the gscs
COMMUNICATOR

system-wide straight talk

a message from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones

I enjoyed attending many great events this week. I hope you were able to enjoy some of them, too. Three particularly notable ones I attended included:

1. SHS JROTC Awards Night. Our SHS cadets were recognized in the presence of their family and friends in the Griffin Auditorium on Monday night. Community members helped present the awards, and I was extremely happy to see the parents' sense of pride for how well their child, our student, had performed. Also noteworthy was how Spalding High School JROTC connected the military, the award, and why a particular award was being given to a particular student. Overall, it was very impressive and satisfying for everyone! It was an outstanding awards ceremony that was professionally done.
    
2. Griffin-Spalding County School System's MVP Recognition Night. This celebration, held in the GSCS Learning Center on Thursday evening, honored our 2011-2012 Most Valuable Parents. Community members and school system personnel came to witness the celebration of great parent volunteers. Heather Kingsley, our Title I Parent and Community Engagement Coordinator, made it a point to say, "It's not just parents who are our most valuable volunteers. In some cases, its grandparents, friends, and just concerned people." It was an opportunity to recognize and acknowledge that we are not alone and that we need help educating our students. It is very gratifying to see our parents, family, and other volunteers recognized district-wide. I want to thank our Board of Education chairman, Mr. James Westbury, for spending time with these outstanding volunteers. I also thank the system employees who were there to help recognize the contributions of the honorees. This program was very well done. Congratulations to Heather Kingsley and Deborah Howard for an outstanding job! 
   
   

   Mrs. Martha Bullard, center, was honored as the GSCS MVP of the Year. On the right is Futral Road Elementary principal, Mr. Larry Jones. See more photos on our Facebook page!

   See the program!   Page 1    Page 2 
   (To rotate the page for viewing, open the document. Then go to "View" at the top of the page, and use "Rotate".)
    
3. The Griffin High School JROTC Awards Night. Griffin High School cadets were honored on Thursday night in the Griffin High School Commons. In many ways it was different than the JROTC awards ceremony earlier that week. I was struck by the number of family members present. But, I was also struck by the continuing support that the program has. Sergeant Lee McRae, a retired Griffin High School JROTC instructor, presented awards. Mr. Bill Shivers, a strong supporter of JROTC during my senior Army instructor days at Griffin High School, was also there. And so, the support there continues to be evident and greatly appreciated. I saw the pride in the cadets when they were recognized for their achievements. The highlight of the evening were the announcements of the company of the year, the best marching company of the year, and the cadet leadership for the next school year. Congratulations to all of our student leaders for next year!
   
   

   A GHS JROTC cadet greets Griffin City Manager Kenny Smith after the GHS JROTC inspection last week. See more photos on our Facebook page!

So, it's that time of year! These are only three reasons that made this week exceptional. We'll continue with more celebrations of success. In fact, it's something we should always be doing - and that is pausing to recognize where we are and those who are helping us. As we continue in the month of May, enjoy the celebrations and the awards.
 

Happy Mother's Day! Have a great weekend!

.

COL DR 

Two Griffin-Spalding County School System students, Jalesa Tally of Anne Street Elementary and Diamond Williams of Atkinson Elementary,have been named one of 29 international winners in the Inspirational Messages of Peace Contest sponsored by the International World Peace Rose Gardens. Their poems will be displayed on plaques in the rose garden at the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for a year.

Atkinson Elementary principal Aveory Allen said, "We have a strong history of success with this competition because our students really care about what it stands for. We are very proud of our winners because they are listed with top students from around the world. "

Other winners are from California, China, and even the Middle East. 

Employees who would like to find out more are invited to an open house at the club on Thursday, April 19, 2012, from 6pm to 8pm.

The monthly membership dues of $85 per employee would be paid by the employee through pay roll deduction. The school system would be simply allowing the payroll deduction which will in turn pay the employee's membership cost through the billing process.  All other associated expenses would be paid by the employee with cash or credit card. 

Dr. Curtis Jones, superintendent, said, "I am always looking for benefits to offer our employees at no cost to the school system.  Many gyms offer educator discounts that our employees enjoy.  When the country club came to me with a special promotional package offer, I thought this would be something that some employees might enjoy. There are a handful of golfers in our employee ranks who may think the reduced cart/greens fees of $25.00 per round of golf is worth a membership if they are not members elsewhere. 

"Just recently one of our staff members resigned to find a job with better benefits, he said.  While we are limited in our general fund budget because of state cuts and a lower local tax base, the community is generous in its offers to individual employees. This is no exception."

