These ladies put a lot of time and effort into making the GSCS ASP run so smoothly. They ensure our students are provided with quality staff and programming during after-school hours. With seven sites and almost 500 registered students this is a big task for just three people however they make it look easy!

2016-2017 GRIFFIN RESA STUDENT COMPETITIONS

2016-2017 Regional Mathematics Contests

Middle School-
Feb. 10, 2017

High School - Feb. 8, 2017

2016-2017 Regional Literacy Days

Grades K-2 - Jan. 23, 2017

Grades 3-5 - Jan. 24, 2017

Grades 6-8 - Jan. 25, 2017

2016-2017 Regional Science Fair

Jan. 27, 2017

Notes:

(1) The 2016-2017 Regional Middle School and High School Academic Bowl Team Schedules will be sent

out in September.

(2) Additional information about the student competitions will be out at a later time.

SYNC 2016 HAS NOW LAUNCHED!

SYNC is a free summer audiobook program for teens 13+. Running May 5 - August 17 2016, SYNC will give away two complete audiobook downloads a week (30 titles) - pairs of high interest titles, based on weekly themes.

Welcome to a summer of listening and free audiobook downloads that are yours to keep for year-round listening.

Click HERE to read the article.

KUDOS TO TEACHERS & STAFF!

Former Spalding High graduate and son of Jackson Road teacher Melinda Owens, Willie Thompson, graduated as a Morehouse College Valedictorian with a 4.0 grade point average. Thompson was also named a Fulbright Scholar and will spend 11 months in Taiwan and TaiChung.

Willie is another testament of the great work GSCS does preparing students for success in college and career. Thank you GSCS teachers and staff!

The school year has moved by quickly
and we will celebrate graduation and promotion ceremonies next week. Students are being recognized for their successes at all levels. I am particularly impressed with the size of some of the scholarships graduating seniors are receiving. In spite of all the challenges, GSCS produces students prepared to undertake a wide variety of career and academic paths. Your work in the classroom, school, cafeteria and transportation does matter. Nothing of value would be accomplished without caring adults impacting student lives. Enjoy the celebrations of the week to come. Take pride in the successes of your students. GSCS has much to celebrate! Thank you for your dedication this year.

Enjoy the weekend.

Jim Smith

Superintendent

COWAN ROAD MIDDLE AWARDED LIBRARY GRANT

Cowan Road Middle School is a recipient of a 2016 library grant from The Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries in the amount of $7,000. Announced yesterday, Cowan Road Middle School is one of 130 schools in the nation and one of only two in Georgia to receive this grant.

Mrs. Laura Bush stated, "This grant will allow librarians to order new books and materials for their school - something everyone can enjoy. Students can come back from summer break to a new and improved library ready to learn next school year. "

Cowan Road Middle School Media Specialist Julie Evans said, "We are very excited to be awarded this grant. With the funds we plan to address the three specific library needs included in our grant proposal. First, we plan to improve and extend our nonfiction collection including graphic novels. Having a collection that is up-to-date and diverse will enable the students to conduct enough inquiry to master their learning targets, grow their Lexile levels and promote literacy. Second, we plan on adding a diverse collection of resources and increasing the number of periodicals so students have access to current events. Lastly, we plan to introduce eBooks to our library collection. Incorporating eBooks is essential in moving our library into 21st Century learning and creating interactive readers."

2016-17 SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST

The elementary and middle school supply list for the 2016-17 school year has been posted on our website in the Back to School box. Click HERE to view.

ONLINE COURSES FOR EDUCATORS THROUGH VSU

Valdosta State University has partnered with VESi to provide online courses that are available for professional learning units (PLUs).

Courses offered for three or four PLUs with fees starting at just $189.

Click HERE to view the full course listing.

"An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it's going to launch you into something great!"

~Anonymous

TEACHER WORKSHOP & COMPETITION ANNOUNCEMENT

The 2016-2017 Georgia Tech Inventure Challenge will again be open to K-12 students and schools. Two teacher workshops will be held this summer at Georgia Tech. Please use the link below to register for the June 14 or August 26 workshop. Teachers of all grade levels and subjects who are interested in leading their students through an invention adventure are welcome (subject to availability)! There is no cost to attend.

For more information click HERE to view the flyer.

Workshop Registration- http://goo.gl/forms/NlTkuIvkIE

HOW DO YOU PREVENT ZIKA IN

GEORGIA?

District IV Health Services provided this handout with information concerning the Zika virus and ways to prevent spreading it.

Click HERE to find out what it takes to stop Zika.

NATIONAL STROKE AWARENESS AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE EDUCATION MONTH

On average, one American dies from a stroke every 4 minutes. It is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a major cause of adult disability. Many factors may affect a person's risk for stroke, including high blood pressure. The good news? Up to 80% of strokes are preventable. Click HERE to learn the facts about strokes from the CDC.

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

Griffin, GA 30224