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GSCS
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
ANNE STREET ELEMENTARY
Michele Entrekin and Fredricus Colbert are the Employee's of the month for Anne Street. Mrs. Entrekin provides resources for our staff and parents, takes care of Honor Roll and does it all with a smile on her face.
Mr. Colbert does what anyone asks with the best attitude in the world. He coached basketball in addition to his regular duties.
ATKINSON
ELEMENTARY
Mrs. Amanda Franklin, K/1 self-contained teacher, is Atkinson's Employee of the Month. She is a team player, always willing to take on extra roles to ensure the success of our students. Mrs. Franklin believes in each of her students and has created a classroom environment of high expectations. She has
a bright, warm spirit and has worked with her colleagues to improve their overall health and well being. Mrs. Franklin is truly appreciated for the many roles she plays at Atkinson.
BEAVERBROOK ELEMENTARY
Michelle Cobb is the Employee of the Month for Beaverbrook. She takes care of our students and staff every day. That is a huge responsibility and she does an awesome job. We appreciate her and want everyone to know how
wonderful she is!
COWAN ROAD ELEMENTARY
Cowan's Employee of the Month is Allison Baker, Media Specialist and so much more!!!
She does a fabulous job of assisting teachers, parents and students. Her instructional technology skills are shared daily as we trouble shoot and GROW with technology. She plays a critical role in supporting student achievement!
CRESCENT ELEMENTARY
Sal Argila (Coach) and Eugene Matthews (Custodian) are Crescent's Employees of the Month. These two gentlemen help to get our day started on a positive note each morning. They are dependable, flexible and truly love our students, parents and staff. Coach and Mr. Eugene meet and greet students and parents in our car rider line and assist students as they get out of the car each morning. We especially appreciate them on rainy, cold mornings because they NEVER complain and continue to
go outside with smiles on their faces. We TRULY APPRECIATE both of them and value the job they do every morning. Thank
you!!
FUTRAL ROAD ELEMENTARY
Futral Road's staff has chosen to nominate Principal Larry Jones as the Employee of the Month. Mr. Jones leads by example with high expectations and a love for our students. He fosters a positive environment for staff, parents, and students. Mr. Jones, thank you for leading Futral Road to excellence over the past ten years. You will be missed next year! Rehoboth Road Middle School is getting a fabulous principal!
JACKSON ROAD ELEMENTARY
Jackson Road's Employee of the Month is Laurel Denham, Art Teacher. This year Ms. Denham created an outstanding art program for our students. Her class provides them with the opportunity to be creative and express their selves while learning an appreciation for art. Most recently Ms. Denham organized our first annual art show where students artwork was displayed and families participated in art activities. We are so glad Ms. Denham has been a part of our staff this year!
CONGRATULATIONS: Dixie Johnston, our April Staff Member of the Month.
Dixie throws great Reading Reward parties, is always happy to help, and does a great job with story time. She is so energetic and thoughtful when dealing
with and teaching students (they LOVE her). She works hard to match up any reading material/resources with our standards. Dixie is always friendly and willing to serve. She constantly encourages everyone and has a positive attitude.
MOORE ELEMENTARY
Shwanda Dukes, Angela Stewart, Tedra Mullins, Ashley Reid, and Kelly Clark are our shining stars for the month of April. These teachers have embraced the challenge by taking the initiative to pursue their math endorsement at Griffin RESA to help Moore become a STEM School. Please join us in recognizing our shining stars.
MORELAND ROAD ELEMENTARY
Janette Geasley, Nicki Gore, Laura Zuke, Dottie English, and Jody Singletary...
Each of these teachers were "called out" during the latest central office walk through regarding their classroom best practices and their use of Learning Targets. These educators do an outstanding job daily and are valuable assets to Moreland Road. Thanks for all that you do!
ORRS ELEMENTARY
Orrs Elementary would like
to recognize Dana Jett as our Employee of the Month. Mrs. Jett sets high expectations for her students and uses research based strategies in her lessons. Her room is filled with student work, Thinking Maps and Learning Targets. She does an outstanding job in implementing PBIS lessons and her students know the PBIS Expectations. The Special Needs students in her classroom are achieving and her hard work is reflected in their performance. Thank you, Ms. Jett, for all you do for your students and Orrs Elementary School.
