Employee of
the Month
Anne Street ElementaryJohn Digby, Mary Horton, and John Berry for being the best custodians in GSCS for making sure our building and grounds were ready for Open House and the first day of School. Atkinson Elementary Beverly Smith and
Frances Wyche They did an excellent job with registration and students' placement. Beaverbrook Elementary Monica Martin For being a dedicated member of our 5th grade team of teachers and she serves as our Parent Involvement Coordinator. She has done a great job organizing and preparing for students and keeping our parents informed as the 2011-2012 school year has begun. Cowan Road Elementary Tina Camp Lunchroom Cashier Supplying the teachers with lunch number cards has made our lunch line run smoother. Thanks for recognizing a need and providing a solution. Welcome to Cowan Road Elementary! Crescent Elementary Dorthea Woolforlk Custodian Dorthea began working at Crescent in July. She came right in and has gone straight to work cleaning the restrooms, classrooms, cafeteria, media center, hallways, also cleaning windows, floors, walls and anything else she can find doing it all with a smile on her face. All you have to do is tell her once and the job is done well. She is a great addition to our staff, and I look forward to having her around many years. Futral Road Elementary Sharon Totman SPED Teacher and TOTY for her organization of the special education program at Futral Road and her tireless work with students, families, and staff to ensure the highest quality education for our students Jackson Road Elementary Pam Thomaston Speech Teacher Pam is an employee with a "can do " level of effort at all times. She assists students in a multitude of ways while jumping in to help staff and parents! She continues to bring ideas to make us a better, more reliable organization. Pam, thanks for all you do! Jordan Hill Elementary Jan Obert Secretary Always cheerful, helpful, capable, and diligent in doing all of the tasks that help administrators, teachers, parents and students get the year off to a great start! Moore Elementary Denise Daniels She is also our TOTY! She is vibrant, passionate, and a gifted strategist as she empowers her kindergarten students to respond to her rigorous classroom culture. She is a master teacher, collaborator, and mentor. We love her joyful spirit, contagious smile and dedication to the children of our community. Moreland Road Elementary Tabatha Lawrence Our new Assistant Principal She came to Spalding County from Fulton County and has been very proactive and innovative to help Moreland Road move forward! We are very happy she is a part of our family. Orrs Elementary Paula Sanders Counselor For her diligence and willingness to go the extra mile in anything she is asked to do. There is no finer counselor around.
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Retirement Workshops for Employees
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Wellness Information
Click here for an updated wellness calendar for
August 2011.
We have added another Zumba class on Mondays at 4:45. Punch cards are available for $12 that will cover the cost of three classes (there are three Mondays left in August).
Also there were a couple of lunch time classes added on Mondays and Tuesdays for those who can participate.
Remember that ALL classes (other than Zumba on Mondays) are free of charge!
All classes will be held in the Taylor Street Campus D building.
Hope to see you at a class real soon!
Christina Crane
Benefits Specialist
770-229-3710 x 353
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Opening Day sets the standard
a message from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones
This week, the first of the school year, is a special one.
It was a special week for all of us in different ways. Monday was Opening Day. Wednesday was my birthday. On this birthday I'm thankful for my family, my wife, my health, and also my position as superintendent of the Griffin-Spalding County School System. It's indeed a pleasure, an honor and a privilege to serve and I thank you for your support as we continue to improve education in Griffin-Spalding.
Opening Day during the first week of school is also special for so many students. Parents were happy, students were happy, teachers were smiling, and indeed it was a great first day!
On Tuesday, the second day of school, I visited at Jackson Road Elementary. I saw these little children and they all held their hands up and said to me, "Look!" From my vantage point, all I saw were little hands. I replied, "What am I looking for?" The teacher said, "You have to come back into the classroom."
Inside the lights were out. The students' hands started to glow. The teacher explained, "We're learning about germs, and why it is important to our wash hands."
The students could see their hands glowing, and therefore showing "the germs". The teacher continued, "We're getting ready to go to the restroom to see how well we wash our hands." So I followed the students down the hall. They went in, washed their hands, and came back out. They were so excited!
I could see the spark in their eyes and their excitement because they had learned something new. I know many elementary schools, in fact probably all elementary schools, go through the process of helping students learn personal hygiene and school routines and procedures. That's what we do during the first week of school. But it's so exciting for the children!
As I reflect on my birthday and this first week of school, I commend you on an outstanding Opening Week. Last year was great. This year will be greater. I'm looking forward to seeing how you help us Dare to Do Better once again! Enjoy your weekend! |
Board Briefs
At its regular meetings July 26, and August 2, the board of education. . . . - Approved the resolution recommending that the school board (election) districts redistricting plan known as Spalding CCSB Plan 1R be adopted by the General Assembly and reviewed by the U.S. Department of Justice prior to its final implementation.
- Approved the 2011-2012 Tribunal Panel Members. They are Tom Ison, Denise Burrell, Jim Smith, Eclan David, Laura Jordan, Theresa Love-Lubin, Lindy Pruitt, Janet Ware, Jamie Cassady, Dexter Sands, Dr. Martha Taylor, Ken Bozeman, and Stan Mangham.
- Placed on first reading policy DGA - Fund Balance. (memo) Click here to place comments.
- Approved on second reading Policies GAK(1) - Criminal Background Check, JCDAG - Bullying, and JHCAA - Secret Societies-Gangs. Click links to place comments.
- Approved the School Improvement 1003g ARRA Federal Grant Budget.
- Approved Griffin High School media lab purchases through the School Improvement Grant. These materials will support the implementation of the school's thematic career academies.
