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the gscs 
COMMUNICATOR
system-wide straight talk
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Employee newsletter published by the
Communications & Partnerships Department JANUARY 13-17, 2014
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Welcome back and happy New Year!
"Teacher Job Satisfaction Reaches Twenty-Five-Year Low" is the title of
an article published in the January 2014 Galileo for Superintendents. The article states that according to MetLife's 29th annual survey of the American teacher only 39 percent of teachers are "very satisfied" with
their jobs.
The report indicates that stress among teachers has increased. More than half of teachers said they feel under great stress at least several days a week, up from 36 percent in 1985 when the question was last asked.
Analysis of the report points to several contributing factors, including a weak economy, low status, "bashing" of the profession and pay that teachers view as less than fair for the work they do.
I wanted to share this article with you because it is important that we communicate with one another and demonstrate our understanding of your working conditions. The school district is concerned with teacher satisfaction and employee morale and has taken actions to address this. We made it a priority to eliminate furlough days and did so this year. While eliminating those furlough days led to more days of work, it also took away the cut in pay that we have all had to suffer through over the last four and a half years. Our school board passed a local one percent pay increase for employees. While one percent is not a great deal, it is an effort to demonstrate our understanding that the cost of living is going up. Teachers and employees had not had a pay increase in five years and we wanted to do what we could to address that issue.
We have not been able to provide step increases because of the state budget reductions. Class sizes are still too large. We recognize both of these issues affect student learning and employee morale. We are trying to find solutions to address both of these as we move forward with the budgeting process for next year.
Thankfully, with this being an election year, it appears that the Governor and the Legislature are going to also address teacher pay raises. We look forward to working with Representatives David Knight, John Yates, and others to ensure that additional funding does come for education.
With the rash of school shootings that have occurred lately the safety and welfare of our employees and students continue to be a concern. GSCS has taken steps to address this area as well. You cannot be satisfied with your job if you do not feel safe. We currently have a pilot in three schools which allows teachers to press a panic button if a threatening situation occurs in the classroom. We are also in the process of installing cameras in all of the elementary schools because we believe cameras will help provide additional security. The first cameras were installed over the holiday break at Jordan Hill Elementary.
I say all of this to say I understand. While we are taking actions, individually they may not seem like a lot but collectively they demonstrate our resolve to address the issues that affect our working conditions.
I need your help in one area. Job satisfaction is greatly dependent on the people with whom you work. When you are asked to serve on interview committees to help select the new employees that will be joining our team, please willingly accept. It's always a better situation when you work with people who have similar understandings and values. We want new employees to feel supported. It is by participating in the hiring and induction process that we create a better work environment. No matter how much I talk about being a part of a team it is your efforts in demonstrating teamwork that they actually see every day.
If you have ideas on other ways we can address increased job satisfaction please let me know. Let your principal know. Let's work on this together. Work should be a place where you come and engage in teaching because it's your love. And, you are working with people you value. That's what makes work fun and worthwhile. Let's work together on making GSCS a great place to be.
Thanks everyone and have a great week.
Curtis
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GSCS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
ANNE STREET ELEMENTARY
Paula Grogan is the staff member of the month for Anne Street Elementary. Paula Grogan is determined to help make the students and staff healthier by organizing a running club that meets weekly. In addition, she is starting an after school basketball league designed to support the students of Anne Street. We are blessed to have Paula at our school.
ATKINSON ELEMENTARY
Atkinson Elementary School would like to recognize Dr. LaTesa Parker for January's Employee of the Month. Dr. Parker is the coordinator of Atkinson's STEM team, which recently participated in the STEM challenge at Carver Road Middle School. With her assistance and expertise, both teams qualified for the Super Regional's in Warner Robins, Georgia. We are proud of her hard work and dedication toward our students.
BEAVERBROOK ELEMENTARY
The Beaverbrook Employee of the Month is our counselor Jessica Thompson. Her leadership has energized our PBIS team. Her dedication to our students, staff and parents is on display daily as she interacts with them. Mrs. Thompson is a vital part of our school.
