| GSCS GRADUATION RATE CONTINUES TO SOAR! |
 The 2017 graduation rate for the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) is 81.5% up from 73% last year.
Increases were seen in all three GSCS high school graduation rates. Griffin High School's graduation rate rose significantly from 77.3% in 2016 to 87.4%, A.Z. Kelsey Academy rose from 31.7% to 47.4% and Spalding High School rose from 75.8% to 79.7%. The state graduation rate increased to 80.56%.
High schools have moved to a block scheduling model which allows students more opportunities to gain credits. They have also made a concentrated effort to identify students for credit recovery or repair allowing those students to graduate on time. Individual schools at both middle and high school levels have increased support of students through school improvement grants and with additional teacher training.
"Clearly our focus on graduation is leading us in the right direction," said Superintendent Jim Smith. "The use of a more individualized approach to track student needs, along with the effects of two years using block scheduling, provides our students much better support to graduate within the traditional four-year time frame. I am excited to move forward keeping our focus on empowering our students to graduate college and career ready."
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FIVE GSCS STUDENTS NAMED REACH GEORGIA SCHOLARS
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The Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) held its inaugural REACH Georgia Scholarship signing ceremony for five middle school students at the Kiwanis Club of Griffin on October 4.
REACH Georgia Scholars are selected in middle school and sign a contract along with their parent/guardian to maintain a 2.5 GPA, remain crime, drug and behavior issue free and meet with a volunteer mentor and academic coach until they graduate from high school. Each Scholar who completes all program requirements will receive up to $10,000 that was earmarked to him/her in the 8th grade. The Scholar is able to receive up to $2,500 per year, for up to four years, to be used towards the cost of attendance to a two or four-year Georgia REACH program eligible institution of their choosing.
The GSCS 2017 REACH Georgia Scholars are:
Carlos Alvarez, Cowan Road Middle
Diego Deliz, Rehoboth Road Middle
Thavious Neal, Rehoboth Road Middle
Marcoiya Sutton, Kennedy Road Middle
Emily VanEps, Carver Road Middle
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Pictured (L-R): GSCS REACH Georgia Scholars Carlos Alvarez, Diego Deliz, Thavious Neal, Marcoiya Sutton and Emily VanEps.
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11 SCHOOLS DEMONSTRATE GROWTH
IN CCRPI SCORES
Eleven schools in the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) showed gains on the 2017 College & Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) results released today by the Georgia Department of Education.
The three schools showing the highest improvements include A.Z. Kelsey Academy (13.5 points), Rehoboth Road Middle School (8.9 points) and Atkinson Elementary (8.6 points). Additionally, Crescent, Futral Road, Jackson Road and Jordan Hill elementary schools and Rehoboth Road Middle beat the state's average scores for elementary and middle schools respectfully. A complete list of schools showing gains is attached in the appendix.
As a district, GSCS experienced a slight decrease of .8 from 66.2 in 2016 to 65.4 in 2017. The state-wide average CCRPI score is 75 points.
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Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) showed level scores on the ACT in 2017. The ACT assesses students in English, reading, science and mathematics as a means of assessing college readiness.
Griffin High School scores rose from 17.3 to 17.9. Spalding High School's scores showed a slight change from 20 to 19.4.
This year, 229 GSCS students took the ACT scoring a total averaging of 18.5. The state's total score is 21.4 and the national average is 21.
"I am confident that we are well on our way to meeting state and national averages. I am pleased with the hard work of our teachers, students and parents," said GSCS Superintendent Jim Smith.
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BALDRIDGE NAMED 2017-18 GSCS TEACHER OF THE YEAR
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Pictured (L-R): Jackson Road Elementary Principal Karen Oot, GSCS Teacher of the Year Joan Baldridge and GSCS Superintendent Jim Smith
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Jackson Road Elementary Teacher Joan Baldridge is this year's Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) Teacher of the Year. She will now represent the district in the 2019 Georgia Teacher of the Year competition.
Joan Baldridge began her career in Special Education as a paraprofessional in 2007. She began her teaching career in Kindergarten, moving to
pre-k the next school year.
