For her hard work planning and soliciting sponsors for the Angel Tree Program to ensure all children have a Merry Christmas. Thank you for your efforts!

Latesa Parker
5th grade teacher & science committee chairperson
for an excellent job organizing Atkinson's 1st Science Curriculum Night.  Ms. Parker's commitment to science instruction has also led her to establish a science club for students at Atkinson Elementary.

Debbie Harper
Mrs. Harper, a new member of our faculty, is a team player who has demonstrated that she will work hard to provide quality instruction for all students.  We want to welcome her to our school.

Jurrena Watson

Always positive approach to challenges.

Consistently maintains order during dismissal.

Takes charge whenever needed and a team player.

Crescent teachers

For conducting over 200 parent conferences during the month of October.  Our teachers met with parents about the progress our students have made since the beginning of the year.  They offered suggestions of ways parents could help their children at home.  We thank our teachers for going above and beyond to communicate with our parents.  Our next parent conference day is scheduled for January 12th.

Lorraine Lassiter
She has spent many extra hours helping our students.  She has a homework club that she offers after school in order to give help to students who do not have anyone to assist them complete homework.   She is building strong relationships with families and students.   Mrs. Lassiter also organized a "Wonderful Math Night" that allowed families to come to Futral and enjoy math activities, crafts, and a movie.  Over 150 families were represented.   I applaud Mrs. Lassiter and the gifts she brings to Futral Road.

Beth Miller & Amy Brown

5th grade teachers 

They have taken on researching STEM opportunities for our school this year.  I appreciate the extra time and effort put towards researching materials, implementing opportunities, networking with STEM school and even watching webinars that may assist in the process.  A special thank you for your extra interest and efforts!!

Mary Wilson

Title I Instructional Paraprofessional. She has quickly become a vital part of the JH staff. She is talented, organized, and helpful, works well with students and teachers, exceeds all expectations in assisting with instruction -and she does it all with a smile!

Charlie Biggins
This is a multi--tasking lady who can handle children crying, telephones ringing, adults who are complaining all in minutes and never lose her cool unless some one ignored the hurting child.  We call her Dr. Stuckey and a couple of other names on special occasions! She is a great asset to our school and always has attendance on her mind when dealing with students and parents.  We love her and wish her a very Merry Christmas.  She is our Spirit of Christmas in action.

Karen Childs
Music
She integrates the teaching of music with all other subjects. Mrs. Childs provides fine arts education for all of our students in a unique and interesting way. We applaud her for the performances that she leads here and for her daily interactions with  our teachers and students. She is truly an outstanding music teacher, and our students thrive as a result of her teaching.

Do you know the 1st habit?

a message from
Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones

 

As some you may know, I am a fan of Stephen Covey, who wrote a book called, "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People". One of the habits is to be proactive.

 

This week, our board of education demonstrated that it was being proactive when Pete Graham, Barbara Jo Cook, and James Westbury met with our Georgia general assembly local delegation to discuss our budget situation and how the delegation can support the Griffin-Spalding County School System. The members of the delegation we met with were Representatives John Yates and David Knight, and Senator Ronnie Chance.

 

Assistant Superintendent and CFO Jim Smith led the round-table discussion. He provided documents that highlighted the state funding synopsis showing legislators our revenue and how funding and austerity reductions have led to a current short fall of $6.4 million. In 2012, our total QBE funding is a little over $39 million. But this amount only represents about 84% of what Georgia should appropriate to the Griffin-Spalding County School System based on the QBE law.

 

We also shared with the local delegation the measures we've already taken to respond to the funding shortfall. We shared how:

• our workforce size has decreased more than 10%.
• employees are taking work schedule adjustment days.
• we're continuing to have a hiring freeze.
• continuing to increase class size.
• we've used the cash reserves.

We also shared our board of education's adopted legislative priorities. This was important so they know our perspective. It was open conversation that helped build relationships with our delegation, and I believe it allowed them to better understand the Griffin-Spalding County School System.

 

After the session was over, some delegation members remained to continue to the conversation. The meeting lasted almost an extra hour. Overall, it was a good conversation with good people trying to do what's best for education in our system.

 

I commend the board of education for being proactive and for inviting the local delegation to meet with us to share our concerns as well as hear their concerns. The delegation made several good points about the budgeting situation at the state level, where the priorities are, why they are there, and that public education, percentage-wise, has remained one of the largest budget items at about 60% - and we heard that loud and clear.

 

I think all in the room were able to state their case. I thank Jim Smith and Ryan McLemore for putting together an outstanding presentation.

 

On another topic, this past August, the board offered me a new contract with an additional 15 days; however, I am not getting paid for these days. This was my choice. After realizing that tough budget decisions are going to have to be made, I voluntarily made this decision.

 

In regards to work schedule adjustment days, I chose this year, as I have done in past years, to have my pay cut by the same number of days that your days were cut.

 

There is nothing in my contract about getting a bonus if schools make AYP or anything close to this - no performance incentives whatsoever.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Curtis

 

School SPLOST vote set for March 6, 2012

As school SPLOST III is set to conclude June 30, 2012, the board of education has approved a School SPLOST IV referendum to go to Spalding County voters on March 6, 2012.

 

School SPLOST III is on target to complete projects underway and meet debt service requirements. Projects that have been completed or are in progress include Rehoboth Road Middle School construction, Jordan Hill Elementary, Cowan Road Elementary and Memorial Stadium renovations, the Spalding High School addition, and the Griffin High School 3-year renovation.

