March 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

URGENT!  ALL EMPLOYEES & SUPERVISORS: MARCH 25 DEADLINE (Retirement Banquet, Monday, May 20) – The 2013 Retirement Banquet will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel on Monday, May 20, 6:30 p.m.  If you plan to retire this year, meet the guidelines, and would like to attend the dinner, please complete the Retirement Banquet Information Sheet (new form) and return it to Brittany Oglesby, Human Resources, no later than Monday, March 25.  Also, please give your supervisor a copy of the completed information sheet.  Employees who come off TERI and still continue to work for GCS or employees 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.  Also, the supervisor must submit a Termination of Employment Form for each retiree and also email or fax (355-9066) a list of retiring employees to Brittany Oglesby no later than Monday, March 25.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Retirement Questions - Benefits, 355-0960; Retirement Banquet Information Sheet Questions – Brittany Oglesby, Human Resources, 355-3355; Retirement Dinner - Sandra Welch, Communications, 355-3888.

AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

2013 Employee of the Year Awards (DEADLINE TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO THURSDAY, April 11) - We are seeking outstanding employees to be nominated for the 2013 Employee of the Year Awards sponsored by Greenville Federal Credit Union.  Employees of the Year receive a crystal award and $500 while their school/location receives $500 to share the honor with staff.  The seven nomination categories include: 1. School Administrator; 2. Assistant School Administrator; 3. School Support Employee (any faculty/staff member who is not a teacher, administrator, custodian or food service employee – examples would be nurses, instructional coaches, and office personnel); 4. Operations Employee; 5. District Professional Employee; 6. District Support Employee; and 7. Emerging Teacher (two levels). Click HERE for entry form, guidelines, and additional information.  The nominee’s supervisor must sign the nomination form.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Sandra Welch, Communications Department, 355-3888.

ALL TEACHERS

Internal Teacher Transfers - Teachers who wish to apply for a transfer for the 2013-2014 school year will utilize Lawson Career Management on the Employee Portal (LCM) to process their application.  Guidelines for transfers are found in Board Rule GBM.  Your current principal must complete the Transfer Evaluation/Excess Evaluation Form and teacher's must attach this form, along with a current resume, to their online application.  There are three transfer pools - Elementary, Middle, and High School Teachers.  Paper transfer forms will not be accepted for the 2013-2014 school year.  Click HERE for link to internal transfer instructions and link to LCM application.  Audience: All Teachers.  Contact: Deb Cucchiara, Human Resources, 355-3161.

Summer School Teachers/Summer School Site Administrator Pool - Teachers who wish to apply to the Summer School Teacher and/or Summer School Site Administrator pool will utilize Lawson Career Management (LTM) on the Employee Portal to process their application.  To access LCM, please click HERE and click on the appropriate job to submit your application:  Please click HERE for directions regarding how to navigate through LCM.  Audience: All Teachers.  Contact: Questions regarding Summer School openings contact Treva Lee at 355-2812.  Questions regarding LTM contact Debra Cucchiara at 355-3161.

Innovative Teaching Grants - Greenville County Public Education Partners is offering twenty $1,000 grants that will be awarded to classroom teachers, instructional coaches, and other school-based staff who desire to engage in high quality professional development experiences.  The focus of the experiences should be to improve instruction, curriculum, and student achievement.  Individuals interested in applying must register and request the application form, found here.  Deadline: April 15, 2013.  Audience: All Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

Target Arts, Culture, and Design in Schools Grant - The Target Foundation awards grants of $500 to $5,000 for projects that enhance classroom curricula by providing arts and cultural experiences to the school.  Projects may include activities such as performances, artist-in-residency programs, and workshops.  Projects must occur between September 2013 and August 2014.  Individuals interested in applying must create an online account and complete the online application form, found here.  Deadline: April 30, 2013.  Audience: All Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS

ACS-Hach High School Chemistry Grant - The Hach Scientific Foundation awards grants (up to $1,500) to high school chemistry teachers seeking funds to transform classroom learning, foster student development, and reveal the wonders of chemistry.  Funds can be used to purchase supplies, instructional materials, professional development, field studies, and science outreach events.  Individuals interested in applying must create an online account and complete the online application form, found here.  Deadline: April 1, 2013; notification by June 30.  Audience: High School Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

PARTNERSHIPS

NONE

NOTICES/REQUESTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Extended Hours On March 25-28; All Locations Closed on Friday, March 29 – All locations will be closed Friday, March 29 (makeup day #2) IF two school days are NOT missed before that date.  If closed on March 29, 12-month employees (245-day work schedule) will work extended hours on Monday-Thursday of that week or take vacation, personal leave, or compensatory time for a day.  All other employees will work regular hours on Monday-Thursday that week since Friday, March 29 will be a student holiday if makeup day is not needed.  Student hours on Monday–Thursday will NOT be impacted.  Also, a four-day, extended-hours schedule is being considered for the week of April 29-May 3, with all locations closed on Monday, April 29 (makeup day #1). Employees will be informed when that decision is made.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Your Supervisor.

