September 14, 2018 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
Introducing the New Grants Website - Are you looking for a way to fund a new, innovative classroom project or to purchase technology for your classroom? We are excited to announce that we have added a new grants website that lists grant opportunities offered by a variety of corporations and foundations. Each listing includes a brief description of the types of projects the funder is interested in supporting. The grants page is continually being updated with new grants. Click here for more information.
Contact: Lisa Finley, Grant Writer, 355-3113.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Click HERE for Human Resources Home Page
NOTICES/REQUESTS
Supplemental Long Term Disability Rate Increase effective September 1 - The insurance premiums for the PEBA Supplemental Long Term Disability (SLTD) insurance coverage are increasing effective September 1, 2018. Employees currently enrolled will have a premium increase beginning with their 09/14/2018 paycheck. Employees that are impacted by this change received an individual email. If you are enrolled in SLTD coverage, please review your 9/14/2018 online paystub, and, if you have any questions, contact the Benefits Department.
Contact: Benefits Department, 355-0960
Open Enrollment for Employee Benefits Insurance Coverage (through October 31, 2018) – Due to Affordable Care Act compliance, all eligible employees, including new hires and working retirees, must attend a meeting with a Ward Services counselor to document the offer of health insurance coverage. To prepare for your individual meeting, click HERE for the Open Enrollment Highlights document. Ward Services has also prepared a video overview. Click HERE to view the 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 2019 Insurance Summary. The printed version of the PEBA Insurance Summary will be distributed by courier as soon as it’s available. You may also visit PEBA’s Open Enrollment website for additional information. For additional questions, contact the Benefits Department Contact: Benefits Department, 355-0960
AdvancED Preparation – AdvancED is the entity that provides accreditation to schools and colleges throughout the nation. Greenville County Schools first earned district-wide accreditation in 2008, which takes some of the accreditation burden off individual schools. An AdvancED Engagement Team consisting of about 25 people will be in Greenville October 14-17. While here, they will visit more than 20 schools and conduct interviews with teachers, students, school staff, school administrators, district administrators, board members, and parents. Their questions will center around whether we do the things we say we do, such as: having a community-influenced strategic plan, providing opportunities for input through organizations such as PTA and SIC, providing diverse learning opportunities for students, providing support and remediation when needed, etc. Please refer to this one page (front and back) summary for important information regarding the AdvancED visit. You may also want to review the Blueprint 2023 ebook, which provides more information on our most recent strategic planning process.
Contacts: Teri Brinkman, 355-8871, or Jason McCreary, 355-3368
STAFF DEVELOPMENT & LEADERSHIP
Renew with ETV Teacher Recertification: FALL Session 2018 - Click here for more information.
— Approved by the SC Department of Education for SC teachers
— Content-rich, 20 credits each Renewal Courses
— Facilitated online/self-paced, 24/7 access, $75 each
— Session dates October 1 thru December 4 (Start work October 1 or later/Complete by December 4)
Registration is open Sept. 4 through Oct. 16, 2018.
Upstate Schools Consortium - Registration for the 2018-2019 Upstate Schools Consortium seminars is open. Please visit the Consortium website here to learn more about each seminar or to register. Teachers will receive renewal certification credit for attending. These seminars are FREE to GCS educators.
Contact: Karen Kapp, 355-3894
Content Collaboration, Open to All, Relationship Building, Encouragement and Support - Two of our GCS Master Teachers are inviting secondary level colleagues across the district to participate in core collaborations. See info here. Content Collaboration, Open to all, Relationship building, Encouragement and support. At the CORE, this is an opportunity for teachers to share knowledge, innovations, struggles, and ideas with teachers who are teaching the same class at different schools. This is a Professional Learning Community that goes beyond your own hallways. Teachers will collaborate to create and plan units, discuss challenges they are facing with teaching the content, and develop instructional strategies. This is a professional development made by teachers, for teachers! All are welcome! Click here for portal sign up.
