the gscs

COMMUNICATOR

system-wide straight talk

Employee newsletter published by the

Communications & Partnerships Department February 17-21, 2014

Hello Everyone,

Dr. Curtis Jones

You guys are doing a lot of great and wonderful things! I meet and talk to superintendents from all over the state and I continuously get questions/comments such as...

What did your system learn from implementing TKES and LKES?
Tell me about the SLO's that you all are doing.
I understand that you had a turn-around school that came off of the list because of its implementation and use of the School Improvement Grant (SIG).
I understand that you guys were recognized by the state for your implementation of PBIS.
I hear Griffin is doing a great job with Formative Instructional Practices (FIP).

All of that is true...GSCS is doing great things!

Today I want to highlight one of those great things that I haven't talked to you about in a while, AMP-IT-UP. AMP-IT-UP is a $7.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation that GSCS and Georgia Tech are implementing. The grant's purpose is to incorporate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in our middle schools but our elementary and high schools also receive benefits. I know most of you have heard about the robotics competitions. Atkinson's Lady B.E.A.R.S. robotics team recently participated

in the FIRST LEGO League's state championship. That is a part of AMP-IT-UP.

On February 6, many of our AMP-IT-UP teachers (lead teachers and those enrolled in project based learning) along with our Georgia Tech partners met at the UGA-Griffin Campus for a full day of professional learning. In the training teachers collaborated to design the ideal technology classroom by moving through the phases of the Design Thinking Model (DTM). The DTM model begins with the discovery phase, moves to the generating ideas phase then to the experimentation phase and ends with next steps.

I went by the training that afternoon to observe. Entering the room, I was amazed at the excitement and energy that I saw and felt. One group shared with me what they had learned:

"We have looked at what it is we need to teach, where we want to teach it and have identified two barriers that are keeping us from doing a better job. The first issue

is how our classrooms are structured. We are working on a plan to make some improvements to our labs. Some of the improvements are at no cost but some

are expensive. The second issue is the way our day is structured."

They then explained to me how they came to their conclusion and the factors that were considered. They drew out a schedule that would enable them to provide better STEM instruction. Because of this training, they now knew how the structure of the day was interfering with their job and were able to work together to find potential solutions. What

a great professional learning experience!

I asked the group to share some information with me that I could share with you. I received this e-mail from a teacher...

Last summer, Mr. David had to twist my arm in order to get me to go to the Georgia Tech AMP-IT-UP Summer Institute, and I can only say I am glad I did. In short, I had

a great time and learned a lot. I feel like the AMP program actually gives me tools to improve student learning and combat apathy by engaging students in the classroom.

It has been the best professional development program I have participated in since joining GSCS. I strongly recommend this program to all other teachers.

~ Sarah Langley

I want everyone to know about AMP-IT-UP. Our AMP-IT-UP teachers would love to share their knowledge and excitement with you. Please contact them (listed below) and find out more.

Debbie Hudson <debbie.hudson@gscs.org>, Melissa Kelsey<melissa.kelsey@gscs.org>,

Kathy Duke <kathy.duke@gscs.org>, Donnell Cox <donnell.cox@gscs.org>,

Cheryl McClendon <cheryl.mcclendon@gscs.org>, Andrea Armstrong<andrea.armstrong@gscs.org>, Amber Smith <amber.smith@gscs.org>, Lutricia Colvard <lutricia.colvard@gscs.org>, Tomekia Golattehamm" <tomekia.golattehamm@gscs.org>, Sarah Langley <sarah.langley@gscs.org>,

Lewis Pulliam <lewis.pulliam@gscs.org>, Thomas Stinson" <thomas.stinson@gscs.org>,

Bart Pinckney<bart.pinckney@gscs.org>, Kristina Flake <kristina.flake@gscs.org>,

Cindy Glass <cindy.glass@gscs.org>, Antoinette Richter <antoinette.richter@gscs.org>,

Chandra Bell <chandra.bell@gscs.org>, Robyn Davis <robyn.davis@gscs.org>,

Lorie Dobbs <lorie.dobbs@gscs.org>, Jhondee Barnes <jhondee.barnes@gscs.org>

AMP-IT-UP is one of the best kept secrets we have at GSCS!

You are doing great things and this is

just one more example of that.

Have a great week.

