To view the entire newsletter, please scroll to the bottom of the email and click on "View Entire Message. | |
COMMUNITY MESSAGE FROM GSCS SUPERINTENDENT DR. KEITH SIMMONS | |
STATE SUPERINTENDENT RICHARD WOODS VISITS GSCS AND RECOGNIZES THREE SCHOOLS AS LITERACY LEADERS | |
|
On September 29, State School Superintendent Richard Woods visited Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) to recognize Atkinson Elementary, Crescent Road Elementary and Jordan Hill Elementary as Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) 2022-2023 Literacy Leaders. At an awards ceremony held at Atkinson Elementary, the three schools were presented with Literacy Leader Banners.
Literacy Leaders are schools with 90 percent or more of their third-grade students reading at grade level or schools with a 15 percent or higher increase from 2021-22 to 2022-23. A total of 155 schools in Georgia met the qualifications to be recognized as Literacy Leaders.
"The ability to read opens up the doors not only to the rest of a student's education but to their ability to continue learning throughout their life," State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. "That's why we are laser-focused on literacy at the Georgia Department of Education and as a state. These schools -- our Literacy Leaders -- are doing exceptional work to ensure every student is equipped with the lifelong skill of literacy, and it's an honor to recognize them."
READ MORE...
| |
|
E-SPLOST VII ELECTION DATE
NOVEMBER 7
| |
22ND ANNUAL PIE GOLF TOURNAMENT | |
|
The Griffin-Spalding Partners in Education (PIE) raised over $25,000 during its 22nd annual golf tournament to benefit the teachers and students of the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS). Thirty-two teams played in the tournament held at the City Park Golf Course on Friday, September 29.
Proceeds from the tournament are used to fund classroom grants, field trip grants and teacher tuition reimbursement scholarships.
This year’s first-place team was Specialty Products; the second-place team was Twice the Ice; and the third-place team was UGA–Griffin Campus.
GSCS Executive Director of Communications and Partnerships Adam Pugh said, “We had perfect weather and a great turnout. I appreciate all of the work that went into planning this event from the staff and volunteers. I am thankful for the generosity of our sponsors and participants. This annual tournament is a great example of our community showing its support for our students, staff and school district. Thank you!”
For the 22nd year in a row, Manley, Spangler & Smith Architects was the Tournament Sponsor. Scoreboard Sponsors were Brightmoor Hospice and Chick-Fil-A of Griffin. Hole-in-One Sponsors included Andrew, Hammock & Powell Inc., Cronic Automotive Group (who provided a new truck that could be won by hitting a hole-in-one) and MEJA Construction.
READ MORE...
| |
DOWNLOAD THESE NEW GSCS APPS | |
NEW GSCS DISTRICT AND SCHOOL APP | |
We're thrilled to announce the new app for Griffin-Spalding County Schools! It's everything GSCS, in your pocket.
Download for Android: https://bit.ly/3YcJZrG
Download for iPhone: https://apple.co/3kLOyve
| |
NEW TRAVERSA RIDE 360 TRANSPORTATION APP | |
Traversa Ride 360 is now available for parents and students to download on their Apple or Android mobile devices. Simply search the app store for “Traversa Ride 360” to download and register yourself on the app. This technology will replace VersaTrans MyStop.
Traversa Ride 360 is designed so parents and students can access the student’s bus information in the fastest way possible. GPS technology on the bus works with Student Transportation to automatically calculate the timing of a bus route to give the most accurate route data with real-time updates. Parents and students may sign up for notifications to be automatically alerted about changes in a student’s bus status.
