April 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

Recertification (12 CEUs) Opportunity: Recognizing at Risk Students (RARS) in the Classroom (June 11 & 12, 8:45 – 4:15.) - Workshop will address child welfare issues that affect students' ability to make the most of their educational experience.  The objective is to train teachers and other school personnel to recognize behaviors that put students at risk and provide information for constructive responses.  Please register on the Portal.  Audience: All Teachers and School Personnel.  Contact: Rosa Gonzalez, Lead Social Worker, 355-2079.

Transportation Job Fair Next Week! —A Transportation Job Fair will be held Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at MT Anderson (Old Southside HS) from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon.  Our goal is to fill vacancies for Bus Drivers and Bus Aides (special needs) for the upcoming 2013-14 school year.  Please assist us in meeting this critical need by informing your relatives, friends and those in your community that may have an interest in working in Transportation with Greenville County Schools.  These positions are full time and include health and dental benefits.  Click HERE for qualifications needed and job advantages. Thank you for your support and assistance!  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Mike Humbert, Human Resources – Operations, 355-1276.

Race for Grace Fund – Carolina High School and Academy Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ “Race for Grace” will be Saturday, May 4, 2013, 8:00 a.m., at the school.  The annual event raises money for the Grace Fund to help students, families, faculty and staff in times of need.  Please click HERE for more information and HERE to register.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Carolina High, 355-2320.

ALL TEACHERS

Lifelong Learning Teacher Recertification/Graduate Courses Offered for Summer, 2013 - All College of Charleston graduate classes are $475 each, recertification, with 3 graduate hour credits.  Classes will be held at Lifelong Learning, Sullivan Center, 206 Wilkins Street, Greenville, SC 29605.  For more information visit Lifelong Learning’s website.  Audience: All Teachers and Principals.  Contact: Terry Culbertson, Lifelong Learning, 355-6095.

· Strategies Working With At-Risk Boys (EDPD 807X): Develop strategies to assist teachers with the at-risk boys in the classroom. Lots of discussion, tours, speakers with small project. The text: The Minds of Boys by Michael Gurian. Instructor: Terry Culbertson. June 10-13, 17-20, Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Sullivan Center.

· Classroom Management (EDPD 807 J60): Create a positive classroom community including organization, being in control, effective communication, and many effective strategies for the cooperation of the students. Discussion on authors and experts. Small project required. Instructor: Terry Culbertson. July 22 - 25, 29 - Aug. 1, Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Sullivan Center.

· Bullying in Schools (EDPD 807 X60): An on line class using our district’s Moodle. 1st and last class attendance required, June 10, Aug. 6, 4 – 7 pm, Sullivan Center.

AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS

ALL TEACHERS

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.

STEM Centers SC Contest - South Carolina-based K-12 schools are encouraged to enter STEM projects in the “This School’s Got STEM” video contest.  Video submissions (3-5 minutes) will be accepted from August 5-22, 2013.  Video must demonstrate students exploring STEM content.  The top 10 videos will be uploaded to the SC Future Minds Facebook page.  Public voting will begin August 25 with the top three finalists announced on September 6.  Prizes include cash winnings ($1,000, $500, and $250) and attendance at the Next Steps for STEM Schools Conference in Charleston, SC.  Individuals interested in submitting a video can read more about this contest here.  Deadline: August 5-22, 2013.  Audience: All Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

Dart Foundation Grants - The Dart Foundation offers grants of up to $5,000 for K-12 youth education programs in health, community services, and journalism with an emphasis on STEM.  Initial contact with foundation should include a brief description of the program via e-mail.  If invited to apply, funder will provide details on the application form.  Schools interested in applying can access additional information, including the initial contact e-mail address, here. Deadline: rolling.  Audience: All Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

Music Education Grants - The Mockingbird Foundation offers grants ranging from $100 to $5,000 to support K-12 music education projects.  Projects should foster creative expression and promote self-esteem in any musical form (composition, instrumentation, vocalization, or improvisation).  Funds may be used for instruments, texts, learning/performance/practice space, instructors, or instruction.  Interested schools must complete an initial inquiry online.  If invited to apply, full proposals are due by November.  Click here to access the online form or to review foundation criteria.  Deadline: Initial inquiries by August 1.  Audience: All Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS