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4H DISTRICT PROJECT ACHIEVMENT COMPETITION
The students pictured represented Crescent Elementary at the 4H District Project Achievement competition on March 29. Spalding county students competed against students from 13 other counties. Spalding county took 109 participants, of which 84 were top 3 winners.
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Standing (L-R): Hailey Johns, Alexis Stanford, Jonathan Hale (2nd place, Sports), Dakota Blalock (2nd place, Paleontology), Ryan Gravitt (1st place, Computer Information), Mat Fluker (3rd place, Art), Ethan Talbot ((3rd place, Outdoor Survival). Seated (L-R): Sage Hutchinson, Rylee Reaves (1st place, Dog Care), Anna Chasteen (2nd place, Cat Care), Talon Teague (3rd place, Archaelogy) and Madison Whatley.
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MOCK ACCIDENT
FOR GHS
On Thursday, April 11, GHS partnered with the Griffin Police Department, Griffin Fire Rescue and other local emergency responders to perform a mock prom accident simulating the deadly consequences of drinking and driving. While the event was for the students, this is a good reminder for everyone on
the road.
  
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2014-15 KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
MAY 5-30 (M-F)
8 AM - 4 PM
MAY 15 & 22 - 8 AM - 6 PM
PARENT SERVICE CENTER
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RELAY FOR LIFE OF
SPALDING CO.
KIWANIS FAIRGROUNDS
Click HERE for a survivor form
Click HERE for a luminaria form
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This week a board meeting was called to accept the resignations of Steve and Jessica DeVoursney. A lot has already been said and written about the situation so I don't feel it is necessary to go into more detail. I want to focus on our system's values and how our core values, permission-to-play values, and aspirational values can help us move forward. Our system's value of competence is a core value, meaning it is an attribute that we find essential for all GSCS employees. Our system's value of defined autonomy is a permission-to-play value, meaning when someone joins our organization this becomes an expectation for them. Defined autonomy is recognizing that we all have a role to play but that we are a part of a team. If you cannot accept defined autonomy whether being part of a department, grade level or leadership team, it means you want to be on your own. GSCS believes in team work and that two heads are better than one. Our other values are aspirational, meaning we are not there yet, but are aspiring to be. Respect is one of our aspirational values. I would love to say everyone at GSCS is respected and treats others as they expect to be treated. However, I have experienced and heard of situations where employees were disrespectful. Our level of respect is not at the level I think it should be. Loyalty is another aspirational value. Loyalty between people on your team, in your department and within the system is important. It shows a lack of loyalty when system employees speak negatively about any of our schools out in the community. The last aspirational value is open communication. This past week, while looking back through evidence collected in interviews it was clear that we did not talk to one another. It was clear that people had opinions that they were willing to share once the investigation began but not before. If honest, courageous conversations were held a couple of years ago, the situation and outcome could have been very different. Between administrators, teachers, schools and parents open communication is not where it needs to be. For us to move forward and truly transform our community through quality public education, it is time to look in the mirror. It is time for us to take these aspirational values of respect, loyalty and open communication to a permission-to-play level. My challenge to you, and myself, is to work on these three values. As you reflect on this past week in GSCS I hope you think about how we can move forward using these values. Thank you and have a great week.
Curtis
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LETTER TO DR. JONES FROM U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION...
April 4, 2014
Dear Superintendent Jones,
Thank you for participating in the Department's Year 4 onsite review of Georgia's Race to the Top implementation. We truly appreciated the opportunity to speak with you and your team, and your principals and teachers, about the work Griffin-Spalding has done under this grant. In particular, we appreciated hearing how Race to the Top fit into your vision for the district, and the focused approach your team brought to implementing CCGPS and Indistar. We also thank your principals and teachers for their candor in sharing their experiences with this important work.
We look forward to hearing about Griffin-Spalding progress in future years!
