March 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

Retiring Employees: 2010 Retirement Dinner – The 2010 Retirement Dinner will be held Thursday, May 27, at 6:30 pm. - Location to be announced. Please review these guidelines to determine if you meet the criteria.  Retiring employees should ask your supervisor to submit a Termination of Employment form to Human Resources no later than Monday, April 26 to attend the Retirement Dinner.  Anyone deciding to retire after the April 26 deadline will be invited to participate in the 2011 dinner.  NEW THIS YEAR: For the 2009-10 school year, Greenville County Schools (GCS) will only recognize employees at the Retirement Dinner who are actually leaving employment with the district.  Employees who come off TERI and still continue to work for GCS or employees who retire and return to work with GCS will now be recognized at the banquet in the year when they actually end their employment with the district.  Audience: All Employees. Contact: Retirement Information - Human Resources, 355-3974; Retirement Dinner – Sandra Welch, Communications, 355-3888.

Safe Kids Upstate Birthday Party Celebration - Safe Kids Upstate is celebrating their 15th anniversary in helping prevent childhood accidents and deaths. A free Safe Kids Birthday Party Celebration will be held on Saturday, April 24 from 10am – 3pm at the University Center of Greenville. Safe Kids Night at Greenville Drive will be held on Friday, May 14 from 6-9 pm where they will give away 300 free bike helmets.  A Car Seat Check will be conducted on Saturday, May 15 from 10am – 2 pm at the Patewood Medical Campus.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Safe Kids Upstate, 454-1100 or click HERE for more information.

AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Employee of the Year Awards (Deadline to Submit Nominations is Wednesday, April 14) - We are seeking outstanding employees to be nominated for Employee of the Year Awards sponsored by Greenville Federal Credit Union. Categories include:

· School Administrator - i.e., Principal

· Asst. School Administrator - i.e., Asst. Principal or Administrative Assistant (Non-Clerical)

· School Support Employee - i.e., Secretary, Clerk, Aide, Nurse, or other non-teaching staff member

· Operations Employee - i.e., Maintenance, Operations, Transportation or Food Service Employee, Plant Engineer, Custodian

· District Professional Employee - i.e., Department Staff (non-clerical)

· District Support Employee - i.e., Secretary, Clerk

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

Winners receive $500 and crystal award. Their school/location also receives $500. Winners (except Emerging Teachers who are announced at TOY breakfast in August) will be announced at the Salute to Education Banquet on May 20.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Sandra Welch, Communications Department, ext. 3888.

Preschool Special Education Mentor Program - Preschool Special Education is seeking three-and four-year olds to participate as mentors in our preschool special education classrooms for the 2010-2011 school year.  Your child must turn three on or before December 1, 2010 or four on or before September 1, 2010 to be considered.  Screenings will be scheduled during April for applicants who have submitted all required documentation.  For more information, view the Mentor Program flyer, application, and participation agreement.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Lisa Lark, preschool special education, at 331-1440.

ALL TEACHERS

Summer Camp Teachers for Program at Oakview ES - Teachers are needed to offer fun and academic camp programs at Oakview Elementary School the weeks of June 14, 21, & 28 from 8:45 until noon. This is your chance to showcase your many talents to share with students in grades 1-5. Here are some sample camp topics from the past: athletics/sports, crafts, games, painting, bookmaking, drama, computers, and many more. Teacher must provide camp subject and a fun description of what they are offering. Deadline is March 26. Audience: Teachers.  Contact: Grace Pascuiti or 355-6059.

PARTNERSHIPS

NONE

NOTICES/REQUESTS

12 MONTH EMPLOYEES

Week of April 5 – If a second make-up day is not needed prior to Spring Break, all locations will close on Monday, April 5.  12-month employees will work summer schedule hours on Tuesday, April 6 – Friday, April 9.  This will enable the district to realize energy savings of about $50,000 for the one-day shutdown, and will not require 12-month employees to take a mandatory vacation day.  Audience: 12-Month Employees.  Contact: Supervisor.

