Last evening GSCS held a town hall meeting to open a conversation about students’ cell phone use in school. Do cell phones compliment students' educational experience or create conflict? Schools across the state and nation have implemented policies regarding cell phones. Click this link to watch a video of an example of one option. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRQa8X5ORek
There is no proposal in GSCS, at this time, we simply would like to gather feedback from staff, students, parents and community members on this subject. Use the following link or scan the QR code in the image to take the survey. https://tejoin.com/scroll/624212205
Please complete the survey questions and answer the primary question in the Thought Exchange then please rate at least ten of the thoughts that others have shared. If the thought is something you believe has merit and should be further discussed rate it a four or a five. If the idea is not something that resonates as needing additional conversation rate it lower (1,2,3). Thank you in advance for your valuable feedback.
Reminder: Town Hall meeting regarding cell phones in the classroom this evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Griffin Auditorium - 324 East Taylor St. Griffin, GA 30224.
If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about being a Griffin Spalding County School System vendor, RSVP and attend this event on November 13. Learn about how to become a vendor or supplier, the bid process, the payment process and more
This evening 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. don't miss the Fall Festival at GRCCA - 221 Spalding Drive Griffin, GA 30224. Get candy, meet local businesses, and learn about free college dual enrollment opportunities. Enjoy a live band, food trucks, and prizes for the best costumes.
October 24, 2024 Griffin-Spalding County School System and Ferst Readers of Spalding County collaborated to ensure that local students and families participate in Jumpstart’s (19th annual) Read for the Record event. Read for the Record is the world’s largest shared reading experience, sponsored each fall by Jumpstart, a national early education organization. Over two million readers and thousands of classrooms, libraries and community members came together to read the same book on the same day to celebrate early literacy. This year’s selected book was Piper Chen Sings, a book written by Grammy Award-Winning Hamilton star Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran
Piper Chen Sings (Random House Studio) is a story about a young girl who loved to express herself through singing but was struck with self-doubt and nervousness when asked to perform a solo in front of an audience. Piper shared that she felt “like butterflies were having a dance party” in her belly; she didn’t feel she could sing in front of others. She learned that butterflies meant “something exciting was ahead” and that recognizing and welcoming that anxious feeling would help it pass. Good advice encouraged Piper, who found her voice on stage.
GSCS Superintendent Dr. Keith Simmons recorded a reading of the book
and committed to setting aside time during the first school period of the day throughout the county for Read for the Record. Ferst Readers of Spalding County, GSCS DES and local speech-language pathologist Sonia Fields donated copies of Piper Chen Sings to GSCS classrooms, local preschools and doctor’s offices. Last year, Griffin-Spalding County Schools (GSCS) earned a “District of the Year” award, recognizing that the district hosted an outstanding celebration – led by Sonia Fields. Participation in the event has grown each year with more than 4,500 participants this year.
GSCS is committed to improving literacy in Griffin-Spalding. The system's RISE Initiative (Reading Improvement for Student Excellence) uses many tools, resources, competitions and partnerships to grow the ability to read and love of reading.
Use the link below to access the October special edition "Community Communicator" newsletter with important GSCS announcements. Thank you
https://conta.cc/4fkSDgN
Tuesday, November 5, is an at-home learning day for all GSCS students.
🏆 Shoutout to Our Top Schools! 📚 Congratulations to the top schools in our 100,000 Book Challenge and Lexile Growth Initiative! Leading the way in both book totals and reading growth are:
🏅 Top Elementary School 🏅 Top Middle School 🏅 Top High School
These schools have read the most books while helping students improve their Lexile levels. Your dedication to literacy is inspiring! Keep it up! 📖✨ #100kBooks #LexileGrowth #SchoolPride #ReadingExcellence #DistrictLeaders
As we move toward winter and the days get shorter, please help us keep our children safe on dark mornings. Many of our students walk to school and stand at bus stops. Please drive slowly and use these safety tips to help protect our students. Thank You.
Holly Betz, Evelyn Jones, Nancy Kitchens, Stan Mangham, Ray Nash and Jane Stelling will represent the 12th class of Griffin-Spalding Educator Hall of Fame inductees! The 2024 class will be inducted at the board of education meeting on Tuesday, October 22, at 6 p.m. in the board room at 216 S. 6th Street. Congratulations to these exemplary educators!
The Griffin High School Bears Football team has been in some close games, but has not won a football contest on the scoreboard yet this season. However, a recent letter from a referee stated that these young men from GHS are "winning everyday". Please take a moment to read the words of this football official and join us in being proud of the way our Griffin Bears are representing our school and our community.
The letter reads, "My name is James Brown and I currently serve as the President of the Columbus Football Association. I most recently served as your referee (white hat), in last night's football game against Northside of Columbus. Even though you did not come away from last night's game with a victory on the field, it appears that the student athletes (young men) that you coach are winning everyday.