COWAN ROAD ELEMENTARY
Jennifer Carden is Cowan Road Elementary Employee of the Month. She has embraced her new role as a self-contained EBD teacher. From FTE to IEP's, she completes paperwork with minimal errors. When watching her teach Write from the Beginning and Beyond, her compassion and high expectations for student learning is evident. Mrs. Carden provides her students with daily best practices. These practices make it possible for students to experience prominent gains both academically and behaviorally.
CRESCENT ELEMENTARY
Sara Johnson, Media Specialist, is Crescent's Employee of the Month. Sara has been a huge help to our staff during our technology updates and changes since the beginning of the year. She stepped in when no technicians were available to try and help our teachers get their rooms up and running with technology. She is thorough and deliberate in getting things done. Sara is available to everyone and she has a lot to contribute to our school with a positive attitude. It is evident that Sara is a team player and she is an asset to our team!! Thanks, Sara, for everything you do for our school!
FUTRAL ROAD ELEMENTARY
Futral Road's employee of the month is our counselor, Sandra Long. Ms. Long has worked diligently on several projects important to Futral Road and our students recently. She has spearheaded the creation and organization of club day at Futral Road. She has led the school in the Salvation Army Canned Food Drive. Ms. Long also works collaboratively with staff to implement the PBIS program at Futral Road. She is truly dedicated to the success of our staff, students, and families and is always willing to take on extra tasks to ensure success.
JACKSON ROAD ELEMENTARY
Donna Gasses, Kindergarten paraprofessional, is Jackson Road's employee of the Month. Mrs. Gasses gives 110% every single day. Not only is she invaluable in the classroom, but she is a team player who does many things to benefit our whole school. She is dedicated to our students and our school. We appreciate her hard work and are thankful she is a part of the Jackson Road family!
JORDAN HILL ELEMENTARY
Carla Walsh is always full of useful information. She does a great job scheduling our professional learning and she worked with two other teachers to plan and organize our recent Science Night.
Patty Banks did an awesome job once again planning, organizing and facilitating our Veterans Day program. She works hard to make Jordan Hill celebrations memorable. She has a passion for music and works well with the students. She always goes above and beyond.
MOORE ELEMENTARY
Producing a Christmas musical is not an easy task. Ms. Wendy White, Fine Arts Instructor and her team: Mrs. Lenette Harris, choreographer, and Ms. Carmar Walker, props designer, received rave reviews on the production titled "A Very Busy Christmastime" at Moore Elementary and Southern Crescent Technical College.
Fourth and Fifth grade students worked closely with Ms. White to learn their lines, understand their cues, and practice the dance routines. We are so proud of Ms. White, her team, and the talented students at Moore.
MORELAND ROAD ELEMENTARY
Nurse Judy Engel is Moreland Road's Employee of the Month. She is very kind and sympathetic to the needs of our children and provides a variety of support. She has a wonderful disposition and has never has a bad day or moment. Nurse Engel has always responded to our children with utmost kindness and genuine concern and is a valuable member of the Moreland Road family.
ORRS ELEMENTARY
Orrs would like to recognize Rhonda Grubb as Teacher of the Month. This is Mrs. Grubb's first year as our Media Specialist and she has jumped right in and brought enthusiasm and a love for reading to our students and staff. In December, she created The Polar Express for our students. Mrs. Grubbs is also working with our teachers to implement technology and writing in their lessons. She is an asset to our school and we are delighted that she was voted by her peers to be Teacher of the Month.
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 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2013-14 GSCS SPELLING BEE WINNER, KENNEDY WILLIAMS FROM MORELAND RD. ELEMENTARY! Also congrats to the 2nd place winner, Joshua Talley from Cowan Rd. Elementary and all of the finalist that competed.
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 NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ANNOUNCED FOR GRIFFIN HIGH SCHOOL
The Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education named Mrs. Pamela Davis the 9th grade academy assistant principal of Griffin High School beginning February 2014. Mrs. Davis has 20 years of experience in education as a teacher and as an Instructional Coach. She has been with the Griffin-Spalding County School System for 13 years and comes to her new position from Carver Road Middle School where she served as an Instructional Support Leader and coach. Mrs. Davis earned her Master's degree in Middle Grades Education from Fort Valley State University and her Master's in Educational Leadership from University of West Georgia. "I am thrilled to embark on another journey in my quest to serve students and continue to grow professionally. I look forward to serving the Griffin community in this new position as the faculty, staff, parents and I work together to guide students toward growth, achievement, and fostering youth to become adults of strong character," said Mrs. Davis. |
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DID YOU GET THE CALL??? 
