COMMUNICATOR
System-wide Straight Talk for GSCS Employees
May 18-25, 2018
In This Issue

The end of the school year is in sight. As we enter the final week, this is a time of great excitement filled with honors programs and graduation exercises that recognize milestones in the lives of our students. Please keep in mind the role you have played as teachers and support staff in making a quality education available to the students who were under your care. Take pride in their accomplishments and help them celebrate, but also know your efforts have not been in vain and are greatly appreciated.

This has been a busy year. All schools participated in the rollout of the literacy plan focusing on making reading skills a part of all courses being taught. Many of you have been involved in work designing new curriculum guides in the areas of English/Language Arts, mathematics and science. We had an opportunity to preview some of the early units a few days ago. The organization of the instructional modules, pacing and resource guides and assessments should benefit all teachers. I have heard a lot of comments in anticipation of the rollout of the new guides and I look forward to seeing our teachers and administrator implement them during the new school year.

We are still working to fill all position vacancies for the new year with the best applicants we can find. Next month, we will go the extra mile by hosting another job fair the week after post-planning on June 7 at Griffin High School. We will have conducted or participated in four job fairs within our county when that one is complete. If you know of teachers looking for jobs, please have them take a look at our website for a list of available positions.

Thanks again for getting us to the end of the year. A few more days to go and some well-deserved rest will be the order of the day. Thanks for all you do for the students of Griffin-Spalding County Schools!

Sincerely,
James D. Smith
Superintendent
GSCS DESTINATION GRADUATION

Check out the GSCS Destination Graduation webpage! This is your one-stop spot for all GSCS Class of 2018 graduation information. Click HERE to visit.
BACK TO SCHOOL 2018-19

Click HERE rot the GSCS 2018-19 school calendar

Click HERE for the 2018-19 GSCS school supply list.
FREE ACCESS TO THOUSANDS OF DIGITAL BOOKS
Through a partnership between Get Georgia Reading - Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and myON, all educators, librarians, students and parents in Georgia have free access to thousands of enhanced digital books available in myON through August 31, 2018.

Digital books in the award-winning myON personalized literacy platform provide flexible reading scaffolds, embedded tools and metrics to support and track student reading and growth.

Getting Started is Quick and Easy!
  1. Go to www.myON.com and click the myON Login button.Enter the following login information:
    School Name: Get Georgia Reading (Type the first few letters and select from the drop-down menu.)
    Username: spaldingcounty
    Password: read
  2. Click on the Sign In button, select a book and start reading!

Watch this short video with your students for tips on finding great books in myON.

Read anywhere, anytime with online and offline access!
Anywhere - at home or school, in the library or other community settings
Anytime - days, evenings, weekends, holidays and school breaks
Online - via any Internet-enabled device
Offline - via free mobile apps for Kindle Fire HD, Android Devices, iPads and Google Chrome

To learn more, visit https://about.myon.com/GetGAREADING
 

"TAKE A LOOK AT GSCS" JOB FAIR - JUNE 7 @ GHS


Click HERE to find out how you can get a $500 employee referral bonus!
GSCS POSITIVE ATHLETES
Positive Athlete is an organization that operates an awards and recognition program across the State of GA. This program's mission is to celebrate high school student-athletes and coaches who give back, are involved in their schools and communities, overcome difficult circumstances, and embody the Seven Definitions of a Positive Athlete:
1. Optimistic Attitude
2. Encouraging Teammate
3. Servant Leader
4. Heart for Others
5. Admits Imperfections
6. Always Gives 100%
7. Puts Team First

Spalding High Volleyball athlete Elizabeth Blackmon has been named a regional winner of the Positive Athlete Award. Elizabeth is now a finalist for a $1000.00 scholarship award from Positive Athlete. 

