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the gscs 
COMMUNICATOR
system-wide straight talk
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Employee newsletter published by the
Communications & Partnerships Department JANUARY 20-24, 2014
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Hello Everyone,
 Governor Deal delivered his State of the State address this week. Part of his speech was on his proposal for the budget. As expected, a large part of the budget and increases in state revenue is allocated to public education. His proposal represents an additional $547 million to public education.
Since the Governor gave his address I have been asked several times, "What does this mean for us in Griffin-Spalding?" So, I wanted to address that question today.
I believe it is a step in the right direction. We have had many years of austerity reductions, and this is the first time since the great recession that public education has seen an increase. But, what do I mean by "it's a step in the right direction?" Last year when we were going through our budgeting process, we took two decisive actions. We restored our calendars to a full academic year for students and employees, and we provided a one percent pay raise across the board to employees.
In his address Governor Deal stated that school systems would have flexibility with the funds to address the most critical needs of their students and teachers. He went further saying he believed the funds should be used to reduce class sizes, eliminate teacher furloughs, and increase employee salaries. Well, we have already addressed two of those issues.
During the later part of this week the leadership team and I met and discussed the state budget and projected revenues for next year. It was general consensus throughout the room that our next focus should be trying to reduce class sizes. I reminded everyone of the actions we took last year (a full academic year and one percent pay raise) caused deficient spending by going into our reserves. We could sustain those decisions for three years as long as the state legislature took action in the near future to address the situation. That is what has occurred. It appears we will get additional funding to address the decisions we made last year.
The single-loop thinking process would suggest that the decisions we made last year impact this year so we need to support and follow through with them. Meaning take care of the deficit and realize that this is only a partial payment. We need a second and third year, just like next year to stable funding. This is why I say it is a good first step.
The double-loop thinking process would suggest that we should stop and take a look at the assumptions we're making. We assume a full academic year for our teachers and students and a one percent pay raise for employees is the best decision. Don't assume those as facts, take them as assumptions. So you can confirm or revise your previous decisions.
Bottom-line: It is too early to assume anything. In fact, we do not even have the money from the state. The process is that the governor's budget will have to first be considered and revised by both the House and Senate then presented to the Governor to sign. We are months away from even knowing how much will be coming to us.
This is an exercise that is very worthwhile and deserves your thoughts and consideration but it is still too early to make a decision. It is a step in the right direction and we will have to be patient to see what comes next.
Thank you all and have a great weekend!
Curtis
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GSCS MIDDLE
SCHOOL
EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
CARVER ROAD
MIDDLE
Pam Davis is Carver Road's employee of the month. Pam has been an integral part of Carver Road's leadership. She has lead the
school-wide data analysis, focusing especially on math improvement. She has also been a strong supporter of teacher, student and community relations.
Ms. Davis will be greatly missed by all at CAMS as she embarks on her new and well deserved promotion at GHS.
COWAN ROAD
MIDDLE
Cowan Road Middle School recognizes our parent involvement liaison, Debbie Hudson, for her outstanding efforts. Debbie keeps our parents informed, provides support networks, and promotes parent involvement.
KENNEDY ROAD
MIDDLE
James Ray (our TOTY) is the staff member of the month for KRMS! Mr. Ray is the epitome of what KRMS desires to be. We strive to be a world class school and be the first choice for educating children. Mr. Ray displays this phrase effortlessly.
He plays many roles at KRMS. If you visit KRMS, you will find him teaching technology, sponsoring the robotic team, producing the KRMS morning news announcements and broadcasting shows, streaming the basketball games on the internet, modeling and teaching PBIS curriculum to teachers and students, serving on the leadership team, leading his connection team in a meeting and performing duties throughout the school day. Mr. Ray was recognized recently for creating one of the best websites in the GSCS system. He continues to strive to make KRMS a great place for educating students. Kudos to Mr. Ray! Go Cougars!
