May 28, 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 TEACHERS

Lifelong Learning Offering Recertification Computer Classes - Greenville County Schools Lifelong Learning Department will offer State Department Recertification Computer classes for all teachers holding a valid SC teaching certificate at its newly renovated 206 Wilkins Street, Greenville, SC 29605 location.  New summer class offerings include: Introduction to Computers for Educators, Computers for Educators-Level II, Intro to Promethean Board, Excel 2007, Publisher 2007, Windows XP, Intro to Web Design, PowerPoint 2007, Word 2007 and Word II 2007.  If teachers have taken our XP computer classes in the past (exception Windows), they can take our new 2007 computer classes and get additional State Recertification credit. Please visit our website for additional course descriptions, location or classes and costs.  Also, available at Lifelong Learning is the Graduate class credit through The College of Charleston.  Please visit our website for course description and costs.  Audience: All Teachers.  Contact: Chuck Welch or Debra Ellenburg, Lifelong Learning, 355-6093.

AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS

MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS

GRANT ALERT!! Higher Education Awareness Program (HEAP) - Incentive grants of up to $5,000 are available to middle schools to support college awareness programs.  Funder is seeking innovative proposals for programs in college awareness, transitioning to high school and financial access to higher education.  Project activities can include scheduling campus visits, providing financial and counseling information, conducting career exploration, goal-setting activities, etc.  Deadline: June 30, 2010; award notification by August 6.  Click HERE to learn more.  Audience: Middle School Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Development and Evaluation Dept., 355-3113.

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS

GRANT ALERT!! Toshiba Class Innovators Grants - Toshiba America Foundation offering grants of $5,000 or more to math and science teachers in grades 7-12 who are using innovative means of teaching. Grants may be used to fund the purchase of instructional equipment that enables the teacher to engage students during classroom instruction.  Does not fund summer or after-school projects/activities or certain types of equipment (see website for details). Application is available on the website and must be submitted via e-mail on or before the deadline date. Click HERE for link to website and to learn more.  Deadline: August 2, 2010.  Audience: Middle and High Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Development and Evaluation Dept., 355-3113.

PARTNERSHIPS

NONE

NOTICES/REQUESTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

BRIEF SURVEY— Please click HERE to respond to a VERY brief survey about ebulletinboard.  Your input is greatly appreciated!

South Carolina Retirement System Incidental Death Benefit Notice - The South Carolina General Assembly recently passed legislation that modifies the group life insurance benefit provided by the South Carolina Retirement Systems effective July 1, 2010. The legislation changes the group life distribution from being considered life insurance proceeds to being considered a lump-sum benefit paid to your beneficiary after your death. If you die on or after July 1, 2010, the benefit payable to your beneficiary upon your death will be subject to federal and state taxes, but will also be eligible for a tax-deferred rollover into another qualified retirement plan. Contact: SCRS Call Center - 803-737-6800 or 800-868-9002 (within SC only), or visit www.retirement.sc.gov.

TEACHERS AND AIDES

Information for Teachers and Aides Regarding Their Paychecks and the New Payroll Schedule – The Payroll Department has received several questions from teachers and aides about their 2009-10 and 2010-11 paychecks and the impact of the new twice-a-month payroll schedule beginning in July. Please click HERE for summary of schedule.  Audience:  Teachers, Aides and Other Employees Working 185 or 190 Days.  Contact:  Your Supervisor or Payroll.

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

NONE

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)

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

Monday, May 31 – All Schools and Offices Closed as Cost Cutting Measure to Create Four-Day Work Week (May 31 originally scheduled as professional development day #9/exchange day).

June 1-4 – Four-Day Work Week with Extended Work Hours. Principals/Supervisors have details.

June 1, 2, 3 — Last 3 days of school are Half Days for Students (All Schools)

Thursday, June 3 - End 4th Quarter Grading Period

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

Monday, June 7—Professional Development Day  (Moves to Friday, June 4 if Makeup Day #3 Not Needed)

Monday, June 7 – Report Cards

Tuesday, June 8 — Teacher Workday/Exchange Day (Moves to Monday, June 7 if Makeup Day #3 Not Needed)

June 7 – August 6 - Summer Work Schedule for 12-month employees. 12-month employees will work extended hours Mondays – Thursdays.  All locations will be closed on Fridays.