February 18, 2010                                                          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

Getting Smarter with Your Money (Thursday, February 25 and Saturday, February 27) - Everyone needs to be smarter with their money, especially during tough economic times. Your school system would like to help.  Employees are being offered three sessions of a short course about personal budgeting and how planning can help them save costs and increase savings.  Click HERE for times and more information.  Employees can register through the Professional Development section of the Employee Portal.  Space is limited.  If you do not have a work computer, please see your supervisor.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Jeff Knotts, Finance Department, 355-1161.

Financial Aid Workshops (Revised Schedule) – Due to inclement weather on February 4, JL Mann High’s Workshop has been rescheduled to Thursday, February 25. Representatives from local colleges and universities will share valuable information on applying for various types of financial aid.  Information, including brochures, will also be shared concerning the J.E. Sirrine Scholarship.  Each workshop will begin at 7:00 p.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m.  Click HERE for revised flyer.  The remaining dates and locations are as follows:

· TONIGHT—Thursday, February 18, Carolina High School

· Thursday, February 25, JL Mann High School

Audience: All Employees, Parents.  Contact: Rob Rhodes, Guidance and Sirrine Scholarship Program, 355-3391.

CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES

Courses Offered by Safe and Drug Free Schools - The Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools is offering courses through Furman University on school safety and school and community support services.  The courses are for graduate credit and recertification, and will be offered during June 2010 for a maximum of $250.  The fee may be lower depending on enrollment.  You may register on the portal under Safe and Drug Free Schools.  Audience: Certified GCS Employees.  Contact: Mary Jo McInerny, Safe and Drug Free Schools, 355-3360.

AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

2009 GCS/Pepsi Golf Tournament Scholarships REMINDER - Proceeds from the 2009 GCS/Pepsi Golf Tournament will be used to fund 18 $1,200 post-secondary scholarships for 2010 graduates.  Half of the scholarships are designated for children of district employees.  Applications must be completed and returned by Friday, February 26, 2010 to the student’s guidance counselor to be eligible.  Schools must submit their two nominations by Friday, March 12, 2010, to the Communications Department.  Please click HERE for guidelines and student application.  Audience: All employees.  Contact: Tiffany Warlick, Communications Department, 355-8872.

PARTNERSHIPS

NONE

NOTICES/REQUESTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

2010-11 Calendar Revised - The 2011 Spring Break for Greenville County Schools will change because of a conflict with the State’s final Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) testing dates. The school system’s original 2011 Spring Break, Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1, was set after consideration of the State’s tentative testing calendar and input from teachers, principals and parents.  The calendar committee recently met to discuss the conflict and to recommend a change to the 2010-11 calendar, which was approved by Dr. Fisher.

· Spring Break in 2011 will move to the week of April 18-22.

· The mid-semester break originally scheduled for April 22, 2011 will become part of Spring Break, allowing the school year for students to end one day earlier on Wednesday, June 1, 2011.

· Two makeup days, originally scheduled Monday, April 25 and Tuesday, April 26, will move earlier in the year to Friday, April 1 and Monday, April 4, 2011.

A revised calendar (student and employee versions) will be distributed next week.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Oby Lyles, Communications Department, 355-8870.

ALL TEACHERS

National Board Certification - CERRA currently has a National Board Loan Window that is open through April 1, 2010.  This loan covers the cost of the National Board process for the 2010-2011 school year.  Candidates must apply for NB now, but will actually complete their portfolio next school year.  National Board will require all eligibility forms to be submitted by January 31, 2011.  Candidates may register for the assessment center anytime between March 3, 2011 and June 15, 2011.  The portfolio will be due on March 31, 2011.  The proviso currently in the legislature does away with the loan program after this window.  Teachers interested in applying will need to come to the district office to pick up a loan application.  Audience: All Teachers.  Contact: Patty Fox, Human Resources, 355-3173.

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

NONE

MISCELLANEOUS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Enlighten Video with Superintendent Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher – Please click HERE for the February edition of Enlighten video.  This month’s video focuses on the new A.J. Whittenberg Elementary School of Engineering, slated to open in August, and includes interviews with the Whittenberg administrative team.  The 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.  Audience: Employees.  Contact: Susan Clarke, Communications Department, 355-8870.

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

CALENDAR (IMPORTANT DATES REMEMBER)

(* - Two dates revised based on day missed on Monday, February 1, 2010.  Other dates not impacted.)

Friday, February 19 — Interim Progress Reports

Thursday, February 25 — Getting Smarter with Your Money, J. Floyd Hall Administrative Center, 4:15—5:45 p.m. and 6:00—7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 26 —Student Applications for Pepsi Golf Tournament Scholarships due to HS Guidance Counselors

Saturday, February 27 — Getting Smarter with Your Money, J. Floyd Hall Administrative Center, 10:00—11:30 a.m.

* Tuesday, March 23 — End of 3rd Quarter Grading and Attendance Periods

March 29—April 2 — Spring Break (All Schools and Offices Closed)

Monday, April 5 – Make-Up Day #2 (If Needed)

Wednesday, April 7 — Report Cards

Friday, April 30 – Interim Progress Reports

Thursday, May 27 – 4K last Day

* Friday, May 28 – Student Attendance Day (Makeup Day #1)

Thursday, June 3 - End 4th Quarter Grading Period

Friday, June 4 – Make-Up Day # 3 (If Needed)

Monday, June 7 – Report Cards