In 2014, Joan fulfilled her dreams of being a Special Education teacher at Jackson Road Elementary School. She has been the self-contained MOID teacher for three years now.
In her application Baldridge stated "I want the world to know that every single day teachers come to school with the sole purpose of igniting fires. We work tirelessly to design our teaching to spark an idea, fan a flame and see recognition ablaze in the eyes of our students. We are passionate about what we do. We are lifelong learners with many of us being Masters, Specialist or Doctors. We research, read, and learn new ways to interest our students. We stoke those little fires when they wain with brain breaks, innovative project based learning and new and improved technology. We are empowering our future leaders. We are fire starting, flame fanning, fully involved five alarm structures. I am one of these powerful people."
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| GRIFFIN-SPALDING PARTNERS IN EDUCATION |
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Annual Partners In Education Golf Tournament Success
The Griffin-Spalding County Partners in Education (PIE) raised over $28,000 to benefit Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) teachers and students at its 16th annual golf tournament. Thirty teams, 120 people, played in the tournament held at the City Park golf course on Friday, September 29. Proceeds from the tournament are used for classroom grants, field trip grants and teacher scholarships.
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MARUKAN VINEGAR BECOMES NEW PARTNER IN EDUCATION
Marukan Vinegar (U.S.A) Inc. announced their commitment to partner with the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) by contributing $10,000 to Griffin-Spalding Partners In Education (PIE) during the grand opening of their Griffin brewery on Oct. 25.
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PARTNERS IN EDUCATION AWARDS $27,551.89
IN GRANTS TO GSCS EDUCATORS
The Griffin-Spalding Partners In Education (PIE) "Prize Patrol" awarded 37 classroom and field trip grants to Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) teachers and counselors totaling $27,551.89. PIE board members visited 14 schools Nov. 2-3, 2017 to surprise the 2017 PIE Grant recipients.
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| ALL GSCS SCHOOLS RECEIVE SCORES OF 100 ON FALL HEALTH INSPECTIONS |
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Moreland Road Elementary Cafeteria Staff
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The Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) Nutrition Department received health inspection scores of 100 for all schools by the Spalding County Health Department during the 2017 fall inspection cycle. All school kitchens are required to conduct food safety compliance inspections.
This is the sixth consecutive year that all GSCS cafeterias have received a perfect score of 100 on their health inspections.
"Food safety is a top priority for all of our sites and these scores reflect that commitment," said GSCS Director of School Nutrition Laura Youmans. "Our managers and assistant managers are ServSafe Manager certified and work to assure that each school meets the highest food safety and sanitation expectations for students and staff. We are proud that our schools continue to maintain 100 health scores. We invite parents and the community to come join us around the table."
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| GRIFFIN REGION COLLEGE AND CAREER ACADEMY |
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RIBBON CUTTING "OFFICIALLY" OPENS GRIFFIN REGION COLLEGE & CAREER ACADEMY
State and local officials gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, October 17, to officially open the newly renovated Griffin Region College and Career Academy (GRCCA), though students have already been using the facility since the start of the school year.
The event was attended by a sizable crowd consisting of Office of the Lt. Governor General Counsel and Director of Policy Irene Munn, Technical College System of Georgia Executive Director of Secondary Education Initiatives Mark Peavy, community leaders, school district leaders, city and county officials, dignitaries from local colleges and universities and more.
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GRCCA HOSTED LT. GOV. CASEY CAGLE'S 10th ANNUAL BUSINESS & EDUCATION SUMMIT
GSCS hosted Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle's 10th Annual Business & Education Summit at the Griffin Region College and Career Academy November 13-14. GSCS Superintendent Jim Smith, participated in a panel discussion entitled "Leadership With Regional Impact" along with Butts County School Superintendent Dr. Costly, Pike County Schools Superintendent Dr. Duncan, Southern Crescent Technical College President Dr. Alvetta Thomas, Georgia Department of Economic Development High Demand Career Initiative Manager Jamie Jordan and Georgia Department of Economic Development High Demand Career Initiative Specialist Harrison Payne. The panel moderator was Shaw Industries Group Director of Operations Training and Development Brian Cooksey.
