January 13, 2017                                              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

Technology Grants– K-12 teachers are invited to apply for technology grants through DirectStarTV. Applicant must write an essay on the impact the proposed technology will have on their students. The top 3 submissions featuring the most innovative and beneficial uses will be awarded a $1,000 grant to purchase technology for the classroom. Visit the website for additional information. Deadline: February 24, 2017.
Contact: Lisa Finley, 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 18, 2017.
Contact: Lisa Finley, 355-3113

Voya Unsung Heroes– 100 grants of $2,000 are awarded to K-12 projects that utilize new teaching methods and techniques to improve learning. Projects are judged on innovative methods, creativity, and ability to positively influence students. Three of the 100 grants awarded are selected to receive additional funding. To see a list of previous winners and to apply, click here. Deadline: April 30, 2017.
Contact: Lisa Finley, 355-3113

All K-5 Educators

Lily Sarah Grace Foundation – Foundation is awarding grants of up to $450 for teacher-initiated projects in Title 1 schools that foster an arts-infused approach to inquiry-based learning. Projects should incorporate the five C’s – community, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication. The online application and grant criteria are available here.  Deadline: April 30, 2017.
Contact: Lisa Finley, 355-3113

High Schools

Vans Custom Culture Art Competition – Competition involves designing, decorating, and completing four original shoe works of art based on four different themes: Action Sports, Music, Art, and Local Flavor. Top 50 submissions advance to a voting phase with the top five schools advancing to a final event. Winning school receives $50,000 for its arts program. No purchase required. Additional rules and registration form are here. Register by February 10, 2017, Winners announced in June.
Contact: Lisa Finley, 355-3113

HUMAN RESOURCES

2017 Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Short-Term Program—Opportunities Abroad for U.S. K-12 Educators - The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Short-Term Program is a unique international professional development opportunity for 2-6 weeks via the Fulbright Program. You may be eligible if you are a primary and/or secondary classroom teacher, guidance counselor, curriculum specialist, gifted and talented or special education coordinator, media specialist/librarian, or other type of K-12 educator that spends at least 50% of your time working with students. Through the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program, U.S. K-12 teachers and educators can apply for grants to engage in collaborative projects abroad. Participants consult with and support projects with schools, non-profit organizations teacher training institutions, and other educational organizations abroad. The grant award funds travel costs, lodging, meals, local transportation, and related costs.

Teachers may travel to Botswana, Colombia, India, Mexico, the Palestinian Territories, South Korea, or Vietnam.  View individual project summaries for details on program opportunities. Start your application today. Application deadline is February 15, 2017. Click for Eligibility Requirements or Questions and Application Information. This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is administered by the Institute of International Education.

Teacher Survey - The annual 2016-2017 GCS Teacher Survey is coming soon.  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. Be looking for an e-mail from Human Resources on Monday, January 16. This e-mail will have the internet link to the survey.  The survey opens that day and will remain active until 4 p.m. on Friday, January 27.  New for this year are fewer survey questions and inquiries about personal demographics have been removed. 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.

The survey must be completed in one session, therefore, please plan to participate at a time you are least likely to be interrupted. Survey time is usually 20 minutes and it may be completed at school or home from any device with an internet connection.
Contact:  Marque Kilpatrick, GCS Human Resources, 355-3977.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Click HERE for Human Resources Home Page

NOTICES/REQUESTS

W-2 Form Availability - Each calendar year, all district employees receive an IRS Form W-2 Wage and Tax statement.  Employees have the option of electronic form delivery through GCS Document Self-Service or by receiving a printed/mailed W-2.

             .   To help understand your W-2, please read the 2016 W-2 information document here.
             .   The electronic W-2, GCS Document Self Service process information is available here.
             .   If already registered for GCS Document Self Service, your W-2 will be available on or before
                 January 31, here.

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 January 31, 2017. 
Contact: Payroll Call Center, 355-0920, or payroll@greenville.k12.sc.us.

