the gscs COMMUNICATOR

Week of September 26 - 30, 2011

the Griffin-Spalding County School System's employee e-newsletter

published by the school & community services department

the gscs COMMUNICATOR

system-wide straight talk

Employees of the Month

A. Z. Kelsey Academy

Deborah Holmes
Marvin Miller

Mrs. Holmes and Mr. Miller keep the AZKA and Mainstay building in excellent condition. They always take the extra time to make sure our students benefit from a clean, safe building. We could not have the quality education we do at AZKA and Mainstay without them both. Thank you Mrs. Holmes and Mr. Miller for Daring to do Better.

Griffin High

James Lindsey
Mr. Lindsey received our Teacher of the Month award because of the countless hours he spends preparing our students for performances. He works tirelessly with our students to create a positive attitude and strong work ethic. We thank you Mr. Lindsey for your dedication and commitment to the Griffin High choral program.

Spalding High
Shannon Thompson

For her tireless efforts in helping promote school spirit!! Ms. Thompson is the one that cheers for us all! You will hear her voice above all others saying GO JAGS!

Taylor Street Achievement Center

Mrs. Brenda Kendall

She has been working with the alternative education program since December 1994, she is a treasured and valuable asset to TSAC. Because of her attention to detail, we have reduced the number of errors in our discrepancy reports. Additionally, Brenda has the ability to multi-task well, and she never complains. Everyone here so much appreciates her efficiency and her professionalism. Thank you, Brenda, for being such a great employee.

Mainstay Academy

Audra Lester

Front office clerk

Audra accepts whatever the front office doors and 4 telephone lines present her, and believe me, that it a lot! She spends much of her time and energy on tasks that can't be found in her job description - she does the work because it needs to be done. She is wonderful with our students and their parents. She has high expectations of her co-workers - keeps us all in check re; Infinite Campus, policies and procedures; but she is always willing to lend a helping hand. She is very protective of our program and its reputation. Audra is all around wonderful employee - she is conscientious, responsible, on time & on the job; and she truly cares about our program and its mission. - Chris Briggs, Director

Are you pursuing or considering pursuing another degree?

Click here for information regarding upgrading your certificate.

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Preview the September 27, 2011 Board of Education Meeting

Thank you to the 2011 Education Foundation Golf Tournament

Sponsors

Tournament Sponsor

Scoreboard Sponsor

Champion Sponsor

Hole-In-One Sponsors

Eagle Sponsors

Brightmoor
Hospice

Control Concepts

Gas South

Nix-Fowler Constructors

The Rollout

a message from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones

On Wednesday, the Georgia Department of Education held a statewide meeting to inform stakeholders about implementation of the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards. As I watched their presentation, I was impressed because of the amount of work, knowledge, and expertise demonstrated as they discussed where we had been, where we are, and where we are going with implementing the common core.

My view is that the Georgia Department of Education has looked at lessons learned from the rollout of the Georgia Performance Standards some years ago, and they are trying to make this rollout much better.

I am encouraged and excited about where we are at this point. That said, I am anxious as I think about new performance standards being in place next year and wondering how it's going to be impacted by the new accountability system. But I am encouraged because we're going to be learning the standards before we are evaluated or assessed on how well we are teaching them to students.

We're all in this together. I hope you have the same thoughts. If not, I ask that you share your concerns with your principals, curriculum department, or with me so we can get them to the Georgia Department of Education. Besides, if you have a concern, someone else probably has it too - they just haven't spoken. So, please share.

At the end of the day, I am confident that we will implement the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards in an outstanding manner, and our students and system will be better because of it. Have a great weekend!

Watch the GPSCC Orientation Session

This orientation session is for all education stakeholders, including teachers, administrators, parents, students, board of education members, and business and community members.

Click the CCGPS logo for the video!

Board Briefs

September 23, 2011 Vol. 31 No. 8

At its regular meeting on August 30, and September 6, the board of education. . . .

~Recognized the 2011-2012 Teachers of the Year.

~Recognized Jackson Road Elementary and Cowan Road Middle for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation National Recognition Award.

~Approved the Title I purchase of READ 180 Next Generation for $96,644.10.

~Placed on first reading policy JQKA - Foreign Students. (memo) Click this link to place submit comments by Thursday, September 29.

~Approved on second reading Policy DGA - Fund Balance. (memo)

~Approved the field trip request of Spalding High School fine arts students to travel to New York City April 19-21, 2012.

~Approved the annual fee of $32,253 to EnPointe Technologies for Trend Micro; Antivirus, Anti-Spam and Internet Security Software to prevent computer viruses and other network security attacks.

~Approved the SIG grant funding for the purchases of identified consultation and equipment to support the thematic academies at Griffin High School

~Approved the Title IIA Part A purchase GLISI Base Camp and Leadership Summit training for 20 district participants comprised of a team from Crescent Elementary and a team of assistant principals.

