|
EMPLOYEE
OF THE MONTH
Melinda Stephenson
Federal Programs Department Administrative Assistant
Despite the voluminous documentation required from federal programs, Melinda always exemplifies excellent customer service, whether in person or on the phone. She helps create a positive and productive work environment and is always willing to be of assistance to staff and stakeholders. Her top priority is to provide excellent support. Her work is greatly appreciated.
|
SHS CHORUS RANKS SUPERIOR
The SHS Chorus recently attended the Georgia Music Educators Association's Large Group Performance Evaluation. All three choirs- the SHS Women's Chorus, the SHS Select Women's Chorus and the SHS Men's Chorus- received Superiors (the highest possible score) in both performance and sight-reading!
Congratulations to the SHS choruses and their director, Brett Duncan!
For more information about the SHS Chorus, visit www.spaldinghighchorus.org |
|
GHS GOALKEEPER NAMED MAXPREP PLAYER OF THE WEEK
GHS Goalkeeper Geranger Lewis was one of the 14 high school players (six boys, eight girls) named NSCAA/MaxPreps High School State Players of the Week for their on-field efforts March 7-13.
The NSCAA uses results and statistics provided by MaxPreps.com to select one boy and one girl honoree competing during the spring high school season (Feb.-June).
Winners receive a MaxPreps/NSCAA branded letterman's patch and recognition on both MaxPreps.com and NSCAA.com.
Congrats to GHS Bears Head Soccer Coach Jeremy Williams for a job well done!
Click HERE to see Geranger's profile.
|
|
Thursday, May 26, 2016-
A.Z. Kelsey Graduation
9:30 a.m.
Griffin Auditorium
(233 E. Taylor Street)
SHS Graduation
8 p.m.
Memorial Stadium
(310 Poplar Street)
Friday, May 27, 2016 -
GHS Graduation
7 p.m.
Memorial Stadium
(310 Poplar Street)
|
 APRIL OBSERVANCES
National Poetry Month
Autism Awareness Month
Math Awareness Month
National Humor Month
National Garden Month
International Guitar Month
National Frog Month
Month of the Military Child
Financial Literacy Month
April 10-16 -
National Library Week
National Volunteer Week
April 24-30 -
Administrative Professionals Week
Sky Awareness Week
April 1 - April Fool's Day
April 10 - Siblings Day
April 16 - National Librarian Day
April 17 - Bat Appreciation Day
April 22 - Earth Day
April 23 - Talk Like Shakespeare Day
April 25 - DNA Day
April 25 - World Penguin Day
April 26 - Paper Airplane Day
April 26 - Arbor Day
April 29 - Puppetry Day
|
|
|
In past two weeks, I have had the opportunity to attend programs recognizing outstanding students in our school system. The STAR Program recognized two outstanding students, Lance Holden of GHS and Iris Smith of SHS, who in turn named as their respective STAR teachers Anthony Kluemper and Kristine Ahrens. All four of these individuals represent Griffin-Spalding schools very well and I am proud to have them do so. An interesting side note, at the Region STAR banquet attended by representatives from eleven counties, three of the students chose elementary teachers as their STAR teachers. You never know when a lifelong impact will be made due to the teacher-student relationship, but you know, for sure, that one will be made.
A few days later we began a round of recognition programs for high school students maintaining a grade point average of 89.5 or higher. First National Bank, one of our long time partners in education, recognized over 500 students from the two high schools at either breakfast or dinner programs. This is an impressive number. But we can't forget the students who work hard and learn every day in our classrooms but for whom high grade averages are more difficult. We believe all students can and will learn. The impact of the teacher-student relationship can be just as life changing for those with lower grade averages. We owe our best to all students every day. Thank you for what you do in classrooms and schools to bring out the best in all.
We also want to recognize the impact our Board of Education makes on our school system. James Graham, Zach Holmes, Barbara Jo Cook, Mike Kendall, and James Westbury devote much time and energy to the service of our students and staff. To them, thank you for what you do for our school system. Happy School Board Appreciation Week. Have a great weekend.
Jim Smith
Superintendent
|
|
OUTSTANDING STUDENT & SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET
The 33rd annual GHS and SHS Outstanding Student and Scholarship Banquet was held on March 15, 2016, sponsored by First National Bank.
Spalding High School recognized 58 seniors and 57 juniors for having a grade point average higher than 89.5. Griffin High School recognized 47 seniors and 52 juniors for having a grade point average higher than 89.5.
Click HERE to view a copy of the program. |
|
GSCS STEM CURRICULUM AHEAD OF THE PACK
On March 3, Cowan Road Middle Technology Teacher Amber Smith and Kennedy Road Middle Technology Teacher James Ray, along with Georgia Tech CEISMC (Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing) AMP-IT-UP Program Director Jeff Rosen, shared GSCS successes at the 2016 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) Conference in Washington, DC.
Their presentation "The New Power Tool: Student Generated Data" launched the newly-developed STEM Innovation and Design (STEM-ID) curriculum for sixth through ninth grade students.
