the gscs 
COMMUNICATOR
system-wide straight talk
|
|
|
|
|
GSCS weekly employee e-newsletter published by
the Communications & Partnerships Department
| March 10-14, 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Greetings!
Who are we? People in the workplace like to talk about organizational culture, that mysterious word that characterizes the qualities of a work environment. When we interview potential employees we explore whether the candidate is a good cultural fit for our system. Cultural fit is difficult to define but we generally know it when we find it. That person just feels right. By the same reasoning, employees who do not fit our culture, our values and our ethics at GSCS tend to weed themselves out and look for other opportunities, and this is okay, too. Culture is the environment that surrounds us at work all of the time. Culture is a powerful element that shapes our work enjoyment, our work relationships and our work processes. But culture is not something you can typically see except through its physical manifestations in our best work. When times are stressful and when we are required to pull together shows our culture at its best. After two snow and ice storms that left us immobile and in some cases without power, the definition of our culture became very clear not only to me but also to our parents, our students and our entire community. We are people who pull together when circumstances require our best efforts. We are teachers and paraprofessionals who stand in the cold to make sure our students are safely in their cars. We are bus drivers who ride roads and share information to get our students home to their anxiously-awaiting parents. We are principals and counselors who stay late to make the phone calls to ensure that everyone is safe and sound. We are cafeteria workers who are willing to think outside of the box and stand ready to change menus in a moment's notice just to make sure every student is fed and ready to dismiss early if that's what it takes to keep them safe. We are custodians and maintenance workers who salt the sidewalks and put out the "wet floor" signs to keep our passageways safe. It is no mystery that our culture is like our personality-reliable and all together. Our culture is unspoken and unwritten but it has never been more obvious to me. It is how we work together, and it is largely influenced by our genuine concern for our students. In recognition of our culture as demonstrated by your spectacular commitment to our students during the January and February snow and ice, your principals and department heads will give you a special lapel pin to wear on your lanyards that commemorates and honors your professional and selfless efforts. You clearly demonstrated your shared beliefs in Griffin-Spalding School System's values and our culture is an example for other school systems to emulate.  Who are we? We are a group of highly-trained, student-centered educators and support professionals, daring to do better together in difficult times to make a difference in the lives of students. I am proud of each and every one of you, and I am proud to be your superintendent. Curtis 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 REMEMBER TO SET YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD AN HOUR ON SUNDAY, MARCH 9 AT 2 A.M.!
|
 STEELE NAMED PRINCIPAL OF FUTRAL ROAD ELEMENTARY
The Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education appointed Ben Steele as principal of Futral Road Elementary School beginning July 1, 2014.
Ben Steele has been with the Griffin-Spalding County School System for six years serving as the assistant principal at both Cowan Road Elementary and Kennedy Road Middle School. Steele began his career in education with the Henry County School System as a health and physical education teacher and athletic director for six years.
After receiving his Associates degree from Gordon College, Steele earned his Bachelor's degree in health and physical education from the University of West Georgia. He completed his Master's degree in instructional technology at Troy State University and his Specialist in administration at Lincoln Memorial University.
"It has been my distinct pleasure to experience leadership positions at two different levels, both middle and elementary and under two principals. My leadership skills have grown tremendously over the past six years. My experience has taught me that an excellent administrator must have the ability to build trust, foster relationships, provide consistent communicate, lead instructionally, embrace and inspire change, and most importantly make all decisions based upon what is best for students. I am confident through strong relationships, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement Futral Road's success will continue and could lead the state in student achievement," said Ben Steele.
Dr. Curtis Jones, superintendent of Griffin-Spalding County School System stated, "Mr. Steele's experience and extensive knowledge of curriculum, instruction, Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS), Response to Intervention (RTI), and more made him an excellent candidate for this position. I am confident that Mr. Steele's experience, knowledge and excellent leadership qualities will ensure sustained success for Futral Road."
|
 SYSTEM-WIDE CRISIS DRILL ON MARCH 14
GSCS in cooperation with city and county authorities are conducting a system-wide crisis drill on Friday, March 14, 2014. Please mark your calendars to be aware that a drill is in place and watch for emergency vehicles around schools. In preparation for the drill all school front office staff attended an intruder training last week facilitated by our regional GEMA school safety coordinator. The trainer discussed several key safety tips that all employees should review not only in preparation for the drill but to ensure you're prepared every day. Tips are: - Know your school Emergency Operations Plan and your role in the plan.
