February 3-10, 2017
In This Issue
 

This week, I joined four members of the Board of Education to attend a two-day retreat with other elected officials and community leaders from Spalding County.
The retreat focused on issues related to community development. 
Topics included a wide variety of issues centered mostly on a quality of life theme.   As you might expect, education was a large part of the discussion.   I
was very pleased that the discussion was positive and supportive of what we are doing with and for our students.
  The opening of the Griffin Region College and Career Academy and our increased graduation rate were identified as major positives.   The leaders at the retreat have not focused on test scores or state definitions of success and failure.   Community leaders know we face challenges, many of which impact other areas of community life such as crime and housing.   They know there is more to school than could ever be measured in a once-a-year test.   Our challenge is finding a way to harness community support in a manner that leads to an increased emphasis on education and the importance of graduating across our community.   I am thankful for the interest being shown in supporting what teachers, administrators and supporting staff do every day.   It is important.  Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,
Jim Smith
Superintendent
STATEWIDE TORNADO DRILL

 GSCS will participate in the statewide Tornado Drill
 on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at 9 a.m.
THANK YOU GSCS SCHOOL COUNSELORS!
February 6-10, is National School Counseling Week. GSCS appreciates the skills, dedication and commitment of our school counselors and recognizes the huge impact they have in helping our students achieve school success and plan for future success in college and career.

Take time next week to thank our school counselors!
SHBP 2017 LEGAL NOTICES
As an employee of Griffin-Spalding County schools and participant in our employee benefits programs, you and your beneficiaries may have various rights and privileges related to these programs.

Laws governing health care require us to provide you with these notifications. Click HERE to find important notices to retain for your records. In the past, many of these notices were sent piece-meal and are now grouped together to more clearly communicate your rights and to simplify distribution. A hard copy can be provided to you upon request; please kathy.gossett@gscs.org or call 770-229-3710 ext. 10353.
TEACHERS RETIREMENT WORKSHOP 
The upcoming Teachers Retirement Workshop is scheduled for February 14, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. in the GSCS Learning Center. The one-on-one sessions will be held February 15-16. If you have not registered, you can register online by following these instructions:
  • Visit www.trsga.com
  •  Click on "Account Log-in" at the top of the page
  • Click on "Active Member Login" (if you experience difficulty logging in, you will need to contact TRS directly at 404-352-6500, as HR does not have access to your personal account.)
  • Click "VIEW"
  • Look under: "I WANT TO" and click on "Appointment/Event Registration"
  • Click on "Statewide Events/Appts" (there is NO event code, just search for our school system)
  • Click "Register" (once you have registered, you should receive a confirmation email)
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Kathy Gossett at 770-229-3700 Ext. 10353.
SALVATION ARMY CAN FOOD DRIVE TOTALS
GSCS collected 28,035 cans this year!

Shout-out to Crescent Elementary for collecting the
most cans!
School
# of Cans School # of Cans
Anne Street Elem.
Atkinson Elem. 
Beaverbrook Elem. 
Cowan Road Elem. 
Crescent Elem.
Futral Road Elem.
Jackson Road Elem.
Jordan Hill Elem.
Moore Elem.
Moreland Road Elem.
1,189
811
455
2,314
5,044
3,563
1,199
2,224
145
211
Orrs Elem.
Carver Road Middle
Cowan Road Middle
Kennedy Road Middle
Rehoboth Road Middle
Griffin High School  
Spalding High School 
AZ Kelsey Academy
Mainstay Academy
GSCS Central Office
1,756
396
1,413
3,000
2,438
0
1,444
32
157
244
2017 GEORGIA TOTY INSPIRES NEW GSCS TEACHERS
On January 4, the 2017 Georgia Teacher of the Year, Casey M. Bethel, inspired the GSCS new teachers to rediscover "how" to teach their students based on "why" they teach their students. Through the use of props, storytelling, humor and extraordinary energy, Casey reminded the new teachers that teaching is the greatest profession! "Teachers have the opportunity to show students they have worth and value, help shape their dreams, redirect a misguided student's life and impart knowledge and wisdom that moves a student's life forward," stated Bethel.
 
Bethel shared, "I turned to education
and I never felt so alive. As a first year teacher, even though I was exhausted every evening, I could not wait to get to school the next morning for one more chance to inspire the next generation." During the workshop, new GSCS teachers practiced effective classroom routines, relationship building techniques and ways to positively challenge students. Bethel emphasized the importance of celebrating the small and great successes of every student because you may be the one caring adult in their life.
 
Casey Bethel teaches 9th grade physical science, AP Physics and AP Biology at New Manchester High in Douglasville, Georgia. He also sponsors a male mentoring club at his high school, conducts biochemistry research during the summer in the GIFT program at Georgia Tech with professors aimed at curing Alzheimer's disease and is passionate about reaching and inspiring the lives of his students. He will represent Georgia as the 2017 Teacher of the Year and will compete for the 2017 National Teacher of the Year.
"Kind words can be short and easy
to speak but their echoes
are truly endless."
~ Mother Teresa
GSCS TRANSITION FAIR
The Special Education department is sponsoring a Road to Success GSCS Transition Fair for students with disabilities and their families. Vendors from local businesses, agencies and colleges will attend to discuss life after high school and available options after graduation.


Date: March 23, 2017
Time: 5p.m. - 7p.m.
Location: Stuckey Auditorium (UGA-Griffin Campus)
Event contact: District Special Education Supervisor Kristi Smith
kristi.smith@gscs.org or 770-229-3775 Ext. 28164

Click HERE for flyer. 
REGIONAL EDUCATOR JOB FAIR - TELL YOUR FRIENDS!
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2017
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Location: Griffin RESA

Who Should Attend?
Certified Educators. Those eligible for teaching certification for the 2017-2018 school year.

