The latest news from Georgia's largest school system, straight to your inbox.
September 2021, Vol. 20, No. 1
GCPS welcomes its new superintendent,
Dr. Calvin J. Watts
The Gwinnett County Board of Education unanimously approved Dr. Calvin J. Watts as the next superintendent of Gwinnett County Public Schools on Fri., July 30.
Since beginning his new role, Dr. Watts has launched a “Look, Listen, and Learn Tour," focusing on visiting schools and locations, and reconnecting with the Gwinnett community. (Images clockwise from upper right: Chattahoochee Elementary School, Gwinnett Online Campus, North Gwinnet Middle School, South Gwinnett High School, and the District III Area Board Meeting.) Please click here to learn more about Dr. Watts, and here for a welcome message from the new superintendent.
Back together and off to a great start for the 2021-22 school year!
  • The 2021-22 school year started with some impressive statistics for Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), presented here in GCPS By the Numbers, an engaging infographic currently available on the school district's website.
  • For the key information every family should know, please visit the Back-to-School Hub, and stay current on the school district's communications about Health and Safety. Based on CDC guidance, masks will be required for students, staff, and visitors to all Gwinnett County Public Schools’ facilities and on school buses, regardless of vaccination status. This decision takes into account current conditions, the rise in COVID-19 case rates in Gwinnett County, and the ineligibility of children age 12 and younger for the vaccine.
GCPS retains status as ‘Fully Accredited’
Cognia’s special review of Gwinnett County Public Schools is complete and resulted in no change to the school district’s accreditation. GCPS Superintendent Dr. Calvin J. Watts shared that the school district will “use the findings from the report to guide and strengthen our continuous improvement efforts.”
New leaders in place at GCPS schools
Schools welcomed these new leaders for the 2021-22 school year:
  • Dr. Sally Lehmann - Principal, Burnette Elementary School
  • Mark Moon - Principal, Chattahoochee Elementary School
  • Monica Ball - Principal, Graves Elementary School
  • Melanie Terris - Principal, Ivy Creek Elementary School
  • Lin Thornton - Principal, Jones Middle School
  • Dr. Brooks Baggett - Principal, Northbrook Middle School
  • Dr. Joe Sanfilippo - Principal, Pharr Elementary School
  • Lisa Rhodes - Principal, Puckett's Mill Elementary School
  • Dr. Shanti Howard - Principal, Shiloh Middle School
In addition, Memorie Reesman has been named to lead the formation of the new Seckinger Cluster as principal of Seckinger High School (opening 2022-23).
Catch the last 2021 Area Board Meeting or view recording
The Gwinnett County Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Calvin J. Watts have been traveling around the county for Area Board Meetings. The final meeting is set for Oct. 5, 2021, at McClure Health Science HS (District V). If you're unable to attend, catch a livestream of the meeting or review a recording of an earlier meeting.
GCPS invites community to share
key topics for upcoming discussions
Later this year, GCPS will launch a new web engagement tool—called ThoughtExchange—that will allow district leaders to hear directly from the GCPS community. ThoughtExchange allows participants to share thoughts confidentially…ensuring that all voices are heard and that diverse views can come to light around a shared topic of concern. You are invited to take part in an online survey to share input on topics of interest to you. Responses will help guide the first "exchange" using the new tool. The survey closes Oct. 12.
GCPS partners with Health Dept. for mobile walk-in vaccination clinics
GCPS encourages our community to learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations and take advantage of opportunities to get vaccinated. The district is partnering with the Gwinnett Health Department to host weekly vaccination clinics at high schools around the county during September and October. No appointment is necessary. Please click here to learn more about the clinic locations and schedules. Eligible students (ages 12-17) must be accompanied by a parent.
District to continue meals at no cost for all GCPS students
For the 2021-22 school year, all students, both in-person and online learners, will have access to breakfast and lunch at no charge, based on USDA waivers. While meals will be provided at no charge for all students this school year, families whose students would be eligible for meal support in a typical year should complete the free/reduced-price meal application by Oct. 21. Confirmed eligibility for free/reduced-price meals ensures access to many benefits beyond school meals, including free SAT/ACT, free college applications, free/reduced internet, additional technology and resources for schools, etc. Please click here for more information about the Free and Reduced Meal Application's benefits... it provides more than a meal.
Ready to SHINE as a GCPS employee?
GCPS is hiring for a range of positions and offering hiring incentives for newly hired staff in select positions. The district is conducting virtual interviews for paraprofessionals every Wednesday. Click on the positions below to learn how you can SHINE with GCPS and apply today! 


 
Seckinger High School rendering
Seckinger notifications head to GCPS families
Seckinger High School is scheduled to open in August of 2022 for the 2022-23 school year. The opening of the school will create Gwinnett County Public Schools' newest cluster. This month, parents and guardians residing within the new Seckinger Cluster received a letter specific to their residence and student’s grade level. Please click here to learn more about the notification.
 
You are invited to take GCPS' communications survey
School district partners—families, staff, and community members—are encouraged to participate in GCPS’ online School Communication Performance Evaluation (SCoPE) survey. Participants will be asked to share how they prefer to receive information, the effectiveness of the communication they receive, and their perceptions related to communication and GCPS. The survey is open Sept. 20-Oct. 4.
 
Take down these dates...
Calendar notes...
Keeping up with GCPS
Stay Connected to GCPS with social media
Follow @GwinnettSchools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and the Teaching Gwinnett podcast.