January 20-27, 2017
In This Issue
GSCS SCORES ABOVE AVERAGE IN SCHOOL CLIMATE
Thirteen of the 18 Griffin-Spalding County Schools System (GSCS) schools received a four-star rating out of a possible five, meaning above average, in the Georgia Department of Education's 2016 School Climate Star Ratings. The district received an average of four stars at the elementary level, three stars for middle schools and four stars for high schools.
 
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) refers to school climate as the quality and character of school life that can foster learning, development, academic success and career-skill improvement. All Georgia schools receive star ratings between one and five measuring from unsatisfactory to excellent, but does not affect a school or district's College and Career Ready Performance Index score (CCRPI).
 
School Climate Star Ratings are based on data from the Georgia Student Health Survey 2.0, Georgia School Personnel Survey, and Georgia Parent Survey, as well as student discipline data and attendance records for students, teachers, staff and administrators.
Read more...
JANUARY PAYROLL CHANGES
Employees may notice changes in their January payroll due to the following reasons:
  • Updated federal tax table for 2017,
  • A premium adjustment to your short-term and long-term disability reflecting changes in salary since enrollment, or
  • Elections made in the fall for the following benefits which go into effect this month
    132 Flex Plan
    133 Dependent Care
     53  United Way
2017 PRE-K REGISTRATION

The Pre-K Parent Meeting for the 2017-2018 school year will be held on Monday, March 6 at 6 p.m. in the Griffin Auditorium. Important information about the program and the Pre-K registration packets will be provided during the meeting. Students must be four years old on or before September 1, 2017 to be eligible for the 2017-2018 Pre-K program.

Pre-K Registration will be held March 30 - April 7 from 8a.m.- 4p.m. in the Parent Services Center. Parents will need to complete the online registration at http://tinyurl.com/gscsregistration AND the Pre-K registration forms that will be provided during the Pre-K Parent Meeting.

Click HERE for the flyer.
GSCS TEACHERS TO PRESENT AMP-IT-UP CURRICULUM AT STATE CONFERENCE
In collaboration with the AMP-IT-UP curriculum team, these GSCS middle school science teachers will be presenting inquiry-based science modules at the Georgia Science Teacher Association (GSTA) Conference in Stone Mountain on February 2 - 4, 2017.

Presenters include:

6th Grade Science

Shawanda Scott, Cowan Road Middle School
Robin Samples, Cowan Road Middle School

 

7th Grade Science

Melissa Anderson, Rehoboth Road Middle School
Cheryl Wilder, Kennedy Road Middle School

 

8th Grade Science

Kassidy Bynoe, Carver Road Middle School
Shannon Thompson, Rehoboth Road Middle School

 

AMP-IT-UP CEISMC Team

Sabrina Grossman, AMP-IT-UP teacher liaison & science curriculum developer
Jayma Koval, AMP-IT-UP science curriculum developer
Barbara King, GSCS science curriculum coordinator
AVERAGE TEEN OR WARNING SIGN?
 
"Some people think only intellect counts: knowing how to solve problems, knowing how to get by, knowing how to identify an advantage and seize it. But the functions of intellect are insufficient without courage, love, friendship,
compassion and empathy."
~ Dean Koontz
GRIFFIN TEACHER NAMED THE ATLANTA FALCONS
In 1965, Atlanta's new NFL team held a contest to determine their team name and mascot. Submissions came pouring in but Julia Elliott, a speech teacher in Griffin, soared to the top with the winning entry.

The team stated that Elliott, who died in 1990, won because of her description, "The Falcon is proud and dignified, with great courage and fight," she wrote. "It never drops its prey. It's deadly and has a great sporting tradition."
10 STRESS BUSTING SECRETS OF GREAT TEACHERS
www.coolcatteacher.com
10 Teacher Stress Busting Secrets:

 

 1. Kill worry by accepting the worst and working to improve It

 2. Interrupt negative thought loops & replace with positive ones

 3. Keep a joy journal

 4. Make sleep a priority

 5. Drink enough water

 6. Exercise outside

 7. Make time for faith

 8. Develop deep relationships

 9. Make physical affection a part of your day

10. Unplug, recharge & focus

 

Click HERE to read the full article.
GSCS Alumni and Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix

We never know who may be sitting in our classrooms. 

We are turning today's learners into  tomorrow's leaders!
FRE 17th ANNUAL HEART HUSTLE
Futral Road Elementary invites you to participate in their 17th Annual Heart Hussle!
Date: February, 11, 2017
Location: Futral Road Elementary (180 Futral Road)
Entry Fees: Adults: $15 Students: $10
Time: Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; Tot Trot and Fun Run begins at 8:30 a.m.; 5K begins at 9:00 a.m.

Click HERE for the registration form.
MARCH INTO SPRING WITH RESA'S PL CLASSES

Click HERE  for RESA's class list for March 2017 for teachers, administrators and paraprofessionals. 
UPCOMING FEBRUARY OBSERVANCES
Feb. 1 - 28: American Heart Month
Black History Month
Dental Health Month
Feb. 2: Groundhog Day
Feb. 4: Rosa Parks Day
Feb. 6-10: School Counseling Week
Feb. 12: Abraham Lincoln Day
Feb. 13: Clean Out Your Computer Day
Feb. 13-17: International Friendship Week
Feb. 14: Valentine's Day
Feb. 20: President's Day
Feb. 22: George Washington's Birthday
CENTRAL OFFICE EMPLOYEE THE OF MONTH
Sara Jones, Director of School Improvement
Sara has spent countless hours helping to prepare our district and schools for our upcoming AdvancED visit. She is a team player and always willing to put in additional time to help others. She is willing to seek out information to resolve challenges and gladly accepts responsibilities to help support the district and schools. Sara is a true advocate for our students and wants to ensure that they are afforded the best opportunities available.
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
770-229-3700
www.spalding.k12.ga.us