COMMUNICATOR
System-wide Straight Talk for GSCS Employees
May 25 - June 1, 2018
In This Issue

I don't know about you, but I feel this has been one of the fastest years I can remember. Seems it was August only yesterday. The summer will be too short, for sure, and August 6 will come too quickly. That's how life works!
 
I've been impressed again this year with honors programs held by many of our schools. Our students have done some outstanding work both this year and over their entire academic careers. The quantity and value of scholarships offered to our graduating seniors are very impressive. Some graduates have difficult decisions ahead of them when choosing which offers to accept, but that is a good problem to have. Congratulations to the graduates of AZ Kelsey Academy, Griffin HS and Spalding HS!
 
I do want to mention one special event that occurred today. You may or may not be aware of the initiative in Griffin to set up "Little Free Libraries" around town.  The project promotes reading in a unique way. The idea is to allow people, usually children, to get a book and leave a book. Basically, get a book to read from the stand and then bring it back or replace it with another book. Brett Bell has been heading up the project. Today, the 21st Little Free Library was opened at the front door of Futral Road Elementary, and dedicated in honor of Futral Road's Assistant Principal Karen Miller who is retiring this year after 31 years with GSCS. The project is worth your support and Karen is certainly deserving of this honor. We all know how important literacy and reading skills are to our students. It is really great to see how our community is coming together around the concept of promoting reading.
 
A few post-planning days remain for many of you. Thank you for the work you've done this year. Our students are the beneficiaries of your dedication to their future. Have a great weekend!

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.
GSCS 2018 GRADUATION RAIN PLAN
A.Z. KELSEY GRADUATION
Congratulations to the Class of 2018 A.Z. Kelsy Academy Graduates! 




SHS HOLDS PRIVATE GRADUATION FOR STUDENT
Spalding High School Special Education Teacher Dana Jett and school administrators coordinated a private graduation ceremony for Jordan Smith and his family on May 22, 2018. Congratulations Jordan!  #GSCSGRAD18

Check out the video here -  https://youtu.be/2Lgcw8_KhzI




GHS VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN
SHS VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN
"TAKE A LOOK AT GSCS" JOB FAIR - JUNE 7 @ GHS


Click HERE to find out how you can get a $500 employee referral bonus!
2018-19 GSCS EDUCATION CELEBRATION

2018-19 Education Celebration
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Griffin Auditorium
8:30 a.m. - Education Celebration (certified employees)
1:30 p.m. - Classified Employee Kick-off
BACK TO SCHOOL 2018-19

Click HERE rot the GSCS 2018-19 school calendar

Click HERE for the 2018-19 GSCS school supply list.
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND GEORGIA PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE PARTNER TO KICK OFF SUMMER READING PROGRAM ACROSS THE STATE
Events will raise awareness of the importance of summer reading, as GaDOE and partners also donate 100,000 books

When students don't read during the summer months, they lose educational ground: research shows that students can lose up to three months of reading ability over the summer. This phenomenon - known as the summer slide - can lower achievement potential and widen the achievement gap. The effect is more pronounced as students get older, and for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

"For many families, a public library is the only community space available where they can access free educational and cultural enrichment activities during the summer months," said State Librarian Julie Walker. "Georgia's public libraries have a robust Summer Reading Program in every county."
Read more...