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GSCS
CENTRAL OFFICE EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
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Mary Reed
Instructional Technology PC Network Specialist
In addition to handling all of the technology needs at Moreland Road Elementary and Carver Road Middle, Mrs. Reed also manages critical programs such as iRead, iReady, Read 180 and iStation. She effortlessly handles numerous extra duties without seeking recognition and maintains a stellar attitude. Thank you for being a leader in our department!
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SRH OFFERS GSCS FEMALES A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Spalding Regional Hospital (SRH) has a golden opportunity for the female staff of GSCS. SRH is hosting two special evening events exclusively for you to schedule your annual screening mammogram.
October 7, 2015 & October 27, 2015
5PM - 7PM
Spalding Regional Hospital Women's Center
For more information click HERE to view the flyer.
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DRIVE-THROUGH FREE FLU CLINIC
The Spalding County Health Department is hosting the annual drive-through free flu clinic from Oct. 21-23, from 7:30am to 6:30pm in the health department parking lot at 1007 Memorial Drive. About 1,250 free vaccines will be available to Spalding County residents on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To receive the free flu shot you must:
- Be a Spalding County resident
- Be over the age of 15
- Not be currently sick
- Not be allergic to eggs
- Not have had the Gillian-Barre Syndrome
Flu season is approaching so mark these dates on your calendar!
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DISNEY ON ICE
100 YEARS OF MAGIC
Oct. 7-11, 2015
PHILLIPS ARENA
* Use offer code GASSOUTH and save 20% on tickets!
1-800-745-3000
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THE 69th ANNUAL SPALDING COUNTY FAIR
OCT. 9-17, 2015
KIWANIS FAIRGROUNDS
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DRACULA
GRIFFIN BALLET THEATRE
OCT. 8 & 9
7:30 PM
GRIFFIN AUDITORIUM
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PERFORMANCE MATTERS NEW OCTOBER WEBINARS
Click HERE to check out some of the new sessions developed for their free webinar series.
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 For years, school improvement advocates have contended that overregulation through state and federal laws and mandates have been detrimental to innovation by local districts working to meet student needs. The Georgia General Assembly passed a measure several years ago requiring all school districts in Georgia to make a choice regarding decisions to waive certain state laws and regulations while accepting defined accountability criteria. Three primary options were offered: charter system, strategic waiver district or status quo. Each option provided choices as to state laws and regulations a district wished to waive or, in the case of status quo, waive none. The October 6, Board of Education meeting will include a presentation and public hearing concerning our application to become a Strategic Waiver District known as an IE2 district. Like a majority of districts across Georgia, we chose to pursue this option because it allows maximum flexibility while accepting accountability criteria tied to improvement in school and district College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores. The application highlights our request to be exempted from certain state laws and regulations regarding class size, certification requirements, promotion and retention criteria, scheduling and seat time, expenditure controls, program design, etc. I must note that no federal laws can be waived. If approved, GSCS will be able to employ certain flexibilities in designing instructional programs and delivery models best suited to improve student achievement. This as an exciting opportunity for GSCS. With our work on a new five-year strategic plan and flexibility from certain state requirements, our staff will have the opportunity to develop data-driven program modifications based on the needs of our students. At the same time we shouldn't be afraid of the accountability piece. Consequences for not meeting accountability targets range from conversion to charter schools to reversion to status quo. However, we should focus on these new tools for the benefit of our students and the success it will bring. Thank you for all you do for the students entrusted to you every day. Have a great weekend!Jim Smith
Superintendent
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GSCS HOLDS BOARD HEARING ON GOVERNANCE MODEL
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 House Bill 1209 provided for "Increased Flexibility for Local School Systems" when it was passed in 2008. Every school system in the state was required to choose a new governance model. The Griffin-Spalding Board of Education chose the option known as Strategic Waivers/IE2 or Investing in Educational Excellence. District staff has worked for the past year or so developing an application and studying the options available to the school system under this new model. Now named SWSS/IE2 our school district will operate under the terms of an SWSS/IE2 contract between the State Board of Education and the GSCS Board of Education. The school system receives flexibility in the form of waivers for certain state laws, rules and guidelines in exchange for greater accountability for increased student performance. SWSS/IE2 contracts are intended to provide local school districts with the flexibility they need to increase student achievement. A public hearing on this governance model will be held at 5:30 pm on October 6 in the Board of Education room at 216 S. 6th Street. The public is welcome to make comments on the new model. Click HERE to find a list of the possible waivers. |
| PIE TUITION REIMBURSEMENT SCHOLARSHIPS OPEN OCT. 1! |
 Griffin-Spalding Partners In Education is offering scholarships for up to $1,000 each to Griffin-Spalding County School System teachers who are currently seeking additional certification or advanced degrees related to their teaching/educational field.
