GCS News Briefs

May 23, 2008

2008 GCS Climate Survey Launched Today

As a GCS employee, your opinions matter, and we want to know what we can do to improve your workplace environment. Recently, GCS teachers had the opportunity to participate in Governor Easley’s teacher working conditions survey. While this is valuable information, we feel it doesn’t tell the whole story. So, GCS is asking all non-teaching staff to participate in the 2008 GCS Climate Survey, which focuses on employees’ perceptions regarding their work environment. The 2008 survey is available online from May 23 – June 6.  Staff will receive an e-mail providing a link to the survey.  For those who do not have access to a computer, hard copies of the survey are available in the lobbies of the Eugene Street and Franklin Boulevard offices.  Please provide your GCS picture I.D. to the receptionist to receive a copy.

The survey is anonymous -- the results are compiled by an outside company, so please feel free to take the survey in confidence. We will share the results with each school and each central office department. Your valued opinions and recommendations, combined with the information from the teacher working condition survey, will help us address your concerns.

Together, we can make positive changes to make GCS an even better place to work. That’s why it’s so important for you to participate.  For more information, please contact GCAE President Mark Jewell at 299-9601 or Dr. Eric J. Becoats, co-interim superintendent, at 378-8838.

Central Office Summer Schedule

Please be advised that GCS central offices will operate on a summer schedule from Monday, June 16 through Friday, August 15.  Office hours will be 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on Friday.  Normal office hours (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) will resume on Monday, August 18. We will revert back to normal office hours during the first week of July (June 30 – July 4) due to the July 4 holiday.

In extenuating circumstances, department heads may work with their supervisor to make alternate summer arrangements outside of the standard summer schedule.  In doing so, please keep in mind that all offices must be covered during the established summer hours.

The summer schedule does not remove our accountability for a 40-hour work week or our compliance with Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines and reporting requirements. As such, for every sick or annual leave day taken Monday through Thursday:

• Employees must make up one hour per each day taken to make sure 40 hours are worked for that week
• This can be done by working an additional hour on another workday within the same work week
• Or by taking one hour of comp time per each day taken
• Or by taking one hour of time without pay for each day taken
• For every sick or annual leave day taken on a Friday, only a half-day will be charged

Please be reminded that the GCS work week begins Saturday at 12:01 a.m. and ends the following Friday at 12:00 midnight. For more information, please contact Steve Friddle, director of payroll, at 370-8164.

2008 John R. Kernodle, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Congratulations to Evan Russell, a senior from James B. Dudley High Early College Academy for being named the recipient of the John R. Kernodle, Jr. Memorial Scholarship.  Russell plans to attend North Carolina State University and major in Elementary Education.  After she completes her undergraduate degree, she plans to teach in Guilford County at the elementary school level. She is a senior girl scout and holds the office of historian for the National Honor Society.

The John R. Kernodle, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 1997, provides scholarships for seniors graduating from high schools in GCS pursuing a degree for employment as a teacher in grades K-12. Kernodle scholars are required to serve three years as a full-time teacher in North Carolina public schools, with a preference in Guilford County. Special consideration is given to students attending North Carolina colleges and universities.  The Kernodle Scholarship covers (up to a maximum of $10,000 per year) tuition and fees, on-campus room and board, meals and books and supplies. For more information, contact Gwen Willis, executive director of student services, at 370-8397 or Samara Johnson, supervisor of secondary counseling, at 370-2332.

NJROTC Students Excel

Northeast High student and Cadet Chris Jackson won first place in an essay writing contest sponsored by the American Veterans (AMVETS). He wrote about his favorite American hero which won him a $400 cash prize. Cadet Jackson will also compete for the Nationals in August.  If selected, he could win up to a $1,000 cash prize.  In addition, Cadet Jackson was selected to give the “welcoming remarks” at the Greensboro Bicentennial Cake Cutting Ceremony with Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson as the featured guest speaker. 

