GSCS
HIGH SCHOOL EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
A. Z. KELSEY
Grace Mercer-Lindsey is the Employee of the Month for A.Z. Kelsey. Mrs. Lindsey has recently taken on additional responsibilities as a team leader. She works extremely hard to reach her students by making real-world connections in her classroom on a daily basis. She encourages her students to do their very best each day. Mrs. Lindsey is truly an asset to A.Z. Kelsey!
MAINSTAY ACADEMY
Mainstay's Employees of the Month are Grant Adams and Rodney Miles. These two gentlemen have taken on all classroom responsibilities for one of our most difficult student groups while their teacher has been absent. They have approached a difficult situation with professionalism and enthusiasm. They have designed and structured the classroom, established an appropriate routine, grouped students based on formative evaluation and have planned and delivered meaningful instruction. They are consistently providing the structure and instruction needed for students to reach social, emotional, behavioral and academic success.
GHS
Walter Preston is the Employee of the Month for Griffin High School. He is a phenomenal leader for the CTAE department as he always goes above and beyond. Mr. Preston is the type of person who completes things without even being asked. He received wonderful reviews from the CTAE Perkins Compliance review. The DOE Program Specialist, Dr. Mark Crenshaw stated, "I have never seen a construction program such as his nor a construction teacher as good as him." Mr. Preston serves on bus duty everyday (because he truly wants to) and is one of the most helpful people at GHS. Mr. Preston has positively affected the lives of so many students, and because of people like him, is why "Everything Matters." Go Bears!
SHS
Casey Chafin is SHS's Employee of the Month. He has brought new life to our students and Special Education Department. He is encouraging, motivating and is always pushing his students to be successful. The students love him, the parents adore him and his peers are excited to have him on their team. Great job Mr. Chafin!
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All GSCS high school math teachers participated in Math Design Collaborative (MDC) training this week to learn about Formative Assessment Lessons (FAL's). Jackie Hennings, Griffin RESA, and Michelle Purmort, SHS Math Coach, led the training.
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This Sunday, Sept. 21! 2014 Cinema for a Cause
Griffin Stadium Cinema
Go to the movies and support Partners In Education by purchasing a ticket, popcorn, candy and a drink!
Click HERE to see movie showings & times |
Special thanks to all the sponsors, participants and volunteers for making the 13th annual PIE Golf Tournament such a success!
1st Place Team:
Impact Outsourcing Solutions
2nd Place Team:
David Foy Team
3rd Place Team:
Southern Federal Credit Union
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To Jackson Road Elementary, Kennedy Road Middle and Assistant Superintendent, Sharlene Patterson, for participating in the tournament.
*Special shout-out to Rusty Hudson, split AP at KRMS & RRMS, for getting closest to pin on two holes! |
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It is important for us to have fun at work! It is also important to have great co-workers because that is what makes work fun.
This month, I have had a lot of fun at work. I have really enjoyed meeting with school faculty and staff to discuss the current status and future of our system. I truly believe that we are at the military crest of a hill about to continue onward with great pride and success.
Thanks to Futral Road principal Ben Steele, I had a blast at work this morning! Knowing that he would be out this morning and that "one man don't stop a show," Ben allowed me to lead their clap-out. The level of excitement and energy at Futral Road Elementary at 8:05 a.m. was wowing! You could feel, see and hear the enthusiasm. Students were running into the school not wanting to be late or miss any part of the clap-out. Parents and grandparents, of students in the clap-out, specially brought them to school and lined the hallways in anticipation.
The morning announcements began and the names of the students who academically excelled this week were called from every class to participate. As their names were announced, those students lined up behind me in an orderly fashion. Then the music began and I started running through the halls with the students following me as we were cheered on by teachers, staff, parents and other students. It was fun! Seeing staff, parents and students cheering and giving each other high-fives all in celebration of academic success was moving.
We ran our lap through the school and the clap-out was over by 8:10 a.m. When it was over, one of the parents told me that her student was in the fourth grade and still looks forward to the clap-out, it is what he strives for every week. Think about this...students are excited to go to school; they have something fun to work toward and are improving academically. WOW. Plus, it's free!
Great job Futral Road and thanks for the reminder that school is suppose to be fun for both students and staff.
Remember to have fun and enjoy your weekend!
Thanks everyone.