Griffin High Senior Yesenia Chhoeung was recognized for being the South Atlanta Positive Athlete. Pictured: (L-R): Principal Dr. Darrell Evans, Yesenia Chhoeung and Athletic Director Dr. Kennedy Holt.
Over 5,400 nominations were made by coaches, teachers, parents and fans around the state of GA for this year's Positive Athlete program, and they are being celebrated for who they are, and how they inspire others.
SHS LADY JAGS RACK UP AT STATE TRACK MEET

GSCS AMP IT UP VIDEO - VOTE NOW!
Please vote for GSCS Math Amp It Up video! The deadline for voting is May 21.
http://stemforall2018.videohall.com/presentations/1119

Here is the link directly to the GSCS Video at Rehoboth Road Middle:
https://vimeo.com/266361914
GSCS ELEMENTARY EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
ANNE STREET ELEMENTARY
Angela Betsill and Atlantia Clements
Ms. Betsill exemplifies EXCELLENCE and is a joy to have at Anne Street Elementary. She willingly volunteers and supports the various events at the school. She works hard to encourage staff and students each day.
Ms. Clements is a true example of EXCELLENCE! She is excellent in her craft as well as her interactions with students and staff. She is a shining star at Anne Street Elementary.
 
ATKINSON ELEMENTARY
Susan Hardwick
Ms. Hardwick has been hard at work with the Rigorous Curriculum Design Team. While this task has taken her away from the building at times, she has managed to continue to deliver high levels of instruction to her students. We thank her for the time and dedication she has given this process.
 
COWAN ROAD ELEMENTARY
Jodi McGavin
Mrs. McGavin has consistently brought rigor and innovation into her Kindergarten class. She has served on the Rigorous Curriculum Design (RCD) team and represented Kindergarten for the school district. Mrs. McGavin is willing to pitch in with extra responsibilities and serves as a teacher leader within the building.
 
CRESCENT ELEMENTARY
Rhonda Grubb
Rhonda Grubb is amazing! She worked for a few months encouraging and coaching our fourth and fifth graders to participate in the Reading Bowl. They practiced how to answer questions about the books and use buzzers to become competitive. Crescents team came in FOURTH place out of twelve teams!
She is an awesome role model for getting students excited about learning!
 
FUTRAL ROAD ELEMENTARY
Fallon Davis
Mrs. Davis is a wonderful teacher that truly puts her heart and soul into everything she does. This was her first year teaching Language Arts in 4th grade and she did a fabulous job! Her instructional strategies and her ability to engage students is truly remarkable. Thank you Mrs. Davis for giving your all each and every day!
 
JACKSON ROAD ELEMENTARY
Taylor Nichols
Taylor is an excellent teacher and has really gone above and beyond this year to build her leadership skills and make a positive difference all around. She is always willing to step up, help and present ideas to enhance our experiences at JRE. Taylor is continuously finding ways to grow as a teacher and a leader. We are thrilled to have her as part of the Jackson Road Family!
 
JORDAN HILL ELEMENTARY
Tonya Nelms, assistant principal
Great organization and attention to detail are the best ways to describe Mrs. Nelms. Assistant principals have so many responsibilities that it is impossible to list them all. However, it is important to point out that other assistant principals contact Mrs. Nelms to assist them with how best to handle their MTSS process and their testing organization. She will be missed as she embarks on her new journey as a grandmother as well as entrepreneur of all things signs and corn-hole boards. We wish you nothing but the best Mrs. Nelms!
 
MOORE ELEMENTARY
Crissy Johnson
Mrs. Johnson is a Paraprofessional who demonstrates dedication by going above and beyond to ensure fundraising events are thoroughly planned and carried out. Her leadership skills also play a vital role in making activities and events at the school a success. Moore Elementary is delighted to have Crissy Johnson on its team!
 
MORELAND ROAD ELEMENTARY
Cathy Corbett, Lisa Miller and Pamela Jackson
Moreland Road and the Griffin-Spalding County School System are grateful for their many years of service to the students of Spalding County. Each of these ladies are a joy to work with and their dedication and devotion to our students has impacted many lives. Thank you all so much for everything you have done over the years, Moreland Road will not be the same without you. We wish each of you many blessings as you begin a new chapter of your lives. Enjoy your retirement, you have earned it!
MERCER UNIVERSITY EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

PL FOR TEACHERS - MATH NIGHT TRAINING
MAPS MATH NIGHT

CURVES CORPORATE ACCOUNTS PROGRAM
12TH ANNUAL VINTAGE DAY & MUSIC FESTIVAL