Curtis

GSCS

MIDDLE

SCHOOL

EMPLOYEES

OF THE MONTH

CARVER ROAD

MIDDLE

Carver Road's Employee of the Month is Felicia Stinson. Ms. Stinson is an outstanding PE coach, creating exciting and engaging lessons for the PE classes. She is also the Athletic Director for Carver Road. Ms. Stinson is thorough and organized, leading the athletic department with integrity and fairness.

KENNEDY ROAD MIDDLE
KRMS selects Robert Chauncey as the Employee of the Month. Mr. Chauncey epitomizes the concept of "team player." He goes above and beyond to help within any capacity needed. He represents one of the many driving forces that keep KRMS current in its many communication facets. He has stepped up to the plate with aiding in the development and execution of areas such as PBIS, the Kennedy Road Middle School Facebook/Twitter accounts, and Olympic Week.Thank you Mr. Chauncey for representing true Cougar P.R.I.D.E!

GSCS STUDENTS

WIN BIG AT SkillsUSA REGIONAL COMPETITION

Congratulations to

GHS winners:

Ronnie Ross, 1st place in Electrical Construction Wiring

Daniel Girvin, 1st place in Masonry

Richard Carr, 2nd place in Residential Plumbing.

Congratulations to

SHS winners:

Jacob Moody, 1st place in Plumbing

Cruz Amezquita, 3rd place in Electrical Wiring

All students will compete in the SkillsUSA State competition on

March 13-15, 2014.

CONGRATS TO GSCS

GRIFFIN RESA REGIONAL LITERACY DAYS COMPETITION

WINNER

(GRADES 6-8)

First Place Ready Writing Winner:

Rebekah Weeks, 6th grader at Carver Road Middle.

PRESIDENTS' DAY FACTS

Presidents' Day falls on the third Monday in February in the United States. It is also known as Washington's Birthday, after George Washington, the first president of the United States. The day is meant to celebrate George Washington and all the presidents of the U.S.

GSCS KIDS COMMUNICATE

TEACHER:

This books says that snow is quiet. Could we hear the snow when it was falling?

PRE-K CLASS:

TEACHER:

Why do you think snow is quiet?

PRE-K STUDENT:

Snow is quiet because snow can't talk!

Please send your

students humorous communications to laura.beaber@gscs.org. All entries will remain anonymous.

WHAT A WEEK TO REMEMBER!

TEACHERS: ARE YOU LOCKED OUT OF GRADING?

If you are unable to enter grades in Infinite Campus please send an unlock request to Josh Griffis at josh.griffis@gscs.org.

GSCS DECEMBER FINANCIAL REPORT

Message from Ryan McLemore, Accounting Director.

The Financial report was presented at the Board of Education meeting on February 4. For the month of December GSCS's general fund operations are on target with the budget. During the month we received significant property tax collections but motor vehicle tax collection was less because of the institution of TAVT (Title Ad Valorem Tax). December is the first month of new healthcare expenses related to open enrollment but comparing December to November healthcare expenditures remain balanced.

State revenues increased almost four percent for December which follows the stable growth we have seen for over three years.

Capital projects continued in December with work progressing while the schools were on winter break.

SPLOST collections did spike in December for the first time in nine months which is expected due to the holiday season's retail activity. However, the monthly collection was still lower than in 2012 and the yearly average shows an almost five percent decline.

Expenditures in Nutrition did exceed revenues in December which is typical due to the short month (i.e. fewer days to sell student meals).

In conclusion, GSCS financials are tracking well with the original budget.

FEBRUARY HEALTH TIP

Flossing may protect you from Alzheimer's, says a British study that found bacteria from gum disease in brain samples of some people who died of the disease. So, while your sampling Valentine's Day chocolate, remember your dentist's advice: Brushing is not enough. You should floss at least once a day.

Message from Donnell Cox, Cowan Road Middle teacher, sharing last weeks experience at the Capitol.

"Last week I was in Washington, DC with the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) apart of the National Educators Association (NEA) representing Georgia on education issues on the federal level. We have two directors who represent Georgia, a teacher from Atlanta Public Schools and me. I met with seven of our Congressmen or their representative to discuss the upcoming bills proposed:

Senate 1697/ H.R. 3461- Support the Strong Start for America's Children Act. This bill would establish federal-state partnership to accelerate progress already underway and help fund high quality prekindergarten for children from low- and moderate-income families.