The curriculum was developed by Jeff Rosen, engineering and robotics program director, and Dr. Roxanne Moore, research engineer, from Georgia Tech CEISMC through the National Science Foundation Math & Science Partnership
AMP-IT-UP. The curriculum engages students in experimental design, data driven decision making and prototyping to solve a client driven problem.
|
|  | |
Pictured (L-R): Georgia Tech CEISMC Program Director Jeff Rosen, Cowan Road Middle School Technology Teacher Amber Smith and Kennedy Road Middle School Technology Teacher James Ray.
| |
|
|
GSCS SEVENTH GRADERS GET HYPED FOR EDUCATION
|
| |
GSCS middle school administrators and teachers joined in on the fun at the Hyped for Education conference on March 11. The event was held for all GSCS seventh graders as a PBIS reward. The conference consisted of several professional speakers, musicians and performers that delivered messages centered around the conference theme: Attitude - Achievement - Attendance.
|
|
 STUDENT SERVICES TRANSITION
The Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education named Bonita Fluker to replace retiring Student Services Director Donna Parks. Parks has announced her retirement effective November 30, 2016. She has served GSCS students for 40 years.
School Superintendent Jim Smith stated "Creating a smooth transition for students and families is the major focus for both Ms. Parks and Ms. Fluker. Ms. Parks has a vast knowledge of the school system and student services."
Ms. Fluker will take the directorship on December 1, after working with Ms. Parks for five months.
Read more... |
JORDAN HILL CELEBRATES READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK
Jordan Hill Elementary recently celebrated Read Across America Week with a reading challenge to see which students and classes could read the most over a two-week time period. Students returning their reading log helped tape Assistant Principal Tonya Nelms to the wall in the cafeteria during lunch.
Pictured are Mrs. Nelms, second grade teacher Kayla Echols and her student, Ke'Zaria Reeves.
|
 JHE STUDENTS STUDY STOCK
MARKET
Fifth grade students in
Mrs. Slagle's Social Studies class recently studied the Great Depression and the Stock Market Crash of 1929. They were given $2000 of "air money," asked to research a company's stock profile and then choose a stock to purchase. The Griffin Daily News supplied three weeks of papers which the students used to track their stock every day to see if they made a good choice. They also saw how unstable the stock market can be and how much of a risk they take when they invest money. According to Slagle, "they felt the brunt of a $.05 cent loss and they giggled for joy when they had any sort of gain. They have really been able to get a more realistic understanding how the people from the 1920's must have felt when they lost it all. They have really enjoyed this experience!"
|
|
"THERE ARE NO TRAFFIC JAMS ALONG THE EXTRA MILE."
~ Roger Staubach
|
|
AMP-IT-UP NEWS
SUMMER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Before you make your summer vacation plans, please make sure you mark your calendars and save the dates for the AMP-IT-UP Summer Institute 2016! More information, including the location, will be announced in late spring. All teachers who participate in the AMP-IT-UP project will be required to attend.
Middle School Math & Science Teachers:
July 19-20, 2016
STEM-ID (Middle & High School Technology/Engineering) Teachers:
July 20-21, 2016
TEACHER SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Teachers, are you interested in a paid summer internship opportunity for four to seven weeks that provides full immersion into hands-on applications of science and math? Internships are available in Griffin-Spalding County and at Georgia Tech. Learn more and apply today! Applications will be accepted until May 2, 2016. Limited positions are available through the AMP-IT-UP grant.
|
PORTION CONTROL: WHAT DOES  A SERVING SIZE LOOK LIKE?
Understand the difference so you can track how much you eat. It's great that you're watching what you eat. But are you also watching your portions? Portion control is an important part of healthy eating. A portion is how much of a food or drink you choose to consume at a certain time. It's different from a serving. A serving is a measured amount of food. On packaged foods, you can find a serving size on the Nutrition Facts label.
What's in a serving? These are the standard serving sizes listed in the U.S. dietary guidelines. The number of daily servings (in parentheses) will depend on your age, sex and level of physical activity. These servings are for a range of 1,800 to 2,600 calories per day.
|
1 slice of bread
1 ounce dry cereal
1/2 cup of cooked cereal, rice or pasta
|
1 cup of raw, leafy vegetables
1/2 cup of other vegetables, cooked or raw
1/2 cup of vegetable juice
|
1 medium apple, banana or orange
1/2 cup of chopped, cooked or canned fruit
1/2 cup of fruit juice
| |
1 cup of fat-free or low-fat milk or yogurt
1 1/2 ounces of cheese
|
1 ounce of cooked lean meat, poultry or fish
1 egg
|
1/2 cup of cooked dry beans or peas
2 tablespoons of peanut butter
1/3 cup of nuts
|
|
Saturday, March 19 - 2 pm & 7 pm
Sunday, March 20 - 2 pm
Adult tickets: $10
Student/Senior tickets: $5
The Enrichment Center Stage
2015 Spalding Drive
For more information email brad@camelottheatre.com, call 678-469-2913 or visit www.camelottheatre.com. |
|
|
|
Click HERE for our non-discrimination statement.
Communicator is edited using the AP Stylebook 2010 edition.
Laura Beaber, Editor
GSCS Communications and Partnerships Department
PO Drawer N
|
|
|
|
