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Middle School Employees of the Month
Carver Road Middle
Ms. Ashley Watkins is our Employee of the Month. Ms. Watkins works diligently in our special education department to make sure that all students receive quality instruction. As the SELT, she has spent numerous hours planning and sorting through student data to arrange schedules that best benefit the students her team serves. She consistently strives to find new and innovative strategies and tools that enhance learning for students with special needs.
Cowan Road Middle
Shawn Brown is the employee of the month for Cowan Road Middle School. Mr. Brown joined Cowan Road Middle School this year and it is like he has been here from the onset. He is definitely a team player and works very hard with students and staff.
Kennedy Road Middle
Ms. Linda Colquitt is our Employee of the Month. Ms. Linda is one of our custodians. She will do anything you ask her to do with a smile. She always has something nice and encouraging to say. She is always polite and concerned about the staff and students of KRMS. Ms. Linda works very hard and brightens up the building. She is a very important part of our staff!
Rehoboth Road Middle
Beverly Blackmon is our resident "Jack-of-all-Trades". Mrs. Blackmon, is always there to lend a helping hand. If there is a job to be done, she is ready, willing, and able to assist in any way possible. She has lent her expertise as a technology guru to several initiatives here in the building including iSteep administration, Georgia College 411 and the new Beta Gradebook; and does it all with a smile.
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Carver Road Middle School's Flexible Learning Program (FLP)
Under Georgia's new ESEA Flexibility Waiver, Carver Road Middle School has been identified as a Focus School due to having an achievement gap between subgroups. In order to close this achievement gap, Focus Schools are required to develop a school turnaround plan. Carver Road's school turnaround plan consists of a Flexible Learning Program (FLP). During the 2013-2014 school year, Carver Road Middle School will continue to offer additional support in math. This tutoring will occur one day per week during a connections class.
For more information or to check student eligibility, please contact:
Beth Tatum
Principal, Carver Road Middle School
(770) 229-3739
Beth.tatum@gscs.org
Joan Hobbs
FLP Coordinator
(770) 229-3739
joan.hobbs@gscs.org
Parents will receive notifications of eligibility by U.S. mail.
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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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 AMONG THE BEST!
Message from Superintendent
Curtis L. Jones, Jr.
Working longer and harder is a good thing. Let me explain by using the example of Mr. Rayfield Wright. Rayfield Wright is a retired professional football player who excelled for the Dallas Cowboys for more than a decade. Mr. Wright began his football career right here in Griffin, playing for the Fairmont Bears as a tight end. Later he went to Fort Valley and excelled there as a Wildcat tight end. So the Dallas Cowboys drafted Mr. Wright to be a tight end but early in his career he was moved to right tackle. In his first start he went up against one of the most feared defensive linemen in football history at that time, Deacan Jones. On the first play of the game Deacon Jones put a move on Wright that knocked him on his behind. After the play was over Jones reached out his hand and helped pull Wright up and said "welcome to the NFL." Wrights comment back to Jones was prophetic. Wright said, "Mr. Jones, you will never do that again" and in fact, he didn't. Wright went on to have an excellent game and season. He continued to start for the Cowboys for next 12 years, became a pro-bowler, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He didn't start off as a right tackle; he had to learn the position, which he did by working longer and harder than his contemporaries. And, that's what you do; I have evidence to prove it. I received a report this past week from the Metro Area RESA that summarizes the actual number of work and furlough days in the school systems. Compared to 12 other school systems, GSCS is one of the few with no furlough days, meaning we work a longer year. A couple of years ago we added 20 minutes to our workday because of FLP (Flexible Learning Program) requirements, meaning we work a longer day. So, in the end we work longer days and a longer year when compared to others.
But what Wright did was learn to work smarter. He learned how to use his hands, how to move his feet, and to study his opponents. That's what you are doing; you are perfecting your craft. How? Your data analysis has been improved with the use of Performance Matters. You are teaching students how we expect them to behave with PBIS. You are teaching students how to think with Thinking Maps. And now you are improving your professional practice by learning and implementing Formative Instructional Practices. All of these, the longer hours, longer years, smarter strategies, are helping you become a more effective educator. The end result is a competitive advantage for our school system and for our students.
