GSCS COMMUNICATOR
System-wide Straight Talk for Employees
April 15-22, 2016
In This Issue
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GSCS 
CENTRAL OFFICE
 EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
Testing Coordinator Dr. Tesha Woodard, Instructional Technology Director Lonny Harper and the entire GSCS Instructional Technology Department
 
Dr. Tesha Woodard and Lonny Harper have done a tremendous job planning, implementing and supporting the Georgia Milestones testing process this month.
 
All month the IT department has built and rebuilt testing servers and configured computers so that students could take the Georgia Milestones test.  They coordinated with each other as well as other schools to ensure that a device was available for every student that needed one.  Every elementary and middle school was staffed with an IT employee to troubleshoot any issues if they arose.  Each morning before testing, they also updated the testing servers and cleared out unsent responses.
 
Due to the diligent work and preparation of all these individuals, online testing was a smooth process and completed with no issues.
WOMEN'S CAR CARE CLINIC

April is National Car Care Month and the Griffin-Spalding County Library is hosting a women's car care clinic. 

Thursday, April 28
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Flint River Regional Library
800 Memorial Dr.
Griffin, GA 30223

Courtesy of Lisa Barnes and Bob McKee of Brickyard Transmission and Brickyard Automotive of Griffin. 
15 CRAZY BUSY COLORING PAGES FOR ADULTS
Do some coloring during Spring break to help you relax, reduce stress and boost mental clarity.

Click HERE for 15 free printable coloring pages for adults.
2016 CAMP INVENTION
Camp Invention returns this year for rising 1st-6th graders. This week-long summer adventure explores connections between science, technology, engineering and innovation. Children work together to design solutions to real-world problems and sharpen critical 21st century learning skills while rotating through the Epic Program. This year's camp is June 6-10, from 8:30am - 3pm, with Barbara King serving as the director!
 
This year our innovators will brainstorm product ideas, building original prototypes using real tools and components found in everyday devices; explore the lives of giant insects, colorful animals and their environments; construct a DIY solar-powered cricket with a unique habitat; and discover the science of slime, demolition, electronic sound, giant squids and coding.
 
All activities give participants the opportunity to be a part of something big while having fun!
 
$100 scholarships available for Spalding residents and a $30 discount for district employees, reducing the $220 registration fee.
GaDOE UPDATES FOR APRIL 2016
Click HERE to view this month's GaDOE Updates newsletter. 
SPRING OPEN ENROLLMENT
APRIL 25 - MAY 6, 2016
Two open enrollment meetings will be held on Tuesday, April 26 at 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. in the GSCS Learning Center. These meetings are not mandatory.

You can begin viewing the options immediately at www.mygscsbenefits.com. Click on the green button then go to the "My Benefits" tab. The benefits that are available during Spring open enrollment include:
  • Dental Insurance (Delta Dental)- slight increase in rates effective July 1
  • Vision Insurance (Superior Vision) - slight increase in rates effective July 1
  • Life Insurance (Whole life carrier switched to UNUM effective July 1, more information to come). Term Life will remain with One America. Plan premiums may fluctuate due to changes in salary or age brackets.)
  • Cancer/Critical Illness Insurance (carrier switched to UNUM effective July 1; more information to come)
  • Disability Insurance (One America) - Plan premiums may fluctuate due to changes in salary or age brackets

For questions regarding open enrollment and questions regarding your current coverage, please contact the GSCS Customer Care Line at 1- 877-422-3312.

 

Enrollment will be handled two ways:
  • Online - Visit www.mygscsbenefits.com and click on the blue button, then click "First Time User" to set up your username and password to begin the enrollment process
  • By phone - Call 1-877-422-3312
Once you have enrolled, you will receive a new confirmation statement via email from InfinityHR.

Click HERE to view the flyer.

Click HERE for important information regarding Whole Life and Critical Illness/Cancer.
SEEKING EDUCATOR HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS
Nominations are open for the 2016 GSCS Educator Hall of Fame from April 4 - May 4.
 
Nominees...
  • Must have made outstanding and significant contributions to students, staff, parents and the community during their employment.
  • Must have been employed at GSCS for a minimum of 10 years
  • Must be retired for at least five years

Click HERE for the application. 
GRCCA LAUNCHES NEW SITE
Check out the new Griffin Region College and Career Academy (GRCCA) website and Facebook page.

http://www.grcca.education/
https://www.facebook.com/GRCCA/
"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"

~ Mark Twain
MERCER UNIVERSITY PREFERRED PROVIDER PARTNERSHIP
Mercer University has extended their Preferred Provider Partnership program to GSCS to assist employees to obtain endorsements, undergraduate and graduate teaching degrees in one of the working adult programs at Mercer University. 

