Update on Race to the Top a message from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones
Today the U.S. Department of Education released a status report on Race to the Top. Specifically the State of Georgia along with two other states was identified for having created some concern at the U.S. Department of Education because of the state's implementation of Race to the Top. As you look at the 17-page report you will see their main concern is the implementation of the new teacher evaluation system known as Teacher Keys.
Last week I attended a meeting with Dr. Susan Andrews who is now the Race to the Top coordinator for Georgia as of two months ago. She gave a status update on Race to the Top. Also in attendance were members from PAGE, GAE, Georgia School Boards Association and Georgia School Superintendents Association along with representatives from several universities and other partners in the Race to the Top.
My purpose in commenting on the U. S. Department of Education report with you is to ask that you not get overly concerned about the report. You see, previously Georgia's position on Race to the Top had been that Race to the Top is our reform strategy for improving education in Georgia. Dr. Andrews clarified that by saying Race to the Top is the funding mechanism for our reform of education in Georgia. That is a significant difference.
We have had problems implementing Teacher Keys because as we went through the pilot we found aspects that needed to be updated or changed. Concerns about student surveys and how the surveys would be used led to a change in Georgia's application. We also had some concerns about reliability of the evaluation and we still have some concerns about using test scores in teacher evaluations. As one of 26 partnering districts in Race to the Top, we expressed these concerns which were then relayed to the U.S. Department of Education. That's why they have a concern.
I still believe Teacher Keys is better than the previous evaluation model. I think the changes we have made are good. I ask that you continue to help us implement Race to the Top in all of its aspects. All this is changing to let Teacher Keys and Leader Keys become what we want them to be. At the end of the day, that's what we want-a process that works for us.
Good for Georgia for modifying our Race to the Top application. Good for the U. S. Department of Education that they approved our request for modifications and good for you and me because, in the end, it is working better for us.
Have a great weekend everybody.
Curtis
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Reminder!
Teacher Keys survey window opens today and remains open from February 1 - March 15. School principals have selected specific days for surveying in each school.
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Partners In Education Opens Grants for Teachers
Griffin-Spalding County School System teachers are eligible for two different grant programs sponsored by Partners in Education. Teachers may apply for $1,000 classroom grants and separate $1,000 field trip grants.
Lottie Harris, Partners in Education grants chair and teacher at Jackson Road Elementary, said, "It is exciting that the Partners in Education Board of Directors has doubled the amount of funding for grants in addition to establishing field trips as a new category. There is $40,000 to award to teachers through the competitive grant process. We also have a new web site to use to apply and a streamlined process.
"Thanks go to PIE board members Lynn Akin at Rehoboth Road Middle School and Dr. Jeff Jordan from UGA Griffin who worked with me to revamp the PIE application process."
Grant applications will be made on the PIE website http://gspie.org/pages/view/102. A new feature on the website includes the ability to edit proposals up until the application deadline. There are word limits and Common Core requirements associated with all grants. The field trip grants need to have approval for the field trip itself before funding will be considered.
Deadline for completed applications is 5:00 p.m. on February 26.
Winners will be notified the last week in March with grant implementation from April - November, 2013. All funded grants include self- evaluations of projects.
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Children in Griffin-Spalding Pre-K classes delight in learning
Lynn and David Robinson's daughter loves the books in her Pre-K classroom at Moreland Road Elementary School. Katelyn's teacher, Amy Pritchard, hugs her every morning as she enters class. Centers keep her and other children engaged.
"Both of our girls have attended the four-year old Pre-K program at Moreland Road. I am amazed at how much they learned in the class," Lynn says.
Pearla Hodo is a first -year coordinator of the Pre-K program. She says, "Seeing the eagerness of parents, the excitement of children and the dedication of Pre-K teachers has been very rewarding. It would be great if every four-year old in Spalding County could experience our classes. "
Currently 437 four year olds attend Pre-K in the Griffin-Spalding County School System's program which is almost half of the four year olds in Spalding County. Pearla wants to see that number increase by someday being able to add more Pre-K classes.
This year, each elementary school will host a Pre-K open house for parents of students eligible for Pre-K next year. During the open house on Tuesday, February 12, 8:30-10:30 in the morning parents can see for themselves the wonderful experiences students enjoy. They will have a chance to talk with other Pre-K parents who have volunteered to show them the school.
The Pre-K parent meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 6 pm in the Griffin Auditorium, 234 East Taylor Street. Parents will receive important information about registration and registration packets will be distributed.