- Approved Georgia Specialty Equipment, LLC as the apparent low bidder to refurbish or remanufacture existing telescopic bleachers for the Griffin High School Gym.
- Approved a resolution for a Title 50 Waiver from the state to allow, among other requests, the use of guidance counselors and media specialists for minimal-direction instruction and assessment.
- Approved the purchase of Scholastic System 44 for Special Education students through IDEA flow-through grant funds. System 44 helps students understand that the English language is a finite system of 44 sounds and 26 letters that can be mastered.
- Approved the 2011-2012 Griffin RESA Annual Contract. The contact includes basic membership, repair services for equipment, audiology services, visually impaired student services, and orientation and mobility specialist services.
Heard in presentations that . . . - Of the 53 new teachers hired, 100% are highly qualified. There are 20 fewer teaching positions this year as part of an overall reduction of 115 positions over the past two years. (memo)
- Under ESEA Public School Choice transfers, 39 Cowan Road Middle School students transferred, 20 to Kennedy Road Middle School and 19 to Carver Road Middle School.
- Under Georgia House Bill 251 and other local transfer options, 106 students requested to transfer, of which 62 were able to be approved. School choice transfers as required by Georgia House Bill 251, Georgia Senate Bill 10, and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
Follow the Board of Education on eBoard. |
Griffin-Spalding begins 8.5 innovation in all middle schools
Griffin, GA - For the first time, 40 8th graders have the chance to not only catch up in math but move ahead with credit in high school social studies, English/language arts and electives in the latest customization of classes in Griffin-Spalding. Known as 8.5, classes are designed around students' needs based on test performance.
"Once again we are proving we are not satisfied with the status quo. After researching best practices, we chose an 8.5 class model to increase the progression rate for identified students," said Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones. "When parents of targeted students were given a choice to either have their student retained because their test scores did not meet standards or enroll in 8.5 classes, parents chose 8.5 for their child. It is a great opportunity for students to get ahead in subjects in which they can excel while retaking a subject in which they need more help; the best part is they should succeed when they enroll in the 9th grade."
Dr. Jones continued, "While we celebrate our highest graduation rate ever of 74% and what that means for students, the bar keeps being raised for students and the school system. We must put into place every cost-effective best practice we can afford. In this instance, 16 qualified middle and high school teachers already employed will take this target group of students plus their full load of students to lead them to success."
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| Find "The Griffin-Spalding County School System, Griffin, GA" on Facebook!
By Elizabeth Benz, Communications Specialist
As Communications Specialist, I'm very excited to announce that the Griffin-Spalding County School System now has a home on Facebook so we can better communicate with our stakeholders.
I invite you to "Like" us so that you can follow along using your Facebook account. You'll see important news, updates, videos, photos, and even Tweets from our Superintendent, Dr. Curtis Jones.
Join the conversation
We invite you to write on our Facebook wall (see link on left) and to comment on our posts, status, etc. You'll be able to find the Communicator there, too! We ask only four simple things when you interact on the Facebook Wall:
- Keep content and language clean.
- Allow others to disagree on comments, posts, status, etc.
- Don't make personal attacks.
- Use school system guidelines to make your social media experience the best it can be as a school system employee. Take a moment to read them - I believe you'll find them helpful, and that you'll feel more comfortable interacting with others on our Facebook Wall.
Tweet!
Dr. Jones will be actively participating in social media through his Twitter account (CurtisLjones1). Look for his tweets on the Griffin Spalding County School System page. You can also find him directly on Twitter.
School Computers
Because of the internet filter we use to protect our students when they are using school computers, we can't access our school system social media pages when we are on our school system computers. Even our Facebook "badge" on our homepage will be blocked. That said, please participate when you can.
Professional Expectation
When you participate in social media, use your professional judgment. Please remember our guidelines and our Code of Ethics Standards 2 and 10.
- Standard 2: Conduct with Students - An educator shall always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.
- Standard 10: Professional Conduct - An educator shall demonstrate conduct that follows generally recognized professional standards and preserves the dignity and integrity of the teaching profession. Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to:
- any conduct that impairs and/or diminishes the certificate holder's ability to function professionally in his or her employment position, or
- behavior or conduct that is detrimental to the health, welfare, discipline, or morals of students.
One giant leap
I firmly believe that our leap into social media will strengthen relationships with our stakeholders. This leap into social media will help our school system better connect with stakeholders. Social media is a tool to have two-way communication. It is a part of Student and Stakeholder Engagement on the system's Strategy Map.
It will be fun to see all the school system photos, tweets, videos, and happenings all in one place.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Benz |
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Supplemental Educational Services Offered to Students
Students attending Cowan Road Middle School and Griffin High School are eligible to receive Supplemental Educational Services (SES), also known as free tutoring, for the 2011-2012 school year. All parents of CRMS and GHS students will receive an informational packet in the mail regarding SES. (Note: Griffin High students are eligible only if they receive free or reduced price lunch).
The Griffin-Spalding County School System is hosting an SES Provider Fair on Tuesday, August 23, at 6:00pm in the GSCS Learning Center, located in the Superintendent's Office at 216 South Sixth Street. The SES Provider Fair provides parents and students with the opportunity to meet the companies providing free tutoring this year. Parents will also be able to register students with the companies during the SES Provider Fair. (You do not have to attend the SES Provider Fair in order for your student to receive free tutoring. Please refer to the letter sent through postal mail.)
"The provider fair is a great opportunity for parents to explore their options when it comes to their child's education. We encourage both parents and students to come out and meet the different providers," said Heather Kingsley, Parent and Community Engagement Coordinator for the Griffin-Spalding County School System.
For more information regarding the provider fair or SES, please contact Deborah Howard at (770) 229-3700.
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