Sincerely,
Implementation and Support Unit Office of the Deputy Secretary U.S. Department of Education
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MAINSTAY KICKS OFF AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
 In front of Reclaiming Youth International's Circle of Courage, a Native American medicine wheel identifying four basic needs of man: Belonging, Mastery, Independence and Generosity; Superintendent, Dr. Curtis Jones and Deputy Superintendent, Denise Burrell joined GNETS' Mainstay Academy's Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) students, teachers and parents and teachers to kick off Autism Awareness Month on April 2. Their messages: "Autism is a spectrum of people" and "I see the potential" were displayed on t-shirts, posters and banners. Students and Mainstay Academy staff members want people to understand that people with ASD are people first; a spectrum of people with a wide variety of skills and interests.
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 TKES & LKES REGIONAL FEEDBACK SESSIONS: YOUR THOUGHTS MATTER! Teachers, building leaders, and district leaders are invited to attend Regional Feedback Sessions that will be held throughout Georgia, thanks in partnership with all of the RESAs. There will be three separate sessions to share open and honest feedback on the implementation and processes used with TKES/LKES. Each session is for a designated target audience. Griffin RESA session will be held on May 15. Meeting Schedule: Principals/APs: 9:30-11:00 a.m.
District Leaders: 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Teachers: 4:00-5:30 p.m. Click HERE for flyer |
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 MAKERS MEET: MANUFACTURE A WIN! Visit the Makers Meet, sponsored by Georgia Tech and GSCS, where innovation and ingenuity are all you need to win. The Makers Meet will feature several hands-on activities such as Pop 'Bot Rumble and RoboDash. To win you will race against the clock to pop more balloons than your competitor and navigate a tricky obstacle course using only remote controlled robots! Don't forget to check out the Catapult Challenge where you will design and create your own catapult to send plastic balls flying to hit various targets. All materials are provided and everything is FREE, so stop by and see us the Makers Meet! |
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OPEN ENROLLMENT APRIL 7-18
Click HERE to view the Open Enrollment Flyer
Go to our benefits website to view a video of information presented at the open enrollment meetings held on March 27th.
If you are satisfied with your current coverage you do not have to do anything, it will automatically roll-over beginning July 1st. We encourage you to make sure you are aware of your current coverages. This is also a good time to update your personal contact information, emails and beneficiary information.
Benefits available during Spring Open Enrollment include:
- Dental (there will be a slight increase in the rates)
- Vision (no change)
- Life Insurances (no change)
- Cancer/Critical Illness Insurance (no change)
- Disability (no change)
Enrollment will be handled two ways:
1.) Self-enrollment through the Employee Benefits Website: www.mygscsbenefits.com OR...
2.) Calling Customer Care at 1-877-422-3312.
The call center will not be available on Friday, April 18, due to Good Friday.
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 REMEMBER TO PURPLE UP! ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16! The Georgia Department of Education will join other states and organizations across the nation in celebrating April as the Month of the Military Child. During the week of April 14 to 18, many states and communities will take a day to "Purple Up! For Military Kids." Schools and districts are encouraged to designate a day to wear purple and honor the children of military families in Georgia's public schools. You can learn more about the Month of the Military Child and get activity ideas at http://www.monthofthemilitarychild.com. |
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GaDOE Technology Services is offering five regional summits to learn more information about the district level tools available via the SLDS. They will conduct sessions on the High School Feedback Report, Instructional Improvement System (IIS) and the Learning Object Repository (LOR). Please use the following link to find more information and directions on registration: http://tinyurl.com/sldsinfosummit
These regional summits will be provided free to districts who would like to send attendees. In addition, we will provide lunch and mileage reimbursement. Each of the five locations can accommodate 100 participants per location on a first come, first served basis, so register early.
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 MARCH'S MVP SHARES THOUGHTS
Mrs. Amy Vandeklashorst from Kennedy Road Middle School
was selected as GSCS's Most Valuable Parent (MVP) for March.
Click HERE for her thoughts about volunteering with GSCS.
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 GRIFFIN CHORAL ARTS PRESENTS ''TO THEE, MY COUNTRY" The Griffin Choral Arts community chorus will present a concert entitled "To Thee, My Country" on Thursday, May 1, at 7:30 PM at the Griffin First Baptist Church (106 W. Taylor St). Tickets are $10 general admission (all ages) at the door or in advance in Griffin at Artistic Flowers and Gifts and Safehouse Coffee Roasters; in Barnesville at Goggans Florist; in Zebulon at A Novel Experience bookstore; and in Thomaston at the TUAC Gallery.
Click HERE to view 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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