Registration will be March 25 - March 29 and April 1- April 5 from 8:00 - 3:00 at Central Registration in the Parent Services Center at 234 East Taylor Street. Pre-K registrations packets and all required documents should be turned in during the registration period so that students may be included in the lottery drawings. Packets turned in after April 5 will not be included in the lottery but will be placed on the waiting list. Be sure to return your completed registration packed during the registration period.
After the lottery drawing for slots in the program has been completed, parents will be notified after April 15. |
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Board Briefs
At its January 29, 2013, meeting, the Board of Education approved federal grant budgets, SHS golf team field trip and personnel actions. In addition the board:
� Heard a presentation from Virtual School K-12 for online education
� Approved a new fire suppression system for special needs buses
� Listened to the plans of the 60th anniversary committee
� Previewed the mid-year performance review of the balanced scorecard
� Received the November and December financial report
� Recognized Most Valuable Parents for December and January.
The board will meet on February 12 for an all day retreat.
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Kroger donates $10,000 in supplies to GSCS
Kroger donated $10,000 worth of school and health supplies to the GSCS warehouse on Thursday, January 31, for distribution to schools. The warehouse staff is overseeing the distribution which will be delivered along with the normal supply delivery during the month of February.
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Anne Street
Carol Cobb and Delicia Moses
Mrs. Cobb and Ms. Moses took on the leadership role for their team when the team leader became ill and was out for several weeks. These ladies made sure that the work for the grade level continued and that the sub had lesson plans and all of the support and assistance needed. We are blessed to have staff members who care about our school and our students.
Atkinson
Betsy Foulk, school psychologist
Betsy Foulk has shown great commitment to students and staff of Atkinson Elementary School. She works well with administrator and staff to ensure that all students are benefitting from the intervention process. She takes the time to get to know the students when she is working at Atkinson and has helped the RTI process run smoothly.
Cowan Road Elem.
Aleshia McCray
Ms. McCray is our "Friendly Freddy." Her energy is contagious and student focused. She continues to force us to 'show the numbers' during RTI meetings. Providing guidance to our data team and sharing her expertise in the curriculum expands our professional knowledge.
Her competitive nature pushes us to evaluate our progress and plan next steps.With McCray on our team we are daring to
EXPECT MORE.
Crescent
Kathy Pearl and Darlene Jones
Crescent's clerk and secretary keep Crescent's office ROCKIN' and ROLLIN'!!! Before I can ask them to do something, they have already thought of it and done it. Our school is fortunate to have the sweetest and most efficient ladies in our office to meet and greet our students, teachers and parents with a smile each and every day. Rock on, ladies!!
Futral Road
Gennell Mills
cafeteria cashier
Ms. Mills is always pleasant and helpful to our students, parents, and staff. She works to ensure that our students receive prompt attention and is always helpful whenever there is a question or problem. Ms. Mills is a long time employee who is rarely absent and takes pride in our school and her job.
Jackson Road
Beth Miller & Amy Brown
Beth Miller and Amy Brown, for their enthusiasm and hard work in making science and math come alive for our students. They are committed to finding innovative ways to incorporate STEM initiatives for our 5th graders, and always do whatever is needed to improve our school. Ms. Miller and Ms. Brown are important members of our team!
Jordan Hill
Addy Butler
5th grade math
Ms. Butler has quickly become a valuable part of the JH family. She is an outstanding math teacher; she is always available to help students who need additional math support; she works with Spirit Squad on Friday afternoons; AND she teaches from "bell to bell" every single day!
Moore
Lenette Morrison and Kendra Banks
Lenette Morrison and Kendra Banks were key players in the success of Atkinson and Moore Elementary's annual Griffin's Got Talent Program. They recruited other teachers and community members to help show case such an extravagant event. Kendra and Lenette were Moore's main representatives on the planning committee. They volunteered many long hours to make sure this event was noteworthy for our community. Ms. Morrison and Mrs. Banks started the task and saw it through to the end. Please join me in saying a job well done.
Moreland Road Debbie Harper
Outstanding special ed teacher and excellent team player. She is always willing to provide extra support and assistance when needed. She was elected as Teacher of the Year for Beaverbrook last year and we can clearly see why. We are very pleased she is a member of the Moreland Road family.
Orrs
Mrs. Becky Woodruff In case you haven't noticed, you are the person that keeps this school functioning, keeps our children learning, and makes Orrs Elementary School an outstanding place where education flourishes. Thank you for embracing the vision of Orrs. I just wanted you to know how deeply you are appreciated.
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Memorial Scholarship
Given by the
Griffin-Spalding Retired Educators Association
Click here! |
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Apply for a PIE classroom or field trip grant!
Deadline is
February 26, 2013.
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gscs Communicator Editor
Griffin-Spalding County School System
PO Drawer N
Griffin, Georgia 30224
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