I have been officiating for about 19 years now in high school and about 4 years in college (SIAC), and I don't believe I have ever officiated a football game where the student-athletes were so respectful and displayed such great sportsmanship for the entire contest. Before the game began, while your team was heading back to the locker room, I believe it was #11, that had the courtesy to ask myself and my umpire if we were having a good day. He appeared to also display a heart symbol with his hands as he ran past us. All night your players continued to show great sportsmanship by helping the opposing team up off the ground, patting them on the back/ head and verbally congratulating them on good plays. None of your young men addressed myself or the officiating crew in a disrespectful manner, to my knowledge, the entire night. I have officiated in close to a thousand games in my career, thus far, and I have never walked away from a game being more proud of a team in my life. Sometimes messages are sent when there is something negative to talk about, but I wanted to acknowledge the positivity that your football team displayed! It appears that you and your staff are a making great impact on these young men's lives for their future."
GHS Principal Naja Douglas said, "We are all very proud of our football team, coaching staff and partners. This letter from a referee is wonderful and I appreciate him taking the time to share these encouraging and affirming words, but this is not surprising. I see these student athletes every day and they model the strong character, referenced in this letter, in school. They lead by example."
Griffin High Athletic Director Travis Smith said "We have a very young team but they are very dedicated. About 80% of our team are freshman and sophomores. The wins will come as they continue to grow but they've got the most important part, strong character and appropriate priorities. I am thankful for Coach Fedd's leadership along with the coaching staff. He is dedicated to discipline and accountability but he also loves those young men and tells them daily. The coaches set expectations for the classroom, the football field and the community, and share with the players that they believe in them. We are rebuilding this program brick by brick and we have a strong foundation. We are also thankful for strong partners like David Johnson and his Beyond Self mentors and Daryle Smith of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)."
District athletic director Bill Stikes said, " Sportsmanship and character are focuses of GSCS athletics. Sports is a tool to build young men a women of character with strong work ethic that will become successful adults. We are proud to be building winners for life. I am proud of GHS football for modeling the positive behavior that we expect of all student athletes from all GSCS schools."
GSCS High School Advisory Board also had Slice's with Superintendent Simmons
this week. Great conversations on student scheduling. These🧠scholars are going places! 🎓 Thank you Slice's Pizzeria of Griffin!
GSCS Middle School Advisory Board had Slice's with Superintendent Simmons this week. Food, fun & feedback! 🎉 Great discussion on student cell phones📱. Thank you to our Partner In Education Slice's Pizzeria of Griffin!
We want your thoughts! Attend the GSCS Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m. in the Griffin Auditorium to discuss cell phones in schools.
Spalding High School Freshman Skye Oduaran will give her second TEDx Talk in Davenport, Iowa, tomorrow, October 10. Be sure to check it out! Congratulations, Skye!
Happy #GAPreKWeek! Quality early learning for young children improves third-grade reading
proficiency and increases high school graduation rates!
Student Leadership Opportunity
The Griffin-Spalding Board of Education values the input and perspectives of students and is accepting application for scholar representation to the board. If selected, a scholar representative would serve for one quarter. Application packets may be obtained from your high school principal and applications must be turned in to the principal's office by noon on November 4, 2024. The Board of Education believes that this opportunity will
● Amplify scholar voices
● Enhance communication between the Board and the scholars it serves
● Enhance collaboration between the Board and the scholars it serves
● Teach scholars the importance of civic involvement
● Expose scholars to Board of Education functions, preparing them for possible future civic service
● Report to scholars about the work of the school system and the Board of Education
Please consider this opportunity,
Thank you.
All GSCS schools will be closed October 14-18, 2024, for Fall Break. Central Office will be closed on Monday, October 14 & Tuesday, October 15. Relax and recharge...Happy Fall!
October 6th was #NationalCoachesDay. Coaches are mentors, leaders, and role models! GSCS wants to shine a light on the significant influence coaches have both on the field and in the classroom. Thank you to all GSCS Instructional and Athletic Coaches!
"FREE IS GOOD… and the GRCCA Fall Festival is right around the corner. Is your plan to attend college after high school? Would you like to earn up to 30 hours of free college tuition while in high school? If you answered yes to these questions, come to the GRCCA Fall Festival on Tuesday, October 29 to learn more. Southern Crescent, Gordon State College, Middle Georgia State and the University of Georgia will be present to discuss dual enrollment opportunities.
Not in high school yet, no problem? We’ll also have our Business Partners, Food Trucks, Games, Music and Candy so come by and begin to envision your future. Bring your eagerness, and a friend or two, to learn about all of the opportunities offered to Butts, Pike and Spalding families at the GRCCA. RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScgPt0IDVNxJ9bA2O8vlRYEZKmbbULbEnQLDNCIShPz-UsOyA/viewform
