Have I said thank you lately?

a message from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones
 

 

Last week's Communicator about teachers talking about their students in public generated a lot of conversation, which some of you shared with me. I thank you for that. I believe that all of these conversations were rich. We're realizing that we help influence the image of us as a school system.

We are a better organization for talking about what is acceptable. Would you accept your doctor or nurse practitioner talking about patients in public? What about police officers talking about the people they have arrested? We are public servants which means we are in the same category of being held to a higher standard.

  

In another Communicator issue I discussed Positive Behavior Support which also generated many comments. In the end I continue to know that Positive Behavior Support is a continuous process of improvement. I want us to have conversations about what's working and what's not. And yes, you are correct, you can't just look at data alone - we must look at perception data for determining its effectiveness.

  

I admit that a surprising piece of news that came

out of this conversation is that the Georgia Department of Education believes that the Positive Behavior Support Program in place at Spalding High School is one of the best in the state. Kudos to Dexter Sands and the ninth grade teachers as they implemented it last year and as they move forward this year with school-wide implementation. Like all endeavors, some aspects aren't the best. We always knew that implementation at the high school level would be difficult. But again, a rich conversation, and we'll be better for having it.

Earlier this week I was fortunate enough to hear Governor Deal and State School Superintendent Barge speak. I was very impressed with Gov. Deal's openness to public education's plight. I was also encouraged by his statement that he hopes to remember to have an open mind, an open door, and that public education is vital to Georgia. He didn't say he was going to provide more resources - times are tough all around. But he has ideas about how to improve the economy, which will help us provide more resources to education. It was very uplifting to listen to him.

  

It was also positive to hear Superintendent Barge speak. His team presented their priorities for their first 100 days and for the first year in office. These are pretty much in line with the direction I think public education in Georgia needs to be moving. Because he has been in the field as well as in the department of education, Superintendent Barge has a pretty good handle on priorities and how he would like to approach the governor and the legislature.

So let's continue to be positive in our outlook for what's to come. The economy's getting better. We have a new leadership team at the state level that is willing to talk and listen - let's be a part of it!

  

PS. I would be remiss if I did not say that we were concerned about snow this week. On Thursday when I woke up there was snow on the ground just as the weatherman had predicted. At 5am I had a phone conversation with our assistant superintendent Jim Smith, who had informed me that he, Lamar Smith (Director of Transportation), and Bruce Ballard (Director of Maintenance and Facilities) had driven on both main and back roads. They had talked with the Sheriff's Department, the City, and surrounding counties about road conditions. Because of their hard work, we were able to have a regular school day without incident on Thursday. Thanks to that team for helping us be more a reliable organization.

  

Thank you, and have a great weekend!

 

Curtis  

Over $19,500 in local grants awarded to Griffin-Spalding County School System teachers

The Griffin-Spalding Education Foundation and the Griffin-Spalding Partners in Education have awarded over $19,500 in grants to teachers in the Griffin-Spalding County School System. 

  

Forty-four school and classroom projects were funded with amounts ranging from $85.00 to $1000.00. With the grants, teachers in 14 schools will be able to jump start educational projects not funded through tax dollars.  The grants will support subjects including math, literature, and science.

  

"These two organizations are very pleased to offer continuing financial support to teachers in the Griffin-Spalding County School System," said Evan Stitt, Chair of Partners in Education.  

Raymond Ray, chair of the Education Foundation, said, "The foundation's board members are grateful for the "Teachers Giving to Teachers" campaign and our annual community golf tournament which provide the funds that go directly to schools for educational projects." 
 

UGA MATH AND PARENT PARTNERSHIPS

  

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SACS-CASI   

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The Griffin-Spalding County School System's Five-Year SACS-CASI Quality Assurance Review Team visit has been set for November 13 - 16, 2011

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Griffin Spalding County School System