On Sunday, January 5, 2014, a call concerning the winter weather conditions was sent out to all staff.
If you did not receive this call please contact Human Resources to ensure that your phone number is correct in the MCALEER system.
FYI -GSCS will not be required to make up the two days (Jan. 6-7) we missed. |
GALILEO PASSWORD CHANGE
Old password: towering
New password: fetch
GALILEO password WAS changed on 01/03/2014.
This password will be valid until 03/24/2014.
Remember, passwords must be entered in all lowercase characters.
GALILEO Homepage: http://www.galileo.usg.edu
GALILEO Kids' Page: http://kids.galileo.usg.edu
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VERITIME KICKOFF
Message from Stephanie Dobbins, Human Resources Director
We completed a successful pilot of VeriTime with Jackson Road, Maintenance and Central Office from November 1 - December 18th. Thanks to thoughtful feedback from employees in these groups, we learned some things about the VeriTime system, made some adjustments and prepared to implement VeriTime across GSCS. Some employees scanned in for the first time January 3rd, and the rest were scheduled to begin on Monday, January 6th.
Who could have guessed...freezing temps and school closings! But, nothing to worry about because January 6th will be documented in VeriTime as a "calamity day." Since we were unable to work due to inclement weather, this day is still a paid work day.
All employees had an adjusted work schedule on Tuesday. With everyone starting at 10 am and VeriTime still being a new process, signing in took longer than expected in some schools. Thank you for your patience! We expect the process to smooth out with familiarization and will continue to monitor the needs of schools. Note: anyone not reporting to work on Tuesday, 1/7 will take one day of leave.
All employees should review their work hours listed on the "Clock" screen in VeriTime. This is visible when you scan in or out. If you note a discrepancy, please email the primary contact for your school listed below.
Elementary schools, Enrichment Center, Central Office, EASP, and Nutrition contact Ashley Evans.
Middle Schools, High Schools, Transportation, Maintenance and Mainstay contact Kathy Gossett.
For a complete list of questions and answers about VeriTime, click on this link: https://drive.google.com/a/gscs.org/folderview?id=0B0N-L9Kkqc-FRE9fd1o0TXZVVm8&usp=sharing
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"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other."
~ Abraham Lincoln
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HIGH Q VICTORY FOR GHS
Message from Amy Lawrence, GHS High Q Advisor Congratulations to Griffin High School's High Q team for beating Gilmer County High School 380 to 270 on High Q. Congrats to Mary Holmes, Ricky Crook, Tyrique Hannah and Gerron Lewis for a job well done!  The show aired on Sunday, January 5th at noon on channel 2. The GHS HIGH Q team will be heading back to Atlanta in March to compete in round two. The entire team deserves recognition for their hard work. The rest of the team includes Jamarcus Watkins, David Samples, Sydney Nelms, Geranger Lewis, Quandarious Grant, DJ King, Jeramie Paz and Zachary Ball. |
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GHS CHAMPS PASSING DOWN CHARACTER
Coach Steve DeVoursney and players on Griffin High's football team recently visited Orrs Elementary to speak to fourth and fifth grade boys about the importance of good character. The young males listened intently as the coach and players stressed the importance of doing your best not only on the field but also in the classroom. They urged the young boys to set high goals for themselves and to realize that those goals could only be reached through hard work.
This event is part of an ongoing program at Orrs called the "Power of the Knot" in which young males are taught the importance of dressing and behaving like gentlemen to be successful in life.
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APPLY FOR A GSCS TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP AND BECOME A TEACHER!
The Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS), in an effort to develop committed, qualified teachers has allocated five (5) scholarships for paraprofessionals or other classified applicants who are employees of GSCS (GNET program employees are ineligible). The scholarships provide financial assistance toward teacher certification. We believe some of the school system's best teacher candidates are already working within our school system.
Who Can Apply:
- Any classified employee pursuing a teacher preparation program in a Georgia college or university with at least one year of service in our system.
Funding: 
- Provides scholarship funding of $1,000.00 per recipient.
