September 17, 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

Darkness to Light (Professional Development Opportunity) - On Line training is available without charge until free slots are exhausted. Darkness to Light is a child sexual abuse prevention program.  If you are interested in earning 3 CEU hours towards recertification, you can register on the Portal.  When you complete the training, download the certificate and fax it to 355-9293 or put on courier to COA.  Audience: All School Personnel.  Contact: Kathy Barbee, Social Work Services, 355-2079.

Furman University Education Day, Saturday, October 17 —Please mark your calendar for Saturday, October 17, 2 p.m., to celebrate Education Day at Furman and to attend the Furman-Samford football game at Paladin Stadium.  Click HERE for more information.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Dwight Covington, Furman Athletic Ticket Sales Coordinator, 864-607-5148.

AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS

NONE

PARTNERSHIPS

NONE

NOTICES/REQUESTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Insurance Open Enrollment 2009 - The Insurance Open Enrollment period for 2009 will be October 1- 31.  Ward Services will send each location enrollment schedules and related materials the week of September 21.  All employees should schedule his/her mandatory, individual meeting.  Ward Services Benefit Counselors will answer questions and help employees with the process. Click HERE for a brief summary of open enrollment changes. The Insurance Advantage Newsletter will be distributed this week.  Audience:  All Employees. Contact: Insurance Services, 355-1188, 1189 or 1190.

Health Insurance Surcharge for Tobacco Users - Effective January 1, 2010, a $25 per month surcharge will be added to the health insurance premiums of tobacco users covered by the Employee Insurance Program (EIP).  All subscribers must submit certification concerning their tobacco use to EIP or they will automatically incur the monthly $25 health insurance charge. To submit certification, go to EIP’s Web site, www.eip.sc.gov, click the MyBenefits button on the left of the home page and certify you and your dependents do or do not use tobacco. Be sure to print a copy of the completed certification for your records.  EIP’s Web site has a link to a Web page with information on the tobacco surcharge and certification and a list of Frequently Asked Questions.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Ouida Bennon, Benefits Department, ext. 1188.

Flu Shot Clinic Location Change – Due to a large number of requests for flu shots the Seasonal Flu Shot clinic, provided by Passport Health, scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, 2009, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Central Office has been relocated to the Cafeteria at the Old J.L. Mann High School (61 Isbell Lane) for the same date and time.  Please note original information was sent through courier to all locations from Kent Owens.  NOTE: Central Office staff will receive a separate notification that their shots will be given at the Central Office between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. on September 29.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Cathie Storey, Health Services, 355-3171.

Annual Safety/Ethics Training for All Employees Reminder – Employees are required to view safety training videos and the District’s ethics video.  Employees access the courses through the District’s portal.  Once employees log onto the site, they will see a course list with the corresponding completion due dates.  Each location’s Safety Administrator will monitor progress and notify employees about incomplete courses as necessary.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Ginny Allison, Finance, 355-1183.

Email Access When Leaving Employment - As a reminder to all employees, when an employee resigns, retires, or when employment ceases for any reason, access to the district email system and network will end at the time of termination.  Therefore, if you have any personal files stored in your system you will need to copy them to your personal flash drive before your termination date.  Please keep in mind Board rule EFE regarding the ownership and privacy of information stored on district information systems:

“Occasional and incidental personal use of the district’s IT resources and Internet access is allowed subject to limitations. By the allowance of such use, however, the GCS does not grant any ownership, privacy, or expectation of privacy to any person in the contents of any messages or other Internet activities involving GCS resources or equipment.”

All employees agree to Board rule EFE when they logon to a district computer. For the full Board rule EFE (acceptable use policy) see board docs or click HERE for link to district web site.  Audience:  All Employees.  Contact:  Pat Mitchell, Human Resources, 355-3974.

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Pivotal Fitness, 5000 Old Spartanburg Road, Taylors – GCS Employees can join for $29 per month with no enrollment fees. Ask for a free 10-day trial membership. Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Cory Ann Stanton, Pivotal Fitness, 292-8873 or 275-9579.

Borders Express – You’re invited to the Borders Express Educator Appreciation Sale Tuesday, September 29 – Wednesday, October 7, 2009.  Employees will receive 30% off all purchases (except magazines and gift cards; cannot combine with other discounts.) Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Anita Rancourt, Assistant Manager, [email-masked].

MISCELLANEOUS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Enlighten Video with Superintendent Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher – Please click HERE for the September edition of Enlighten video.  Dr. Fisher explains the many details that go into opening a new school year. Department representatives are interviewed to share the responsibilities performed by staff during the summer months.  This video is also available on The Schools Channel (Charter Cable Channels 99 and 14).  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, September 21—1st Quarter Interim Progress Report

October 1-31 — Insurance Open Enrollment Period

Friday, October 16 —School District/Pepsi Golf Tournament, Pebble Creek Country Club

Saturday, October 17 (2 p.m.) —Furman University Education Day

2009-10 Employee Calendar                            2009-10 Parent/Student Calendar