GSCS COMMUNITY COMMUNICATOR
August 2021
To view the entire newsletter, please scroll to the bottom of the email and click on "View Entire Message."
Greetings!

I’ve reached the 150-day mark. My first 100 days went according to plan. Our three non-negotiables are to be professional and accountable and to communicate effectively. Thank you for your support, encouragement and partnership. I am excited about the new partnerships with various entities and industries within our community. All of these demonstrate our commitment to create great experiences for our students and staff.

We continue to do all that we can to keep students and staff safe while in our schools. I know that our protocol has been a topic of discussion in the community. I recently shared with district and community leaders that we will take a school-by-school approach when it comes to COVID-19. If two or more students in a classroom are COVID-19 positive at roughly the same time, that classroom will be quarantined. My belief is that if 25 percent of a school is involved in COVID-19 activity, it will likely be closed. We currently have two schools around 17 percent and as a district, approximately 9 percent are affected by COVID-19 activity (positive and quarantined). Recently students and families were asked to participate in a survey concerning internet access and the ability to retrieve work from Google Classroom while at home. This connectivity to Wi-Fi helps with homework, weekend projects and it will help in the event that a classroom or school has to quarantine.

Please know that we are using every measure available to us to limit the spread of the virus so we can keep our students learning in person. That said, let’s be intentional in our use of face coverings, hand washing, social distancing and contact tracing. If your student is ill or experiencing symptoms of illness please keep them home. Although the school year is different, I encourage you to be engaged in your students learning experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. Talk with your students and let us know if they are struggling emotionally or academically so that we may help.

This brings me to our new Let’s Talk platform. Let’s Talk is a communication tool that will help us improve the way we communicate with one another. It gives you a direct channel to communicate with your school or the school district 24/7. It will help you receive timely information from the person most knowledgeable about the subject in question. The platform allows our staff to delegate dialogues to the appropriate person and it allows me to track our customer service. When you have a question, concern, comment or word of encouragement, click the Let’s Talk button on the right side of your school’s website or our district website.

Agility is key and I’m asking that families recognize the importance of being flexible during this time. We will get through this challenging season together. I’m thankful for all of the amazing teachers, custodians, bus drivers, nurses, nutrition staff and other support staff in this district. On behalf of the district and the board of education, allow me to express how much we value the opportunity to partner with you and to serve you and your students.

I am prayerful that we, as a community, can allow the adversity we currently face to unify us and make us stronger through the challenges that we overcome together.

Sincerely,
Keith Simmons
Superintendent
NEW CUSTOMER SERVICE PLATFORM LET'S TALK
GSCS is committed to ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of our entire school
community. As part of that commitment, it is critical that every member of our community has an easy way to engage with us and be provided the highest quality customer service.

That’s why we’re using Let’s Talk!, a cloud-based customer service solution that makes it easy for you to ask questions and share concerns. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week from any computer, tablet or smartphone.

Have a question about back-to-school or safety protocols? Want to learn about volunteer
opportunities? Know a teacher or staff member who should be recognized for their hard work?

Simply click the Let’s Talk! button on our district website at www.spalding.k12.ga.us or go directly to Let’s Talk! by clicking HERE. Then select a topic to start a conversation. A timely, accurate response is guaranteed. You can also download the Let's Talk app by searching Let's Talk in your App Store or using these links:
Our customer app code is: GS3241

Thank you for being a part of the GSCS family. We look forward to hearing from you.
2021 EDUCATION CELEBRATION
On July 28, GSCS had an amazing kick-off to the 2021-22 school year at the Education Celebration at Griffin First Assembly with all 1500+ employees! Thank you to Norcom and all of the sponsors that donated over $250,000 in free school supplies to the students of GSCS! The celebration included fabulous high school emcees, recognition of the 2021-22 GSCS Teachers of the Year and the 2021 Classified Employees of the Year, entertainment by magician Tommy Johns and special keynote speaker back-to-back 100M Olympic champion and GSCS exceptional alumni Wyomia Tyus.
GSCS Superintendent Keith L. Simmons with Olympic Champion Wyomia Tyus
Did you know? Wyomia Tyus...
  1. Was born in Griffin, GA
  2. Was the first person ever to win back-to-back gold medals in the 100-meter sprint at the 1964 (Tokyo) and 1968 (Mexico) Olympics
  3. Graduated from Fairmont High School in 1963
  4. Earned three Olympic medals, all Gold
  5. Was a founding member of the Women's Sports Foundation
  6. Wore black shorts to support the Olympic Project For Human Rights, in 1968, instead of the white USA uniform shorts
  7. Authored an autobiography titled, "Tigerbelle The Wyomia Tyus Story"
  8. Received the first GSCS Exceptional Alumni award

Congratulations to the 2021-22 GSCS Teachers of the Year and Classified Employees of the Year!
Click HERE for a list of the GSCS 2021-22 Teachers of the Year.