ALL EMPLOYEES

2010 Census Questionnaires Arrive This Week- The 2010 Census questionnaire will arrive at households throughout South Carolina THIS week.  Census Bureau officials ask you complete the 10-question form and mail it back immediately in the provided, postage-paid envelope. Every person living in a residence should be listed on the census form, including relatives and nonrelatives. Census takers will begin collecting information from households that did not return the form on May 1.  Census results are important! They are used to determine each state’s seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and to redraw state and local voting districts.  More than $400 billion in federal funds is distributed annually through state, local and tribal governments to communities each year based on population data. The funds go for such things as schools, hospitals, transportation projects, roads, job training and emergency-response tools.  Audience:  All Employees.  Contact:  None; General Information.

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Golden Apple Rewards Discount Directory (New Discount) – There has been one addition to the Employee Discount Program since the book was distributed last fall. Click HERE for information on the new discount at Nutritional Health Center.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Susan Clarke, Communications Department, ext. 8874.

HoneyBaked Ham Specials – HoneyBaked Ham Company is offering GCS employees exclusive pricing through April 3 as a “thank you for all you do.” The offers include: 1) 8 lb. HoneyBaked Ham for $39.99; 2) Mini Ham Dinner for $59.99 (includes a 4.5-5 lb. mini-ham, 2 Heat & Serve sides, and a premium cake); 3) Appetizer and Dessert Special for $19.99 (includes spinach artichoke dip appetizer, and a lemon cream, coconut, or carrot cake).  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Jennifer Crawford for more information or visit HoneyBakedOnline.com for a store near you.

Celebrate and Donate Event for United Ministries  –The Celebrate and Donate Event will take place Monday, April 12 from 4-6 pm at Nutrition Solutions at 2104 Woodruff Road. GCS employees are invited to see a free cooking demonstration and receive a free health screening. Space is limited. A weight loss specialist will be available to discuss the Nutrition Solutions medical weight loss options and get 10% off their programs. Make a food, clothing or cash donation to be eligible for door prizes. Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Carene Montjoy, Nutrition Solutions, 676-1248, ext. 3.

Old Navy Give and Get Event – Old Navy, GAP, and Banana Republic are offering GCS employees 30% off your entire purchase from March 18-21.  Show your Employee Pass or ID badge to receive the discount.  Stores will be open on Sunday, March 21 until 9:00 p.m.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Lindsay Wamsley, 232-0645.

Sears Commercial – GCS employees are invited to take advantage of great pricing on Sears Commercial discontinued kitchen appliances.  Special promotional offers are available for a limited time on household appliances such as dishwashers, freezers, and other appliances only through Sears Commercial and will not be available or honored by Sears Retail.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: To get a quote on a product or to set up an appointment Eric Leigh at 244-2880 or Christine Lancianese, Sears Commercial, 234-1188 for a complete list of available items.

ALL TEACHERS

Teachers who are First Time Home Buyers - Teachers in Greenville County who are first time home buyers have two available programs that provide low-interest mortgage loans:

(1) The SC State Housing Palmetto Heroes Program includes teachers and first responders.  Find information at: http://www.schousing.com/First-Time_Home_Buyers/Palmetto_Heroes_Program.

(2) The second program is the locally funded Greenville Housing Fund’s “Homes for Teachers Program.”

Find information at: http://www.greenvillehousingfund.org/index.php/programs or call 235-6331.  Audience: All Teachers.

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)

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

* 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 make-up day is not needed prior to Spring Break, all locations will close on Monday, April 5.

April 6—9—12-Month Employees Will Work Summer Schedule Hours (If Monday, April 5 is Not Needed as Make-Up Day.)

Wednesday, April 7 — Report Cards

Wednesday, April 14—Deadline to Submit Nominations for 2010 Employee of the Year Awards

Monday, April 26 — Deadline for Supervisors to Submit to Human Resources a Termination of Employment Form for Their Retiring Employees Who Meet the Guidelines to be Included in this Year’s Retirement Event.

Friday, April 30 – Interim Progress Reports

Monday, May 10—Deadline to Purchase Tickets to Salute to Education

Thursday, May 20 – Salute to Education Banquet (Carolina First Center, 6:30 p.m.)

Thursday, May 27 – Retirement Dinner (6:30 p.m., locations TBD)

Thursday, May 27 – 4K last Day

* Friday, May 28 – Student Attendance Day (Make-up Day #1)

Thursday, June 3 - End 4th Quarter Grading Period

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

Monday, June 7 – Report Cards