The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation Grants - Libraries serving underserved and at-risk youth in grades K-8 are eligible for grants ranging from $500 to $3,000.  Funds must be used to purchase fiction and non-fiction trade books for exclusive use in the library (classroom sets are not eligible).  Interested schools must download the appropriate application here, print and complete the application and mail it to the appropriate address.  Deadline: Postmarked by June 15, 2013.  Audience: Elementary and Middle School Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

PARTNERSHIPS

NONE

NOTICES/REQUESTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Four-Day, Extended Hours Work Weeks: April 29 and May 27 - All locations will be closed Monday, April 29 (makeup day #1) and Monday, May 27 (professional development/work day) IF NO school days are missed .  If no days are missed, 12-month employees (245-day work schedule) will work extended hours on Tuesday – Friday for those two weeks and/or take vacation, personal leave, or compensatory time for a day per week.  All other employees will work regular hours the week of April 29 since they not required to work on April 29 (makeup day).  For week of May 27, other employees (not 12-month), may work extended hours or take vacation, personal leave or compensatory time.  For both weeks, student hours will NOT be impacted.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Supervisor.

Friends of the Library Book Sale - Friday, April 26 (Friends of the Library Members only), Saturday, April 27 (open to the public) and Sunday, April 28 (open to the public).  Click HERE for brochure with more information.  Audience: All Employees.

ALL TEACHERS

Clemson University Cohort Interest Survey - The School of Education at Clemson University is looking into the possibility of offering graduate cohorts in upcoming semesters that could involve Greenville County Schools.  Cohorts can offer convenience and tuition cost reductions for participating teachers.  To gauge the level of interest from teachers, Clemson has provided the following link to a survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LP9SM8K.  Audience: All Teachers.  Contact: Patty Fox, Human Resources, 355-3173.

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Books-A-Million Educator Discount – Educators will receive 25% off everything for your classroom from April 13 through 19 at Books-A-Million, 2465 Laurens Road, Greenville. You must use your BAM Educator Discount Card.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Jeremy Woods, (864) 981-4764.

Belk’s Educator Appreciation Day – Belk’s at Haywood Mall will hold an Educator Appreciation Day on Thursday, April 18, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.  Receive an extra 20% (15% off Home and Shoes, 10% off Electrics/Coffee) on regular and sale price purchases storewide (limited exclusions).  Mention the coupon code EDUCATOR and present your Employee Pass or school ID to receive the discounts.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Megan Szuster.

Imagine Center Personal Training Offer – In addition to a special gym membership rate of $25/month, Imagine Center is offering employees personal training sessions at discounted prices. One-hour personal training rates are normally $50/hour, but GCS employees can get 1-6 sessions for $45/hour; 7-14 sessions for $40/hour, or 15 or more sessions for $35/hour.  Offer good until June 30. Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Jillian Wells, Image Center Facility Director, 864-770-1791.

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:

Importance of Relaxation - Research shows the positive connection to good health and relaxation and deep breathing.

Spring has sprung in this wonderful community where we live.  More people are biking and walking on the many trails and parks that are abundant in our area.  Exercising outside is easy, but don’t forget the importance of staying safe, wear a bike helmet, hydrate often, and if needed, take those allergies medications.

CALENDAR (IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER)

2012-13 Employee Calendar

2012-13 Student/Parent Calendar

2012-13 Student Calendar (Spanish)

Thursday, April 18 - Ready, Set, Go Retirement Seminar, 4:00 p.m. at the MT Anderson Support Center. (For employees planning to retire.)

Tuesday, April 23 - Transportation Job Fair, MT Anderson (Old Southside HS), 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon (See more information above.)

Monday, April 29 – Makeup Day # 1 - If Day is Not Needed, All Locations Will Close. Extended Hours on April 30-May 3 for 12-Month Employees.  (See more information above.)