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Elementary Employees of the Month
Anne Street Elementary
Lisa Manolis and Tamika Blackmon are the employees of the month for Anne Street Elementary School. Mrs. Manolis and Mrs. Blackmon have worked hard to make sure that we had a successful school opening and that our day-to-day operations have gone smoothly, doing this with a beautiful smile on their faces.
Atkinson Elementary
would like to recognize Antionette Huguley as the employee of the month. Ms. Huguley has done a great job with her Pre-K students by getting them use to routines and expectations. She has shown dedication by organizing the Pink Ladies Step Team and the girls are super excited to be a part of the team.
Beaverbrook Elementary
Niya Pace's enthusiasm for learning is contagious. She has only been with us for short time but her impact on instruction is already evident. Her children are engaged and her positive attitude is an example for students and colleagues.
Cowan Road Elementary
Cowan Road's Superheroes this month are: The Cafeteria Staff. These wonderful ladies fed an extra 400 people for Grandparents' Day and also scored 100% on their inspection!
Crescent Elementary
Our cafeteria staff fed approximately 325 grandparents this week to celebrate Grandparents' Week. This is just another example of how our cafeteria staff supports our school. In addition, Kelly was a HUGE help by greeting our grandparents with a smile and keeping each day of the week organized and running smoothly. Thanks to these ladies for making Grandparents' Week a big success!
Futral Road Elementary
Nancy Williamson, school secretary, always goes above and beyond the duties of her position. She is efficient, smart, friendly, and service oriented. Nancy has done a superb job of helping our school have a great start this year. She has been a vital part of our success over the years and deserves to be recognized for her efforts. Nancy's dedication to our staff and students is greatly appreciated. She is a valued and essential part of our team.
Jackson Road Elementary
Stacey Ard, school nurse, always has the best interests of our students at heart. She knows each child by name and takes an active interest in their well-being. Not only does she make sure they are well taken care of in her clinic but she works hard to teach them about a wide variety of health topics. She is more than just a nurse - she is a vital part of the education of our students.
Jordan Hill Elementary
Eugenia Strickland always goes above and beyond and volunteers to help us in any way she can. She is self motivated and is always looking for ways to help students and staff.
Moore Elementary
Congratulations to Mrs. LaTonya Alexander, assistant principal, for coordinating our first electronic BLITZ. She organized and trained the STEEP Team. The entire process was outstanding. This innovative technology tool allows teachers to use tablets, iPads, or computers to administer assessments online and provide instant feedback data to guide instructional practices.
Moreland Road
Elementary
Danny Anderson is a parapro who takes care of all the needs of a child confined to a wheelchair. The duties and responsibilities are very demanding and it takes a special person to complete these tasks daily. Mr. Anderson is this person and is a natural caretaker. The child he takes care of is very grateful to Mr. Anderson and he is fortunate to have Mr. Anderson with him daily. Thank you for making the difficult life of a child just a little better by being who you are. We should all take notes, reflect, and count our blessings daily.
Orrs Elementary
Katie Cobb attended training over the summer and is ready to redeliver to our staff. She has taken the initiative to organize our car rider dismissal, has scheduled testing dates and times in the computer lab, has administered multiple tests, and works diligently to support the Vision and the Mission of Orrs Elementary School. Katie is a true team player!!!!
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Remember to come to the movies on Sunday,
Sept. 22nd!
All proceeds (ticket sales, concession, and donations) will be donated to local charity groups including the Partners in Education.
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 ARE YOU "ALL IN?"
Message from Superintendent
Curtis L. Jones, Jr.
Last week the Griffin High School JROTC Department conducted its commissioning ceremony. This program identifies the cadet leadership for the current school year. The guest speaker was a retired Brigadier General, who is a resident of Spalding County. The General's message to the soon to be commissioned cadets made several profound points.
One of those points was to be "all in," meaning do anything and everything you do to the very best of your ability. If you are "all in" all of your endeavors will be successful. He reminded them to accept responsibility for being "all in" and to know that the other cadets are looking to you for leadership. These cadets believe that you are "all in" and are dedicated to the effort. Only by teamwork and being committed will you truly be successful. The General stated "if you are not fully committed it's a problem" and I agree. Like in any organization, the 80/20 percent rule also applies at GSCS. Eighty percent of us are "all in" but 20 percent are holding back and our students deserve better.
I know that some of you are saying "Curtis, I've always been "all in." But not only do I need you to be "all in," I need you to encourage others to do the same. Our students need your encouragement and leadership to ensure their success in school. With all of the changes and reforms in public education, such as Common Core, Leader Keys, new healthcare, etc., some of our co-workers may need our encouragement. Starting this week, let's be "all in" and I know together we will come through this successfully.
Thank you all for the hard work and dedication that I see every day.
Have a great week.
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Curtis
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 LIVE AT CRESCENT!
Conceptua Math is a curriculum solution that brings the power of digital learning to upper elementary mathematics. Conceptua was founded by a team of leaders in K-12 educational publishing with a mission to help teachers teach and students learn in a visual, conceptual, and meaningful way.
Crescent Elementary School participated in filming math lessons using Conceptua materials. This staff development video will be used throughout the country for teachers interested in improving their math-teaching skills. Congratulations to Crescent for their selection as the video site.  | | Mrs. Hancock's 4th grade math class filming the last lesson of the video on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. |
 | | 4th grade students working on fraction timelines |
 | | Mrs. Hancock (4th grade math teacher), Mrs. Neel (3rd grade math teacher), and Mrs. Gaff (Principal) |
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AWARD OPPORTUNITIES:
INNOVATION IN TEACHING COMPETITION
Do you use innovative and effective strategies in your classroom? Click HERE for a great opportunity for you and your school!
