August 15, 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
Middle and High School Educators
Toshiba Grants – Up to $5,000 grants are available to support classroom math and science projects occurring within the school day. Projects should tap into the natural curiosity of students, enable them to frame scientific questions, and incorporate the expertise of community partners. The online application and additional information are available here. Deadline: Rolling.
Contact: Lisa Finley, 355-3113.
K-8 Educators
Kids Run the Nation Grants – K-8 educators are eligible to apply for grants of $500 to $1,000 for after school running programs. Funds can be used for advertising and promotional materials, snacks and hydration supplies, incentives and awards, and written materials for program participants (mileage sheets, etc.). Click here for more information or to access the online application. Deadline: October 1, 2017.
Contact: Lisa Finley, 355-3113.
K-12 Educators
Target Field Trip Grants – Grants of up to $700 are available to K-12 educators to fund field trips that connect classroom curricula to out-of-school experiences. Field trips must occur between January and the end of the school year. Funds can be used to cover transportation, admission fees, food, resource materials, and supplies. To access the online application, click here. Deadline: October 1, 2017.
Contact: Lisa Finley, 355-3113.
Billion Mile Race Walk/Run Equipment Grants – Grants of up to $500 in sports equipment are available to K-12 educators. Winning schools must participate in the Billion Mile Race with a school-based walking or running program. The majority of grants will be awarded to schools serving populations where 50% or more of the students are eligible for the free or reduced price lunch program. A simple, online application process is available here. Deadline: September 15, 2017.
Contact: Lisa Finley, 355-3113.
CHS Classroom Grants –$500 grants will be awarded by National Agriculture in the Classroom for classroom projects that use agriculture concepts to teach reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, etc. Proposed projects should include use of lesson plans from the National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix OR a state Agriculture in the Classroom program. For additional information and to access the online application, click here. Deadline: September 15, 2017.
Contact: Lisa Finley, 355-3113.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Click HERE for Human Resources Home Page
NOTICES/REQUESTS
Reminder - Check Your Tax Withholding Status - It’s a good time to check your tax withholding status to avoid having too much or too little federal income tax withheld from your paychecks. The IRS encourages a review of withholding amounts recognizing that life events can impact exemptions, such as marital status and pay increases [IRS, IR-2017-121 , 7-20-17. To change your withholding status or number of allowances, you need to update your Form W-4 in Lawson Employee Space.
The IRS offers several online resources including:
• IRS Withholding Calculator
• Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax
• Tax withholding information page
Payroll staff cannot provide tax advice to employees.
Contact: Jamie McCutcheon, 355-1182
2017-2018 Safety/Ethics Training for All Employees – Mandatory (SafeSchools) safety training courses were available online beginning July 1. The courses should be accessed using the Google Chrome browser: click on the Employee Portal, then click on Safety Training. After logging in, employees will see their required courses, including several new, district produced videos. Each course should be viewed in its entirety, applicable quizzes taken and completed by the deadline of Friday, September 15. Your location’s designated Safety Administrator is responsible for assisting with access or viewing issues, monitoring progress, and notifying employees about incomplete courses.
Contact: Tina Carr, 355-1183.
2017-18 Upstate Schools Consortium Seminars - Click here for seminar descriptions and registration information.
Contact: Karen Kapp, 355-3894
SCASCD Membership - SCASCD is offering free membership to all first year teachers in our state. In addition, first year teachers are offered a rate of $25 for the upcoming fall conference, highlighting Baruti Kafele (who plans to address The Attitude Gap). First year principals are also offered a rate of $25 for the conference, with active membership!
Contact: Karen Kapp, 355-3894
Hepatitis B Vaccine - The Hepatitis B vaccine is offered to Category 1 employees or those considered by the District OSHA guidelines as being High Risk for Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure. Please click here for a list of those employee categories. To Obtain Hepatitis B vaccines call Catherine A. Storey.
Contact: Catherine A. Storey, 355-3171.
Safe Schools Training for Category 1 Employees - All Category 1 employees must have written verification of their Safe Schools Training. Click here for instructions on Training of Category 1 employees. Please share with all employees.
Contact: Catherine A. Storey, 355-3171.
