Students step up to advise state superintendent

Three Gwinnett students are among 108 Georgia young people selected to serve on the 2016-17 Student Advisory Council to State School Superintendent Richard Woods. GCPS’ representatives on the council are Angelise Sanchez of Snellville MS, Theodora Alese of Five Forks MS, and How'Ron Nesbitt of Mill Creek HS. Throughout the school year, these middle and high school students will meet with Superintendent Woods to discuss the impact of state policies in the classroom. Members of the Student Advisory Council also will discuss other issues related to education, serve as the Superintendent’s ambassadors to their respective schools, and participate in service projects to benefit schools and students. Superintendent Woods said of the Council’s members, “This is a fantastic group of students with great ideas for the future of our educational system, and I can’t wait to work with them.”

A Year of Promise…

Visit the GCPS website regularly to discover the Promise in our young people. Throughout the year, watch for photo profiles of students and staff, Promise videos, special messages, and more as we focus on promising students, promises made, and promises kept! Click on the icon to the right to learn more about the Promise of Gwinnett! 

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!)

Fundraiser tees off Oct. 10

Mentors and community leaders are hitting the links at the Bear's Best Atlanta Golf Course to benefit GCPS’ Community-Based Mentoring Program. The 7th annual golf tournament is set for Oct. 10. Registration is open for both golfers and sponsors at all levels so pass the word. The deadline to enter is Sept. 23. For more information about the tournament or the mentoring program, check out the Mentoring Program web page, e-mail the program’s director, James Rayford, or call 770-277-4485.

No change in millage rate for FY2017

On Aug. 1, the Gwinnett County Board of Education adopted the existing millage rate of 21.85 in support of the district's FY2017 budget. The millage rate remains at 19.80 mills for maintenance and operations (M&O) and 2.05 mills for debt service. 

GEMS committee application deadline is Aug. 26

If you're interested in being involved in the process to recommend revisions and additions to the school district's curriculum, you have a few more days to get in your application! Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS)invites parents, community members, and school district employees to apply for the GEMS Oversight Committee, a group of community and school system representatives charged with the annual review of the Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) curriculum. The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2016. After the review, the committee recommends revisions and additions to CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks for adoption by the Gwinnett County Board of Education. Find a downloadable application online. Completed applications should be returned by Aug. 26, 2016, to the attention of Debbie Cate, Director of Curriculum Development and Instructional Support, at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center, located at 437 Old Peachtree Rd. NW in Suwanee. 

Apply for state advisory council for students by Aug. 16

State School Superintendent Richard Woods is seeking middle and high school students to serve on his 2016 Student Advisory Council this fall. Council members will meet with Superintendent Woods to discuss the impact of state policies in the classroom, along with other issues related to education, and will serve as the Superintendent’s ambassadors to their respective schools. Students must apply by Aug. 16 at 5 p.m. Contact Ron Culver at rculver@doe.k12.ga.us with questions. Council members will be announced Aug. 31. Students who don’t participate in the Council can still give their suggestions. Send an email to state.superintendent@doe.k12.ga.us with Student Advisory in the subject line.