February 15, 2012                                                          ebulletinboard Archive

To help keep you informed about events, workshops and other matters of interest, ebulletinboard will be e-mailed on pay dates (August 15, 2011 - May 30, 2012) 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

NONE

AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

GCS/Pepsi Golf Tournament Scholarship Applications are Due Friday, February 24 - Proceeds from the 2011 GCS/ Pepsi Golf Tournament will be used to fund 20 $1,200 post-secondary scholarships for 2012 GCS high school graduates.  Half of the scholarships are designated for children of district employees.  Applications must be completed and returned by Friday, February 24, 2012 to the student’s guidance counselor.  Please click HERE for student guidelines and application.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Oby Lyles, Communications Department, 355-8870.

PARTNERSHIPS

NONE

NOTICES/REQUESTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Reminder - Open Enrollment for State Optional Retirement Program (ORP) Participants - The enrollment period for all State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP) participants is January 1 through March 1, 2012.  During the open enrollment period, State ORP participants may change vendors or, if eligible, may irrevocably elect to join the South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS). Any State ORP participant who wishes to change vendors should complete a State ORP Notice of Termination or Change (Form 1162).  State ORP participants are eligible to switch from the State ORP to SCRS during the 2012 open enrollment period if at any point during the open enrollment period they have a minimum of 12 months, but no more than a maximum of 60 months, participation from their initial enrollment in the State ORP (initial enrollment between January 1, 2007 and March 1, 2011).  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Insurance & Benefit Services, 355-0960.

Approved 2012-13 Calendars – Please click the following links for the approved 2012-13 Student and Employee Calendars. Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Your Supervisor.

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.

Healthy Living Tips:

· According to a recent report from the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation, physical exercise reduces your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 50 percent.  If you have been inactive for a while, start in small ways, and then add more movement into your day.  Something as simple as parking at the far end of the parking lot or walking around the block while talking on your cell phone is a “step” in the right direction.

· Current research has reported alarming and ominous scientific findings that reveal the heart health in American teens, ages 12 – 19.  The most shocking finding was, of the teens studied, “zero adolescents evaluated met the criteria for ideal cardiovascular health.”  Serving as role models for teens, what is the most significant thing we can do to turn around this disturbing information?  Immediately begin informing teens about the importance of healthy living, reinforcing that heart disease begins in childhood.  Next, ensure that teens have access to healthy foods and like you, participate in regular physical activity.

CALENDAR (IMPORTANT DATES REMEMBER)

Wednesday, February 15 — Interim Progress Reports

Monday, February 20 — Presidents’ Day Holiday (12-Month Employee Holiday)

Friday, February 24 — GCS/Pepsi Golf Tournament Scholarship Applications Due from Students to High School Counselors

Friday, March 9 — Makeup Day #3 (If day not needed, it becomes a student holiday.)

Monday, March 12 — Makeup Day # 2 (If day not needed, it becomes a student holiday.)

Wednesday, March 21— End 3rd Quarter Grading Period

Tuesday, March 27—Report Cards

April 2-6 — Spring Break, Schools and Offices Closed; 12-Month Employee Required Leave on April 2-3

Monday, April 9 — Makeup Day # 1 (If day not needed, it becomes a student holiday.)

Monday, April 30 — Interim Progress Reports