COLDR
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 FOUR GSCS SCHOOLS RECOGNIZED AS 2014 REWARD SCHOOLS BY GADOE Atkinson Elementary, A. Z. Kelsey Academy, Cowan Road Elementary and Moreland Road Elementary were all included on the 2014 list of Reward Schools released by the Georgia Department of Education this week. "The schools on this list represent some of the finest efforts being put forth in Georgia education," State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge said. Read more... Click HERE for the list of Georgia's 2014 Highest Progress Schools |
 STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES: A WORK IN PROGRESS FOR TEACHERS & STUDENTS Message from Ellen Lee, Race to the Top Coordinator Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) are one component of the GSCS assessment system. SLOs measure student growth in non-tested content areas (not assessed by GA Milestones or other state assessments). SLOs may be obtained from Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) or other school districts or they may be locally developed by teacher teams under the direction of school administrators. Many GSCS teachers were identified as content experts and participated in assessment writing for SLOs during the past two years at the district and state levels. As an RT3 Cohort 1 district, GSCS implemented one growth measure (assessment) per teacher last year and two growth measures this year. Read more... |
BEARDEN'S TIPS ON LEADERSHIP
Follow-up #6: Actions as Tools for Influencing Behavior
Click HERE for handout |
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 MILLAGE RATE ADOPTED BY BOARD OF EDUCATION
On September 16, at a specially called meeting the Board of Education approved a millage rate of 19.47 mills for 2014 property tax.
For property tax purposes and as part of the budget preparation process, the Board of Education adopts a millage rate each year. The rate is based on local revenue needs reflected in the system budget and the total value of taxable property in the county.
Local property tax provides one-third of the district general fund budget.
School Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones stated, "Although the total taxable value of property in Spalding County is down by $34 million, GSCS will maintain the same millage rate."
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 EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS POSTED ON GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WEBSITE
It's almost that time...Open Enrollment begins at 12:01 a.m. ET on Monday, October 27, 2014 and closes at 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, November 14, 2014. Have you started thinking about what health care option you are going to choose for you and your family? If you have questions, you'll be glad to know that the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) will be scheduling Education Sessions for Active and Retired members across Georgia to help you choose your options. Be sure to mark your calendar, and take advantage of the SHBP's vendors' expertise.
For more information please see the:
Education Session Schedule for Active and Pre-65 Retiree Members
*GSCS will be having two open enrollment meetings for employees on October 21st at 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the GSCS Learning Center.
If you have questions, you may call the SHBP Call Center 800-610-1863 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday.
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SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL YOGA AWARENESS MONTH: LIMBER UP & DE-STRESS
 Yoga increases flexibility and reduces stress, but the practice can do more than help you twist your body into pretzel shapes and find inner peace.
SURPRISING HEALTH BENEFITS OF YOGA:
- Boost Immunity - A recent Norwegian study found that yoga practice results in changes in gene expression that boost immunity at a cellular level.
- Ease Migraines - Research shows that migraine sufferers have fewer and less painful migraines after three months of yoga practice.
- Sleep Better - Researchers from Harvard found that eight weeks of daily yoga significantly improved sleep quality for people with insomnia.
- Fight Food Cravings - Researchers from the University of Washington found that regular yoga practice is associated with mindful eating, an awareness of physical and emotional sensations associated with eating.
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HELFUL RESOURCES FROM THE GADOE
GEORGIA MILESTONES ASSESSMENT:
More information about the Georgia Milestones Assessment System is now up on our site. Resources available include content weights, technology guidelines, copies of presentations made on the system and a parents' guide.
Click HERE
RAISE FUNDS WHILE COMPLYING WITH SMART SNACKS POLICY:
 Is your school working to raise funds while complying with the new, federal Smart Snacks in Schools policy? We've gathered together a list of healthy fundraiser ideas, and we tried to make it a little bit fun - it's in Pinterest board form.
Click HERE
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STATE BOTANICAL GARDEN'S ART COMPETITION OPEN FOR GEORGIA'S 9TH - 12TH GRADERS
 The State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia is conducting a statewide art competition to recognize student talent and create signature items for the garden's gift shop. The artist with the winning design will receive $1,000; awards of $500 and $250 and certificates of merit will be presented.
*Deadline for submissions is December 3.
For guidelines visit: http://bit.ly/1wADAHw
For the entry form visit: http://bit.ly/1uFNkgn
For more info. visit: http://bit.ly/1qZpx9D
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Click HERE for our non-discrimination statement.
Laura Beaber, Editor
GSCS Communications and Partnerships Department
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