Influenza Vaccine Clinic - An Influenza vaccine clinic will be offered for employees, retirees, and their families in three District influenza clinics. The vaccines will be offered on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at M.T. Anderson Support Center, Conference C (101) from 2:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.; on Wednesday October 11, 2017, Central Office Board Room, from 2:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, October 17, 2017, Space Drive, from 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Click here for a sign–up sheets Central Office & MT Anderson clinic locations, or Space Drive clinic location. Please forward sign-up sheets by email or FAX to Cathie Storey, by Monday October 2, 2017. The State Health Plan covers Influenza Vaccine and administration for employees and family members on the employees State Plan. Cost for Non-insured is $31.99.
Contact: Catherine A. Storey, fax 355-2062, phone 355-3171.
EAP Balanced Living Newsletter - The Employee Assistance Program, Espyr, has distributed the August edition of their Balanced Living newsletter. Topics include Communicating for Success, The Many Benefits of Sharing, and How to Keep Your Gums and Teeth Healthy. Click here for more information on Espyr and use password GCS.
Contact: Benefits or call (864) 355-0960.
Preretirement Seminar Scheduled - The South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA) wants to share information about upcoming retirement options so you can make the decisions that are best for you. This one day seminar (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.), to be held on Monday, September 18 at Greenville Tech, provides an overview of the benefits you can expect to receive from your PEBA-administered retirement plan and goes over a few things you need to consider as you approach retirement eligibility, including eligibility for retiree insurance, Medicare and insurance coverage options in retirement. Presenters from PEBA, the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, and the Social Security Administration will be on hand to provide you with helpful information to successfully navigate the retirement process. Employees can register here.
Contact: communications@peba.gov
EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS
Bon Secours St. Francis Free Health Classes - Bon Secours St. Francis Health System offers an array of complementary healthyU classes. Click on the links for a list of education classes to be held in August, September, and October. Classes are held at St. Francis Millennium, 2 Innovation Drive. Please call 864-400-3651 to register.
Contact: Cliff Floyd, Bon Secours St. Francis Business Health Services.
Catherines Educator Appreciation Weekend – Catherines women’s clothing store, located in the Verdae Marketfair on Laurens Road, is hosting an Educator Appreciation Weekend Thursday, August 24 through Sunday, August 27, with 40% off original prices with your school ID. Please see attached flyer for details.
Contact: Jessica Williams, Manager of Communications.
School Supply Drive - Tucanos Brazilian Grill, 1025 Woodruff Road, is hosting a school supply drive to support Greenville County Schools through Sunday, August 20. All school supplies are welcomed. Donors will be given a free Brazilian Lemonade coupon and Tucanos will also provide free desserts to area teachers with a valid school ID, as a thank you for their hard work and dedication, and to welcome them into the new school year.
Contact: Sara Dolan, 235-8330.
Chico’s Educator Appreciation Day – Chico’s at The Shops at Greenridge is hosting an Educator Appreciation Day on Saturday, August 19. The event will include 40% off your entire purchase, plus food, drinks and a chance to win a basket of school supplies. Click here for flyer.
Contact: Nancy Todaro, Assistant Store Manager, 864.284.6121.
MISCELLANEOUS
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
Eclipse Viewing - The only safe way to view the upcoming eclipse is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun; they transmit thousands of times too much sunlight. If you plan to view the eclipse have a safe place to watch the event. Do not attempt to drive while viewing the eclipse.
CALENDAR
Monday, August 21 Professional Development Work Day—Schools-Workday
Tuesday, August 22 First Day of School 4K-12
Monday, September 4 Labor Day Holiday (12-Month Employee Holiday)
Friday, September 15 Deadline to complete Safety/Ethics Training, Use Google Chrome browser:
click on the Employee Portal, then click on Safety Training.
Tuesday, October 10 Influenza Vaccine Clinic, M.T. Anderson Support Center, Conference C (101)
2:00 p.m.—5:30 p.m. Email sign-up sheet to Catherine A. Storey, or
fax to 355-2062
Wednesday, October 11 Influenza Vaccine Clinic, Central Office Board Room, 2:30 p.m.—6:30 p.m.
Email sign-up sheet to Catherine A. Storey, or fax to 355-2062
Tuesday, October 17 Influenza Vaccine Clinic, Space Drive, 8:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
Email sign-up sheet to Catherine A. Storey, or fax to 355-2062
2017-18 Calendars: Employee, Student, Spanish
