October 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

K-12 Educators

Annie’s Grants for Gardens – K-12 schools are invited to apply for $3,000 grants to support a new or existing edible school garden. Funds may be used to purchase any supplies and/or equipment necessary. Click here to get grant writing tips and access the online application. Deadline: November 11, 2017; Winners notified February 2018
Contact: Lisa Finley, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

K-8 Educators

Technology Teacher Grant – Grants of up to $1,000 (1^st & 2^nd place) and $500 (3^rd- 6^th place) will be awarded for classroom supplies, educational subscriptions, apps for students, and more. To apply, K-12 educators must submit a tech-focused lesson plan that teaches the importance of technology. Lesson plans should include lessons, handouts, homework assignments, hands-on learning, in-class demonstrations, benchmarks, etc. For more information and to access the online application, click here. Deadline: December 9, 2017; Notification January 2018
Contact: Lisa Finley, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

K-5 Educators

Maureen Hayes Author/Illustrator Award – Elementary schools are invited to apply for a $4,000 award to fund a visit from an author/illustrator. The award covers the honorarium and travel expenses only of the visiting author/illustrator. All publicity and events surrounding the visit are the responsibility of the school. School must have personal memberships in the ALA and the ALSC. The online application and additional information, including previous winners, is available here. Deadline: November 15, 2017
Contact: Lisa Finley, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

Students in Grades 5 - 12

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards – Students in grades 5 through 12 are eligible to win $1,000 (State Honorees) or $5,000 (National Honoree) for outstanding service to others. Applicants must have engaged in a volunteer activity in the previous 12 months. Judging will begin in late November with results announced in February 2018. State honorees will the attend an April national event during which 10 of the state honorees will be selected as National Honorees. To access the online application, click here. Deadline: November 7, 2017
Contact: Lisa Finley, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Click HERE for Human Resources Home Page

NOTICES/REQUESTS

Open Enrollment for Insurance Coverage (continues through October 31, 2017)  -  For Affordable Care Act compliance, all eligible employees, including new hires and working retirees, must meet with a Ward Services counselor to document the offer of health insurance coverage. Click HERE for the Open Enrollment Highlights document or click HERE to view the Ward Services Open Enrollment video; click on the red box, “Click here to learn all about the benefits available to you.” Click on the drop down arrow, click on Greenville and click submit to start the video. Click HERE for the PEBA 2018 Insurance Summary. A printed version was distributed to schools/locations.   

All 2018 benefits enrollment changes must be completed by 11:59 pm on 10/31/2017. No late changes will be accepted. If you missed your individual benefits meeting at your school/location, you can come to the Central Office on 10/27/2017, 10/30/2017 or 10/31/2017 from 8 am-5 pm to make changes. Please be aware that these meetings are on a first come, first serve basis.  All required supporting documentation for Open Enrollment changes must be submitted by 11/15/2017. Reminder: Medical Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Spending Accounts do not rollover. You must re-enroll in these benefit plans annually.
Contact: Benefits Department, 355-0960.

Office Support Staff: All Schools - On October 19, Greenville County Schools will offer a two-hour session to support office staff as they provide excellent customer service in our schools. Our Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Mason Gary, will provide inspiration for our daily attention to the needs of our customers and we will hear from our corporate partners about how to provide an experience that customers appreciate.

Registration is open to any school-based clerical or secretarial staff. Registration will be on the professional development portal, titled Customer Service Awareness. Participants may choose the morning session, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. or the afternoon session, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Both meetings will be held at League Academy in the Auditorium. League Academy is located at 125 Twin Lake Drive in Greenville.  
Contact: Karen Kapp, 355-3894

Clemson University M.Ed. Information - For teachers interested in becoming certified in teaching ESOL:  Starting this spring, Clemson University College of Education will be offering the ESOL add on certification courses online. The five required courses will be offered fully online from Spring 2018 through Fall 2018. Click here for more information about the certification.

For teachers interested in attaining their full Masters of Education in Literacy, Clemson University offers the program with two possible endorsements: Literacy Coaching and ESOL. Additionally, all Read to Succeed coursework is completed through the M.Ed. Click here for more information about the degree.
Contact: Karen Kapp, 355-3894

Spring 2018 Train the Trainer Course for Secondary Disciplinary Literacy - The Greenville County Schools Academics Division is seeking applicants to participate in a Spring 2018 Read to Succeed graduate course that will fulfill your Read to Succeed endorsement requirement and certify you as a trainer of this course material for the 2018-2019 school year.  This course and materials will be provided at no charge to you.  Applicants will be selected based on meeting the minimum requirements and responses to the questions below.

If selected, you are committing to the following: 1) Attend an information/registration session on November 30, 2017, 4:30-6:30 at M.T. Anderson Support Center; 2) Complete the course requirements during spring 2018 (course meetings will be held on Thursdays, 4:30-6:30/January 11-April 19, no class Spring Break week); 3) Teach this course at least once during the 2018-2019 school year for approximately 25 participants. 

You will receive all of the materials and content necessary to teach as part of the spring 2018 course content. Your compensation for teaching one course is $3,000. Priority consideration will be given to current GCS classroom teachers. 

In order to apply and be considered for the spring course, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: 1) Five years teaching experience; 2) Master’s degree; 3) Current SCSDE certification in content area at middle or secondary level (PK-12 certification for PE/Health; Fine Arts).

Application must be submitted by November 15 in order to be considered.  Applicants will be notified of status no later than November 22, 2017. Link to application is https://goo.gl/skBDjV
Contact:  Debbie Barron, 355-3191.

