: January 4, 2011 scheduling and programming is still being developed, so some details of the day are subject to change.***
***Watch upcoming issues of the Communicator for more details!***