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| 2017 EDUCATOR HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES |
Bonnie Ellerbee, Laymon Hattaway Jr. and Tom Ison represent the fifth class of Griffin-Spalding Educator Hall of Fame inductees. The 2017 class was inducted at the Griffin High School vs. Spalding High School football game held in August.
 Bonnie Ellerbee served the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) as a teacher, math coordinator, assistant principal and principal for 30 years. During that time, she made tremendous contributions to the school and district, received numerous recognitions and influenced the lives of many. Mrs. Ellerbee received many grants and implemented many new math and science programs that can still be seen in classrooms. She started the county-wide Challenge 24 competition.
 During his 32 year career at GSCS, Laymon Hattaway, Jr. contributed to the education of students in various capacities. He taught science at Spalding Junior High for five years, served as the principal for Third Ward Elementary School for 10 years, was the principal of Spalding Junior High Unit III from 1970 to 1980, during the integration of Fairmont High School and Kelsey Junior High, and served as the district's Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction until he retired in 1986. Hattaway received numerous awards and recognition for his work in education and his community service.
 Tom Ison has encompassed many facets of the education profession in his 36 year career at GSCS. He has been a high school history teacher and football coach, guidance counselor, elementary principal and middle school principal. As an administrator, Ison set high expectations for his students and staff but also took the time and provided the support to ensure they excelled. Under his guidance Taylor Street Middle School was selected as a Georgia School of Excellence.
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Pictured (L-R): Central Georgia EMC Board Chairman D.T. Hamil with GSCS Superintendent Jim Smith
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Pictured (L-R): Kiwanis Club President Brad Glass, Georgia Teacher of the Year John Tibbetts, GSCS Teacher of the Year Joan Baldridge, GSCS Superintendent Jim Smith and Kroger of Griffin HR Manager Jerome Langford
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CENTRAL GEORGIA EMC DONATES $8,500 TO GSCS
Central Georgia EMC Board Chairman D.T. Hamil presented Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) Superintendent Jim Smith with a donation of $8,500 for school improvement efforts.
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KIWANIS AND KROGER CELEBRATE GSCS TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
On November 1, the 2017-18 GSCS Teachers of the Year (TOTY) were recognized at the Griffin Kiwanis luncheon. Georgia Teacher of the Year John Tibbetts was the special speaker and Jerome Langford from the Griffin Kroger surprised District TOTY Joan Baldridge from Jackson Road Elementary with a gift basket and $500 gift card from Kroger. Congrats to all GSCS Teachers of the Year!
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| GSCS LEARNING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND PARENT WORKSHOP |
| CITY COLLABORATION FOR STUDENT SUCCESS |
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First Place Winner Austin Ridgeway from Kennedy Road Middle School
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GRIFFIN FIRE ASSIST ATKINSON
ELEMENTARY HIGH ACHIEVERS
Atkinson Elementary High Achievers earn points towards a reward at the end of each month. This month Griffin Fire Rescue assisted by providing the fourth grade High Achievers with an interactive lesson on fire trucks and other equipment.
Thank you Griffin Fire!
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MODEL WATER TOWER CHALLENGE
On November 8, Cowan Road Middle School hosted GSCS's 3rd Annual Model Water Tower Championship. The competition is sponsored by the City of Griffin to challenge middle school students to design a working model of a water tower. Students from all four middle schools competed. Winners received $300 for first place, $200 for second and $100 for third.
Congratulations 2017 Model Water Tower Championship Winners!
1st Place - Austin Ridgeway, Kennedy Road Middle School
2nd Place - Tania Chapman, Rehoboth Road Middle School
3rd Place - Codey Parrott, Kennedy Road Middle School
Thank you City of Griffin!
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YOUTUBE
Click
HERE
to view the Sights & Sounds of GSCS!
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The mission of the Griffin-Spalding County School System is to empower students to graduate college and career ready.
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Laura Beaber, Editor
Communications & Partnerships Department
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