November 30, 2012                              ebulletinboard Archive

To help keep you informed about events, workshops and other matters of interest, ebulletinboard is e-mailed on pay dates (August 15, 2012 - May 30, 2013) 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 TEACHERS

Hands-On, Minds-On! - EdVenture plans to host its eighth year of Hands-On, Minds-On! (HMO) Institute for Teachers.  It has been a very popular course offered by members of the EdVenture staff, along with well-respected guest presenters.  This year’s institute will offer 60 pre-K through grade three teachers’ experiences designed to build their confidence about science and mathematics and cultivate their students’ curiosity, while developing an integrated thematic unit designed around the museum's exhibits and demonstrating their understanding of curriculum integration.  The online application is found on the HMO Website.  Teachers are encouraged to apply.  The institute will take place on June 10-14, 2013, with a pre-institute session planned for Friday, January 11.  To earn the four hours of graduate credit, participants will also have to attend four of the nine STEAM talks with EDDIE seminars.  More information can be found on the HMO website.  Audience: All Teachers.  Contact: Dr. DeeDee Washington, Academics, 355-3142.

Warehouse Theatre Forum Series Presents "A Celebration of Those Who Serve our Community's Children," Wednesday, December 5 at 6:00 p.m. at 37 Augusta Street, Greenville—GCS staff members are invited to experience engaging dialogue and conversation centered around one of the Warehouse Theatre's main stage productions: The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t!  Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year Will Ragland will be one of the panelists.  Following the discussion, representatives from a dozen upstate organizations that serve the needs of children and youth will be available to discuss their activities to nurture, educate and protect our community's children.  Non-profit staff and family members may purchase $5 tickets to the preview of "The Christmas That Almost Wasn't," a holiday musical based on the poem by Ogden Nash.  For more information, call 235-6948, or email The Warehouse Theatre's Education Director, Anne Tromsness, at [email-masked].

“It’s A Wonderful Life” - The Greenville County Youth Orchestras will host the fundraising event, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” on Thursday December 6, 2012 at the Greenville Little Theater.  The evening will begin at 7:00 p.m. with music by some of our young musicians, desserts, and a silent auction followed by a “dress rehearsal” performance of “It’s A Wonderful Life.”  All proceeds will support the programs of GCYO.  Tickets are $25 per person and are available by calling 864-355-3040 or on the GCYO website.  Audience: All Employees, Family and Friends.  Contact: Dianne Lee, Academic Specialist for Fine Arts, 355-4888.

First LEGO League (FLL) State Qualifying Tournament – Please click HERE for information about the FLL State Qualifying Tournament to be held at Wade Hampton High on Saturday, December 22.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Beth Leavitt, Wade Hampton High.

AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS

ALL TEACHERS

McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation - Foundation offers academic enrichment grants for up to $10,000 for programs that nurture the intellectual, artistic, and creative abilities of K-12 students.  Foundation is especially interested in programs that foster understanding, deepen student knowledge, and provide opportunities to expand global awareness.  Visit the website to access the online application or for more information. Deadline: Application available from January 15 – April 15, 2013.  Audience: All Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

Saucony Run for Good Grants - Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded for K-12 programs that promote physical activity (with an emphasis on running) and healthy lifestyles.  For more information or to download the application, visit the website.  Deadline: December 13, 2012.  Audience: All Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

Verizon Foundation Grants - Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded for K-12 programs that increase student interest and achievement in science, technology, engineering, and math.  Applications accepted beginning in January 2013 with notification in 90 days.  For more information, visit the website.  Deadline: January-October, 2013.  Audience: All Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

ELELMENTARY TEACHERS

Crayola Grants - Grants for up to $3,000 (includes $500 of Crayola projects) will be awarded to 20 elementary schools for programs that explore “What if…” projects.  Projects should be designed to help K-5th grade students innovatively share their thoughts and feeling while engaged in learning.  Principal must be a member of the National Association of Elementary School Principals. (NAESP).  Visit Crayola’s website to access the application (after December 3) and submission criteria.  Notification: October 2013.  Audience: Elementary Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS

InvenTeam Initiative - Lemelson-MIT is offering grants of up to $10,000 to high school teams of students (5-15 students), educators and mentors who invent an award-winning technological solution to a real-world problem.  Projects should apply lessons from science, technology, engineering and math to develop invention prototypes.  Visit the website to access the application and view complete guidelines.  Deadline: October 2012-June 2013.  Audience: High School Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

PARTNERSHIPS

NONE

NOTICES/REQUESTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

SC Department of Revenue Information About Identity Theft – In October, the SC Department of Revenue learned that its records were breached in a criminal cyber-attack.  As a result, anyone who has paid SC taxes since 1998 may have had his or her personal information compromised.  The State recommends the following:

SC individual taxpayers (by Jan. 31, 2013)

· Visit www.ProtectMyID.com/SCDOR (code SCDOR123) or call 1-866-578-5422 (M-F 9am-9pm EST; S-S 11am-8pm EST) to enroll for one year of identity theft protection.

SC business owners (by Jan. 31, 2013)

· Visit www.DandB.com/SC or call 1-800-279-9881 (M-F 8am-8pm EST) to register for lifetime credit alert protection.

· Visit www.SmartBusinessReports.com/SouthCarolina to register for lifetime business credit monitoring.

Information and links are also available on the SCASA website.  All services are free of charge.  For more information, please contact the SC Department of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-922-1594 or visit www.consumer.sc.gov.

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:

The Season of Joyful Living!  When you think about what makes you happy sometimes major life changes like winning the lottery come to mind! However, there are much more possible ways to brighten your day.  The more of these you try, the better you will feel.

· Enjoy “sensory pleasures” such as fresh-baked bread, a massage, or a bubble bath.

· Giving to others is very powerful in bringing joy; (e.g. do a chore for a neighbor, tell your boss how much he or she helped you, or volunteer at a charity fundraiser).

· Inter-connections with others keep you focused on the here and now; (e.g. organize a holiday block party, attend a religious service, or contact long-lost roommates or co-workers).

Eat mindfully during the holidays to stave off weight gain!  Give every meal, every snack, and every bit that goes into your mouth all of your attention.  Eat slowly and be aware of how delicious the food tastes.  Savor the entire bite.  Don’t let yourself linger by the buffet table or hover over the hors d’oeuvres nibbling as you engage in conversation.

CALENDAR (IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER)

2012-13 Employee Calendar

2012-13 Student/Parent Calendar

2012-13 Student Calendar (Spanish)

Monday, December 3 — Interim Progress Reports

December 20—January 1 — Winter Break (Dec. 20 & 21 - required leave for 12-month employees.)