March 19, 2009                                                               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

Employee Appreciation Day— Please mark your calendar for Saturday, April 25, 11:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. for the GCS Employee Appreciation Day (Fun Day) at the Greenville Drive Stadium.  Fun activities are being planned.  Details to come.  Audience:  All Employees.  Contact:  Bill Utsey.

Ready, Set Go Retirement Seminar (Thursday, March 26, 4:00 p.m., Hipp Auditorium, Roper Mountain Science Center) - A retirement presentation is scheduled for employees planning to retire from the district this year. The session is scheduled for Thursday, March 26 at 4:00 p.m., in the Hipp Auditorium at Roper Mountain Science Center.  It is not necessary for employees to register for the presentation.  For planning, it is helpful for retirees to have a retirement benefits estimate.  If you would like to receive a retirement estimate at the presentation, please send an e-mail to benefits.  The e-mail needs to include your name, employee number, and expected date of retirement.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Claudia Cox, Benefits Department, ext. 1186.

Retirement Celebration Coming Soon - Friday, April 17, 2009 is the deadline for supervisors to submit a termination of employment form to Human Resources if an employee wants to participate in the 2009 Retirement Celebration. Click HERE for the guidelines for participation in the retirement celebration event.  This year's Retirement Celebration will be held at Embassy Suites on Thursday, May 28 at 6:30 pm.  Employees who have met requirements and their supervisors have submitted a termination of employment form will receive an invitation to attend with a guest.  Questions about retirement eligibility should be directed to Human Resources at 355-3974.

ALL TEACHERS

Community Education Teaching Opportunity for Summer 2009 - Community Education, a division of Lifelong Learning, is partnering with Oakview Elementary School for the 7th year to offer a three-week summer camp for elementary students in grades 1-5.  Teachers are needed for the camp that will run the weeks of June 8, 15, and 22, Monday-Thursday from 8:45 am – 12 noon.  Click HERE for more information and an application.  Audience: Teachers.  Contact: Grace Pascuiti, Community Education Facilitator, ext. 6059.

AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Employee of the Year Awards (Deadline to Submit Nominations is Wednesday, April 15) - We are seeking outstanding employees to be nominated for Employee of the Year Awards sponsored by Greenville Federal Credit Union. Categories include:

· Principal

· Asst. Principal or Administrative Assistant

· Professional Staff - all district-level professional positions

· School Support Staff - i.e., secretary, clerk, aide, nurse

· Other Support Staff - i.e., secretary, clerk, etc. at other locations

· Operations Staff - i.e., maintenance, operations, transportation, food service, plant engineers, custodians (all hourly staff)

· Emerging Teacher - one elementary and one secondary (second or third year teacher)

Winners receive $500 and their school or department will also receive $500. Winners (except Emerging Teachers, announced at TOY breakfast in August) will be announced at the Salute to Education Banquet on May 21.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Susan Clarke, Communications Department, ext. 8874.

PARTNERSHIPS

NONE

NOTICES/REQUESTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Your Check and Changes in Federal Income Tax Withholding - The Federal Stimulus Plan passed last month reduces Federal Income Tax withholding for some employees for 2009 and 2010.  Employees who qualify will see a reduction in their Federal Income Tax withholding beginning with the March 20 paycheck.  Whether you are eligible for reduced Federal Tax withholdings is per IRS income guidelines.  The reduced GCS payroll deduction is automatic; no change in a W-4 (such as number of exemptions) is required.  If you do not want to have your withholding reduced (example: you have more than one job or you are married and your combined income places you in a higher tax bracket), you need to submit a new Form W-4 with the District.  The W-4 Form may be found on the District’s website at:  http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gcsd/depts/finance/docs/fw4.pdf.  For additional help, get IRS Publication 919, “How Do I Adjust My Tax Withholding?” or visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov and use the “Withholding Calculator.”  The GCS Payroll Department cannot advise or assist you regarding your personal tax status.  Audience:  All Employees.  Contact: Payroll Department, ext. 0920.

Turn Off Your Computer and Save $75 – It might not sound like much, but if every computer in the district were shut down at the end of the day the annual district-wide energy savings would be $2,250,000!  ETS has conducted random audits and has noticed that many computer systems remain powered on after-hours.  In an effort to reduce energy costs, ETS will install a program on every computer system in the district that will automatically shut down computers at 7:00 p.m.  This program provides an option to abort the shutdown.  Please know that the purpose of this program is to save energy by shutting down computers that were inadvertently left on after-hours.  It is still expected that each user shut down their computer(s) before leaving for the day.  This does not apply to equipment in your data closets.  Audience: All Principals, Supervisors, Employees.  Contact: Bill Brown, ETS, ext. 3111.

Makeup Days and Calendar Adjustments - The two days missed due to snow and icy conditions on Monday, March 2 and Tuesday, March 3 will be made up per our 2008-09 calendar on Monday, March 23 and Monday, April 13.  Calendar adjustments are as follows:  The 135th day (end of third quarter) moves one day to Wednesday, March 25.  Only a one-day adjustment is needed in the grading period because the second quarter grading period ended on the 91st day.  Distribution of report cards should remain Tuesday, March 31.

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Pivotal Fitness — GCS employees receive a VIP two-week membership plus $0 Enrollment and $29 per month ($10 savings per month) with sign-up at Pivotal Fitness, 500 Old Spartanburg Road, Taylors. Call Cory at 292-8873.

Sam’s Club — Sam’s Club, 1211 Woodruff Road, is hosting a Greenville County Schools Faculty and Staff Open House on Sunday, March 29 from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. Employees who open a new membership or renew an existing membership will receive a $10 gift card. Employees will be required to show your Employee Pass. Contact: Michelle Rendall, 987-5530.

Borders Express — Borders Express, Haywood Mall is recognizing Greenville County Schools staff during Educator Savings Week, Thursday, March 19 – Wednesday, March 25. Get 25% off your personal and classroom purchases of list priced books, CDs, DVDs, candy, gifts & stationery and more with GCS Employee Pass. For more information, visit www.bordersstores.com/educator or call (864) 297-1025.

MISCELLANEOUS

ALL EMPLOYEES

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)

Monday, March 23 — Makeup Day #1 — ATTENDANCE DAY

Wednesday, March 25— End 3rd Quarter (135 Days - Revised Date)

Thursday, March 26 — Ready, Set Go Retirement Seminar for Employees (4:00 p.m., Hipp Auditorium at Roper Mountain Science Center)

Tuesday, March 31—Report Cards

April 6-10 — Spring Break (Schools and Offices Closed)

Monday, April 13 — Makeup Day #2 — ATTENDANCE DAY

Wednesday, April 15 — Salute to Education High School Honor Students, Staff Recognition and Employee of the Year Nominations are due

Friday, April 17 - Deadline for supervisors to submit a termination of employment form to Human Resources IF an employee wants to participate in the 2009 Retirement Celebration event and meets the qualification guidelines.

Saturday, April 25 (11:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.) — Employee Appreciation Day (Fun Day) at the Greenville Drive Stadium, Downtown Greenville

Wednesday, May 6—Deadline for Salute to Education Ticket Orders

Thursday, May 21 (6:30 p.m.) - Salute to Education Banquet, Carolina First/Woodside Conference Center

Thursday, May 28 (6:30 p.m.) - Retirement Dinner, Embassy Suites