2014 TEACHERS RETIREMENT WORKSHOP (TRS Members only)

TRS Workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, February 25, 2014 from 4:30-5:30 in the GSCS Learning Center.   Individual sessions will be held on Wednesday, February 26th and Thursday, February 27th.  You may register on-line by following the instructions below.

To register for either event, follow these easy steps:

1. Visit www.trsga.com
2. Click on "Account Login" link in the upper navigation bar
3. Select "Active Member" and proceed to the Account Login page
4. Register for and/or log in to your TRS account
5. Click on "Register for an event"
6. Pick the event and time of your choice

You will receive an automatic e-mail confirmation upon your successful registration.

BOARD BRIEFS 

At its regular meetings on January 7, 2014 the board of education....

• Approved Cowan Road Middle Title I purchases
• Approved Adoption of Federal Grant Budgets
• Approved Board of Education minutes for 12/3/2013 meeting
• Approved all Human Resources action items
• Approved 2014 Board of Education meeting dates
• Approved election of Assistant Principal for Griffin High School - Pam Davis
• Received information on monthly facilities and maintenance report
• Received information on proposed topics for Board Retreat

Heard presentations on:

• SPLOST update by Bruce Ballard

In other business the board recognized...

• First place winners of Literacy Days
• GSCS December District-level Most Valuable Parent - Irish Angeles at Orrs Elementary
• 2013 AAAA State Football Champions - Griffin High School
• Griffin High School Academic Achievement

 INFINITE CAMPUS WILL BE  DOWN FOR MAINTENANCE  ON FRIDAY, JAN. 31 FROM  

 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM.

STATEWIDE TORNADO DRILL FEB. 5, 2014
AT 9:00 AM

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), its Ready Georgia  campaign, the National Weather Service (NWS), and local emergency management agencies are supporting Severe Weather Awareness Week in the state, Feb. 1-5. 

During Severe Weather Awareness Week Georgians should practice emergency preparedness and response procedures for all types of severe weather events that could occur. 

The week's specific observations are: 

• Monday, Feb. 1 - Family Preparedness and NOAA
  Weather Radio 
• Tuesday, Feb. 2 - Thunderstorm Safety
• Wednesday, Feb. 3 - Tornado Safety and Statewide Tornado Drill (issued by NWS)
• Thursday, Feb. 4 - Lightning Safety
• Friday, Feb. 5 - Flood Safety (alternate drill date)

"Georgia is susceptible to nearly every type of natural disaster," said Charley English, director GEMA/Homeland Security. "Georgians who take the time to educate themselves on possible threats are twice as likely to be prepared than others."  

To help Georgians prepare for severe weather, GEMA's Ready Georgia - a statewide emergency preparedness campaign - offers tools that residents can use to create an emergency supply kit, develop a communications plan, and stay informed about potential threats. 

Ready Georgia's interactive website,
http://www.ready.ga.gov/, provides detailed information on Georgia-specific emergency preparedness and allows users to create a personal profile and receive a customized checklist and family communications plan.

GHS BEARS HONORED ON MAXPREPS 9TH ANNUAL TOUR OF CHAMPIONS

Griffin High School hosted a special 2013-14 Tour of Champions celebration on Thursday, January 23, where the GHS football team, coaching staff, and senior students were nationally recognized by MaxPreps.  

"In partnership with the Army National Guard, MaxPreps is delighted to honor Griffin as one of fifty schools on the 2013 Football Tour of Champions," said Andy Beal, Founder and President. "We're proud to include Griffin into this elite group of teams in the country."

Georgia Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Russell presented Coach DeVoursney and the team with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy at the celebration Thursday afternoon. The team also received a banner for their accomplishment. 

"Any time you can be recognized nationally says a lot about your kids, community and program. We're thrilled to be a part of the Tour of Champions," said Griffin head football coach Steve DeVoursney, who completed his 11th season.

This exclusive honor is reserved for only 50 of the best teams in the entire country. Given the fact that nearly 17,000 varsity teams compete that puts the Bears in the top one-fifth of one percent of teams in the country!

In order to be eligible, the team not only had to be nationally ranked but also had to win a state championship. Beating Carrollton 56-35 on Dec. 14 marked the completion of an incredible 15-0 season - and earned Griffin an invitation to the Tour of Champions.   

"In partnership with the Army National Guard, MaxPreps is delighted to honor Griffin as one of fifty schools on the 2013 Football Tour of Champions," said Andy Beal, Founder and President. "We're proud to include Griffin into this elite group of teams in the country."

 

 

MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

GIVEN BY THE GRIFFIN-SPALDING RETIRED EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION

Purpose: A Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 is being given to encourage and reward an employee of the Griffin-Spalding School System who desires to become a certified public school teacher. (This includes substitutes and any classified employees.)

Guidelines:

• Applicant must currently be enrolled in a teacher education program or accepted into a teacher education program (A form to verify this is included with the application). Applicant must be seeking his/her first certification. Previous winners of this scholarship are ineligible; however, those who have previously applied and did not win are encouraged to reapply.
• Funds may be used for fees, tuition, books or any other educational need.
• Three reference forms must be completed, signed and included with the application below. (Please make copies of the reference form.)
• A transcript that shows GPA and SAT or ACT scores must also be included with the application.

Deadline: April 25, 2014.

Mail applications to:

Kathryn Lance, Scholarship Chairman

Griffin-Spalding Retired Educators Association

139 Morris Mill Rd.

Griffin, GA 30223

For more information: 

Contact Mrs. Lance at klance97@comcast.net.

This scholarship will be presented on Monday, May 19, 2014, at the regular meeting of the Griffin-Spalding Retired Educators Association.

Click HERE for complete application, reference form, & verification sheet.

  TRANSIT STUDY OPEN    HOUSE & WORKSHOP -  JAN. 30 (6-8 PM) 

A second workshop is scheduled for the Griffin-Spalding Transit Feasibility Study.  This is being conducted to determine the need, the most appropriate type of services, and requirements for providing public transit service. The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, January 30, 2014, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to share information and receive additional input from the public. The workshop will be held at the Griffin City Hall in the Municipal Courtroom located at 100 S. Hill Street in Griffin.

From 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. an open house will be conducted to review maps and other visuals associated with data compiled to date. From 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. a presentation will be given that includes the results of existing conditions and needs assessment based on technical analysis and feedback from citizens. From 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., an interactive workshop will be conducted to allow participants to work on maps and identify locations for desired transit service.

To stay informed, visit the project web site at:

For additional input, take the project survey at:  

GSCS KIDS COMMUNICATE!

As I was teaching career lessons in 1st grade, the following conversation:

Student: I want to be a Christmas elf when I grow up.

Teacher: Oh, you want to be a toy designer?

Student: No, an elf, with Santa.

Another student: You can't be an elf, your ears aren't pointy

Teacher: Yeah, and you're too tall. 

(Hopefully this student will figure it out by the time they need to select a career pathway in 8th grade.)

To share your humorous communications please email laura.beaber@gscs.org. All entries will remain anonymous.