2017-18 Center for Executive Education Leadership (CEEL) Development Programs: 
SCASA offers excellent leadership development courses for school administrators.
View session descriptions and register at www.scasa.org or www.scceel.org

Aspiring Leaders (in-classroom leaders who want to explore administration):

Year One Series – Click here to register for the series.
October 24, 2017 - How Can I Know if School Leadership is Right for Me?
February 28, 2018 - Preparing for the Role of School Leadership

Individual Sessions for Aspiring Leaders
November 8, 2017 - Assertiveness Skills
January 17, 2018 - Effective Listening Skills in Your New Role
February 21, 2018 - Moving Up and Learning to Manage

Assistant Principals
November 1, 2017 - Fundamentals of Strategic Planning
November 29, 2017 - Planning and Data-driven Decision-making
January 24, 2018 - So You're a Principal: Now What?
February 14, 2018 - Art of Effective Communication
March 7, 2018 – Selecting Your Team
March 21, 2018 - Balancing Priorities
Contact: Karen Kapp, 355-3894

Webinar Invitation: Affordable online graduate study at CCU - Coastal Carolina University invites you to a short webinar on graduate study options in the exciting field of Instructional Technology! Participants will see and hear our IT faculty explain how the 100% online Certificate, Master’s and Ed.S. programs can improve teaching and learning in online, blended, and classroom settings, qualify you for M-level and M+30 pay grades, as well as earn additional licensure credentials, such as the add-on endorsement in online teaching. Faculty will also discuss the new tuition discounts available - Wednesday, October 25^th at 5 pm.  Visit here for complete information.
Contact: Joe Winslow

Middle and High School Mathematics – Upstate Consortium Seminar: Seats are available for  the next Upstate Schools Consortium seminar with Pam Harris. See attached.
Contact: Karen Kapp, 355-3894

Benefits from Liberty University - Liberty University is pleased to announce that all Greenville County Schools employees and spouses are now eligible to receive the following benefits:

             15% Advantage tuition discount* toward any degree program
             Emergency responder personnel discount and Military benefits
             Life experience/Transfer credit
             Free Microsoft Office 365
             Personal representative at Liberty for your Human Resources office and employees

Liberty features more than 250 online programs—all of which provide a flexible, eight-week format..Click here to find out more about Liberty. If you are a current  Liberty student, contact them to have the tuition discount* applied to your account for future classes.

Upcoming start dates are October 30, 20147; January 22, 20185; and February 19, 2018.

*Note, this discount does not cover any tuition amount already paid by you or your employer and is not stackable with military discounts.
Contact: Karen Kapp, 355-3894

Furman University Evening Studies Now Accepting Applications for Spring 2018 - Set yourself apart.  Achieve your goals.  Advance your career.  Whether you are just starting your college education, or continuing after time away from the classroom, Furman can help you: Finish your bachelor's degree - Prepare for graduate school -  Add valuable credentials to your resume - Expand into high-demand, high-paying fields and positions. The Spring Semester Application Deadline is November 1, 2017. Classes start January 3, 2018.

Furman Evening Studies offers Bachelor's Degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, Information Technology, and a minor in Environmental Studies. If you already have a degree but are seeking ways to expand your career options and increase your value in the workplace, there are Post-Baccalaureate Certificates in Data Analytics and Accounting.  Furman also offers non-degree programs that will provide the necessary prerequisites for MBA and MAcc programs as well as CPA and CMA licensure. Click Here to Schedule A Free Advising Session. 

For answers to questions such as: How long will it take to graduate, and will my previous college credits transfer?  Since the answers are individual to your situation, Furman recommends a free advisory consultation with one of their admission counselors to help determine if Furman is right for you.  In-person consultations or conference calls are available during the day as well as early evening after work. 

Designed with the working adult in mind, Furman Evening Studies provide small classes, individualized advising, dedicated instructors, and all the advantages of a nationally-renowned university at an affordable cost.  Most of the courses meet one night a week, Monday - Thursday from 6:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. on the Furman campus or at the University Center of Greenville.  Apply Today!  For information on the Application Process, Click Here.
Contact: UES@Furman.edu, 864.294.2155

Using Technology to Improve Student Learning - The Center of Excellence for Mobile Learning (CML) at Anderson University invites teachers to participate in their 2017-2018 Institute designed to increase teachers use of technologies in ways that lead to improved student learning.  Teachers will participate in classroom-based research, attend and present at selected technology conferences, become active contributors to the CML website, and engage with education and technology faculty and peers through online and seated professional meetings.  Please see the attached flyer for additional information.
Contact: Karen Kapp, 355-3894

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

Ballet Spartanburg - Ballet Spartanburg is offering discounted tickets to staff and families for their upcoming series of performances. All GCS employees and families (adults, seniors, students) may enjoy a $10 ticket price for any performance. The series includes Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Decada, and The Great Gatsby. Call the box office at 864-542-2787 to reserve seats.

HealthyU Classes - Bon Secours St. Francis Health System offers an array of complementary healthyU classes. Click here for a list of November education classes. Classes are held at St. Francis Millennium, 2 Innovation Drive. To register, please call 864-400-3651.

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

October is breast cancer awareness month.  Be sure to schedule regular screenings, be aware of family history, develop a healthy lifestyle and know what to look for. 

Scare off those Halloween candy cravings.  If you buy candy for trick-or-treaters, buy only enough for the kids.  Wait until Halloween day to buy the candy, so the in house sweets aren’t haunting you throughout October. 

CALENDAR

Sunday, October 15                 Deadline—Submission to the New Employee Spotlight Program

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

Thursday, October 19             Flex (Ex. Day #1)

Friday, October 20                   Flex (Ex. Day #2)

Through October 31                 Open Enrollment for Insurance Coverage

November 22-24                      Thanksgiving Break


2017-18 Calendars: Employee, Student, Spanish