Contact: Karen Kapp, 355-3894
Master Teacher Applications due September 27, 2018 - Greenville County Schools is pleased to partner with Clemson University’s Teacher Residency program. We are ready to select 8-10 Master Teachers for Cohort 2. Residents complete 5 years in a teacher preparation program, exiting with a Master’s degree. Master Teachers host these residents as co-teachers and will be provided professional development in a Master Teacher Institute. Coursework required of Master Teachers will be at no cost, and comprise 3 of the 5 courses needed to achieve an expected SC endorsement as Instructional Coach/Specialist. The opportunity for this cohort is open to Elementary teachers, and High School teachers of Mathematics, and Biology. Please see the Selection Timeline and Institute information along with Application for Master Teacher Role and recommendations forms attached. Attach applicationand required documentation in an email to apply-masterteacher@greenville.k12.sc.us by September 27, 2018. Principal recommendation form and any second recommendation must be submitted by the reference source to the same address by September 27, 2018.
Contact: Lacey Cobb, 355-2756
Professional Development Series - Register on the GCS Portal for The Brain on Poverty and What We Can Do About It scheduled on October 22 from 9-11 AM at MT Anderson.
Contact: TJ Rumler, 355-2069
EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS
GCS Rewards Discount Program – Are you ready to enjoy some new discounts? Stax Omega and Stax Bakery have joined our program with a 20% discount, and Tsunami is offering 10% off food purchases. There are limited time offers for Liberty University and Sprint, and HP is offering special pricing on computers. Check out all the discounts at www.gcsrewards.org.
Contact: Susan Clarke, 355-8874.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT TIPS AND REMINDERS
Energy Saving Tip - Keep the blinds closed to reduce the temperature in classrooms and offices.
Reminder - Lamps may be used in classrooms and offices under the following conditions:
Lamps utilize LED bulbs.
Lamps are used instead if ceiling fixtures, not in addition to ceiling fixtures.
Fun Fact - Replacing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs can reduce the lighting portion of your electric bill by as much as 80%.
Website - Visit our department website for contacts, policies, news, downloads and other information.
Twitter - https://twitter.com/GCSEnergyMGMT
Contact: Tim Berklich, 355-7777
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
Flood Waters—With possible flooding predicted this weekend because of Hurricane Florence, please stay safe and remember to never drive through flood waters.
Exercise - Research shows that just 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise can help improve your health.
Good News for Coffee Drinkers—Coffee has been unfairly demonized. The truth is that it's actually very healthy. Coffee is high in antioxidants, and studies show that coffee drinkers live longer and have a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's & numerous other diseases.
CALENDAR
Sept. 17 through Oct. 31 Open Enrollment for Employee Benefits Insurance Coverage
Thursday, September 27 Application Deadline—Clemson University’s Teacher Residency Program
Thursday, October 4 Influenza Vaccine—One Space Drive, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. - sign up sheet
Monday, October 8 Influenza Vaccine—Central Office, Board Room, 3-6 pm - sign up sheet
Thursday, October 11 Influenza Vaccine—MT Anderson, Conf. Room C, 3-6:00 p.m. - sign up sheet
Tuesday, October 16 Registration Deadline—Renew with ETV Teacher Recertification FALL Session
Sun, Oct 14—Wed, Oct 17 AdvancED Accreditation External Team Visit
October 18-19 Whole Child Conference, Brookland Conference Center, West Columbia
Monday, October 22 Schools—Flex Day (Exchange Day #1) - Professional Development Day
Tuesday, October 30 Required Customer Service Training, 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Buck Mickel Center, Greenville Technical College, 216 S. Pleasantburg Dr. 29607
Monday, November 5 Schools—Flex Day (Exchange Day #2) - Professional Development Day
Tuesday, November 6 Election Day — 12-Month Employee Holiday
Thursday, November 15 Required Customer Service Training, 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Buck Mickel Center, Greenville Technical College, 216 S. Pleasantburg Dr. 29607
Wed.-Thurs., Nov. 21-23 Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 16—Jan. 21, 2019 Ice on Main Field Trips
2018-19 Calendars: Employee, Student, Spanish