We all came into this profession to make a difference. We knew we were going to have to work hard with long hours and long days. But the positive results are worth it. Although our students and community have some challenges, I know that you are doing all you can. Your students may not thank you every day but they appreciate you. They are excited about having you as their teachers, their support staff, their bus driver, etc. They know that they are fortunate as do I. Thank you for what you do.
Rayfield Wright dared to do better and became a Pro Football Hall of Famer. You are daring to do better and helping make a better future for Griffin. Think about it.
Have a great week.
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Curtis
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Lowe's Heroes at Orrs Elementary 
The Lowe's Heroes volunteer program began over 10 years ago with a mission to transform lives one community at a time. The program encourages employees to team together, adopt a volunteer project with a local nonprofit organization or K-12 public school, and make a difference in their community. Lowe's Heroes volunteer thousands of hours each year and participated in more than 1,300 projects throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Through this program Lowe's has contributed more than $1.3 million in materials to improve the communities they serve.
 Sawanna Domineck, Griffin Lowe's Assistant Store Manager, was given the opportunity to lead a Lowe's Hero project in our community. Because of her passion for the outdoors and her love for children Sawanna chose to revive the courtyard at Orrs Elementary. Sawanna, and her Lowe's Hero team of six store employees, wanted to make this courtyard a space that students could utilize and enjoy the outdoors. Orrs Principal, Dexter Martin, was thrilled about the project and excited about the students having this outdoor space to read and/or do science projects. Mr. Martin also stated that the Lowe's Hero program was a perfect example of Orrs character initiative. "It is a wonderful opportunity for students to witness these employees working hard to better our school and make a difference in the community," said Martin. Using over $2,400 worth of donated plants and flowers the Lowe's Hero team completed this project on Tuesday, September 17.  | | Lowe's Hero team took a break to read a thank you card made for them by Ms. Palazzo & Ms. Gilbert's PreK class |
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 | | The finished courtyard looks beautiful! |
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| GSCS HELPS STRUGGLING MATH STUDENTS WITH...
To address issues in the academic area of math for our older struggling students, GSCS purchased MATH 180 this summer. This program is being piloted in all four middle schools. The MATH 180 program is built on three principles -attitude, instruction, and teacher support. It is a revolutionary math intervention program for the Common Core that is designed to address the needs of our struggling students.
The program is designed for students in grade 6,and up, that have experienced difficulty in math. Students are able to track their ongoing progress with their individualized dashboards. The lessons are structured with several layers of support. It maintains the students' interest with age appropriate lessons and motivating software. The Brain Arcade provides students with the opportunities to enjoy math review and practice.
Teachers are supported through online professional development for each math topic, online lesson planning, visual models and manipulation, and extensive data analysis tools. The instructional model maximizes instructional time with a clear organization for whole group, small group and individualized learning.
MATH 180's cutting-edge approach ensures that student and teacher time is optimized at every moment. The unique instructional design pairs sophisticated technology and smart data. This design will help teachers prompt students to think and build conceptual understanding. The adaptive software accelerates students at their own pace. MATH 180 rebuilds the key progressions that struggling math students need for success with algebra and higher-level math as defined by the Common Core State Standards.
Message from Sheila Mincey, Ed.S, Director of Special Education, Assessment, Data and Program Evaluation
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"Children are like wet cement, whatever falls on them makes an impression."
~ Haim Ginott
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United Way Cardboard Boat Race...WOW!!!! (Wipeout On Water?!?!)
Message from Stacy Wilson, GSCS Charity Coordinator
 | | Spalding County Rescue Dive Team rescues Lindy Scott (RRMS Principal) and Bruce Ballard (Maintenance & Facility Director) after their cardboard boat flipped during the race. |
GSCS didn't bring back a 1st place trophy from the United Way Cardboard Boat Race but it wasn't because we didn't try! We should get an "A" for effort, right? Ok, so maybe we came closer to winning 1st place in the "Quickest Sinkers" category but the morning was filled with lots of cheering and laughter.
