VIP E-Newsletter

January 24, 2018 Edition

Welcome to VIP E-News, an electronic newsletter that is distributed to GCS employees and community leaders to update them about important GCS news and events. If you have any questions about the Board meeting or news articles, please contact the Communications Department.
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News

Lori Nelson Named SC Elementary School Counselor of the Year

Lori Nelson Named SC Elementary School Counselor of the YearParis Elementary School Counselor Lori Nelson has been named the 2018 South Carolina Elementary School Counselor of the Year. The award was presented last Saturday at the Palmetto State School Counselor Association (PSSCA) annual conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The School Counselor of the Year Award honors counselors who are running top notch, comprehensive school counseling programs. Under Mrs. Nelson's leadership, Paris Elementary received National RAMP (Recognized American School Counseling Association Model Program) designation in 2015. Read more about Lori Nelson.

Mauldin Elementary Earns RAMP Designation for School Counseling

Mauldin Elementary has earned the Recognized American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Model Program (RAMP) designation for their outstanding school counseling programs. The RAMP designation, awarded to schools whose counseling programs align with the criteria set in the ASCA National Model, recognizes schools that are committed to delivering a comprehensive, data driven school counseling program and creating an exemplary educational environment. Mauldin Elementary joins Bell's Crossing Elementary, Paris Elementary, Sevier Middle, Simpsonville Elementary, Wade Hampton High, Welcome Elementary, and Woodland Elementary in receiving the prestigious RAMP designation. Read more about Mauldin Elementary.

Six GCS Educators Earn 2018 National Board Certification

Six GCS educators have earned 2018 National Board Certification (NBC), bringing the district's total number of National Board Certified teachers to 690. National Board Certification is one of the teaching profession's most respected achievements. The teachers are:

  • Betsy Brown, Third Grade, Pelham Road Elementary School
  • Ashlee Corbin, Fourth Grade, Monarch Elementary School
  • Katherine Drennon Dell'Oso, Instructional Coach, Gateway Elementary School
  • Saskia LoVine, Second Grade, Pelham Road Elementary School
  • Ashley Nettles, Kindergarten, Oakview Elementary School
  • Amelia Sinclair, Media Specialist, Greer Middle School

Read more about National Board Certified teachers.

Three District Schools Named Palmetto’s Finest Finalists

Three Greenville County Schools have been named finalists for a Palmetto's Finest. Brushy Creek Elementary, J.L. Mann High and Westcliffe Elementary are among twelve South Carolina schools in the running for the statewide award. Read more about Palmetto’s Finest Finalists.

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
January 23, 2018

Welcome and Prayer - Mrs. Rohleder

Pledge of Allegiance - The Pledge was led by Kenisha Robinson, Southside HS Senior and 4th-year Air Force JROTC Cadet.

Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - December 19, 2017
Personnel Recommendations - None.

Awards Presentation
Presentation of Board Service Award - 10 year pin - Mrs. Glenda Morrison-Fair

Appearance of Visitors
ArchBishop Edmund Cass
Erika Hernandez-Perez
Sarai Bautista
Garrett Whitley
Dolores Bautista
Terrell Brown
Will McCorkle

Superintendent's Report
In this, National School Boards Appreciation Month, Dr. Royster spoke on the history of school boards in this country, which have origins going back to 1640. School Boards have long been an example of local control, local representation, and local decision making. He shared his appreciation to the 12-member Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees for their selfless service to the students and employees of Greenville County Schools.

Action Items

Signing of SCSBA Ethics Statement - As part of SCSBA's School Board Recognition Month, the Board of Trustees officially signed the South Carolina School Board Member Ethical Principles statement publicly pledging to uphold effective governance principles and pledging to improve public education in our district.

Architect Selection for the New Roper Mountain Science Center Environmental Science and Sustainability Building (Executive Session) - Approved recommendation from the Committee of the Whole to approve Firm A to design the new Roper Mountain Science Center Environmental Science and Sustainability Building. The new (approximately 28,800 SF) Roper Mountain Science Center Environmental Science and Sustainability Building will focus on Environmental Science and Sustainability featuring STEM/STEAM-based student-centered labs; open, flexible display areas; and a kitchen with dining space.

Proposed 2018 Master Internal Audit Plan - Approved recommendation from Internal Auditing Services to approve the Proposed Master Internal Audit Plan for the 2018 Calendar Year.

Information Items

Internal Auditing Services' Project Status Report - The report was presented as information.

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons

Committee / Liaison Reports

Mrs. Grayson reported that Advocacy met today to discuss a number of issues.

Mrs. Wells reported that the Instructional Policy Committee will receive an analysis of its teacher survey data soon.

Dr. Ball O'Connor expressed thanks to the Board of Trustees for their participation in both the Strategic Planning Community Meetings and for the workshops associated with the revision of the District's Strategic Plan.

Financial Report

Monthly Financial Report - The report was presented as information.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.