Cadet Faith Muller, who also attends Northeast High, was awarded a four-year Army ROTC scholarship to Virginia Tech valued at over $100,000.  She will study chemistry.  She was also awarded the Emerging Leader Scholarship for $12,000 from the Virginia Tech Corps Cadets.  For more information, please contact Principal Anitra Walker at 375-2500 or John Eldridge, instructional improvement officer, at 370-2360.

Congratulations Jefferson Eagles

The City of Greensboro's Water Resources Department and N.C. Cooperative Extension Service in Guilford County sponsored poster contests for Guilford County students in grades 1-4.  Contests were held in two categories: Water Conservation and Water Quality.
The 2008 first and second place winners were Jefferson Elementary students Rajee Ganesan and Shafag Ahmed.  Ganesan placed first and received a first place ribbon and a $100 savings bond, while Ahmed placed second in the Water Conservation Poster Contest and received a $75 savings bond.  Both students were recognized at the City of Greensboro Council Meeting on May 20. Click here to view the 2008 Water Conservation / Water Quality Poster Contest artwork. For more information, please contact Principal Tanya Feagins at 316-5870 or Steve Oates, instructional improvement officer, at 370-8060.

Mission Possible Commended in Federal Audit Report

The official summary report from the U.S. Department of Education’s audit of Mission Possible was received this week.  The report addressed findings from a recent program monitoring visit that included interviews with finance, payroll, human resources, district partners, principals, teachers, GCAE, school board members, senior staff and external evaluators.  The Mission Possible Office was commended for being an effective liaison between the key stakeholders as well as explicitly including key stakeholders in the development of the program.  Additionally, it was noted that the data quality and information technology used was professionally administered.  Monitors recommended that the Mission Possible Office continue discussions surrounding program expansion possibilities and look for additional opportunities to highlight key program aspects with faculty.  For more information, please contact Dr. Amy Holcombe, executive director of talent development, at holcoma@gcsnc.com or 335-3294.

GCS ACT Lateral Entry Teacher Information Session

An information session for GCS Alternative Certification Track (ACT), a new alternative certification option for lateral entry teachers, will be held on May 27 from 5 - 6 p.m. in the Eugene St. board room.  The purpose of this session is to inform newly hired (January 1, 2008 and after) lateral entry candidates seeking licensure (elementary and CTE excluded) of a proposed option for gaining full North Carolina licensure.  GCS ACT is a joint GCS/GTCC partnership program that will provide a low cost teacher preparation program that can be completed within 18 months and on weekends during the summer.  Taught by a GCS master teacher and a GTCC professor, GCS ACT courses will offer a high-quality, locally customized alternative to RALC or 4 year college/university licensure options.  For more information about GCS ACT, visit http://www.gcsnc.com/gcsact/index.htm . To RSVP to attend this information session, please contact Dr. Amy Holcombe, executive director of talent development, at holcoma@gcsnc.com or 335-3294.

NC Teaching Fellows Discover GCS

Forty-seven teaching fellows recently experienced a small part of what GCS has to offer as part of the seven-day Tour Discovery 2008. Discovery week provides teaching fellows with opportunities to explore multiple facets of the state and the school districts that they may call home upon graduating from college. It is also an excellent recruitment opportunity, as many of these potential teachers are determining where to begin their teaching careers.

The teaching fellows who visited GCS are sophomores enrolled in teacher education programs at universities across the state. They visited James B. Dudley High School, the Greensboro Children’s Museum, Center City Park and the Greensboro Historical Museum.  

The Teaching Fellows Program is part of a 10-point teacher-recruitment proposal titled “Who Will Teach Our Children?” The proposal was developed by the Public School Forum of North Carolina, a nonprofit partnership of business, educational and political leaders from North Carolina. In keeping with the goal to recruit males and minorities, approximately 20 percent of the program’s participants are minority each year, while 30 percent are male. For more information, please contact Alan Hooker, director of employment, at hookera2@gcsnc.com or 336-370-8055.