The GSCS Maintenance Department was called for the first heat. The boat was sunk, I mean paddled, by Lindy Scott, RRMS Principal and Bruce Ballard, GSCS Facilities and Maintenance Director. After a quick shove off of the shore, the boat quickly flipped and Lindy and Bruce were in the water. The Spalding County Dive Rescue Team quickly came to their assistance (even though the water was only waist deep). Fortunately, they came out with nothing injured but their pride.
Then it was time for the GHS Interact Team to enter the water with their cardboard boat they called "Fat & Ugly". Torrie Miles & Madison Bunn took position in their boat and with a little help getting off shore from their classmate, they excitedly started the race. They were actually floating! But then, only a few seconds later, SPLASH! They were in the water. However, these ladies didn't let a little bit of water weigh them down. They were back in the boat trying again. SPLASH! They were quickly back in the water. After several attempts, the boat just wouldn't "go" but these ladies gave it all they had. We were so proud of them!
Special thanks to both teams for their hard work and participation. They did great and represented us well. Next year, we hope to have even more boats represent GSCS in the race. If you think your school has what it takes, check out gscunitedway.org for all of the race rules and regulations. Start planning now so you will have your boat ready for next Fall's race.
 | | Pictured above with the "SS Live United" cardboard boat (l-r): Chris Foster, Calvin Pitts, Lindy Scott, Bruce Ballard, Danny Goodman, Jimmy Passmore, Kevin Warner, & Buddy Boggs. |
 | | GHS Interact Club poses with their cardboard boat they named "Fat & Ugly." |
 | | GHS Interact Club members try to keep their boat afloat after being launched off-shore. |
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WINNER CELEBRATION!
Pictures from April Mayo, Instructional Technology
 | | Many gift certificates were given out including $50 Visa gift cards. |
 | | The lucky winner of a new Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet. |
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Suspect Fraud? 
What is fraud? - A type of illegal act involving the obtaining of something of value through willful misrepresentation.
- A false representation of a material fact, whether by words or by conduct, by false or misleading allegations, or by concealment of that which should have been disclosed, which deceives another so that he cast, or fails to act to his detriment.
Education Fraud * 33.9% Billing * 23.7% Expense Reimbursement  * 23.7% Corruption * 16.9% Payroll * 16.9% Skimming Fraud Indicators * Program is dishonest about performance * Use of funds is materially different from the approved budget * Missing documentation * Funds used to pay for generic, non-specific, or nebulous consulting Staff Responsibilities Employees who suspect that financial fraud, impropriety or irregularity has occurred shall immediately report those suspicions to their immediate supervisor, who shall have the primary responsibility for initiating necessary investigations. Click HERE to review the Fraud Prevention Board Policy Click HERE to review the Complaints Board Policy To access the Complaint Form click HERE. | |
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"If kids come to us from strong, healthy, functioning families, it makes our jobs easier. If they do not come to us from strong, healthy, functioning families, it makes our job more important."
~ Barbara Colorose
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AWARD OPPORTUNITIES:
INNOVATION IN TEACHING COMPETITION
Click HERE for a great opportunity for you and your school!
THE GEORGIA FAMILY-FRIENDLY PARTNERSHIP SCHOOL AWARD (Deadline is Nov.14, 2013) To learn more please visit: http://tinyurl.com/cg5cxa6 Click HERE for the application. | |
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Kennesaw State University offering Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that offers teachers a chance to earn Professional Learning Units (PLU's) at no cost.
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.
Visit the below website for more information:
http://www.ugagriffincontinuinged.com/ed2go.php
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GSCS KIDS COMMUNICATE
The office called over the intercom for a student and said they needed her for dismissal. I said, "Okay she is on her way." As I am gathering her belongings and getting her packed she began to cry. I asked her what was wrong and she said, "I didn't know a Mrs. Missel!" After composing myself, I explained to her, and the rest of the class, what dismissal meant. That was a teachable moment for our class!
Pre-K student asked...Are we going to have short groups?"
He meant small groups....Oh, the little things..... : )
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Please email funny comments to laura.beaber@gscs.org.
(All comments will remain anonymous)
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