September 18, 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

ALL EMPLOYEES

Furman University Education Day, Saturday, September 27 (Furman vs. Chattanooga) — GCS Education Day will be celebrated Saturday, September 27 at 3:30 p.m. (game time), during the Furman-Chattanooga football game at Paladin Stadium on the Furman Campus. During halftime, Furman will honor Teachers of the Year, Staff ,and Classroom Champions from Greenville, Pickens and Anderson Counties. As part of the celebration, Furman University is providing game coupons to students and employees.

Coupons for STUDENTS will be distributed to schools. Coupon admits one child (up to 14 yrs.) for free and one adult for $5. Students who are 15 years of age or older must pay a $5 ticket fee.

Coupons for EMPOYEES can be printed by clicking the link HERE and downloading a coupon (link is found underneath Furman football helmet).

Coupons may be filled out to win an IPOD Shuffle, Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii! Drawings will be held at the end of the first, second and third quarters of the game. Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Dwight Covington, Furman Athletic Ticket Sales Coordinator, 864-607-5148.

TEACHERS

Health Education Assessment Program - The Health Education Assessment Program, HEAP, will occur in Greenville County schools this school year in grades 5, 8, and high school.  Every three years our school district goes through health education assessment.  On September 23 and October 14 we are offering information and training on HEAP.  Anyone interested in learning more about this state mandated assessment may receive credit for attending by signing up on the portal.  Teachers who are responsible for teaching comprehensive health should attend.  Every school should have someone represent their school to learn more about HEAP. Click HERE for the agenda for the upcoming HEAP training.  Participants need to sign up for only one workshop.  We are offering the same workshop twice.  Audience: Comprehensive Health Teachers.  Contact: Penny Bostain, Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Consultant, ext. 3181.

Gendered Classroom; Fall 2008 ITV Recertification Course - A new ITV recertification course entitled A Gendered Classroom developed by instructor David Chadwell and produced as a cooperative effort between the SC Department of Education's Office, ITV and ETV provides key information about single-gender education, focusing on six differences between boys and girls, the implications in the classroom, and strategies to meet the needs of individual students.  Interviews with teachers from single-gender classes are also a part of the videos.  *Lessons may be accessed from broadcast or StreamlineSC for professional development use by SC schools even if no recertification credit is wanted.

Register Online: www.itv.myetv.org

Registration Deadline: September 29

Cost: $50.00 per participant

Recertification: 1 Hour or 20 Renewal Credits* Course Dates: October 4 - December 1 (8 weeks) Course begins Online October 4

Audience: Teachers.  Contact: Bonnie McMurray, ITV Instructor/Trainer.

SCCGE Conference - The South Carolina Consortium for Gifted Education will hold its annual conference at the Greenville, SC Hyatt Regency.  The conference begins with a keynote address followed by a reception on Monday, December 1 at 5:30 p.m.  Tuesday’s conference sessions include workshops for all teachers and administrators of gifted students.  High school sessions are concentrated on Tuesday.  In addition to content area workshops on Wednesday, special sessions for guidance counselors are also scheduled.  If teachers are interested in attending this conference, please click HERE to review the flyer and submit their registration form (link included) accompanied by approved Temporary Leave Form to Jane Snyder by Tuesday, September 30.  Audience: Teachers and Administrators of Gifted Students.  Contact:  Jane Snyder, Gifted and Talented Program, ext. 4821.

Advanced Placement Fall Workshops - The College Board Advanced Placement Fall Workshops will be held At Spartanburg High School on October 24, 2008.  Registration information has been sent to each high school AP Coordinator.  The deadline for registration forms to reach Jane Snyder is Wednesday, September 24.  Registration forms should be submitted along with an approved Temporary Leave Form.  Audience: High School Teachers.  Contact:  Jane Snyder, Gifted and Talented Program, ext. 4821.

AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS

ALL TEACHERS

VFW’s National Citizenship Education Teachers’ Award - The VFW's National Citizenship Education Teachers' Award recognizes the nation's top elementary, junior high and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics regularly and promote America's history and traditions. Fellow teachers, supervisors or other interested individuals can submit nominations. Click HERE for information and entry form. Applications are due by Wednesday, October 15 to: Charles F Gandy Jr., VFW Post 6734, PO Box 8902, Greenville, SC 29604-8902. Audience: Teachers. Contact: Howard Bowen, 864-918-1079, or Woody Woods, 864-476-3078, VFW Post 6734.

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

VFW’s Patriot’s Pen Youth Essay Writing Contest – Veterans of Foreign Wars Patriot's Pen, a youth-essay writing contest, is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6,7 and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Click HERE for information and entry form. Applications are due by Wednesday, October 15 to: Charles F Gandy Jr., VFW Post 6734, PO Box 8902, Greenville, SC 29604-8902. Audience: Middle School Teachers and Students.  Contact: Howard Bowen, 864-918-1079, or Woody Woods, 864-476-3078, VFW Post 6734.

HIGH SCHOOLS

VFW’s Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program– Veterans of Foreign War Voice of Democracy (VOD) scholarship program is an audio-essay contest for high school students in grades 9-12 that annually provides more than $3 million in scholarships. The first-place winner, who competes with all the first-place VFW Department winners, receives a $30,000 scholarship that is paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. Click HERE for information and entry form.  Applications are due by Wednesday, October 15 to: Charles F Gandy Jr., VFW Post 6734, PO Box 8902, Greenville, SC 29604-8902.  Audience: High School Teachers and Students.  Contact: Howard Bowen, 864-918-1079, or Woody Woods, 864-476-3078, VFW Post 6734.

PARTNERSHIPS

None

NOTICES/REQUESTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Health Care Premiums Will Increase for Smokers in 2010 (Smokers Can Enroll in Free Smoking Cessation Program) - State employees who smoke will pay more - $25 a month more - for their health insurance beginning in 2010. Last year, tobacco-related illnesses cost South Carolina taxpayers $75 million, accounting for 7 percent of $1.1 billion paid out for public employees' health care, according to the SC Budget and Control Board.  To help employees stop smoking, there is a free Smoking Cessation Program available for state employees and their dependents. Called Free & Clear, the program combines physical, psychological and behavioral strategies to enable participants to take responsibility for and overcome their addiction to tobacco use. Participants receive support and assistance throughout the process.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Free & Clear at 1-866-QUIT-4-LIFE or (1-866-784-8454).

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

NONE

MISCELLANEOUS

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

CALENDAR (IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES TO REMEMBER)

Thursday, September 18 — Interim Progress Reports

Saturday, September 27 — Furman University Education Day,  3:30 P.M. (Game Time).  See details and ticket information above under INFORMATION/EVENTS.

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

Friday, October 17 — Professional Development/Employee Workday #5 (Schools-Parent/Teacher Conferences, MAP and Improvement Plans)

Monday, October 20 — Professional Development/Employee Workday #6 (AM: District, PM: Schools — Flexible, Exchange Day)

Monday, October 20 — GCS - Pepsi Scholarship Golf Tournament, Pebble Creek Club

Thursday, October 23 — End 1st Quarter (45 Days)

October 21-23 (Revised) — High School Exit Exam (HSAP)

Thursday, October 30 —Report Cards