REHOBOTH ROAD
MIDDLE
Mrs. Sonja Sands is a dedicated member of the Rehoboth Road family. Her commitment to instructional excellence has become a long-running tradition. Her classroom is often used as a standards-based coaching model. Her rapport with students allows her to connect with them in order to meet individual academic needs. Sonja has served on the leadership team, PBIS Team and as 7th Grade Team Chair. She has a "whatever-it-takes" attitude when it comes to helping children. She is admired and respected by her peers. We love and salute Sonja Sands.
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Atkinson's
"Lady Bears"
STEM TEAM qualified to advance to the State Championship!
They will compete on Sat. Feb. 1 at The University of Georgia.
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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 Intl.
Go to PDExpress to register for one of the FREE workshops:
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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APPLY FOR A
GSCS TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP & BECOME A TEACHER!
GSCS, in an effort to develop committed, qualified teachers has allocated five scholarships for parapro's or other classified applicants employed by GSCS (GNET program employees are ineligible). The scholarships provide financial assistance of $1,000 per recipient toward teacher certification.
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.
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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 MAYOR RYAN MCLEMORE!
Ryan McLemore, GSCS Director of Finance, was elected chairman of the City of Griffin Board of Commissioners by his fellow commissioners. Congratulations, Mr. Mayor! |
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STATE HEALTH DATA ISSUES
Message from Stephanie Dobbins, Human Resources Director
State Health implemented a new portal in August, 2013. Since the implementation, State Health has experienced data issues that affect our active employees, retirees, terminated employees and employees who have transferred from other school systems in Georgia.
GSCS HR is  responsive within the limits
of what we can control. State Health will
not deal with anyone other than the
affected party on some issues. Please
see the guidance on the appropriate place for results.
Contact State Health at 1-800-610-1863 for the following types of issues:
- Pending status on dependent coverage (Coverage may be "pending" because State Health has not received required documentation based on the requested action, such as birth certificate, marriage license, credible coverage letters for gain/loss of coverage, etc.)
- If you received a health insurance card and you did not elect coverage for 2014
- To declare a qualifying event (SHBP website access through www.mygscsbenefits .com)
Contact Blue Cross Blue Shield if you haven't received a new insurance card for self and/or dependents effective
January 1, 2014
- To request a card call 1-855-641-4862 OR
- To print a temporary card go to bcbsga.com where you will register using your Social Security Number as your member number
We apologize for any inconvenience that you may have experienced personally. It is our goal to provide excellent customer service to all GSCS employees. However, we also ask for your understanding that there are issues outside our sphere of control that are causing the bulk of these problems. We appreciate your patience in working with our office as we go through this temporary trial.
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SUCCESS FOR GHS CULINARY ARTS
Griffin High School was represented well at the FCCLA Fall Competition at the Georgia National Fair. The GHS Culinary Academic Team placed second in the state in the FCCLA Culinary Knowledge Bowl. This was the second year competing together for senior team members Katy Kelly, Justin Serna, Xena Dinkins and Elijah Barksdale. The competition is carried out in "Jeopardy" style questions and answers. The team with the highest score advances in
elimination rounds throughout the day. Many hours of study and teamwork made this win possible and earned a $250 prize to support Griffin Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).
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We hope to see GHS senior, Rittie Poole, on "Top Chef" in a few years!
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GHS Culinary Arts is also proud to announce that Senior Rittie Poole has been accepted to Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, NY. CIA is the premier post-secondary culinary institution in the United States and is located one hour north by train from New York City. Interesting fact: about 60% of all "Top Chef" winners are graduates of CIA! Rittie is the current Chapter President of Griffin FCCLA and the Senior Sous Chef for the GHS Culinary Art Chef Instructor, Leigh Jackson.
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SLO'S CREATED  BY GSCS TEACHERS
The room was packed with people. Each table held a variety of materials...paper, pens, markers, highlighters. About 20 assistant principals and teaching and learning staff gathered one Monday morning to learn how to create Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) for every course taught in the Griffin-Spalding County School System.
"We have 127 more SLOs we must build by April 1," said Deputy Superintendent Denise Burrell. "We must have one SLO for every course we teach."
