October 15, 2010                                                            ebulletinboard Archive

To help keep you informed about events, workshops and other matters of interest, ebulletinboard will be e-mailed on pay dates (August 13, 2010 - May 27, 2011) to all employees.  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

Education Day at Furman – Saturday, October 23, 2:00 pm - Furman Athletics is joining with Greenville County Schools to help elementary and middle schools raise funds. (High schools are not included due to NCAA restrictions.) Purchase tickets online for the Furman vs. Chattanooga football game on October 23 or call Ticketmaster (800-745-3000), or purchase at a Publix Ticketmaster Outlet.  Be sure to get your school code before ordering so that Furman Athletics can donate $7.50 of each adult ticket to your school.  If buying online, please use the box marked “Greenville County Schools Education Day.” Audience: All Employees. Contact:  Dwight Covington, Furman Athletic Ticket Sales Coordinator, 607-5148.

AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS

$1 Million Contest for Teachers & Students - Samsung’s $1 million educational initiative, Solve for Tomorrow, encourages 6th-12th grade teachers and their students to produce creative videos that explore the question: “How can science or math help improve the environment in your community?”  Schools with winning entries will receive a variety of Samsung electronics, Microsoft and Adobe software, and DIRECTV educational programming valued at over $1 million.  Through October 24, teachers can submit a short application for a chance to participate in the video contest.  Fifty selected classrooms will receive a Samsung camcorder and laptop, along with Adobe® Premiere® Elements and Photoshop® Elements software to create videos responding to the question.  To submit an application, teachers can visit: samsung.com/solvefortomorrow.  Click HERE for media release for additional information.  Audience: 6th-12th Grade Teachers.  Contact: Samsung.

PARTNERSHIPS

NONE

NOTICES/REQUESTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Annual Insurance Enrollment October 1 – 31, 2010 – Please prepare for your scheduled meeting by reviewing information available through the following resources:

· Insurance Advantage publication

· State Benefits Statement-available through the State Employee Insurance Program (EIP)

· Website – www.eip.sc.gov; see page 3 of the Insurance Advantage for access instructions.

· Attend a meeting with a Ward Services counselor.

· Click HERE for more information about Annual Insurance Enrollment.

Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Insurance Services/Benefits Department, 355-1188, 355-1189, 355-1190.

NONEGCS Employees Should Take Great Care to Secure Student and Staff Information - The school systems and GCS employees are required by several Federal and State laws to ensure the security of sensitive student and staff records.  Records include paper documents and files, and electronic data stored on laptops, flash drives, and other storage devices. Employees are reminded that they are prohibited from storing sensitive information on personal computers and other digital devices because personal equipment does not have GCS technology safeguards. The Information Assurance Office has issued guidelines for maintaining sensitive information and the District Education Technology Services (ETS) Department is implementing additional technology safeguards, including encrypted laptops and storage devices and an e-mail system that encrypts information.  One major concern being addressed is the transporting and transfer of sensitive information.  Transporting, electronically transmitting, emailing, or storing sensitive employee or student information outside the physical or logistical control of the school district is prohibited without an approved ETS Data/Information Use Agreement.  Click HERE for more information and examples requiring prior approval by ETS.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Bill Brown, Executive Director of Education Technology, at 355-3111.

Friends of the Library Used Book Sale, (Open to the Public: October 29, 30 & 31, 2010) – Click HERE for times, location and more information.  Proceeds help to fund Greenville County Library System programs. Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Friends of the Library, 527-9291.

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)

2010-11 Calendars (Revised 7-6-10):  Employee, Student, Student (Spanish)

Wednesday, October 20—End 1st Quarter Grading Period

Saturday, October 23, 2:00 p.m. - Education Day at Furman, Furman vs. Chattanooga

Wednesday, October 27—Report Cards

Tuesday, November 2—Election Day (Holiday, Including 12-Month Employees)

November 14–20—American Education Week, Tagline - Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility.

Monday, November 22—Interim Progress Reports

Wednesday, November 24 — Schools and Offices Closed; 12-Month Employee Required Leave

November 25–26 – Schools and Offices Closed

November 24, 25, 26 — Thanksgiving Break