Click HERE for a list of the 2021-22 Classified Employees of the Year.
2021 GRIFFIN-SPALDING EDUCATOR HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Pictured (L-R): Joseph Lee, Joshua Lee, Johnny Pattillo, Laura Lee Pattillo, Michael Lee, Lisa Lee, Hannah Lee, GSCS Superintendent Keith Simmons, GSCS Executive Assistant Kim Ray, Dr. Michael McLemore and Nolan McLemore
GSCS Superintendent Keith Simmons giving a trophy to Dr. Michael McLemore
GSCS Superintendent Simmons giving a trophy for Patricia Lee to her daughter Laura Lee Pattillo and son Michael Lee
GSCS Superintendent Simmons pinning Patricia Lee's Educator Hall of Fame pin on her son Michael Lee
GSCS Superintendent Simmons pinning Dr. Michael McLemore with his Educator Hall of Fame pin
Congratulations to Patricia B. Lee and Dr. Michael McLemore who represent the ninth class of Griffin-Spalding Educator Hall of Fame inductees. The 2021 class was inducted during a pre-game ceremony at the Griffin High School vs. Spalding High School football game on Friday, August 20.

In April, the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) sought nominations of exemplary educators who made outstanding and significant contributions to students, staff, parents and the community during their employment at GSCS. All nominees must have been employed at GSCS for a minimum of 10 years and retired for at least five years. All of this year’s nominees were chosen to represent the Class of 2021 Educator Hall of Fame inductees.

Our greatest resources are human resources. We have some wonderful people in Griffin-Spalding County Schools! Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Human resources are the most valuable assets the world has. They are all needed desperately.”

Meet Mrs. Julie Riggs, a first-grade teacher at Jackson Road Elementary School. Julie began her teaching career in California where she taught for six years. She then moved to Georgia and took fifteen years away from the classroom to raise her four children. She has lived in Griffin for 25 years and taught in Georgia for 16 years. All 16 of those years have been spent serving at Jackson Road Elementary School.

Julie realized at a young age that she loved children but she acknowledges that many people love kids but aren’t called to teach. She did feel a calling to teach and finds a sense of purpose in being an advocate for children. When considering career options, she realized that she wanted to step in and help those that couldn’t help themselves; our children. As she has matured, her calling has been affirmed many times and she now realizes that she, and other teachers, are here to provide hope and to let all people know that we’re not going to give up on them and/or their children.

Mrs. Riggs lives for those “aha” moments when the light comes on and a child is excited and shows a glimpse of awe and wonder at some new concept they’ve learned. She is grateful to be surrounded by teachers, friends, really an adopted family of teachers and staff at Jackson Road Elementary. She said, “The teachers at Jackson Road have a strong bond, strong friendships and are very close-knit. I love the comradery. Our school has a caring culture and all of the teachers believe that our purpose is to be there for the kids 100 percent. We are here not just for the kids in our class or in our school but for all kids; our future society at large. We know we are all called to fill that gap for children.”

One of her most notable accomplishments was going back to school to complete her master’s degree at the age of 50. She initially did not want to go back to college and didn’t believe it was feasible financially. Some of her encouraging teacher friends created a cohort to get their master's degrees together. There was an incentive program that would help with a small portion of the financial burden but a large sum would still remain. One of those teacher friends convinced Julie to allow her to loan Julie the balance, interest-free, and she could pay it back as she was able. Mrs. Riggs took that generous offer as God saying go ahead and get your degree, so she did. Julie said it was quite a rewarding experience. It taught her resilience. It was eye-opening and she is so thankful to have earned a master’s degree in Math from UGA.

Another notable accomplishment is that Julie Riggs was the 2015 Teacher of the Year for Jackson Road Elementary. She’s been encouraged by her administrators to take on leadership positions in the school. She has served on leadership teams and has been a mentor to others. She has helped several student teachers over the years and her example apparently planted seeds for members of her own family. Her daughter is a teacher and her daughter-in-law is a school secretary in GSCS.

Julie Riggs is one of so many remarkable educators in this school system. Her faith in God and desire to be Christlike is an attribute that she finds most helpful in her role as an educator.