THE GEORGIA FAMILY-FRIENDLY PARTNERSHIP SCHOOL AWARD (Deadline is Nov.14, 2013) The (GaDOE) launched the Georgia Family - Friendly Partnership School initiative in the summer of 2010 to assist Title I schools, families and communities in working together to create welcoming environments that lead to increased student achievement. A welcoming environment increases family engagement which, in turn, helps students earn better grades, graduate from high school and enroll in post secondary education. This award takes the initiative a step further by recognizing Title I schools that have gone above and beyond to create an environment where families and community members feel that they belong and now play an important role in supporting their school's student success. To learn more about the Georgia Family - Friendly Partnership School Initiative please visit: http://tinyurl.com/cg5cxa6 Click HERE for the application. GASSP 2013-2014 MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR (Deadline is Sept. 20, 2013) To nominate your Assistant Principal for this prestigious award click HERE . | |
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Kennesaw State University and The Bagwell College of Education have developed a high quality, rigorous Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that offers teachers a chance to earn Professional Learning Units (PLU's) at no cost with the additional opportunity of earning graduate college credit.
For more information visit the websites below:
http://mooc.kennesaw.edu/courses/
https://web.kennesaw.edu/news/stories/bagwell-college-education-offer-kennesaw-state-universitys-first-mooc
UGA Griffin Campus is offering new online PLU courses for teachers. These instructor-led online classes are informative, fun, convenient, and highly interactive. UGA Griffin Campus has over 50 Continuing Education Certified online courses. New course sessions begin monthly.
Visit the below website for more information:
http://www.ugagriffincontinuinged.com/ed2go.php
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"An engaged student is rarely a behavior problem".
~Dave Burgess, in Teach Like a Pirate
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Open Enrollment for State Health for 2014 is slated for
October 21 - November 8, 2013.
Click HERE to view the design plan for State Health.
Click HERE to view the rates for State Health effective January 1, 2014.
* More 2014 information and plan details coming soon.
TO ALL STAFF In compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, GSCS is providing the attached FLSA Notice (also known as the Exchange Notice) to all employees. All employees are being provided this notice regardless of eligibility or health care coverage status with GSCS. Click HERE for FLSA Notice. | |
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*Must have proof of residency (Drivers License, school ID, etc.)
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ANNE STREET ELEM.AND KENNEDY ROAD MIDDLE PILOT THE SAFE SYSTEM
 The SAFE System - Security Alert For Education - is an alert system designed to work with Audio Enhancement's Ultimate IISE. By using the alert button a teacher wearing the teardrop microphone can discreetly send a signal for help with the press of the a button. The designated first respondents will be notified immediately of the emergency by an audible and visual alarm on the Monitoring Station. The SAFE System, consisting of receiver/amplifier and teardrop microphone (included with Audio Enhancement Classroom System), monitoring station, network interface or security camera.
 | | Carrie Davis, Trayon Henderson, & Risa Cloud at Anne Street Elementary wearing the SAFE System. |
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"21ST CENTURY SKILLS"
SURVEY WINNERS! 
Message from April Mayo, Instructional Technology
These GSCS teachers are winners for participating in the "21st Century Skills" survey. All winners will attend a celebration on Sept. 16, 2013, at 4:00pm in the GSCS Learning Center. ALL 39 winners WILL WIN a prize such as an iPad Mini, iTunes Gift Cards, Visa Gift Cards, Apple TV, video cameras, etc.)! Thank you all for participating!
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Wanda Spear - CRES
Lisa Smith - CRES
Olivia Holder-Merez CRES
Kent Applegate - KRMS
Mark Sanders - KRMS
Robyn Davis - KRMS
Kristina Flake - CAMS
Nina Williams - CAMS
Sylvia Knight - CAMS
Blanche Rossi - RRMS
Lynn Akin - RRMS
Stoney Setzer - RRMS
Kathy Duke - COMS
Katie McKinney - ORRS
Katie Cobb - ORRS
Ketina Greene - COES
Tiana Fowler - JRES
Deborah Hill - BBES
Stacey Guider - Atkinson
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Elizabeth Moran - JHES
Kelly Downing - JHES
Carla Walsh - JHES
Kelly Clark - MRES
Jameelah Fears - MRES
Nicole Manns - MRES
Christine Morgan - FRES
Lorraine Lassiter - FRES
Landra Chasteen - FRES
Jody Singletary - Moore
Mary Grant - Moore
Amie Chambers - SHS
Steve Magner - SHS
Shayne Thompson GHS
Donna Pollard - GHS
Lorie Dobbs - GHS
Viki Bozeman - Enrichment Center
Jessica Sheffield - AZK
Melissa Hendricks - JRES
Meagan Levihn - Anne St
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"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that!"
- Rocky Balboa (Movie Quote)
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 NUTRITION
CELEBRATION!
The Nutrition Department hosted a reception for all cafeteria staff to celebrate all schools receiving a perfect score from the health inspection. Board of Education members, principals, central office staff, and the Superintendent helped celebrate this wonderful achievement.
 
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GSCS KIDS COMMUNICATE
A third graders approached me and said:
"My ears are not exactly working yet this morning, but I am working on getting them going. Could you please tell me what you just said to me."
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Please email funny comments to laura.beaber@gscs.org.
(All comments will remain anonymous)
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