January 29, 2016 ebulletinboard Archive
ebulletinboard is e-mailed on pay dates in August - May (except during extended holidays) to all employees to inform you about events, workshops and other matters of interest. Principals and other location supervisors should post one copy for employees who do not have e-mail. Editions are archived for reference.
AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS
ALL EMPLOYEES
GCS Scholarship Golf Tournament Applications - Proceeds from Greenville County Schools’ 2015 Scholarship Golf Tournament will fund 2016-17 post-secondary scholarships for this year’s high school seniors attending GCS high schools and charter schools that participated in this school year’s tournament. All GCS high schools and one charter high school participated. Half of the scholarships are designated for children of permanent full- or part-time district employees. Both $1,500 and $900 scholarships will be awarded. The number of nominations from each school depends on the student enrollment. Applications must be completed and returned by Friday, March 4, 2016 to the student’s guidance counselor. Please click HERE (PDF format) for student eligibility guidelines and application. Audience: All Employees. Contact: Student’s High School Guidance Counselor.
Michelin InTIREnational Art Contest Exhibit - Fourteen Upstate schools, along with local artists, businesses and non-profits, are competing for the chance to earn $5,000 for a local charity. These schools, their students and PTA are converting ordinary scrap tires into extraordinary works of art celebrating international inclusion in the Upstate. Entries for the 2016 Michelin InTIREnational Art Contest will be on exhibit at the Hughes Main Library, Heritage Green, Downtown Greenville from March 1 – 31, 2016. We encourage you to visit the exhibit and vote for your favorite artwork at www.inspiredtires.com. The entry with the most online votes wins the 2016 People’s Choice award, earning $5,000 for a local school, charity, or non-profit of choice. The Michelin InTIREnational Art Contest and Exhibit are part of Upstate International Month - March 2016. Audience: All Employees. Contact: Kristan Burgin Gillespie, Michelin North America, 864.346.3077.
All K-12 EDUCATORS
Captain Planet Foundation– Grants of $2,500 are available for the purpose of engaging children in inquiry-based projects in the STEM field. Projects should use innovation, biomimicry/nature-based design, or new uses for technology to address community environmental issues. Applicant must create an online account to apply. To access the online application, click here. Deadline: March 15, 2016. Audience: K-12 educators Contact: Lisa Finley, Grant Writer, 355-3113.
Dollar General Youth Literacy Grants – Grants of up to $4,000 are offered by Dollar General for literacy programs designed to help students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading. Grants can be used to implement or expand literacy programs or purchase technology, equipment, books, materials or software to support literacy initiatives. The online application and grant criteria are available here. Deadline: May 19, 2016. Audience: K-12 educators. Contact: Lisa Finley, Grant Writer, 355-3113.
BirdSleuth Garden Grants – The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is offering grants of up to $2,000 to build or revitalize a school garden. Preference will be given to bird, pollinator, native habitat, rain, and other natural projects. Funding covers supplies and includes a BirdSleuth Habitat Connections kit. Applicants receiving a grant award must implement the project and project lessons between March and June 2016. Click here to access the online application. Deadline: February 15, 2016; Notification February 22. Audience: K-12 educators. Contact: Lisa Finley, Grant Writer, 355-3113.
HUMAN RESOURCES
All TEACHERS
The annual 2015-2016 GCS Teacher Survey opened on Monday, January 25th. Thank you in advance for participating in this important process. As you know, this survey is designed to develop comprehensive information necessary for the district’s continuous improvement efforts. The survey will remain active until 4 p.m. on Friday, February 5th, 2016. Please be assured that individual responses are anonymous and confidential. The results are always in a generic summarized format. There are sections of the survey that permit written comments. While we encourage your comments, you should avoid placing identifying information within the comments unless you wish to identify yourself. Your principal may decide to schedule a group session for the purpose of completing the survey. If so, the Principal, Assistant Principal, or IC/CRT will not attend the session. The principal may ask a teacher to coordinate the group session if one is scheduled. Surveys must be finished in one session which takes about 20 minutes. The survey can be taken from any device with an internet connection. Audience: All Teachers. Contact: Marque Kilpatrick, Human Resources, 355-3977.
Click HERE for Human Resources Home Page
NOTICES/REQUESTS
ALL EMPLOYEES
Makeup Days for Greenville County Schools - Greenville County public school students will make up the two school days missed in January on Friday, April 22 and Monday, April 25. If needed, the district has a third makeup day built into the calendar on Friday, March 25. State law requires school districts to include three makeup days in their calendar. The School Board of Trustees may excuse up to three additional days after the three makeup days are used. Audience: All Employees. Contact: Your Supervisor.
W-2 Form Availability - Each calendar year, all district employees receive an IRS Form W-2 Wage and Tax statement. Employees have the option for electronic form delivery through GCS Document Self-Service or receiving a printed/mailed W-2.
