GSCS GRADUATION RATES CONTINUE TO INCREASE

The state release of graduation rates shows that the Griffin-Spalding County School System graduation rates continue to rise.

"Data from 2011 - 2013 shows we are moving up each year in our graduation rate," said Curtis L. Jones, Jr., superintendent of schools.  "While we are not where we want to be, we are making strides in getting there."

The district graduation rate moved from 58.2% in 2011 to 63.88% in 2012 to 66.63% in 2013.

Over those same years, GSCS reduced the gap between the
local graduation rate and the state graduation rate by almost half - from 8.65% in 2011 to 4.87% in 2013.

Among the changes made in GSCS to help improve graduation rates is an increase in instructional time and credit recovery opportunities.  In addition, common assessments five times a year offer predictions of performance by students. Teachers and students can then make adjustments that enable students to excel.

"I am appreciative of the hard work of our staff and students," Dr. Jones continued. "This graduation information reinforces that our strategic plan is working toward a stronger academic program."

TEACHING ABOUT RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS 

Every December, public school students, parents, teachers and administrators face the difficult task of acknowledging the various religious and secular holiday traditions celebrated during that time of year. Teachers, administrators and parents should try to promote greater understanding and tolerance among students of different traditions by taking care to adhere to the requirements of the First Amendment.

The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion to all Americans - including young schoolchildren - by prohibiting the government from endorsing or promoting any particular religious point of view. This prohibition has led courts to ban such plainly coercive religious activities in public schools as organized prayer and the teaching of creationism. The law is less clear regarding the limits on holiday celebrations in public schools, but a number of guidelines should be followed in order to ensure that our public schools can best celebrate the religious freedom upon which our nation was founded.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Q: Why is GSCS implementing VeriTIme?

A: Several important issues will be addressed with the implementation of VeriTIme. First, we need accurate work hours on multiple employee types to comply with the Affordable Care Act. We will also be able to improve some paper-based payroll processes, allowing us to be a more reliable organization while moving toward a more technology-based system.

Q: Who uses VeriTime to sign in/out?
A: All employees paid by GSCS, including substitutes.

Q: Can I sign in/sign out at any GSCS work location, even if that is not where I normally work?
A: Yes, you can sign in and out at any kiosk location within the school district. You can also clock in at one kiosk and out at a different kiosk at the end of the day.

Q: What happens if I forget to sign in or sign out?
A: If you forget to sign in or out, you will need to immediately notify the director or secretary at the location that you normally work so that they can make the correct adjustments.

Q: Can my friend/co-worker sign in/out for me?

A: Each employee must sign in/out for himself/herself. Disciplinary action may be taken against you and your co-worker for this kind of action.

Q: When can I sign in?

A: Employees should sign in when they are actually ready to begin work. Hourly classified employees may start work up to ten (10) minutes before their scheduled start time.  Certified (exempt) employees may report to work as early as they choose.

Q: Do I need to sign out and then back in for my lunch break?
A: Classified employees that have a duty-free lunch period must sign out and then back in for the break.

Q: What do I do if I have two jobs with GSCS?
A: If you have two jobs, you will need to make sure that you choose the correct job when clocking in and out of VeriTime.

Q: What do I do if my bar code won't scan in?
A: There is an option at each kiosk that allows you to clock in with the same login credentials that you would use for Aesop. You can use these login credentials to clock in and out if your barcode is not working. Then contact HR for a new bar code.

Q:  Do I sign out if my principal/supervisor lets me run a personal errand during the work day?
A:  Yes, this is not work time. VeriTime should reflect what you are actually doing.

Q: Who will check in/out with the Ident-a-kid system?
A: Parents and volunteers may check-in through Ident-a-kid. They will not use VeriTime.

Q: Do I sign out before starting a coaching/club responsibility for which I receive a stipend?

A: Yes

Q: How do I keep up with my bar code?

A: Affix your bar code to the back of your GSCS id badge. If you lose your badge, the replacement fee is $5.  (Tip: Place a piece of clear tape over your barcode to prevent lines from being rubbed, barcode will scan through the tape)

NOVEMBER MVP'S SHARE THOUGHTS 

The volunteers selected as the Griffin-Spalding County School System's Most Valuable Parents (MVPs) for the month of November are Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Key from Anne Street Elementary. 

Mr. & Mrs. Key share their thoughts about volunteering with GSCS:

What differences have you seen at Anne Street Elem. since you have started volunteering?

Anne Street has always been a student-focused school. This is my third year volunteering and I know more people because of the face-to-face contact.

What are some things that you do at home to support your students in their education?

We try to get involved in more learning games such as games that go over spelling, math, nature, and other things like that.

How do you think more people could be encouraged to volunteer?

I think volunteering comes from motivation from yourself. It is up to the individual. Volunteer at a school if you like to volunteer and have the time.

We would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Key as well as all of the volunteers within the Griffin-Spalding County School System. You volunteerism has an incredible impact.

Go to PDExpress (Course PLU140024) to register for one of the these FREE Workshops:

• Jan.16, 2014, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. at Orrs Computer Lab
• Jan. 23, 2014, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. at Orrs Computer Lab
• Feb. 6, 2014, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. at GSCS Learning Center
• Feb. 13, 2014, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Orrs Computer Lab

Workshop will focus on:

• webpage & calendar features
• creating content
• news & links
• blogs & discussion
• posting assignments

Teachers need to bring a loaded flash-drive with the following...

• Your teacher page welcome message and contact information
• Up to 25 photos for slideshow (optional)
• Any documents (saved in .pdf format) and links wanted on your page

Workshop presented by Designs Created International, LLC.

Click HERE for flyer

2ND ANNUAL STUDENT CONTEST: IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT HATE!    

We invite students in grades 3-12 to submit an original written or artistic expression. Written work can be essays, poetry, short stories, or screen plays. Artistic expressions can be audio, video, drawing, painting, photography, cloth, collage, or computer art. Deadline for submissions is March 14, 2014.  

See the flyer below for more details!

Click HERE for flyer.

Click HERE for Entry Form