May 13, 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 K-12 EDUCATORS
Thank America’s Teachers Grant– Farmers Insurance is awarding $2,500 classroom grants through the Thank America’s Teachers competition. Applicants must receive a thank you note through the program then complete an online application by May 31. Projects will be posted online with voting to occur in June. Sixty schools with the most votes will be awarded a $2,500 credit with Adopt a Classroom. Deadline: May 31. Audience: K-12 educators. Contact: Lisa Finley, Grant Writer, 355-3113.
Roads to Reading Book Donations– Donations of new books and classroom literacy resources are available for reading programs in underserved communities. Books can be used for story time and remedial reading programs in schools and afterschool programs. Applicants are required to register here and receive approval before applying. Deadline: June 30, 2016. Audience: K-12 educators. Contact: Lisa Finley, Grant Writer, 355-3113.
ALL K-5 EDUCATORS
Kids in the Game GO! Grants– Grants of $1,000 to $5,000 are available to elementary schools for projects that spark and sustain physical activity programs occurring before, during, or after school. Funds can be used for equipment, facilities, professional development and programs that increase students’ physical activity. To access the online application and grant guidelines, click here. Deadline: June 1, 2016 Audience: K-5 educators. Contact: Lisa Finley, Grant Writer, 355-3113.
Crayola Creative Leadership Grants– Grants of $2,500 plus $1,000 in Crayola products will be awarded for projects that build an elementary schools’ creative capacity. The principal must be a member of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). For additional information and to download the application, visit the website. Deadline: June 20, 2016. Audience: K-5 educators. Contact: Lisa Finley, Grant Writer, 355-3113.
ALL 9-12 EDUCATORS
Best Buy Foundation– Grants of up to $10,000 are available to provide youth ages 13-18 access to new technologies to develop interest and skills in digital learning. Examples of program activities include computer programming, digital imaging, music production, robotics and gaming/app development. Applicant must provide out-of-school-time programs in underserved communities. Click here for additional information and to access the online application. Deadline: June 28, 2016. Audience: High School educators. Contact: Lisa Finley, Grant Writer, 355-3113.
HUMAN RESOURCES
ALL EMPLOYEES
Employee Assistance Program Newsletter – The GCS Employee Assistance Program has published a new edition of the Balanced Living Newsletter. Topics in this edition include Mindfulness Practice in the Treatment of Traumatic Stress, Conquer Your Exercise Excuses, and Preventing Identity Theft When You Travel. For more information about the Employee Assistance Program, please visit https://www.eapconsultants.com/sign-in/. Enter the password GCS. Audience: All Employees. Contact: Marque Kilpatrick, Human Resources, 355-3977.
School Bus Drivers, Bus Aides, Custodians, and Food Service Operators Needed – Please share this information with family and friends. Greenville County Schools will host a Job Fair on Tuesday, May 17, for bus drivers, bus aides, custodians, and food service operators from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Golden Strip Career Center, 1120 E. Butler Road. The need is great to fill these positions so the district is adequately staffed for the opening of the 2016-17 school year. Applicants can apply online at the Job Fair. Bus driver pay is $13.00 per hour with no experience needed, and bus aides earn $9.32 per hour. Custodial starting pay is $9.75 per hour. Training is provided. Great benefits, including health and dental, retirement, sick leave, and free life insurance, are available for employees who work 30 or more hours per week. Audience: All Employees. Contact: Lynn Gibbs, Human Resources, 355-3984.
ALL EDUCATORS
USC Online Graduate Degree Programs - The USC College of Education has an upcoming start date for online graduate degree programs which have been designed for South Carolina-certified teachers. USC will be hosting an information session on Thursday, May 19, and Wednesday, May 25, at 4 PM. This will be a voluntary information session for interested teachers who would like information regarding the program details, enrollment requirements, start dates, and loan forgiveness options available for our South Carolina educators. Click HERE for more information and to register. Audience: All Teachers. Contact: Shanna Kennedy, Associate Executive Director- Education, University of South Carolina.
Orange Sky Travel Savannah Trip - Orange Sky Travel (a student travel company) has a few spots left on their Savannah trip this June. They are offering an additional $50 discount for GCS middle school educators who book their trip by Monday evening at midnight (May 16th). Your price would be $99 for 3 days in Savannah and includes motor coach transportation, hotel, 6 meals, tickets to see a show at the Historic Savannah Theatre, lunch cruise on a Savannah Riverboat, Savannah Trolley Tour, Savannah Ghost Tour, free time on the beach at Tybee Island, and more. Plus, you will receive 13 professional development points for attending. Click HERE for the itinerary with more details. To book the trip, visit www.orangeskytravel.com and click MyAccount. Register for an account and book TREX #10002. To get the $50 discount please just pay the deposit and they will credit your account. Audience: All Teachers. Contact: Jason McCall, Orange Sky Travel, cell: 864-214-6499.
Click HERE for Human Resources Home Page
NOTICES/REQUESTS
ALL EMPLOYEES
2016 Armed Forces Day Parade - The Greenville Armed Forces Day Parade and celebration will be held Saturday, May 21 beginning at 5 pm in downtown Greenville. The parade will start at Coffee Street and end at Markley Street. Join us for military vehicles, displays, bands, a cruise-in, and much more. Wear your patriotic colors and say “thank you” to our heroes. For more information visit greenvillearmedforcesday.com. Audience: All Employees. Contact: Susan Clarke, Communications, 355-8874.
Homes for Heroes Event – Dave Edwards Toyota is teaming up with Homes for Heroes to say Thank You to teachers and other heroes. Visit Dave Edwards Toyota in Spartanburg on Saturday, May 14, from 11 AM to 2 PM for food, entertainment, and fun. Audience: All Employees. Contact: Joe Pettit, 864-494-41895.
EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS
ALL EMPLOYEES
Gamecock Teacher Appreciation Game Tickets – GCS staff can purchase tickets to a special Teacher Appreciation Day for the USC Gamecock football game against UMass set for Saturday, October 22. A discounted $25 football game ticket will be in Teacher Appreciation section. You will also receive free entrance into the State Fair that day and discounted $5 parking within the State Fairgrounds parking lot on game day. Please see the official event flyer for details on how to purchase the discounted tickets online. Visit https://goo.gl/xpqGYk and use the promo code SCTEACHERS. Audience: All Employees. Contact: Blake Woodward, 803-777-7318.
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
Make Healthy Low-Fat Food Choices at your Next Potluck - Company potlucks are minefields of sweets and other nutritionally unbalanced foods. So, start by putting a few healthy options on your plate with the intention of coming back a second time, which allows the first foods to start filling you up. It sure beats the "I'll have one of everything" approach that many people use at potlucks.
Limit the Damage of Late Night Snack Attack - Midnight munchies can foil hard-earned efforts during the day, so don't give in to temptations. Good choices before bedtime include cottage cheese, hard-boiled eggs, deli meat, and nuts. If you're searching for something sweet, reach for antioxidant-rich fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and citrus fruits, especially grapefruit.
CALENDAR
2015-16 Calendars: Employee, Student, Spanish
Monday, May 30 – Memorial Day Holiday (12-Month Employee Holiday)
May 31-June 2 – Half Days for 4K-12
May 31-June 2 – High School Graduations
Thursday, June 2 – Last Student Attendance Day/End of 4th Quarter
Friday, June 3 – Professional Development Schools – Workday
Monday, June 6 – Professional Development Schools – Workday (Exchange Day #4)
Monday, June 6 – Report Cards
Monday, June 6-Friday, August 5 – 12-Month Employees Four-Day Work Weeks (Work Extended Hours, Closed Fridays)