 

School SPLOST IV revenue is projected to be $25,200,000, which is based upon the current collection of $700,000/month. School SPLOST IV would be on a pay-as-you-go system with no bond debt.

 

It would provide for heavy maintenance and renovation of various facilities and instructional technology improvements and upgrades to infrastructure, equipment, and support to take advantage of digital age opportunities.

 

In light of the current economy, the school SPLOST IV is for 3 years only to include immediate facility and technology priorities. The priority list follows the basic outline of the local 5-year facility plan approved by the board of education earlier this year.

 

Schools with lower priority list items can be added to a future project list.

 

Project/site: Technology-system-wide

(See detailed list below.)

Renovation/Modification (est.) N/A

New Construction/ Purchase (est.): $3,638,400

Total Estimated Cost: $3,638,400

 

Project/site: Enrichment Center

Renovation/Modification (est.): $1,768,470

New Construction/ Purchase (est.): N/A

Total Estimated Cost: $1,768,400

 

Project/site: Futral Road Elementary School

Renovation/Modification (est.): $1,509,457

New Construction/ Purchase (est.): $1,332,000

Total Estimated Cost: $2,841,457

 

Project/site: Jackson Road Elementary School

Renovation/Modification (est.): $3,316,972

New Construction/ Purchase (est.): $693,750

Total Estimated Cost: $4,010,722

 

Project/site: Cowan Road Middle School

Renovation/Modification (est.): $2,214,171

New Construction/ Purchase (est.): $532,800

Total Estimated Cost: $2,746,971

 

Project/site: Orrs Elementary School

Renovation/Modification (est.): $2,957,716

New Construction/ Purchase (est.): N/A

Total Estimated Cost: $2,957,716

 

Project/site: Atkinson Elementary School

Renovation/Modification (est.): $2,289,550

New Construction/ Purchase (est.): N/A

Total Estimated Cost: $2,289,550

 

Project/site: Anne Street Elementary School

Renovation/Modification (est.): $1,764,965

New Construction/ Purchase (est.): N/A

Total Estimated Cost: $1,764,965

 

Project/site: Administrative Buildings

Renovation/Modification (est.) $1,500,000

New Construction/ Purchase (est.): N/A

Total Estimated Cost: $1,500,000

 

Project/site: Crescent Elementary School

Renovation/Modification (est.): $1,681,819

New Construction/ Purchase (est.): N/A

Total Estimated Cost: $1,681,819

 

Project Summary Total: $25,200,000

 

 

Technology Project Summary & Projected Cost

Annual computer refresh: $1,530,000

Network infrastructure upgrade/maintenance: $190,000

Enterprise content management: $500,000

Disaster recovery/storage: $200,000

Communication technology/relocation to secure location: $450,000

21st century classroom: $768,400

Total: $3,638,400

 

CLICK HERE TO SEE PROJECT DETAILS.

Cowan Road Middle School sang Christmas Carols at Brightmoor Nursing Home.

 

 

Griffin-Spalding County School System students competed among each other recently in the system's annual Literacy Days competition. The first place winners will go on to the Griffin RESA competition.

 

Shelia Mincey, one of two coordinators of this year's local competition, said, "These students did a really good job with their literary works and it was a great competition. I know our students will do well at region."

 

Literacy Days is an annual competition in which students compete in categories such as poetry recitation and ready writing. The Regional Literacy Days Competition is for 3rd through 8th grade students. During the event, younger students perform for each other as a celebration of literacy.

 

Poetry Recitation

Kindergarten - Madison Harrell, Cowan Road Elementary

1st Grade - Matthew Godat, Futral Road Elementary

2nd Grade - Olivia Hinson, Jordan Hill Elementary

3rd Grade - India Dukes, Moore Elementary

4th Grade - Roderick Fluellyn, Cowan Road Elementary

5th Grade - Darla Gore, Moreland Road  Elemetnary

6th Grade - Sarah Dixon, Kennedy Road Middle

7th Grade - Joseph Moore, Kennedy Road Middle

8th Grade - Kelli Kirkland, Carver Road Middle

 

Read Aloud

Kindergarten - Jamaria Shannon, Moore Elementary

1st Grade - Jhaycee Barnes, Moreland Road Elementary

2nd Grade - Kamaya Fluellyn, Moore Elementary

 

Ready Writing

3rd Grade - Dantanio Cotton, Moore Elementary

4th Grade - Lauren Jones, Futral Road Elementary

5th Grade - Jada Coker, Crescent Elementary

6th Grade - Icen Birchfield, Cowan Road Middle

7th Grade - Daria Dozier, Kennedy Road Middle

8th Grade - Lauren Hensley, Kennedy Road Middle

 

Drama (K-2 Category)
2nd Grade, Crescent Elementary: Damon Odom, Kailey Crawford, Baty Beth Scott, Matthew Jones, Mariah Patterson, Taylor Wynn, Xander Jefferson, Emma Kate Robinson, Madeline Avery

 

Drama (3-5 Category)
5th Grade, Crescent Elementary: William Ballard, Miles Ballard, Macy Davis, Mat Fluker, Slate Fluker, Logan Ibanez, Mary Brock Smith, Rachel Wallace, Thomas Smith, Maddie Jordan

 

Drama (6-8 Category)
7th Grade, Rehoboth Road Middle: Maddison Montgomery, Leah Bailey, Dorothy Eubanks, Kamya Purcell, Anna Jones, Sarah Yoak