~Approved the advertisement and acceptance of bids for the 5th Street house with a minimum low bid of $25,000. The cost to address the basic needs that are currently known at the house is approximately $20,000.

~Approved the use of the Taylor Street Gym by Southern Crescent Technical College as its home gym for this year's basketball season.

~Approved the use of the Elementary Enrichment Center field for the Pennys from Heaven Deliverance Outreach Ministries Fall Festival on September 24, 2012.

~Approved the use of the Elementary Enrichment Center field by Faith Christian Academy for its home games and after-school practices.

Heard reports or presentations on:

~The development of the 2012-2013 School Year Calendar. Factors being considered are the Griffin High School renovation and revenue decline. The plan is to put a school year calendar on first reading no later than October 4.

~The June finance report. Fiscal year 2011 continued a streak of tough years financially; however, due to some federal stimulus funds (Education Job Funds), the school system was able to handle the negative impacts of revenue reductions and prepare for the "funding cliff" in FY12.

~Rehoboth Road Middle School pilot programs in math and science.

~School Board Training. There are new state rules that govern school board member training. All required training must be presented by state-approved providers.

~Social Media implementation. The school system has implemented a district-level social networking Facebook page. Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones will be providing updates to it through his newly-created micro-blogging Twitter account. While these social media platforms can't be accessed on school computers at this time (because of the internet filter to protect students), stakeholders are encouraged to use them to follow school system news.

Received points of information on:

~District-Level Parent Recognition Program.

~Athletic Program Funding.

~Construction and Renovation

~Facilities and Maintenance August Report.

Education Foundation Golf Tournament huge success

Event raised $24,000 for Griffin-Spalding classrooms

Over $24,000 was raised by the Tenth Annual Griffin-Spalding Education Foundation Golf Tournament. The funds will go to grants and scholarships for to classroom teachers in the Griffin-Spalding County School System.

The tournament on Friday, September 16, at the Griffin Country Club, chaired by Dan McLean, featured 28 golf teams comprised of 108 golfers. The team of Liberty Technology came in first place to win the tournament.

Anna Burns, Director of School and Community Services for the Griffin-Spalding County School System, said, "We are fortunate to have great community support! This is the most ever raised by the Education Foundation's golf tournament. Our volunteers and sponsors are leading the Education Foundation to accomplish so much for our students and teachers. We especially appreciate the work of Mr. McLean, Henry Mabbett, and Raymond Ray, and the sponsorship of Manley Spangler Smith Architects, who for the 10th year, was the lead tournament sponsor."

Other top-tier sponsors include Bickers Consulting Group, Florida Rock and Tank Lines, Brightmoor Hospice, Control Concepts, Inc., Gas South, Nix-Fowler Constructors, MEJA Construction, Norcom, Inc., and Petrosouth.

School principals were on hand before tee time to greet sponsors and show their appreciation for their efforts to help Griffin-Spalding students and teachers.

Adding to the excitement of the event was a silent auction of sports and music memorabilia. Burns said, "The auction has proved popular among our players in the past. This year there were college football game tickets, autographed UGA items, and even a signed Mick Jagger photo."

Two schools receive national award from The Alliance for a Healthier Generation

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, has recognized two Griffin-Spalding County School System schools.

Both Jackson Road Elementary School and Cowan Road Middle School have received the Bronze National Recognition Award based on achievement. To earn this award, the schools revamped its meal service and physical activity programs to meet or exceed stringent standards set by the Alliance.

"We commend the dedication of our healthy schools for their efforts to offer students and staff nutritious meals and a variety of physical activity opportunities," said Ginny Ehrlich, CEO of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. "Their success proves that despite academic pressures and budget constraints, schools can develop environments that foster healthy lifestyles to benefit young people now and into the future."

Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones, said, "We are proud of our schools for this national achievement. This took a lot of work and dedication from our students and employees, and we applaud them."

United Way Kick-off and Cardboard Boat Race
A Great Success!

a message from Stacy Wilson, Elementary After-School Program Director/Partnering with the Community SG Manager

Special thanks to the following teams who "Dared to Do Better" and represented our school system in the United Way Cardboard Boat Race last Saturday.

United Way has officially kicked-off its 2011 campaign. As a Pacesetter Agency for Spalding County, the school-system has pledged to give $20,000.

Payroll deduction is the easiest way to give to United Way. By pledging a mere $2.00 a month, the cost of a soft drink, you can contribute $24/year to help others in our community. Money that you won't even miss, will help feed a hungry child, educate a parent, give a family a home, provide medical care to those in need, etc.

Your school representatives can give you more information concerning exactly where your money will go or if you need additional information, please contact Stacy Wilson at stacy.wilson@gscs.org. As always, thank you for making a difference in our community!