Tuition Grants and waived application fees are immediately available to GSCS employees who meet and complete the following criteria:

Initial undergraduate teacher certification candidates

1. 25% tuition grant per credit hour - Paraprofessionals or any employee pursuing their initial undergraduate teacher certification


Endorsements (K-12 Reading, K-5 Math, K-5 Science, ESOL)

2. 15% tuition grant per credit hour (5 - 10 in cohort) - Endorsements for current teachers pursuing endorsement in identified areas

 

20% tuition grant per credit hour (11 + per cohort) - Endorsements for current teachers pursuing endorsement in identified areas


Graduate Students - (MAT, Ed.S., Ed.D programs) Practicing Teachers/Teacher Leaders/Administrators

3. 10% tuition grant per credit hour - Applies to all employees who meet admission criteria to pursue that particular graduate program 


To be eligible for the grant, candidates must meet and complete the following criteria:
  • Must be an employee and recommended by GSCS
  • Must meet all academic and other eligibility requirements established by University for acceptance
  • Must apply and be accepted for Mercer University admission
  • Must complete and submit all required paperwork and forms
  • Must allow for periodic verification of employment and continued grant eligibility.
GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR GEORGIA'S HIGH SCHOOLS
The Secretary of State's office has created a new Ambassador Program to help develop students into Georgia's future leaders.  Secretary Kemp wants to have students work as liaisons between our office and the schools. Through the program they will promote voter registration and voter awareness among their peers. The Secretary of State's office would like to partner with our community beginning in August. They currently have 14 schools all across the state and over 160 students participating.
 
If you choose to partake, they ask that you select at least one sophomore, junior and senior to participate.  How these students are selected and how many are chosen is left up to your digression.  A list of your participants, must be submitted for accommodations. Each grade level will have specific roles and responsibilities to contribute to their team.
 
They will be traveling the state hosting regional kick-off events in September to give students the information they need for the program. Throughout the year, the students will plan events that center around civic involvement, voter registration promotion and volunteerism. For each event that they hold, they will receive points. They will be competing with schools across our state for a great prize.
 
If you are interested please contact:
Alexandra N. Collins
Community Outreach Coordinator
Office of Georgia Secretary of State Brian P. Kemp
404-463-1783
acollins@sos.ga.gov
AFTERSCHOOL PROFESSIONALS APPRECIATION WEEK
The National Afterschool Association (NAA) announces the inaugural Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week as April 25 - 29. The purpose of this week is to recognize and thank those who make a difference in the lives of our students during after-school hours.

This is a great time to thank and recognize the GSCS Elementary After-School Program (ASP) staff for their hard work and dedication to our students.

GSCS ASP Staff:
Cowan Rd Elem.
Shirley Gordon (Site Coordinator)
Rhonda Atkinson
Ann Greene
Debra Thomas
Avis Ferguson
 
Crescent Elem.
Kay Perkins (Site Coordinator)
Becky Baker
Emma Shannon
 
Futral Rd. Elem.
Gloria Fallings (Site Coordinator)
Renee Curry
Jennifer Murphy
Jordan Hill Elem.
Beth Reynolds (Site Coordinator)
Jamie Harvester

Moore Elem.
Angie Gatling

Moreland Rd. Elem.
Susan Humphries (Site Coordinator)
Tanya Gregg
Nancy Matthews
 
Orrs Elem.
Gloria Worley (Site Coordinator)
Carol Middlebrooks
 
Multi-Site
Peggy Ahmed
Doris Angeles
DaShundria Davis
Beth Evans
Tanya Lamar
Carol Ramirez
Kyisha Williams
Bonita Willis
 
Central Office
Gail Eagle (ASP Bookkeeper)
Janice Jones (ASP Specialist)
Stacy Wilson (ASP Director)
GSCS Facilities Director Bruce Ballard spoke to
Viki Bozeman's 4th and 5th grade at the Program Challenge Enrichment Center. He spoke about the engineering design process and about how important writing and communication skills are in his job as an Engineer.  Bruce shared his experience working on the Chunnel (the tunnel connecting France and England) and on Euro-Disney in France. He also had a discussion with the students about an environmental issue they were concerned about at our school. Thank you to Bruce Ballard for taking time out of his busy schedule to share his knowledge and experience with our students!
Click HERE for our non-discrimination statement.

Communicator is edited using the AP Stylebook 2010 edition.

Laura Beaber, Editor
Griffin Spalding County School System
PO Drawer N
216 South Sixth Street
Griffin, GA 30224