December 19, 2018 Edition

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News

Half-Day for Students Friday, December 21

This year’s school calendar includes a half-day for students on Friday, December 21, the last school day prior to the winter break. Half-day school hours are 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. for CDCs and elementary schools, 8:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. for middle schools; and 8:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. for high schools. Lunch will be served and buses will begin their afternoon routes 2.5 hours early. No extended day programs on half-days.

All schools and offices will be closed December 24 through January 4 for Winter Break.

Kindergarten, 1st Grade Registration Extended

We have extended the deadline to register for 5K and first grade to Friday, December 21. Children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2019 must enroll in public or private kindergarten, unless the parent or legal guardian signs a waiver. Any child who will be six years old on or before September 1, 2019 must enroll in first grade. Students who are currently enrolled in a GCS 4K or 5K program do not need to register. What to bring: Visit GCS Website.

Educators Earn, Renew National Board Certification

Five GCS educators have earned National Board Certification (NBC) for the first time, and 43 educators have earned NBC renewals. Greenville County Schools has 694 National Board Certified teachers, one of the teaching profession’s most respected achievements, and we rank 13th in the nation out of more than 14,000 school districts for the total number of NBC teachers. GCS has more National Board Certified teachers than 22 states. See the list of new National Board teachers.

AA/AP Pool Application Open through January 18

Greenville County Schools will open the Administrative Assistant/Assistant Principal (AA/AP) Pool application period on Friday, December 13, 2018 and close on Friday, January 18. Any person who possesses the required certification in Educational Leadership/School Administration and wishes to become an Administrative Assistant or Assistant Principal in Greenville County Schools is encouraged to apply. Current AAs or APs in GCS who want a transfer or promotion to AP are required to apply to the pool per instructions sent directly to you. Details about AA/AP Pool Application

GCS Offers Emergency Text Alerts Through School Messenger

Due to changes in telecommunications laws Greenville County Schools is now able to send emergency text messages to parents through the school messenger system if their listed home phone number is text capable. If you are a parent who would like to receive emergency texts and currently have a landline listed as your home number please fill out the form on the link below and return it to your child’s school.

GCS Offers Emergency Text Alerts Through School Messenger

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary

December 18, 2018

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
Ayden Coleman from Mountain View Elementary School led the GCS Board of Trustees and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ayden loves school and learning. At Mountain View, he is a member of the MVE Chorus and an anchor on the Mountain Morning Wakeup Show. When he is not in school, Ayden enjoys reading everything he can find and creating with Legos. He takes karate at Carolina Karate where he is a green belt.

Student Performance: Mauldin High School Woodwind Trio
Conducted by J. P. Davis, Assistant Band Director

Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - November 27, 2018
Personnel Recommendations -
Nerissa Lewis, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary School Leadership

Appearance of Visitors
None

Superintendent's Report
The Superintendent's Report was given by Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year, Shelley Smith. Ms. Smith used the five chemicals that mix to make a glow stick illuminate to represent how it sometimes takes multiple experiences, opportunities, and interactions mixed just right to help students find their "glow."

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

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons
Committee / Liaison Reports

Mr. Lewis reported that the School Safety sub-committee plans to bring recommendations to the Board in January.

Mrs. Wells reported that the Instructional Policies committee will meet again next month with plans to complete the work of the committee.

Finance Report
Monthly Financial Report - The report was presented as information. Mr. Knotts reported that property tax notices went out later than usual this year.  We are about 5.5% behind in tax revenue from this time last year, but he believes that is due to the delay in the distribution of notices.

The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.