August 21, 2008                                                              ebulletinboard Archive

ebulletinboard is sent every other week to all employees and provides information about events, workshops, and other matters of interest. Principals and other location supervisors should post one copy for employees who do not have e-mail.  Editions are archived for reference.

EVENTS/WORKSHOPS

ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Dr. Timothy Rasinski (August 27, League Academy) - Dr. Timothy Rasinski, professor of literacy education at Kent State University and respected author, will be our guest on August 27 at League Academy from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon. Click HERE for more detailed information. Teachers and principals may register on the portal for the event.  Audience: Elementary and Middle Principals and Teachers.  Contact: Debbie Barron, Secondary Language Arts Consultant, ext. 3191.

AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS

ALL SCHOOLS

Verizon Foundation Grant (For Pre-K – 12 English/Literacy Teachers) - The Verizon Foundation is seeking grant proposals from nonprofit organizations and educational institutions in South Carolina for innovative projects that support the use of technology in literacy or Internet safety programs. Literacy programs may address the areas of family, adult, early childhood or K-12 literacy, including programs that develop English as a second language or basic computer literacy skills. Verizon is particularly interested in proposals that deliver literacy training via e-learning or use technology to enhance literacy training, such as computer and Web-based training programs. Internet safety programs should focus on those that promote online safety for children, senior citizens, families, and communities. Eligible nonprofit organizations and educational institutions may submit proposals online and compete for individual grants ranging from $1,500 to $10,000 each to fund programs that most effectively match the Verizon Foundation's literacy and Internet-safety focus areas. The foundation will award a total of up to $45,000 in grants. Deadline for online submission is August 29, 2008. Click HERE for the Verizon Foundation website and additional information on how to apply. Audience: Pre-K – 12 English/Literacy Teachers.  Contact: Erin Tully, Grants Specialist, ext. 3113.

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

2009-10 Equity in Mathematics Grants (For Middle School Math Teachers)- The Mathematics Education Trust of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics has announced an increase in its Equity in Mathematics Grants for 2009-10. MET will award an $8,000 grant (increased from $3,000 last year) to an individual or a small group of teachers currently teaching mathematics in grades six through eight. Funded by the Iris Carl Fund and NCTM, the grant provides support to teachers to incorporate middle school classroom materials or lessons that will improve the achievement of student groups that have records of underachievement. Proposals must address the following: the mathematics content as defined in the "Principles and Standards for School Mathematics" of NCTM; the plan for improving achievement of the targeted students; and the anticipated impact on their achievement. Recipients of the Equity in Mathematics Grant must be members of NCTM and be current teachers of mathematics in grades six through eight for at least 50 percent of the school day. Activities are to be completed between June 1, 2009, and May 31, 2010. Deadline for submission is November 14, 2008. Click HERE for more information and link to the application.  Audience: Middle School Math Teachers.  Contact: Erin Tully, Grants Specialist, ext. 3113.

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS

Nestle Very Best In Youth Award – This program honors young people nationwide who excel academically and work hard to make their community a better place.  Those chosen will be featured in a special book, receive a trip to the Nestle Very Best Youth awards ceremony in Los Angeles, and $1,000 to donate to the charity of their choice.  Click HERE for more information and entry form.  Entries are due from students Thursday, November 20.  Audience:  Middle and High Principals, Teachers and Students.  Contact: Nestle USA, 818-549-6677.

PARTNERSHIPS

None

NOTICES/REQUESTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

GO GREEN - SWITCH IT OFF - Greenville County Schools has over 28,000 networked personal computers supporting education and administrative activities. If all of these computers were left on 24 hours a day our annual power consumption would be 44 million kilowatt hours (kWh). By making sure that we shutdown our computers and monitors at the end of the day we would save 29 million kilowatt hours annually. This amount is equivalent to that needed to power 2,317 homes in Greenville County for a year.  Before you leave for the day, GO GREEN and SWITCH IT OFF!  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Bill Brown, ETS, ext.  3111.

South Carolinians to Select Name of State’s New Testing System (Deadline to vote is Labor Day) - In the first 24 hours since the online voting system was opened, nearly 2,000 South Carolinians casts ballots to select the name of the new state assessment for grades 3-8.  Click HERE for news release from the State Department of Education with complete information and HERE for the direct link to the online ballot.  Audience: Employees, Parents, Students.  Contact: Oby Lyles, Communications Department, ext. 8870.

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Pickens County YMCA – Pickens County YMCA will provide a discount if five or more employees are either members or join and tell them they are Greenville County Schools Employees. Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Christy McCall, Pickens County YMCA, 864-307-0212, ext. 104.

MISCELLANEOUS

Employment Opportunities – Click HERE for our web-site link to GCS Employment Opportunities.

CALENDAR (IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES TO REMEMBER)

2008-09 Employee Calendar               2008-09 Parent/Student Calendar

August 27-28—4K First Day (Staggered)

Monday, September 1 — Labor Day (Holiday for Students and All Employees)

Tuesday, September 2 — MAP Testing Window Begins (K-12)

Thursday, September 4—New Employee Reception and Information Fair (Mauldin High, 4:00 —6:00 P.M.)

Thursday, September 18 — Interim Progress Reports

Saturday, September 27 — Furman University Education Day (Information will be sent to all locations)

Tuesday, September 30 — MAP Testing Window Ends (K-12)