We had two exciting events this week highlighting our teachers and classrooms. First, on Wednesday, the Kiwanis Club of Griffin hosted a luncheon honoring our 2018 Teachers of the Year. Georgia Teacher of the Year John Tibbets was our speaker. Teaching is a second career for him having spent 21 years in the U. S. Army and retiring as a Lt. Colonel. He spoke about his journey to the classroom and the importance of teachers to our students. GSCS Teacher of the Year Joan Baldridge from Jackson Road Elementary will soon be submitting her application for State Teacher of the Year and we wish her well. She is an outstanding representative of the best in teaching.
Second, 37 classroom and field trip grant requests were filled by the Griffin-Spalding Partners In Education during "prize patrol" visits on Thursday and Friday. They received over 75 applications from across the district for classroom projects and field trips expected to cost $1,000 or less. I must say that the requests included some very creative and innovative ideas. We will soon see the fruits of your imagination as these projects become a reality. Thanks to Partners In Education for working so well on our behalf to provide funds to our classrooms. Thank your school's partners when you see them. They truly do a great job supporting public education in Spalding County.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
James D. Smith
Superintendent
|
| ELEVEN SCHOOLS DEMONSTRATE GROWTH IN CCRPI SCORES |
 Eleven schools in the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) showed gains on the 2017 College & Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) results released today by the Georgia Department of Education.
The three schools showing the highest improvements include A.Z. Kelsey Academy (13.5 points), Rehoboth Road Middle School (8.9 points) and Atkinson Elementary (8.6 points). Additionally, Crescent, Futral Road, Jackson Road and Jordan Hill elementary schools and Rehoboth Road Middle beat the state's average scores for elementary and middle schools respectfully. A complete list of schools showing gains is attached in the appendix.
As a district, GSCS experienced a slight decrease of .8 from 66.2 in 2016 to 65.4 in 2017. The state-wide average CCRPI score is 75 points.
GSCS Comparison: (The 2015 CCRPI scores were used as baseline data for the first time incorporating the Georgia Milestones)
|
|
Elementary
|
Middle
|
High
|
District
|
|
2015
|
69.1
|
61.2
|
66.2
|
67.5
|
|
2016
|
65.6
|
59.5
|
68.4
|
66.2
|
|
2017
|
67.3
|
61.5
|
61.4
|
65.4
|
|
+/-
|
+1.7
|
+2
|
-7
|
-.8
|
Read more... |
| GRIFFIN KIWANIS CELEBRATES GSCS TEACHERS OF THE YEAR |
This week, the 2017-18 GSCS Teachers of the Year (TOTY) were recognized at the Griffin Kiwanis luncheon. Georgia Teacher of the Year John Tibbetts was the special speaker and Jerome Langford from the Griffin Kroger surprised District TOTY Joan Baldridge from Jackson Road Elementary with a gift basket and $500 gift card from Kroger. Congrats to all GSCS Teachers of the Year!
|
|
|
All GSCS 2017-18 Teachers of the Year with GSCS Superintendent Jim Smith
|
|
|
|
Pictured (L-R): Kiwanis Club President Brad Glass, Georgia Teacher of the Year John Tibbetts, GSCS Teacher of the Year Joan Baldridge, GSCS Superintendent Jim Smith and Kroger of Griffin HR Manager Jerome Langford
|
|
| BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS ARE VERY IMPORTANT |
 Have you checked your accounts lately to see if it's up-to-date? Be sure you are leaving any remaining benefits to the right people. As required by Georgia law, Retirement systems and Life Insurance Companies must pay benefits at the time you pass away based on the latest designation in your file. Wills, marriage licenses, divorce decrees or other documents cannot be used to determine your beneficiary.
Don't delay, update today!
|
|
CENTRAL GEORGIA EMC DONATES $8,500 TO GSCS
|
|
|
 |
|
Central Georgia EMC Board Chairman D.T. Hamil presented Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) Superintendent Jim Smith with a donation of $8,500 for school improvement efforts.
|
|
|
|
PIE TUITION REIMBURSEMENT SCHOLARSHIPS OPEN TODAY!
|
 Griffin Spalding Partners In Education (PIE) is offering scholarships for up to $1,000 each to Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) teachers who are currently seeking additional certification or advanced degrees related to their teaching/educational field.