Guardian User Guide: https://5il.co/26amj
Guardian User Guide (Spanish): https://5il.co/26qwm
GSCS Traversa Ride 360 URL:
https://GAGriffinSpaldingCSD.myridek12.tylerapp.com/
GSCS Transportation Webpage: https://www.gscs.org/page/transportation
| |
2023 GSCS EDUCATOR HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES | |
Pictured (L-R): Superintendent Dr. Keith Simmons, EHOF Inductee Karen Goodman, Board Chair R. Syntel Brown, EHOF Inductee Johnny Goodrum’s Niece Wenomia Goodrum-Person, EHOF Inductee Johnny Goodrum’s Wife Lillie Goodrum, Board Member Sue McDonald, Board Member Barbara Jo Cook, EHOF Inductee June Lisle, Board Vice-Chair Will Doss, EHOF Inductee Robin Samples & Board Member Zachery Holmes | |
|
At the Sept. 19, board of education meeting Karen Goodman, Johnny Goodrum, June Lisle and Robin Samples were inducted into the Griffin-Spalding Educator Hall of Fame! They represent the 11th class of inductees. Congrats to these exemplary educators!
READ MORE...
| |
GSCS CELEBRATES IMPROVEMENTS | |
|
GSCS GRADUATION RATE SHOWS IMPROVEMENT
| |
Congratulations GSCS administrators, educators and staff! The graduation for the district improved from 79.5% to 83.8%!
Griffin High School's graduation rate rose from 79.9 percent in 2022 to 85.8 percent in 2023.
Spalding High School stayed consistent at 81 percent.
A.Z. Kelsey Academy's graduation rate rose from 45.5 percent in 2022 to 94.7 percent in 2023.
| |
FUTRAL ROAD ELEMENTARY NAMED A 2022-23 TITLE I REWARD SCHOOL | |
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) named Futral Road Elementary a Title I Reward School for making significant academic improvements during the 2022-23 school year.
“The schools on this list have made significant efforts in overcoming barriers, meeting challenges and producing great gains for their students. I applaud the 2022-23 Reward Schools leaders, teachers, parents and communities for creating opportunities for student success,” stated State School Superintendent Richard Woods.
Reward Schools are among the greatest-improving five percent of Title I Schoolwide and Title I Targeted Assistance schools when comparing the content mastery scores from the most recent two years of statewide assessments. Click HERE for detailed criteria.
| |
GSCS ACHIEVES 2023 GSBA EXEMPLARY SCHOOL BOARD STATUS | |
|
GSCS is proud to announce the achievement and status of the Georgia School Boards Association’s (GSBA) 2023 Exemplary School Board recognition.
The recognition program is designed to showcase best practices in school governance and leadership. GSBA recognizes good school board governance to foster educational community cultures in order to advance student learning and achievement.
The Griffin-Spalding Board of Education met and/or exceeded the criteria set forth by GSBA to earn the honor of a 2023 Exemplary Board. The criteria may be reviewed by clicking here for more information.
Congratulations Board of Education!
| |
|
GSCS SCHOLARSHIP SATURDAY
OCTOBER 21
| |
HOME DEPOT FOUNDATION GRANT REVAMPS OUTDOOR LEARNING SPACE AT MOORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | |
|
Students at Moore Elementary School will be spending more time learning outdoors thanks to a Home Depot Foundation grant. On October 12, Team Depot Members from around the region and Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) volunteers worked together, in the rain, to revamp Moore Elementary School’s courtyard into an outdoor learning space.
Volunteers painted over old murals, built tables, refurbished and installed raised flower beds, assembled umbrellas for shade, made improvements to a water feature and added mulch to the playground.
Moore Elementary Administrative Dean of Student Discipline Ron Brown said, “We appreciate the Home Depot Foundation and the Griffin Home Depot store for providing this makeover to the Moore outdoor learning space. This is a wonderful benefit to our students and we are grateful to all of our sponsors for their influence. Though there is still more work to be done, I am excited to see the magic that happens in this space.”
Read More...
| |
GSCS IS HIRING APPLY TODAY! | |
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES FEATURED | |
GHS SENIOR ZAMIYAH HOSLEY FEATURED IN PLAYER SPOTLIGHT | Congratulations to Griffin High School Senior Zamiyah Hosley who is featured in a 2023 Player Spotlight presented by U Save It Pharmacy! Zamiyah Hosley, the senior point guard for Griffin High School, is a silent leader who leads by doing the right things on and off the court. During the 2022-23 season, she and the Lady Bears won the GHSA State Championship for the first time in Griffin girls' basketball history and rallied a town that was recovering from devastating tornadoes. This is her story. | |
SHS JAGS FEATURED ON GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING | |
Check out this article highlighting the SHS Jags Football Team and Coach Kearney. Congratulations on a great year Jags!
