November 25, 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

Roper Mountain Holiday Lights – Roper Mountain Holiday Lights is open Thanksgiving night through Tuesday, December 30, nightly 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.  Click HERE for flyer for information about the Winter Wonderland, photos, ornaments and concessions.  The event is sponsored by the Rotary Club and the Roper Mountain Association. Please note that this is a public event and admission is charged.  Contact: Roper Mountain Science Center, ext. 8900.

AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS

TITLE 1 SCHOOLS TEACHERS

Music Matters Grants for 2009 - The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation’s mission is to support and redefine music education. Through music education, a child can better achieve his/her full potential and stimulate personal and educational growth. Music Matters Grants for 2009 will focus on educational reform in school music programs and independent music programs. Grants will be awarded in April 2009 (money will be distributed by October 2009), to schools and music programs throughout the United States. Grant amounts for this cycle are between $1,000-$12,000 each and are made on an annual one-time basis. Deadline for this year’s grants is February 4, 2009. Please click HERE for more information.  Audience: Title 1 Schools Teachers.  Contact: Erin Tully, Grants Specialist, ext. 3113.

ALL TEACHERS

Horace Mann Educator Scholarships - Horace Mann is offering $30,000 in scholarships for public and private school K-12 educators to take college courses. In May 2009, The Horace Mann Companies will announce the recipients. One recipient will receive $5,000 in scholarship funds payable over four years, and fifteen other recipients will receive $1,000 each in scholarship funds payable over two years. Twenty additional recipients will each receive one-time $500 awards. Deadline for this year’s competition is March 12, 2009. Please click HERE for more information.  Audience: All Teachers.  Contact: Erin Tully, Grants Specialist, ext. 3113.

PARTNERSHIPS

NONE

NOTICES/REQUESTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Paycheck Distribution - Due to the Thanksgiving holiday schedule, direct deposit statements for the November 28 pay date will be delivered by courier on Tuesday, December 2.  Employee’s accounts will be credited with funds on Friday, 11/28/08, as scheduled.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Business Services, ext. 1173.

UNUM Short Term Disability - During annual enrollment, employees were told that effective January 1, 2009, the District would stop payroll deductions for UNUM Short Term Disability Insurance.  UNUM policyholders can either continue their coverage by paying premiums on a direct bill basis or elect payroll deduction coverage through Trustmark.  Ward Services has identified employees that did not apply to have their Disability Insurance changed to Trustmark.  These employees must see a Benefits Counselor if they wish to take advantage of payroll deduction and the Guarantee Issue offer through Trustmark.  Ward Services will be contacting locations to schedule dates and times for employee appointments, December 1 through December 12, 2008.  Employees who did not elect Trustmark coverage must be scheduled for a meeting with a Benefits Counselor.  Audience: All Employees. Contact:  Benefits Department, ext. 1188.

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

NONE

MISCELLANEOUS

The Schools Channel (Charter Channel 99, 24 hours a day, and Channel 14, 5:30-8:30 a.m. and 3:30-6:30 p.m. daily) –   Click HERE to learn more about the Schools Channel programs and TV schedule.

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

CALENDAR (IMPORTANT DATES REMEMBER)

November 5— Noon, December 5 — Applications Accepted for Magnet Academies

November 26-28 — Thanksgiving Break (School Holidays)

November 27-28 — Thanksgiving Break for 12-Month Employees

Monday, December 1 — Interim Progress Reports (Second Quarter)

December 2 — January 9 — Change in School Assignment Requests Accepted