Congressman Kingston-Undecided
Congressman Bishop -Supports
Congressman Westmoreland- Will not support
Congressman Johnson- Supports
Congressman Lewis- Supports
Congressman Woodall- Will not Support
Congressman Barrow- Support

Senate 1737/H.R. 1010- This bill would raise federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 and those who work for tips to increase to $3.00. The raise of the federal minimum wage helps address the fact that it has failed to keep up with the rising cost of living, causing financial hardship for families as child poverty has increased dramatically.

Congressman Kingston-

Will not support

Congressman Bishop -Supports
Congressman Westmoreland-

Will not support

Congressman Johnson- Supports
Congressman Lewis- Supports
Congressman Woodall-

Will not Support
Congressman Barrow- Will not support

Senate 1945/H.R. 3899- Support and strengthen the Voting Rights Amendment Act. The bi-partisan bill seeks to strengthen the vital provisions that were undone in last year's Supreme Court ruling that struck down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. That ruling left a void in the heart of landmark legislation that ensured equal access and enfranchisement for all voters.

Congressman Kingston-Will not support
Congressman Bishop -Supports
Congressman Westmoreland- Will not support
Congressman Johnson- Supports
Congressman Lewis- Supports
Congressman Woodall- Will not Support
Congressman Barrow- Undecided

I think it is very important to share with my fellow colleagues these conversations. I have also been given the charge by NEA to collect from GA how they can assist with the transition to Common Core whether it is providing professional development, resources, or to help change the curriculum."

IN CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH, WE WANTED TO SHARE SOME QUOTES ON EDUCATION FROM AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERS.

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you."

~ B. B. King

"Education is a precondition to survival in America today."

~ Marian Wright Edelman

"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today."

~ Malcolm X

"Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom."

~ George Washington Carver

"Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than

you found it."

~ Marian Wright Edelman

GEORGIA'S

ARBOR DAY IS FRIDAY,

FEB. 21, 2014

Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated tree occasion with a long and glorious history. National Arbor Day is recognized in all 50 U.S. states and is a special tree day that promotes and honors tree planting and tree care.

Arbor Day was first celebrated in the state of Nebraska in 1872. This Nebraska Arbor Day was set up in response to a state proclamation urging settlers and homesteaders in Nebraska to plant trees to provide "shade, shelter, fruit, fuel and beauty" for residents of the largely treeless plains. On that first Arbor Day, more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska's communities and on its farms.

Arbor Day was first promoted by J. Sterling Morton, editor of the Nebraska City News. Morton helped push the idea to neighboring states and the movement spread all over the United States and in many other nations.

We now celebrate Arbor Day in communities throughout America with a specific date determined by the best tree planting times in each area. Each state's celebration date initiates the signing of a proclamation by local officials and activities related to trees and tree planting. Celebrations are held as early as January and February in some southern states, and as late as May in more northern locations. National Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday in April.

Click HERE to download a free Celebrate Arbor Day Guidebook with a smorgasbord of ideas for you and your students.

OPTIONS

FOR

GSCS

Message from Donna Parks, Director of Student Services

House Bill 251 allows students to transfer to a school outside their designated attendance zone as long as the destination school is more than four years old and has permanent classroom space available.

Griffin-Spalding County School System students may apply for a transfer to: Jordan Hill Elementary, Moore Elementary, Carver Road Middle, Cowan Road Middle, Kennedy Road Middle, Griffin High or Spalding High. Transportation is not provided.

To apply, complete a school choice transfer request form which can be found on the district website, www.spalding.k12.ga.us or at the Parent Service Center, 234 East Taylor Street.

Deadline for transfer requests is February 28, 2014. Please direct questions to Debra Knight at 770.229.3700.

Additionally, Senate Bill 10 allows eligible special needs students to request a transfer to another school within Spalding County, another public school outside of Spalding County, one of the state schools for the blind or deaf or a private school authorized to participate in the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship.

For this program parents must contact the Georgia Department of Education at http://www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/Policy/Pages/Special-Needs-Scholarship-Program.aspx.

If you are interested in using the Senate Bill 10 transfer process please complete the requests by May 30 for public school transfers and June 30 for private school transfers. Please direct questions to Nicole Johnson at 770.229.3700.

Click HERE for our non-discrimination statement.

Laura Beaber, Editor

GSCS Communications and Partnerships Department

PO Drawer N

Griffin, GA 30224