January 15, 2013                                               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 EMPLOYEES

College Financial Aid Nights – Greenville County Schools will sponsor four separate College Financial Aid Nights for our students and families.

· Thursday, February 7, Travelers Rest High

· Thursday, February 14, Eastside High

· Thursday, February 21, Woodmont High

· Thursday, February 28, Berea High

Each meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and formal presentations should end by 7:30 p.m. with Q&A following.  School Counselors and Financial Aid Officers from various colleges and universities will present information and strategies for successfully navigating the financial aid process.  Audience: Employees, Students, Families. Contact: Rob Rhodes, Director, School Counseling Services and Sirrine Scholarship Program, 355-3391.

Announcing Summer Institute 2013!  The Upstate Technology Conference and Summer Academy have been combined to offer three weeks of focused professional development at Wade Hampton High School under the banner of Summer Institute.  Summer Institute launches on Tuesday, July 9 with the opening of the Upstate Technology Conference.  The learning opportunities continue on Monday, July 15 when Summer Academy gets underway.  Applications to present for both the Upstate Technology Conference and Summer Academy are now being accepted.  Click HERE to access our website for more information.  Audience: All Employees.  Contacts: Patty Fox, Human Resources or Tim Cushman, ETS.

AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS

ALL TEACHERS

ING Unsung Heroes Program - K-12 educators are encouraged to submit ideas for innovative classroom projects for an opportunity to receive a $2,000 grant.  One grant per state will be awarded, with state winners eligible to receive additional funding to further the project within the school.  Visit the website to access application instructions, review criteria, and read about previous winning projects.  Deadline: April 30, 2013.  Audience: All Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

Disney Friends for Change Grant - Youth Service America is sponsoring $1,000 grants for youth-led (ages 5-18) service projects that demonstrate leadership, creativity, and commitment to making a positive community impact.  Visit the website to access application instructions and grant application, review criteria, and read about previous winning projects.  Deadline: midnight, February 10, 2013.  Audience: All Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS

Christopher Columbus Award - Teams of 6th – 8th grade students are invited to submit entries of community-based projects that utilize scientific method for solving a community problem.  Eight finalist teams will receive an all-expense paid trip to the National Championship Week to compete for cash prizes and grants.  Two winning teams (finalists) will receive $2,000 per team member and the winning team will receive a $25,000 grant to fully implement the community project.  Visit the website to access application instructions, review criteria, and read testimonials.  Deadline: – February 4, 2013.  Audience: Middle School Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

PARTNERSHIPS

NONE

NOTICES/REQUESTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Employee Social Security (FICA) Tax Rate Goes Back to 6.2% on January 15, 2013 Paychecks - On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA 2012; H.R. 8) was signed into law, but it did not extend the temporary, reduced employee social security (FICA) tax rate of 4.2% that was effective in 2011 and 2012.  The employee FICA tax rate reverts to 6.2% and applies to all social security wages paid in 2013 up to the maximum wage base of $113,700.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Payroll Call Center, 355-0920.

Annual Enrollment/Insurance Payroll Deductions on January 15, 2013 - Insurance coverage or plan changes made during annual enrollment became effective on January 1, 2013.  Even if you made no changes, you may see different deduction amounts.  The premiums for Blue Choice, Dental Plus, State Optional/Spouse Life increased and Moneyplus spending account fees decreased.  Final health insurance premium amounts for 2013 are still pending the outcome of the State Supreme Court hearing scheduled for January 23. Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Benefits Call Center, 355-0960.

2012 W-2’s - W-2’s will be mailed to the employee’s address on file and available through GCS Document Self Service no later than January 31.  For specific W-2 information click HERE.  For instructions about registering for W-2 self-service access click HERE.  Current employees requesting additional copies or reprints are required to use Self Service.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Payroll, [email-masked] or 355-0920.

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Greenville Road Warriors Ice Hockey Presidents’ Day Matinee – GCS employees and their families are invited to attend a Greenville Road Warriors Presidents’ Day Matinee on Monday, February 18 at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for children.  Click HERE For more information.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Preston Hayden, 250-4929.

Integrative Health Group – Integrative Health Group is offering GCS employees discounts on thermography screenings (to avoid the radiation and compression of mammograms) or a medically designed, physician supervised weight loss program.  See FLYER for complete details.  Show your Employee Pass to receive the discount.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Heather Terry, Integrative Health Group, (864) 235-6788 or visit their website.

MISCELLANEOUS

ALL EMPLOYEES

The Schools Channel Now Available on AT&T U-verse Channel 99 - The Schools Channel is now available on AT&T U-verse TV’s Public, Education and Government (PEG) Channel 99. To access  AT&T U-verse TV Channel 99: Select “Government, Education and Public Access” from the “Live TV” Menu; Press “Guide” and scroll to Channel 99; Enter “99” on the remote control.  To access PEG Programming: On Channel 99, press “OK” to see the list of communities that provide PEG programming; Select “Greenville County Schools TV” and press “OK;”  You will first see the programming in a “preview” screen, along with customized channel information at the bottom.  Press “OK” to watch in full-screen mode.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Jeff Hoffman, Broadcast Studio, 452-0122.

Employment Opportunities – Click HERE for our web-site link to GCS Employment Opportunities.

HEALTHY LIVING TIPS:

Set Reachable Health Goals!  Goal setting to improve your personal wellness for 2013 says a lot about how you value YOU.  Short term goals keep you from feeling you just can’t do enough to reach the long term goals you have set.  An example of a reachable, short term goal to consider is: “During the work day I will drink no high sugared beverages (soda, juice, sweet tea) for the week of _________.”  At the end of the week, set a new goal to move you forward in decreasing high sugar beverages.

Do You Know Your Blood Pressure?  When blood pressure is too high, it raises the heart’s workload and can cause serious damage to the arteries.  Over time, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.  Consider stopping by your local pharmacy today to get your blood pressure checked.  A blood pressure reading of 140/90 or higher is identified as high blood pressure and should lead one to the doctor.

CALENDAR (IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER)

2012-13 Employee Calendar

2012-13 Student/Parent Calendar

2012-13 Student Calendar (Spanish)

January — School Board Recognition Month

Thursday, January 17 — End 2nd Quarter Grading Period

Friday, January 18 — Professional Development Workday, AM District/PM Schools (Flex), Exchange Day #2 (Student Holiday)

Monday, January 21 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday (Also 12-Month Employee Holiday)

January 22-25 — 5K and 1st Grade Registration for 2013-14

Thursday, January 24 — Report Cards

January 30-February 1 – 4K Pre-Registration for 2013-14