· To help understand your W-2, please read the 2015 W-2 information document at: http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/Employees/docs/finance/W2Info.pdf
· Information about the electronic W-2, GCS Document Self Service process is available at: http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/Departments/main.asp?titleid=fin_w2
· If already registered for GCS Document Self Service, your W-2 is available at: https://000dldss01.greenville.k12.sc.us/login.aspx
Please note that GCS Document Self-Service gives employees the ability to access their encrypted W-2 securely via the District’s Intranet, is only available from a computer/ tablet connected to the District’s network, and is stored on a secure district server. If you are not registered for Document Self Service, your W-2 will be printed and mailed to your address on record no later than February 1, 2016. Audience: All Location Supervisors, All Employees. Contact: Payroll Call Center @ payroll@greenville.k12.sc.us or call 355-0920.
Form 1095-C – New IRS, Health Insurance Document - The Affordable Care Act established new healthcare reporting requirements for employers and taxpayers, including the 1095-C Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage Form. While the information on the 1095-C may assist you in preparing your 2015 tax return, the form is not required for filing your individual tax return. Details about the electronic 1095-C process and a FAQ document are available at: http:// www.greenville.k12.sc.us/Departments/main.asp?titleid=fin_1095faq. The District will provide notification when the 1095-C Form is available. In the meantime, employees have the option to elect electronic 1095-C delivery through GCS Document Self-Service. If electronic delivery is not elected, the form will be printed and mailed to the address on record. Election of electronic 1095-C delivery must be made even if you previously authorized electronic W-2 delivery. Please note that GCS Document Self-Service gives employees the ability to access their 1095-C securely via the District’s Intranet. Each 1095-C is encrypted, stored on a secure district server, and access is limited to computers/tablets connected to the District’s wide area network. This allows employees access to their electronic 1095-C with security from outside threat. Audience: All Location Supervisors, All Employees. Contact: Benefits Call Center @ benefits@greenville.k12.sc.us or call 355-0960.
College Financial Aid Workshops for Parents - Parents are invited to attend one of four college financial aid workshops sponsored by Greenville County Schools. All workshops are open to the public. Hear from school counselors and college financial aid officers regarding the most current financial aid information and strategies for successfully navigating the financial aid process.
· Thursday, February 4, 2016 - 6:00 PM - Hillcrest High
· Thursday, February 11, 2016 - 6:00 PM - Carolina High Academy
· Thursday, February 18, 2016 - 6:00 PM - Greer High
· Thursday, February 25, 2016 - 6:00 PM - Travelers Rest High
All types of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, FAFSA, and loans will be discussed. Parents will also receive information about the GCS Sirrine Scholarship Program. For more information call 355-3391 or 355-3392. You may also visit the Scholarships and Financial Aid page on our website at http://goo.gl/NjUR6m. Audience: All Employees. Contact: Rob Rhodes, 355-3391.
New Options for State Health Plan Members – BlueCross BlueShield has expanded its health management programs to include coaching services in the areas of metabolic health, severe back pain, behavioral health, and other areas. You can find more information about the health management programs available to State Health Plan members online at http://www.peba.sc.gov/healthmanagement.html. Audience: All Employees. Contact: Jamie McCutcheon, 355-1182.
Tobacco Cessation Program for State Health Plan Members - Did you know State Health Plan primary members can get nicotine gum and patches at no cost? For eligible members, there is also a $0 copayment for tobacco cessation medication filled at a participating network pharmacy. You can also call on your very own “Quit Coach” through the Quit for Life® Program to help you decide on a plan of action and boost your resolve when you’re feeling weak. Take the first step toward better health by calling your confidential quit coach today at no charge at 866.784.8454 (866.QUIT.4.LIFE). For more details about this benefit and other PEBA Perks, visit www.PEBAperks.com. Audience: All Employees. Contact: Jamie McCutcheon, 355-1182.
EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS
NONE
MISCELLANEOUS
ALL EMPLOYEES
The Schools Channel (Charter Digital Channel 190, AT&T U-verse Channel 99, 24 hours a day, GCS homepage) – You can watch the Schools Channel live on the district website. The link appears on the district homepage. Click HERE to learn more about the Schools Channel programs and TV schedule.
GCS YouTube Channel – Click HERE to watch the latest from Greenville County Schools. Contacts: Meredith Murray or Jeff Hoffman, Video Production Services, 452-0122.
HEALTHY LIVING TIPS
You Are What You Diet - With your goal established, it is time to build a plan to eat better, lose weight and maintain a healthier lifestyle. So what's the most important part of the plan? The most important part of it is the food. People powerfully overrate the impact of fitness and underrate the importance of the diet.
Make a Plan...and Be Realistic - Once you've settled on the diet that's right for you, put together a meal plan revolving around that diet. Find recipes that you will not only enjoy, but ones that you will have time to prepare. Consider not only the ingredients in the recipes, making sure to find dishes that excite, but be mindful of calorie counts as well.
CALENDAR
2015-16 Calendars: Employee, Student, Spanish
January 2016—School Board Recognition Month
January 27-29—4K Pre-Registration for 2016-17
Friday, February 5—4K Half Day
Monday, February 15—Presidents’ Day Holiday (12 Month Employee Holiday)
Thursday, February 18—Interim Progress Reports