- Know where your school emergency evacuation kits are located (all schools should have at least two - one in front office and one in rear of school).
- Know your school lock-down procedures and emergency/crisis codes.
- Know where your school emergency maps are located.
- Ensure your classroom intercom is working properly and/or you have the capability to communicate with the school office.
- Control all points of entry and always have two escape routes in mind.
- Pay attention to your surroundings (being able to give a detailed description is important).
The safety of our students and staff is our number one priority. Please review these safety items so we keep our schools safe and focused on learning. |
 STUDENT TESTING CALENDARS MODIFIED
Griffin-Spalding County School System received permission today to modify its student testing calendar. The Georgia Department of Education approved the request following seven missed days for inclement weather over the last two months. "This approval from the Georgia Department of Education will allow our students additional days of instruction," said Denise Burrell, deputy superintendent for teaching and learning. "Almost three full weeks of additional instruction will make a positive impact on our students," she added. The new dates for CRCT testing are: 6th grade: April 29 - May 5 3-5 grades: May 1-May 7 7-8 grades: May 1-7 High school End of Course tests will be administered May 19-23. "Testing has become a critical measure of student growth," said Superintendent Curtis L. Jones, Jr., Ed.D. "The addition of extra instruction days will allow students more time to practice what they have learned." |
 ATTENTION EDUCATORS:
GET OUT THE VOTE
Message from the Georgia School Boards Association
This year is an important election year. Various education leaders participated in a Get Out the Vote public services announcement to encourage people in education to get registered and to vote. The voter registration deadline is April 21, 2014 and the primary election will be held May 20, 2014.
Click HERE and take a moment to watch this video. Please share this to encourage everyone to do their civic duty and to vote in the 2014 statewide and local elections. |
|
BOARD BRIEFS 
At its regular meetings on March 4, 2014 the board of education....
- Approved all field trip requests
- Approved BOE meeting minutes for February 4, 2014
- Approved First Reading of Policies: Board Records; Sick Leave; Criminal Background Check; Promotion and Retention Update
- Approved Adoption of Federal Grant Budgets
- Approved Board of Education minutes for 1/7/2014 meeting
- Approved Human Resources action items
- Approved election of Principal for Futral Road Elementary- Ben Steele
- Approved GSBA Delegate and Alternate Appointments
- Approved no snow make ups for students and employees
Received information on:
- Monthly facilities and maintenance report
- Most valuable parents for February 2014
- Construction/renovation progress summary
- Senate Bill 167 and Senate Bill 384
Heard presentations on:
- Industrial Development Authority - David Luckie & Chuck Copeland
- GSBA request for Legislative Position Suggestions for 2015 - Jim Smith
- RT3 US ED Site Visits - Ashley McLemore
- Snow day decisions and their impacts - Denise Burrell and Stephanie Dobbins
- Financial update as of January 31, 2014 - Ryan McLemore
In other business the board recognized...
- Star students and teachers
- 2014 AP STEM schools - Griffin High School & Spalding High School
- Atkinson Elementary STEM teams
- Winners of the Griffin RESA 2014 Literacy Days Competition
- 2014 Georgia Poetry Society Youth Contest Achievers
- First Place winners of the 2014 Griffin RESA Regional Science & Engineering Fair
|
| COLLEGE & CAREER EMPLOYEE INFO SESSION
|
 SHBP 2014 PLAN DESIGN CHANGES
On January 27, 2014, the Department of Community Health's (DCH) Board of Community Health approved State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) plan design changes for 2014. The plan design changes enhance the health plan options for SHBP members by replacing co-insurance with co-pays for certain medical and pharmacy benefits. The plan design changes become effective on March 14, 2014, and will be retroactive to January 1, 2014.
What's changing in the SHBP 2014 plan?
- SHBP members will pay co-pays at the time of service for certain medical and/or pharmacy benefits.
- SHBP members will receive new Member ID Cards by mid-March. The Member ID card will contain the co-insurance information and the new co-pay information. Members should start using the new Member ID Cards on March 14, 2014.
What's not changing in the SHBP 2014 plan?
- Premiums, deductibles, co-insurance, out-of-pocket maximums and HRA incentive dollars are not changing.
