COMMUNICATOR
System-wide Straight Talk for GSCS Employees
February 9-16, 2018
In This Issue
 

As I write this, I am participating in an intergovernmental retreat as part of the Archway initiative. Archway is a program sponsored by the University of Georgia aimed at facilitating conversation and cooperation between the various governmental entities serving a community. In our case, members of the Board of Education are participating along with City Commissioners, County Commissioners, Chamber officials, and other local leaders to develop cooperative plans addressing issues facing our community. This retreat has focused on the areas of crime, housing, and education. In particular, is the perception of our community in those areas backed up by the facts? Based on the presentations made and the ensuing discussions, the answer is yes and no. As for education, most of the retreat participants were aware of the rise in the graduation rate. But, they were not aware of the scope and breadth of wraparound services GSCS provide to students outside of classroom instruction. Some of these include the dental program, Child Find, Zero to Five early learner initiative, Project AWARE youth mental health program and others. This goes to show the opportunity we have to inform our community of the work we are doing here in GSCS. Awareness drives perception. Perception drives the desire to support and be involved. Community leaders want us to be successful. We need to publicize the good things that are happening but not ignore the areas we have for improvement. That is our challenge.

Sincerely,
James D. Smith
Superintendent
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FEBRUARY BOARD BRIEFS
Click HERE for the briefs from the February 6, 2018 Griffin-Spalding Board of Education meeting.



GSCS JANUARY MOST VALUABLE PARENT
The Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) named David and Ashley Mangham from Cowan Road Elementary School as the district-level Most Valuable Parents (MVP). The Manghams were honored during the Griffin-Spalding Board of Education meeting on February 6. Mr. and Mrs. Mangham actively participate in workshops and volunteer during school events, classroom parties and trips.


"Mr. and Mrs. Mangham value education and are deeply involved and invested in their children's education. You can see them around the school building daily, ready to take on any task or lend a hand to positively impact the classroom and school. They make contributions regularly to the classroom to benefit all students," said Cowan Road Elementary Assistant Principal Misty Garvin.
Read more...
2018 STAR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ANNOUNCED
The 2018 STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) Students and Teachers for the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) were announced this week! Congratulations to the following students and teachers:

Griffin High School
Spalding High School
Spalding High School



STAR Student
Chanlier Futch
STAR Teacher
Kristen Kaylee Matheny
STAR Student
John "Connor" Scanlon
STAR Teacher
Dee Joiner
STAR Student
Grayson Olivia Waits
STAR Teacher
Rynn Goldstein
*This year SHS had a tie for their STAR Students

To be named a STAR student, a high school senior must have the highest score on any single test date of the SAT taken through the November test date of their senior year and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average.

The STAR teacher is selected by the declared high school STAR student for having made the most significant contribution to their academic development.
Read more...
2018-19 GSCS EMPLOYEE WORK CALENDAR
Click HERE to view the 2018-19 GSCS employee work calendar.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PROGRAM IMPORTANT NOTICES
Dear Employee and Eligible Beneficiaries,

As a GSCS employee and participant in our employee benefits programs, you and your beneficiaries may have various rights and privileges related to these programs.

Laws governing health care and 403(b) plans require us to provide you with these notifications. Below are important notices to retain for your records. In the past, many of these notices were sent piecemeal and are now grouped together to more clearly communicate your rights and to simplify distribution. If you are unable to print the documents, a hard copy can be provided to you upon request by contacting Kathy Gossett at kathy.gossett@gscs.org or 770-229-3700
Ext. 10353.

Click HERE for the Universal Availability Notice 2018.
Click HERE for Legal Notices 2018
GSCS PL DAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2018
Remember that Friday, February 16, 2018 is a district-wide professional learning day. 

Click HERE to view the schedule.
*Some sessions require registration on PDExpress
TRS PRE-RETIREMENT WORKSHOP

#BETHEDIFFERENCE IN FEBRUARY
GSCS ELEMENTARY EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
BEAVERBROOK ELEMENTARY
Instructional Parapros: Julie Greene, Alyssa Lynch, Dinette King, Veda Atwater & Dana Mobley
Each of these ladies are cooperative and professional. They go above and beyond inside the classrooms and as members of the staff. They help wherever and whenever needed. They collaboratively with teachers and each other as well. Every one of them loves their students and all the kids here as if they were their own.
 
FUTRAL ROAD ELEMENTARY
Andrea Gardner
Mrs. Gardner's dedication and professionalism is second to none! She works hard every day to engage her students and make learning fun. She is also our Relay for Life representative. Thank you Mrs. Gardner for your service to our students and the community!
 
JORDAN HILL ELEMENTARY
Dr. Garland
Dr. Garland is always helpful and is more than willing to lend a listening ear.  She has a great rapport with student, parents and staff.  Her weekly classroom lessons are fun, engaging and also teach character building skills.  It is evident that Dr. Garland cares about people and Jordan Hill is blessed to have her on our team.
 
MOORE ELEMENTARY
Dr. Denise Daniels, Dr. Sonya McIntyre & Lisa Johnson
This first grade team exemplifies cohesiveness through meaningful collaboration to support student achievement. They do an amazing job preparing our students for second grade and beyond.  Moore Elementary is ecstatic to have Dr. Daniels, Dr. McIntyre and Mrs. Johnson on its team!
 
MORELAND ROAD ELEMENTARY
Rebecca Smith
Ms. Smith has done an excellent job with Access testing at Moreland Road. She has worked diligently to ensure that students were assessed in a timely manner, despite the recent winter weather. Ms. Smith is always willing to lend a helping hand and provide additional support for students and teachers. We appreciate all she does for the students at MRE!
GSCS SIGNING DAY 2018
Congratulations to our GSCS scholar athletes! Check out GSCS social media channels to see where they are taking their athletic talents!
Facebook - /GSCSS
Instagram - griffinspaldingschools
Twitter - @griffinspalding

Griffin High School




Spalding High School



GSCS CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH