High School Town Hall Meetings

Thursday, October 27

Griffin Auditorium (234 E Taylor St, Griffin, GA 30224)

Spalding High School Families - 4 p.m.-5 p.m.

Griffin High School Families - 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

GSCS elementary and middle school families are also invited to attend. Please attend the session where your student will attend high school. 

The Georgia DOT advises Spalding County motorists that a project is scheduled to start Monday, October 10, 2022. Railroad crews will be on Gate Ridge Road at the Railroad crossing at SR 16 to perform maintenance work. The area will also be paved by GDOT during this closure. The project will be active from October 10-14. This work will improve the crossing for motorists traveling on SR 16.

This week in October was chosen so work would not interfere with school traffic. This week is fall break for the Griffin-Spalding school system.

The rails will be raised across the entire width of SR 16 and in order to do this, the road will need to be closed while the crossing is repaired. A detour will be in place to route traffic using I-75, SR 20, and US 19. 

When: Starting Monday, October 10 -14, 2022

Where: SR 16 and Gate Ridge Rd. Railroad Crossing, Spalding County, Georgia 

Advisory: Motorists are advised to expect delays, exercise caution, and reduce their speeds while traveling through detours and around work zones. Before heading out, get real-time information on work status and traffic conditions. Call 511, visit 511ga.org, or download the Georgia 511 app.

Danny Bates, Herman Nelson, Dr. Pat Phillips and Margaret Weldon represent the tenth class of Griffin-Spalding Educator Hall of Fame inductees. The 2022 class was inducted at the Board of Education meeting on October 4.

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 2022 Educator Hall of Fame inductees.

Danny Bates served GSCS for 35 years. He taught grades K-5 at Atkinson Elementary, Beaverbrook Elementary, Cowan Road Elementary and the Program Challenge Gifted Center. At Beaverbrook and Cowan Road, Bates was instrumental in creating yearbooks, producing school plays, newsletters and sharing his artistic talents with everyone. He was selected as Teacher of The Year five times during his career. Bates developed units of learning on dinosaurs, anatomy, marine biology, ancient civilizations, Rome and Greece, Elements of Art, Zoology and Egyptology that are still being used today at Program Challenge. In the early 80s, he learned computer technology ahead of many teachers in order to provide computer technology to his students. He implemented new ideas and shared his techniques with all his peer teachers. 

“Mr. Bates was a forerunner of innovative ideas, techniques and new programs to provide for students and enhance his learning and teaching skills. Mr. Danny Bates has gone above and beyond all that has been asked of him for GSCS students, peers and community. His reputation is known throughout the community as a positive, dedicated, advocate for all students that he has come in contact with throughout his life. He has devoted his own time to better the gifted program within the school system. His contributions have made a positive impact on the school system and community,” stated his nominator.

Herman Nelson served GSCS for 35 years. He began his career with GSCS in 1946 at Spalding High School teaching vocational agriculture and basic shop. In 1953, Nelson moved to Griffin High School to teach vocational agriculture and served as the Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor. In 1964, because of his attention to detail and problem-solving skills, Herman was asked to leave the classroom to help the district with transportation and maintenance. He became the Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance and Transportation for the district and served in that role until his retirement in 1981.

Herman Nelson served in the Army during World War II. He was captured by the Germans at the Battle of the Bulge and was a Purple Heart recipient. He was also a longtime Kiwanis Club member, served as a Sunday school teacher at his church and vice-president of the Georgia Vocational Association.

“Herman Nelson was a hardworking man who valued learning and maintained a calm demeanor no matter what challenges he faced. He was revered by everyone in the school system and one of the most respected individuals in our community. He was SPECIAL and his legacy lives on through each student whose life he touched,” stated his supporters.

Herman Nelson passed away in 1994. His grandson, Stoney Setzer, accepted the award in his honor.

Dr. Pat Phillips served GSCS and Griffin High School for 36 years. She taught home economics, science, physics, chemistry and served as the head of the science department. Dr. Phillips was named a STAR teacher in 1974, a 1983 Regional and National Catalyst winner and Griffin RESA Exemplary Science Teacher for 1990-1991. She required that her students do Science Fair projects and she worked with them to produce projects that won regional, state and national awards and scholarships. She worked tirelessly to get a school bond referendum passed for many years, finally resulting in the SPLOST that paid for the current Griffin High School to be built. She helped design the classrooms and labs at that school and championed a nature trail. She set up a program for visiting professionals to come and speak to students about careers in science. She influenced many students to believe in and better themselves and inspired many to become doctors, scientists and teachers.

“Dr. Pat Phillips was an amazing teacher who demonstrated empathy and compassion for each of her students. She brought about meaningful social change as an educator and showed all her students that a woman can work hard, study hard and love their family hard and achieve balance. She was a powerful and positive lady who left every life she touched better for having known her,” stated her supporters.

Dr. Pat Phillips passed away in 2013. Her son, Bill Phillips, accepted the award in her honor.

Margaret Weldon served GSCS for 37 years. She spent 24 years teaching English at Spalding Junior High School and 13 years working with gifted students in Program Challenge, both in the junior high school and at Griffin High School. She was one of the first teachers to work with the Program Challenge in GSCS and helped develop the program. When she transferred to the high school, she worked with the Program Challenge students in developing the first Advanced Placement classes in the high school. She also served as the Griffin High School Academic Bowl Coach and Math Team Advisor. During her teaching career, Weldon was named a STAR teacher three times by her students. 

Her career spanned forty-plus years and included retiring three times, with the final retirement in 1993 when she was 78. Even after retirement, until she was 90, she was known for her command of the English language, grammar and structure, and assisted many friends who were doing undergraduate and graduate work with their papers.

Margaret Weldon passed away in 2012. Her son David Weldon accepted the award in her honor.

GSCS Superintendent Dr. Keith L. Simmons stated, “All of these inductees have made outstanding and significant contributions to the students, staff and parents of Griffin-Spalding. Their dedication and service to the students of this community has made a lasting impression. I am proud to honor these exceptional educators and induct them into the Griffin-Spalding Educator Hall of Fame.”

1st Place Team - HFG Development

2nd Place Team - A Christian Plumber

3rd Place Team - UGA-Griffin Campus

The Griffin-Spalding Partners in Education (PIE) raised over $25,000 during its 21st annual golf tournament to benefit the teachers and students of the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS). Twenty-seven teams played in the tournament held at the City Park Golf Course on Friday, September 30.

Proceeds from the tournament are used to fund classroom grants, field trip grants and teacher tuition reimbursement scholarships.

This year’s first-place team was HFG Development; the second-place team was A Christian Plumber; and the third-place team was UGA–Griffin Campus.

GSCS Superintendent Dr. Keith L. Simmons said, “I was pleased with the turnout. I appreciate all of the work that went into planning this event from the staff and volunteers. I am thankful for the generosity of our sponsors and participants. This was another demonstration of the community showing its support for our students, staff and school district. Thank you!”

For the 21st year in a row, Manley, Spangler, Smith Architects was the Tournament Sponsor. Scoreboard Sponsors were Brightmoor Hospice and Chick-Fil-A of Griffin. Hole-in-One Sponsors included Cronic Automotive Group (who provided a new truck that could be won by hitting a hole-in-one), Medical Weight Loss, MEJA Construction, Norcom Inc., Smith, Welch, Webb & White, LLC. and Virtucon. Andrew, Hammock & Powell Inc. and Wellstar Health Systems were Eagle sponsors.

Birdie Sponsors were: Audio Enhancement, City Church, A Christian Plumber, Coca-Cola, Fletcher & Co. Real Estate Appraisals, Griffin First Assembly, HFG Development, K&J Supply, Lighthouse Communications, McLeRoy Realty, Robinett Consulting, UGA-Griffin Campus and United Bank.

In addition to the major sponsors, those that had golf teams were: Alexander & Company, Beaverbrook, Futral, Jackson Road & CRMS Team, EdTech12, First Baptist Church, Futral Road Elem. Parent Team, Howard Technology Solutions, JK International, National Lock & Locker, Rehoboth Road Middle School & Twice the Ice (Sonny’s Ice).

Cart Sponsors included: First National Bank and Petro South Inc.

Hole Sponsors included: Burden Funeral Home, Control Concepts, Dutton & Dutton Law Firm, First National Bank, Hammond Services, Inc., Minuteman Press of Griffin, Patrick M. Shepherd – Spalding County Solicitor General, P.B.S. Realty Company, Petro South, Salaam Seafood, Specialty Products Company, Southern Crescent Technical College, The Geeslin Group and Willett Engineering Company, Inc.

At The Gathering at Douglas County High School Band Competition, the Griffin High School band of Gold received these awards and acknowledgments:

• 2nd place Drum Major(Superior rating) 
• 3rd place Percussion (Excellent rating)
• 3rd place Auxiliary (Superior rating)
• 3rd place Music Repertoire (Excellent rating)

(Rating scale: 1-superior, 2-excellent, 3-good, 4-fair, 5-poor)

This is GHS Director of Bands Daniel Goodmond's first competition with the GHS Band of Gold. Congratulations!

Congratulations to Spalding High School who received the most receipts during spirit week at Chick-Fil-A of Griffin. Chick-Fil-A of Griffin presented Spalding High with a check for $2,000 and Griffin High got a check for $1,000.

This week, Oct. 3-7, is Georgia Pre-K Week and the 30th Anniversary of the Georgia Pre-K program.

Pre-K Week raises awareness for the importance of quality early childhood education. Georgia’s Pre-K Program launched in 1992 as a small pilot program serving 750 four-year-old children in the state. Now, 30 years later, the lottery-funded program has laid a solid foundation for academic excellence and future success in the lives of more than 1.8 million children in Georgia.

