March 10-17, 2017
In This Issue

BOE BRIEFS
Click HERE to view the March 7, 2017 Board of Education meeting briefs.

STAR Students and STAR Teachers
Pictured (L-R): GHS Principal Darrell Evans, GHS STAR Teacher Eric Harper, GHS STAR Student Jeramie Paz, Margie Paz (Jeramie's mother), SHS and County STAR Teacher Dee Joiner, SHS and County STAR Student Turner Jordan, Laura Jordan (Turner's mother) and Jeff Jordan (Turner's father)
2017 Griffin RESA Regional Science and Engineering Fair first-place winners 
Pictured (L-R): Jeramie Paz (GHS),  Brandon Clanton (RRMS) and  Daniel Cheek (KRMS)
 
First LEGO League Team Rehoboth Road Middle Lady Mustangs

February District-Level Most Valuable Parent
Pictured (L-R): GHS Principal Darrell Evans, GHS Assistant Principal Pam Davis, GHS Parent Liaison Theresa Tolbert and District MVP Pamela Epps (GHS)
NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL NAMED FOR COWAN ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education named Emily Johnson as an 2017-18 assistant principal for Cowan Road Middle School.

Johnson has been employed at the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) since 2009. During that time, she has served as the health and physical education teacher at Cowan Road Middle School, a technology instructor, a graduation coach and has taught history and physical education at Spalding High School since 2014.

Johnson earned her Bachelor of Science in Education, Health and Physical Education and her Masters of Education, Curriculum and Instruction from Georgia Southern University. She earned her Educational Specialist in Education Leadership from Columbus State University.

School Superintendent James D. Smith stated "Ms. Johnson's eagerness and passion for education made her an excellent choice for this position. We look forward to continued success and great achievements for Cowan Road Middle."
GSCS NUTRITION SEEKS USDA'S SEAMLESS SUMMER PROGRAM
Seventy-five percent of GSCS students are eligible for free or reduced meal benefits and many of these students do not have access to nutritious meals during the summer months.
 
At their March meeting, the board of education gave approval for the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) nutrition department to apply for the USDA's Seamless Summer Program. The USDA Seamless Summer Program allows school systems to continue meal service during the summer free of charge to students 18 years old and younger in select locations in the community.
 
GSCS must apply and be approved by the Department of Education (DOE) to participate in this summer feeding.  If GSCS is approved, the program will provide breakfast and lunch free of charge to students 18 years old and younger Monday-Thursday from June 5- July 20 (except for the week of
July 4).

GSCS STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR REACH GEORGIA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Griffin-Spalding County School System is now a member of REACH Georgia, a scholarship program for needy students.  Middle school 7th graders who are low-income, academically promising students with good attendance and no behavior issues may apply for five scholar slots available in 2017.  Packets were mailed March 8 to all eligible students.

"We are pleased that REACH Georgia is providing scholarships for these first five GSCS students," said Superintendent Jim Smith.

The school system must raise $1500 per student for any future REACH scholars; however, each scholar will receive a $10,000 scholarship upon graduation that can be used toward any eligible school.  "This is a great return on our local investment," continued Smith.  "Our goal is to raise $6,000 locally by August 2018 to continue this exciting and worthwhile program."
 
Scholars must maintain a 2.5 GPA along with good attendance and good behavior.  GSCS will provide a mentor and academic coach for each scholar to help ensure their success.  Parents of the scholars must sign  a contract to support the student through high school graduation, college enrollment and college graduation.

Anyone may donate to the scholarships by sending your check to Partners in Education, PO Drawer N, Griffin 30224 and mark your check for REACH.