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 2016 tax return, the form is not required for filing your tax return. Details about the electronic 1095-C process and a FAQ document are available here. 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 network.  This allows employees access to their electronic 1095-C with security from outside threat. 
Contact: Benefits, 355-0960

Open Enrollment/Insurance Payroll Deductions on January 13, 2017 Paycheck - Insurance coverage elected during open enrollment was effective on January 1, 2017. Even if you made no changes, you may see different deduction amounts for Supplemental Long Term Disability and Optional Life insurance premiums due to salary and age bracket changes. Please review your insurance coverages and deductions on your online paystub and contact benefits with any questions or concerns.
Contact: Benefits, 355-0960

PEBA Insurance Benefits Guide Booklet - As stated in the 2016 Benefits Advantage newsletter you received in September, we want to remind you that the PEBA Insurance Benefits Guide will no longer be printed and distributed to active insurance subscribers. The complete 2017 PEBA Insurance Benefits Guide is available for viewing, searching, or downloading by going here and clicking on the Insurance Benefits Guide icon at the top of the page.  Contact: Benefits, 355-0960.

2017 State Health Plan Changes - The following items are now available for eligible State Health Plan (Standard and Savings Plan) primary members.

Blue CareOnDemand - State Health Plan primary members enrolled in the Standard Plan or Savings Plan have access to a new telehealth option, Blue CareOnDemand. This platform, operated by BlueCross' telehealth partner, American Well, focuses on live video visits, and uses on-demand technology in which you can request a visit and connect with a provider in less than two minutes. Members can register and access the service at www.BlueCareOnDemandSC.com.

Colorectal cancer screenings - As part of the State Health Plan's coverage for routine and diagnostic colonoscopies, an early detection take-at-home test is also covered. Both screenings are available to eligible members at no cost. Learn more about this 2017 PEBA Perks at www.PEBAperks.com.

Coming Attractions: Maternity Management - This program offers pregnant women and new moms educational materials and counseling sessions conducted by nurses. State Health Plan primary members can sign up for the program to learn how to receive an Ameda electric or manual breast pump from a contracted health care provider at no charge. Learn more about this 2017 PEBA Perks at www.PEBAperks.com.

Pap Test Benefit - As part of the pap test benefit, based on the recommendation of the United States Preventive Services Task Force, the Standard Plan and Savings Plan both cover the human papillomavirus (HPV) test every five years in conjunction with a Pap test at no cost to eligible women ages 30 through 65. Learn more about the Pap test benefit at http://peba.sc.gov/valuebasedbenefits.html.

Contact: Benefits Department, 355-0960

Employee Assistance Program Newsletter – The GCS Employee Assistance Program has published a new edition of the Balanced Living newsletter. Topics in this edition include Over 65, Busy Lives Aren’t Generally Lonely Lives, Creating Your First Budget, and Neurobics: Brain Exercises for On the Job. Employees are encouraged to Also, join the EAP’s live webinar, “Quality of Life,” on Tuesday, January 17 at 12 PM. Register for the 12pm (Eastern) session here.  For more information about the Employee Assistance Program, please visit https://www.eapconsultants.com/sign-in/. Enter the password GCS.
Contact:  Marque Kilpatrick, GCS Human Resources, 355-3977.

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

Golden Apple Rewards Discount Program - Check out the website at www.goldenapplerewards.com for the latest additions to the discount program. Recently added: H & R Block and Josey’s.
Contact: Susan Clarke, 355-8874.

Bon Secours Wellness Arena – New discounts include Monster Jam, Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus XTreme, Casting Crowns, the Swamp Rabbits, and the Harlem Globetrotters. Click here for complete information. Contact: Lisa Crawford, lcrawford@bswarena.com

MISCELLANEOUS

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.

HEALTH AND WELLNESSS

Learn About Fat - Try lower calorie or lower fat foods, like baked chips, reduced-sugar cereals or low-fat dressings. A good rule of thumb when you’re reading food labels is that for every 100 calories, if the product has 3 grams of fat or less, it’s a low-fat product. This means 30% or less of the calories come from fat.

Make Household Chores Fun - Increase household activities (e.g., walking the dog, dusting, vacuuming, gardening). These activities are good ways to burn calories as well as to stretch and tone your muscles.

CALENDAR

Friday, January 13                   Professional Development Workday (AM District, PM Schools Flex,
                                                    Exchange Day # 3)

Sunday, January 15                 Deadline to complete the Bank Vacation form. Submit form to
                                                    HRProcessingCenter@greenville.k12.sc.us

Monday, January 16                Martin Luther King Jr Day (Holiday for Students and 12-Month Employees)

Monday, February 20               Presidents’ Day (Holiday for Students and 12-Month Employees)

2016-17 Calendars: Employee, Student, Spanish