VIP Newsletter

VIP E-Newsletter
May 25, 2022 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.
subscribe | update your information.

Please "Like" us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/gcschools) and follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/gcschools). Our Facebook page is updated often with new and exciting information about our students, staff, and schools. We also encourage you to share GCS Facebook posts with your friends. Ask them to "Like" us on Facebook so they can be informed about their public schools.

News

Riverside High School Student Named 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholar

Nyah Joudeh, a senior at Riverside High School, has been named a 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholar. Riverside High School Principal, Darah Huffman shares, "Nyah truly is the epitome of a Riverside High School student. Not only is she reaching higher standards in the classroom; she tasks herself to be the best in all of her endeavors. Her empathy for others is inspiring as she is steadily seeking ways to better her community. This amazing recognition serves as a reflection of Nyah's commitment to her values, but it is merely a step in her lifelong quest of academia and medical service. We are honored to have Nyah as a student and future alumna of Riverside High School." 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 scholars in the arts and 20 scholars in career and technical education.

2022 SC Work-Based Learning Student of the Year announced

On behalf of the South Carolina Department of Education, and Greenville County Schools Office of Career and Technical Education and Student Transition Services, we congratulate Christian Matthew Shenton, the 2022 recipient of the South Carolina Work-Based Learning Student of the Year. This award recognizes a student who exemplifies sound work-based practices while applying academia to real-life, real-work, and real-world situations in the business/industry environment. Matthew will be honored at the 2022 SC Education and Business Summit to be held in Greenville, SC, in June. We are also proud of Enoree Career Center as the educational institution representing the overall state winner for the 2022 SC Work-Based Learning Student of the Year.

Three GCS schools receive 2021-22 Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools award

Chandler Creek Elementary School, Greer Middle School and League Academy have been chosen as National Showcase Schools® for excellence in education. Schools are chosen annually through a rigorous selection process that includes measuring key performance indicators, gathering campus data, and surveying staff and students. The results represent the implementation of CKH processes as well as the culture and climate on each campus. Capturing Kids' Hearts celebrates campuses where educators are exceeding expectations and creating an environment where students feel safe, connected, and eager to learn. This year's selection process began with 608 campuses and resulted in 378 awardees.

Board Meeting Summary

May 24, 2022

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance – Josef Hamilton, Tigerville Elementary School
Student Performance – Mauldin Middle School Mustang Choir Ensemble

Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Board Luncheon – April 25, 2022
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - April 26, 2022
Minutes, FY 23 Budget First Reading – May 12, 2022

Approvals and Introduction of New Assistant Principals

Brian Ferguson, Carolina High School
Matthew Hurst, Greenville High School
Randy Jenkins, Berea High School
Dalton Knight, Carolina High School
Brittany McCants, Wade Hampton High School
Danielle Orgovan, Riverside Middle School
Leroy Platt, Tanglewood Middle School
Corey Ramey, Northwest Middle School
Kenneth Skipper, Hillcrest High School
Jonathan Stauffer, West Greenville Middle School Alternative Program
Morgan Warner, Riley Child Development Center
Dr. Paketrice White, Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle School

Appearance of Visitors

Dana Fisher - Sexually Explicit Material in School
Susana Saravia – School Books
Deborah Mclemore - Greenville County Reading Books in Schools
Lisa Head – Book
Mitzi Adams – Inappropriate Books in School
Olympia Eddy - Book in Question, George
Laura Summerfield – Mental Health
Taylor Piver – Mental Health
Natalie Finch – Minds Matter
Elizabeth Townsend – Minds Matter
Kelyn Bayne – Mavs Matter
Erin Check – Advisory Lessons
ErIn Washington – Censorship
Michael Joy – Strategy
Samantha Byrne – Books
Sarah Magg – Books
Judith Tanzola – Books
Charlotte Wood – LGBTQ Inclusion in Schools
Catherine Schumacher – Make Summer Count
Sasha Patton - Academic Growth, Mental Health and Recess
Daniel Trull – Curriculum
Joey Muolo – LGBTQ+ Issues
Nacole Hause - Mental Health Prevention and Student ID Suicide Act
Jennifer Piver – Mental Health America in Greenville County
Katlyn Garcia - School Board, Book Choice

Superintendent's Report
Acknowledged the excellent performance by the Mauldin Middle School Mustang Choir Ensemble. No additional information was shared.

Action Items

Appeal of Material Review Committee Decision
Board did not uphold the decision of the Elementary Material Review Committee regarding the book George by Alex Gino. The Board approved a substitute motion to authorize the Administration to remove the book George by Alex Gino from elementary schools, and allow it to be available at the middle school level with parental permission, and at the high school level.

Acceptance of Audit Team Committee
Trustees voted to accept the names of Glenda Morrison-Fair, Pat Sudduth, Michelle Goodwin-Calwile, Lisa Wells, and Roger Meek for the Audit Team Committee for 2022-23.

Naming of Blue Ridge High School Band Room
Board voted to approve the naming of the Blue Ridge High School band room in honor of James William Fox.

Naming of Brook Glenn Elementary School Library
Trustees voted to approve the naming of the Brook Glenn Elementary School library in honor of Bernice Jackson.

Naming of Golden Strip Career Center Auditorium
Board voted to approve the naming of the Golden Strip Career Center auditorium in honor of JF Lucas.

J.E. Sirrine Scholarship Award Recipients – New and Renewals
Trustees voted to approve the new and renewal scholars for J.E. Sirrine Scholarships in the amounts specified by the J.E. Sirrine Scholarship Program Report.

Proposed Letter Regarding a Voluntary Book Rating System
Board voted to approve the proposed letter to the South Carolina Congressional Delegation regarding a content-rating system for book publishers.