To qualify, applicants should:
- Have at least one year of service as a GSCS certified employee.
- Complete the online application at www.gspie.org between Oct. 1 - 31, 2015.
Recipients must:
- Provide 2015 grades and a tuition receipt (or loan statement) for reimbursement up to $1,000 (scan and attach with application).
- Agree upon completion of certification or degree, to serve as a GSCS teacher or administrator for at least one year if offered a position.
- Remain in good academic standing while receiving scholarship funding by maintaining passing grades and a 3.0 GPA or higher.
*The tuition reimbursement scholarships may be used for tuition, books or lab fees.
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GHS LADY BEARS RECOGNIZED FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
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 The Lady Bears
(12-6, 8-4 region
4-AAAA in 2015) were recognized with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) High School Team Academic Award for the 2014-2015 school year for having an outstanding grade point average. The 24 members of the varsity team had a combined 3.39 GPA.This is the second season in a row the Lady Bears have been recognized for academic achievement. |
IMPORTANT TO DO's BEFORE OPEN ENROLLMENT - OCT. 19 - NOV. 6
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 1. UPDATE YOUR SHBP
Your SHBP Enrollment Portal password expires every 45 days. Follow these directions to update your password:
- Access the SHBP Enrollment Portal at www.mygscsbenefits.com.
- Login using your current password:
* If it has been over 45 days since the last time you logged in, you'll be prompted to create a new password which will expire every 45 days. * If you do not know your current User Name or Password click the Forgot User ID or Forgot Password.
2. UPDATE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS
If correction is required, contact Human Resources IMMEDIATELY. This process ensures members' insurance identification cards are mailed to the correct address.
3. UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
It is very important to update your email addresses in order to receive enrollment confirmations, transitional communications and pertinent information regarding your benefits. Most notices, unless required by law to be mailed through the postal service, will be emailed. Provided email addresses are also used to deliver the activation code during registration on the SHBP Enrollment Portal.
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KEEP MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET!
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 If you are a classified employee currently enrolled in medical coverage through State Health Benefit Plan and you decline coverage during open enrollment, you may be eligible for the Shared Savings Program.
Click HERE for more information.
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"YOU DON'T DROWN BY FALLING IN THE WATER. YOU DROWN BY STAYING THERE."
~ Anonymous
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GSCS CELEBRATES 16TH ANNUAL WORLD MILK DAY ON SEPT. 30
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World School Milk Day is an engaging way to teach students about the importance of drinking milk as part of a healthy, balanced diet with an emphasis on milk as an excellent source of vitamins and minerals that kids need to stay alert and ready to learn.
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| RESA CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS |
 Griffin Regional Educational Service Agency will host its 1st Annual Drive-In Conference on "Improving Student Behavior, Student Engagement, and School Climate" on February 23, 2016 and we need YOU! Administrators, teachers and support personnel throughout our region are invited to submit a proposal to present at this event. This conference is expected to attract educational leaders from all eight of the Griffin RESA school systems and many other systems throughout the state. The goal is to provide the attendees with informative and engaging presentations on the "hot" topics in the field of improving student behavior, student engagement, and school climate. The planning committee is seeking speakers who can provide new perspectives and fresh and innovative ideas in the following four strands: 1. Performance Standard 2: Instructional Planning 2. Performance Standard 3: Instructional Strategies 3. Performance Standards 7: Positive Learning Environment 4. Performance Standard 8: Academically Challenging Environment Click HERE for more information.
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PUBLIC REVIEW FOR GaDOE NEW COMPUTER SCIENCE COURSES
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 The State Board of Education voted on Friday to post standards for three new computer science courses for public review and comment.
The courses, which are all part of the Information Technology Career Cluster Pathway, will be posted for public comment for sixty days. If approved, students in any of the proposed courses - Embedded Computing, Web Development, and Game Design: Animation and Simulation - would be eligible to receive a core math, science, or foreign language credit. Read more... |
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SHS BOOK CLUB RECEIVES GRANT
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 To enhance and support youth literacy, The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded $3,000 to Spalding High School's book club, The Spinecrackers. The club has over 30 members that meet once a month to discuss the current books. The grant money will provide new books for the club this school year. |
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