GSCS has 21 pre-k classes totaling 454 pre-k students. Throughout the week, GSCS Central Office Administrators, Board of Education Members & Partners In Education are reading this year's featured book, Hey Georgia by Malcolm Mitchell, in all of our pre-k classes. 

This school year, GSCS is excited to launch our Strive for 95 Campaign, to improve student attendance to at least 95% - by implementing strategies to energize our stakeholders’ efforts and attention about attendance. Our campaign motto is “One or None per Month” – meaning one or none absences. You can read more about our Strive for 95 Campaign using these links: Strive for 95 Information Memo; Strive for 95 Attendance Resources At-A-Glance. Part of these efforts include our renewed partnership with our local faith centers, Spalding Collaborative, and the Spalding County Solicitor General’s Office, for their support and involvement in improving student attendance. Review the GSCS’ and GA Board of Education’s attendance regulations and protocols.

Because reading is the gateway skill to further learning, GSCS will focus on early reading skills, foundational reading skills and disciplinary literacy skills.

• Early Reading Skills - We will partner with our stakeholders to improve early reading skills through the Zero to Five Initiative so that students enter Kindergarten better prepared to read.
• Foundational Reading Skills - With an emphasis on learning to read, these skills in grades K-2 include phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
• Disciplinary Literacy Skills - With an emphasis on reading to learn, these skills in grades 3-12 include reading, writing and communicating across all disciplines.

This week is Georgia Pre-K Week and this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Pre-K Program in Georgia. Kelly Harris has been a teacher in Griffin-Spalding County Schools for 27 years, all as a pre-k teacher. She spent 17 years teaching at Anne Street Elementary and the last 10 years she has been a teacher at Crescent Elementary. Kelly was born and raised here in Griffin and she graduated from Griffin High School. She has been married to her husband, Todd, for 22 years. Their daughter Marley is a sophomore at Spalding High School. 

Kelly shared that she loves teaching the youngest learners in GSCS. "I feel like early intervention is important," she said. "I love to help instill a love of learning and create excitement for the students. They love being in the classroom. I love it when my students look forward to coming to school and have a strong desire to learn. I'm glad to have a chance to influence them when they are so young and impressionable. It is amazing how well they listen at age four. They can learn so much. I'm thankful to be able to help them build a strong foundation."  

Crescent Elementary School Principal Aimee Chambers said, "Mrs. Kelly Harris is the pre-k master. She is a pre-k coach for the district and she has amazing classroom culture and routines that she is able to share with other pre-k teachers. Her and Amey James are an amazing team." 

When she isn't teaching Kelly enjoys going camping with her family. 

The City of Griffin Downtown Development partnered with local churches (who are partners in education) and the Griffin-Spalding County School System to provide a fun fall experience. Each elementary classroom received a free pumpkin to paint. The pumpkins were all to be themed after a favorite book as part of the school system’s RISE (Reading Improvement for Students Excellence) initiative. The students chose a book and brainstormed about the creative art that was painted on their class pumpkin. The pumpkins will be grouped by school and displayed throughout downtown for the upcoming 2nd Saturday event called “Howl-O-Ween” this Saturday, October 8.

On October 8, families can also enjoy a pet-friendly shopping experience in downtown Griffin with sidewalk sales, outdoor dining at participating eateries and a Painted Pumpkin Walk featuring art by GSCS elementary school students and staff. There will be a Pet Mini Market at Historic City Hall (2-5PM), Yappy Hour Pup Crawl (4-7PM) and dog trick-or-treating! Several downtown businesses will be hosting special events this weekend: Cos-Play Costume Contest at Dan Wulf Games (4PM), Paw Print Impressions at Stache' Studios (10AM-8PM), Grand Opening Celebration at Myrtle's Plot Twist, Meow-O-Ween Cat Costume Contest at The Cat's Hollow and Zoomies Pop-Up Shop at The Cotton Mill.

City of Griffin Economic Development Coordinator Heather Robinson said, "We are excited to partner with the Griffin-Spalding County School System and their local church partners to bring the first Painted Pumpkin Walk to downtown. Local church organizations provided 257 pumpkins, one for each elementary school classroom to paint and display for the 2nd Saturday Painted Pumpkin Walk. Families are encouraged to bring their students and dogs too."

The pumpkins will remain on display downtown (in the median of Hill Street) after the 2nd Saturday event until downtown trick-or-treating. Downtown businesses will have trick-or-treating on October 27 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. followed by Truck-or-Treat on East Solomon near Historic City Hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  

The City of Griffin Downtown Development needs your feedback! It’s no secret that downtown is growing…our goal is to see downtown flourish into a space where all people feel welcome. Please take a few minutes to share your opinions, thoughts, and ideas on the future of downtown.

This survey was created for the Griffin Main Street Program. The data collected will help the Griffin Main Street Program with their upcoming visioning session and work plan.

Click here: https://georgiamainstreets.formstack.com/forms/downtown_community_survey_copy

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