Early Contract Numbers

The following represents the Office of Employment’s hiring activity for the week of May 19-24:

• To date 760 early contracts have been offered in the following areas (math 218, science 107, elementary 236, English/language/reading 13, Spanish 3)
• The district also conducted two Lateral Entry Sessions for candidates interested in learning more about obtaining a license via alternative methods
• Thirty-eight candidates attended the Mini Fair, and eight were offered employment for the 2008-09 school year.

For more information, please contact Alan Hooker, director of employment, at hookera2@gcsnc.com or 336-370-8055.

Students Benefit from Enrichment Fund

Every year the Enrichment Fund for GCS provides field trip scholarships for students who otherwise may not be able to participate. This year, the Enrichment Fund is proud to report that they awarded $58,853 in scholarships to GCS students. Scholarship information for the 2008-09 school year will be available soon on its Web site at http://www.enrichmentfund.org/.  For more information, contact Cecilia Adams, manager of community partnerships, at 370-8355.

Rest, Relaxation and Retirement!

If your retirement falls between August 1, 2007 and July 1, 2008, mark your calendars for the GCS employee retirement reception on Friday, August 8 at the Mullin Life Center at the First Presbyterian Church, 617 N. Elm St., Greensboro. Look for your invitation letter in the mail by mid-July! For more information, contact Lillian M. Govus, program administrator – communications, at 370-8997.

GCSTV2

Discussing the Budget

What is included in the 2008-09 GCS budget? How does the budget address student growth, rising energy costs and maintaining academic excellence?  If you have questions about the budget, co-interim superintendents Dr. Eric Becoats and Sharon Ozment have the answers you need in this conversation with GCSTV 2’s Leonard Simpson.  This program runs Tuesday through Thursday at 8:01 a.m., 2:01 p.m. and 7:47 p.m.  It also airs Friday through Monday at 9:46 a.m., 5:48 p.m. and 10:01 p.m.

Music Showcase All-County Band Middle School

Music plays a big role in the arts education offered at GCS. The All-County Band Concert gives students a chance to showcase their talents, and GCSTV 2 provides you a seat in the audience.  This program runs daily at 9:01 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. 

Music Showcase All-County Band High School    

This performance features the best of the best of Guilford County Schools’ high school band talent taped at their spring performance at Grimsley High. This program runs daily at 10:01 a.m., 6:01 p.m. and 10:01 p.m.

Science Collaboration

Wiley Elementary teams up with North Carolina A&T State University to inspire students to get involved in science through some unique “hands on” experimentation. This program runs daily at 11:55 a.m.

Eat Smart-Move More

The right nutrition is important to maintain good health. GCS offers some healthy advice on choosing the right foods and portion sizes and to cut down on the extra fat and calories that may be lurking in our diets. Join Registered Dietitians Amanda Hester and Ashley Mathis for our series: Eat Smart. This guide to healthier eating runs daily at 6:57 a.m., 7:56 a.m. and Tuesday through Thursday at 9:52 p.m.  On Friday through Monday it runs at 9:55 p.m.

GCSTV 2 & ABC-45

GCS continues its partnership with ABC-45 television to share the following current news and feature stories about our district. The segments air on ABC-45 (Cable Channel 7) during Good Morning America each Wednesday and Friday at 7:25 a.m. and 8:25 a.m.

POWERgirls
They are not the latest cartoon super heroines, but the “POWERgirls” are equipped with the knowledge, the strength and the courage to conquer the world around them. See how the graduates of this leadership-training program are empowered to carry success throughout their lives. This Newsbreak airs Wednesday, May 28.

Making Music & More
When three High Point Central students went to work on a song honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, they didn’t know it would receive so much attention. Now that the finished product is out of the recording studio, not only do they have a tribute on their hands, but they just might have a hit. This Newsbreak airs Friday, May 30.

For more information, please contact Leonard Simpson, broadcast production manager, at 370-8167.