To qualify, applicants should:
* Have at least one year of service as a certified GSCS employee.
* Complete the online application between November 3 - 20, 2017.
Recipients must:
* Provide grades and a tuition receipt (or loan statement) for reimbursement up to $1,000 (Must scan and attach with application).
* Agree, upon completion of certification or degree, to serve as a teacher or administrator in the Griffin Spalding County School System for at least one year if offered a position.
* Remain in good academic standing while receiving scholarship funding by maintaining passing grades and a 3.0 GPA or higher.
*The tuition reimbursement scholarships may be used for tuition, books, or lab fees.
Visit www.gspie.org to apply today!
|
| 2017 PARTNER IN EDUCATION GRANT WINNERS |
Members of the Griffin-Spalding Partners In Education board visited schools this week to surprise 2017 PIE Grant recipients. This year, PIE awarded 37 classroom and field trip grants to teachers in 14 GSCS schools/programs totalling almost $28,000.
To view the full list of 2017 PIE Grant recipients click
HERE.
|
| GSCS SALVATION ARMY FOOD DRIVE NOV. 6 - DEC. 8 |
This year the GSCS Salvation Army Food Drive will run from November 6 - December 8. GSCS collected a phenomenal 28,000+ food items last year! Let's try to surpass that amount and make an even bigger positive impact on our community this year! |
| GET TECHY WITH GSCS INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY |
 Did you get your Tuesday Tech Tips from the GSCS Instructional Technology Department?
This week's edition includes:
- Instructional Technology Coaches - FAQ's
- Helpful Google Calendar Tips
- Win a trip to ISTE 2018
- Safari Montage Important Announcement!
- STEAM Field Trip Opportunity
- Tech Integration Made Easy with Sutori!
- Google Ninja Updates & FAQ's
A little tech goes a long way! Click HERE to check it out. |
| NOVEMBER IS PARENT ENGAGEMENT MONTH |
Click HERE and check out the GaDOE's updated webpage on ideas to celebrate Family Engagement Month and beyond. |
| GSCS HIGH SCHOOL EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH |
|
A.Z. KELSEY ACADEMY
Tonga Releford
Mrs. Releford does an outstanding job encouraging partnerships with multiple businesses on behalf of A.Z. Kelsey. She always serves as an advocate for her students and encourages them to aspire to excellence both inside and outside of the classroom. Mrs. Releford also works well with her colleagues, and is an asset to A.Z. Kelsey Academy.
GRIFFIN HIGH SCHOOL
Justina Russell & Markeya Broaden
"Always a bear" is the motto that Ms. Russell lives by. She serves the GHS community tirelessly on a daily basis. She has continued to work exceedingly hard to teach her students and help them exceed at science, even with the distractions of difficult situations. She is constantly a professional and is much appreciated.
Markeya Broaden always ensures that her areas are kept up to her high standards. She is always willing to help and never shows displeasure, when there is a need to mop. We appreciate her service in helping us maintain a clean school environment.
MAINSTAY ACADEMY
Audra Lester
Audra keeps the program running from the front office. She is the hub of most of the program's communication and works collaboratively with all staff members and stakeholders to ensure expectations are met. No matter what, Audra is the first person to offer assistance and support.
SPALDING HIGH SCHOOL
Rod Sylvester
It is unclear whether he is a soldier with the heart of an advocate for children or an advocate for children who happens to be a soldier. Nevertheless, he continues to share his wisdom and love for our country with his students and future defenders of this nation. Lieutenant Colonel (R) Rod Sylvester has served as Senior Army Instructor at Spalding High since 2007. During that time, he has instilled in his cadets the core values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless-service, honor, integrity and personal courage; all tools necessary to catapult them towards success in life. An Army serviceman with more than 24 years of service, he and his team continue to influence the next generation to be the best. We salute Lieutenant Colonel (R) Rod Sylvester. He is truly ARMY STRONG!
|
|
