VIP E-Newsletter

February 26, 2020 Edition

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News

Mauldin Elementary Named a Leader in Me Lighthouse School

Mauldin Elementary School has earned international recognition for the quality of their student leadership programs by being named a Lighthouse School by Franklin Covey Co., the worldwide consulting and training group that works with businesses and other institutions to improve performance. Read more about Mauldin Elementary.

Riverside, Wade Hampton High to Offer AP Capstone Diploma Program

Riverside High School and Wade Hampton High School are among approximately 1,800 schools worldwide to implement the AP Capstone Diploma program - an innovative program that allows students to develop the skills that matter most for college success, such as research, collaboration, and communication. The program consists of two courses taken in sequence: AP Seminar and AP Research. Both high schools will start offering AP Seminar in the fall of 2020. Read more about AP Capstone.

Joe Urban Named Education Week’s Leader To Learn From

Greenville County Schools Director of Food and Nutrition Services Joe Urban has been recognized as a Leader To Learn From by Education Week. He joins 11 other innovative district leaders, from superintendents to food-service officers and mental-health service coordinators, to receive the national recognition. The 12 honorees were chosen from among more than 300 nominees submitted by readers, journalists, school administrator groups, and experts in the K-12 field.  Read more about Joe Urban.

Dr. David McDonald Receives Dr. Randy Wall Distinguished Service Award

Dr. David McDonald, Assistant Superintendent for School Leadership/Middle Schools, has been named the recipient of the 2020 Dr. Randy Wall Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented by the South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education (SC-AMLE). Dr. McDonald's 20-year career has demonstrated the deepest levels of commitment to educating the adolescents in South Carolina's middle schools. He has served as a high school social studies teacher, assistant principal, and principal prior to being named Assistant Superintendent. Read more about Dr. David McDonald.

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary

February 25, 2020

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Denver Luke Cummings, a fifth-grade student at Bryson Elementary School.

Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - January 28, 2020
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - February 11, 2020
Home Schooling Applications - 3
Personnel Recommendations - One

Appearance of Visitors
Randy Dunn
Alex Leibowitz
Bob Davis
Tom Mowbray

Superintendent's Report
Dr. Royster recognized a number of schools and individuals who have won state and national awards during the first-half of the school year.  He also displayed the F. Ben Haskew Collaboration Award presented to GCS by the Greater Greenville Chamber last week. GCS partnerships with the Chamber (LaunchGVL), United Way (OnTrack), Greenville Federal Credit Union (The Branch at Greenville High), and Michelin (Reading Challenge) were highlighted in the Chamber program.

ACTION ITEMS

Innovative Course Approvals - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the proposed Local Board Courses as presented.
The following courses were at the honors level under the new South Carolina Honors Rubric:

  • Architecture Foundations 1 Honors
  • Architecture Foundations 2 Honors
  • NJROTC III Honors
  • NJROTC IV Honors
  • AJROTC III Honors
  • AJROTC IV Honors

The following courses were Approved under the innovative course process:

  • Avid II CP
  • Crafts 3 CP
  • Architecture Foundations 1 CP
  • Architecture Foundations 2 CP
  • Film Criticism 2
  • AFJROTC III
  • AFJROTC IV

Right-of-Way for Road Improvements at the New Fountain Inn High School - This item was referred back to the administration to be brought forward at a future meeting of the board.

Information Items

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

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons
Mrs. Goodwin-Calwile shared a profile of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard Ph.D., who is credited with the study of black history in America and the creation of black history month.

Mrs. Wells thanked those who attended the South Carolina School Boards Association Conference and expressed appreciation for the quality of the sessions.

Finance Report
The report was presented as information.

Monthly Finance Report - The report was presented as information.

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.