February 29, 2012                                ebulletinboard Archive

REVISED Regarding Retirement

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 TEACHERS

Education Challenge Grant - The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Foundation is awarding grants for innovative use of computer/video games in school curricula.  Three awards in the amount of $40,000, $20,000, and $15,000 will be awarded to K-12 educators who plan to incorporate original, creative lesson plans that address specific learning objectives or challenges through existing computer/video games.  Funding cannot be used for technology, computer software, or classes.  Click HERE for more information and to download the application.  Deadline: – April 6, 2012; Winner notification – May 1, 2012.  Audience:  All Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

McCarthey-Dressman Education Foundation - The foundation is awarding teacher development grants to individuals or small teams of K-12 educators for the formation and implementation of groundbreaking classroom instruction.  Proposed activities should integrate fresh strategies that encourage critical inquiry and their effects on students.  Available funding is up to $10,000 annually for up to 3 years. Click HERE for more information or to apply.  Deadline: – April 15, 2012.  Audience:  All Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS

Pre-College Psychology Grant Program - The American Psychological Foundation is awarding grants of up to $20,000 to educational institutions seeking to improve the quality of high school education in psychology.  Examples of funding opportunities are stipend support, administrative costs such as materials and software, etc.  Click HERE for more information and to download the application.  Deadline: – May 2012.  Audience:  High School Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

PARTNERSHIPS

NONE

NOTICES/REQUESTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

2012 Retirement Banquet – The 2012 Retirement Dinner will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel on Thursday, May 24, 6:30 pm.  If you plan to retire this year, meet the guidelines, and would like to attend the dinner, your supervisor must submit a Termination of Employment Form, and your location’s spreadsheet, to Human Resources no later than Tuesday, March 27. Anyone deciding to retire after the March 27 deadline will be invited to participate in the 2013 dinner.  We honor employees who retire and leave district employment.  Employees who come off TERI and continue to work for GCS or who retire and return to work with GCS will be recognized at the banquet in the year when they end their employment with the district.  Audience: Retiring Employees.  Contact: Retirement Information - Benefits Department, 355-1189; Retirement Dinner – Sandra Welch, Communications, 355-3888.

New Features Added to Member Access (South Carolina Retirement Systems) - The South Carolina Retirement Systems has added several new features to Member Access, the online resource that allows members to view their personal information on file with the Retirement Systems.  With this implementation, active members will be able to change their address and retired members will not only gain access but will be able to change their tax withholdings and their address, and view and print a 1099-R form, a Teacher and Employee Retention Incentive (TERI) program statement, and an annuity verification letter. To check out these new features or to register for the first time, please visit https://online.retirement.sc.gov/MemberAccess/welcome.

Superintendent Search – The search for the next superintendent continues with the closing date for applicants.  Below are important upcoming dates regarding the Superintendent Search:

March 5: Special Called Board Meeting (Executive Session) with b.w.p. & Associates search firm to determine Superintendent candidates

Week of March 12:  Board interviews with candidates and determination of those to be considered finalists (probably 6-8 applicants)

Week of March 19:

Board interviews and community forums with finalists (probably 3 applicants)

Receptions for employees and community to meet the finalists (probably 3 applicants)

Saturday, March 24:  Special Called Board Meeting (Executive Session) to discuss finalists

Audience: Principals, Location Directors, Employees.

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Bi-Lo Center Employee Discount – The Bi-Lo Center is offering discounted ticket prices for specified shows - click HERE for more information.  You must show your Employee Pass or ID badge, and tickets must be purchased at the Box Office, 650 N. Academy Street, Greenville.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Rhonda Ratcliff, Bi-Lo Center, 250-4952.

Hendrick Honda of Easley – Hendrick Honda of Easley invites all GCS employees to receive significant discounts on new and pre-owned inventories.  The discount on new Hondas is $200 below invoice, and the discount on pre-owned Hondas is $350 below Internet pricing.  Click HERE for more information.  This offer is good until March 31, 2012.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Mark Steinmetz, 855-1234.

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:

· Sitting vs. Smoking! Everyone knows that smoking is bad for health, but new studies are showing that prolonged sitting can lead to similar negative health outcomes as smoking.  Consider breaking up your daily work routine with simple activities such as wall push-ups, a short walk around the office, trade your chair for a fitness ball, small hand weights or resistance bands in a desk drawer.  Some exercise, even small bouts of exercise, makes a big difference to stave off heart disease, obesity, and some cancers.

· Brain Power and Fish Oil!  Fish oil contains a powerful fatty acid called Omega 3.  New research from a large study at UCLA has found that Omega 3 may slow the aging process in the brain and help to prevent early dementia.  The study revealed that those with low levels of Omega 3 fatty acid tested poorly in problem solving, multi-tasking, and executive functioning.  Though the best way to get Omega 3 is through adding “fish” to the diet, a daily dose of 500mg/day adds up to the same by week’s end. (Fish rich in Omega 3: salmon, herring, sardine, anchovies, and mackerel.)

CALENDAR (IMPORTANT DATES REMEMBER)

Friday, March 9 — Makeup Day #3 (If day not needed, it becomes a student holiday.  12-month employees work.)

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

Wednesday, March 21— End 3rd Quarter Grading Period

Tuesday, March 27 — Report Cards

Tuesday, March 27 — Deadline for Supervisors to Submit Retirement Information to Human Resources for Participation in the 2012 Retirement Banquet

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.12-month employees work.) )

Monday, April 30 — Interim Progress Reports