October 30, 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

ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS

2010 Science P.L.U.S. Institute (Deadline: February 1, 2010) - 2010 Science P.L.U.S. Institute at Roper Mountain Science Center is now accepting applications. This year’s application is open to any South Carolina public school teacher in grades 3-8 whose job responsibilities include teaching science.  This is free to participants who will also receive free science classroom materials.  Click HERE for information, course descriptions, and a downloadable application.  Applications are accepted via fax: 864-355-8951.  Audience: Elementary and Middle School Teachers.  Contact: Lucinda Jacobs, Science P.L.U.S. Institute at Roper Mountain Science Center, 355-8920.

AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS

TEACHERS

Grants to Fund Environmental Projects by Students (Deadline: December 31, 2009) - Captain Planet Foundation funds elementary through high school environmental projects that promote understanding of the environment.  Projects must include hands-on, interactive activities that enhance the planning and problem solving skills of the participants ages 6-18.  Restrictions on types of activities and budget expenditures do apply.  Funding range is $250-$2,500. Click HERE to learn more.  Audience: Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Development and Evaluation, 355-3113.

Champions of the Environment Grants (Deadline: January 15, 2010) - SCDHEC will award up to ten (10) $2,000 grants for proposed environmental projects that address one of the following: prevention/reduction of air, water or land pollution; waste reduction; restoration, preservation or enhancement of natural areas; water or energy efficiency; projects that educate the community and make a difference to the environment.  Eligibility: K-12 students (individual or group), teachers and environmental educators.  Click HERE for additional information, application, etc. Audience: Teachers. Students.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Development and Evaluation, 355-3113.

Grants to Improve Academic Achievement (Deadline: February 1, 2010) – The National Education Association Foundation (NEA) will make awards to public schools to improve the academic achievement of students through activities that engage students in critical thinking, problem solving and add depth to their knowledge of standards-based subject matter.  Projects should encourage habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection.  Grants may be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, software, materials, and educational experiences for children.  Maximum Award: $5,000.  Eligibility: Public school teachers grades PreK -12.  Preference given to NEA members.  Deadline: February 1, 2010.  Notification April 15, 2010.  Click HERE for additional information, application, etc.  Audience: Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Development and Evaluation, 355-3113.

PARTNERSHIPS

TEACHERS

SC Teacher Village.com - The State Department of Education is launching an exciting new project called SC Teacher Village.com.  SC Teacher Village is a safe and secure social and professional network for South Carolina educators.  Click HERE to register and become a user of the network.  You must have a South Carolina certificate to register.  Educators are encouraged to utilize the site, especially first-year teachers as an opportunity to network with other colleagues around the state.  The state department hopes educators gain a sense of community and belonging with others around the state.  Audience: Teachers.  Contact: Patty Fox, Human Resources, 355-3173.

NOTICES/REQUESTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Employees’ State Insurance Deductions REMINDER – Employees will take home more pay on November 27, December 11, and December 24, 2009 as a result of the Administration’s decision to no longer payroll deduct employees’ share of premiums one month in advance for State insurance.  The change is a result of our payroll processing review as part of the implementation of the new Business/Payroll software (Lawson).  Employees’ paychecks for the above three pay dates will NOT include deductions for State insurance such as:  Health (Standard Pre), Dental or Dental +, Optional Life (StOptLife), Dependent Life (StDepLife), and Supplemental Long Term Disability (SuppLTD).  Employees should keep in mind that taxable income for these three pay dates will change and other deductions that are on a current, calendar year basis will continue to be deducted - Money Plus, District life, short term disability, cancer, etc.  Regular deductions for ALL benefit coverages, including Open Enrollment changes, will resume with the first payroll issued on the new Lawson system on January 8, 2010.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Payroll or 355-0921.

Example of Impact on Payroll Deductions for Nov. 27, Dec. 11 and Dec. 24:

Insurance Deduction            Nov. 13           Nov. 27           Dec. 11        Dec. 24

Standard Pre (Health Pre Tax)   109.62             --------            --------            -------

Dental Pre                                   3.53             --------            --------            -------

Dental+ Pre                               18.00             -------              --------            --- ---

M+PreTaxFee                               0.13                0.13                 0.13              0.13

M+MedExpFee                             1.62                 1.62                 1.62              1.62

M+MedExp$                             192.31             192.31             192.31          192.31

StOptLife-SP                               3.95              -------              --------           -------

St.Dep.Life                                 0.57              -------              --------            -------

SuppLTD 180                              4.45             -------              --------            -------

ShortTermDis                            38.44               38.44               38.44             38.44

DistSuppLife                               2.95                 2.95                 2.95               2.95

DistDepLife                                 0.81                 0.81                 0.81              0.81

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

NONE

MISCELLANEOUS

ALL EMPLOYEES

American Education Week – Greenville County Schools will celebrate American Education Week from November 15-21.  Included in this year’s celebration will be a drawing for some great door prizes during American Education Week.  If you have not already done so, be sure to enter the Enlighten E-News quiz at the bottom of the newsletter for your chance to win! ONE ENTRY PER EMPLOYEE PLEASE! Deadline to enter is Friday, November 6. Audience: All Employees. Contact: Susan Clarke, Communications Department, 355-8874.

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)

October 1-31 — Insurance Open Enrollment

Thursday, October 29 — Report Cards

Sunday, November 1 - Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 a.m.

November 15 — 21— American Education Week

Tuesday, November 24 — 2nd Quarter Interim Progress Reports

Wednesday, November 25 — Schools and Offices Closed.  12-Month Employees: Use Leave

November 25, 26, 27 — Thanksgiving Break (Student Calendar)

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