Vote daily for $100,000 i-BLAZE grant

Don't forget that you can vote daily (once from every email address you use) in the Farmers Insurance $100,000 Dream Big Teacher Challenge. And, of course, we hope you'll vote for i-BLAZE, an innovative after-school intervention program for students at Brookwood ES and Meadowcreek ES. Check out the proposal by Dr. Sharon Smith and cast your vote every day through Oct. 31.  (Each time, you'll be asked to verify your vote via an email link. If you don't, it doesn't count, so please take this extra step.) Six Dream Big winners will be named in December, earning $100,000 each.

Gwinnett parent named to state education advisory group

Hats are off to Philemon Maliro, a Meadowcreek Cluster parent and 2016 Parent Leadership Award winner who recently was named to State School Superintendent Richard Woods’ 2016-17 Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council. As a Council member, Mr. Maliro will give input on the development of Georgia’s state plan in implementing the new federal law, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Thank teachers, help them earn $2,500 grant

Teachers who have received a thank you note through the Farmers Insurance Thank America's Teachers initiative are invited to submit proposals for Farmers' $2,500 grant contest through Sept. 29. (It's not too late to thank a favorite teacher!) The grants address teachers’ day-to-day classroom needs. A total of 60 teachers will be selected to win one of the $2,500 grants.

Watch for a reminder to cast your ballot once voting begins in October. At that time, you also can vote for GCPS' Dream Big finalists who are hoping to be one of six national winners. The prize? Each winner will receive a $100,000 grant from Farmers Insurance to fund their proposal for an educational program that will prepare students for the future. Stay tuned!)