According to Jackson Road Elementary Principal Julie Robinson, “Julie’s attitude is like a ray of sunshine. She is so positive all the time. She’s always positive about her students, about the workload, everything. She’s always focused on what is best for kids."

GSCS is proud of, thankful for and pleased to share the stories of our staff members.

-Written by Adam Pugh
BOARD OF EDUCATION
BOARD BRIEFS

The board brief is a summary of the actions taken at the Griffin-Spalding County School System Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, August 17, 2021.

Click HERE.
NEXT BOARD MEETING

The next Griffin-Spalding Board of Education meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 7 at
6 p.m. in the GSCS Learning Center.

*Social distance seating will be very limited and participants will be required to wear masks. Everyone is encouraged to watch the meeting live at: https://youtu.be/EhLL8Yk6T6g

SEPTEMBER IMPORTANT DATES & OBSERVANCES
GSCS COVID-19 DATA UPDATE
GSCS COVID-19 data update for August 20, 2021. We will post updated data every Friday. For data by school, please visit: http://www.spalding.k12.ga.us/Students--Parents/COVID-19-Data/index.html
COVID-19 VACCINE CLINICS FOR GSCS MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Please review the below letter and supporting documents, for information about upcoming COVID-19 vaccination clinics at our middle and high schools, during the school day. This voluntary opportunity is for GSCS students 12 years and older, attending our middle and high schools. After reviewing the letter, if you have any questions, you may contact our District Nursing Supervisor, Mrs. Licia Evans, at licia.evans@gscs.org or 770-229-3710 ext. 10350.

MY STOP APP ELIMINATES...
WHERE'S MY BUS?
Use E-Link to find your student's bus info! Click HERE and use your students ID number (lunch number) for the username and password.

*GSCS is currently experiencing a significant bus driver shortage due to sickness.
GSCS CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
We're Hiring!
Click each position for job descriptions, compensation details and application information
All positions above will receive a $500 hiring incentive

GSCS is also hiring:
All positions above will receive retention incentives and are provided health benefits and retirement benefits

GSCS is also hiring:
20TH ANNUAL PARTNERS IN EDUCATION GOLF TOURNAMENT
Click HERE to view the sponsorship form.
FALL PARENT SURVEY
Your input is not only valued and welcomed but is vital for the success of the parent engagement program. The results of this survey will help us know how to effectively plan parent engagement activities to support our families. Please answer each question as openly and honestly as possible. Your answers will be anonymous. Only one survey should be completed per household. Again, thank you in advance for providing your feedback.
GSCS WELLNESS POLICY AND COMMITTEE
The GSCS Nutrition Department seeks community members and parents to serve on the district wellness policy committee. We recognize that healthy students are better prepared to learn and succeed in school. The district wellness committee will promote wellness policy initiatives, programs and activities to have a positive impact on students and staff. If you are interested in serving on the committee or have questions, please contact GSCS Director of School Nutrition Robert Wheeler at robert.wheeler@gscs.org or 770 229-3700 Ext. 10317.
ATTENTION LANDLORDS: RENTAL PROPERTY NEEDED FOR GSCS CULTURAL EXCHANGE TEACHERS
GSCS is anticipating the arrival of four cultural exchange teachers. They will be moving to Georgia from another country to be teachers in our school system. Many of the apartment complexes in our community are full and GSCS Human Resources is trying to help these teachers locate rental housing options. If you have a rental property in Griffin that is available and suitable for these incoming teachers, please e-mail Dr. Stephanie Evans at stephanie.evans@gscs.org and make her aware of the property location and details.
THANK YOU PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
Click HERE for information about Chick-fil-A Griffin catering from our partners on Taylor Street.
Pickleball Kitchen Contest - September 15-19, 2-21
Click HERE for more information.
Click HERE for the City of Griffin's Citizens' Government Academy Registration Packet.
Be Part of Something Bigger
Click HERE for more information.

Click Here to learn about Brightmoor services.
Wellstar and DPH are offering free COVID-19 vaccinations at Mt. Zion Baptist Church on September 10, 2021. Click HERE for more information.
DOWNLOAD THE GSCS PURPOSITY APP TODAY!
GSCS needs your help with Purposity! With Purposity, members of the public can now help us serve our students by fulfilling needs like jackets or shoes. Even if you don't plan to donate, please download the Purposity app in the App store or on Google Play and, under the "organization" drop down follow Griffin-Spalding County School System.

Please share this information with friends, family and community members.
Please Download the App today!
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LinkedIn
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Twitter
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YouTube
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*The Community Communicator is edited using the AP Stylebook.

Laura Beaber, Editor
GSCS Communications and Partnerships Department