Stability Helps Spark Spalding to School's Best Start | Georgia Public Broadcasting
By: Sam Crenshaw
https://www.gpb.org/blogs/gpb-sports-blog/2023/10/12/stability-helps-spark-spalding-schools-best-start
| |
ANNE STREET ELEMENTARY TEACHER TRACEY FRANCIS | |
|
Mrs. Tracey Francis is a first-grade teacher at Anne Street Elementary School. She has been teaching for over 15 years and this is her third year with Griffin-Spalding County Schools. Tracey was born in Jamaica (yes, jerk chicken is her specialty!) and moved to New York as a child where she lived for about 30 years. She grew up in Brooklyn and received her bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and her master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Touro College.
She began her teaching career as a pre-K teacher at a Title I school in New York City. Then she taught at Saint Mark’s, a catholic public charter school, that was also a Title I school. After the pandemic, she decided to move to Georgia to be near the rest of her family. Many of her family members had moved to Gwinnett County and her mother lived in Griffin. Tracey, her husband Jimmy and her daughter Jayla (now seven years old) moved from New York to Griffin and she LOVES it here.
Mrs. Francis believes that Anne Street is the perfect fit for her. Her prior experience prepared her perfectly for Anne Street and her experiences in GSCS have allowed her to develop and grow. Professional learning opportunities have allowed her to gain new skills and Anne Street has afforded her the opportunity to flourish and shine. Mrs. Francis stated, “My passion is to help every child learn to read no matter where they start. I love the challenge of identifying and supporting children with dyslexia. Every child is born with a gift and it is my job to find it. No matter where they were born or where they were raised, I believe every child can be successful.”
Anne Street Elementary Principal Dr. Seabrook Royal said, “Mrs. Francis is a great fit at Anne Street and I appreciate her passion, hard work and relentless service to children. I appreciate our entire team of dedicated educators.”
Tracey Francis is the Teacher of the Year for Anne Street Elementary for the 2023-2024 school year. She is a champion for literacy and an example of the caliber of well-qualified and dedicated teachers we are fortunate to have providing learning experiences for students in Griffin-Spalding. Thank you to Mrs. Francis and all the amazing teachers in GSCS who help our students read, write, speak and solve daily.
| |
VISIT THE REVAMPED GSCS PARENT RESOURCE CENTER | |
|
Find hands-on activities, books and brochures for your scholar in our District Parent Resource Center. The center is designed to provide educational resources for parents to help their scholar succeed academically. Parents can also find computers with internet access at the center. The best part is the resources are FREE!
Academic resources include:
- Math & Reading Workbooks
- Math & Reading Activities K-5
- Tutoring
- Homework Help
Parenting resources include helping your child with development, homework, bullying, preparing for college and career and much more.
GSCS Parent Resource Center
234 East Taylor Street
Griffin, GA 30224
Hours: M-F 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Evening appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Contact: [email protected] or 770.229.3710 EXT. 10363
| |
|
UPCOMING GSCS FINE ART PERFORMANCES | |
Attention Families: Here are some tips for pedestrian safety. Remember clocks will “fall back” one hour on Sunday, November 5, 2023. | |
GSCS STUDENTS NEEDED FOR TECHNOLOGY COMPETITION TEAM | |
GSCS DEPARTMENT OF EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS PARENT INFO. NIGHT | |
TEXT GSCS ANYTIME USING LET'S TALK | |
THANK YOU PARTNERS IN EDUCATION | |
HOLIDAY ESSAY CONTEST FOR STUDENTS IN 2ND-5TH GRADE | |
STAY CONNECTED WITH GSCS
ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
| |
|
*The Community Communicator is edited using the AP Stylebook.
Laura Beaber, Editor
GSCS Communications and Partnerships Department
www.gscs.org
| | | | |