Employees Resigning or Retiring from district employment effective the end of the FY ‘12/’13 school year should click HERE for important payroll and benefits information.  Audience: All Location Supervisors, All Employees.  Contact:  Payroll Department, 355-0920.

Ready, Set, Go Retirement Seminar (for employees planning to retire) - A retirement, insurance and deferred compensation presentation is scheduled for Thursday, April 18, 4:00 p.m., at the MT Anderson Support Center.  It is not necessary for employees to register for the presentation.  To assist with planning, it is helpful for prospective retirees to have a retirement benefits estimate.  If you would like to receive a retirement estimate at the presentation, please email Mandy Nelson.  The e-mail needs to include your name, employee number, and expected date of retirement.  Audience: All Location Supervisors, All Employees.  Contact: Benefits Department, 355-0960.

Dependent Eligibility Audits - State Health Insurance Program - To help manage the cost of our employer-sponsored, state health insurance program, Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA) Insurance Benefits requires specific documentation of eligibility when family members enroll in coverage.  The Dependent Eligibility Audit checks the eligibility of family members who were covered before the new documentation rules went into effect.  This ongoing process is designed to ensure that only eligible individuals are covered under state benefits.

· If you enrolled dependents before proof of eligibility was required, you will receive a letter from PEBA asking you to provide specific documents showing that family members you cover are eligible.  For dependent children, documentation is a long form birth certificate, and for spouses, a marriage license or federal tax return, page 1.  If you do not provide the required documentation within 60 days of the date of the letter from PEBA, your dependents will be dropped from coverage.

· If you wish to prepare for the audit, click HERE to go to the insurance benefits website, MyBenefits, to make sure PEBA has your correct mailing address on file.  To review a list of acceptable documentation and learn more about the audit click HERE.  Rather than waiting for an audit letter, you can obtain and submit the required documentation to PEBA.

· Where can I get the required documentation?  You can get Long form birth certificates (if born in SC) and marriage license copies (if married in SC) through the Greenville County Health Department.  Detailed information is available through the SCDHEC website.  For information on obtaining out of state birth certificates, call the Greenville County Health Department at 864-372-3267.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Benefits Department, 355-0960.

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

GCS Employee Shopping Day at Costco – Faculty, friends and family of Greenville County Schools are invited to a special event at Costco on Saturday, March 23 from 10:00 a.m. until 6:0 p.m.  Click HERE for an offer to get a $20 Costco Cash Card when you join as a new Executive Member, or a $10 Costco Cash Card when you join as a new Gold Star Member.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact:  Tiffany Miller, Costco, 297-2578.

Greenville Office Supply - Greenville Office Supply is offering all GCS employees a 10% discount for online purchases.  Click HERE to place your order.  You must use this link to receive the discount.  At Checkout, you will see the discount and will be prompted to enter your shipping address and method of payment.  Contact:  Keith Hagerty, 864-587-3284.

MISCELLANEOUS

ALL EMPLOYEES

The Schools Channel (Charter Channel 99, AT&T U-verse 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:

Stand up for your health! Studies connect long hours of sitting with an increase of diabetes and other diseases.  Here are a few suggestions to encourage you to "get up"! Consider setting your watch, phone, or computer alarm to sound a beep at regular intervals; when the beep sounds - get up!  On the hour, stand up and do jumping jacks, arm circles, or toe touches for 30 seconds.  Stand for all of your phone calls. Place the office trash can as far from your desk as you can to make yourself get up throw away trash.

What is Quinoa? (pronounced "KEEN-wah")  Quinoa is a seed that provides all 9 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein.  Quinoa is gluten-free and cholesterol-free, can be found at all grocery stores, and takes less time to cook than other grains such as rice.  Consider increasing your "grain salads" and experiment by cooking quinoa and adding different veggies such as peppers, purple onion, zucchini, corn, kale, or spinach greens.

CALENDAR (IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER)

2012-13 Employee Calendar

2012-13 Student/Parent Calendar

2012-13 Student Calendar (Spanish)

March 20-22 — 4K Screening (No Classes)

Monday, March 25 — End 3rd Quarter Grading Period

Monday, March 25 – Deadline for Retirees, who meet the guidelines, to be included in the 2013 Retirement Dinner.  Due from Retirees: Retirement Banquet Information Sheet.  Due from Retirees’ Supervisors: Termination of Employment Forms and List of Retiring Employees. (See complete information above under Events/Workshops.)

March 25-28 — 4-day extended hours schedule for 12 month employees IF Friday, March 29 makeup day is not needed.  (See complete information above under Notices/Requests.)

Friday, March 29 — Makeup Day #2. IF day not needed, it becomes a student holiday & all locations will be closed: 12 Month employees will work extended hours or take leave/comp time on March 25-28 (See complete information above under Notices/Requests.)

April 1-5 — Spring Break (April 4 & 5 Required Leave for 12-Month Employees)

Tuesday, April 9 — Report Cards

Thursday, April 11 — Deadline to Submit Employee of the Year Nominations (See details above under Awards/Applications/Contests/Grants.)