- SHBP members will not be allowed to change the plan option selected during Open Enrollment/Retiree Option Change Period in the fall of 2013.
- SHBP members are still encouraged to complete their wellness incentives to earn additional HRA dollars that can further reduce their out-of-pocket expenses related to services that are subject to co-insurance. Click HERE to view the 2014 State Health Benefit Plan Incentives chart.
- SHBP members enrolled in an SHBP 2014 Medicare Advantage (MA) plan option are not affected by the plan design changes.
|
ONLINE DEGREES FROM A CREDIBLE & AFFORDABLE INSTITUTION
Kennesaw State University (KSU) has received approval from the GaPSC for an online M.Ed. and online Ed.S. in Instructional Technology. Finally, online degrees from a CREDIBLE and AFFORDABLE institution! KSU is part of the University System of Georgia and fully SACS accredited. Our faculty are nationally known and recognized for their work in Instructional Technology at the state and national levels. KSU is ready to prepare your teachers to leverage technology for 21st century teaching and learning.
These online degree programs lead to the NEW GaPSC S-certification (Service) in Instructional Technology upon passing the GACE and will result in an upgrade to an existing teaching certificate (T-5 or T-6).
We are now admitting students for SUMMER and FALL cohorts!
For more information, please check out the links below:
M.Ed. in Instructional Technology (online) - http://www.kennesaw.edu/itecmed
Ed.S. in Instructional Technology (online) - http://www.kennesaw.edu/iteceds
|
|
|
|
GSCS
CENTRAL OFFICE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
ASHLEY MCLEMORE
Ashley is committed to working hard to ensure the compliance of Federal Programs and ensures that her job is done efficiently and effectively. She is caring and courteous to everyone and will lend a helping hand even if it is outside of her normal duties. She is a tremendous asset to GSCS because of her years of knowledge, her skills, and her abilities.
|
|
STAR STUDENTS ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to our high school STAR students and the teachers who
inspired them!
GHS
Kaitlyn Ruhl & James Lindsey
SHS
Daniel Blake & Cheryl Clark
Daniel Blake from SHS was also named the
2 014 STAR student for our county.
Congratulations!
 |
|
SHS LITERARY COMPETITION
CHAMPS!
The Spalding High School Literary team competed in the Region 4-AAAA Literary Competition last Saturday and walked away as Champions! The team placed 1st in 7 out of 10 categories- Boy's Solo, Girl's Trio, Boy's Quartet, Boy's Dramatic Interpretation, Girl's Dramatic Interpretation, Boy's Extemporaneous Speaking and Girl's Essay. SHS placed 2nd in Girl's solo and Boy's Essay in addition to placing third in Girl's Extemporaneous speaking. First place winners will travel to Warner Robins on March 15th to compete in the State Competition. We're so proud of our students. Go Jags!
 | |
Pictured: Hayden Flanders, Dru Boyles, Jacob Joiner, Omar Mullins, Abbie Argo, Bailey Harvil, Katie Sutton, Beth Kirby, Janice Lynch, Walker Spivey, Kimeon Few and Connor Panker.
|
|
|
GSCS TEACHER CHOSEN AS AN 11-ALIVE CLASS ACT
Griffin High School teacher, James Lindsey, was chosen for the 11-Alive Class Act award. Some of the qualities that are looked for in the award are knowledge of subjects she/he teaches, love of teaching, empathy, positive attitude, and persistence in giving personal best. Mr. Lindsey, GHS STAR teacher, exemplifies all of these qualities!
Please click HERE
to see the Class Act Presentation on Mr. Lindsey.
|
|
GSCS PRE-K REGISTRATION
The GSCS Pre-K Parent Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 11 at 6 p.m. in the Griffin Auditorium.
Pre-K Registration is March 27-April 4 in the Parent Service Center from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
|
|
FROGSLIB
BOOK SALE
 The Friends of the
Griffin-Spalding County Library(FROGSLIB)
announce a book sale to be held on March 8 at the library
(800 Memorial Drive) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The doors will open at 9 a.m. for members of FROGSLIB. We have received several large donations in the last few months and have an excellent selection of both fiction and
nonfiction books.
|
|
|
|
Click HERE for our non-discrimination statement
Laura Beaber, Editor
Griffin-Spalding County School System
PO Drawer N
Griffin, GA 30224
|
|
|
|
|
