GCS Insider - Quick Notes

 

Quick Notes – May/June 2008

 

May
The Months

• Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

• National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

• National Bike Month

• Better Hearing and Speech Month

June

The Months

• National Student Safety Month

• Children’s Awareness Month

• Sports America Kid’s Month

The Weeks

• 8-14       National Flag Week                        

• 9-15       National Men’s Health Week

The Days

• 14           Flag Day

• 15           Father’s Day

• 21           National ASK Day

• 21           First Day of Summer

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month (May)

Get up and Get Moving!
May is the month to celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month by challenging yourself and your students to become more active. Adults need 30 minutes of physical activity on five or more days a week to be healthy, while children and teens need 60 minutes of activity a day for their health. If this sounds daunting, you’re in for some good news. Studies now show that activities broken into smaller segments of 10 or 15 minutes throughout the day have the same health benefits as one longer workout. Today, exercise takes on many faces, and there hundreds of ways to get fit. Try any of these suggestions to get started, and don’t be afraid to try something new every few months:

• 30 minutes of brisk walking at lunch

• Joining in a volleyball or basketball game

• Tending to the garden on the weekends

• Taking the stairs instead of the elevator

• Jumping rope or doing jumping jacks

• Joining an aerobics class

  
  

Walk to a Better You


Another simple way to get moving is to purchase a pedometer (usually no more than $20) and start walking. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), showed that people who wear a pedometer walk about 2,000 more steps every day — or about one more mile — than those who don’t. The average person in the U.S. walks about 5,300 steps in one day, which is only half of the 10,000 steps recommended.


The JAMA study also found that pedometer users:

• Increased their steps if they set daily step goals for themselves,

• Made other improvements in their lifestyles, including decreasing calories and increasing other physical activities and

• Lost weight and reduced their blood pressure.
  
  

Economic Impact Analysis (EIA)


Did you know that you work for the largest employer in Guilford County? Do you realize that GCS’ economic impact on the local economy is more than $1 billion? As our area grows, so does the influence GCS has on jobs, wages and our overall economic health. To learn more information about the EIA and how GCS has had an impact on the community, click here.


Children’s Awareness Month


June is Children's Awareness Month which was created by the U.S. Government's Center for Mental Health Services. The annual campaign is designed to increase public awareness about the importance of protecting and nurturing the mental health of young people.

 

Flag Day


We usually know when Flag Day is celebrated, but do we know why? On June 14, the United States celebrates Flag Day. The day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The week of June 14 is designated as "National Flag Week." During this week, the president will issue a proclamation urging the country to fly the American flag for the duration of that week.



Interesting Facts About Flag Day

• In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day. It was not until 1949 that National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress.

• Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, though on June 14, 1937, Pennsylvania became the first (and only) U.S. state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday.

• The largest Flag Day parade is held annually in Troy, New York.
  
  

National ASK Day


Did you know that 40 percent of homes with children have a gun? PAX, a nonprofit organization that brings real solutions to gun violence, in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics, created the ASK (Asking Saves Kids) campaign. The ASK campaign encourages parents to ask if there are guns in the homes where their children play. ASK Day is observed to focus on the lifesaving message. This year, ASK Day will occur on Saturday, June 21, the first day of summer. To learn more about National ASK Day, visit http://www.paxusa.org/ask/index.html).

From the Professional Development Office


It’s almost summer, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop learning! For summer professional development opportunities, visit the Professional Development link from the employee page. You can also view summer professional development initiatives. Questions? Contact the Professional Development office at 335-3290 for more information.


 

From the Benefits Office - Removing Children from Insurance Coverage


Employees who have chosen to insure their children (health, life and dental) may do so until the child turns nineteen. If the child is a full-time student at a college or university, insurance coverage can be extended until age 26 or at the time of graduation, whichever comes first.  One semester break per calendar year is allowed for a student to maintain a full-time student status.  Summer school is optional and is not considered a semester.  Children graduating from college must be removed before the first day of the month following graduation so the employee will not be charged an additional month with no coverage.  Married children of any age cannot be insured by a parent.  Ineligible children must be removed from all insurance coverage.  For more information contact the Benefits Office at 370-8092.  


Get Healthy Guilford


Eighty-two employees completed the 10-week “Get Healthy Guilford” Challenge.  The challenge promoted “Eat Smart & Move More” by requiring the eating of 5-9 fruits and vegetables daily, and moving at least four days a week for 30 minutes. The challenge was organized by the Get Healthy Guilford Coalition and was sponsored by the Moses Cone-Wesley Long Community Health Foundation.  The activity was coordinated by the YMCA of Greensboro.  The grand prize drawing, a weekend for two at the Inn on Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, was won by Lisa Barefoot of Weaver Academy.  The district held a drawing for other prizes, and the following employees were winners:  Brooke Aukes, Sandy Clark, Pamela Hodgin, Gina Garrett, Lori Jones, Nancy Miller and Irvan Rankin.


Several employees participated in the optional weight loss challenge.  Over 404 pounds were lost and La Gail Williams of Falkener Elementary won the weight loss challenge and was awarded a gift certificate to the Fresh Market.

 

Congratulations to 2007-08 Rookie Teacher of the Year


The 2007-08 Rookie Teacher of the Year was announced during a May 14 breakfast, sponsored by Guilford Education Alliance.  Nicholas Bush of Wiley Elementary was named the overall and Elementary Rookie Teacher of the Year. Bush will receive a scholarship to earn a master’s degree at UNC-Greensboro. 

 

The field began with 52 teachers who were nominated for the honor. Each teacher submitted portfolios for consideration and a committee of administrators, career teachers, and community representatives reviewed and scored portfolios.  The five finalists were Bush, Clark Erskine of Alamance Elementary, Lorin Hooker of Southwest High, Jennifer Omran of Oak Hill Elementary and Matthew Rickard of Page High, who was named the secondary winner.  For more information, please contact Martha Snavely, Executive Director for Induction and Professional Development, at 335-3290.

 

Want to go fishing? 


Gary Melton at Western High School is organizing a bass fishing tournament for Guilford County School employees, June 8 at 7 a.m. on Lake Brandt.  For prize information and to enter, contact Gary Melton at meltong@gcsnc.com.



• 5 fish limit with total wt. per person

• Entry fee is  $20.00 per boat

• Maximum: 25 Boats

• Open to all school employees
  
  

Top 10 Summer Songs



1. Katrina and the Waves - "Walking on Sunshine”
2. Kenny Chesney - “Summertime”
3. Don Henley - “Boys of Summer”
4. Bryan Adams – “Summer of ‘69”
5. Beach Boys – “California Girls”
6. Len – “Steal my Sunshine”
7. Sheryl Crow – “Soak up the Sun”
8. Alice Cooper – “School’s Out”
9. DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince – “Summertime”
10. The Surfaris – “Wipeout”

 

 

In compliance with federal laws, Guilford County Schools administers all educational programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination because of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, color, age, military service, disability or gender, except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law. Refer to the Board of Education's Discrimination Free Environment Policy AC for a complete statement. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to the Guilford County Schools Compliance Officer, 120 Franklin Boulevard, Greensboro, NC 27401; 336.370.2323.