- Funds may be used to meet various needs including tuition, books or lab fees.
- For information about other loans, scholarships and grants, call (770) 414-3085 or access the Georgia Student Finance Commission at http://www.gsfc.org.
Requirements:
- Remain in good academic standing throughout term of scholarship by maintaining passing grades with a 2.5 average or higher.
- Agree, upon completion of certification, to teach in a Griffin-Spalding public school if offered a position. If applicant refuses, scholarship must be paid back in full.
- Complete two (2) years of college prior to application which consists of a minimum of 60 semester or 90 quarter hours.
Application Process:
- Submit completed application with two (2) letters of recommendation from a peer, principal, supervising professor or supervisor and a certified college transcript.
When To Apply:
- The application deadline is March 14, 2014.
Scholarship funds are available for Summer Semester 2014.
Click HERE for the complete application. |
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"Character is the ability to carry out a good resolution long after the excitement of the moment has passed."
~ Cavett Robert
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ATTENTION TEACHERS: LEARN HOW TO CREATE A TEACHER PAGE THAT POPS! 
Workshop will focus on: - webpage & calendar features
- creating content
- news & links
- blogs & discussion
- posting assignments
~ Workshop presented by Designs Created International, LLC Go to PDExpress (Course PLU140024)to register for one of the below FREE workshops: January 16, 2014 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Orrs Elementary Computer Lab January 23, 2014
3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Orrs Elementary Computer Lab February 6, 2014
3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
GSCS Learning Center February 13, 2014 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Orrs Elementary Computer Lab |
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 DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL FEBRUARY 15TH!
In September you received information and posters about a statewide underage drinking video competition, "Reel Change GA". This competition continues to focus on celebrating the 86% of youth that do not drink underage while educating youth on goal setting and how underage drinking may hinder them from achieving their goals.
Since launching "Reel Change GA," the Governor's Office for Children and Families has been greatly impressed by all of the creative video submissions from students expressing why they choose not to drink underage. Because of the positive mission of the campaign and our excitement to see all of Georgia's youth participate, we would like to extend the deadline for video submissions.
The poster sent to Georgia's schools in September listed the deadline as December 15th. That date has been extended to allow more students all over Georgia to submit videos. The new submission deadline is February 15th. Please continue to advise your students about this exciting opportunity and let them know about the extended deadline.
 Winning videos will be chosen in March 2014. Among other prizes, the winning video will be aired on several television stations and in statewide movie theaters as a Public Service Announcement!
For more information about the video competition please visit www.reelchangega.com.
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"Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one."
~ Brad Paisley
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DECEMBER'S MOST VALUABLE
Message from Jessica Layfield, Parent and Community Engagement Coordinator
The district MVP selected for the month December is Irish Angeles of Orrs Elementary. Even though Irish is not a parent, she most definitely deserves this recognition. Instead of watching television or hanging out with friends Irish chooses to come to Orrs everyday and help in the library. She helps students choose the right book, shelves books, and checks books out for students. Irish not only helps in the media center but is always willing to do anything asked of her.
"Irish is a young lady who has gone above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to volunteering. She is here every day, all day doing all she can to help our media center run smoothly. While she may be young, she is wise beyond her years when it comes to helping her community. We are very appreciative of Irish and all of her help," stated Ronda Grubb, Orrs Media Specialist.
The Griffin-Spalding County School System is proud to recognize the following volunteers as school-level MVP's for December 2013:
Anne Street Elementary Ms. Sherika Allen
Atkinson Elementary Mrs. Jennifer Stevenson
Cowan Road Elementary Mrs. Laci Darby
Crescent Elementary Mr. Kevin Inouye
Mrs. Vicky Inouye
Jackson Road Elementary Mr. Gary Pline
Moreland Road Elementary Mrs. Charmel Gaston
Ms. Denise Beasley
Ms. Carissa Henderson
Ms. Melissa White
Orrs Elementary Ms. Irish Angeles
Cowan Road Middle Ms. Eunita Small
Kennedy Road Middle Mrs. Katika Hand
Griffin High Mrs. Scarlette Godwin
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Click HERE for our non-discrimination statement.
Laura Beaber, Editor
GSCS Communications and Partnerships Department
PO Drawer N
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