Meet staff and representatives from eight South Metro suburban school systems representing 125+ schools and over 100,000 students.

*Pre-registration is not required.

Click HERE for flyer.
VSU CONTINUING EDUCATION ONLINE COURSES

Valdosta State University has partnered with VESi to provide online courses that are available for professional learning units (PLUs)/Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

View the full course listing HERE.
GSCS STUDENTS LOVE ASP

Here are some reasons why Moreland Road Elementary students LOVE the GSCS Elementary After-School Program:
"It's really fun!"
"We have cool sports"
"Because I can talk and play with my friends that are not in my grade"
"I love the snacks and the clubs"
"I love food and fun!"
In addition to snacks and clubs, the after-school program offers homework time and academic projects. 
SAVE THE DATE FOR RFL
SAVE THE DATE

2017 Relay for Life of Spalding County
Friday, May 5, 2017 (Cinco De Mayo)
6PM-12AM
Wyomia Tyus Park

Theme: Make Cancer Take a Siesta!

For more information see your school's team captain.
ELEMENTARY EMPLOYEES THE OF MONTH
ANNE STREET ELEMENTARY
Nicole Nelms, kindergarten teacher and Fred Colbert, paraprofessional
These two work together as a dynamic team helping their students develop to their fullest potential. Great job, "Kiss Your Brain!"

ATKINSON ELEMENTARY
Angeline Alexander, school counselor
Ms. Alexander has shown tremendous commitment to our PBIS program. She enjoys organizing activities to recognize our students for exhibiting our school's expectations. Just recently she reached out to HOT 107.9 asking them to share their "Bullying is Not Hot" program at the school. This event was a huge success and truly enjoyed by all students and staff. We thank Ms. Alexander for continuously thinking of ways to keep our students engaged and motivated as we strive to help build strong character within our students.

BEAVERBROOK ELEMENTARY
Dinette King
Dinette is always willing to help out in a pinch and she cares about the students in her classroom and school. If you visit her classroom you will find her up and moving about assisting the students. We appreciate all she does for our school!

COWAN ROAD ELEMENTARY
Laura Forehand
Mrs. Forehand is always spreading the joy of music to our entire school. Her bubbly personality, team player attitude and wonderful musicals make her one of Cowan's treasures!

CRESCENT ELEMENTARY
Lisa Smith, fourth grade teacher
Lisa has taken our Crescent Cares motto and helped students make a real world connection. She coordinated a school wide effort to help tornado victims in South Georgia. Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Clark, both have family in Albany. Crescent students and families showed how much they really care with TONS of donated items.

FUTRAL ROAD ELEMENTARY
Christy Fuller
Nurse Fuller works hard every day taking care of both our students and staff. She is always calm and cool under pressure and a true asset to our school! We appreciate you Nurse Fuller!

JACKSON ROAD ELEMENTARY
Julie Riggs, Melissa Case and Michele Fowler-Wood
These three educators have been instrumental in the incredible improvement of four students not assigned to their role. They were asked to help with an idea and they happily jumped aboard. They have not only gone above and beyond to help, they approached it with the hearts of true educators. These three ladies are inspiring and role models for others.

JORDAN HILL ELEMENTARY
Elaine Parks
Mrs. Parks does a wonderful job in the front office greeting visitors and making them feel welcome. She took on extra duties over the last several days and performed them with a smile. She has been with Jordan Hill since it opened in 1993 and has been a mainstay for us here. She is a big part of our Jordan Hill Family.

MOORE ELEMENTARY
Angela Stewart
Her passion for teaching is evident in the various research based strategies she uses to differentiate instruction to reach all students. She is always willing to share best instructional practices and lead grade-level math professional learning. Mrs. Stewart is a vital asset to Moore Elementary and a true teacher-leader.

MORELAND ROAD ELEMENTARY

Nicki Gore, academic coach
Nicki is constantly working to improve instruction at MRE which will directly impact student achievement and ultimately our CCRPI score. She has a very encouraging spirit and teachers seek her out for advice. She conducts many trainings with the staff to keep them on top of current best practices and spends a lot of time in the classrooms. She has a great relationship with the administration, staff and students. Moreland Road is blessed to have her as our academic coach.

ORRS ELEMENTARY
Deena Davis, secretary and Trayon Henderson, fifth grade teacher
Deena Davis collects all monies, reports and gives out goodies. The staff appreciates all the support she gives. Trayon Henderson is the go to person for any and everything. She is super organized and has a form to support any kind of task. She is an expert with using audio enhancement and other forms of technology. Orrs is very proud of Ms. Davis and Ms. Henderson!
WELLSTAR SCRUB RUN 5K 2017

WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital will be hosting their 5th Scrub Run 5K on March 11, 2017. The success of this event over the years has allowed them to donate just over $20,500.00 for the Backpack Food for Kids Program.

The Backpack Food for Kids Program is still going strong! In 2016, they added a sixth school. This increased the number of children being served to over 280!

A portion of the proceeds from the 2017 Scrub Run will support the Backpack Food for Kids Program along with a new initiative that focuses on the health and wellbeing of kids in our community called Safe Kids Spalding. The vision of Safe Kids Georgia is for Georgia's children to have a safe place to grow, play and be free from unintentional injuries, which is the number one cause of death to children from 0-19 years of age. WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital wants to make sure kids are riding as safely as possible to help prevent them from injury. To learn more about Safe Kids Georgia visit safekidsgeorgia.org.

WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital is asking for our support to help make the 2017 Scrub Run 5K: Run for Kids the best one so far.

Scrub Run 5K Sponsorship Form

Scrub Run 5K Registration Form

Scrub Run 5k Poster