"IF YOU ARE GRATEFUL, 
YOU CAN FIND HAPPINESS
IN EVERYTHING."
~ Pharrell Williams 
GRIFFIN ROTARY PROMOTES LITERACY TO RRMS
AMP-IT-UP FEATURED IN GSTA NEWSLETTER
AMP-IT-UP is featured in the Georgia Science Teachers Association (GSTA) February 2017 newsletter. Click HERE to read the article, "Science Learning Through STEM & Engineering Design."
2017-2018 GRIFFIN RESA STUDENT COMPETITIONS
2017-2018 Regional Mathematics Contests
January 23, 2018 - Regional High School Math Contest
January 25, 2018 - Regional Middle School Math Contest

2017-2018 Regional Literacy Days
February 12, 2018, Grades K-2
February 13, 2018, Grades 3-5
February 14, 2018, Grades 6-8

2017-2018 Regional Science Fair
February 8, 2018

Notes:
* The 2017-2018 Regional Middle School and High School Academic Bowl Team Schedules will be sent out in September.
* Additional information about the student competitions will be out at a later time.
MARCH IS COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Regular screening beginning at age 50 is the key to preventing colorectal cancer. Is it time for you to be screened?
SHOWER YOURSELF WITH PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CLASSES AT GRIFFIN RESA IN APRIL! 
Click HERE for Griffin RESA's April 2017 professional learning class list for for teachers, administrators and paraprofessionals.  
ELEMENTARY EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
ANNE STREET ELEMENTARY
Marcy Blackmon
Mrs. Blackmon spent countless hours after school working with our students to prepare an amazing Black History program!  She worked tirelessly with students as they learned dances, poems and skits.  Because of her dedication and efforts the Black History program was simply fantastic and inspirational!   We are very proud of her and our students!!
 
BEAVERBROOK ELEMENTARY
Kathryn Hicks
Ms. Hicks has done an excellent job of using data to drive and differentiate learning for her students. Her classroom instruction meets students where they are and scaffolds them to understand and achieve at higher levels. Ms. Hicks is a positive example and offers encouragement to her colleagues. She's never without a smile for anyone who needs one!
 
COWAN ROAD ELEMENTARY
Myron Jones, Antonio Ellis, Angela Roth and Kamicia Seay
Thank you to these 5th grade teachers who have volunteered to stay late and instruct our students to better prepare them for the EOG!

FUTRAL ROAD ELEMENTARY
Jenna Wyatt
Mrs. Wyatt is a highly motivated and task-oriented teacher that brings her very best day in and day out. Thank you Mrs. Wyatt for loving our students and being a true professional!
 
JACKSON ROAD ELEMENTARY
Joan Baldridge, teacher and Lisa Smith, school nurse
Joan and Lisa have gone way above and beyond to help one of our students. 
Joan works diligently to meet all of the needs of her students.  She is hard-working and creative.  She understands the need to focus on the whole child and is willing to go above and beyond to meet all of their school and home needs.
Lisa works tirelessly to find and provide support and resources to our students and parents.  She truly cares about our students and does whatever she can to make sure they get what they need to be healthy and productive so they can be successful.

JORDAN HILL ELEMENTARY
Mary Wilson
Mrs. Wilson is one of our instructional paraprofessionals and does a fantastic job. She is a leader among her peers and assists new support personnel as well as teachers. She works in many areas both in and out of the school building. She accepts additional duties with a smile. We are thankful to have her as part of the Jordan Hill Family.
 
MOORE ELEMENTARY
Michelle Cohowcz and Autumn Hudson
Mrs. Cohowcz and Mrs. Hudson have demonstrated great teamwork. They have spent numerous hours collaborating to ensure that our kindergarten students have rigorous learning experiences that prepare them for first grade and beyond. Moore is privileged to have teachers willing to go the extra mile to ensure their students have the best learning experiences.
 
MORELAND ROAD ELEMENTARY
Jan Baxley, Debbie Harper, Christa Agusti, Alisa Fontenot, Christina Meredith, Darcy Dennos, Rebecca Pearson, and Margaret Faulk
Thank you to these ladies for working very hard to complete all of the requirements involved with the last round of FTE.  Moreland Road had very few mistakes and easy corrections. The staff involved with this process are very determined to get it as accurate as possible and make the needed corrections quickly and without expressing frustration.  They understand the importance of this process and do an outstanding job meeting all of the deadlines and requirements.

ORRS ELEMENTARY
Paula Sanders and Michael Welch
Ms. Sanders supports our school in multiple ways to including teaching guided reading and serving our students as the school counselor.  Mrs. Sanders is the complete package because she is willing to do whatever it takes to help our students, parents and staff.
Michael Welch is a very warm and cheerful person who works hard to keep our classrooms and building clean. We truly appreciate him.
GRIFFIN-SPALDING LIBRARY STUDENT ART SHOW