The promotional membership offer runs May 1 through October 31. For the monthly promotional membership fee, employees would have

• cart/green fee of $25 per round of golf, a $20 per round discount from the normal $45 seasonal rate;
• use of tennis courts and swimming pool with a pool guest fee of $5.00 for guests beyond family members listed on the member's application;
• member pricing on all dining and events with purchases by cash or credit card; and
• member pricing for use of facilities for meetings, banquets and functions.

The monthly membership dues represent an 11% discount from the standard Social Family Membership, according to information provided by the club.

To participate in this promotional offer, employees complete a membership application and submit it to the Finance Office by May 31. Membership will begin immediately. The country club will send notification when the membership application has been processed. 

Payroll deduction will begin with the May paycheck for that month's membership and will continue for five more months. 

Access application here. See www.griffincc.com to view amenities. 

Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What if I am already a member of Griffin County Club at a higher rate? Can I take advantage of these lower rates?
A. No, this promotional rate of $85 is only for new members during this time period of May 1-October 31. 

Q. Does my membership have to begin May 1?
A. No.  You can choose to begin your membership on May 1 (six months) or June 1 (five months).  The first monthly membership fee will be payroll deducted on your paycheck for the month in which your membership became effective.  Membership fees cannot be prorated for a partial month. 
 
Q. How many people does the club allow on my membership?
A. Your spouse and children in your immediate family may use the club on your membership. You may pay $5 for the use of the tennis courts and swimming pool for each additional guest.
 
Q. Many clubs have a food and beverage minimum. Do I have one with this offer?
A. There is no monthly food and beverage minimum with this offer. You always have the privilege of purchasing food and beverages with cash or credit cards. 
 
Q. What if I want to quit my membership before six months is over?
A. When you sign up for membership, you are committing to six months of pay roll deduction of $85 for your membership.
 
Q. What if I want to continue my membership after six months? What will the rate be?
A. We don't know at this point. In September the club and school system will reassess the offer and give guidance. 

REMINDER:

Our non-discrimination statement

 
Elizabeth Benz
Editor, gscs Communicator
Griffin Spalding County School System
PO Drawer N
Griffin, Georgia 30224

Pearla Hodo and Denese Brownlee 

Atkinson  

Beth Layton

For an outstanding job guiding 1st grade in the RtI process, and for great leadership on the Relay for Life team. Her enthusiasm is infectious and she's an irreplaceable asset to our school!

Sal Argila
P. E. teacher

Sal, as always,  coordinated a fantastic Field Day this year.  It was well organized and the kids had a blast!!!!!!  Sal is a team player, extremely dependable and a good sport
(even when he had to play Santa Claus in our Christmas drama performance earlier this year).   He supports our school 100% in everything he does.  He is loved by our staff, students and parents.  Thanks, Coach, for all you do.  We love you!!!!!! 

 Nancy Johnson

3rd Grade Teacher

Ms. Johnson is an excellent teacher who works with all children to ensure that they receive the best education possible. She has consistently produced high results with her students over the years and does so in a quiet and unassuming manner. Ms. Johnson is o true professional in every respect.

 Laurie Griffith
Secretary

Laurie is an extraordinary employee who works hard everyday to meet the needs of all staff, parents and students.  She has her hand on the pulse of the school.  She is who you want at crunch time and in a crisis.  Laurie does an excellent job of seeing the big picture and is meticulous with the requirements of her job.  She truly acts as a beacon of light and serves as a "go to" person for our school.  We appreciate all that she is and does for us at JRE!  Thank you!

 DeMario Gilbert
He is a multi-talented man of integrity and humility.  Students fear him and teachers love him because of the thoroughness of the job he performs as our LEC (in school time out/suspension) tutor and manager.  He teaches, nurtures, counsels and serves as a role model to help students fulfill their duties and responsibilities as they develop positive self esteem.  We love him dearly!!!  He is "Super Mario"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Relay for Life Team
They have done an outstanding job this year with Relay and represented our school well!

Denise Waits
Christi Whitson
Jody Singletary
Laurie Jones
Sara Johnson
Christina Meredith
Angela Hensler
Amy McKemie

The Griffin-Spalding County School System will honor retiring employees on May 24.

This lunch will give retirees a chance to visit among each other, remember the good times, and to look forward to a new phase of life! 

If you are a retiree, you should have received this invitation.

Please contact Edna Aikens if you did not receive an invitation.