Assistant principals will facilitate the writing of SLOs by teachers in their areas of expertise. Then the Department of Education will review and approve each SLO.
Student Learning Objectives are required for all courses that are not tested. That means topics such as music, art, journalism, plumbing, computer science, physical education and elementary science must all be written locally to assure student growth in each of the subject areas not tested by the state. Teachers began working on the SLOs on January 3, a professional learning day for GSCS. Each SLO takes about three days to complete.
We can all visualize a standardized test. There is a question followed by multiple choice answers or space to write an essay or a mathematics problem.
An SLO measures student growth by comparing pre-test results to the post-test results. The pre-test is given during the first few weeks of school and the post-test is given in late spring. Those tests are designed to measure a student's understanding of standards from each course.
As an example, in the pre-test a student might be unable to answer a question about art techniques. The measurement would come in the post-test where the student could answer questions about art techniques.
"Our teachers and administrators have devoted many hours to ensuring that students are growing academically," continued Mrs. Burrell. "This is just one more way that Griffin-Spalding County School System is daring to do better."
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GEORGIA SCHOOL PERSONNEL SURVEY
The Georgia School Personnel Survey (GSPS) is a staff survey designed to accompany the Georgia Student Health Survey II.
This anonymous survey instrument will identify school climate issues that have a negative impact on student achievement. These staff questions mirror the school climate questions on the student survey. Data from the GSPS will be used to calculate the School Climate Star Rating within the CCRPI.
 At least 75% of each school staff must participate in the survey. Any staff member can participate. This survey is accessible from computers, iPads, or smartphones. There are 50 questions and it should take 10-15 minutes to complete.
* This is the last week to complete this survey.
The Georgia School Personnel Survey is available at:
After you click on the link, a drop-down menu will appear. From that menu choose correct school district and school.
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GOVERNOR'S HONORS PROGRAM NOMINEES
Griffin-Spalding's students nominated for the Governor's Honors Program were recognized and awarded at a banquet on January 14, 2014. These students will join around 2900 students from across the state that will be interviewed and auditioned over three weekends in January and February 2013. From those nominees up to 690 finalists will be chosen to participate in the 2014 program. Nominees are: |
Cole, Mary Ellen
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Biology
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SHS
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Smith, Iris
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Chemistry
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SHS
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Chestnut, Abby
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Communicative Arts
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SHS
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Hart, Henry
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Mathematics
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SHS
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Harness, Laura
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Spanish
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GHS
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Kilgore, Hunter
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Latin
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GHS
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Beeland, Emily
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German
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SHS
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Panker, Conner
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Theatre Performance
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SHS
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Smith, Madison
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Music/Voice (Soprano)
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GHS
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Palmatier, Naomi
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Theatre Performance
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GHS
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Few, Kimeon
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Theatre Performance
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SHS
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Yeszkonis, Jessica
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Visual Arts
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GHS
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Kennedy, Scarlett
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Visual Arts
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GHS
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Alexander, Georganna
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Dance
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SHS
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"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
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TKES/LKES EFFECTIVE SYSTEMS
SUPPORT SESSIONS
Presented by the Georgia Department of Education
Date: March 6, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Griffin RESA
Target Audience: TEACHERS (only in Griffin RESA region)
Cost: No cost (registration is required)
TKES/LKES in My Classroom: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
This session will focus on the TKES components with
practical applications in the classroom and the process
regarding the TEM and LEM calculations. Time will be
allotted for questions for participants.
What in the World are SLOs? 2:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m.
This session will define what constitutes a Student Learning
Objective (SLO), why SLOs are being implemented, and
SLOs impact individual Classrooms. Time will be allotted
for questions from participants.
A Primer of the GaDOE TLE Electronic Platform:
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
This session will highlight the features from a teacher's
perspective. The session will highlight available resources
and professional learning opportunities. Time will be allotted
to answer your specific questions.
Register on-line at www.griffinresa.net
Registration Deadline is February 27, 2014
Click HERE for flyer.
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Click HERE for the pdf version of the flyer
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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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