Weekly E-Newsletter for GSCS Employees
COMMUNICATOR
System-Wide Straight Talk for Employees
April 28 - May 5, 2017
 

Be an Agent of Change

"A different world cannot be built by indifferent people," said Peter Marshall some years ago. He's right. Change comes about because someone cares to affect the current reality, hopefully in a positive manner. The GSCS vision statement calls for us to be "an agent of change, transforming our students into future-ready learners and contributing members of society." Transformational change is an intentional process and it doesn't often happen by accident.

We can all be agents of change in the area we work, all it takes is time and attention to notice areas that can be improved to better help transform our students. What process might you have a personal opportunity to propose or improve that would make a difference? How can you change your manner of practice in a way that better inspires student learning? Are there opportunities to share practices with fellow staff members to make departments, grade levels or schools more engaging with students? What can we try in the way of a pilot program to stimulate growth at a faster pace? We all have opportunities, we just have to be willing to take a chance to make a difference.

To recognize those who make a real difference, a pin has been created designating GSCS staff members and others who support the mission of public education as an Agent of Change. You can see the pin design on this page. The pin will be awarded by the Superintendent based on a demonstrated record of positively improving processes, impacting instruction and student achievement and embracing innovation, something more than just doing a job daily. I will need your help identifying worthy recipients throughout the year. Nominations will be welcome and should include the name of the individual being nominated along with a clear description of the type of change or
personal difference that person has made. A section will be set aside on our system website to highlight recipients so that others can be inspired by their stories. I know there are many members of the GSCS family whose personal involvement and initiative makes a difference daily and this will be a way of recognizing them.


In truth, we can all be Agents of Change by working intentionally to build a different world through improvements that help transform our students and, in time, the community at large.
That is our charge, agents.


Sincerely,
Jim Smith
Superintendent 
2016-17 ANNUAL REPORT 
Click HERE and check out the new GSCS 2016-17 annual report. 

2017-18 KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) kindergarten registration for the 2017-18 school year is May 1-19, from 7:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (M-F). Kindergarten registration is located at the Parent Service Center, 234 East Taylor Street.

Students enrolling in kindergarten must be five years old by Sept. 1, 2017. Students currently enrolled in a GSCS pre-kindergarten class do not need to register for kindergarten.
IMPORTANT BACK TO SCHOOL DATES
July 17 & 18
July 27 & 28
July 31
August 2

August 3
August 7 & 8
August 9
Sept. 7
Sept. 14
Sept. 21
Admin. Retreat (UGA Griffin)
New Teacher Orientation
Teachers Return
Education Celebration
(AM - Certified & PM - Classified)
Open House (3PM - 7PM)
District professional development
First school day for students
Elementary Curriculum Night
Middle Curriculum Night
High Curriculum Night
2017 SPRING OPEN ENROLLMENT IS NOW
GSCS Spring Open Enrollment is
Monday, April 24 - Friday, May 5.

View your benefits information now at www.mygscsbenefits.com.

Click HERE to view the flyer with detailed instructions.
GSCS TOTY IS ALSO THE ISTE 2017 WINNER
Congratulations to Amy Brown, third grade teacher at Jackson Road Elementary School! She is the winner of the Win a Trip to ISTE 2017 Teacher Scholarship Competition. As the winner, Amy will attend ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education Conference) in San Antonio, Texas this summer. At the largest educational technology conference in the world, Amy will attend sessions, network with other educators, hear amazing keynote speakers and get hands on learning in a variety of technology playgrounds.
"ALL PROGRESS TAKES PLACE OUTSIDE THE COMFORT ZONE."

~ Michael John Bobak 
TRS MEMBERS: FYI
Teachers Retirement System will be hosting a pre-retirement workshop on Tuesday, May 16th, 2017, at 4:30 P.M., at the J. Joel Edwards Public Library in Zebulon, GA. TRS members can register at the following link:

http://www.trsga.com/active-member/workshops-and-counseling/calendar-of-events/554
SHOOT FOR SCHOLARS
Do you have a family member or friend that enjoys shooting skeet? Tell them about the opportunity to register individually for the 2017 Shoot For Scholars benefitting Partners In Education.

Click HERE for the flyer/registration form.
MOUNT ZION DONATION TO A.Z. KELSEY
In celebration of their 150th Church Anniversary, Mount Zion Baptist Church (South Ward) donated $500 to A.Z. Kelsey Academy. Pictured (L-R): A.Z. Kelsey Assistant Principal Gabriel Burnette, A.Z. Kelsey Principal Stephanie Evans, Mount Zion Pastor Dr. Cleopatrick Lacy, A.Z. Kelsey Teacher Tonga Releford, and South Ward President Dwayne Williams.
UPCOMING EDUCATION CELEBRATIONS 
May 1, 2017 - School Principals' Day
May 5, 2017 School Lunch Hero Day
May 9, 2017 - National Teacher Appreciation Day
May 10, 2017 - School Nurse Day

Be sure to celebrate and show appreciation for these GSCS employees for all they do to help our students achieve and learn.
RELAY FOR LIFE SAYS ADIOS TO CANCER!
Relay For Life of Spalding County 
May 5, 2017 
6PM - midnight
Wyomia Tyus Olympic Park (1301 Cowan Road)

*This year's theme is Adios Cancer!

For more information or to register click HERE to visit the website.
HIGH SCHOOL EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
A.Z. KELSEY ACADEMY
Brenda Kendall
Ms. Kendall always has a pleasant demeanor as she interacts with students, parents and faculty members. She is a team player and effectively navigates multiple tasks.

GRIFFIN HIGH SCHOOL
Custodian Ernest Dixon and CTAE Teacher Larry Meade
Earnest always has a smile to share and he is very professional. He is efficient at getting his job done while being friendly and empathetic. Larry Meade is persistent in improving his classroom environment. He is always friendly, approachable and holds himself accountable.

MAINSTAY ACADEMY
Math Teacher Grant Adams
Grant was announced as Griffin RESA's TAPP Teacher of the Year! Grant does a wonderful job teaching math to our K-8 severely emotionally and behaviorally disabled students. Each one of Mr. Adams' classes is an inviting adventure in learning about mathematics and its real life application. We at Mainstay Academy are so very proud of him and are fortunate to be his co-workers.

SPALDING HIGH SCHOOL
Assistant Principal Theresa Lubin
Mrs. Lubin has done an outstanding job through the tedious process of testing. She has been on top of her game in ensuring all protocols and procedures are followed. She organized and delegated tasks to ensure participant completion. She gave tremendous amounts of her time day and night to make SHS look awesome. We couldn't do it without her... she makes our team complete!!!
METRO ATLANTA STEM CONSORTIUM
Click HERE for our non-discrimination statement.

* The Communicator is edited using the AP Stylebook 2010 edition.

Laura Beaber, Editor
GSCS Communications and Partnerships Department
Griffin-Spalding County School System | 770-229-3700 | www.spalding.k12.ga.us
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